Recent Tributes
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Catherine “Cathy” Anne Wright Norris
Catherine “Cathy” Anne Wright Norris, age 91, of Arlington, Va., died peacefully at home on June 14, 2026, from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. She was the wife of James A. Norris, a retired USAID foreign service officer. Cathy was born April 21, 1935, in Dalton, Ga., and was the eldest child of Hubert Davis Wright and Genevieve Pontrich Wright. Over the next 10 years, the Wright family lived in Charleston, S.C.; Arlington, Va.; and Norfolk, Va., before moving to Tokyo, Japan in 1946, marking the beginning of Cathy’s love of travel and exploring other cultures.
Returning to Norfolk in 1949, Cathy graduated as salutatorian of Granby High School, Class of 1953, where she was also the editor of the school newspaper and president of the Spanish club. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor’s degree in economics from Duke University, Class of 1957.
After working for the Federal Reserve in the Bureau of Research and Statistics in Washington, D.C., Cathy drove cross-country to California where she began graduate courses in economics at UC Berkeley in 1959. It was at UC Berkeley in 1961 when Cathy met James Arnold Norris, who was pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry.
Cathy and Jim were married in 1963 and then made their way to Boston, where Jim was a post-doctoral fellow in the MIT chemistry department and began his studies of economics. They welcomed their first child in 1965 and then started their life overseas in 1966, six months after Jim began his career with the US Agency for International Development.
Over the next 37 years, Cathy and Jim, with their three children, lived and worked in Tunisia, Indonesia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Russia, and Egypt (again), before retiring in Arlington, Va. Cathy oversaw the landscaping of the Joint Embassy School campuses in Jakarta; trained Bangladesh Central Bank employees in the use of computers; managed the computerization of an agricultural university in Pakistan; and, as a contractor for USAID in Moscow, managed the development and implementation of an agricultural project in Russia.
She loved a competitive game of tennis; cooking and enjoying gourmet meals with friends and family; staying up all night to finish a book; discussing current events, movies, art, history, and politics; and planning and completing multiple home and garden renovations.
Cathy is survived by her husband of 63 years and dedicated caregiver for the past two and a half years, Jim; children: Suzanne Norris Bronzi (Luca), Erica Norris Perlman (David), and James Wright Norris (Melinda); and grandchildren: Giulia Bronzi, Olivia Bronzi, Sofia Perlman, Wright Norris, Stella Norris, and Jimmy Norris. Cathy is also survived by many lifelong friends from college, graduate school, and her years of living overseas.
Cathy was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Yvonne Floyd and Frances Wright; and brother, Hubert “Pete” Wright. She is survived by her sister, Mary “Beezie” Shiflet (Harvey), and her sister-in law, Marilyn Holt Wright.
Keith Warren Sherper
Keith Sherper of Falls Church, Virginia passed away following 90 years of life on Saturday, June 27, 2026. Born February 10, 1936, Keith grew up in Minneapolis. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry from the University of Minnesota followed by a Master’s degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. He used these degrees in the Peace Corps in India, where he suggested, taught, and implemented improved farming practices.
In his following 30+ year career at USAID, he left resounding impacts that were recognized by the Presidential Meritorious Honor Award and the Outstanding Career Achievement Award. He traveled all over the world over the course of his career, serving in Vietnam, the Philippines, Georgia—Eastern Europe, Sudan, and Uganda, where he was the Mission Director. An incredibly bright mind with an even brighter soul, Keith’s kindness, humor, and intelligence will forever be remembered by the multitude of lives he touched and bettered.
Keith is survived by his wife, Phyllis, children Linda and Steven, and grandchildren Brandon, Eric, Tyler, and Rian. He was preceded in death by his parents, Julia Olson and David Sherper, and his four siblings: Bob, Dave, Naomi, and Ken (twin).
A visitation will be held at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, US, on July 5, 2026, from 9:30 am to 10:45 am, followed by a funeral service at the same location from 10:45 am to 12:00 pm. A committal service will take place at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22042, US, on July 5, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. A reception will be held at the funeral home following the funeral and burial service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to the American Heart Association in Keith Sherper’s name.
Janis Timberlake
Janis died unexpectedly on June 24, 2026, while visiting in Massachusetts. She was a USAID health officer for 30 years. An obituary is not yet available.
Paul Philip Spishak
Paul Philip Spishak passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, at the age of 87. He was born on November 18, 1938, in Johnstown, PA, son to the late John and Mary Spishak. Paul was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mary Louise, whom he met on a blind date, and raised four children. A devout Catholic, member, and usher of St. Mark parish in Vienna, VA, Paul’s faith, politeness, generosity, and intelligence, along with his calmness, sense of humor, and dedication to family define him. Welcoming all with a handshake and a smile, Paul found connections with everyone. His work at USAID, helping others here and abroad, was an important part of his many, many years of service to the government. Paul will be remembered for his devotion to Mary Lou, his stories about the 85 countries he visited, playing poker and basketball, and his love of singing, all the way to the end. May this Virginia Gentleman rest in peace. Dobrú Noc, Papa.
Paul will be missed by his brother (Fr. Carl Spishak), children and children-in-law (Steven Spishak, Kristan Cybriwsky, Tanya Spishak, Jessica Allister, Sabrina Spishak, Jason Kemp, Cindy Spishak, and Dethrell Garcia), and grandchildren (Kollar, Mila, Charlene, and Marlowe) along with many relatives, ushers, poker buddies, neighbors, and those who helped care for him in his final years. Paul was preceded in death by his brother, Leo Spishak.
A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 11:00am at St. Mark Catholic Church followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Mark Catholic Church, 9970 Vale Road, Vienna, VA, or to your favorite charity.
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Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 21, 2026.
Douglas Perry Broome
Douglas Perry Broome passed away peacefully with his son and daughter by his side, on March 28, 2026, in Cortland, New York from Parkinson’s disease. He was born in Waltham, Massachusetts on August 28, 1941, to Edwin Cornelius Broome and Edith Perry Broome.
Douglas earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Swarthmore College in 1963 and went on to obtain his master’s degree at American University, followed by doctoral studies at the University of Denver. He studied Arabic at the University of Cairo and continued his doctoral studies until obtaining a position at the United States Treasury Department.
His love of travel, history, politics and culture led him to a position at the U.S. Department of State as a foreign service officer for the United States Agency for International Development, where he pursued a thirty-year career in the developing world and in Washington, D.C. His posts included Lagos, Nigeria; Ankara, Turkey; Banjul, The Gambia, where, as attaché, he launched and implemented USAID mission; Dakar, Senegal; New Delhi, India and Kinshasa, Zaire. He traveled extensively with his family throughout every continent in which he served. He spoke Arabic most fluently, but also learned Wolof, French and Hindi.
He was assigned to the Foreign Service Grievance Board, and after retiring, was asked to return as a Senior Labor Management Advisor for the American Foreign Service Association. As a gifted writer, avid reader and lifelong scholar, he nurtured an insatiable interest in world political history, culture and religion. Douglas could also fix anything and spent his free time rebuilding vintage Mercedes automobiles, Gravely tractors and literally everything from the kitchen sink to the dock on the waters of his beloved forty-year respite on Lake Champlain in Westport, New York.
He is survived by his wife of sixty-two years, Mariana Henriette Jalil Khalil Atiyeh Broome; his son, E. Jason Broome; his daughter, Justine B. Shay; his son-in-law, Devin Shay; his adopted sister, Jano Brown and his grandchildren Serafina Broome, Jonah Shay, Alexa Shay, Julian Shay. He was predeceased by his father and mother; his stepmother, Madelin and his brother, Standish.
A direct descendant of Captain Myles Standish of the Mayflower, Douglas had a mischievous bent combined with a dry delivery that belied a curious and observant mind, often delicately walking the line between witty dark humor and inappropriate roasting. He was passionate about his wife’s Palestinian cooking, good beer and summer days with friends and family on the lake.
A private memorial gathering will be held at his daughter’s home in Tully, New York on Father’s Day, June 21, 2026. Donations may be sent to Mariana Broome, care of Justine Shay, 411 Babcock Road, Tully, NY, 13159, where they will be consolidated and sent directly to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Please contact the family for more information.
Douglas Broome was a highly intelligent and hardworking man, a loyal husband and a consistent, steady advisor and mentor to his close and extended family and his decades-long friends. He was always willing to lend a hand to someone in need. He will be especially missed by all who appreciated the correlation between the twinkle in his eye and his sardonic grin.
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Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 14, 2026.
Helen Donovan Grayson
Helen Donovan Grayson, 91, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully at home on June 9, 2026. Born October 23, 1934, in Bayonne, New Jersey, Helen lived a remarkable life filled with service, adventure, and dedication to her family and community.
She earned a degree in history from the College of New Rochelle in 1956 and attended the Georgetown School of Foreign Service. Helen served as a Foreign Service Officer with assignments in the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research and Paris, France. After leaving the Foreign Service in 1960, she pursued a diverse career, including teaching in Hong Kong, working for USAID in Panama, serving as an economist for the Department of Commerce, and leading as Executive Director of the American Restaurant China Council.
Helen was a devoted member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria. She found joy in traveling, playing bridge, cooking, volunteering, and spending time with her family.
She is survived by her daughter, Winifred Grayson; nieces Honore Wagner and Marcella Walker; and nephew Daniel Patrick Donovan III. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Benson “Bill” Lee Grayson; her son, Richard Andrew Grayson; her parents, Dr. Daniel Patrick Donovan and Helen Lankford Donovan; and her siblings, Daniel Patrick Donovan and Anne Donovan Whalen.
Helen’s memory will be cherished by all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Services will be announced at a later date.
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Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 14, 2026.
Charles “Chuck” Kapar
Charles “Chuck” Kapar, age 98, passed on May 19, 2026; born May 31, 1927, Charles resided in Fairfax, Virginia. Chuck Kapar was an auditor with USAID for many years. He is survived by his wife Nga Kapar and two sons, David and Marc. A Graveside Service was held at King David Memorial Gardens, 2712 Hollywood Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042, US, on May 22, 2026, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.
Hank Johnson
Hank Johnson of Somerset Apartments in Chevy Chase, Maryland, passed away during the May 9-10, 2026, weekend. He was a USAID Agricultural Officer and worked in Yugoslavia, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Washington. He and his wife had four children all born abroad. After his retirement in 1990 his wife became a Foreign Service Officer, and they served in Mexico City and Rome. Before his wife passed, they lived in the Washington area in Carderock Springs, Spring Valley, and moved to Somerset in 2015.
Carl Hughes Leonard
Carl H. Leonard, of Falls Church, VA, died peacefully of complications from multiple myeloma at INOVA Fairfax Hospital on May 8, 2026. A retired Career Minister in the Senior Foreign Service, he served for 30 years with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Following his retirement from USAID, he joined ACDI/VOCA and led the organization as its President and CEO.
Born in Chicago, IL, on November 4, 1948, to Carl Leonard and Shirley Ann Jones Leonard, Carl spent his early years in Clarendon Hills, IL, and attended high school in Hinsdale, IL. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University with a BA degree in economics, and at Vanderbilt, fell in love with his future spouse, Glynne Clair Borden. After completing an MA degree at the University of Wisconsin in Ibero-American Studies, he began his USAID career in 1971. Early assignments included Washington, DC (1971-73 and 1979-1983), Bolivia (1973-1975), and Peru (1975-1979). During the 1983-1984 academic year, he was a Princeton University Mid-Career Fellow in Public Affairs, followed by an assignment as the USAID Deputy Director in Honduras (1984-1988).
Over the next 10 years, Carl led large missions as the USAID Mission Director in Costa Rica (1988-1990), Bolivia (1990-1995), and El Salvador (1995-1997). He returned to Washington, DC, in 1997 to serve as the Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator in the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, and in 2000, as Acting Assistant Administrator. He retired from USAID in 2001 after a distinguished career and numerous awards, including two Presidential awards and a Distinguished Career Achievement Award. The latter award noted:
In recognition of an extraordinary and illustrious 30-year career with USAID in which Mr. Leonard demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, direction, and management of the Agency’s programs and staff including the current [2001] Plan Colombia Program, El Salvador Peace, and Bolivia Alternative Development. His lasting contributions, tremendous achievements and significant impact upon U.S. foreign policy objectives in the LAC region have been carried out with rare diplomatic distinction.
Carl joined ACDI/VOCA in 2001, and was selected as President and CEO in 2005, a position he held until his full retirement in January 2014. Under his leadership, the organization achieved a sound financial foundation; grew sustainably; and brought expanded economic opportunities for farmers, rural communities, enterprises, and small businesses around the world. In retirement, Carl actively pursued his keen interests of travel, fly fishing, genealogy research, writing family history, and spending time with family and friends. He is remembered fondly for his kindness, integrity, resolve, humanitarianism, leadership skills, and sense of humor.
Carl is survived by his wife of 53 years, Glynne Borden Leonard; son Curtis Owen Leonard and daughter-in-law Michelle Melara Leonard; granddaughters Maggie Carolina Leonard and Ruby Raquel Leonard; daughter Emily Leonard Ayubi and son-in-law Suliman Ayubi; sister Sharon Leonard Eisenstat and brother-in-law Theodore Eisenstat; brother Charles Curtis Leonard and sister-in-law Susan Smith Leonard; brother-in-law Stephen Borden; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Carl’s memory to the International Myeloma Foundation (https://www.myeloma.org/) or ProMujer (https://promujer.org/).
Jack Vanderryn
Jack Vanderryn passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on April 17, 2026, three days after his 96th birthday.
Jack was born in Groningen, the Netherlands, on April 14th,1930. His family fled the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in 1939 settling first in Kew Gardens, NY and later in Great Neck, Long Island. He went to P.S. 99, he learned to play tennis with his dad and piano, both of which became lifelong hobbies. His interest in science led Jack to brave the long daily subway ride to Brooklyn Technical High School for a more focused high school experience. After high school, Jack attended Lehigh University for both his undergraduate and graduate education, earning a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1955. Jack maintained his connection with Lehigh for the rest of his life.
His first position was teaching chemistry at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) in Blacksburg, VA. During a vacation in New York, Jack asked Margrit (Marge) Wolfes to do him a favor and marry him; they were wed in March of 1956. The couple set up housekeeping in Blacksburg and started their family with the birth of David.
Dr. Vanderryn had been teaching for two years when a guest lecturer he was giving a ride to, offered him a job at the Atomic Energy Commission in Oak Ridge, TN, where Judith was born. That initial position began Jack’s long career of government service in several federal agencies. After two years in Tennessee, an opportunity arose to work for the AEC in the Washington, DC area and they moved their family to Garrett Park, MD. There they started to indulge in their shared interests in art and music, frequently attending theater, concerts, and art shows.
In 1967, Jack was asked to serve as the Senior Scientific Advisor to the U.S. Mission to the International Atomic Energy Agency. The family – now four children, David, Judith, Amy, and Danny (often said all in one all-purpose breath) – moved to Vienna, Austria. Jack was responsible for providing technical information to U.S. diplomats negotiating international nuclear nonproliferation treaties. During this four-year period, Jack and Marge took enthusiastic advantage of music, art, social offerings, and – to the eternal consternation of their children – antique stores. They also travelled extensively, together and individually, and Jack made connections with art dealers in almost every place they visited. His favorite place was Paris.
The family returned to the US in 1971, moving to Bethesda MD. Jack continued in his government service in a variety of senior positions with the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Agency for International Development. He broadened the focus of his national and international work including projects to enhance environmental management and biodiversity, support for renewable energy projects, and collaborating with nations to build organizational capacity. Click here to see Jack’s complete obituary.
Published by The Washington Post on May 3, 2026.
John Holliday Zentay
John Holliday Zentay, 93, of Washington, D.C., died peacefully at home on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was extraordinarily mentally astute until the end, consistently correcting his children on dates and names, and accurately describing the many important events he had witnessed in his long life. John’s beloved wife of 56 years, Diana, passed away in 2020 after battling Alzheimer’s for almost a decade. He was her dedicated caregiver during those years, which was an honor for his children and grandchildren to witness. For the last years of his life, John was lovingly cared for by Melda Saga and Arnele Quiamco.
John was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 9, 1932, the year he would often cite as the low point of the stock market during the Great Depression. He attended the Community School and the John Burroughs School in St. Louis, and then went to Harvard College, graduating in the Class of 1953. He was drafted for the Korean War, but the conflict ended while he was in basic training. Instead, he served as an Army private for two years in Germany. John returned to Boston to attend Harvard Law School and then moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue his lifelong ambition of becoming a Washington attorney. From the young age of 11, his hope was to work in Washington D.C. someday.
John’s first job in Washington was working for Senator Stuart Symington of Missouri. He then worked in the Legislative Affairs Department for the United States Agency for International Development. His work as an oil and gas attorney began at Ginsberg, Feldman, and Bress, where he remained for many years before moving to become a partner at Verner, Liipfert, Bernhard, McPherson & Hand, which was eventually subsumed into DLA Piper. He loved his law practice and continued going into the office until the Covid pandemic, at which time he was 88 years old.
As much as John loved practicing law, his greatest joy was his family. He adored his wife Diana and his children Susan and Charles. He cherished his seven grandchildren and was very fortunate that they all lived nearby. For the last 22 years of his life, he saw one or more of his grandchildren each and every week. For many years, on Saturday mornings, he and Diana would host the grandchildren for trips to the zoo and local museums or let them play at the house. He also ensured that his grandchildren were educated in his great love of musical theater, taking them to numerous productions at Arena Stage over the years. All seven of his grandchildren are gregarious conversationalists who love connecting with and learning from others, traits they inherited from both John and Diana. John had many lifelong close friends during his nine decades, including those from St. Louis, his tennis group, and his friends from Harvard “Q Entry.” He and Diana vacationed often with many of these friends, and together the “Q Entry” group established a scholarship fund at Harvard.
John served on the Board of the National Archives Foundation for many years, as well as the Finance Committee of the National Cathedral. He was an enthusiastic tennis player who spent hours on the courts at St. Albans. He loved military history and talking politics, and he was an avid reader until the very end of his life. He also collected historical prints of Washington, D.C. and donated many prints from his large collection to the Lincoln Cottage, Mount Vernon, and Blair House.
John is survived by his daughter Susan Zentay (Adrian McAloon) and his son Charles Zentay (Amanda Nimmer) and seven grandchildren: Conor, Eamonn, Jamie, Finn, Emory, Grace, and Luke.
Memorial contributions in John’s honor may be directed to the National Archives Foundation (https://archivesfoundation.org).
A service will be held at St. Albans Church on the Cathedral Close at 1 pm on Monday, May 18th with a reception following.
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Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 19, 2026.
Ina O. Milton
Ina O. Milton passed away on September 12, 2025, at the age of 82. She spent most of her years in her hometown of Washington, D.C., where she was a champion of the arts, an early pioneer in computer technology, a fiercely loving mother, a proud grandmother, a caring friend, and a lifelong teacher to many.
In the 1970s, while working at the U.S. Agency for International Development, Ina put herself through night school to earn an MBA at George Washington University. At a time when few women entered the field, she took courses in computer programming and went on to apply that knowledge in groundbreaking ways, helping to automate payroll systems for federal agencies during the early days of computing.
Ina’s toughness and smarts were matched by her generosity which she expressed in both large and small ways. More than anything, Ina was genuine-if she supported you, you knew it was because she truly liked and believed in you. She was a founding board member of Synetic Theater and later served as president of its board, drawn by a deep appreciation for its unique blend of movement, acrobatics, and physical storytelling. She supported the theater from the beginning and loved the people who made up the Synetic community.
For decades, Ina taught English as a Second Language, leading classes and mentoring countless students, many of whom she stayed in touch with long after their time together. She also gave her time generously in other ways as well, volunteering at the White House and the Library of Congress.
Above all, Ina could be counted on–as a loyal friend, mother, and sister. She hosted large Thanksgiving gatherings for decades, made annual trips to the Outer Banks to be with friends, and always made time for a phone call to check in on life’s ups and downs.
There was something quietly enigmatic about her. She had her own way of combining sensitivity, resolve, humor, pragmatism, and a deep sense of conviction about right and wrong. In her final days, when asked what she would want to say to her grandchildren, Teo and Stella, when they turned twenty, she replied, “Enjoy college, enjoy life, and keep smiling.” It was said in her unmistakable way-simple yet powerful, her voice holding more feeling than the words alone could convey.
Ina is survived by her daughter, Lisa Milton; her two beloved grandchildren, Teo and Stella; her sister, Robin; her nephew, Michael; and her close-knit group of friends affectionately known as the “Usual Suspects.” Private services were held.
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Published by The Washington Post on Apr. 19, 2026.
Thomas William Merrick
Thomas (“Tom”) William Merrick was born on May 11, 1939, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Donald Merrick and Rosalie Merrick (née Cusick), the oldest of four children. After Tom came his brother Jim, then his sister Mary Margaret, and finally the youngest of the family, his brother Mike. Tom remained close to his siblings throughout his life, especially in his later years.
Early on, Tom learned the value of studying the classics, often recalling that needing to study his Greek flashcards would frequently excuse him from doing chores. He attended Creighton Preparatory High School, where his scholarship was recognized and rewarded. At the University of Pennsylvania, he earned his Ph.D. in Economics, developing a lifelong focus on the relationship between demographic change and economic development.
Based in Washington, D.C. for much of his career, Tom became an influential voice in the field of population and development. Early in his career he worked at the U.S. Department of State as an economist for the Agency for International Development 1968-1971, administering aid to Latin America. He went on to hold teaching and research appointments at institutions including Georgetown University, the University of Pennsylvania, George Washington University, and spent four years teaching at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Over the course of his career, he gained field experience in more than a dozen countries, bringing a practical, on-the-ground perspective to his work.
Tom later served as President of the Population Reference Bureau, where he helped expand the organization’s role as a trusted source of data and analysis on global demographic trends, including population growth, fertility, family planning, and public health. From 1992 to 2001, he worked at the World Bank as a senior advisor on population and reproductive health, contributing to programs aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing poverty in developing countries, particularly through advancing family planning and women’s health initiatives.
After the World Bank, Tom continued teaching and mentoring and served as a consultant and advisor to international organizations, including the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He also served on boards and in advisory roles for a range of institutions, including the International Women’s Health Coalition, the U.S. Agency for International Development, UNFPA, the Ford Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, the Hewlett Foundation, the American Public Health Association, and the National Academy of Sciences.
Throughout his career, Tom was known for his ability to bridge disciplines—bringing together economics, demography, and public health—and for his commitment to evidence-based policy. Colleagues and students remember him as intelligent, fair, generous with his time, and deeply kind.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tom was a devoted husband, family member, and friend. He met his wife, Elaine Murphy, in 1987 when they worked together at the Population Reference Bureau—Tom as its newly appointed president and Elaine as Director of International Programs. Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Elaine Murphy; his stepsons, Steven Murphy and David Murphy (and his wife, Avigale Cayaba-Murphy); his step-granddaughter, Brianna Cayaba Castillo; his siblings, James (Jim) Merrick (Terese Merrick), Mary Margaret Berendzen (widow of Harry Berendzen), and Michael (Mike) Merrick (Catherine Merrick); and many nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Rosalie Merrick (née Cusick) and Donald Merrick of Omaha, Nebraska.
In his personal life, Tom was as engaged and thoughtful as he was in his work. He was an avid reader—especially of history and mystery novels—and enjoyed tennis and bicycling. After retiring in 2010 and relocating to St. Petersburg, Florida, he embraced an active lifestyle, swimming and riding his bike daily. He also loved to cook and was known as the family’s chef.
Tom’s life was marked by intellectual curiosity, integrity, generosity, and kindness. He made lasting contributions not only to his field but to the many people whose lives he touched—as a mentor, colleague, and friend. Those who knew him will remember his warmth, integrity, and the quiet but lasting impact he had through his work. A family celebration of Tom’s life will be planned at a future date.
Donations may be made in Tom’s memory to Save the Children and to the Population Reference Bureau.
Todd Davies Shelton
Todd Davies Shelton, 63, of Falls Church and North Garden, Va. died on March 16, 2026, in Arlington, Va. Born May 16, 1962, and raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Todd was the son of the late Ernest Ray Shelton, Sr. and Mary Margaret Davis Shelton.
Todd is survived by two daughters, Amelia Bright Shelton and Laurel Ray Shelton, and their mother, Carrie Anne Shelton. He is also survived by his sister, Charlotte Jean Shelton, brothers, Ernest Ray Shelton, Jr. (Chuck) and William Chesley Shelton (Bill), sisters-in-law, Margaret Goodman Shelton and Cynthia Trusilo Shelton, and six nieces and nephews.
Todd attended Tandem School, where he made many lifelong friends. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and later returned to earn a certificate in Public Policy.
Todd dedicated his career to public service. He worked on various political campaigns and after graduation from college moved to Washington D.C where he worked for firms in the legislative and policy arenas. In 1990, he joined the staff of Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont serving as the assistant to the Chief of Staff. After leaving Senator Leahy’s office, he returned to the University of Virginia to pursue his graduate studies. He returned to Washington in 1996 and subsequently held legislative and policy positions at the United States Agency for International Development, InterAction, and the World Wildlife Fund.
Todd was an avid outdoorsman, and especially enjoyed fishing and hunting. He spent many weekends at his family farm in North Garden, Va, helping his siblings run and develop the family enterprises: Vintage Virginia Apples and Albermarle CiderWorks.
Family was very important to Todd and he enjoyed researching his family history. He was a member of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Jamestown Society.
A funeral service will be held at Charlottesville First United Methodist Church on Friday, March 27, 2026, at 2pm, followed by burial at Mooreland Baptist Church in North Garden, Va. The family will receive friends and family at the family home at 2510 Rural Ridge Lane, North Garden, VA, immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to UVA Cancer Research (14471) at https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/20649/donations/new.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hillandwood.com
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Published by Legacy on Mar. 23, 2026.
Elinor Bingham Bachrach
Elinor Bingham Bachrach died March 3, 2026, at Sibley Memorial Hospital in Washington, DC at the age of 81.
Elinor was born in Boston, MA on August 2, 1944, daughter of the late Louis Bachrach, M.D., and Anne Jameson Bachrach. She was raised in Brunswick, ME, graduated from Brunswick High School (1961), and received a BA from Pembroke College (1965) and an MA from the University of Chicago (1971).
Majoring in political science, Elinor had a long career in public policy both nationally (at local, state, and national levels) and internationally (with the IMF and USAID). Among the highlights of her career were: six years on the Senate Banking Committee (and especially the New York City Loan Guarantee Act and the Chrysler Loan Guarantee Act); ten years as Deputy Comptroller for New York City; and fifteen years as a senior advisor (primarily for USAID) in Ukraine and Moldova, Indonesia, Serbia and Montenegro, Afghanistan, and Iraq, where she focused on strengthening fiscal institutions, reforming regulatory systems, and supporting local governance.
Elinor is survived by her three brothers: Peter Bachrach (Susan), George Bachrach (Christine), and David Arthur Bachrach (Sheila); her nephews Peter A. Bachrach, Thomas Bachrach (Whitney), and Benjamin Bachrach; her niece Anne Bachrach; and her grand-nieces Katharine Bachrach and Lillian Bachrach.
Though Elinor traveled widely and lived abroad for extended periods, she remained devoted to Maine and spent summers at the family cottage on Mere Point over the last fifteen years. Private services will be held there at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Civil Liberties Foundation.
Received from George Bachrach 3/9/2026
Alan Sokolski
Alan Sokolski of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away on March 3, 2026, at age 93. He was predeceased by his wife of nearly 60 years, Carol Stitt Sokolski (2016), and their younger daughter, Lauren Sokolski (2020). He is survived by his elder daughter, Lynn Sokolski; her spouse, Bentley R. Noland; and his granddaughter, Samantha Noland.
A graduate of Cornell University’s School of Mechanical Engineering (’52; BME ’53), he earned an MBA and PhD in economics from Columbia University (’59; ’62). He served as an Air Force officer, retiring from the Reserve in 1983 as a colonel, and completed military studies at the National War College.
Dr. Sokolski spent many years in federal service, including roles with the Federal Reserve, the Agency of International Development in Lagos, Nigeria, the State Department, CIA, and National Reconnaissance Office. At the CIA, he rose to senior leadership and chaired the Intelligence Community’s Foreign Denial and Deception Analysis Committee. He received numerous honors, including the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.
Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders, the Natural Resources Defense Council, or the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.
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Published by The Washington Post on Mar. 4, 2026.
Todd Amani
Todd Amani, cherished father, grandfather, uncle, brother, friend, colleague, and beloved soulmate of Mary Jo, passed from this life to the next on January 26th, his 71st birthday. His kindness, good humor, generosity, love of play, camaraderie, perseverance in all adversity, creativity, gentle nature, steadfastness, calm wisdom, and courage, especially in this final passage, touched so many. He faced Alzheimer’s with quiet grace.
He was a natural teacher, listening closely with curiosity. Friends and family enjoyed his guitar playing, sing-alongs, chocolate chip cookies, sourdough bread, and kombucha. Todd graduated from Wartburg College (1978) and Johns Hopkins School of International Studies (SAIS) (1983). The majority of his work career was as a USAID foreign service officer, serving in Egypt, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mozambique. He worked for four years as Director of Safe Passage, a non-profit providing schooling and family support for children in Guatemala City. From1986-1987, Todd and Mary Jo shared a Political Science teaching position at Wartburg College. From 1985-86, Todd worked as legislative assistant for Congressman Tim Penny of Minnesota. For years, Todd headed out at 5:30 am every day in all weather to deliver the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
He leaves behind his wife, Mary Jo (Felderman) Amani; daughter, Elisabeth; son, Liam (Sarah); daughter-in-law, Cristina; grandson, Gabe; siblings Scott (Robin) Hanson, Mark (Steph) Hanson, and Lynn Hanson; mother-in-law Janet Felderman, and brothers in law, Bob (Nancy) Felderman, Bill (Wendi) Felderman, of Dubuque, Iowa, and Patrick (Jeri) Felderman of Florida; dear nieces and nephews; and good friends from around the world. His son, Luke, passed away in 2015. Neighbors in Swannanoa, North Carolina will miss his daily evening rolls in his wheelchair with his faithful dog companion, Saoirse. We will all miss his quiet splendor.
Joyce Mabel Holfeld
It is with love and admiration that we say goodbye for now to Joyce Mabel Holfeld of Gastonia, NC who passed away on January 16, 2026, at the age of 82.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Franz Werner Holfeld and Anne Beaudrot Holfeld, and her sister Barbara Anne Holfeld. She is survived by her sister, Doris Holfeld Kellar, beloved nieces and nephews (Lisa K. Turner; Franz, Andy, Louis, and David Kellar) and 11 great nieces and nephews.
After graduating from Furman University in 1965 with a degree in Political Science and Sociology, Joyce served in the Peace Corps in Niger, conducting grassroots public health education. When asked why she cared so much about Africa and had such a drive to serve there, she replied that she believed “what happens in Africa will eventually happen to the whole world.” After receiving her Masters in Public Health and population dynamics from Tulane University in New Orleans, she lived in New York and worked for the World Health Organization.
Next, she accepted an appointment and began her long career of foreign service with the State Department of the United States, making her stateside home in Washington, DC. A seasoned Foreign Service Officer with extensive overseas and Washington experience, Joyce served in the USAID’s Policy and Program Coordination Bureau as the Agency’s Population, Health and Nutrition (PHN) Senior Advisor and also served as Secretariat for the HIV/AIDS and Infectious Diseases Senior Management team. She established PHN’s first Office of Field and Program Support, serving as its first director. Overseas, Joyce was Director of USAID/Morocco’s Office of Population, Health and Human Resources. She was posted at USAID’s regional office in Abidjan, pioneering the development of first bilateral child survival and population programs in West and Central Africa. Before USAID, she organized field programs for women’s and children’s health and voluntary contraception in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Over the course of her career, Joyce brought to USAID over 38 years of experience in International Development.
In the words of a former colleague in a farewell message at her retirement in 2005, Joyce was “the key person in the Global Health Bureau, the person who actually makes everything work” and was a person who was a “professional with grace under pressure.” Another former colleague wrote that she “always put the field first… those most needy were her prime concern.” Another described Joyce as “always upbeat, enthusiastic and optimistic, no matter the situation.” Considered an exceptional host, she showed “southern hospitality” while holding terrific dinner parties and events several times a month; colleagues from around the world wanted to be on the guest lists for Joyce’s events. Described as “receptive, concerned and supportive, Joyce was known as an encourager for younger colleagues and a leader with “vision, wisdom and generosity.”
After retiring in 2005, she returned home to Gastonia, taking consulting jobs for a few years, working for the Bill Gates Foundation to set up vaccination programs abroad. A staunch Democrat from her teen years, Joyce worked on the local level to affect community and national politics and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity during retirement. She believed in the power of working for positive change in the world and lived her life following that principle. She enjoyed working on family genealogy and traveling to see people and places from family history, such as the Hohlfelds of Germany.
Niger, Taiwan, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Tunisia were places Joyce lived and served, spending nearly 2 decades living in Africa. As children, her beloved nieces and nephews and, later, her great nieces and nephews were inspired to travel, seek adventure, and help others in their vocations or advocations. Joyce encouraged her loved ones to find their passion.
One of Joyce’s memorable goals was to swim in every ocean and sea on the globe, a goal that she attained. Other goals, written down and kept since her teen years, included learning French fluently, visiting the Egyptian pyramids, riding an elephant, traveling through the Sahara on a camel, being invited to the White House, learning to sail, and studying African art, were mostly attained. A fearless and determined adventurer with a love of people all over the world, Joyce found joy in collecting friends and making family wherever she served. A visionary ground-breaker who crashed though many glass ceilings, Joyce left her mark on the world.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, Friday, January 23, 2026, at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in Founders Chapel of McLean Funeral Directors with Reverend Jeff Spargo officiating. Interment will follow in Gaston Memorial Park.
Because Joyce was a lover of her pets, Lucy the cat in particular, anyone desiring to make a contribution in Joyce’s memory may donate to the Animal League of Gaston County, 425 West Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28052. Phone number 704-868-4673.
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Yolanda Morris
Yolanda Morris, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister passed away on February 4, 2026. Yolanda (née Falconi Ledesma) was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador on May 7, 1928. She grew up there surrounded by a large close-knit extended family. In 1951 she moved to New York City where two of her older brothers, Alfredo and Arturo Falconi resided. She studied at Columbia University and was later employed by large advertising firms. On an extended visit to her family in Ecuador in 1954, she met Patrick Morris, an officer with the US foreign assistance program. They were married in Quito in 1955 and transferred to Washington headquarters, where they resided until 1958. During her husband’s career they served in Bolivia, Venezuela, France, and Dominican Republic, as well as extended periods in Washington D.C. Yolanda was charming, engaging and gregarious and made friends easily. During their long years in the Foreign Service, she raised four children and made lasting friendships wherever they served. Her family was central to her life and she was a loving and devoted mother and wife. She enjoyed playing bridge and loved fashion and art. Since childhood she had dreamed of living in France and that became a reality when Patrick transferred the family to Paris to take a position with the OECD in the 1970’s. She had a passion for travel and planned exciting trips for her family throughout Europe and to Morocco. While in Paris, she learned French and took lessons at the Cordon Blue cooking school and became a gourmet cook. She regaled her family with extraordinary, delicious meals. Friends and extended family celebrated her for her intimate dinner parties. Yolanda went out of her way to extend her hospitality to her siblings, nieces and nephews. In later years she showered her grandchildren with love. Starting in 1995, Yolanda thoroughly enjoyed fifteen years serving as a trilingual volunteer at the National Gallery of Art, in Washington DC. Yolanda is predeceased by her siblings, Arturo, Ricardo, Alfredo, and Gustavo Falconi Ledesma and Elena Falconi de Moreno.
Yolanda is survived by her husband, Patrick F. Morris, their children: John Morris, Patricia Morris(Omar Flores), Stephen Morris(Barry Abel), Kevin Morris (Monica Palacios) and grandchildren: Devin Morris (Amber), Gabriela Morris-Flores, Beck and Fiona Morris. Services private.
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Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 15, 2026.
Lois Mae Hobson
Lois Mae Hobson passed away on February 2, 2026. She was the wife of Ambassador Princeton Lyman, a retired career diplomat in the U.S. Foreign Service. She had one daughter, Donna Lynne Hobson, from a previous marriage to Judge Donald Lewis Hobson. She has one grandchild, Danica Lois Rowe Wilson and son-in-law Richard Wilson, a great grandson, Aiden Wesley Wilson, one living sister, Connie Bobbit; and numerous nieces and nephews. Born March 10, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, she was the oldest girl with 7 brothers and 2 sisters. She graduated from Vashon High School in St. Louis and later moved to Newark, New Jersey in 1958 where she completed a B.S. in 1960 from Newark State College (now Kean University). She moved that same year to Detroit, Michigan where she worked for the Detroit Board of Education. After receiving her Master’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1968, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked briefly for the Office of Economic Opportunity and other agencies within the U.S. Government. In 1971, she joined the Africa Bureau of USAID where she managed a program introducing minority-serving university and college level students to working abroad in international development. Her experience in USAID and the Office of Environment, Science and Technology in the Department of State fostered her career in international work. Following a year of language study in Lille, France, she joined Africare, a non-profit organization in 1989 where she established a program for black South African graduates of U.S. colleges and universities, helping them obtain experience and training in the U.S. prior to their return to post-apartheid South Africa as new professionals. She lived in South Africa for several years, returning to the U.S in 1996 where she accepted a position with the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to direct an exchange fellowship program between math and science professors from minority-serving universities and NASA scientists. In 2000, she served as a Peace Corps Country Director, completing tours in Zimbabwe and Namibia respectively. She retired from the U.S. Government in 2005. The family at her wishes will have a private service.
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Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 15, 2026.
John Thomas Rigby
Longtime Washingtonian John Thomas Rigby passed away peacefully January 2. 2026, at the age of 90. John died in Maryland at Collington, a retirement community where he had moved in 2024.
John was born and raised in Richmond, VA, the youngest of three sons of Christopher and Gladys Rigby. He attended Georgetown University, earning a BA in English and a JD in law. John met Anne Curtis in Grand Isle, La., in 1956 and they were married in 1959. John joined the law firm of Arnold, Fortas, and Porter in 1961. He was active in the firm’s civil rights involvement and was the first head of its pro bono publico program. In 1976, John became the executive director of International Voluntary Services, a Washington-based volunteer organization and a precursor to the Peace Corps. During John’s tenure he transformed IVS into a truly global organization by ensuring its volunteers were placed into community development programs managed by local non-profits. John’s core belief in the strength of local communities guided his work for the next 44 years.
John’s life was dedicated to promoting democracy and governance in developing nations. His leadership spanned prestigious international non-profits, including the International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR), where he served as president and CEO, and PACT, Inc., where he was first a board member and then country director in Zimbabwe. He also served the U.S. government as a senior transition advisor in the Office of Transition Initiatives at USAID. He retired in 2020 at the age of 84.
(NOTE: One of his USAID colleagues says: “He was chief of party in OTI/Zimbabwe back in the day. After that he was in the OTI bullpen for many years as a Sr. transition advisor…he was a revered mentor to many program staff both in the field and in Washington.”)
John often worked in the world’s most difficult and dangerous post-conflict zones, working to bridge the gap between immediate relief and sustainable development. He was a fixture in post-conflict zones even into his 80s and a mentor to many. His enthusiasm remained undimmed and he found profound hope in the resilience of the communities he served.
Over the course of his personal and professional travels, he visited more than 70 countries and territories covering six continents, as well as 49 states.
John enjoyed his life abroad and at home. He loved books, music, bird watching and the outdoors. John loved family and neighborhood gatherings, playing his guitar and leading singalongs. He and his dog Boudreaux were a familiar sight together. He maintained well into his later years that he still didn’t know what he wanted to be when he grew up.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brothers Bob and Chris Rigby. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Anne, and his children Julie, Leslie, Jeff, Crispin and Sam. He was also the beloved “Bon Papa” to his six grandchildren, Malcolm, Finn, Curtis, Charlie, Vaughan and Anna. A celebration of life will be held this spring in Washington, D.C. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Washington Post on Feb. 8, 2026.
Philip Birnbaum
October 3, 1928 – February 3, 2026
Philip Birnbaum, an accomplished development economist, passed away on February 3, 2026, at the age of 97. He resided in Great Falls, Virginia. He is survived by his son Frederic and his wife Sue, and son Nicholas and his partner Jennifer, and cousins, (grand) nephews and (grand) nieces. His beloved wife of 65 years, Joan Elaine (formerly Lewis) Birnbaum, passed away in December 2024.
He was born on October 3, 1928, in 
Union City, New Jersey. His parents were Henry Jack (Jacob) Birnbaum and Lena Birnbaum, both of whom were born in Eastern Europe, and he was predeceased by his brother, Norman Birnbaum. Mr. Birnbaum attended public school in Teaneck, New Jersey. He received a B.B.S. degree from Rutgers University, and an M.A. in economics from Columbia University. He also attended Cambridge University in England on a Fulbright scholarship and received his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He taught economics in the School of General Studies at Columbia University, and served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957 as an instructor in the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA.
In 1959 he joined the USAID predecessor agency ICA until USAID itself was established in 1961 and served in the U.S. Agency for International Development for over 25 years, including as Assistant Administrator for Policy and Program Coordination, as well as in overseas assignments in Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. He headed the U.S. delegation in the negotiations with OPEC countries that led to the establishment of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in Rome, Italy, and served as IFAD’s first Senior Vice President from 1978-83. After his tenure at IFAD, he worked at the World Bank as Co-Financing Advisor in the Africa region, mobilizing bilateral donors’ support for the Special Program for Africa, and later as a consultant in the Inter-American Development Bank in support of Consultative Groups in Central American countries.
Philip was very proud of his career, but his family was most important to him. Not only his immediate family, but he was generous of his time and resources with his (grand) nephews and (grand) nieces. He enjoyed family vacations, including trips throughout the U.S., in Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. He also enjoyed spending time with Joan’s relatives, and the two of them often traveled to New York City for visits.
He encouraged and supported Joan’s lifelong love of art and her work as an artist, often helping her frame her paintings and assisting her art group with exhibitions. He was very involved with many Jewish and Israeli organizations, including Ben Gurion University of the Negev and was a member of Temple Sinai in Washington, DC. He also supported the four universities he attended and numerous wildlife organizations.
Philip enjoyed playing tennis, gardening, fishing, and participating in The Mavens men’s group. He was also an avid reader of histories and biographies, particularly those pertaining to World War II and its celebrated heroes.
In the last several years, with the challenges Philip was enduring, we are grateful for the time we were able to spend with him. We will also cherish the lifetime of memories that we have.
The Memorial Service for Philip Birnbaum will be held on April 12, 2026 at 3pm ET at Temple Sinai located at 3100 Military Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/9ftfwkbsEQaQ9tae6).