Category: Staff

Ann Ness, age 83, died on June 30 in Northfield. Ann worked at Carleton for 25 years, beginning as a secretary in College Relations in 1982. She became the Interim Director of Career Planning in 1985; the permanent director in 1986; and then the Associate Director of the Career Center from 1989 to 2007. Ann cared deeply about every student, colleague, and alum with whom she worked, offering her encyclopedic knowledge and support to all.

Mary Nelson, age 76, died on April 6 in Northfield. Mary worked for almost 38 years at Carleton, beginning in 1978 as an administrative assistant in Buildings and Shop, then in Admissions, and retiring in 2004 from Financial Aid. But retirement wasn’t for Mary, and she returned in 2006 as the Assistant to the Director of the Modern Language Center, retiring a second time in 2018. Former colleagues describe Mary as caring, strong, well informed, and energetic. Her big heart held a large place for students, who cared for and greatly respected her.

Mary Jane Johnson, age 84, died on March 3 in Michigan. From 1976 to 1988, she was a secretary in the offices of both the Dean of the College and the President. She then became the secretary to the President until her retirement in 1997. During her 21 years at Carleton, she served with three academic deans (Sheridan, Stanley, and Elveton) and three presidents (Edwards, Porter, and Lewis). Mary Jane’s colleagues described her as a hard worker, a caring person, and a loyal friend with unfailing warmth and good humor.

Bonita “Bonnie” Pangburn, age 63, died on February 22 from cancer. Bonnie began work at Carleton as an assistant retail manager in Bon Appetit in August 2021 and went on medical leave in June 2022. Bonnie is described as funny, sassy, hardworking, and deeply caring about others. Her employees at Carleton and other Northfield locations knew they were there to work—and that she was there for them.

Shirley Dulski, age 82, died on January 29^th. Shirley worked in Carleton’s Business Office from 1991 to 2009 as an accounts payable specialist. For many faculty, staff, and students, she was the go-to person in the Business Office, helping to meet deadlines and get timely payments made. She was dedicated to her work and had many student workers who were devoted to her. She is described as a loyal and good friend to those who knew her.

Marilyn Fintel, age 79, died on January 25th in Northfield. Marilyn worked in the Carleton Library for 29 years, beginning as an assistant in circulation in 1976 and retiring as the Library Associate in Government Documents in 2005. She took her role in processing government documents and making them accessible to the public very seriously and built a large and loyal group of student workers to help in this effort.

Stanley Sunderland, age 86, died on November 16 at his home in Stanton. As a member of the Project and Relief custodial crew, Stan could make the rare claim to have worked in every building on Carleton’s campus. He was hired in December 1975 and worked first as the custodian in the Music and Drama Center and later in Leighton and Laird. He retired in 1998 after a second assignment with the Project and Relief crew. Stan is remembered for his sense of humor and deep dedication to his family.

Willard “Bill” Huyck, class of 1953, died on November 16th at the age of 90. Bill began working at Carleton as an assistant in Physical Education in 1957 and held multiple successful coaching and teaching roles here until 1984, and again from 1997 to 2021. He was a man of deep integrity and was a very supportive and caring mentor to his colleagues and athletes.

Fred Easter, age 81, died on September 24th after a long battle with cancer. Fred began working at Carleton in 1968 and served in multiple capacities including: Assistant Director of Admissions, Director of Black Activities, Director of Project ABC (“A Better Chance”), Associate Dean of Students, Director of the ABC Regional Office, one season in 1972 as the Freshman Basketball Coach, and Lecturer in English from 1974-76. Fred’s work at Carleton and throughout his life was dedicated to helping Black and other students of color gain access to higher education. He brought a sharp wit, strong intellect, and deep wisdom to all he did.

Romulus (“Molly”) Busa, age 82, died on Saturday, September 24th. Molly worked at Carleton for 27 years as a custodian, beginning in 1976 when he moved to Northfield from the Philippines. He worked in Severance for 23 of those years; Sayles-Hill for four more years; and just before his retirement in 2003, he worked in Hulings. Molly’s warmth, care, and sense of humor was appreciated by the students and many others with whom he worked.