Update to Eve Paley-Terry obituary – A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Catholic Church of St. Philip Neri, Northport, on Saturday, October 30th at 11AM with internment immediately following at St. Philip Neri Cemetery.
Eve, a retired Northport Junior High School home economics teacher, died suddenly of a heart attack Monday September 6th. In later years she lived in Rockin, California and is survived by her brother Michael Paley, sister-in-law Katrina and a niece and nephew.
Eve was very involved with theater, and at Northport High School taught Theatreworks and Troupe students about costumes, props and set design. She was involved with over sixty productions, including Powdered Wig productions of My Fair Lady, Brigadoon and Mame to name a few. She worked with then students Edie Falco and David Troupe.
Eve dedicated her life to sharing her strength and sobriety for over 20 years.
Her family plans a memorial service in California in November.
Bill McCoy, husband of Terry McCoy, retired Northport High school science teacher, passed away on September 28. In addition to Terry, Bill McCoy is survived by four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Northport, and information will be shared as it becomes available.
Two years ago Terry and Bill sold their East Northport home of 61 years and relocated to Florida to be closer to family. Condolences cn be sent to Terry at 419 Bouchelle Dr., New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169.
Bill was an avid hiker and shared the love of the outdoors with his family. Donations in his memory can be made to the Matthew Potel Foundation. This foundation helps urban youth experience nature by providing scholarships to outdoor camps and nature programs.
Evelyn Herman, retired Northport High School social studies teacher, died on August 23 at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, and is survived by her daughter Andrea, son Jeff, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren – with two more on the way.
While teaching at Northport Evelyn was involved in the Model United Nations program and chaperoned several student trips to the Soviet Union with Russian language teacher Serge Nepo. Evelyn had a passion for travel, and traveled extensively in her retirement years. She was active until her last days, insisting on playing scrabble with a caretaker on the night before she passed away.
At the time of her death Evelyn was living in an assisted living home in Roslyn, and although she was fully vaccinated and received all the latest treatments, she died of Covid 19. Her family asked that we remind everyone, especially senior citizens, to be extra vigilant in taking precautions against this potentially deadly disease.
Dave Harper, retired Northport High School social studies teacher, died in his sleep on September 4 at the age of 79. He was born on December 7, 1941, and taught at Northport Junior High before moving to the high school. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Roberta, daughter Jennifer Ann, sons David and Nicholas and granddaughter Emily.
Besides teaching social studies, Dave was an all-around coach, coaching wrestling, track and football. His greatest joy was coaching the Northport Junior High School football team for 25 years. After retirement Dave continued working in Northport for another 13 years as a substitute teacher.
The family will greet visitors at the M. A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station on from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 8.
A memorial mass will be celebrated at Saint Elizabeth’s of Hungary Church, 181 Wolf Hill Road, Melville at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 9.
R-UTN members who would like to share a remembrance of Dave, please send them to [email protected] for posting in the Member Memorial page of our website.
Irene Eckert, long time Social Studies teacher andR-UTN executive board member, passed away on July 8 at the age of 92 after a short illness. Irene’s passing is another blow to our membership and all who called her colleague and friend. A Washington Post article from last January, written by a much younger friend friend of Irene’s, is a fitting tribute to a remarkable woman. Irene was hesitant about sharing the article, but now that she is no longer with us, we feel that it is a loving tribute that she be read by all who knew her. Link to the article here.
Irene is survived by her son Richard and his wife Jane; daughter Michelle “Mickey” Wilder; daughter Stephanie Metz and her husband Robert; four granddaughters and her sister Josephine Perez. She was pre-deceased by her son-in-law-law Glenn Wilder this past February. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and too many friends to name.
Irene was born in Calabria, Italy and moving to the United States eighty-seven years ago. She taught in Northport for over thirty-five years, teaching social studies and psychology at Northport Junior High School and Northport High school. Until her recent illness she was an active member of the R-UTN Executive Board and was instrumental in the planning of the annual picnic and luncheons.
Irene loved to travel and visited over 60 countries in her lifetime, studying the history and culture of the countries she visited. She easily made friends and a lasting impact wherever she went. After retiring from teaching Irene became Long Island’s premier film historian, teaching classes at local libraries and colleges on old film classics. Just four weeks before she died Irene completed teaching a six week course at CW Post. Her other passions and activities in retirement included spending time with children and grandchildren, socializing with her friends, reading, going to Broadway plays, visiting museums, watching her favorite show Jeopardy, and of course traveling. It can surely be said that Irene lived life passionately and to the fullest.
Irene will be most remembered for her larger than life personality and her fierce spirit. Words used by family and friends to describe her are: one of a kind lady, unique, confident, opinionated, fearless, funny, sometimes loud, smart and worldly. Irene definitely left a lasting impact that will remain forever on all those who had the privilege to know her. She will be truly missed by all!!
Visitation2:00 pm – 6:00 pm Wednesday, July 14, at M. A. Connell Funeral Home, 934 New York Avenue, Huntington Station.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 9:30 am Thursday, July 15 at St. Hugh Of Lincoln R. C. Church, 21 East 9th. Street, Huntington Station – followed by internment at Saint Patrick’s Cemetery in Huntington.
Memorial Donation may be made in Irene’s name to: CHD Coalition, 45 Carey Ave 250 #1, Butler, NJ 07405
If any R-UTN members have memories they wish to share about Irene, please email [email protected]. Please keep your commemorative brief and include your name and school.
