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The Miss America Organization Offers Condolences
If anyone is interested in sending cards or gestures of sympathy, they can be sent to the National Office of the Miss America Organization and they will be forwarded to the families.
The Miss America Organization
222 New Road
Suite 700
Linwood, NJ 08221
Attn: Condolences
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In Loving Memory - Barbara LaVan – Feb. 18, 2010 - February 18, 2010
Barbara LaVan, 70, of Ventnor, N.J., who after three decades of running entertainment establishments used her charm and style to help hundreds of young women succeed in local and state pageants, died of congestive heart failure Feb. 18 at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, N.J.
Mrs. LaVan was a sort of fairy godmother for many young New Jersey women. She was executive director of the Miss Smithville Inn and Miss Garden Cities pageants in the late 1990s before joining the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation as hospitality and parents committee chairwoman. She also was fund-raising chairwoman of the Miss America Organization.
If one of the contestants in the local or state pageants could not afford a full wardrobe, Mrs. LaVan took the girl under her wing, said Lou Barthold, executive director of the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation.
When donations weren't coming in to the pageant office, Mrs. LaVan would be the first one knocking on doors, looking for donors, Barthold said. "She would go out and beat the pavement . . . and got things donated," he said. Her successful fund-raising efforts led to the position in the Miss America Organization. Mrs. LaVan threw a black-tie fund-raiser at Caesars Palace in Atlantic City in 2004, the last year the pageant was held in the resort before moving to Las Vegas. Until a few weeks ago, before she was hospitalized for heart problems, she was organizing lunches and other pageant functions.
Mrs. LaVan was born and reared in South Philadelphia and graduated from John W. Hallahan Catholic Girls High School in 1957, said a stepdaughter, Carole Simons.
She then worked as a secretary at St. Thomas More High School for a few years. During that time, she married Robert Heffron, and the couple had five boys.
While living in Fort Washington, the two owned and operated clubs and bars throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including the Princess Lounge and the Pump Room, both in Flourtown. The disco era was in full swing, and the couple thrived in the business.
In addition to her husband, son, and stepdaughter, Mrs. LaVan is survived by sons Bob Heffron, James Heffron, Kevin Heffron, Christopher Heffron, and Tom Heffron; another stepdaughter, Donna Hilley; a sister; a brother; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
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MORGAN T. MORRIS Jr. - February 16, 2010
MORRIS, MORGAN T. JR. 94 - ended his journey in this life on the 16th of February 2010. He was born in Tuckerton in 1915. After completing Tuckerton High he attended and graduated from the Atlantic City College of Commerce in 1933. He met Dorothy Lowe in 1936 and they were married in St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Atlantic City in 1938. They recently celebrated 71 years of marriage. He is predeceased by his only sibling Judy Croft. In addition to his loving wife Dorothy, those left to treasure his example are his son Morgan III (Catherine), of Mays Landing, his daughter Judith Haverstick (Terry) of Somers Point, his granddaughters Elizabeth (Jonathan), Christine (Michael), Liza (Gene), Nichole (Robert) and Christina (Kevin) - together with five loving great- grandchildren. Morgan began work as the bookkeeper at Mack Equipment and Machine Co. in 1934, and later became president of the company and retired the business in 1991. He was the first lay reader at St. Andrews and then Grace Lutheran Church where he served in that capacity for 60 years. He participated in church choirs for 50 years and served as president of both church councils. Morgan and his wife Dot are now active members of the Margate Community Church. He was a 66 year member and a two time Past Master of Belcher Lodge # 180 of Free and Accepted Masons. He served the Masonic Fraternity as the State Grand Marshal, a District Deputy, and The Grand Master of the State in 1967. Later, he was the Grand Instructor and the Grand Treasurer of that Grand Lodge and was made an honorary member of over 30 state lodges. He was active in many other Masonic bodies and was elected a 33rd degree Mason in 1976. He had been local president and a District Governor of the Exchange Clubs of America. He was also a 50-year volunteer for the Miss America Organization and served as a dedicated member of the Board of Directors for over 30 years. In all that he did he was guided by a firm belief in the sovereignty of God and the brotherhood of man. Relatives and friends are invited to attend Morgan's Life Celebration and viewing on Friday, February 19, from 7 to 9 PM at the Margate Community Church, 8900 Ventnor Ave., Margate, NJ 08402. A Masonic Service will be held that evening at 8PM. Friends will also be received at the church on Saturday, February 20, from 10AM until 11AM. A Christian Service of Remembrance will immediately follow. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Margate Community Church at the above address. Family Services by Jeffries and Keates Funeral Home, Northfield. www.jeffriesandkeates.com
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Betty Schule Capps - November 28, 2009
Betty Schule Capps passed away Nov. 28 at the age of 71.
As the executive director of The Greater Miss Wilmington and Miss Carolina Coast pageants, Capps has worked with misses for more than 20 years. After her daughter was crowned Miss UNCW in 1987, Betty said she became a pageant fan for life and she was always willing to defend her pageant princesses from any pageant doubters.
Capps was active in numerous pageants for young women, including Wilmington's Outstanding Teen.
Born in Marietta, Ga., and the oldest of four children, Capps resided in Wilmington with her husband of eight years, Bill Capps.
“Miss Betty” will be remembered as a woman dedicated to the Miss America Organization, her family and her Wilmington community.
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Irene Brown - November 7, 2009
Irene Brown, beloved mother of Miss America 1966 Deborah Bryant, sadly passed away on November 7, 2009.
Irene served as a traveling companion to Miss America beginning with her daughter, and toured the country with Deborah supporting and sharing in her passion for "Project Concern" which provided medical support to undeveloped countries. Irene continued to dedicate her service to the Miss America Organization until 1974.
Irene also served as President of the United Federation of Doll Clubs, Inc. from 1985-1987. She will be remembered for being a wonderful and compassionate traveling companion to so many of our Miss Americas and for having been such a dedicated friend to the Miss America Organization.
Our thoughts and our prayers are with her family at this time.
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Charles E. Welch - November 7, 2009
Charles Welch, beloved father of Kay Alexander, State Executive Director of Oklahoma, passed away quietly over the weekend.
Charlie, a 50-year dedicated volunteer, was recognized as the National Academy of Honor award winner in 2003 for his lifelong commitment and exemplary service to the Miss America Organization.
Charlie took over the Miss Oklahoma Pageant in 1972 when it had less than 20 local pageants and a scholarship program amounting to $2,500. He immediately grew the Miss Oklahoma Organization into one of the largest and most successful programs in the country. During his tenure, the program made available over $65 million in cash and college scholarships to some of Oklahoma’s most outstanding young women.
In addition, the Miss Oklahoma Pageant has produced a total of six Miss Americas – five of those while Charlie was involved with the organization. His joy was found not in the state titleholders, but in the changed lives of those who competed.
Art McMaster, President and CEO of MAO stated, “As we reflect upon the five decades of outstanding service that Charlie has given to our organization, we are forever grateful for his dedication not only to the great state of Oklahoma, but to the thousands of young women who were positivity impacted by Charlie’s commitment to the program. We extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to a man who was loved and respected throughout the country.”
Charlie will truly be missed…he will forever be remembered as a warm and compassionate leader who was devoted not only to the success of the program, but his complete devotion to his wonderful family.
We extend our thoughts and our prayers to Charlie’s family especially his beloved wife of 58 years, Carolyn and to Kay and her family at this time.
A special scholarship has been set up in Charlie’s honor. Donations may be made to the Tulsa Kiwanis Foundation – Miss Oklahoma Fund, 3211 South Lakewood, Tulsa, OK 74135.
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Ada Martyne Caudell - September 10, 2009
Ada Martyne Caudell died of cancer Sept. 10, two weeks before her 91st birthday.
Ada, whose maiden name was Woods, was the first American Indian to win the Miss Oklahoma title in 1940, when she was a fine arts student at Oklahoma A&M (now Oklahoma State University).
Ada went on to be a semi-finalist in the Miss America pageant that year and appeared in the March 1941 issue of National Geographic magazine.
Ada was one-quarter Choctaw and became the first Choctaw woman to attain a degree in nursing, according to information provided by the Bishinik, the Choctaw Nation newsletter. She studied nursing at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and became a registered nurse.
Ada was laid to rest on Tuesday, Sept. 15, in Tuskahoma near her mother, Geraldine Nelson, and her husband, Harry Caudell. She was devoted to her Catholicism and her Choctaw roots and loved to visit the Choctaw Nation’s Museum in Tuskahoma where her buckskins have been on display. Ada also loved to play the organ and read. On one side, her tombstone is engraved with the Choctaw Nation seal and on the other with "Miss Oklahoma 1940.”
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Sharon McCauley Jones - September 8, 2009
Sharon McCauley Jones, 64, passed away peacefully at her home in Southlake on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 surrounded by family and friends after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer.
Born Oct. 9, 1944, in Waynesboro, Va., she grew up and successfully represented both Athens and her beloved Texas in the 1964 Miss America Pageant, finishing third overall. She continued her interest and support in the Miss Texas Pageant throughout her life, helping young women better themselves through their pageant pursuits. She loved bringing people of all ages closer to the Lord and avidly volunteered in hospice. She felt her calling was helping others become closer to God and she was profoundly fulfilled by her accomplishment in acquiring a Christian counseling license to further help others find their way to Christ.
In her family life, she was a doting grandmother to eight who, along with the pets whom she shared her home, she was fond of spoiling. Her vocal talents led her to singing throughout her life. Ultimately her love of the Lord and her natural talent found harmony in her singing in her church choir.
She is survived by her husband L. Van Jones; mother, Fritzi Rizer; brother, Gary McCauley and wife Beckie; daughter, Susanne Swift Regan and husband, John; son, Bill Swift III and wife, Amy; and stepdaughters, Dee Dee Sifuentes and husband, Adrian, and Dana Bailey and husband, Scott. She also left behind a rich legacy with a host of other family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation be made via www.VitasCharityFund.org, which provides loving care to the terminally ill.
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BECKHAM, FLORINE HOLT - August 3, 2009
BECKHAM, FLORINE HOLT, 88, died on Monday, August 3, 2009. She was a member of Highlands United Methodist Church, Daughters of the American Revolution, The Club, and the Fleur de Lis Garden Club. She graduated from Ramsay High School and attended the Julliard School of Music in New York. She was crowned Miss Birmingham, Alabama in 1939 and placed in the top ten in the Miss America Pageant. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 1:00 PM in the Mausoleum Chapel at Elmwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Highlands United Methodist Church, 1045 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35205.
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Joe M. Dickens - August 2, 2009
Mr. Joe M. Dickens, age 77, of 211 Sharon Circle, Americus, died at his residence on Sunday, August 2, 2009. Mr. Dickens was a native of Pike County, Alabama, born April 12, 1932, the son of the late James and Delphine Dickens. Mr. Dickens was a retired office manager with Scott Bedding, and a member of Calvary Episcopal Church. He was involved with, and judged, thousands of pageants on the local level as well as over 200 state pageants. He began his work with the Miss Georgia Pageant in the late 1950s as a member of the Jaycees and was President of the Board of Directors of the Miss Georgia Organization for nine years.
Mr. Dickens is survived by his wife of 53 years, Eugenia M. Dickens, of Americus, one daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Ed Wolverton, of Greensburg, NC, one son, Jeff Dickens, of Americus, one sister, Mrs. Margaret Entrekin, of Troy AL, and one granddaughter, Jessica McDaniel, of Acworth, GA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Georgia Diabetes Research Foundation, Inc., 1120 W. Broad Ave. Suite A-1, Albany, GA 31707. Messages of condolence may be sent to Mrs. Eugenia M. Dickens, 211 Sharon Circle, Americus, Georgia 31709.
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Cathy Glau Gillaspie - July 31, 2009
Miss Colorado 1971 Cathy Glau Gillaspie, 58, died Friday, July 31, 2009, of cancer, in Orlando, Florida, with friends and family at her side.
Cathy was born in Oklahoma and graduated from Colorado State University where she studied elementary education. She was a gifted athlete and dancer and was the state champion in the 100 yard dash and the uneven parallel bars. She was also a National Champion Quarter Midget Driver. In college, she represented Colorado in the 1971 Miss America Pageant, where she won a special talent award for her dance performance.
Cathy went on to perform in many show business venues including TV guest appearances, her own nightclub act, and with MGM's Las Vegas and Reno shows "Hallelujah Hollywood", opening cast, and "Hello Hollywood Hello", both at the MGM Grand Hotels. After moving to Orlando, in 1980, she opened her own "Showtime" children's dance studio which quickly became the largest children's dance school in the country with over 3,000 students. Nothing was more important to Cathy, than for her students to feel good about themselves and enjoy the dance. In addition to the many national dance competitions her students won, they also won the $100,000, Ed McMahon Star Search Competition. Their success was a testament to her belief in positive reinforcement. After losing an infant son in 1981, and almost losing another in 1983, Cathy became a tireless worker and supporter of the Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital and was on the Board of Directors of the Orlando Health Foundation. For many years she supported the hospital with her "Kick for K.A.R.E." benefit program. She would be pleased if, in lieu of flowers, friends would donate to "Kick for K.A.R.E." at Showtime Dance Studio in Altamonte Springs. Cathy was married twice and had three children (all boys), one of whom died in infancy. The surviving brothers; Jon (32) and Bill (26), live in Debary, Florida. Cathy is also survived by her Mother; Joyce (Denver), and siblings; Bobby (Las Vegas), Dean (Denver), Amber (Las Vegas), and Rocky (Las Vegas).
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In Loving Memory - Deborah Jean Howard - July 24, 2009
Deborah Jean Howard, Miss New Hampshire 1991, passed away on Friday, July 24, 2009 after an automobile accident on her way to judge a Miss New Hampshire local competition—the Miss Stratham Fair Pageant.
A resident of Campton, New Hampshire, Deborah held a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Plymouth State University as well as her BA degree in communications. She taught English at Newfound Regional High School where her students adored her. A recipient of a Christa McAuliffe Grant and a North Country Educational Services Technology grant, Deb was a mentor, cooperating teacher and chair of a New England Association of Schools & Colleges re-accreditation committee. Deb continued with her study of music (piano and violin), served as a Theatre Director at her school for one act competitions, and performed in local theatre. She was also an interdisciplinary curriculum consultant for a new educational start-up program called World Ocean Watch. An active volunteer for the International Campaign for Tibet and an avid conservationist, she was active in implementing a district-wide recycling effort in her school district.
Deb competed in the Miss America Pageant in September of 1991, and she remained active in the Miss New Hampshire Organization, judging the 2001 Miss New Hampshire Competition and the 2007 Miss New Hampshire’s Outstanding Teen Competition. She attended Miss New Hampshire each year.
Deb’s platform as Miss New Hampshire was Special Olympics. She won the Meg Geraghty Community Service award at Miss New Hampshire. She leaves behind her mother, Marge Howard, and three brothers: Wayne, Glenn and Doug. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Organization - 20 East Broadway, 2nd Floor, Derry, NH 03038.
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Bernie Resnick - June 23, 2009
Bernie Resnick, a long-time volunteer of the Miss America program and resident of New Hampshire passed away on June 23, 2009 at the age of 79.
Bernie was a volunteer in the Miss America program for more than 50 years, starting as a Jaycee in Portland, ME where he became involved in the Miss Maine program after Miss America Director, Lenora Slaughter, visited the state. He directed Miss New Hampshire for two years, and also directed Miss Massachusetts when it was on television. He judged Miss America state programs all over the country and years ago filmed PSAs for Miss America.
Bernie was known as the eternal optimist with a youthful spirit much younger than his age. He was never the guy in the back of the room saying, “it can’t be done.” Instead he would jump up and say, “Yes let’s do it!” Bernie was a part of the Miss New Hampshire board in October of 2000 but stepped down so that he could once again judge the local competitions. He always marveled at the growth in contestants from year to year.
Bernie will be missed, by his community, his family and friends and the Miss New Hampshire Family.
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Juliana G. Gabor - June 15, 2009
Juliana G. Gabor, Miss Minnesota 1970, of Inver Grove Heights passed away on June 15, 2009 at the age of 58. She was preceded in death by parents, Vas & Mary Gabor. She is the beloved wife of David Mariani; mother & best friend of Genevieve; sister of Mary (Ed) Fleming. She is also survived by stepchildren, Matthew, Mario (Kay) & Angela Mariani; niece, Rita Fleming; & Sam the border collie. Funeral Service 2 PM Thursday, June 18th at SOUTHERN FUNERAL HOME (651-451-1551), 414 Marie Ave., SSP with a visitation 2 hours prior to the Service. Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, SSP. A special thank you to Julie, Patti, Terri & Katie of HealthEast Hospice.
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Florence Gallagher Babusek - April 26, 2009
Florence Gallagher Babusek, 75, died of complications from Alzheimer's disease Sunday, April 26, at her home in Twin Lakes, Wis., said her husband, James.
Her Miss Chicago crown in 1955 launched her to Atlantic City for the Miss America pageant, which was anxiously watched that September by hundreds of excited neighbors and family members gathered around black-and-white television sets.
With financial help and clothing from sponsors, she traveled east for the weeklong competition. Her mother and grandmother went along. James Babusek, her boyfriend at the time, and everyone else in the family watched from Chicago -- the Gallagher siblings on a television their sister had won in the Miss Chicago competition.
She finished as second runner up and got a $2,500 scholarship. Mrs. Babusek embarked on a nationwide modeling tour sponsored by Allstate and RCA, then returned to Chicago and got married.
After marrying, Mrs. Babusek and her husband lived near the Illinois-Wisconsin border. She worked for many years as a marketing executive at Antioch State Bank.
She is also survived by two sons, James and Daniel; four daughters, Lori John, Lisa Sullivan, Lynn Tubra and Amy Wilson; two other brothers, Hugh and Daniel Gallagher; two sisters, Rita Brennan and Mary Karvel; 13 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. A service is set for 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in Haase-Derrick-Lockwood Funeral Home, 620 Legion Drive, Twin Lakes.
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Bob Wheeler - April 16, 2009
This morning, our former State Executive Director of Arkansas and recipient of the 1997 Miss America Academy of Honor, Bob Wheeler passed away after a long illness.
Bob started his work with the Miss Arkansas state pageant by parking cars at the annual Pageant and soon became the Executive Director, a position he held for over thirty years. In addition, he served twice as president of the National Association of Miss America State Pageants, and was on numerous committees for the Miss America Pageant.
Along with his contributions of time and service to the Miss America Organization, he also has served the Hot Springs, Arkansas area as a past president of the Garland County United Way, Greater Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce, Hot Springs School Board, National Park Foundation for the Performing Arts, Hot Springs Jaycees, YMCA and the Hot Springs Men's Bowling Association. Bob was inducted into the State of Arkansas Parks and Tourism's Hall of Fame, the highest honor in Arkansas for the tourism industry.
Bob was an extraordinary individual and the consummate volunteer. He generously donated his time and selflessly dedicated himself to the Miss America Organization and his community for so many years. He will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time but will be available at www.grossfuneralhome.com.
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