News Archive

Joseph Szászfai, of Branford, Conn., died on November 24, 2024, at the age of 85. He is survived by his three children and five grandchildren.

William "Bill" Ostrander of Clinton, Conn., died peacefully on May 24 at the age of 83.

Kathryn "Kathy" Griffin Coppola, of North Haven, died on May 22. She was 72. Kathy is survived by her husband of 40 years, Jeffrey Coppola.

Kathy was a longtime administrative staff person, having started at Hamden Hall in 1978. She began as a medical secretary and assistant during the 1978-1979 school year and eventually served as the administrative assistant to the Director of Lower School. Kathy became the assistant to the headmaster in 1993 under Jim Maggart and continued in that position for more than two decades. She completed her service to Hamden Hall during the 2016-2017 school year. Kathy established friendships with myriad alumni after they graduated from our halls, and remained connected up until the time of her passing. 

Kathy loved to spend time with family and friends. Besides her husband, she is survived by three of her eight siblings, including her brother, Peter Griffin, a former Hamden Hall staff member, sister-in-law, Beth Paradis Griffin, Class of 1972, also a former Hamden Hall staff member; her nephew, Varsity lacrosse and Wrestling Coach Kiernan Griffin, Class of 2000, and her niece, Cameron Griffin Porter, Class of 2011. She was also a great aunt to former student Nelly Griffin. 

Hamden Hall extends deep condolences to Jeff and family during this difficult time.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, May 29, from 4 - 7 p.m., at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. A Service celebrating her life will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home. 

To read full obituary, please click here. 

Kathy's niece, Cammie Griffin Porter, Class of 2011, eulogized Kathy. Click here to read.

Rolf C. Margenau of Bethlehem, Penn., died peacefully at his home on February 13 at the age of 90. Rolf was a non-graduating student in the Class of 1952. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Hamden Hall alumna Nancy McKinster Margenau, Class of 1952, three daughters, four grandsons, and three great-grandsons.

Jeryl "Jeri" Vets Gagliardi-Levy died peacefully, in New Haven, on April 23, at the age of 90. 

Martha "Molly" Palmer Mithoefer, Class of 1968, of Trescott Township, Maine, died on April 22, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. 

It was recently brought to our attention that Hamden Hall alumna, Karly Elizabeth Mossberg, Class of 2005, unexpectedly passed away on September 10, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Cooper Woolston, son of Hamden Hall Alumna, Robyn Ramsey, Class of 1973, has died. He was a former lacrosse star, coach, and inspirational figure in the Seattle community.

Former faculty member, Robert Wallace McClenahan Jr., died on March 22, in Barnstable, Mass., at the age of 90.

Gregory "Greg" Sawyer, Class of 1989, of Hamden, Conn., died of sudden heart failure at home on January 21. He was 53.

Robert "Bob" Louis Garofalo of Woodbridge died peacefully at his home on March 18, surrounded by his loving family.

Alumnus David Bender, Class of 1970, of Westbrook, Conn. died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on March 1.

Matthew Kennedy, of New Haven, alum from the Class of 1997, died over this past weekend.

Joan Rice Douglas Gordon, Hamden Hall alumna from the Class of 1945, died on July 1, 2024,  in Jacksonville, Fla. She was 95.

George H. Romania, 65, of Cheshire, died peacefully on December 25, with his family by his side, ending his long battle with MSA. 

Carol M. Merrill, 87, died peacefully with her family beside her on December 19, 2024, after a brief hospitalization.

Thomas "TG" Sullivan III, Class of 1987, passed away on December 14, 2024. 

Former faculty member Thomas Butler, 77, passed away on January 2 in Ithaca, N.Y. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Joyce Ryan, and his son, Nick, who is a Hamden Hall alumnus of the Class of 2000.