Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/obituaries/page/4)
Death notices for Darienites, immediate relatives and others of interest to town residents
Jeanette Pignataro Algiere, 94, of Darien passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, June 24, 2025, in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. She was born on Nov. 26, 1930, in Port Chester, New York to the late Antonio and Bambina Pignataro, originally of Cosenza, Italy. A devoted parishioner of St. Thomas More Church in Darien, Jeanette lived a life rooted in faith.
The family sadly announces the passing of M. Carole Johnson on June 22, 2025. She was 83. Born Sept. 27,1941 in New York City to Corinne and Carl Maxwell, Carole moved to Darien in her early teens and graduated from Darien High School in 1959 where she met Paul Johnson. After their marriage in August 1962, they moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Paul completed Harvard Law School and she finished her undergraduate degree in psychology at Boston University and worked for the famed behavioral psychologist B. F. Skinner.
Jeffrey David McLean, a beloved partner, brother, uncle, cousin and friend, passed away on May 31 in Port Townsend, Washington. He was 67. Diagnosed with cancer in 2021, Jeff surpassed medical expectations and continued to embrace his too-brief life with characteristic humor and grit. He is deeply missed. Jeff was born in Houston on March 22, 1958, and spent most of his childhood in Darien.
Michael Harvey Burkhart, 72, of Darien passed away peacefully on June 21, 2025 at home surrounded by his loving family. Born Feb. 9, 1953, at Stamford Hospital, Michael was the son of Richard and Barbara Burkhart. He raised in Darien along with his two sisters, Pamela and Linda. He graduated from Darien High School in 1972, where he met and started dating the love of his life, Prudence Kattelle.
David Paul Mozingo, a resident of Darien, passed away peacefully with family by his side on May 14, 2025, at the age of 95. He was a beloved father and grandfather and lived a complete life that spanned military service, academia, business and family. David was born on April 17, 1930, in Cleveland to Helen and Irwin Mozingo. He moved to Southern California during grade school, where he grew up and completed high school. He pursued his undergraduate studies at UCLA, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952 and went on to earn his master’s degree and Ph.D. from there.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Halsey Whitney, 66, a remarkable individual who set sail May 20, 2025.
Born on April 10, 1959, Halsey was a lighthouse of love, intelligence, sensitivity and inventiveness. His unwavering spirit and gentle demeanor enriched the lives of all his crew — family, friends, colleagues and like sailors — who were fortunate to have known him. In 1983, Halsey distinguished himself as a graduate in geology from The College of Wooster, Ohio and earned an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Halsey worked for Prime Energy Corporation. His passion for the natural world extended into his personal and professional life.
Mellory “Mel” Solomon passed away peacefully on June 9, 2025. She was 76. Born on Aug. 18, 1948, in South Africa, Mel dedicated her life to caring for others. After attending teachers training college, she chose a path of compassion, selflessness, and devotion to her family and community.
Carolyn Lutz Gibson, 81, passed away peacefully on Feb. 1 in Atlanta. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1944, Carolyn lived a life marked by adventure, joyful relationships, and an unwavering zest for life. Following early years in Birmingham, Michigan, Carolyn was raised in Darien. There she developed a strong and independent spirit while sailing Long Island Sound.
William Federhen Surette passed away on April 6, 2025, in his 97th year. He shared a long and joyful retirement in Vero Beach with his beloved wife of 74 years, Margaret (Peggy) Stegmaier Surette. Born in Boston on Jan. 19, 1928, Bill grew up in the city and showed early signs of industriousness and independence. As a boy, he joined the Y.M.C.A. and spent weekends at Scoutland, where he and a friend built a cabin to use during the winters.
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Deborah C. Moran (Salerno), 57, who passed away on May 27. Born on Jan. 9, 1968, in Yonkers, New York, she was the eldest daughter of the late John Salerno and Nancy (Long) Echlin. Debbie was surrounded by constant love from her husband, children and friends. She courageously battled breast cancer 24 years ago, at the age of 33, with three small children, and triumphantly survived.
Patricia Bruhn, a resident of Darien, passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91 on May 8, surrounded by her loving family. She was born Patricia Anne Ruth Brown on Jan. 16, 1934, in Toronto, Canada to Ethel and Harold Brown, and was predeceased by her two older brothers, Bud and Bill (Carolyn) Brown. After graduating high school in Gananoque, Ontario, Pat attended Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. She began her career as a copywriter in the advertising department at Canada’s large T. Eaton Company in Toronto in the 1950s.
It’s with heavy hearts that we share that Susan Patterson left this earth on May 15, 2025 quickly and peacefully with loved ones by her side. Susan was born in Detroit, Michigan on Feb. 5, 1936 to Sherod Blanchard Scott and Louise Pike Scott. An adored only child, she proceeded to make her beloved first cousins and closest friends her honorary siblings. Susan lived for long chats on the phone and reveled in the happy news of others.
Barbara White passed away at her home in New Canaan, Conn., on May 16, 2025, of natural causes. She was 99. Born in Camden, New Jersey, on June 25, 1925, to Robert E. and Ella O’Donovan, Barbara, known to friends and family as Babs, grew up in Montclair, New Jersey, where she attended Montclair Kimberley Academy. Her mother, a successful visual artist, no doubt sowed the seeds for Babs’ own passion for painting, design and fashion. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art history from Smith College in 1946 and subsequently landed a job as a fashion illustrator at Women’s Wear Daily.
Thomas Mark Brayton, beloved husband of Friede Bliss Brayton, passed away on May 17, 2025 at age 82 after a brief illness. Born Oct. 29, 1942, in Bath, New York, Tom was the son of the late Haswell Potter (Pete) Brayton, Jr. and Dorothy (Dot) Carr Brayton. He grew up in Herkimer, New York, and attended Eaglebrook School, graduated from Phillips Academy and then Princeton University, majoring in classics. Tom’s career took him from teaching and coaching, to public relations, on to the oil business and then back to teaching.
Margaret “Peg” Callaway Avison of Darien passed away peacefully on May 17, 2025 at the age of 97. Margaret “Peg” Avison, 97, passed away on May 17. A celebration of life event will be held on July 11. A resident of Rowayton and Darien for 70 years, she was a talented artist and beloved mother and grandmother who lived a life surrounded by family, friends and laughter. Born June 23, 1927 to the late Catherine C. and Guy M.Callaway, she was raised in Westfield, New Jersey, maintaining lifelong friendships with her elementary school classmates.