The Memorial Wall

Marshall Christian Moore, husband, father, coach, and educator, died from complications of Parkinson's Disease and cancer on October 21, 2024, in Exeter, New Hampshire. Born on November 7, 1956, in Boston, Marshall was the eldest son of Roger Allan Moore and Barbara Wildman Moore. Raised in Massachusetts on Beacon Hill and the Gurnet, Marshall attended Dexter and Groton schools, where he learned to love sports and made friends for life. At Harvard College, he rowed in the undefeated freshman eight, culminating with a dramatic win on July 4, 1976, at the Henley Royal Regatta. He received his A.B. in English in 1979, and later his J.D. from Fordham University. Marshall married Becky Goff in 1981, and together they raised three sons: Nicholas, Davis, and Timothy.

Marshall began his career in education by joining Becky at Choate Rosemary Hall in 1984 where he served as an admission officer, English teacher, and rowing coach. In 1988, he was appointed the Director of Admission and boy's crew coach at Brooks School. During a year in Rennes, France, Marshall led family adventures while Becky taught at SYA. They moved to Exeter in 1995, and Marshall worked as Associate Director for the Harvard College Fund.

In 1990, Marshall was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Often referring to his condition as "Mr. P," Marshall maintained his customary good humor and resolute optimism as he managed the illness for the rest of his life. He co-founded the Seacoast Parkinson's Support Group, where for eighteen years he and fellow members met each month to share information and community. Throughout these years, he dedicated himself to the "symphony of motion," continuing to row, run, bike, and dance for as long as he was able, even competing at the USA Track & Field Masters Championships in 2004.

Most of all, Marshall loved to be on the water, where he imparted rowing wisdom, as well as an appreciation for river wildlife (and his favorite dance music). After Choate and Brooks, Marshall coached at Phillips Exeter Academy, Great Bay Rowing, and Community Rowing. In his later years as a coach emeritus at Exeter, he continued to ride the launches on the Squamscott River, lending his keen eye and sharing words of inspiration to athletes and other coaches alike.

Beyond his sporting pursuits, Marshall admired beauty of many kinds. Along with dealing in antiques, he collected paintings and furnishings for his family's home in Exeter. Forever observant, he also developed his voice on the page by writing poetry and short stories. By example, he taught his sons to appreciate design, art, writing, and all things sweet - especially his signature chocolate chip cookies and whiskey sours.

Marshall is survived by his wife M. Rebecca "Becky" Moore, his three sons, Nicholas W. Moore (Irina Eremenko), Davis H. Moore (Liza Williams), and Timothy C. Moore (F Taylor Colantonio), his two grandchildren, Sylvia and Winslow, his mother Barbara Moore, his sister Elizabeth Faria, his two brothers Taft and Allan Moore, as well as many other dear and extended family. Marshall will be remembered for his competitive spirit, equanimity, humor, and kindness.

"It's a great art, is rowing. It's the finest art there is. It's a symphony of motion. And when you're rowing well, why it's nearing perfection. And when you reach perfection, you're touching the Divine. It touches you of yous, which is your soul." George Pocock

Jacqueline "Jackie" Basile (Harrison) passed away peacefully at her home in Yucca Vallery, CA on November 1, 2024 surrounded by loving family. A celebration of life will be held in her backyard, overlooking the desert. This was her favorite place to sit and enjoy the warm sunshine. A private family burial will take place at San Luis Cemetery in San Louis Obispo, CA next to her beloved mother Esther Harrison-De Boer. In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Best Friends Animal Society, reflecting Jackie's lifelong devotion to all animals or to the Parkinson's Resource Organization. 

Jackie was born on June 5th, 1946 in Chicago, IL and raised predominantly in Wyoming, MI. Known by all for her razor-sharp intellect and sense of humor, she was fluent in 4 languages and is an alumna of Michigan State University (B.S. Biology) and Cal Poly (MBA), the latter of which she completed while raising 2 small children. These skills were particularly useful for her greatest love, besides her family, of travel. Jackie met many of her most cherished friends during, or as a result of, a shared love of exploring the world. Whether it was teaching English in Paris, buying her favorite pastries in Germany, or bartending in the Bahamas, she never turned down an invite to go somewhere new. Throughout her lifetime of adventures abroad, her heart always remained tied to California. She was overjoyed at being able to return "home" to retire and enjoy 7 blissful years in the state that was always so dear to her. 

Jackie is survived by her two daughters Jamie Basile of Chicago, IL and Lindsay Basile of Los Angeles, CA, her brother Dr. Jim Harrison (Zella) of Palm Desert, CA, life partner Tom Equin of Yucca Valley, CA, and cat Blue, also of Yucca Valley. She is preceded in death by her parents Burt Harrison and Esther Colborn, and by numerous beloved and cherished pets.

Sharon Adele Friedman, 80, passed away peacefully on January 14, 2025, in Woodland Hills, California, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on March 25, 1944, in Toronto, Canada, Sharon moved to Hollywood, California, with her mother, Fay, and brother, Mel, at the age of five. She grew up in Southern California and attended Los Angeles High School.

In 1963, Sharon met the love of her life, Neil, on a blind date, leading to their marriage in 1965. Together, they built a beautiful life and raised two children, Susan and Adam. Sharon was a devoted wife, a loving mother, and the proud grandmother of Lucas, Julian, and Liam.

Sharon had a zest for life and a passion for cooking, traveling, entertaining, and giving back to her community. Her adventurous spirit took her around the world, where she immersed herself in diverse cultures and cuisines. A talented artist, Sharon’s work is part of the permanent collection at The Skirball Cultural Center and is cherished in homes across the country.

Judaism was central to Sharon’s life, and her greatest mission was to pass on Jewish values to her family. Her warmth, generosity, and commitment to her faith were guiding lights for those who knew her.

Sharon is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Neil; her children, Susan (Mike) Willard and Adam (Karen) Friedman; and her adored grandchildren, Julian, Liam, and Lucas. She leaves behind a legacy of love, family, creativity, and unwavering kindness that will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.

Sharon’s memory will forever be a blessing to her family, friends, and all lives she touched.

A civil rights campaigner who led the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963 has died at the age of 87, his family say.

Dr Paul Stephenson OBE organised the boycott which overturned a ban on people from ethnic minorities working on buses in the city and was instrumental in paving the way for the first Race Relations Act in 1965.

In a statement, his family said he passed away on Saturday evening after a "courageous battle" with Parkinson's disease and dementia.

They described him as "a passionate advocate for equality, tirelessly working to dismantle the barriers of discrimination."

“It is with a heavy heart that Stephenson family share the passing of our beloved father, Dr Paul Stephenson, a true pioneer in the civil rights movement," his family said.

"He left this world on the evening of 2 November 2024, after a courageous battle with Parkinson's disease and dementia, which he faced with the same unwavering determination that defined his life."

"We have been immensely fortunate to witness first-hand the profound impact Dr Paul Stephenson had on our community and our nation."

Dr Stephenson, the son of an African father and mixed race British mother, arrived in Bristol in 1962.

He organised a boycott of the Bristol Omnibus Company, after which its policy of discrimination was ended.

He was made an OBE in 2009 for his services to equal opportunities and to community relations and had a train named after him in 2020.

Dr Stephenson is survived by his daughter, Fumi, and his son, Paul Jr.

In a written personal message, they said that his spirit and impact "will continue to live on."

"Despite the demands of his work, Dad's love and support for our family never wavered," his children said.

"He encouraged our independence and growth, always striving to ensure that we could forge our paths."

"Dad's unwavering commitment to improving the lives and experiences of people in our community was truly infectious."

"His tireless work and activism touched the lives of so many, both locally and on a broader national and global scale."

Dr Stephenson's journey began as the first black social worker employed by the city of Bristol.

In this role, he spearheaded the historic bus boycott, rallying thousands of Bristolians to stand together against the Bristol Omnibus Company's refusal to hire Black and Asian drivers.

This victory paved the way for the nation's first Race Relations Act.

He was arrested at the Bay horse pub in Bristol, which made national news. It happened after he refused to leave when the bartender would not serve him. Dr Stephenson won a court case against the pub and Daily Express for defamation.

Over the years, Dr Stephenson's unwavering commitment to equality and social justice earned him numerous accolades, including honorary degrees and doctorates, The Freedom of the City of Bristol and a Pride of Britain award for lifetime achievement from Sir Lenny Henry in 2017.

Dr Stephenson collaborated with high profile politicians in the UK and abroad and spoke at engagements at global United Nations conferences for policy development in race relations.

Former mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, said the news of Dr Stephenson's death was "incredibly sad."

“Paul lived an incredible life. Not just for his friends and his family, but made a contribution to Bristol, the country and the world," said Mr Rees.

“Most famously, Paul will be known for the leadership of the Bristol Bus Boycott.

"Less well known, but incredibly significant, is that that turned into legislation to protect people from racial discrimination."

“His impact was not just around the buses, it was about what it led to in terms of creating a legal framework to protect black and brown people – and other people – from being discriminated against in everyday life.”

Andy Leek, one of the founding members of the band Dexys Midnight Runners, has passed away. He was only 66 years old and died after a tough, lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was set to marry his longtime partner Deborah Smith Lawrence on Christmas but the two decided to wed on October 30, just days before he passed away on November 3, 2024.

Lawrence shared an emotional post on Facebook that read, in part, “The poet Mary Oliver wrote ‘Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.’ And the unimaginable has happened. My beautiful Andy left us on Sunday November 3. Mercifully he was held safe at Goscote Hospice, which is the most peaceful place I have known in my entire life. He received truly compassionate and loving care from people there.”

She continued, “I was with him, by his side, in those most fragile last moments and he died as he lived, courageously. He was by turns strong and gentle, funny and vulnerable, freedom-loving, fiercely creative, passionate and intelligent. Yet always so immensely loving, generous and authentic.” She added that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease almost twenty years ago, in 2008, and shared, “His response to his diagnosis? To play music and to craft song. The album Waking Up the World was written in that maelstrom.”

Lawrence added that they had been together for 35 years and felt no need for marriage, but recently, with his health getting worse, they wanted to plan a wedding. She shared, “I cannot convey how bittersweet this is, to have married and to have lost the love of my life within one week. Equally I have no words to convey the shock and the sorrow I feel. Yet I have the enduring love and a lifetime of the most amazing memories of being with such an exquisite man. My soulmate, my husband and my best friend. Andy’s incredible talent and musical legacy as a poet, songwriter, musician and a world class singer will endure. It’s the album Eternity Beckons that touches me most right now.”

Dexys Midnight Runners are best known for their songs “Come On Eileen” and “Geno.” Leek performed in the band in the ’70s and ’80s as the pianist. He soon left to pursue a career as a solo singer-songwriter and is known for his song “Say Something.” His final album was released in 2013, and around that time he also began posting old music with lyrics on YouTube for fans to enjoy.