Kazuhiko Wakugami ~ Class of 1984

Kazuhiko Wakugami ~ Class of 1984

Departed ~ 4/27/22

Barry Jien lovingly posted:
It saddens me to report that we have lost one of our members, Kazuhiko a few days ago in Thailand. I took this picture during our Pattaya trip in 1984.

D.O.B. 11/3/1966
Departed:. 4/27/2022
Cremated: 4/30/2022

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Cynthia (Cyndi) Gearin Hilgartner ~ Class of 1984

Cyndi Gearin ~ Class of 1984

Departed ~ 6/12/21

Cynthia Hilgartner

July 21st, 1966 – June 12th, 2021

Biography


Cynthia (Cyndi) Gearin Hilgartner passed away on June 12th. She was the proud and dedicated mother of two boys, Nicholas and Benjamin; and a devoted and loving wife, sister, daughter, niece, aunt, and friend. She touched those who came to know her with her genuine warmth, kindness, and humor.

Born the older of a pair of twin girls in Norwalk Connecticut on 21 July 1966, she spent her early childhood in Brookfield Connecticut. At 10, her family moved to Taiwan and for the next 8 years, they moved throughout  Southeast Asia from Taiwan, to Manila, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok, where she graduated from the International School of Bangkok (ISB) in 1984. Cyndi enjoyed growing up in these different cultures and fondly reminisced about riding bikes through the rice paddies in Taipei, beach vacations in the Philippines, delicious food, including from street vendors, and rock concerts in Bangkok. She was a welcoming friend in these changing environments, a cheerleader for both ISKL and ISB, and editor of ISB’s literary magazine.

Cyndi attended Fairfield University, graduating in 1988 with degrees in English and Education; and married her college sweetheart on October 7th 1989. She began her next adventure as an Army spouse, making a home and raising her two boys in Germany, Georgia, Kentucky, California, Tokyo, Okinawa, Seoul, and Alaska.

She found joy in helping others. While stationed in Germany, Cyndi was employed helping soldiers and family members transitioning from military to civilian life. This experience led her to pursue her passion as a counselor. Throughout long stretches as a solo-parent during deployments and training exercises, she returned to school, receiving masters degrees from the University of Maryland in Educational Counseling, and the University of Alaska in Therapeutic Counseling. She worked within the Department of Defense Dependent School system as an English Teacher and Guidance Counselor in Japan and Korea. She also worked as a Grief Counselor for Hospice of Anchorage, AK, as a therapist for Catholic Charities of Arlington, VA, and most recently as a Licensed Professional Counselor for Upper Bay Counseling and Support Services in Maryland. A committed volunteer, she volunteered her time with Shatterproof, along with local charities involved in fighting the opioid crisis.  While residing in Shenyang, in northeast China, she served as Community Liaison Officer for the U.S. Consulate; and she helped set up the Catholic Archdiocese of Shenyang’s hospice-care system.

Cyndi was a gifted and accomplished artist. She developed an affinity for and mastered local arts wherever she and her family lived. In Kentucky, she was awed by Amish handiwork and became an avid quilter and cross-stitcher, creating her own beautiful and intricate designs. Many of her close friends and family members cherish these stunning quilts. In Japan she embraced the Ikebana tradition of subtle and expressive flower display and won awards for her Ikebana arrangements. And in China, she studied Shanshuihua and created several of these ink and brush landscapes. Her home was a colorful, beautiful fusion of local arts and furniture, treasured pieces from their family travels, and her own arts and crafts.

She was an instant and loyal friend. Those who know her can hear her laughter, remember her mischievous humor, and see her warm smile. She made life an adventure for her boys, welcoming their friends into the home and instilling a sense of wonder and curiosity in all the new discoveries they encountered throughout their childhood.

Cyndi is survived by her husband Lee and their son Ben; her sister Elizabeth (Betsy) and her children Jack and Olivia; and her father John. She is predeceased by her son Nick and her mother Mary Ann, whom she now joins in Heaven. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and the many, many friends whose lives she touched throughout her work and travel.

A Celebration of Life will be held on 7 August 2021 at 2pm in Arlington VA, celebrating the lives of Cynthia and her son Nicholas. Please contact egearin@egearin.com or leehil1000@gmail.com if planning to attend and we will provide directions. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Shatterproof (https://www.shatterproof.org/memorial/nicholas-hilgartner) or Covenant House (https://www.covenanthouse.org).

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

 

 

 

Richard Heusinger von Waldegg ~ Class of 1984

Ricky Heusinger von Waldegg ~ Class of 1984

Departed ~ 11/2020

Lovingly Posted by:   Anjie Prachaseri

Dear ISB Friends

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of
Richard Heusinger von Waldegg (Class of ’84), a wonderful friend who brought laughter and love to all of us.

Ricky led a very colorful life and touched so many with his sense of humor, love and friendship.

Ricky’s family would like all of us who knew him to celebrate his life and not mourn his loss.

Please join me raising a toast to Ricky and in praying for his transition.

See you on the other side buddy.  ?❤️

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com

Heidi Gage ~ Class of 1984

Heidi Gage ~ Class of 1984

Departed ~ 10/19/2017

 

 

Heidi Gage
7/4/1966 – 10/19/2017
Heidi Gage, 51, of Portland, died on October 19, 2017, after a short, but valiant, battle with cancer. She was born in Westbrook, Maine, the daughter of Rev. Philip and Nancy Gage. Heidi lived most of her childhood in Bangkok, Thailand, where she graduated from the International School of Bangkok. There she developed her love for performing choral music and her appreciation for those of other cultures and backgrounds.

 

Upon returning to the United States, Heidi lived in the Boston area and Groveland, Mass., before moving to Portland, Maine. She graduated from the University of Southern Maine, and most recently worked as Admissions Coordinator and Director of the Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars Program. Heidi’s organizational ability and warm personality showed through as she worked with university students, directed children’s choral groups, and taught Sunday school at Falmouth Congregational Church. Many of the young people she worked with considered Heidi a beloved second mother to them.

 

Heidi’s pride and joy were in her children, Kenneth (19) and Elizabeth (15) Drelich, and she spent every spare moment attending their school and sporting events and encouraging them in their endeavors. She enjoyed spending time at the beach, at the family camp, and outdoors with them. Family relationships were important to Heidi, and she loved cultivating traditions and spending time over meals with those she loved.

 

Heidi was preceded in death by her parents. In addition to her children, Kenneth and Elizabeth Drelich, she is survived by her siblings, Chris Gage (Melodie), Lorrie Gage (Jim Thornton), Marissa Gage, and Ben Gage; her niece and nephews; her partner, Leland John Arris, and his children and grandson.

 

A memorial service will be held at Falmouth Congregational Church on Saturday, October 28, at 1:00 p.m. with a reception to follow.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial funds in Heidi’s honor be directed to the support of her children either online at www.youcaring.com/HeidiGageMemorialFund or by mail to the Kenneth & Elizabeth Drelich Support Fund, Town & Country Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 9420, South Portland, ME 04116-9420, account #152966.
Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com