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Gregg Niwa ~ Class of 1977

Arrived ~ 5/16/1959
Departed ~ 5/9/2017

Gregg Niwa Obituary
Gregg S. Niwa, 57, passed away on May 9, 2017 in Anchorage, Alaska.

Gregg was born on May 16, 1959 in Utah.
He will be missed by his wife Cindy and brother Scott.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Debbie Niwa ~ Class of 1975

Debbie’s comment on the Earawan

“Probably the greatest frustration with putting out a yearbook is working continuously for seven months without seeing results until the final copies are released at the end of the year. But when they’re finished it’s really great feeling of accomplishment!!! And all the hours we’ve spent after school, on weekends, and during vacations makes it worth even more!,” exclaimed Debbie Niwa, editor. “I suppose that’s the main reason why members will return the following year even though many times you can hear them threaten-ing: I’ll never do it again!” Not only do staffers gain an understanding of journalism but also the real meaning of cooperation. “One thing I’ve learned is that unless everyone gets along many unnecessary problems arise. Usually arguments begin but they end up in jokes or people chasing around. It just serves to break the monotony and we have a good time,” explained one staffer.

Becky Barnett lovingly wrote:

It is with a very heavy heart that I share that my good and longtime friend, Debbie Niwa, Class of 1975 passed away on July 13, 2026, after having a stroke this past March. I meet Debbie in 1973 on an ISB new student retreat. We both ended up going to the University of Arizona and after graduation, she was my maid of honor when I got married. We would visit with her and her son, Jesse whenever we were back in Tucson. We continued to have long conversations over the phone all these years. She was a great researcher and writer, and we would have some very interesting discussions. We truly miss her.

Please keep her son and mom and extended family in your prayers.

Debra Kay Niwa
68, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on July 13, 2026

She was born on November 12, 1957 in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Kyoichiro “Kayo” and Madge Niwa (née Hakata). Her family lived several places, including Thailand and Hawaii, eventually settling in Tucson where Debbie earned a bachelor’s degree in graphic design with a minor in Japanese from the University of Arizona.

Debra was a constant creator and a talented artist, always with a project in the works. She built a 45-year career as a graphic designer, starting with publications like City Magazine before starting her own freelance design business.

Beyond her design work, she was an independent researcher with the instincts of a detective. Starting in 2001 with investigations into TUSD’s policies and programs – her son’s school district – she spent nearly two decades producing deeply documented research on education policy, trade agreements, health care reform, and international governance.

She approached every subject with patience and precision, tracing documents through their origins and building case files that spanned years. Her compilation on North American integration was praised as a definitive contribution, and fellow researchers called her work “masterful.”

Debbie always said raising Jesse was her greatest accomplishment, raising him in east Tucson in her beloved childhood home, spending her days caring for it and maintaining the yard. She carried her artist’s eye into everything she did – the design of a brochure, the tending of her garden, the care she gave her beloved home in east Tucson.
She could see beauty where others looked past it.

Generous and fiercely independent, she was the kind of person whose laugh could fill a room — and her parrot Gabby loved to join in. She loved to hike and camp, usually on her own schedule. As an oldest child and natural leader, she took pride in her brothers, Gregg and Scott. She found deep joy caring for her granddogs Tanuki and Butter. As the family historian, she spent countless hours compiling a pictorial history of the Niwa and Hakata generations, preserving stories that would otherwise have been lost.

She is survived by her mother, Madge Niwa; her son, Jesse; and her brother, Scott Niwa. She was preceded in death by her father, Kyoichiro “Kayo” Niwa, and her brother, Gregg Niwa.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Emily Frick ~ Class of 1965

Arrived ~ 2/6/1947
Departed ~ 08/18/2026

In our house, Emily will forever be ET.

When Kai was little, he combined “Auntie” and “Emily,” and ET was born. She treasured that name because it came from him, and he absolutely adored his ET.

One of my favorite memories will always be ET flying to Atlanta when Kai was just seven months old for his very first flight. As a retired flight attendant, of course she arrived with treats for the crew. That was Emily. She showed up for the people she loved.

And oh, how she loved Kai. She would get right down on the floor with him, roll around, be silly and make him belly laugh. Both their faces lit up whenever they saw one another.

Even as bvFTD changed Emily’s world, one thing it never changed was how deeply she loved.

One of the most remarkable parts of her journey was the life her mind created. In ET’s new reality, she was married and had children of her own. Instead of constantly correcting her, we learned to step into her world.

And there was something beautiful about it.

Emily spent her life fiercely loving her brothers, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. As dementia changed her world, her mind somehow created even more people for her to love. There was sadness in what the disease took, but there was also sweetness, humor and even a little magic in the world she created.

We will forever be grateful to Park Senior Villas at Goodyear and Hospice of the Valley for surrounding ET with incredible love, compassion and dignity through the final years of her life.

But dementia was only one chapter of Emily’s story.

She was a flight attendant who spent years in the skies and carried that adventurous spirit with her long after her flying days were over. She was a sister who adored her brothers, an aunt and great-aunt who loved fiercely, and a friend to so many. She was funny, adventurous, independent and deeply loved.

She was the woman who flew across the country for a baby’s first flight.

The woman rolling around on the floor making a little boy belly laugh.

She was ET.

And that is her legacy. Not what dementia took from her, but everything Emily gave to the people lucky enough to love her: the laughter, the stories, the adventures and, most of all, the love.
Kai will always know just how much his ET adored him.

We love you, ET. ❤️

You will always be our ET

It is with very heavy hearts that we share that our beloved Emily passed away peacefully this morning.

Emily was so deeply loved, and we know she touched many lives throughout the years. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who loved her, cared for her, and remained part of her life and story.

Carol Higgs will be creating a special memory book in Emily’s honor. If you have a favorite memory, story, or photo of Emily, please share it in the comments on this post so Carol can include them as she creates this beautiful keepsake celebrating Emily’s life.

Thank you for helping us surround Emily’s memory with the same love she gave so freely throughout her life.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Nancy Linnan ~ Class of 1966

Arrived ~ 2/27/1947
Departed ~ 5/26/2025

Nancy Grace Linnan Obituary

Nancy Grace Linnan, age 77, took a permanent recess from the courtroom of life on May 26, 2025.

She exited with impeccable timing on Memorial Day. Sadly, there were no closing arguments due to Alzheimer’s.

Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies, Nancy was a Marine Corps brat who grew up everywhere but with roots nowhere until she found her true home in Tallahassee, Florida. There she spent the last fifty years of her amazing life. She was a graduate of Dickinson College (BA, with honors, 1970), FSU College of Law (JD, with honors, 1974) and a public defender in Margaritaville (Key West, 1975-77) before coming to Tallahassee as the Assistant General Counsel, Florida Department of Administration, (1977), thereafter Assistant General Counsel to Governor Askew (1978), then Assistant Deputy Attorney General and Chief, Division of Cabinet Affairs for the Florida Attorney General (1979-83), followed by Assistant Secretary, Florida Department of Community Affairs (1983-85) before entering private practice with Carlton Fields in 1985 where, after serving on its Board of Directors as a member first and later as Chair, she retired 37 years later in 2022 as the Tallahassee office’s managing partner.

A fiercely intelligent attorney, Nancy spent decades using her quick wit and sharper tongue to argue cases, close deals, mediate disputes and occasionally win debates that had absolutely nothing to do with the law. She was the kind of lawyer you wanted on your side — and definitely not on the opposing one. Judges respected her. Colleagues admired her. And clients? Well, they either loved her or learned never to make that mistake again.

Married to her long-suffering and deeply devoted husband, Jim York, for thirty-seven years, the two shared a bond built on love, rescuing dogs, cats, birds and occasionally people, and the understanding that she was always going to win any argument. Although she had no children of her own, Nancy had more dependents than most—each with fur, wagging tails, and the unshakeable belief that the couch belonged to them. Their home was a haven for rescue dogs, at least four at a time, often more. It was said because of her conviction that they listened and behaved better than most of her clients.

Nancy was as prolific in accumulating friends as rescue dogs. She had a sprawling network of friends, many of whom were professional colleagues who valued her friendship as much as her professional mentoring. She cherished every single one. Nancy was a wonderful aunt and functional grandmother to both her nephews, Johannes and Christopher Linnan. She was predeceased by her husband, Jim York, in 2022 and leaves behind two younger brothers, Michael and David Linnan, a sister-in-law, Huan Linnan, a rolodex of friends so thick it could stop a bullet, and two dogs, Charlie and Walker. They are now romping on a beach after being adopted by her favorite vet tech, who moved to California and took Nancy’s surviving four-footed children with her.

Rest well, Nancy. You were truly one of a kind — a brilliant mind, a warm heart, a loyal friend, and the best sister we could have asked for.

A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held on October 3rd 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Jubilee Cottage at the Goodwood Plantation, 1600 Miccosukee Road. For those unable to attend, please consider donating to your local animal shelter or simply being kind to someone going through a difficult moment in their life — Nancy would’ve appreciated that.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Rob Elliott ~ Class of 1965

Arrived ~ 4/4/1947

Departed ~ 3/18/2019

Blythe, GA – Entered into rest unexpectedly Monday, March 18, 2019, at home, Robin “Rob” Harold Elliott, 71.

Mr. Elliott was born April 4, 1947, in Mt. Clemens, MI. He was the second of four sons in the family of Army Col. Harold “Ace” Elliott and Virginia “Ginnie” Elliott, all of whom preceded him in death. He is survived by his three children, Christopher Robin Binns (Kerry) of Columbus, GA, Rainer Winston Elliott of Orrstown, PA and Rossi Elliott Airy (Matt) of Walla Walla, WA as well as his precious cat, Patsy.

A memorial service will be held at 11 AM Saturday, April 27, 2019 in the Fellowship Hall of The First Baptist Church of Evans. The family invites you to share your fond memories of Robin at the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Graced Kennels, 1918 Colony Park Dr.; Augusta, GA 30909.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Steve Pratt ~ Class of 1973

Arrived ~ 6/3/1955
Departed ~ 1/19/2026

Lovingly reported by Trish Doering Blair

It’s sad when you go looking for people you knew to see where they are and how they have spent their lives and find they have moved on to the next level. Steve lived in Asia House on Soi 12 and would borrow my albums. I ran into his mom at a Salt Lake reunion many years ago and knew that he lived in Park City. I reached out once but never heard back from him. He was just a nice guy from a great family.

Steven J. Pratt Obituary
1955 – 2026

Steven James Pratt lived a life full of curiosity, generosity, and a quiet confidence that made the people around him feel steady and safe. He passed away on January 19, 2026, at home with his wife and daughter by his side—exactly the way he lived, surrounded by the people he loved most.

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 3, 1955, to James Pratt and Darlene Hardin Pratt (later Purles), Steve grew up with a sense of adventure that only expanded when his family moved to Bangkok, Thailand where they lived for two years between 1967 and 1969. This sparked a lifelong love of travel and a deep respect for people from all walks of life.

After graduating from Cottonwood High School in 1973, Steve attended the University of Utah and quickly found his way into sales, working first in Utah and then settling into car sales in California in the 80’s. Then, on Ponto beach in Carlsbad in 1984, he met Janis Shepherd Newkirk and her young daughter, and the next chapter of his life began.

Steve and Jan married in 1991 and moved to Park City, Utah. Steve was so happy to bring his “California girls” home to the mountains he loved so much. Particularly to one of his happiest places on earth, his family cabin in Holiday Park. Every summer Steve and Jan spent as much time there as possible, soaking in the peace of the mountains and sharing that love with their family and close-knit Holiday Park community.

Upon moving back to Utah, Steve began his career in real estate. Steve was a member of the Park City Board of Realtors for 35 years and approached his work the same way he approached life; with loyalty and a genuine desire to make things easier for others, often helping clients sell cars from their garages or filling his truck and taking a load to the landfill for them. Alongside his real estate career, Steve and Jan designed and remodeled more than 20 homes in Park City—projects that blended their creativity, shared love of building something beautiful together and making every house feel like home. In 2004, Steve’s daughter Erin joined him in the real estate business and, after raising her like his own since she was five, working alongside one another was something that brought him immense pride.

The role Steve may have cherished most of all was being Grandpa to Reece and Laney. He loved seeing the world through their eyes, teaching them patience and wonder – especially at the cabin or on a family beach vacation in Hawaii or Mexico. They have an unbreakable bond that was built while constructing river dams in Dry Creek and jumping over waves in Cancun.

Steve is proudly survived by his wife, Janis Pratt; daughter Erin (RJ) Smith; grandchildren Reece Smith and Delaney Smith; his mother, Darlene Purles; his sisters Colleen (Steve) Sorensen and Jolleen (Rusty) Larson and his brother Mike (Jana) Pratt and their children and grandchildren. He was proceeded in death by his father, James Pratt.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held on February 23, 2026, from 4-7pm at The Jeremy Ranch Country Club. Please come enjoy some great music and raise a glass to a Renaissance man who made the world better simply by being in it.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Cindy McQuerry ~ Class of 1974

Arrived ~ 2/29/1956
Departed ~ 9/16/2025

Lovingly submitted by Jane Reed Wilson

Please add one of our classmates to the “Gone But Not Forgotten Page”.

I recently learned that Cynthia McQuerry Seay (McQuerry at ISB) passed away last fall – Sept. 16, 2025. I remembered her as a lovely and spiritual person. We were able to reconnect at the 2018 Nashville reunion after many years.

Obituary for Cynthia Kay McQuerry Seay

Cynthia Kay Seay, age 69, of Boaz, Alabama, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. She was born on February 29, 1956, in Alabama.

Cynthia was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend whose life was centered on her love for family. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, strength, and the love she poured into those around her.

She is survived by her sons, Brad (Patsy) Stevens and Brian (Melissa) Stevens; grandchildren, Kyra and Isiah Pullen, Kita and Thadeus Williams, Sara Sides, and Lydia Thomas; great-grandchildren, Braylor Price and Lettie Pullen; siblings, Kenny (Candy) Walker, Stasha (Steve) Samples, and Pat Glover; step-mother, Carol McQuerry; and sister-in-law, Paula Walker.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Joann (Lee) Walker; father, Will McQuerry; grandson, Austin Stevens; and brother, Roger Walker.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Adams Brown Service Funeral Home with Bro. Shannon Burbanks and Bro. Ricky Williams officiating.

Adams Brown Service Funeral Home is honored to assist the family.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Isobel “Tinker” Kennedy ~ Class of 1966

Arrived ~ 6/4/1948
Departed ~ 1/29/2026

Lovingly reported by, Widge Kennedy.

Isobel “Tinker” Kennedy, 77, passed away on January 29, 2026, in New York City, New York.

Born on June 4, 1948, in Kew Gardens, New York, Isobel lived a remarkable life defined by her trailblazing career, unwavering faith, and deep commitment to fairness and generosity. A graduate of the City University of New York/Baruch College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Isobel broke barriers as one of the first female municipal bond traders on Wall Street. Her long and successful career was marked not only by professional excellence but also by her dedication to advocating for the rights of working women. She never forgot her roots nor her parents’ Davenport roots, and used her knowledge to empower others. She became a skilled mentor of finance and the workings of financial markets. Isobel’s passions extended far beyond her career.

She was an avid reader who sought truth and championed the underdog in all aspects of life. Her relentless engagement with politics and financial markets reflected her sharp intellect and commitment to making a difference. Immensely faithful to her Roman Catholic tradition, Isobel’s spirituality was a cornerstone of her life. Known for her originality and free spirit, Isobel was deeply loved by her family and friends. She was generous not only to those close to her but also to many who may never have known the extent of her kindness. Her legacy as a fierce advocate for justice and truth will continue to inspire those who knew her.

Isobel is survived by her four siblings: Elizabeth “Widge” Arts (David) of Oak Brook, Illinois; Henry “Hal” J. Kennedy (Laura) of Staten Island, New York; Kateri Tekakwitha “Teri” Kennedy of New York City, New York; and Annice “Muffie” Kennedy-Hanlon (Daniel) of La Grange, Illinois. In addition, she is survived by her many “munchkins” – her nieces and nephews: Peter Arts/Linda; Katherine Mooney/James; Margaret Fantasia/Anthony; Elizabeth Vitek/Nicholas; Lindsay Hyland/Patrick; Julia Kennedy; Claire Joslyn/Nate.; Patrick Hanlon/Savanna; Sarah Hanlon/Jenna; James Hanlon/Shelbi. Also Tinker had the love of her many Toher/Stafford/Kuriger cousins.

She now joins her parents, Donald B. and Katherine F. Kennedy (Toher), along with many beloved aunts and uncles.

May Isobel’s memory serve as a source of comfort and inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A Funeral Mass will be held on March 28, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Alphonsus Church, 2618 Boies Avenue, Davenport, Iowa. Committal Service after the Mass at Holy Family Cemetery Davenport, Iowa. Halligan-McCabe-Devries Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

Shelia Weischedel ~ Class of 1969

Arrived ~ 9/23/1950
Departed ~ 7/9/2021

Lovingly reported by, Trish Doering Blair

I came across this while down the rabbit hole last night. Weischedel’s lived next door to us on Soi 14. Their dad Ted worked with my dad. I remember Sheila as a wild child that enjoyed every minute of life and was kind and fun to be around.

Sheila Rae Weischedel Allen obituary

Sheila Rae Allen passed away at her home in Gillette, WY on July 9, 2021 at age 70. She was born on Sept. 23, 1950 to the late Ted Weischedel and Virginia Weischedel in Sheridan, WY.

She graduated from the International School of Bangkok in Bangkok, Thailand in 1969. She taught English to Thai workers during the summer following her high school graduation.

Sheila married Jim Allen on Sept. 16, 1977 in Carlsbad, NM. They lived in New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. They operated the Recluse Store and Post Office from 1983-1987. Sheila also worked at the Gillette Day Care and would often have people come up to her that remembered her, when they were toddlers. She worked at Wal-Mart for 11 years and was a guard at the Wyodak mine for 5 years.

She was very generous and enjoyed helping people. She would give you the shirt off her back if it would help. She was a mother to three boys, but was motherly to a lot of people over the years. She especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her sons, Aaron Allen of Carlsbad, NM, James (and Heather) Allen of Fredericksburg, VA, David (and Stacey) Allen of Gillette, WY, four granddaughters, three grandsons, her mother, Virginia Weischedel of Recluse, WY, siblings Cheryl (and Dan) Kotschwar of Farnam, NE, Danny (and Anita) Weischedel of Recluse, WY, numerous nephews and nieces, family and friends, to include Lynard the pug and her cats.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim and father, Ted Weischedel.

Memorial services will be held at the Recluse Community Hall on Saturday, July 17th at noon.

Memorials are suggested to be made to a college fund for Sheila’s grandchildren, whom she loved very much. Online condolences can be shared at the Walker funeral home.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings

David Beach ~ Class of 1971

Arrived ~ 2/19/1953

Departed ~ 6/11/2026

David Warren Beach Obituary

February 19, 1953 – June 11, 2026

David Warren Beach, 73, of Gambrills, Maryland, died of sepsis at Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena on June 11th, 2026, in the presence of his loving wife, Kimberly Beach.

David was born on February 19th, 1953 in Darby, Pennsylvania and was the third of seven children. Originally living in the Philadelphia area, the Beach family moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 1967. David fondly remembered those days and would often recall some of his adventures as a young teenager in Asia. When the family returned to the U.S. they made a home in Alexandria, Virginia.

David graduated from Fort Hunt High School in 1971, and after discovering a profound love of numbers, went on to gain a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics at Old Dominion University in 1976 and a Masters in Economics from The University of Florida in 1978. Shortly after, he began his professional career with Ford Aerospace which brought him to California, Colorado, and Michigan before returning to the District of Columbia. In 1989 he returned to school and earned a Masters in Engineering Management from The George Washington University.

David’s working life took him many places, but in 1988 he bought a home and put down roots in Gambrills, Maryland. Initially his home consisted of the property he loved and his golden retrievers. For years family and friends would gather at David’s welcoming home for parties and celebrations. One such gathering was the wedding of David and Kimberly in 2007. At the age of 54 he began a family with the additions of Kimberly and her children Alexander and Paige. After many years of living alone, the bachelor pad had become a family home. He honorably stepped up to the role of becoming a father, and provided for his children both monetarily and by example, focusing on goals of higher education. He deeply loved his own family as well as watching his grandchildren grow. He professed near his last days that “being a family is more important than anything else in life.”

After retiring from the corporate world, David spent his time taking care of his property, playing golf, league bowling, trying to win the lottery, and visiting with friends and family.

He is survived by his wife Kimberly and her two children, Alexander and Paige; his brothers Bob and Charles; and sisters Deborah Angilletta and Grace Kelly. He is preceded in death by his parents Robert and Edna Beach and brothers John and Mark.
David Warren Beach led a life of joy, love, and adventure. His passing has left a big hole in the lives of those he touched. Despite his death, his giving nature and familial love will be felt for generations.

Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories, and tributes to isbeings at gmail dot com or visit us on Facebook at ISBeings