Class Note 2002
Hello, ’02s. Sadly, in early December I was notified about the death of one of our classmates. Matthew Cooper passed away peacefully on November 30, 2014, at Yale-New Haven Hospital from complications following emergency surgery. Matt grew up in East Lyme, Connecticut, and at Dartmouth he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and a dedicated attorney with the firm Day Pitney LLP in Stamford, Connecticut. Matt is survived by his wife, Michelle Mauro Cooper, parents Bruce’74 and Kristi, brother Jonathan and wife Katherine and grandparents, including Milton ’46, DMS’45. Classmates remember Matt as a loyal friend who was quick to laugh and full of love for life. His full obituary can be read online on the DAM website, where you can also share remembrances.
Katie (Escherich) Morison and her husband, Mark, welcomed a son, William Francis Morison, on April 10. William joins big sister Juliet, 3, and the family is moving soon to a new home in Rye, New York. Katie is still working at Microsoft as an editor for MSN News.
Michelle (Gauvain) Walker filled me in on her recent marriage. “In July I married an amazing woman, Crista (Leahy) Morrow (Princeton ’96) and together we have four children (ages 5, 6, 8, 9). They have been friends for years and are pretty much like full-fledged siblings at this point. On a professional note, I am principal of a new K-4 public school, the Cove School in Corte Madera, California. The school design is different than traditional schools with learning suites, breakout rooms and outdoor learning spaces for small groups. This school has a focus on creativity and innovation, collaboration, critical thinking and communication. We have a most amazing group of teachers who see themselves as lead learners (love their growth mindset!). It’s been a busy couple of years!”
Molly (Stutzman) Miranda and her husband, Jorge Miranda ’01, welcomed daughter Eloise Frances Miranda on October 11. Eloise joined the world at 8 pounds, 1 ounce, and 20 inches in length. Molly, Jorge and Eloise are doing well and settling in to life as a family of three (well, five if you include the two cats).
Sam (Burdman) Weigand has had an exciting year as well: “The past 12 months have been a whirlwind, to say the least. In December my husband and I packed up the dog and the toddler to move from Washington, D.C., to Vashon, Washington, where we bought the only bakery in town. Not so crazy, considering I have spent the past 10 years as a pastry chef, but the timing was interesting. I took over the bakery in January 2014 and closed in March to renovate and have a baby. Xavier joined big sister Carmen on March 14, 2014! We reopened in May as Vashon Island Baking Co. and have been going strong since. Any alums in the Seattle-Tacoma area should definitely drop by to say hi!”
That’s all the news for now. Keep sending your updates!
—Anne Cloudman, 315 West 99th St., Apt. 2D, New York City, NY 10025
