Obituaries

Averill Dayton Geus, who died at home on Old Orchard Lane in East Hampton on Aug. 1, was one of the last of what East Hampton used to call its “great ladies.” In a life distinguished by personal courage and indomitable energy, she wielded considerable political and social influence through the channels of soft power available to women of her generation — as the town’s official historian; as a president of the Ladies Village Improvement Society and of the Suffolk County Historical Society; as curator at Home, Sweet Home Museum; as a teacher, and as an outspoken champion of the preservation of our built heritage.

Mario Jose Stutterheim of Amagansett, a classical music announcer at WQXR, WNCN, and WBAI in New York City for over 40 years, died on July 10 at the Kanas Center for Hospice Care in Quiogue. He was 82.

Gladys Whitridge Collier, a national duplicate bridge champion who twice represented the United States at the World Bridge Championships and was one of the top players on Long Island and in the country, died at home in East Hampton on June 27. She was 101.

A memorial gathering for Richard Ellis Lynn of East Hampton will be held on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Yardley and Pino Funeral Home in East Hampton, with visiting hours to begin at 1:30.

Richard Evan Ekstract, a magazine publisher who founded Hamptons Cottages and Gardens, a noted art collector, and a real estate developer, died on Aug. 7 at Good Samaritan Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. A part-time resident of the South Fork for many years, he was 92.

Dick Webb, who grew up in Montauk and devoted his life to charity and humanitarian work, died on July 18. He was 89.

Madeleine Hunter of East Hampton, who had worked at New York art galleries and for TriStar Pictures in Los Angeles, died of chronic Lyme disease and heart and organ failure on July 21. She was 74.

Paul Pavia, a scion of art world royalty, died of a heart attack at home in Springs on July 30. He was 52.

Helen S. Witty, an author of seven cookbooks and a veteran of the Women's Army Corps during World War II, died on July 15 at Peconic Landing in Greenport. Mrs. Witty, who had lived in Springs for many years, was 101.

Averill Dayton Geus died at home in East Hampton on Aug. 1 following a stroke. Ms. Geus, a past president of the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society who was instrumental in establishing its landmarks committee, was 89. 

Dr. Ronald Halweil, a doctor at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary for 50 years who had a private practice in New York City and Bayonne, N.J., died at home in Southampton on May 30. He was 80. The cause was glioblastoma. 

Gay Quarty, an East Hampton native and dedicated volunteer, died on June 21 at Peconic Landing in Greenport. She was 78 and had cancer and dementia.