Nancy Hornblower Rice '68
Coronado, California (04/7/07)

To share your memories of Nancy, please email alumni@pitzer.edu.

Elizabeth (Liza) McKown Williams ‘69
Concord, California (10/27/07)

Elizabeth McKown Williams ‘69 died peacefully in her sleep at home with her family in Concord, California on October 27, 2007. She was 60 years old.

Liza, as she was known to her family and friends, was born in Pasadena, CA. She graduated from Westridge School and Pitzer College. After finishing college she taught elementary school in Southern California for many years.

Liza and her husband, Shant Agajanian, lived in Northern California and Madison, Wisconsin. While in Madison, she began a second career as a computer programmer. She and Shant returned to Southern California, where they began a consulting firm. After her divorce, Liza continued her career in information technology.

In 1999 Liza moved to Lafayette and a year later settled in Concord. She began working as a systems analyst for Kaiser Permanente in 2000 and continued this position until she retired in 2005.

Liza was devoted to her family and friends. She was also an enthusiastic member of The Wellness Community (TWC), which she joined in 2005 after being diagnosed with cancer. An avid gardener, she was an active member of the Pleasant Hill Garden Study Club. She had many other interests, including her cats, movies, theater, politics, books, art, and music.

Liza’s spirit, wisdom, kindness, compassion, strength of character, integrity, and wit are a treasured legacy she has left to her loved ones. (She inherited “the Williams wit” from her late father, Nick Williams, the former editor of the Los Angeles Times.) One example, among many, of her spirit and strength of character was her completion of the 13-mile half-marathon walk in May 2007, a fundraiser for TWC.

Liza is survived by her brother, Nick B. Williams, and his wife, Gerri, of Austin, TX; two sisters, Susan R. Williams and Elliot (Ricky) Davis, both of Trinidad, CA; seven nieces and nephews; many grandnieces and grandnephews; and a host of dear friends.

Liza had a particular fondness for two nonprofit organizations. Therefore, if you would like to make a charitable donation in her memory, we suggest: The Wellness Community, Walnut Creek, CA (www.twc-bayarea.org); or the Lindsay Wildlife Museum, Walnut Creek, CA (www.wildlife-museum.org).

To share your memories of Liza, please email alumni@pitzer.edu.

Charles “Smokey” Hall ’74
Clovis, California (12/11/07)

Charles “Smokey” Hall ’74 passed away in Fresno, California on December 11, 2007 following a lengthy illness, battling kidney disease and diabetes. A lifelong resident of Fresno, Smokey graduated from Pitzer in June 1974 with a degree in sociology. Smokey went on to earn his Secondary Teaching Credential from the Claremont Graduate School in 1975 and his Administrative Services Credential from Fresno Pacific University in 1994. He spent thirty years as an educator in the Fresno Unified School District.

To honor Smokey's memory, a memorial account as been established at Union Bank of California [6666 N. Cedar Avenue, Fresno, CA] in Joe Charles "Smokey" Hall's name. Proceeds from this fund will be used to provide scholarships for students at Edison High School in Fresno, his high school alma mater and the place where he spent many years as both a teacher and administrator.

Respectfully submitted,
Cheryl (Boyden) Daugherty
Pitzer College '73

To share your memories of Smokey, please email alumni@pitzer.edu.

Chandre Kipps Nicholas ’85
Altadena, California (10/11/07)

Chandre Kipps Nicholas ’85 died on October 11, 2007 after a valiant battle with ovarian cancer. Many of us knew her through her company, Lime Twig Group, in Pasadena and the beautiful design work she has done for the College. Her family, friends and classmates will miss her friendship, strength and creative spirit.

Professor Emeritus Barry Sanders who knew Chandre well, said, "Life amused Chandre—in the best sense of the word. She got it. Long before a lot of other people, she caught on and it made her smile. I think we call that wisdom." Read the full text here.

To share your memories of Chandre, please email alumni@pitzer.edu.

Blake W. Bigler '04
Bend, Oregon (12/12/07)

Blake W. Bigler ’04 age 25, died at his parents' home in Bend, Oregon on December 12, 2007. The son of Dr. Edward and Sandra Bigler, he was born in Seattle, WA on February 14, 1982. Blake grew up on Bainbridge Island, attended Island School, Green Onions School, and The Northwest School in Seattle. In 2004 he graduated from Pitzer College with a bachelor degree in environmental science and in philosophy.

Blake enjoyed playing the piano and drums with colleagues in a band called "Evergreen Playground." He loved all forms of music and especially loved to compose. Boating, hiking, rock climbing, skiing, physical fitness and great friendships made his heart sing. His zest for life also included animal shelter work, teaching environmental classes, and family activities.

Survivors include his parents, Dr. and Mrs. Edward Bigler of Bend, OR; two brothers, Christopher Bigler of Hansville, Washington, and Kjel Bigler of Bend; a sister Kari Moscarillo of Seattle, WA; a grandmother Katherine Ilene Sauer of Puyallup; many close relatives; and hundreds of friends. All that love could do was done. A sister, Kelly Bigler; a brother, Jason Bigler; and a brother, Dr. Derek Bigler, preceded him in death. Memorial contributions may be made to your local animal shelters.

To share your memories of Blake, please email alumni@pitzer.edu.