Madeleine F. and Arthur C. Morris
Aged 88 and 89, they passed away on May 3rd, 2012, succumbing to the elements after a minor car accident in the Catskills. Learning that numerous 911 calls failed due to poor cellular coverage worsened the loss. Arthur, originally from Cambridge (OH) was always a gentleman whose quiet disposition belied a dry sense of humor. He graduated from Juilliard; a pianist and organist, he taught music and was a church organist on Long Island. Madeleine, born in Bellegarde, France, endured Nazi occupation and was named one of the Just for her actions during the war. She immigrated to the USA; widowed at 30 and with two children, she earned a Ph.D. in French Literature at Columbia University. She was a pioneer as one of the first women to become a professor at Brown University, and later taught at Queens College as well as the CUNY Graduate Center. She was an energetic leader with a passion for life, and remarried in 1963. Arthur and Madeleine were inseparable, even in death, just shy of their 50th anniversary. Arthur is survived by his niece Emily and nephew Carl. Madeleine is survived by her sister Dr. Colette Jeantet, two sons Ronald and Robert, a grandson Jeantet and a great-granddaughter, Lyra. A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, May 12th at the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, on 73rd Street. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Doctors Without Borders in their names.
