In Memoriam

Montclair State University joins the nation in grieving for those lost in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Among them are members of the campus community who will forever remain in our hearts and never be forgotten.

Alumni Jean DePalma '80, age 42. Jean was a certified public accountant for Marsh & McLennan. A resident of Newfoundland, she was a parishioner of St. Joseph R.C. Church in West Milford, where she was chair of the parish and its elementary school finance committee. After graduation, Jean kept in contact with the University as a recruiter for interns. "She was always willing to give me feedback about our students, " said Eileen Bruck of Career Development. "On a personal note, she was not only a committed professional, but a wonderful parent as well. She had a lot of heart." She leaves behind two children, Drew, 17, and Jamie, 16.

Dennis Taormina, Jr. '88, age 36. Dennis was a vice president at Marsh & McLennan. A resident of Montville for the past three years, Dennis was raised in East Rutherford where he served as a volunteer firefighter. He is survived by his wife, Diane and their daughters, Jenna, 5, and Meghan, 9.

Khalid Shahid '99, age 25. Khalid was an employee at Cantor Fitzgerald. A resident of Union, Khalid was engaged to be married in November and was planning to move to Mount Olive. A practicing Muslim, Khalid was a member of the men's tennis team from 1996 to 1999, and served as co-captain for one year.

Robert (Bobby) Hughes '01, age 23. Bobby worked at Bank of America in the North Tower on the 83rd floor. Born in Jersey City, Bobby moved with his family to Sayreville when he was 1 year old. He was active in many sports, including baseball, and played for the varsity team at Sayreville War Memorial High School. He spent most of his summers during high school volunteering at a camp for children with brain injuries. Mike Syntscha, Bobby's roommate at Montclair State, said, "Bobby was a person who would do anything for anyone. His good nature and great sense of humor made everyone around him laugh." He is survived by his father, Robert Hughes Sr., his mother, Louise and his three sisters, Shanin, Leigha and Lyndsey.

Shari Kandell, 27, a part-time English major, was a trader at Cantor Fitzgerald. Shari came to Montclair State as a transfer student from Syracuse University. Friends and family gathered on Shari's birthday, Sept. 21, to remember the woman who touched so many lives. "We chose to have her memorial service on her birthday as a fitting celebration of her life," said her father, Jan. "The overwhelming and outstanding quality that Shari showed all her life was her total selflessness. She did for others and put others' needs before her own well being." She is survived by her parents, Jan and Bea, and a brother, Steven.

The families of Shari Kandell and Robert Hughes have established memorial scholarship funds in their loved ones' names. For more information about the scholarships or to contribute to the funds, call the Montclair State University Development Office at 973-655-4344.

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