ANDREA L. SURETTE
Andrea L. Surette, 32, a counselor in the Benefits Office, died of ovarian cancer at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston on July 26.
Mrs. Surette, a resident of Rockland, had been receiving her treatment at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she had been part of a clinical trial. She had been diagnosed with her illness three months before her death.
She began working in MIT's Benefits Office in April 1995 and in 1997 was promoted to the position of the long-term disability administrator. She was also responsible for assisting the families of employees who died while working at MIT. In these roles, she was recognized for her ability to assist employees and their families with dignity, compassion and grace during times that were often very difficult. She also welcomed many new employees to MIT in her role as a presenter of benefits information at new hire orientation.
Mrs. Surette was an excellent golfer and belonged to the Rockland Women's Golf Association. She was also an avid reader and joke-teller. She was born in Quincy and moved to Rockland a year ago with her husband, Robert F. Surette. In addition, she is survived by her parents, James and Patricia (Hughes) McNeice of Quincy; two brothers, James McNeice of Norfolk and Michael McNeice of Marshfield; three sisters, Pamela Campanale of Quincy, Debra Brown of Leeds and Janet Campbell of Abington; and 11 nieces and nephews.
A memorial celebration of her life will be held at the MIT Chapel on her birthday, September 29, at 11am. Donations in her name may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 1309 Beacon St., Brookline, MA 02446.
RICHARD J. REYENGER
Richard J. Reyenger, 72, of Westwood, a former cabinet shop foreman at Lincoln Laboratory, died on August 21. A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 11 at 11am at the First Parish of Westwood United Church.
Mr. Reyenger began working at Lincoln Lab in 1952 and retired in 1984. He leaves his wife, Edna; two brothers, Robert of Quincy and Theodore of Weymouth; a sister, Eleanor Dwyer of Kingston; and many nieces and nephews. Interment will be private. Donations in his memory may be made to the Shriner's Burns Institute or to the Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114 or to the charity of one's choice.
A version of this article appeared in the September 1, 1999 issue of MIT Tech Talk (Volume 44, Number 4).
