RE Log Spring 2022

66 Ransom Everglades LOG SPRING 2022 Professor of English and American Studies, the position he held until his retirement in 2004. Ludington loved sports. At Exeter he made the varsity basketball team, having never played before, in part, no doubt, because he was 6’6”; likewise, he played varsity soccer at Yale. The team needed a big, athletic fullback, regardless of skill level, and he fit the bill. He was an avid tennis player with a powerful left-handed serve, and later he turned from tennis to golf, which he continued to play until the last year of his life. He is survived by his wife, Jane; his children, David Ludington, Chad, Jamie and Sarah; his grandchildren, Liam, Jasper, Nathan, Chloe, Josie, Sybil and James; and his sister, Constance Drayton, of Bryn Mawr, Pa. Former Ransom Everglades trustee Elaine Stokes of Coral Gables passed away on February 13, 2022. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend to so many. Elaine was born on October 2, 1948, in New York, N.Y., as the only child of Leo and Mae Mandel. After receiving her bachelor’s degree from the City College of New York and her Master of Education from Brooklyn College, she taught elementary school and became a reading specialist. She married Norman Stokes on August 30, 1969, and they relocated to Miami with their children, Tracey and Ricky, in 1977. Always passionate about education, she gave generously of her time to her children’s schools, including serving as a trustee at Ransom Everglades School. She first became involved with the Ransom Everglades School through the Parents Association (REPA) and served as REPA president from 1990-91. This role led her to the RE Board of Trustees where she served for a full decade from 1990-2000. Ransom Everglades was always such a special part of her life. It was an affiliation she was always most proud of. Her more recent connections to Ransom Everglades were as a grandpar- ent and as the mother of a trustee. Elaine enjoyed traveling the world, attending the ballet and symphony, and watching Miami sports, particu- larly Hurricanes football. She selflessly dedicated her life to raising her children, and was ever-present in the lives of her four grandchildren. Elaine was a kind, compassionate and loving friend to all who knew her. Elaine is survived by her husband of 52 years, Norman Stokes; children, Tracey Stokes ’91 (Ari Silverstein) and RE trustee Ricky Stokes ’94 (Amy); and grandchildren, Sydney and Sloane Silverstein and Ellie Stokes ’26 and Spencer Stokes ’28 . L-R: Reid, David, Laurie, Cole, Ivy David Reid McWilliams, Sr ., former RE trustee and parent, passed away unexpect- edly, yet peacefully, on December 17, 2021. He had celebrated his 65th birthday on November 10 with characteristic joie de vivre alongside his beloved wife, Laurie. David enjoyed a rewarding and successful career in the financial services industry beginning as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch following his gradua- tion from Rhodes College. He was quickly recognized for his natural leadership skills and inspirational mentoring abilities and moved into various management positions, including overseas postings in Australia and Japan. He retired from his corporate career at UBS as the aptly titled Head of Wealth Management Transformation. David was a founding trustee of Camillus House as well as a trustee at Rhodes College and Ransom Everglades. He was a board and Legacy Circle member for Florida Foster Care Review and the co-chair with wife, Laurie, of Vassar Parents’ Council at Vassar College. He is survived by his wife, Laurie, and their children, Allison, Reid ’12, Cole ’15 and Ivy ’18. In Loving Mem y