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In Memoriam | Winter 2023

In Memoriam: 1970s

Notices sorted by graduation date

Stephen Horner Both (Col ’73 CM) of Wilmington, Delaware, died May 26, 2023. He was a lifelong Wilmington resident except for the years he spent at UVA. While earning his bachelor’s in English, he was a member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and Eli Banana. He was an accomplished painter who took great care with older homes, but his true passion was food. In 2000, he competed on MasterChef USA. Throughout his life, he offered his personal chef and catering services to a lucky few. He was an avid reader and a lover of history, military miniatures, dogs, Jeopardy!, old country music and the farmers market. He lived his entire life without a cellphone, to the chagrin of many. Survivors include his brother, his sister, and his nieces and nephews.

Virginia Diane Dixon Colbert (Col ’75, Educ ’78, Grad ’85) of Lanham, Maryland, died Jan. 31, 2023. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, she was a triple ’Hoo, earning a bachelor’s in psychology, a master’s in school psychology, and a doctorate in educational psychology from UVA. She became a longtime educational psychologist and counselor, working for the District of Columbia Public Schools and the Fairfax County Public Schools. She was known for her kindness and intellect along with her culinary, dressmaking and writing talents. Survivors include two daughters, two grandchildren, and her brother, Eddie West Jr. (Col ’88).

Cynthia Barksdale Frentz (Com ’78 CM) of Louisville, Kentucky, died Aug. 21, 2023. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing from UVA, where she played on the varsity women’s basketball and lacrosse teams and was a charter member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority chapter. She earned her master’s degree in health care administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her career path took her to Louisville in 1982, where she was a hospital administrator for Humana as well as co-owner of Home Care Partners Inc. She was a member of the Woman’s Club of Louisville and a board member at the Louisville Deaf Oral School, now known as the Heuser Hearing & Language Academy. She also served on the board of the Cabbage Patch Settlement House. She was involved in her children’s schools, serving as PTA president for numerous terms. She loved the outdoors, especially hiking the Appalachian Trail and the Grand Canyon. She enjoyed playing golf and tennis. Survivors include her husband of 38 years, Thomas; two children, including Elizabeth “Betsy” Frentz Brill (Com ’10 CM); two grandchildren; and her nephew, William “Bill” Wallis Jr. (Com ’97, Darden ’03 CM).

Carl Rudy Rash (Educ ’78, Arch ’81 CM) of Moneta, Virginia, died Feb. 10, 2023. He earned both his bachelor’s in education and his master’s in urban planning from UVA, where he was a member of the Student National Education Association, the Architecture School Design Council, and the American Institute of Architects. His professional career included 10 years as planning director for the town of Christiansburg, Virginia. Survivors include several cousins.

Ronald Alfred Strawley (Grad ’79 CM) of Charlottesville died June 30, 2023. He earned his doctorate in education from UVA after receiving a bachelor’s from West Chester University and a master’s from Penn State. He was a licensed professional counselor and practiced at organizations including Horizon House in Philadelphia, the Delaware Department of Corrections, and the Garnett Center in Charlottesville. He ended his career as executive director of Lafayette School and Treatment Center in Charlottesville. He was an avid chef and a loyal fan of all Philadelphia sports teams, as well as Penn State football and UVA football and basketball. He was known for his collection of T-shirts, all revolving around his love of sports and golden retrievers. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Nelson Strawley (Grad ’79 CM), his daughter, his uncle, and many cousins.