32 The Queens Courier • APRIL 3, 2014 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Obituary Priscilla Morgan, founding board member Noguchi Museum, passes away Priscilla Morgan, a long-time supporter of the arts and a founding board member of Long Island City’s Noguchi Museum, has passed away, according to published obituaries. She was 94. Morgan died peacefully at her Manhattan home on Sunday, March 30, the New York Times reported. “She was a great friend and a major figure in the art world,” said former Borough President Claire Shulman, who met Morgan through the late Japanese- American artist Isamu Noguchi. Describing her as charming, warm, intelligent and classy, Schulman said she will miss Morgan’s friendship. Born in Poughkeepsie in 1919, Morgan began her career in radio production and later became an agent, working with theatrical talent, according to her alma mater Vassar College. Morgan soon formed the Priscilla Morgan Agency, which was bought by the William Morris Agency in 1955. She met the composer Gian Carlo Menotti in Italy in 1958 and eventually helped bring to the USA his Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, a performing and visual arts event, according to the college. Morgan, in addition to being a founding member of the board, was also the first Honorary Life Trustee of the Noguchi Museum. She spent the last Priscilla Morgan at her 90th birthday celebration School told Avonte was a ‘runner’ Incredible Support That Will Never Be Forgotten Photo by Sara Wasilausky, The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum, New York held at the Noguchi Museum. Sinai Chapels respects all Jewish traditions and customs, has a compassionate staff that is second to none, and has three generations of experience serving New York’s Jewish families. Preplanning Sinai Preplanning protects your family from unexpected expenses and making complex choices at a most difficult time. Your wishes are reflected in a unique and personal service. Costs are reasonable, all budgets are accommodated, and your investment is FDIC insured. Our staff Rabbi is available to answer your questions. For a no obligation consultation at our office or in your home, please call us. Sinai Chapels 162-05 Horace Harding Expressway, Fresh Meadows, NY 11365 718.445.0300 or 800.446.0406 We are here 24 hours, to serve your family. We offer FDIC insured pre-planning. www.JewishFunerals.com decades of her life “furthering artistic causes and nurturing friendships across many generations,” a Times obituary said. “Priscilla Morgan was a remarkable woman. Her love for Isamu Noguchi and by extension his museum will continue to guide us. The board and staff of the Museum mourn her passing.” said Director Jenny Dixon. Memorial contributions can be made to the Children’s Aid Society, according to a Times obituary. BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO aaltamirano@queenscourier.com/ @aaltamirano28 Avonte Oquendo’s mom told his teacher he was a “runner” well before the autistic teen escaped from his school never to be seen again alive, according to a report released on March 27. The report by the Special Commissioner of Investigation for the New York City School District says that Vanessa Fontaine, Avonte’s mother, expressed her concerns on a form created and sent home at the beginning of the year by Julie Murray, his teacher at the Riverview School. Murray never shared the information with school administrators. Investigators also visited P.S. 4, the school Avonte had attended for three years prior, and teachers said Fontaine never expressed any concern that he might run away. The school staff described Avonte as a “prompt dependent” who needed an adult’s permission before completing an action. On the day of his disappearance in October, Avonte was heading back from the cafeteria with a group of students and three school employees when he slipped away. He was last seen running out of the school. Almost four months later his remains were found washed up in College Point. The investigation found that Avonte ran out of the building through a door left open by an unidentified man. The report also cited the lack of school safety agents at the front of the school, and miscommunication and confusion among school administrators. The report was referred to the Department of Education and Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. Brown’s office said they received the report and it is currently under review. “We are reviewing the report closely and are committed to working diligently to prevent another tragedy like this from ever occurring again,” DOE spokesman Devon Puglia said. “Our thoughts are with Avonte’s family.”
QC04032014
To see the actual publication please follow the link above