Category: Born or raised in Newark (high school or before)
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Rose Danzis Parsonnet
c. 1900-2003 Rose Danzis was the daughter of Max Danzis, a founder of Beth Israel Hospital and Jennie Danzis, Ukrainian Jewish immigrants. She was married to Eugene Parsonnet, a cardiologist, and her son was Victor Parsonnet, renowned heart surgeon. Rose was involved with music throughout her life, “The house was filled with a Steinway grand,…
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Laura Champenois Wright Hedden
c. 1860-1950 Laura Hedden was a pioneer in the boys club movement in the 1930s and 1940s, establishing the first Boys Club on Halsey Street in 1908. In 1908, Star Eagle called her “one of the best known philanthropic women among the leaders of Newark’s social set.” Laura helped establish Excelsior Boys Club and the…
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Marie Antoinette Quinby
1848-1909 Marie Quinby was very active in Newark civic life, the Newark News called her a “leader in Newark society”. She was founder and President of the Women’s Branch of the NJ Historical Society. Marie also managed or was on the board of various organizations including the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American…
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Kate Louise Roberts
1861-1941 Kate Roberts was editor of Hoyt’s New Cyclopedia of Practical Quotations. She got the job through JK Hoyt editor of the Newark Daily Advertiser who was a family friend. Kate’s first publication was in 1922. Kate also worked in the Newark Public Library reference section under Frank Hill and John Cotton Dana for 15…
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Ramona Santiago
c. 1952- Ramona Santiago was appointed deputy mayor in 1994. Her grandfather came from Spain to Newark in 1914. She operated the Santiago Funeral Home of Lafayette Street. At her appointment as deputy mayor she stated, “I’m raising my two children here and I want to see a better life for them and all children”.…
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Connie Francis
1937/8 (sources differ) – 2025 Connie Francis was a pop singer and chart topping vocalist. Connie was born Concetta Franconero in the Ironbound section of Newark. The family briefly lived in Brooklyn before moving to NJ. In 1950, the family lived at 17 Ridgewood Ave, Newark, off Clinton Ave. Connie attended Bergen Street School and…
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Frances and Eliza Coult
1836-1935, 1866-1935 Frances and Eliza Coult were a mother and daughter who died within 24 hours of each out in 1935. They were the mother and sister of Margaret Coult and wife and daughter of Joseph Coult, Newark counsel. The family lived in Woodside and then at 58 Mount Pleasant Ave. Frances lived to be…
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Miss Rhapsody Viola Wells
1902-1984 Born in Newark, Viola Wells, known as Miss Rhapsody was an internationally acclaimed jazz, blues and religious singer. In Newark, she sang for local jazz clubs in the 1920s and started out with the Salica Johnson Glee Club. She also performed in New York and nationally, playing with Count Basie’s Orchestra and the Harlem…