Nelson Karson, of Great Neck, died on April 16, 2000. He was 79 years old and died at North Shore University Hospital of complications following a stroke.

Mr. Karson was a retired electrical engineer. He moved to Great Neck in 1957 and resided there until his death. He was married to the late Janet Rothschild Karson, who died in 1955. Mr. Karson is survived by a son, Scott and his wife Joleen of Stony Brook; a daughter, Shelley and her parnter Harriet Mendlowitz of Jackson Heights; a granddaughter, Tobi Karson Sevedalakis and her husband Christos; a grandson Jared Karson; and a sister Annette Karson.

A memorial service for Mr. Karson was held at the Ethical Humanist Society of LI in Garden City on April 22. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 66 South St., Patchogue, NY 11772 or to Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, 70 Maple Ave., Smithtown, NY

Leon Quat, an active leader in the local and national progressive communities, a compassionate attorney specializing in elder law, a loving father and husband, and above all a gentle human being died, as he lived, peacefully, on April 21, 2000, at North Shore University Hospital.

A resident of Great Neck for 50 years, he was perhaps best known as the chairman of the Great Neck Forum from 1956-1983. The Great Neck Forum was a progressive organization that brought controversial speakers to Great Neck during the years of the Civil Rights, Peace and Women's Liberation movements. On behalf of the forum, Mr. Quat invited such leaders as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. W.E.B. Dubois, Afro-American historian, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Prime Minister of Guyana, Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden peace activists, to speak at the forum.. Sympathetic attendees were fascinated by their message and opponents were enraged. Mr. Quat was able to field the controversy in his role as chairman and moderator with humor and poise. Many who attended looked forward to his charmingly insightful and funny introductions. He was a trusting and a forgiving man, extremely well read and astute in his observations and analysis of the world political situation.

Privately, Leon was a loving husband to Helen, caring father to Daniel and Joanna, and admiring grandfather to Kevin. He was married for 60 years to Helen Shapiro, whom he adored and respected. They were a strong team in the community and were active in many progressive organizations including Women Strike for Peace and Great Neck Sane. Helen and Leon had an inseparable bond that provided a strong contest for community leadership and family stability.

Professionally, Leon Quat was an attorney specializing in wills, estates and family matters. He was a member of the firm Davis & Quat. He graduated from Columbia Collge and Law School with honors and a Juris Doctor degree. He was editor of the Columbia Law Review from 1927-1928. he was a member of the NYS Bar Association and its Trust and Estates Law Section as well as the NY County Lawyers and its Surrogate's Court Committee and Estate Planning Council.

Extreme compassion and quiet strength characterized his private practice. Leon was a great listener and people felt safe pouring out their hearts to him. His clients often commented on his caring disposition, gentle presence and wise insights and suggestions, which provided them with a sense of confidence and optimism in their cases and their lives.

Leon was on the board of trustees of the National Lawyers Guild and a member of the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Emergency Civil Liberties Committee as well as a director of Sane/Peace Education Fund.

In lieu of a funeral, there will be a memorial service to celebrate Leon's life at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Manhasset in mid-May of this year. For more details, contact his son at 518-325-1004.

Billie Rebecca Mender, 88, longtime resident of Great Neck, died on April 22, 2000. Billie was the wife of Mac Mender, well-known philanthropist, former chairman of the board of Great Neck Synagogue and ardent champion of Israel. Billie was her husband's partner and key supporter in countless charitable drives and works. She proved her love for Israel many years ago by launching Mizrachi in Great Neck and accepting its first presidency. Billie was known for her good humor, compassion and incredible spirit and energy to do - just a little more in Sisterhood and organizations like Hadassah, True Sisters, B'nai B'rith and Brandeis Women. The Great Neck Synagogue Youth Center carries the name of Mac and Billie Mender to honor their work. Billie is survived by her daguther Candice Miller Sundheim of Rye, NY; her son Kerry Mender of Douglaston; two granddaughters, Stacey and Judy; and four great-grandchildren.