I’ve just learned of the death of Clotilde “Cloty” Cepeda, at the age of 91. She was Greater New York Mensa’s Testing Coordinator when I was president of the group, and served as Secretary during my second term. I remember her as an always-cheerful participant and volunteer, and with her companion, Marty Merado (who also served on the board), she was a ubiquitous presence at GNYM events and Regional Gatherings far and wide.
In addition to making the Mensa experience so welcoming for so many, she also brought her grandchildren into the fold: Daniel “Danny” and Kathryn “Katie” McNickle were regular participants in our then-burgeoning Young Mensans program.
Born in Colombia, she had been living in a nursing home the last several years. Danny passed along the news that she passed away peacefully on March 11.
I’ll be paying my respects during the visitation Friday, March 14, at the Edward Lynch Funeral Home in Sunnyside. Details at this link: https://edwarddlynchfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1984/Clotilde-Cepeda/obituary.html#tribute-start
Attached is a picture of the board in 1995. Cloty is in the blue shirt, third from the right.

A couple of things about Cloty of which I was reminded at the service today:
She retired from Chase Manhattan Bank in 1991. At the bank, she was the first woman to become a vice president. Later, as a long-term local volunteer, she served as Testing Coordinator and Secretary of Greater New York Mensa, and received Regional “Abbie” certificates for her proctoring work in 2003 and 2005.
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