Naomi Zipp, the first administrative director of international services, died on Feb. 27 in Baltimore. She was 85.

"Mrs. Zipp was a true pioneer and proponent of international educational exchange," said Nicholas Arrindell, director of the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. "In her 25 years at Hopkins, Mrs. Zipp was known for wit, creative ability and her true caring attitude for students and faculty coming from abroad."

Zipp joined Johns Hopkins in June 1960 and retired in June 1981, returning after that to work in various positions on a casual and temporary basis.

As an advocate of international education, Zipp was instrumental in developing the first Host Family Program for international students on the Homewood campus. "She was very caring and very family-oriented," said Barbara Fogle, visa services coordinator, who was hired by Zipp 29 years ago, when international services operated under the auspices of the Registrar's Office.

Many of the students that Zipp befriended at Hopkins stayed in touch with her in their adult years, Fogle said, sending her cards and gifts and e-mails from far-flung corners of the globe.

Those who knew Zipp say the thing they will remember most about her is her ability to make people laugh. "On occasion," said Arrindell, "Naomi would call our office and announce herself as 'Martha Washington' with conviction. If you were unaware of Mrs. Zipp's wit and demanding tone, you would simply be caught off guard. Mrs. Zipp loved catching people off guard."

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, at the Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul St.