Daniel J. Moriarty, 66, passed away unexpectedly on April 14, 2024.  He was born January 12, 1958 in Holyoke, MA. to the late Donald and Marie Moriary. Daniel grew up in South Hadley and graduated from South Hadley High School in 1976 where he was an outstanding athlete on the baseball and football teams.  After graduating from WNEC in 1988 Dan worked for the IRS for 36 years, planning to retire in June.  He was an avid outdoorsman; especially enjoying hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and hiking in the woods with his dogs.  He was a passionate sports fan for his favorite NY teams.  More than anything he took pride in his children’s lives and sporting events.  He enjoyed keeping score at baseball games and was the backbone for his son’s racing.   Dan cherished his family.  He was so proud of his children and their academic and athletic successes.  Dan was a devoted husband and father.   His favorite pastime was working on his property and spending time at home with his family.   His family, his home, and his dogs were his world.  He will be missed beyond words.

Dan will be forever missed by his loving wife Melissa L. (Dragon) Moriarty, and his children Haley N. Moriarty and Dylan J. Moriarty. 

He was predeceased by his father, Donald J. Moriarty.  He leaves his mother Marie E. (Samson) Moriarty and a sister Kathleen A. Moriarty of South Hadley; his uncle Peter Samson of Chicopee; and many cousins. He also leaves many friends whom he has made over the years with his outgoing personality.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Daniel’s name to Joslin Diabetes Center, 1 Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215; or the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

Calling hours will be Wednesday April 24 form 4 – 6:30 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with a service beginning at 6:30.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

In the earliest hour of Saturday, April 13, 2024, surrounded by the tremendous love of his family, Richard Weber, 60, gently left this world.

Rich was born in Northampton and raised in Amherst. He recalled summers as a child at his Grandmother’s camp, especially picking blueberries.

He lost his father (William) too early in life, and was raised up by his Mom, Ruth (Harris) Weber alongside his older brother (William/Bill). He enjoyed his childhood in Amherst, working at farms, playing hockey, and finding all the trouble a small town could offer an adventurous young man like Rich.

His first child, Rich Jr, was born in 1982. He spent his years with Rich Jr cultivating in him a love for the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. Rich later married Robin Kellogg and they spent their years travelling to beautiful beaches in Mexico, Florida, and Cape Cod, where you could be sure at least one (but probably several) fishing trips would be included. It was with Robin that Rich was able to purchase his first home on a large parcel of land, and this was an immense source of pride for him.  Rich and Robin later ended their marriage, but not without each being able to fondly recall each other and their time together.

In 1999, Rich married Karen (Grader). Together they would bring two sons into the world, Matthew and Garrett. He loved them fiercely, so proud of all of their achievements. And as we so expected, Rich again spent endless hours teaching his boys to love the outdoors, fishing and hunting. Later in time, Rich added another son to his family. Though not by blood, Nikolas Costa came to share the space in Rich’s heart. Rich loved him as his own. He and the boys found joy and connection in walks through the woods looking for antler sheds, all night coyote hunts in “the shack at the farm”, deer hunting with “all the boys at the farm”, afternoons fishing at “the secret spot”, striper fishing “right at the ledge” and “pulling wire”. He grew in them a love and respect for nature and all its beings, and the stories they can tell are endless! These memories will keep Rich alive in their heart all the rest of their years. Ultimately Rich and Karen dissolved their marriage, but remained steadfast co-parents for the boys, and never truly stopped being a family.

Rich found his most true love and life partner in Teresa (Shields). They divided their time between the beaches and endless summers of Cape Cod, and the warmth of wood fires in the autumns and winters of Shutesbury. Together they enjoyed the outdoors and Rich would often recall their adventures fondly. He loved Teresa madly. She taught him a softer way, growing in him a spirituality that softened his soul and gave him joy. As Rich faced his final battle, Teresa rose up as a warrior. She abandoned all else to be by his side every moment of his journey. She fiercely defended and protected him, and advocated for all of his needs. She held his hand, and his heart, and ensured he knew he was surrounded by love.

In the end, a beautiful gift was granted, and Teresa, Matthew, Garrett, and Nik were there to hold and love him as he passed from this world. Rich leaves behind an amazing group of folks who loved him wholly: his sons, Matthew, Garrett, Nikolas Costa, and Richard Jr; his truest love and partner, Teresa Shields; his brother William and wife Roberta; the mother of his children, Karen (Grader) and her husband Gary Vaughan; Karen’s parents, with whom he remained close, Richard and Marion Grader; amazing friends and extended family including Mark Fabry, and Rich’s band of Merry Men….Matthew, Garrett, Nik, Brayden Burgielewicz, Tucker Beckwith, and Cole Fabry.

Calling hours will be from 4-7 PM Monday April 22, at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

We also ask that you join us in a celebration of life at the Northampton Country Club on Saturday, May 4th, beginning promptly at 1pm for a blessing, followed by a luncheon and a toast.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Lori Marie Kellogg, South Deerfield – Lori Kellogg, 66, died Monday, April 8, at Cooley Dickinson Hospital surrounded by her family following a courageous battle with cancer.

Lori was proud to be a stay-at-home mom lovingly raising her three children in Sunderland, MA while also working at her family’s store, Cushman Market, cooking delicious meals for patrons alongside her mother. She eventually moved to South Deerfield with her partner of 23 years, Rich Boduch.

 She was born in Northampton, MA on August 12, 1957 to the late Richard V. Kellogg and Doris L. Kellogg (nee Hastey). Lori grew up on a farm in Amherst with her parents and 5 siblings. Her passion and love of nature and animals began there and continued throughout her life.

Her family enjoyed day trips to Misquamicut Beach spending the day playing in the sand and waves before piling back into their station wagon and heading home. Other special trips included days spent at Windsor Lake swimming and enjoying the outdoors and time together. The family would often end their summers together at Mountain Park.

They shared many warm and joyous Kellogg Christmases and had an annual tradition of a summertime Kellogg Cookout serving as a family reunion that grew in size over many years as each extended family grew. She looked forward to that tradition to see all of her loved ones together. She loved taking her children out on camping trips and boating, passing on her love for nature and the outdoors.

 She and Rich even lived in a local seasonal camp they built on the water each summer for many years. She lit up when her children were around and loved watching them grow. Each of her three children were given sweet nicknames that became substitutes for their given names even into adulthood. Lori graduated from Amherst High School in 1974.

Her longtime friends remember her with a twinkle in her eye, a mischievous side, and always one to make people laugh. Later in life, she loved going for evening drives with her partner, Rich, in their vintage VW Beetle, and living a quiet life watching nature documentaries, mastering puzzles, and visiting with friends and loved ones. She was a fierce supporter and faithful fan of the Red Sox, never missing a game on tv, and even taping them when she couldn’t watch. Lori had a kind and gentle heart and an easy going nature, making those around her comfortable and at ease.

This easy going nature was evidenced in her habit of going barefoot anywhere she could. She loved hearing stories about her 10 grandchildren, their activities and watching as they grew and their worlds got bigger. She remained close with her 5 siblings throughout life and was always supportive of their endeavors. She has many nieces and nephews that she enjoyed staying in touch with through phone calls, visits, and social media updates. She gave love to all of them and was loved by so many.

 She had previously fought a battle with breast cancer and was a true warrior throughout. During her most recent battle, she shared many laughs and antics with those that visited with her despite what she was going through; a true testament to her character and love of life. Her devoted partner was by her side through both cancer battles and despite the demands and hardship, their love was evident to family members during visits through their constant jokes and smiles and the tender daily care that Rich provided.

Lori is survived by her partner, Rich Boduch; her children, Mark Fabry, Jr. of Sunderland, MA, Matthew Fabry (Alycia) of Easthampton, MA, and Kara Fabry (Chad) of Key Colony Beach, FL and Sunderland, MA; one sister, Jeri Kellogg Hayes (Kevin) of Shutesbury, MA, and four brothers, Stephen Kellogg (Carol) of Shelton, CT, Larry Kellogg (Kathleen) of Hadley, MA, Richard Kellogg (Carol) of Wendell, MA, and Jeffrey Kellogg of Northampton; ten grandchildren, Kirsten, Cole, Sadie, and Sage Fabry, Kaela Hawkins, Mason and Madelyn Thornton, Jase O’Rourke, and Sean and Colin Fabry; her aunt Pearl Zuraw of Hadley, along with many nieces and nephews.

There will be a private service followed by a Celebration of Life to which all are invited.

It will be held at The Spoke Live, 1 Pray St., Amherst, MA 01002, on Saturday, April 20 from 12-5pm

Memorial guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com

Ellen O. Melley, beloved mother, wife and friend, died at her home in Amherst on April 6.

She was 88.Ellen was devoted to her large family, her Catholic faith, and the deep friendships she sustained even after a stroke and Parkinson’s disease limited her ability to speak.

Ellen was a warm and generous soul who took great interest in the lives of everyone who crossed her path—from lifelong friends and neighbors to caregivers in her final years. 

Her life was marked by tireless acts of kindness toward others. She shunned the spotlight, working quietly to make a difference in the lives of those around her. 

She had a beautiful smile and loved to laugh, finding humor in life’s challenges and absurdities. 

Ellen grew up in Winthrop, the oldest child of Arthur J. and Helen C. O’Maley. She was the first member of her family to go to college, graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1955.

She was an elementary school teacher in Connecticut before marrying Daniel M. Melley and moving to Amherst where she taught at Marks Meadow Elementary School.

She then started a family and raised three children. Her passion for teaching reading instilled in her own children a love of books and a sense of curiosity about the world.

She loved her alma mater and was proud of her husband’s lifelong service to UMass, which began in the news bureau and culminated with him becoming vice chancellor of university relations and development.

She was an equal partner in much of his advocacy and engagement with alumni, colleagues, faculty, students and visiting dignitaries. The two regularly attended performances at the Fine Arts Center and university sporting events. 

During UMass basketball’s run to the NCAA final four in 1995, Ellen underwent a midlife conversion to rabid Minutemania and even became the subject of a Springfield Union-News article (by her son, Brian, who secretly had silently compiled her salty player and fan critiques throughout the season). 

She was deeply engaged in her community and church. She became a leader in the Catholic Cursillo movement, served as president of St. Brigid’s Parish Council, taught catechism and served as administrative assistant at the Newman Center, where she loved interacting with many college students.

She had a deep interest and knowledge in American painting and decorative arts, which she studied in graduate-level art history classes at UMass. She applied her knowledge as a guide at Historic Deerfield and as a docent at the Springfield Museums.

She served as vice president at the Amherst Historical Society and Museum, where she organized house and garden tours and received its President’s Award in 2014.

In her final years, she fought with grace and determination to overcome the effects of a stroke and Parkinson’s. She did so without complaint.

The compassion and dedication of many aides, therapists, nurses, and her daughter, Kathy, allowed her to live her final years with dignity in her own home.  

She eagerly participated in Healing Harmonies, a choir for people with neurological conditions that impair speech.

She was preceded in death by Dan, her husband of 58 years, who died in 2020.

She leaves her children, Timothy (Katie Johnson) of Cincinnati, Ohio, Brian (Lucy Nicholson) of London and Kathleen of Boston, grandson Liam of Cincinnati, her brother, John O’Maley (Janice) of Gilmanton, N.H., and numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws who will miss her dearly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to UMass College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday April 12 at 11:00 AM at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst. Burial will follow in Wildwood Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Thursday from 5-7 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Edward was born on April 30th, 1939, in Queens, New York, to Frank and Marie Valerio. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1967 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and in Business. After moving to Brooklyn, Edward began working for Ulano, eventually filling the positions of Director of Engineering and Head of Security.

His children remember him as a wise and loving father who imparted an interest in experiencing other cultures through travel and cooking.

Edward was passionate about history, specifically that of ancient Rome, and made an annual pilgrimage to England to lecture at the University of Durham as a member of the Hadrianic Society. A dedicated connoisseur, Edward could often be found in the kitchen, where he shared a love of preparing and enjoying food from all over the world with his family and friends.

Edward is survived by his wife, Ineke; his sister, Janice; his children, Jessica and her husband Chris, John and his wife Stacey, and Michael and his fiancé Sarah; and his grandchildren, Jack, Liam, Avery, Adelaide, Grayson, and Akira.

The memorial is scheduled for April 10th at the Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Edward’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shriners Hospital at LoveShriners.org

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Edward was born on April 30th, 1939, in Queens, New York, to Frank and Marie Valerio. He graduated from St. Louis University in 1967 with a degree in Aeronautical Engineering and in Business. After moving to Brooklyn, Edward began working for Ulano, eventually filling the positions of Director of Engineering and Head of Security.

His children remember him as a wise and loving father who imparted an interest in experiencing other cultures through travel and cooking.

Edward was passionate about history, specifically that of ancient Rome, and made an annual pilgrimage to England to lecture at the University of Durham as a member of the Hadrianic Society. A dedicated connoisseur, Edward could often be found in the kitchen, where he shared a love of preparing and enjoying food from all over the world with his family and friends.

Edward is survived by his wife, Ineke; his sister, Janice; his children, Jessica and her husband Chris, John and his wife Stacey, and Michael and his fiancé Sarah; and his grandchildren, Jack, Liam, Avery, Adelaide, Grayson, and Akira.

The memorial is scheduled for April 10th at the Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Edward’s life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Shriners Hospital at LoveShriners.org

AMHERST, MA: Priscilla Hart Hunt, longtime resident of Amherst, MA, who also lived part time in Jamaica Plain, died of cancer on Monday, April 1, 2024.

Born in San Francisco on April 22,1947, she was the second child of Samuel P. Hunt II of Ohio and Caroline Crum Hunt of South Carolina. She grew up in North Haven, CT, near where her father worked as a professor of psychiatry at the Yale Medical School. She earned a B.A. magna cum laude from Barnard College, an M.A. with distinction from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Slavic Languages and Literatures.

Her life was defined by a passion for learning, by the drive with which she pursued what she cared about, and by her adventurous, indomitable spirit.

A love for Russian literature conceived in high school led to a fruitful academic career studying medieval Russian Orthodox culture. As a professor at the University of British Columbia, Amherst College, Brown University, UMass, and other institutions of higher learning, and then as an independent scholar, she authored numerous articles, conference papers, and book reviews, and co-edited a book on holy foolishness. She spent a year studying in the Soviet Union during the Brezhnev era, then traveled many times to Russia and the former Soviet republics, developing a network of colleagues and friends in eastern Europe. Later in her career, she taught Russian literature to priests at an Orthodox seminary in upstate New York. She studied many languages, including ancient Greek and Old Slavonic, and mastered both Russian and French. She was a voracious reader of all kinds of literature, and a founding member of long-running book clubs in Amherst and Boston. She imbued her children and grandchildren with her characteristic intellectual curiosity.

 She was as devoted to music as she was to books. She studied flute from a young age and became first flute in the Boston Youth Symphony, but a practice injury kept her from playing the instrument professionally. She studied piano in middle age and sang in choirs throughout her life. In her late sixties, she avidly took up the Renaissance and Baroque recorder and joined the early music scene in New England; in a few years she was proficient enough to become a member of the elite Boston Recorder Orchestra.

 Her continued commitment to self-development is also evident in her decision to undertake an intensive teacher-training course in the mind-body Alexander Technique at the age of fifty-two. Through exceptional diligence and perseverance, she not only transformed her own body and habits of use, but also became a skilled teacher and valued member of the local AT community. She notably worked with UMass music students to help them avoid the kind of injury that she herself had suffered.  

 She was a natural athlete, who played tennis for years and enjoyed walking, hiking, and cross-country skiing her whole life. She traveled the world with her husband, and had a great appreciation for diverse cultures and their arts and histories. She always looked good and kept a beautiful house, and her personal aesthetic was both elegant and audacious. She was a deeply spiritual person but never found a home in organized religion. She loved her family and friends above all, and was profoundly loved by them.

 She is survived by her husband of forty-one years, Victor Lesser; her children Rachel Lesser and Daniel Lesser, and their spouses Elana Nashelsky and Rebecca Herst; her four grandchildren Jacob, Maya, Isaac, and Eve; her brother Samuel P. Hunt III and wife Cynthia, and brother Henry Thomas Hunt and wife Miriam; and four nieces Christine, Emily, Stephanie, and Allison. She is predeceased by her sister Jennifer Hunt, sister-in-law Janet Hunt, and niece Jennifer Hunt.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Jennifer, a devoted mother, cherished wife, and beloved sister who lost her courageous battle with Cholangiocarcinoma on March 20. She was 58 years old.

Jennifer was born on January 19, 1966 in New Haven, CT to Albert and Dorothy Simler. From a young age, Jen exhibited a compassionate and caring nature, traits that would define her life’s work. She pursued a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) dedicating herself to providing comfort and care to those in need.

In 1987 Jennifer met the love of her life Alex and they shared 37 years of love and support. Together they built a beautiful family and created countless memories filled with laughter and joy.

As a mother, Jennifer was the epitome of selflessness and devotion. She poured her heart and soul into nurturing her children Michelle and Victor, and instilling in them the values of kindness, resilience and love.

Despite her own battles towards the end, Jen remained a pillar of strength for those around her, facing each challenge with grace and courage. Her unwavering faith and indomitable spirit inspired all who knew her.

Jen leaves behind a legacy of love, compassion, and kindness that will continue to live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is survived by her devoted husband Alex, loving children Michelle and Victor, mother Dorothy Simler, and adoring siblings Kathy Hayes (Jim), David Simler (Linda Masci), Karen D’Agostino, Carol Simler (Larry Marchitto), and Lisa Cauley (Roger), niece Lori Girouard-Thompson (Troy), and a host of family and friends who will miss her dearly.  She was pre-deceased by her father Albert Simler, brother Brian and his wife, Dr. Peggie Salsbury-Simler, nephew Lee Girouard and brother-in-law Vinnie D’Agostino.

Jennifer touched the lives of countless people with her warmth, generosity and boundless love. Though she may be gone from our sight, her memory will forever be cherished and her spirit will continue to inspire us.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date at the convenience of her family.

Robert (Bob) Bruce Gray I, aged 81, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2024, at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA after a brief illness. He was born on October 15, 1942, in Worcester, to Edith (Roberts) and Rodney Gray. He moved to Amherst at a young age, to what became the family farm. He graduated from Amherst High School. He leaves behind his wife and best friend of 32 years, Amy Vonhummel Gray and their son Vincent Gray, daughter Debbie Gray Egstad and husband Steven Egstad of Granby, Robert Bruce Gray II and his life partner Sherry Sullivan of Amherst, from his marriage to and preceded in death, Kathleen (Murphy) Gray, his son Seth Gray and his husband Eli both employed at Amherst College, daughter Leah (Gray) Heyes of Palmer, from his marriage to Gail (Wiechert) Gray of Belchertown, and his three grandchildren Alex Heyes of Lake Forest Park, WA, Edmund Heyes and Natalie Heyes of Palmer. Along with countless friends through his love of fabricating, welding, and creative ability that was unmatched. When Bob was young his father, Rodney offered him a welder he used to fix farm equipment and just about anything else. After high school, he joined the Airforce, when he returned, he began his role as being a father, inventor, and craftsman. This included welding, metal fabrication, machining, and a host of other endeavors within the fabrication world. Most notably he was known for being the local mechanic, mender, troubleshooter, and renovator. Creating and repairing equipment, cars, trucks, handrails, and gates. Together with his customers he could fabricate just about anything they could present to him. He had a great love for the not so normal items, his creations (though too many to list) were quietly and without fanfare scattered around Western Massachusetts, and beyond. He was always willing to share his knowledge to those who wanted to learn. His legacy will live on in his children and countless others that he has taught. Calling hours will be Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at Douglass Funeral Home 87 N. Pleasant St, Amherst, MA from 4pm-6pm followed by a Celebration of Life Service same location at 6pm. In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the American Cancer Society or a charity of your choice. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com