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PostHeaderIcon LLEWELLYN MCKENZIE of AMHERST, MA, February 2, 1931 – September 15, 2012

PostDateIcon September 19th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

Llewellyn McKenzie

A Hard Working Jamaican Who Achieved the American Dream

 

Amherst, MA – Llewellyn McKenzie died on September 15, 2012, following a short illness.  Son of the late Silas McKenzie and Lydia (Thompson) McKenzie, Llewellyn was born in Clarendon, Jamaica, British West Indies.  Mr. McKenzie leaves his wife Joy (Samuels) McKenzie; his three sons Llewellyn Jr., Peter, and Paul, all of Springfield, MA; his niece Sharon Miller of Florida whom he adopted as his daughter, five grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and his devoted god daughter, Maureen Raab of Amherst. 

Llewellyn McKenzie learned diligence, perseverance, and hard work as one of ten children who labored on their widowed mother’s Jamaican fruit, coffee, and sugarcane plantation.   After graduating high school, Llewellyn went to trade school for training in carpentry and furniture making. His first job was in Kingston as a mason.  Then Llewellyn found a labor contract picking tobacco in Connecticut, and he came to the United States to work.

Llewellyn McKenzie sent home to Jamaica a good portion of every week’s pay starting with his first job and lasting through the rest of his life.  He saw opportunity for prosperity in American and soon applied for a Visa to stay.  He worked for Monsanto Chemical in Springfield, MA. 

Mr. McKenzie both married his first wife, Emma Campbell and received his draft notice for the Korean War in 1953 and they had three boys in five years. Mr. McKenzie was trained at several bases and learned many important skills but the war ended in 1955 before his infantry was called to serve.

Mr. McKenzie married his second wife, Thelma White in 1965. 

Llewellyn McKenzie was driven to achieve the American dream and through hard work slowly moved up the career ladder at Monsanto from being a janitor to being in charge of important press operations.  Besides his career achievements, signs to him that he’d “made it” were his ability to buy his fine home Amherst, and his ability to own a nice car.  Llewellyn McKenzie was a hard working, proud and happy man.

Llewellyn McKenzie most valued his success in America because it enabled him to help others get ahead.

Mr. McKenzie will be remembered for his incredible generosity.  Beyond taking care of extended family in Jamaica throughout his entire life, he has supported local struggling families; supported innumerable charities; and mentored many area students. 

Having come from the country of Jamaica, whose motto is “Out of many, one people,” McKenzie saw the world as one people and embraced diversity.  He had pen pals from around the world and was especially active in helping Cambodian families assimilate in Amherst economically and socially.

When Mr. McKenzie was laid off from Monsanto in 1992, he could not be idle.  He became a parking enforcement officer for the Amherst Police Department.  He more resembled a Jamaican police bobby, however, with his pith hat, Bermuda shorts, and knee socks.

Llewellyn McKenzie very much enjoyed spending time with local farmers discussing the merits of different crops.  He was an excellent cook. 

Llewellyn McKenzie believed in individual achievement, freedom, and prosperity.  He never took anything for granted and he tried to impart lessons of self-improvement and hard work on the many who admired him. 

Besides his stylin’ parking enforcement officer’s uniform, people in town will most vividly remember Llewellyn McKenzieriding around town, looking like a fine gentleman, in his mint condition (yet teal colored) 1966 Oldsmobile 88. 

The “Unofficial Mayor of Amherst” was much loved and will not soon be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 24, at 9:00AM at the MA Veteran’s MemorialCemetery in Agawam with burial to follow. Calling hours will be Sunday, Sept. 23, from 5-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

Donations in memory of Llewellyn McKenzie can be made to the Cambodian Water Project.  Donations may be sent to 124 Logtown Road, Amherst, MA01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

   Full service details, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow and sharing features are available here.

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PostHeaderIcon FREDERICK H. LEVINE of AMHERST, MA, May 9, 1943 – September 18, 2012

PostDateIcon September 19th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

FREDERICK LEVINE

 

AMHERST, Frederick Levine M.D., 69, beloved husband of Patricia, loving father of Shira (Mark) Enstrom and Hallie (Jamie) Sklar, devoted grandfather of Tahlia and Anders Enstrom and Johanna, Theodore, and Geoffrey Sklar, passed away peacefully on September 18, 2012.  Funeral services September 20, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst, MA. In honor of his memory, donations may be sent to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Multiple Myeloma Research.10 Brookline Place W, Brookline, MA 02445. Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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PostHeaderIcon ELIZABETH A. CARTER of AMHERST, MASS, May 13, 1929 – September 11, 2012

PostDateIcon September 14th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

AMHERST—Elizabeth A. (Golden) Carter, 83, of University Drive, passed away on Sept. 11, 2012 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst.

   Betty was born May 13, 1929 in Brooklyn, NY and raised in an Irish Catholic family, the daughter of the late James and Edna Golden. She graduated from St John’sCollege in NY.  An adventurous spirit with a great thirst for life, Betty and her friend Jean Gorman left home for Munich, Germany where they worked for Radio Liberty and skied the Alps. In 1959, she married the dapper Samuel H. Carter of Chattanooga, TN. They raised their sons Bennett and Timothy in Englewood, NJ and RyeNY.

   Betty earned her Master’s in Social Work from HunterCollege and embarked on an illustrious career as a family therapist, teacher, activist, author, mentor, and leader. A pioneer in feminist family therapy, she was renowned for her teaching, indomitable wit, and brilliant insights. Betty was founder of Family Institute of Westchester in White Plains, NY, and a member of the Women’s Project in Family Therapy. She co-authored The Expanded Family Life Cycle and The Invisible Web, and wrote the popular book Love, Honor, and Negotiate: Making Your Marriage Work.

   Of equal importance to Betty was being with her family and dear friends. She is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Samuel Carter; her cherished sons Bennett, and Timothy and his wife Jennifer Murray; sister Edna and husband James Murphy; brother James Golden and wife Anne (Gorman); nieces Kristen Golden and wife Barbara Findlen, Joanne (Golden) and husband John Quinn, Edna Murphy and husband David Howarth, Madeleine Murphy and husband Scott Bullerwell; and nephew Stephen Golden and wife Beth; grandchildren Dylan, Max, and Eliza; and grandnieces/nephews Grace, Sam, Michael, Dan, Patrick, Adrienne, Jessica, Joseph, Jake, and Madeleine; and lifelong friends Vera and Chet Kalm, Patsy McCarthy, and Monica McGoldrick.

   Funeral services will be held on Monday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. at Grace Church, Amherst, burial will follow in WildwoodCemetery, Amherst. Calling hours will be Sunday, Sept. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Donations in Betty’s memory may be made to the Family Institute of Westchester/Betty Carter Scholarship Fund or the Southern Poverty Law Center.

 

 

 

  

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PostHeaderIcon EILEEN F. PENZA of AMHERST, MASS, December 3, 1930 – September 10, 2012

PostDateIcon September 12th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

Eileen F. Penza

 

1930 – 2012 

 

Amherst- Eileen F. Penza , 81, of 152 Gray Street in Amherst, passed away on Monday, September 10, 2012, in the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, surrounded by her beloved family. 

 

She was born in Elkton, MD on December 3, 1930, the daughter of the late Charles E. and Helen (Kleszczynski) Thompson from Hadley, MA. She attended Hopkins Academy and later graduated from the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Holyoke, MA where she became a registered R.N. On January 12,1952 she married Chester Penza from Sunderland, MA and began their life together. Eileen was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her life to taking care of her family. She especially enjoyed all her beautiful grandchildren with whom she spent a great deal of time with. 

 

From 1983-1984 Eileen served as the First Lady of the BOCA Organization (Building Officials & Code Administrators International) when her husband Chester was President. They traveled the country extensively during this time and later were chosen by their peers to represent the United States at the first ever World Building Officials Conference Int. held in London, England. She enjoyed being the “First Lady” and was blessed to have met so many wonderful friends during all of the conferences she and her husband attended throughout the years. 

 

She leaves behind her beloved husband of 60 years, Chester Penza of Amherst, her children, David Penza and his son Thomas of Sunderland, Lynn Penza of Amherst, Alison Penza of Sunderland, Gary Penza and his children Samantha and Charlie of Sunderland, Eric Penza & his wife, Michelle (Pratt) Penza and their sons Daniel and Christopher also of Sunderland . She was predeceased by her sisters Patricia Dalton of Virginia and Barbara Kieras of Hadley, MA, along with her stepfather Michael Zenzayer, Sr. and stepbrother Michael Zenzayer Jr. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved as well. 

 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday September 15th, 10:00 AM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with burial following in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, S. Deerfield. Calling hours will be Friday September 14th, from 5 – 8 PM, at The Douglass Funeral Service. In lieu of flowers donations may be make to VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA 01060. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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PostHeaderIcon EILEEN F. PENZA of AMHERST, MASS, December 3, 1931 – September 10, 2012

PostDateIcon September 11th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

A FULL OBITUARY WILL BE PUBLISHED SOON.

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PostHeaderIcon COLETTE L. FOSTER of AMHERST, MASS, April 6, 1951 – September 10, 2012

PostDateIcon September 11th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

COLETTE L. FOSTER 

AMHERST, Colette L. Hickey Foster, 61, passed away September 10, 2012 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA. 

Daughter of the late Gerald and Theresa Hickey, Colette was born on March 6, 1951 in Lowell, MA and was a long time resident of Amherst, MA.  Colette was a parishioner at St. Brigid’s and the NewmanCenter in Amherst. She was an active volunteer at the AmherstSurvivalCenter and the Hospice Shop of the Fisher Home.  

Colette will be remembered as a woman who dedicated her life to helping others. Her great passion was providing clothing and toys for the young children of the Amherst community.  She always put the needs of others before her own and her kindness and generosity touched everyone she met. Colette was a talented writer and enjoyed literature, music, and dance.  Most importantly, Colette was a faithful believer, a loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend, who lived every moment with compassion and grace.

Colette is survived by her daughter Maura Foster and fiancé Daniel Ambrosio, Fairfield, CT; sister Michelle Anderson and her husband Richard of Lowell, MA; sister Irene Hollis and her husband Glen of Frederick, MD; brother Walter Hickey; 3 nieces, Rebecca Anderson of Lowell, MA, Colleen Anderson of Lowell, MA, Allison Hollis of Frederick, MD; 3 nephews, David Anderson of Pittsburgh, PA, William Anderson of Brooklyn, NY, Zachary Hollis of Frederick, MD; great-niece, Elise Anderson and great-nephew, Brennan Anderson both of Pittsburgh, PA. 

Colette was predeceased by her brother Henry Hickey and sister Kathleen Hickey. 

A Mass of Christian Burial  will be held at The Newman Catholic Center, 472 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA01002 at 10am on Friday, September 14, 2012 and will be followed by a reception. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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PostHeaderIcon COLETE L. FOSTER of AMHERST, MASS, April 6, 1951 – September 10, 2012

PostDateIcon September 11th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

COLETTE L. FOSTER 

AMHERST, Colette L. Hickey Foster, 61, passed away September 10, 2012 at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA. 

Daughter of the late Gerald and Theresa Hickey, Colette was born on March 6, 1951 in Lowell, MA and was a long time resident of Amherst, MA.  Colette was a parishioner at St. Brigid’s and the NewmanCenter in Amherst. She was an active volunteer at the AmherstSurvivalCenter and the Hospice Shop of the Fisher Home.  

Colette will be remembered as a woman who dedicated her life to helping others. Her great passion was providing clothing and toys for the young children of the Amherst community.  She always put the needs of others before her own and her kindness and generosity touched everyone she met. Colette was a talented writer and enjoyed literature, music, and dance.  Most importantly, Colette was a faithful believer, a loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend, who lived every moment with compassion and grace.

Colette is survived by her daughter Maura Foster and fiancé Daniel Ambrosio, Fairfield, CT; sister Michelle Anderson and her husband Richard of Lowell, MA; sister Irene Hollis and her husband Glen of Frederick, MD; brother Walter Hickey; 3 nieces, Rebecca Anderson of Lowell, MA, Colleen Anderson of Lowell, MA, Allison Hollis of Frederick, MD; 3 nephews, David Anderson of Pittsburgh, PA, William Anderson of Brooklyn, NY, Zachary Hollis of Frederick, MD; great-niece, Elise Anderson and great-nephew, Brennan Anderson both of Pittsburgh, PA. 

Colette was predeceased by her brother Henry Hickey and sister Kathleen Hickey. 

A Mass of Christian Burial  will be held at The Newman Catholic Center, 472 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA01002 at 10am on Friday, September 14, 2012 and will be followed by a reception. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to the Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

   Full service details, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow and sharing features are available here.

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PostHeaderIcon ANNA E. LANDRY of AMHERST, MA, September 12, 1919 – September 9, 2012

PostDateIcon September 11th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

ANNA LANDRY

 

AMHERST, Anna Landry, widow of George Landry and lifelong resident of Amherst, died on Sunday, September 9. She was 3 days shy of her 93rd birthday.  Of Latvian heritage, she was born Anna Elizabeth Snicker, daughter of Fredrick and Tekla Snicker; she grew up in Sunderland and graduated from Amherst High School. Anna found joy in all that was around her. She was a devoted member of the ImmanuelLutheranChurch. She was an accomplished amateur painter, portraitist, and still life artist, working in oils, pastels and water color. She is survived by her nephew Gerald Snicker of Sunderland and her niece Gail King of DoverMA. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, September 13, at the ImmanuelLutheranChurch, 867 North Pleasant Street, Amherst with burial following in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley. There are no calling hours. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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PostHeaderIcon WILLIAM LOPEZ-NIEVES of AMHERST, MA, January 11, 1948 – September 5, 2012

PostDateIcon September 9th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

WILLIAM LOPEZ-NIEVES

 

 

 

AMHERST, William Lopez-Nieves, 67, of Amherst, MA, died Wed., Sept. 5, 2012. He leaves his wife of 26 years, Maria Garcia; six children Shade of Amherst, Junior of Amherst, Sandra of Florence, Yesenia of Springfield, Pedro of Holyoke and Luis of Tampa, FL; 23 grandkids and several great-grandkids, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, the son of the late Hipolito Lopez and Filona (Nieves) Lopez. He was a jack of all trades. He enjoyed life, always with a smile. William has embarked on his new journey and will always be remembered and loved by all who knew him. Calling hours will be held today, Monday, Sept. 10, from 6-8 p.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church, Amherst, on Tuesday September 18th, at 7:00 PM. Obituary, memorial register and memorial service information available at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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PostHeaderIcon BARRY RAYMOND HIGGINS of HADLEY, MASS, September 1, 1951 – September 4, 2012

PostDateIcon September 6th, 2012 | PostAuthorIcon Author: douglass

Barry R. Higgins

1951 – 2012

 

Hadley, Barry Raymond Higgins, 61, of Hadley died suddenly on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at BaystateMedicalCenter.

The son of the late Geraldine Mackenzie Higgins and Raymond Henry Higgins, Barry was born in Winchendon, MA on September 1, 1951.  He grew up in Amherst and attended Amherst schools and the University of Massachusetts.  He followed his father and older brother, Brian, into the electrical trade, joining the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 36 in Northampton as an apprentice electrician.  In his early years in the trade he traveled widely, working in Washington state, California, West Virginia, New York and Connecticut before returning to Massachusetts.

Barry was the devoted and beloved husband of the late Christina Page Higgins and the loving father of MacKenzie Jennings and her husband, Brian, of Springfield, MA.  In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, Barry leaves his five brothers and three sisters and their families: Brian (Janice), Steven (Kelly), and Maureen Durocher (John) of Hadley; Gail Kopinto (Lester) and Brent, of Hatfield; Christopher (Jane) of Bedford; Jon (Gail Kicza) of Whately; and Amy Schmidt (Mark) of Agawam.

Barry was, first and foremost, a family man.  He shared a deeply loving and committed marriage with his wife, Christina, and together they devoted their lives to raising their beloved daughter MacKenzie.  He was also a great reader and thinker, a lover of Irish music, a fine cook, and an enthusiastic gardener. He was generous, funny, a great storyteller and a good friend.

Barry’s great passion was the cause of the working men and women of this country.  He believed deeply in the dignity of labor and was a tireless and steadfast advocate for the right of unionized labor to protect the lives, the health and the safety of workers, as well as their right to negotiate for fair wages and benefits in return for their knowledge, skills and hard work.  Barry lived his life in accordance with these principles, serving as Business Manager of IBEW Local 36 in Northampton, International Representative, Organizer for Local 99 of the Operating Engineers, and member of IBEW Local 7 in Springfield.  He ended his career in the employ of Collins Electric of Chicopee, a proud union contractor. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Monday Sept. 10th, 10:00 AM at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley, with burial  following in Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst. Calling hours will be Sunday Sept. 9th, from 2 – 6 PM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

   Full service details, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow and sharing features are available here.

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