AMHERST – Mark J. Richason, 71, of 18 Webster Court, Amherst, died at home in April of 2022.  Mark was born on October 16, 1951, and grew up in Amherst.  His father, George R. Richason, was a distinguished faculty member at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and predeceased Mark in 2015.  His mother Frances, a University employee and long-time volunteer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, predeceased him in 2002.  Mark was also predeceased by two brothers, George R. III and Craig Alan, and he is survived by two cousins.

Mark was divorced from Anita L. Johnson and had retired from the University, where he was employed as a security guard.  A life-long resident of Amherst, Mark was well-known in town, and he was always happy to stop for a chat when he was out and about.  Mark was a good friend with a kind heart, and he is missed by his friends and neighbors.

A graveside service will be held on Tuesday October 29, at 10AM, at the St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley.                                                   

Memorial contributions may be made to the UMass Foundation, Inc. and the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Auxiliary.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com.

 

Amherst, Ma. Stephen William Helden, age 79, passed away peacefully on Monday October 21, 2024. He was born on October 29, 1944 in Boston, MA to Irene (Moscaritolo) and Bill Helden.

Always in pursuit of knowledge, Stephen studied at St. Lawrence University, St. Andrews University in Scotland, Syracuse University and Boston College, and, later, completed coursework at Columbia University in computer programming. While living in Boston, Stephen met his best friend and life partner, Rosanne (Kaufman) Helden who was the neighbor upstairs. This commenced a marriage of 50 years marked by mystery road trips with their dog and a hibachi grill and a pack of pork chops, long hikes in the woods, double features at the Orson Welles Theater in Harvard Square, home cooked dinners with their family, afternoons of classical music and book reading, and train rides into NYC for museums and theater.

Stephen was an economist turned computer programmer who worked in finance in NYC. In his spare time, he played his vinyl loudly, made mix tapes (and eventually playlists), read the NYT daily, baked crusty bread, made delicious French inspired meals, threw balls for his beloved dogs, and enjoyed his friends and family, especially in conversation on topics ranging from poetry to politics. His role as a parent and grandparent brought him deep and abounding joy – Stephen was a master at playing 20 questions, his sense of humor was witty and dry, he envisioned snow piles as faraway lands, and delighted in surprise ice cream cones for his grandchildren. He was the kind of parent and grandparent who would pause to point out the beauty of the sky.

Stephen is survived by his wife Rosanne, daughter Emily and son-in-law Tom, grandchildren Leah Rose, Hazel Ruth, and Oliver Stephen, sisters Susan (Claude) and Jane (Jim), brothers-in-law Charles (Jody) and Arthur (Ric), dog Maple, and many dear friends and family. 

A celebration of life will be planned for January 5th, 2025, in Western Massachusetts with details to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice of the Fisher Home in memory of Stephen Helden. 1165 N Pleasant St Amherst 01002 

http://www.fisherhome.org

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

      Barbara (Shumway) Jenks passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024 at the age of 97.

Barbara was the daughter of the late Leon and Grace (Eddy) Shumway and a 1945 graduate of Amherst High School where she was Captain of the cheerleading squad. After her graduation she worked for the New England Telephone Company as a switchboard operator.

       On October 10, 1947 Barbara married Kenneth Jenks and they started their lives together in Belchertown before moving to Amherst in 1970. Barbara and Ken had two children,

Karen and Dennis. While focusing on being a wife and mother, Barbara worked from home as a bookkeeper for her father’s electrical company, Shumway Electrical.

      In 1957 Barbara started working at Amherst Jr. High School where over the years she was secretary to 3 principals, Bill Marden, Leo Casagrande, and John Burruto.

      In 1988, Barbara retired to spend more time with her family and extensive list of friends including long time friends, Earl and Nancy Fay and friends and neighbors Betty and Herb Holden.

Over the years Barb and Ken enjoyed spending time with their family and friends in Amherst,

Vermont, and at their beach home on Plum Island. They were always the happiest wherever their friends and family were.

       When her husband passed away in 1993 Barbara felt that retirement wasn’t for her, so she  continued her extensive years of employment by joining the Yankee Candle Company first as a seasonal employee and then a full time sales associate. During her time at Yankee Candle Barbara received numerous awards, Employee of the year, Howdy Hospitality Award and was also pictured on the back of the Yankee Candle Delivery Trucks. Barbara enjoyed her 17 years with Yankee Candle, where she met so many wonderful fellow employees who became friends and the many returning guests who remembered her beautiful smile and kindness and always looked for her during their next visit.

     In 2009, Barbara was invited to again join the Kittredge family at their new candle shop, Kringle Candle in Bernardston where she worked until she was 92 and the COVID shutdown forced her into retirement again.

      Barbara will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by the many wonderful people who’s lives she touched over her 97 years. Barbara is survived by her Daughter,  Karen Isabelle,  Daughter-in-law,  Donna Jenks, Grandchildren, Laura (Isabelle) Skowronek and husband Steve Skowronek, Mindy Isabelle and husband Lamar Newsome, Mike Isabelle, Randy Jenks and family Cristy (Jenks) Jones and family, Great Grandchildren, Jill Skowronek and partner Jeff Judge, Stephanie Skowronek and fiancé Craig Bell, Nicholas Skowronek and fiancé Hannah Griswold, Brittini Benton, Courtney-Shea Newsome and fiancé Aidan Connelly, Alexis Isabelle,    Travis Isabelle and Great Great Grandchildren, Kylee Benton and AJ Bell. Barbara also leaves her 103 yr. old friend Helen Baj of Hadley and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Barbara was pre deceased by her Husband Ken(1993), Son Dennis(2018),

and Son-in-law Ken Isabelle(2023)

 

Barbara Jenks – The woman with the beautiful smile!

The most wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother (GG) any family could have been blessed with.

 

Calling hours will be at Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst,  Sunday October 27, 2024 from 12pm-2pm.

 

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in her name  to The Fisher Home of Amherst.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

      Barbara (Shumway) Jenks passed away peacefully on October 10, 2024 at the age of 97.

Barbara was the daughter of the late Leon and Grace (Eddy) Shumway and a 1945 graduate of Amherst High School where she was Captain of the cheerleading squad. After her graduation she worked for the New England Telephone Company as a switchboard operator.

       On October 10, 1947 Barbara married Kenneth Jenks and they started their lives together in Belchertown before moving to Amherst in 1970. Barbara and Ken had two children,

Karen and Dennis. While focusing on being a wife and mother, Barbara worked from home as a bookkeeper for her father’s electrical company, Shumway Electrical.

      In 1957 Barbara started working at Amherst Jr. High School where over the years she was secretary to 3 principals, Bill Marden, Leo Casagrande, and John Burruto.

      In 1988, Barbara retired to spend more time with her family and extensive list of friends including long time friends, Earl and Nancy Fay and friends and neighbors Betty and Herb Holden.

Over the years Barb and Ken enjoyed spending time with their family and friends in Amherst,

Vermont, and at their beach home on Plum Island. They were always the happiest wherever their friends and family were.

       When her husband passed away in 1993 Barbara felt that retirement wasn’t for her, so she  continued her extensive years of employment by joining the Yankee Candle Company first as a seasonal employee and then a full time sales associate. During her time at Yankee Candle Barbara received numerous awards, Employee of the year, Howdy Hospitality Award and was also pictured on the back of the Yankee Candle Delivery Trucks. Barbara enjoyed her 17 years with Yankee Candle, where she met so many wonderful fellow employees who became friends and the many returning guests who remembered her beautiful smile and kindness and always looked for her during their next visit.

     In 2009, Barbara was invited to again join the Kittredge family at their new candle shop, Kringle Candle in Bernardston where she worked until she was 92 and the COVID shutdown forced her into retirement again.

      Barbara will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by the many wonderful people who’s lives she touched over her 97 years. Barbara is survived by her Daughter,  Karen Isabelle,  Daughter-in-law,  Donna Jenks, Grandchildren, Laura (Isabelle) Skowronek and husband Steve Skowronek, Mindy Isabelle and husband Lamar Newsome, Mike Isabelle, Randy Jenks and family Cristy (Jenks) Jones and family, Great Grandchildren, Jill Skowronek and partner Jeff Judge, Stephanie Skowronek and fiancé Craig Bell, Nicholas Skowronek and fiancé Hannah Griswold, Brittini Benton, Courtney-Shea Newsome and fiancé Aidan Connelly, Alexis Isabelle,    Travis Isabelle and Great Great Grandchildren, Kylee Benton and AJ Bell. Barbara also leaves her 103 yr. old friend Helen Baj of Hadley and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Barbara was pre deceased by her Husband Ken(1993), Son Dennis(2018),

and Son-in-law Ken Isabelle(2023)

 

Barbara Jenks – The woman with the beautiful smile!

The most wonderful Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, and Great-Great Grandmother (GG) any family could have been blessed with.

 

Calling hours will be at Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst,  Sunday October 27, 2024 from 12pm-2pm.

 

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in her name  to The Fisher Home of Amherst.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Cocoa, FL: Marilyn Rose Murphy passed away on September 9, 2024 after a long illness. She was born October 17, 1937, in Northampton, Ma to Raymond Francis and Cecelia Murphy. She lived her early years in Florence, Ma and attended local schools. She graduated from St Michael’s High School, Northampton in 1955.

Marilyn continued her education at Burbank School of Nursing in Fitchburg, Ma. She wanted to follow in her mother’s footsteps and chose nursing as a career. Marilyn graduated from Burbank in 1958 abd completed the licensing process to become a Registered Nurse.

Marilyn’s first nursing position was at John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, MD in the psychiatric unit. While working at John Hopkins, she completed her Doctorate in Nursing. It was an accomplishment of which she was extremely proud.

Later in life, Marilyn made the decision to join the family business, the Amherst Auction Galleries, in Amherst. She was a familiar face at auctions, working as the bookkeeper, and enjoyed seeing old friends from the antique business.

Throughout her life Marilyn was a kind and very generous person who was always ready to help any individual in need. She always thought of other before herself. There was a special place in her heart for her four legged friends, her beloved dachshunds. Now, they will be together again.

Marilyn is survived by her partner and best friend Donald Schimke of Cocoa, FL, her son Daniel Ryan of Bradenton, FL, her brother Raymond James Murphy (Carolyn) of Sun City West, AZ, her nephew Raymond Edward Murphy of Charlotte, Vt. and her niece Nancy Axon of Gosher, CT.

Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Barbara Jean Koplein Elleman, of Amherst MA, passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024. Barbara was born on October 20, 1934, in Coloma, WI; daughter of Donald and Evelyn (Kissinger) Koplein. She grew up around Waupaca, WI with her siblings Charlotte and Sharon. As a child, she loved reading, playing with dolls, and being with her family on the farm. After graduating high school in Ripon, WI, she attended Wisconsin State University Oshkosh receiving her B.S. in 1956. She worked as school librarian in Port Washington, WI, and then went to the University of Denver, receiving her M.A. in Library Science in 1964. On November 14, 1970, Barbara married the love of her life, Don W. Elleman.

Barbara was a brilliant children’s librarian, book reviewer, editor, and author. She took on roles as a school and public librarian. She was a reviewer and then editor of the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine, where she founded Book Links, Connecting Books Libraries and Classrooms. While working at Marquette University, she was named Distinguished Scholar of Children’s Literature.

In 2011, she and Don moved to Amherst, MA. There, she served as trustee, advisor, and curator at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. Barbara donated her thousand-plus, often-signed picture book collection to The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, where her substantial reference collection about children’s literature resides in the Barbara Elleman Research Library, referred to as the BERL. In 1999, she wrote a biography of Tomie dePaola: Tomie dePaola: His Art and His Stories. Following that, she co-authored (with Russell Freedman) Holiday House: The First Sixty-Five Years (2000), and Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art (2002). She recently published another biography of Tomie dePaola: The Worlds of Tomie dePaola: The Art and Stories of the Legendary Artist and Author (2021), an update of her earlier biography, covering two new decades of his creativity.

Barbara was an avid traveler who criss-crossed the globe with her husband Don. They often went touring in Europe to explore the origins of many notable children’s fables and fairy tales, bringing the books that she loved so dearly to life. She was also a great fan of the arts, with regular attendance at the symphony, opera, as well as numerous shows. For a time, Barbara and Don kept an apartment in New York to readily access Broadway. More recently, in Amherst, trips to Tanglewood were a regular pastime and joy.

Barbara is survived by her sister Sharon Riemer of Oshkosh, WI; her very good friend Charlene Moran of Amherst, MA; her nieces Nancy Ocain Scrivner, Shawn Miller, Alesha Hau; and nephews Rick Ocain and Tim Ocain. Many great and great great nieces and nephews adored their Aunt Barbara.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024, 5:00 p.m., at The Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA 01002. The interment will be held in Brookfield, WI at a later date.

 Memorial gifts can be made in Barbara’s honor to the Barbara Elleman Research Library at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglass.com

William Stock Rathbun passed away October 6, 2024, at his home in Leverett, MA.

Bill was born on August 4, 1944, in Boston, MA. The son of the late William A. Rathbun and Yvonne (Racine) Rathbun. Raised on the south shore of Massachusetts, Bill was a gifted artist. He pursued his passion by studying at Massachusetts College of Art in Boston, MA and further received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Bill painted and taught art for decades. His works are scattered all over New England and beyond. He was inspired by the majestic landscape of the Pioneer Valley. Bill found the beauty in nature that most overlook and he shared it with us all. 

There was much more to Bill’s his life than his art. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, family man, friend, and teacher. He loved his family and friends unconditionally and was always there with a helping hand or wisdom. A true renaissance man, Bill was a historian, a musician, a romantic, a handyman, a mechanic, and above all, a kind and gentle person. He was everything you needed him to be when you needed it. He loved working with kids, sharing his knowledge and talent and inspiring everyone to realize that there is an artist in all of us.

Bill leaves his wife Jane (O’Connor) Rathbun of 53 years. Bill and Jane met in Boston in the 1960’s, moved to the Pioneer Valley in 1978 and never left. Bill also leaves his three sons, Justin (wife Darcy) of Shutesbury, Scott (wife Lavonne) of Pelham, and Josh of Hadley. He also leaves his four cherished grandsons, William, Jack, Scotty, and James; his two brothers, John, and Chris and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers of please consider a donation to Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst. http://www.fisherhome.org

The Rathbun family warmly welcomes family and friends to join us in a “Celebration of Bill’s Life” on Saturday, November 2 from 11:30AM to 3:00 PM at the Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst, MA 01002.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

AMHERST, MA: Mary Elaine Kohler peacefully passed away on September 20, 2024 at the age of 87.

Some of her many interests included playing and teaching piano, flying a small plane, writing, photography, participating in the local astronomy club, singing in a church choir, leading nature walks, and caring for her many cats and dogs. She was also a member of several wildlife organizations.

She is survived by several relatives, including her two daughters, Marjorie Ann Daysal of Georgia, and Victoria Rose Burke of North Carolina.

Funeral arrangements will be made at the convenience of the family. Mary will be laid to rest near her daughter Marjorie’s residence in Georgia at a later date.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Sidney Poritz of Leverett passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on September 29th, 2024 with his beloved family at his side.

The son of Joseph and Sarah (Shapiro) Poritz, Sidney was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1938 of parents who emigrated from Lithuania in 1930. After his father died in 1944, his mother and her five children relocated to Fall River, Massachusetts in 1948.

Upon completion of his Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Sidney taught sculpture and design at Skidmore College, UMASS and at the Metropolitan, Whitney, and Brooklyn art museums.

In 1985, he acquired a secluded, wooded hillside in Leverett, which he believed had once been home to Native Americans prior to the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century. His vision was to integrate designs harmoniously with the natural landscape, building homes that echoed the colonial period. From the forest, he crafted Laurel Hill—a private 180-acre mountain estate, now home to some of New England’s most magnificent residences.

Sidney, an avid tennis player and the Massachusetts State Champion of 1956, continued his game until his final days. In addition to his love of the sport, he also built 52 classic clay courts throughout New England, bringing tremendous joy to those who experienced playing whileist immersed in nature.

He served on the Leverett Planning Commission for fourteen years and was a trustee of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Sidney remained active until the very end – most recently the President of Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill, a venture to rehabilitate a historic mill built in the 1770s and transform it into a living history and technology museum.

He is survived by his former wife, Janet Strauss; his children, Rachel Tierman, Aaron and David Jade; his five grandchildren, Emmanuelle, Isadora, Simone, Una and Jack; his siblings, Bernard, Lily and Dorothy as well as his niece and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Olga Zabudloff. 

A Celebration of Life will take place in early spring.

Those who wish to make a donation in his honor may provide a gift to Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill or the Yiddish Book Center

 

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Sidney Poritz of Leverett passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on September 29th, 2024 with his beloved family at his side.

The son of Joseph and Sarah (Shapiro) Poritz, Sidney was born in Cape Town, South Africa, in 1938 of parents who emigrated from Lithuania in 1930. After his father died in 1944, his mother and her five children relocated to Fall River, Massachusetts in 1948.

Upon completion of his Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Sidney taught sculpture and design at Skidmore College, UMASS and at the Metropolitan, Whitney, and Brooklyn art museums.

In 1985, he acquired a secluded, wooded hillside in Leverett, which he believed had once been home to Native Americans prior to the arrival of European settlers in the 18th century. His vision was to integrate designs harmoniously with the natural landscape, building homes that echoed the colonial period. From the forest, he crafted Laurel Hill—a private 180-acre mountain estate, now home to some of New England’s most magnificent residences.

Sidney, an avid tennis player and the Massachusetts State Champion of 1956, continued his game until his final days. In addition to his love of the sport, he also built 52 classic clay courts throughout New England, bringing tremendous joy to those who experienced playing whileist immersed in nature.

He served on the Leverett Planning Commission for fourteen years and was a trustee of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum in Hadley, Massachusetts.

Sidney remained active until the very end – most recently the President of Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill, a venture to rehabilitate a historic mill built in the 1770s and transform it into a living history and technology museum.

He is survived by his former wife, Janet Strauss; his children, Rachel, Aaron and David; his five grandchildren, Emmanuelle, Isadora, Simone, Una and Jack; his siblings, Bernard, Lily and Dorothy as well as his niece and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Olga Zabudloff. 

A Celebration of Life will take place in early spring.

Those who wish to make a donation in his honor may provide a gift to Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill or the Yiddish Book Center

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com