Amherst, MA Isabelle “Billie” M. Callahan, 95, author, artist, and Town Meeting member, died April 15, 2022, at the Elaine Center in Hadley. Billie was born in New Salem and spent her first year of life in Prescott. Prescott was one of four Massachusetts towns inundated in 1938 to form the Quabbin Reservoir. Her parents’ early life in Prescott, along with their letters during World War I, and Billie’s own poetry, formed the basis for Billie’s 2002 book, This Lovely Valley, Chosen Place. The youngest of four daughters of Frank and Emma (Currier) Bowen, Billie grew up in Cushman, a village of Amherst, with sisters Helen (Canney), Shirley (Streeter), and Louise “Punky” Bowen. Billie graduated from Amherst High School then worked at Bates’ Store and Butler and Ulman nurseries. In 1945, while working at the Callahan farm in Sunderland, she met the love of her life, James W. Callahan, who was home on leave from the Army. Jim and Billie married in 1947, enjoyed more than 55 years of marriage, and raised four children. Jim was an Associate Professor at the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass. When her last child entered elementary school, Billie went to work part-time for UMass’ Food Service. She later became Manager of the UMass Copy Centers, working in the Whitmore Administration Building until her retirement in 1996. All of their children graduated from UMass. Billie loved everything associated with Amherst and UMass Amherst, as evidenced by her participation. She was an elected Town Meeting member for more than 40 years, representing South Amherst, until Town Meeting was replaced by a Town Council. She served on and chaired the town’s Finance Committee. Billie was a member of Amherst’s 1976 bicentennial committee, where she recorded oral histories and painted watercolors of buildings established on or before 1776. In retirement, she was an election worker at the Munson Library in South Amherst. She served on Amherst’s 250th parade committee and volunteered in the Town Clerk’s Office and at the Amherst Senior Center. She joined a memoir group and authored an unpublished memoir entitled “My Eighty- Two Years in Amherst.” At UMass, Billie and Jim volunteered at campus barbecues and in the Athletic department. Watercolor paintings were Billie’s trademark. From photographs Billie painted homes, farms, and churches. Her paintings went as far as Hokkaido, Japan to UMass’s sister university. Billie presented a painting of the Dickinson homestead to actress Julie Harris, who had portrayed Emily Dickinson in the play, “The Belle of Amherst.” Billie also painted watercolors of homes that had been relocated from the four Quabbin towns. It was important to Billie to stay in touch with her Quabbin roots through participation in Swift River Valley Historical Society activities. Billie loved sports. She participated in candle-pin bowling and was a member, and occasional champion, of the Amherst Golf Club. Billie and Jim were season ticket holders for the UMass football and basketball programs since the 1970s; Billie added on hockey in her later years. She rooted for all of the Boston professional sports teams and disliked any team from New York. Billie was a proud member of the greatest generation. She is survived by her four children, six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews on both sides of the family. Jim died in 2003. Billie’s children are Mary Thompson-Leary (Ken Leary), Patrick Callahan (Janis Gray), Sharon Callahan King, and Kathleen Callahan. The grandchildren are Yusef King, Rory Thompson, Derek King, Shannon King, Claire Villa, and Rosemary Callahan-Gray. Wherever Billie went, people knew her. The Amherst and UMass communities have lost a treasure in Billie Callahan. She will be dearly missed by her family. Appreciation goes out to the staff at the Elaine Center, to Billie’s roommate Suzy, and to Compassus (hospice care) for their kind assistance during a most difficult time. Calling hours will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, April 25, 2022 at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The funeral Mass will be Tuesday, April 26, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst. Masks at all services are respectfully requested. Burial will be private. Donations in Billie’s memory may be made to the Swift River Valley Historical Society, 40 Elm St., New Salem, MA 01355 or to a charity of your choosing. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Olivia Abui Ampiah-Bonney died at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, MA on Tuesday, April 12, after putting up a long and courageous fight.  She was born in Takoradi, Ghana, to Edward Kwaku Ahelegbe and Anna Ameyo Ahelegbe.  She was predeceased by her father and older siblings Sarah and Edwin. She is survived by her mother Anna, her husband of 25 years, Richmond, her five children; Kodwo, Joojo, Noah, Adwoa, Ekua, and many nieces and nephews.

Olivia graduated from Holy Child School in 1988, and earned her BSc degree in Chemistry from the Kwame Nkrumah University in 1992 and it was there that she met her future husband, classmate Richmond. She went on to receive a Masters Degree in Wood Technology & Management (1998), becoming the first woman to earn that degree in Ghana. She was appointed Lecturer in the Civil Engineering Department at Takoradi Polytechnic.  Moving to the US, she received a Bachelors and then a Masters degree in Nursing from UMass Amherst and was working on her PhD. 

Olivia worked for many years as a drug rehabilitation nurse in Springfield, as a tutor at the Westover Job Corps, Chicopee, and as an instructor at the School of Nursing, UMass Amherst.   She loved mentoring, especially young ladies and young men.

Visitation will be Saturday from 10 – 11 AM at the Wesley United Methodist Church, Hadley. A celebration of life will be held at 10:00 am, with burial following in South Cemetery, Belchertown. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Barbara Elizabeth (McKemmie) Jacque, 89, passed away peacefully on Sunday April 10th, 2022. Born in South Amherst, MA on December 5th, 1932 to the late John E. McKemmie, Sr. and Ebba (Tidlund) McKemmie, Barbara worked in the group pensions department at MassMutual Life Insurance Co. and Pension Associates in Springfield, MA, as well as the emergency room at Johnson Memorial Hospital in Stafford Springs, CT.  An avid hometown sports fan who enjoyed the Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and UMass Minutemen, Barbara also was a golf enthusiast who participated in many golf leagues in the area.  She also enjoyed crocheting and playing cards, even participating in a bridge league. Her greatest joy was her family and spending quality time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and watching them participate in their sporting and extracurricular activities.  Barbara is predeceased by her loving husband of 71 years, Louis O. Jacque, their son Dennis, their daughter Deborah, her brothers John E. (Grace) McKemmie Jr., Richard “Gus” McKemmie, Thomas McKemmie, and her sisters Dorothy (Harold) Bray, Ruth (Edward) Miller, Edith (Norman) Campbell, Janet (William) Fraser.  Barbara’s memory will be forever cherished by those she has left behind, including her beloved children, Martin (Angelina) Jacque, Diane (Carl) Croteau, and Kimberly (Vincent) Lombardo, her sisters Louise Micka and Virginia Downey, her sisters-in-laws Audrey McKemmie and Katherine McKemmie, and her many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Funeral Services will be held on Friday at 11:00 AM at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst, a calling hour will precede the service from 10:00 to 11:00. She will be interred with her husband at South Amherst Cemetery following the service.

          It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce Michael Arthur DiCola (68) passed away in the early hours on April 4th, 2022 surrounded by his two children. We are comforted knowing that Michael was warmly welcomed into the sky by his late wife Bonnie Lou DiCola, whom he’s been navigating life without for 359 days.

            Michael was born on August 29, 1953 in Bangor Maine to his biological mother Beverly (Bickford) Mick of Brewer ME, and biological father Durward A Rogers also of Brewer, ME. A few years into his childhood, Michael was adopted by his mother Verna M (Boyea) DiCola and George DiCola, who graciously, respectfully, and devotedly raised Michael to become the selfless, humble, courageous, and noble man we all love. After Verna’s passing in 1988 from Huntington’s Disease, George remarried to Eileen Goff in 1990.

            In 1971, Michael was introduced to Bonnie Lou DiCola, and in the years to come would fall into a love that ultimately left them inseparable.  This led them to navigate the next 50 years together. The only time the two spent apart were when Michael would go to races, and Bonnie would wait by the door patiently (sometimes impatiently) for his return. The love these two shared is the kind you read of in books, and so powerful that Michael’s heart couldn’t withstand a full year without his wife by his side again.

            In 1985, they happily welcomed their first-born son, Michael Dustin DiCola. 6 years later, in 1991, they welcomed their daughter Angela Rose DiCola. Some may say they waited a very long time to begin to start their family, but Michael’s thought’s on beginning a family weighed heavily on him coming from having been put up for adoption and then adopted. Michael knew he wanted to be financially stable, on the same page as his wife, and in a comfortable position so that he would  be able to provide love and security for his children and never face the possibility of having to give them up.

            Professionally Mike was a world-class mechanic and a restorer of vintage cars.   He was also a dedicated racing mechanic, preparing vintage racing cars that competed successfully all over North America.  A wizard at engine tuning and chassis set up, Mike made sure his drivers could get the best out of their mounts and run them as successfully as the cars’ original designs would allow.  He was an expert on any number of racing and sports cars but, possibly best known, for his expertise in getting the best performance from the British Allard racing cars.  This aspect of Mike’s life was well known and he was profiled a few years ago in “Hemmings Sports and Exotic Cars” Magazine, a world wide publication.  The writers of that article allowed how Mike likely knew more about setting up and running these cars than anyone else in the Northeast.  Mike was an active member of the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, where he served on the car classification committee as well as acting as a technical inspector from time to time at racing events.  His advice at the race track was often sought by other mechanics. Mike not only gained all of this knowledge regarding cars, but something worth so much more- friendships with several close confidants, and a bond that held strong for 40+ years with his best friend Jim Donick. If you were ever curious what true, unconditional, supportive, humble and effortless friendship looked like- this was it. 

            Michael was first diagnosed with renal cell cancer on February 4th 2017, the same day he watched his greatest joy, his grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay come into this world. Initially, Michael was given 2 years for a prognosis- which absolutely devastated his family. In search of second opinions, he reached out to Dana Farber Cancer Center.  Their involvement proved a life changing decision for him, his family, and his dear friends. The staff at Dana Farber managed his illness, supported his family, and worked  diligently to give him a full 5 years,  three more than he had anticipated. His family and friends can not find enough words, or signs of gratitude to offer  his team of doctors and nurses for giving them the additional years and quality of life with Mike.

            Michael DiCola was predeceased by his wife Bonnie Lou DiCola who greeted him in the stars with a cold beer, Santana music, and a kiss straight from the movies. He is also predeceased by his parents Verna M (Boyea) DiCola and George DiCola, his biological mother and father, Beverly (Bickford) Mick, and Durward A. Rogers, and his dearest brother Dana DiCola.

            He leaves behind his son Michael Dustin DiCola, wife Bonnie and grandson Jayden, his daughter Angela R. Gotay-Cheverez, husband Kevin Gotay-Cheverez and grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay.  He also leaves behind his niece Christine (DiCola) Collamore and husband Ken Collamore, nephew Jason DiCola and fiancé Kim Nelson Harrington. Michael additionally leaves behind his half siblings Victoria Reynolds, Mark Rousseau, Todd MacEachern, Kelly Rogers, Cindy Amenta, Candy Woodward, their significant others and children.   Michael also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and countless friends.

            “He never looked for praise; he was never one to boast; he just went on quietly working for the ones he loved the most. His dreams were seldom spoken; his wants were very few; and most of the time his worries went unspoken too.    

            He was there, a firm foundation through all of our storms of life. A sturdy hand to hold on to in times of stress and strife. A true friend we could turn to when times were bad or good, one of our greatest blessings, he was the man that always would.”

            In lieu of services & flowers, we ask that you hug your family, friends and confidants a little bit longer and tighter today. We will host a celebration of life in August 2022.  

Wesley Mason Olds passed away of cardiac failure on March 11, 2022 at the age of 89.    He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie, daughter Catherine, son D. Mason and grandson Cameron as well as two sisters, Kaye Tolbert and Ann Matthews. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Snyder and brother, Warner Olds.

Mason grew up in Cordele, GA and graduated from Cordele High School, where he led his high school to be Georgia State Champions as their quarterback and middle linebacker. Mason received an undergraduate degree from Mercer University, BD from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and Ph.D. from Brown.  Mason spent his early career as a minister and in 1964 participated in the March on Washington.  Mason was a professor of Religion and Philosophy at Springfield College from 1966-1996.  In 1986, he taught at Richmond College in London for a semester.   He also taught courses at Smith and Mount Holyoke while at Springfield College.  

Upon retirement, Mason moved to Highlands, NC, and then settled in Johns Island, SC, where he taught courses as an adjunct professor at the Citadel and College of Charleston.  In 2019 he moved back north to Amherst, MA, where he passed away after one of his daily walks.  

Mason enjoyed sports, traveling, opera and spending time with his family and friends, who miss him dearly.  Mason edited the journal, Religious Humanism, for a number of years in the 1990s.  He published a number of academic books and articles and in his later years wrote fiction for pleasure.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207 or https://www.mercer.edu/give/.

Wesley Mason Olds passed away of cardiac failure on March 11, 2022 at the age of 89.    He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marjorie, daughter Catherine, son D. Mason and grandson Cameron as well as two sisters, Kaye Tolbert and Ann Matthews. He was predeceased by his mother, Ruth Snyder and brother, Warner Olds.

Mason grew up in Cordele, GA and graduated from Cordele High School, where he led his high school to be Georgia State Champions as their quarterback and middle linebacker. Mason received an undergraduate degree from Mercer University, BD from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and Ph.D. from Brown.  Mason spent his early career as a minister and in 1964 participated in the March on Washington.  Mason was a professor of Religion and Philosophy at Springfield College from 1966-1996.  In 1986, he taught at Richmond College in London for a semester.   He also taught courses at Smith and Mount Holyoke while at Springfield College.  

Upon retirement, Mason moved to Highlands, NC, and then settled in Johns Island, SC, where he taught courses as an adjunct professor at the Citadel and College of Charleston.  In 2019 he moved back north to Amherst, MA, where he passed away after one of his daily walks.  

Mason enjoyed sports, traveling, opera and spending time with his family and friends, who miss him dearly.  Mason edited the journal, Religious Humanism, for a number of years in the 1990s.  He published a number of academic books and articles and in his later years wrote fiction for pleasure.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Mercer University, 1501 Mercer University Drive, Macon, GA 31207 or https://www.mercer.edu/give/.

John Morrison Vivian, 86, passed away on Thursday, March 17, 2022, in South Hadley, MA.  He was born March 27, 1935, to Arthur Morrison and Katherine Marie (Goodwin) Vivian.  John was a United States Marine Corps veteran and earned his MBA from Harvard University.  He worked for Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby (now Willis Towers Watson) and briefly lived in Belgium as a consultant.  Realizing that the corporate life was not his chosen path, John followed his ambition to become an author.  As a proponent of self-sufficiency, he naturally gravitated to the back-to-the-land movement of the 1970s, resulting in some of his most popular publications:  The Manual of Practical Homesteading, Wood Heat, and Building Stone Walls.  A talented wordsmith, John had most recently been a long-time contributing author and editor for Mother Earth News magazine when he retired in 2001.  He was intelligent, charismatic, and rebellious, with a constant glint in his eye and a colorful tale ready to be told.  John had a passion for many things in life, including conserving the natural world, rural living, and anything involving boats and the ocean.  Kennebunkport, Maine held a special place in his heart.  John was predeceased by his parents; stepmother, Anne (Crist née Harris); and beloved younger sister, Sarah Beth “Sally” Vivian.  John is survived by his former wife, Helen (Alton Sprague); son, Samuel (Jharana); daughter, Martha; niece, Jody (Bruce) Hamm; two granddaughters; and many other loved ones.  Services will be private.  Those wishing to honor John’s memory are encouraged to fully embrace all the adventures life has to offer. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Joseph L. Fitzgibbon, 97, died on February 25, 2022. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 64 years, Mary Gertrude (Devine) Fitzgibbon who died in August 2020. Joe was born in Easton, Pennsylvania on November 4, 1924 to Joseph and Mary Ellen (Malley) Fitzgibbon.  He attended Easton Catholic High School, graduating in 1942. He intended to continue his education at Lafayette College, focusing on Mechanical Engineering but he left Lafayette to join the United States Navy on his 18^th birthday. He served in the Southwest Pacific theatre during World War II as an optical technician, specializing in navigation instruments and periscopes. His expertise in optical engineering continued into the 1950s, attending Advanced Optical School in Washington, DC.  Following this advanced training he was based at the Kollmorgen Optical Corporation in Northampton, Massaschusetts; charged with bringing fleet knowledge to the manufacture of periscopes. There he met Mary Devine. They were married in 1956. Joe continued his naval career with postings to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; New London, Connecticut; San Diego, California; Little Creek, Virginia; and Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Rhode Island. During that time, he also advanced his engineering and operations expertise with assignments on naval repair ships and as Engineering Officer on the Floating Drydock ARD-16 in Rhode Island. With 25 years of service, he retired from the Navy in 1967, having risen from Apprentice Seaman to Chief Warrant Officer and Executive Officer on the ARD-16.

He and Mary returned to Mary’s hometown of Hadley, Massachusetts to raise their family. His retirement did not last long as he was immediately hired by Kollmorgen Corporation, in a civilian capacity, to continue his work on periscopes and telescopes. He left Kollmorgen to take on the role of Facilities Manager of Millers Falls Tool Company. In the mid 70’s Joe took on a new challenge at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and served as Chief Operations Engineer until his retirement in 1991.

Joe was active in the Hadley community, coaching the Giants (his sons’ baseball team), scouting, and serving on the board of the Housing Authority, Conservation Commission and several other town committees. He was also a long-time member of the Amherst Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Joe leaves his sons Paul (Karen Sobasko) and James (Connie DeSantis) and daughters Maryellen (Catherine Cezeaux) and Martha (Kevin Hill). His son Joseph and daughter Honora predeceased him. He was a devoted grandfather to Joseph Fitzgibbon (Angela), Michael Fitzgibbon (Kim), Mary-Kate Fitzgibbon Murray (Scott), Kevin and Emily Hill, and great grandfather to Cole, Penelope, and River. He was also a respected uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

Joe enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading military history, traveling to Florida, driving tractors during tobacco season and smoking cigars. His greatest loves were his beloved wife Mary, his naval career and deep-sea fishing with his fishing friends including Dick Kicza.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 2^nd from 4:00-7:00 at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. A liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 3^rd at 10:00 at the Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley with burial following at the St. Brigid’s Cemetery in Hadley. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

The family kindly requests that those attending wear masks

Jeannette A. Ennis of Harwich, formerly of Amherst, passed away on February 13, 2022 at home.

Jeannette was born in Northampton, Massachusetts on June 29, 1930, to Lydia and Marius Poulin. She grew up Florence, Massachusetts and graduated from Northampton High School in 1947.  She was a 1989 graduate of Greenfield Community College, where she earned a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Before moving to the Cape, Jeannette made her home in Amherst with her husband, John, settling there in 1963. Together they raised two children. She was a member of the St. Brigid’s parish community and sang in the choir for many years.

She retired from the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District having worked as a paraprofessional at several district schools.

She was always quick to make friends with several lifelong friendships lasting more than eighty years. She’ll be remembered most for her unflagging spirit and her joyful outlook on life. She loved the ocean and spent many hours on the beach surrounded by friends and neighbors in her beloved Barnstable neighborhood. She could always be counted on to dig a bushel or two of quahogs and then make the most delicious chowder.

She is survived by her son, Paul and his wife, Martha Wall of Waltham. She also leaves her grandson, Andrew Ennis of Springfield as well as beloved nieces Janet Picht, Mary De Paola, Patty and Lisa Mascis and nephews Jim De Paola, Michael and J Mascis.  She was predeceased by her son, James and her husband John.

A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, February 28.  Calling hoUrs are from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at Douglass Funeral Services at 87 North Pleasant St in Amherst. A Liturgy of Christian burial will take place at St Brigid’s Church at 10 am. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, Jeannette asked that donations be made in her memory to the Greenfield Community College Foundation so that they may continue their important work. Donations may made at https://www.gcc.mass.edu/foundation/give-to-gcc/ or by check to the foundation at 1 College Dr, Greenfield MA  01301. Memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com