Debora Macy Taylor “Debby” Davis, 90, of Amherst, passed away April 28, 2021, at the Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital in Ludlow, MA after a short illness.  Born in Springfield, MA on May 31, 1930, she was the daughter of Mary Leanna Henderson Taylor of Indiana and George Rogers Taylor of Wisconsin.

Debby grew up in a colonial era house on Utter Road in Pelham overlooking her much-loved Pioneer Valley.  Her father, George, was the head of the Economics department at Amherst College and her mother, Mary, was a homemaker, historian, and painter, in her later years.

Debby attended Earlham college (where her parents met in 1924) and completed her degree in elementary education at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.  She married her first husband, Walter MacGrath, in 1951.  Walter passed a couple years after that of diabetes. 

Debby was a teaching in the Pelham school and then taught for the Department of Defense at a military base in Germany for a year.  Her experience there inspired her sister Sally and her husband Eric (Hohenthal) to begin their teaching careers with the DOD leading them to a life of service in Germany and Japan. Upon her return from Germany, Debby met Robert Howe “Bob” Davis and they were married in1962.

Debby and Bob bought an old dairy farm on West Pomeroy Lane in South Amherst where he ran his landscape business.  Debby “did the books” in addition to raising a family, teaching, tutoring, providing elder care, and, ultimately, caring for her own mother for 15 years prior to Mary’s passing in 1993.

Debby was a longtime member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst, serving as president at one point and on search committees for ministers over the years.  It was very much a home of acceptance and love for her and her son Dan.  Like her mother Mary, she was a lifelong believer in equal rights for women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

One of Debby’s favorite places was her parent’s gingerbread cottage in Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard.  She loved to sit on the front porch and read while drinking the occasional Manhattan, go to the beach, and visit with other family members on the island.  When her boys were young, she would let them explore the island on their bikes, frequently getting poison ivy and mostly avoiding skunks.  She enjoyed the annual lantern hanging celebration, Illumination Night, decorating the cottage with dozens of Japanese lanterns; lanterns that she appreciated even more because of an amazing trip to Okinawa, Japan to visit her sister Sally and her family.

Debby enjoyed reading, cooking, gardening and playing bridge.  She had a wonderful sense of humor, a positive outlook on life and was a joy to be around.  She was very kind and welcoming and both Debby and Bob would invite people into their home when times were tough.  Often their dinner table and their spare room were both full.

Debby is survived by her sister Sally Hohenthal and her husband Eric, of Oak Bluffs, MA; her son Taylor Davis, his wife, Karen Davis, of Amherst, MA and their three wonderful children Ryan, Patrick, and Meghan; and her son, Daniel Davis, and his wife, Pamela Mattson of Hopkinton, MA.  Debby was also lucky enough to have three great grandchildren and nieces and nephews.  Debby was predeceased by her husband, Bob Davis (2017).

The Davis family would like to extend a special thank you to the whole Debcor Home Care team for the care and support they provided Debby. They were instrumental in keeping Mom independent and in her own home.
A socially distanced memorial luncheon for friends and family is planned for Saturday, June 5^th at the home of Taylor and Karen Davis at 577 West Street, Amherst MA, from 1 to 4 pm.  Masks will, of course, be required.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to her much loved Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst at: https://www.uusocietyamherst.org/connection/donate/

Harold Zalkind, age 96, passed away after a brief illness on May 11, 2021, at home in Amherst, MA, surrounded by his family. He was born in Chicago, IL and was raised in the Bronx, NY. Hal, as he preferred to be called, moved to Amherst with his beloved wife Shirley Zalkind from Rye, NY in 2013 to live with his daughter and son-in-law. Hal grew up in the Bronx, NY where he was a star athlete, winning trophies for golf and tennis before graduating DeWitt Clinton High School in 1942. He met the love of his life Shirley, who lived across the street on East Gun Hill Road, at age 13. After graduating from high school, Hal enlisted in the Air Force and enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), at Clark University in Worcester. As the war escalated in 1944, all those enlisted were transferred into the Army, no matter their training. Hal was assigned to the 26th Division of the 101st Infantry Regiment, of the Massachusetts National Guard, and sent to Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC for training. While there, Shirley traveled alone by train from New York to meet him so they could marry before he went overseas. Both were 19 years old. While in Europe Hal was wounded by sniper fire and hospitalized shortly before the Battle of the Bulge. At home in New York, Shirley received his army duffle bag containing his bloodied uniform without indication of Hal’s health or whereabouts, and news of his survival did not come until months later. Hal was honored with a Purple Heart for his service. Upon returning from the war, Hal joined Shirley’s brother in partnership in the family dry-cleaning and laundry business. They moved the business, Belle Cleaners, from the Bronx to Rye, NY. Hal and Shirley followed the business, first living in Port Chester, NY where they started their family, and then moving to Rye in 1967. Hal was an avid gardener who turned his home into a beautiful floral paradise that inspired all who visited. He volunteered at the Rye Nature Center for several years and took an interest in environmentalism. Shirley, an art teacher, painted many of Hal’s garden treasures in watercolor and the paintings decorated their homes in both Rye and Amherst. Hal was also an avid deep sea fisherman, and enjoyed fishing off the coast of Monhegan Island, ME. Hal and Shirley spent many of their retirement years wintering on St Martin, where he remained a serious tennis player well into his late 80s. After Hurricane Sandy, Hal and Shirley moved to Amherst to live with their family. Hal remarked that, upon moving to Amherst, he had come full circle from his time at Clark, back to Massachusetts. Hal was predeceased by their son Robert in 1983, and leaves behind his beloved wife Shirley Zalkind, his daughter Nina Zalkind Tetenbaum and son-in-law Don Tetenbaum, his grandsons Joshua and Noah Tetenbaum, and granddaughter-in-law Jennie Rose Halperin. He was loved and admired by his extended family and many, many friends he and Shirley acquired throughout their long life shared together. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold’s memory to the Jewish Climate Initiative (https://www.interfaithsustain.com/ jewish-climate-initiative/), or Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/ .

On May 1, 2021 we lost our Husband, Father, Grandfather, Edward F. Bielunis while engaged in his favorite sport of Bass fishing.

Born in Hadley on November 26^th 1941 he was the son of the late Francis (Frank) M. and Evelyn (Read) Bielunis.  He was raised on the family farm in Amherst and was a graduate of Amherst Regional High School where he played hockey.

After graduation Edward enlisted in the US Navy serving mostly on destroyers in the Atlantic fleet as a machinist mate second class.  He was held and in action during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  During one of his leaves at home he met his future wife, Ingrid (Radeker).

Upon leaving the service he worked as a farm hand for Howard Atkins (Atkins Farms), then entered construction, working for various contractors in the valley, most notably, Puffer Construction as a Superintendent and T&M Equipment Corporation as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement.

Upon retirement he continued his outdoor activities of hunting, bass fishing, snowmobiling and his newfound passion of being a mentor to his grandson Bruce, teaching him how to rebuild motors, hunting, fishing, among other things.

Edward was a member of I.U.O.E local 98, the Young Men’s Club of Hadley and several bass fishing clubs.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Ingrid, two Sons, David and partner Marcia, Michael and wife Cheryl (Monska) and his best bud, his grandson, Bruce.  He was also predeceased by his sister Beverly.

Walk through calling hours will be held Monday May 17, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In Lieu of flowers, donations to Ed’s memory, may be made to: Young Men’s Club of Hadley Kid’s Fishing Derby c/o Amy Fyden. Easthampton Savings Bank 100 East St. Hadley, MA 01035 Burial will be private. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

John Gerard Woynar passed away April 27, with his brother Mark by his side. John was born November 14, 1955. He grew up and lived most of his life in Amherst. He had a knack for finding the best fishing holes. He moved to Florida for a short time where he met his long time partner in life Geri. They moved back to the Amherst area and made a life together. During his time here on earth, John made some lifelong friends who helped him during the last few years, Buzz , Randy, and Shawn were always there to help John when he needed a friend. Besides his friends and his brother he leaves behind nieces and nephews and an abundance of cousins. He was predeceased by his love Geri and his parents Josephine and Michael Woynar Per Johns wishes there will be no services. Memorial guestbook at www.dougladdfuneral.com

Estelle (née Auger) Dugas, 83, of Amherst, died peacefully on May 7, 2021, at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, for whose tender care her family is profoundly grateful. She was the daughter of Annette (née Saint-Pierre) and Philias Auger, Sr. of Woonsocket, RI.

Estelle was blessed to have been educated by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, with whom she shared an enduring bond. She earned a high school diploma from Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, NH, and a BA magna cum laude from Rivier College (now Rivier University) in Nashua, NH, with a Music major and a French minor. After earning certifications in Music, French, and History, she taught all three subjects in the public high schools of Blackstone, MA, and Windsor Locks, CT.

In 1960, she married Donald Dugas of Woonsocket, RI. Although they divorced in 1986, the relationship they forged continued to serve as a source of mutual comfort and support in their later years.

Estelle’s vocation was motherhood, family her guiding star. She loved to sew, but music was her passion. Few things gave her as much joy as combining her art and her faith as a member of a church ensemble. The years she spent directing the wonderful friends she made in the choir of Saint Stanislaus Church in South Deerfield were especially happy ones, ending only when macular degeneration robbed her of the ability to read a score.

The majority of her professional life was spent working as a real estate agent, first with Town & Country Realtors, then with Jones-Town & Country. She derived real gratification from finding just the right home for clients as well as from welcoming newcomers to the Pioneer Valley.

Estelle worshipped at the Newman Catholic Center from 1973, when her family moved to Amherst, until her death. Her devotion, love of liturgy, simplicity, humility, thoughtfulness, creativity, adaptability, courage, and strength will be greatly missed.

Estelle was preceded in death by her parents; brother Philias Auger, Jr.; sisters-in-laws Theresa (née Lague) Auger and Diane (née Dugas) Burke; brothers-in-law Harold Robinson, II, and Robert Dugas; and nephew Harold Robinson, III. She is survived by sisters Colette Auger of Manchester, NH, and Madeleine Robinson of Manchester, CT. She is also survived by daughter Colette Dugas and her partner, Richard Brunswick, of Northampton, MA; son Don-John Dugas and his partner, Ruth Gilligan, of Akron, OH; and former husband, Donald Dugas, of Warwick, RI. And she leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews whose love, lives, and achievements were an unending source of joy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on May 13, 2021, at the Newman Catholic Center, 472 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01002. Estelle will be laid to rest with her parents, brother, and sister-in-law Theresa at Saint John the Baptist Cemetery in Bellingham, MA.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (495 Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH  03104) or the Amherst Survival Center (https://amherstsurvival.org/donate/). Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Emily Diane Harrington, 40, died at her home in Northampton, after a long struggle with addiction. She grew up in Pelham and Amherst, and was a star pitcher, catcher, and power hitter for Amherst’s Lassie League Softball. Emily enjoyed music, writing poetry, and was a talented artist. She leaves her father, Michael Harrington, and step-mother, Susan Harrington, of Northampton; her mother, Deborah Palmer, and step-father, David Zarozinski, of Hadley; her sister, Sarah Evans, of Greenwich, CT; and two nephews. She also leaves her two beloved cats, Loki and Ash. Services will be private due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the animal charity of your choice. 

Raymond “Ray” R. Lemoine, Jr. passed away after a brief illness, April 26 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield, MA to Raymond “Roland” Lemoine, and Alice (Christianson) Lemoine. Ray graduated from WNEC with a bachelor degree, went on to earn his CPA and became the CFO/Vice President of Western Builders, Inc where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 2018. He loved all sports, but his passion was hockey, a sport he played up until March 2020. He also coached hockey and was on the board of directors for the Amherst Hockey Association. He taught all of his children how to skate, instilling in them and many others a love of skating. To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife Karen (Burke) Lemoine, his children Laura (Chuck) Fulcher, Sean (Christy) Lemoine, Michelle Lemoine and her partner Roman. Ray was predeceased by his parents and his sister Judy Lemoine. He also leaves his sisters Kathie (Werner) Steuernagel, Mary (Joe) Lemoine, brothers Brian (Nancy) Lemoine, Gary (Ginny) Lemoine many nieces, nephews, and a large extended family. He also leaves his grandchildren Mason and Adalyn. Ray deeply loved his family and friends, including his long time friend, Rich. There was nothing better for Ray than to hang out with his family and friends over a campfire, having good times. Everyone will miss his ready smile and heart felt laughter. Services are private and a celebration of his life will be held at a future time when we can all come together. Ray devoted his remaining life to finding a cause and cure for ALS. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sean M Healey and AMG Center for ALS Research at Mass General in his name.

Deborah (Jackson) Brown died unexpectedly April 24, 2021. “Deb” as she was affectionately known by was an Amherst native and an Amherst high school graduate.  Growing up in the Pioneer valley Deb enjoyed softball, fishing and later in life Antiques, which she learned from her father. Deb owned her own property management company and was once named number one realtor of the year. She had many accomplishments in her life and loved her family unconditionally. Deb is predeceased by her sister Sandra and Sandra‘s husband Thomas Drake. She leaves behind her husband Jessie Davis, her Mother Helen Sullivan and stepfather Don, her father James Jackson and her stepmother Millie, her daughter’s Danielle LeSure and Gabrielle Davis, her sons Robert Beaulieu and Alex Beaulieu, her sister Theresa Fleurent and husband Rick, her brother James Jackson and wife Joanne, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers there has been a Go Fund Me page set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses and can be found under Help for funeral expenses for our mother Deborah. A graveside service will be held on Friday April 30, 2021 at 11:30 am at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. 

Deborah (Jackson) Brown died unexpectedly April 24, 2021. “Deb” as she was affectionately known by was an Amherst native and an Amherst high school graduate.  Growing up in the Pioneer valley Deb enjoyed softball, fishing and later in life Antiques, which she learned from her father. Deb owned her own property management company and was once named number one realtor of the year. She had many accomplishments in her life and loved her family unconditionally. Deb is predeceased by her sister Sandra and Sandra‘s husband Thomas Drake. She leaves behind her husband Jessie Davis, her Mother Helen Sullivan and stepfather Don, her father James Jackson and her stepmother Millie, her daughter’s Danielle LeSure and Gabrielle Davis, her sons Robert Beaulieu and Alex Beaulieu, her sister Theresa Fleurent and husband Rick, her brother James Jackson and wife Joanne, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers there has been a Go Fund Me page set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses and can be found under Help for funeral expenses for our mother Deborah. A graveside service will be held on Friday April 30, 2021 at 11:30 am at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. 

With a sadness that’s indescribable we announce Bonnie Lou DiCola (Wentworth), 65, passed away peacefully on April 10^th at 10:50pm. Bonnie was comforted and surrounded by her loving husband, two cherished children & son-in-law as she drifted away. She was told stories, reminded of memories, and listened to videos of her grandson to provide comfort.

Bonnie was born on April 25^th, 1955 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Doris Lydia Wentworth (Phillips) and Harold Dusty Wentworth of Amherst, Massachusetts. As a little girl and only child, Bonnie was dotted on by her loving parents. Between hunting with the dogs, church service and VFW adventures, Bonnie was always included in her parent’s outings.

In 1971, Bonnie was introduced to Michael A. DiCola who in the years to come would ignite an ever-lasting love that many of us only dream of. They married April 26^th 1975, in Amherst, MA surrounded by their best friends and families. The two love-birds were inseparable from the beginning, and the only time they spent apart was when Michael traveled to races. During these times, Bonnie would wait by the door for his return. They had a love that movies couldn’t replicate, and books couldn’t compare to.

In 1985, they happily welcomed their first-born son, Michael Dustin DiCola, and six years later they joyfully welcomed Angela Rose DiCola. Bonnie’s calling was being a mom to these two children, and a terrific mom at that.

There was no title more defining for Bonnie than that of “Mimi” which was granted to her joyfully on February 4^th, 2017 when her grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay was born in front of her eyes. Between late nights staying up with Karter, morning cuddles where he would play with her ears, the walks around the block where she had to run after him on his bike, letting him help her plant in her garden, and catching him jump off the ladder in the pool- there was nothing that made her eyes light up more than loving him from head to toe.

Bonnie always had what many would call a “cadillac” smile and it was contagious. Bonnie was well known and respected in the banking community. She would always go out of her way to check on customers, and made sure they knew how important they were to her. Bonnie began her career at Shawmut in the center of Amherst, MA, moved to Bank of Western MA (People’s United Bank) – which was only a few blocks away, and then finished her career at Easthampton Savings Bank as a Portfolio Manager for Municipal Banking. Every customer that Bonnie had, was a part of her heart and soul.

Bonnie has reunited in the sky with her ever-so missed father Harold Dusty Wentworth, and mother Doris Lydia Wentworth (Phillips). Bonnie heartbreakingly leaves behind her true love and husband Michael A. DiCola, her son Michael D. DiCola, her daughter Angela R. Gotay-Cheverez, son-in-law Kevin R. Gotay-Cheverez and adored grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay.

In lieu of services & funeral, Bonnie will be cremated and come home to rest with her family.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

He Only Takes the Best

“God saw you getting tired, and cure was not to be. So, he put his arms around you, and whispered, “Come to me”. With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best”