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Archive for the ‘Obituaries’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Bonita M. WROBLEWSKI of Hatfield, Ma, December 5, 1947 – October 12, 2023

PostHeaderIcon Louise Anne Hopkins of Hadley, Ma., November 19, 1936 – September 16, 2023

                                LOUISE ANN HOPKINS

Our Mom, Louise Ann Hopkins (November 19, 1936 – September 16, 2023) was born in and
spent her early years in Oswego, NY. She loved her parents, Dorothy Anita and Arthur Paschke
and her two siblings, Fritzi and Paul, and enjoyed being close to her Uncle Clarence and Aunt
“Toots”, with whom they shared family dinners and trips to Lake Ontario. Upon graduation from
high school, Ann attended Wagner College and then completed graduate work in Philadelphia at
the University of Pennsylvania. She studied English literature and continued to develop her love
of music. This included voice training for her gorgeous voice which she offered to the world
throughout her life, participating in various choral societies and church groups, not to mention
Christmas caroling and singing to her two grandsons.

She married Larry Hopkins in 1962 (div. 1982) and began the grand adventure of traveling the
world. Ann lived in Australia, India and Hong Kong and brought home a love of different foods
and an appreciation of culture. She gave birth to three daughters, two of whom survive her. Her
wide and varied interests continued to expand throughout her life and she shared these with the
people she loved in so many ways.

Ann was always working with her hands – knitting, tatting, crocheting. She owned a yarn shop
for a period of time and taught others how to stitch and knit and create. She knitted sweaters for
her children and the children of their friends. She was known as “Grammie Hopkins” to so many.
She also knitted hats and baby blankets for many charitable organizations.

Ann loved words and writing. She taught both of her kids to love to read and to think critically.
She was a member of many book groups throughout her life and enjoyed discussing books and
current events. She also taught more formally at Jonathan Edwards Academy and through
tutoring. Ann worked as an administrator in four of the Five Colleges, retiring from UMass
Amherst. She continued her interest in education and ideas through her work with a local map
company.

Ann was a committed Christian and Child of the Living God. Her faith was an anchor of her life.
She loved her church community and was an active, giving, and loving member.

Ann is survived by us, her daughters, Kimberley Hickie of Hadley, MA and Kristen Rushin of
Boone, NC and by her beloved son-in-law Andrew Rushin and her greatest gifts, her grandsons,
Timothy and Micah Rushin. Our Mom died on September 16 after a fairly lengthy decline due to
frontotemporal dementia. She loved words and music and these were gradually taken from her –
first her ability to speak and sing and then to read and write. Our Mom’s amazing spirit
continued to shine through these last years. She was kind and loving to everyone she came into
contact with and we were blessed that she knew who we were until the end. Our Mom
supported us and loved us unconditionally. She encouraged us to be ourselves always. She
taught us how to love, and be strong, and persevere even when we were hurt or afraid. We are
so very blessed to have had our Mom for so many years. She was and is loved beyond
measure.

That is her legacy and what we carry with us. She taught us to love and because of her, we
knew that we were loved. We never doubted that and we think what she would want is that all of
you reading this, know that too. If you feel inspired to do something in her memory, please look
around you and see that person who needs your kindness today. Be kind, love each other, and
remember our Mom.

A memorial service will be held at Douglass Funeral Service on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 10am. 

Memorial Guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

PostHeaderIcon JOHN R HEATH of SHUTESBURY, MA, February 24, 1958 – September 30, 2023

SHUTESBURY, MA : John R. Heath, 65, of Shutesbury, MA passed away on September 30, 2023 unexpectedly of heart complications. John was born in Northampton, MA on February 24, 1958, son of Weymouth “Bud” Heath and Joy Heath. John has resided in Shutesbury, MA at Lake Wyola with his faithful dog “Buster” for many years. He was predeceased by his brother Les Heath and sister, Carol Heath O’Brien. He leaves behind his brother Richard Heath of Amherst, sister, Donna Heath Smith of Southwick, nephews Nick and Jeremy Smith, Les Heath, Jr., and other nephews, niece and cousins.

John loved his dog “Buster” and took him everywhere. He met a lot of people that became good friends at the lake by having to track “Buster” down. He enjoyed living at the lake very much. In John’s earlier days, he attended the Amherst school system (most of the time!) After graduation, he worked for a trucking company and drove on many cross country trips. While living at the lake he became a “carpenter / landscaper / maintenance person” for many of the people there. He enjoyed the serenity living and watching the wild life all around him.

There are no services at this time.

MEMORIAL GUESTBOOK AT www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon JOHN R HEATH of SHUTESBURY, MA, February 14, 1958 – September 30, 2023

SHUTESBURY, MA : John R. Heath, 65, of Shutesbury, MA passed away on September 30, 2023 unexpectedly of heart complications. John was born in Northampton, MA on February 24, 1958, son of Weymouth “Bud” Heath and Joy Heath. John has resided in Shutesbury, MA at Lake Wyola with his faithful dog “Buster” for many years. He was predeceased by his brother Les Heath and sister, Carol Heath O’Brien. He leaves behind his brother Richard Heath of Amherst, sister, Donna Heath Smith of Southwick, nephews Nick and Jeremy Smith, Les Heath, Jr., and other nephews, niece and cousins.

John loved his dog “Buster” and took him everywhere. He met a lot of people that became good friends at the lake by having to track “Buster” down. He enjoyed living at the lake very much. In John’s earlier days, he attended the Amherst school system (most of the time!) After graduation, he worked for a trucking company and drove on many cross country trips. While living at the lake he became a “carpenter / landscaper / maintenance person” for many of the people there. He enjoyed the serenity living and watching the wild life all around him.

There are no services at this time.

MEMORIAL GUESTBOOK AT www.douglassfuneral.com

PostHeaderIcon LOUISE ANN HOPKINS of AMHERST, MA, November 19, 1936 – September 16, 2023

                               LOUISE ANN HOPKINS

Our Mom, Louise Ann Hopkins (November 19, 1936 – September 16, 2023) was born in and
spent her early years in Oswego, NY. She loved her parents, Dorothy Anita and Arthur Paschke
and her two siblings, Fritzi and Paul, and enjoyed being close to her Uncle Clarence and Aunt
“Toots”, with whom they shared family dinners and trips to Lake Ontario. Upon graduation from
high school, Ann attended Wagner College and then completed graduate work in Philadelphia at
the University of Pennsylvania. She studied English literature and continued to develop her love
of music. This included voice training for her gorgeous voice which she offered to the world
throughout her life, participating in various choral societies and church groups, not to mention
Christmas caroling and singing to her two grandsons.

She married Larry Hopkins in 1962 (div. 1982) and began the grand adventure of traveling the
world. Ann lived in Australia, India and Hong Kong and brought home a love of different foods
and an appreciation of culture. She gave birth to three daughters, two of whom survive her. Her
wide and varied interests continued to expand throughout her life and she shared these with the
people she loved in so many ways.

Ann was always working with her hands – knitting, tatting, crocheting. She owned a yarn shop
for a period of time and taught others how to stitch and knit and create. She knitted sweaters for
her children and the children of their friends. She was known as “Grammie Hopkins” to so many.
She also knitted hats and baby blankets for many charitable organizations.

Ann loved words and writing. She taught both of her kids to love to read and to think critically.
She was a member of many book groups throughout her life and enjoyed discussing books and
current events. She also taught more formally at Jonathan Edwards Academy and through
tutoring. Ann worked as an administrator in four of the Five Colleges, retiring from UMass
Amherst. She continued her interest in education and ideas through her work with a local map
company.

Ann was a committed Christian and Child of the Living God. Her faith was an anchor of her life.
She loved her church community and was an active, giving, and loving member.

Ann is survived by us, her daughters, Kimberley Hickie of Hadley, MA and Kristen Rushin of
Boone, NC and by her beloved son-in-law Andrew Rushin and her greatest gifts, her grandsons,
Timothy and Micah Rushin. Our Mom died on September 16 after a fairly lengthy decline due to
frontotemporal dementia. She loved words and music and these were gradually taken from her –
first her ability to speak and sing and then to read and write. Our Mom’s amazing spirit
continued to shine through these last years. She was kind and loving to everyone she came into
contact with and we were blessed that she knew who we were until the end. Our Mom
supported us and loved us unconditionally. She encouraged us to be ourselves always. She
taught us how to love, and be strong, and persevere even when we were hurt or afraid. We are
so very blessed to have had our Mom for so many years. She was and is loved beyond
measure.

That is her legacy and what we carry with us. She taught us to love and because of her, we
knew that we were loved. We never doubted that and we think what she would want is that all of
you reading this, know that too. If you feel inspired to do something in her memory, please look
around you and see that person who needs your kindness today. Be kind, love each other, and
remember our Mom.

A Funeral Service will be held at Douglass Funeral Service on October 14, 2023, at 10am. 

Memorial Guestbook can be found at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

PostHeaderIcon JACOBUS HENDRIK VAN HEERDEN of AMHERST, MA, June 15, 1943 – September 18, 2023

                            Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden

                       June 15, 1943-September 18, 2023

Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden, 80, of Amherst passed away on September 18, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Jaap was born on June 15, 1943 in Haarlem, The Netherlands, son of the late Peter and Aaltje (Jansen) van Heerden.     He leaves his wife of 48 years, Regina Martel, cousins in The Netherlands, as well as a large circle of friends.       

He received a Master’s degree in geology from the University of Amsterdam before coming to the University of Massachusetts in 1969. Jaap was employed for more than 30 years as an AV Media Technician at the UMass Campus Center, retiring in 2003.

He enjoyed rock and ice climbing in the White Mountains and the French Alps. He was an inveterate traveler and photographer, visiting Mesoamerican ruins in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico among other destinations. When he began birding, he joined the Hampshire Bird Club, where he volunteered for many years to provide AV support for the monthly club speakers and served on the Board.

Classical music was a lifelong passion. He frequently traveled to New York, Boston, and abroad to hear and meet with his favorite European musicians.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New York Philharmonic   https://give.nyphil.org/donate?utm_source=web&utm_medium=support_lp

or Hampshire Bird Club, Inc. Post Office Box 3637 Amherst, MA 01004-3637.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

   

PostHeaderIcon JACOBUS HENDRIK VAN HANHEERDEN of AMHERST, MA, June 15, 1943 – September 18, 2023

                            Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden

                       June 15, 1943-September 18, 2023

Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden, 80, of Amherst passed away on September 18, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Jaap was born on June 15, 1943 in Haarlem, The Netherlands, son of the late Peter and Aaltje (Jansen) van Heerden.     He leaves his wife of 48 years, Regina Martel, cousins in The Netherlands, as well as a large circle of friends.       

He received a Master’s degree in geology from the University of Amsterdam before coming to the University of Massachusetts in 1969. Jaap was employed for more than 30 years as an AV Media Technician at the UMass Campus Center, retiring in 2003.

He enjoyed rock and ice climbing in the White Mountains and the French Alps. He was an inveterate traveler and photographer, visiting Mesoamerican ruins in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico among other destinations. When he began birding, he joined the Hampshire Bird Club, where he volunteered for many years to provide AV support for the monthly club speakers and served on the Board.

Classical music was a lifelong passion. He frequently traveled to New York, Boston, and abroad to hear and meet with his favorite European musicians.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New York Philharmonic   https://give.nyphil.org/donate?utm_source=web&utm_medium=support_lp

or Hampshire Bird Club, Inc. Post Office Box 3637 Amherst, MA 01004-3637.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

   

PostHeaderIcon JOHN MAURICE QUINLAN of AMHERST, MA, July 13, 1938 – September 16, 2023

John M. Quinlan Jr., 85, of Amherst, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 16, 2023.

John was the son of John and Annette Quinlan of Amherst. John was the oldest of 5 boys and attended Amherst Regional High School where he was fondly known as “Quinnie.”

A flat tire in high school, would lead him to meet his wife Joyce Quinlan (Kentfield) also of Amherst. The two of them would go on to wed in 1958 in Jaffrey, NH and create a beautiful life with their four children and many friends.

After graduating from high school in 1956, John spent four years in the Air Force. He was based out of Westover Air Reserve Base where he worked as a Munitions Specialist.

After leaving the service, he went to work for his father-in-law at Kentfield Hardware Store in Amherst where he would later take over the business. John was a hardworking handyman and eventually retired from the Jones Group in 2015.

John was an avid sports fan and would spend his days watching the NY Giants, Boston Bruins and NASCAR. When his children were young, he spent years coaching the Amherst Babe Ruth baseball team where he would pick up his new nickname of “Coach Q.”

John loved his family, and you could see it by how much he talked about them. He would always share their photos and would always be on the sidelines at sporting events and performances. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his world and he tried to never miss an important event in their lives. John also took pride in his baking and cooking and you could often find him in the kitchen trying new recipes that he would share with friends on Facebook.

John is survived by his children Brenda (Aldrich) of Belchertown, Jeffrey Quinlan of California and Belinda (Deres) of Greenfield. John also leaves behind his four brothers, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

John will be met in heaven by his wife of over 60 years, Joyce Quinlan and his daughter Bonnie Quinlan of Manchester VT. He will also be met with many wet kisses from his four long time buddies: Jason, Tigger, Cocoa and Pepper.

Whether you knew him as John, Quinnie, or Coach/Mr. Q, please raise a beer in honor of a wonderful man.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst on Friday September 22, 2023 from 10am-12pm. Graveside Service to follow at Plainville Cemetery, Mt. Warner Road, Hadley, Ma. 01035

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John Quinlan to: The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. www.mylegion.org 

PostHeaderIcon JUDITH ANN HASKELL of AMHERST, April 18, 1935 – September 6, 2023

Judith Ann Parsons Haskell

April 18, 1935 – September 6, 2023

 

Judith Ann Parsons Haskell, 88, of Hadley, passed away on September 6, 2023, three days after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.

 

Judy was born on April 18, 1935, in Barberton, Ohio, the only child of Marion Ernest Parsons and Dorothy Alene Hostetter Parsons.  She spent her childhood writing stories, drawing pictures, and making dolls as well as learning about insects, especially butterflies, in the fields near her home. Her maternal grandmother, an antique dealer, introduced Judy to the world of heirlooms, a collecting passion she pursued with enthusiasm the rest of her life.

 

The first in her family to graduate from college, Judy was a fearless trail blazer for women of her generation, and subsequent generations of women who pursue what is now referred to as STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, from Ohio State University and her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the biological sciences from Purdue University.  It was at Purdue that she met her future husband, David Haskell, who was also pursuing his Ph.D.  David enjoyed telling the story of seeing Judy through the window as she was busily working in the lab, and becoming instantly smitten.  They were engaged in two weeks, married soon after, and within several years had started a family, with a daughter, Heather Rebecca and a son, Jordan Mark and a dalmatian named Birch. As a family they traveled every summer across country, camping out, visiting landmarks and national parks, and collecting souvenirs of their journeys. David and Judy were married for 63 years before David’s passing in 2022.

 

In 1961, Judy completed her Ph.D. and joined David, working as a botany professor in the biology department at Smith College, in Massachusetts. A scientist with the looks of a supermodel, Judy accepted a position as a biochemical researcher and co-principal investigator for the United States Public Health Service at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She studied the active transport of potassium and sodium on metabolism in silkworms, a project that had implications in the treatment of muscular dystrophy. After seven years, and publishing and collaborating on eleven articles about her research findings, she left the lab for teaching, becoming a biology teacher at Northampton High School. She excelled in the classroom and soon was named Head of the Science Department for grades K -12, a position she held for over twenty years.   She won the Outstanding High School Science Teacher by the Williams College Sigma Xi Club, an academic honor society that recognizes scientific research and confirmed the impact she had on her students.  In addition to her success integrating research into the high school science curriculum, she and her students organized an annual blood drive for the American Red Cross, with Judy always first in line to donate blood.  Her former students, many of whom went on to become researchers and doctors, still remark that her “Origin of Life” lecture was the best they had ever heard.

 

Throughout her life and after retiring in 1990, Judy pursued her passions of helping others, collecting antiques, and learning about the galaxy. During her lifetime she nursed dozens of abandoned or injured birds to health, often brought to her by friends, neighbors and her students, and tended to a menagerie of animals including baby chicks, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, finches, squirrels, dogs, cats, bats, and a 6-foot iguana named Iggy. Called “a healer” by friends, people sought her out for her willing ear and sound advice. Judy could be found searching for treasures at tag sales, auctions and flea markets every weekend with her daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Fred, and was thrilled every time a new image from the Hubble and Webb Telescopes was released.  Watching Nova with her son, Jordan, was one of her favorite pastimes.  She was among the first volunteers at the Hospice Shop for the Fisher Home, where she worked for over a decade.  And, her chili was legendary!

 

Judy is survived by her daughter, Heather and her husband, Frederick Burns, her son, Jordan, with whom she lived, her grandson, Kirk Edward, her former daughter-in-law, Molly Hoyle, and two devoted dogs, Danny and Joey.  Her husband, David, passed away in 2022.

 

At Judy’s request, no public service is planned. The family gives special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Devika Pandit and Jesenia Sanchez, who attended to her every need and filled her days with fun and adventure.  In lieu of flowers, Judy would appreciate donations to the T.J. O’Connor Adoption Center https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/ForHMZsVNbwJOxllwfx0nw or Dakin Humane Society https://www.dakinhumane.org/tribute-donation as her wonderful canine companions were adopted from the two organizations.  Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst has been entrusted with Judy’s arrangements.

PostHeaderIcon GEORGE S. PELIS of LEVERETT, MA, November 2, 1944 – August 21, 2023

LEVERETT, MA: George S. Pelis, 78 passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical on August 21, 2023.  He was the son of the late Stanley and Sophie Pelis.

George lived in the Amherst area throughout his life.  He graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1962.  After graduation he worked for the town of Amherst, then on construction and finished his working career as a technician repairing office equipment.

He married his high school sweetheart, Anita Major Pelis in 1965 and they shared 58 wonderful years of marriage together.

George enjoyed fishing and hunting when he was younger.  He loved the water, spending time with his family at Lake Wyola, Cape Cod and Florida beaches.  George and Anita enjoyed many years of travel, golfing in the warmer climate.  He also enjoyed watching the New England sports teams and attending UMASS sporting events.  He spent many hours watching a vast variety of birds at his feeders with his cat Shadow.  George’s favorite pastime, outside of his home and family, was golfing and spending time with his golfing buddies at Amherst Golf Club.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Anita (Major) Pelis, daughter Laurie Pelis of Leverett and sister Carol Xinidakis of Louisiana.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and good friend Kevin Richey.

Anita would like to thank family and friends for all their concern and support.  She would also like to thank the kind and compassionate doctors and nurses from Baystate Medical.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 31st from 6-7 PM at the Douglass Funeral Home at 87 No. Pleasant Street in Amherst with a short service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA  01101

Current Obituaries
To view full obituary details and/or sign the Memorial Guestbook click desired individual below.

ERIC DAY of EASTHAMPTON, MA died on March 1, 2024

ROBERT GRAY of AMHERST died on March 22, 2024

JOANNA HAYES of SHUTESBURY died on March 15, 2024

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LORNA M. PETERSON of AMHERST, MA died on March 16, 2024

PETER ALBERT (PAW) WARD of AMHERST died on March 3, 2024


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