AMHERST – Billie Marie Howes, age 92, died peacefully on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.  She was born on November 13, 1925 in Buffalo, New York to Maude and Gary Burton Clow.  While attending Lyndonville Central High School, Mrs. Howes studied voice at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester.  After graduating from high school in 1943, she attended the University of Rochester receiving her degree in English and history in 1947.  In 1963 she earned a Master’s degree in speech from the University of Wisconsin.

            After teaching in New York and Maryland, Mrs. Howes worked as a teacher and administrator in the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District for 24 years.  During her 30 years as an educator, Mrs. Howes earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and students for the dedication, enthusiasm and creativity that she brought to her work.

            On June 30, 1951, Mrs. Howes married Merle L. Howes.  During their 66 years of marriage, they worked together to build a beautiful home where her love of gardens and nature bloomed brightly and a cat was always a dear companion.  Throughout their marriage, Mrs. Howes and her husband traveled extensively around the United States and abroad.

            She was very involved in her church community at the South Congregational Church.  She particularly enjoyed working in preparation for the Christmas fair by creating crafts and making a lot of delicious jam.

            Besides her husband, Mrs. Howes is survived by her three children: Ray Howes of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; LaVerna Howes Albury of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; and Pamela Howes, of Amherst Massachusetts.  She is also survived by her granddaughter, Jennifer Marquez Albury (Antonio Marquez) of Amherst, Massachusetts, as well as her great-granddaughter, Juliet.

            Calling hours at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst will be on Wednesday, February 28^th from 3 – 5pm.  A funeral service will be held at the South Congregational Church in Amherst on March 3^rd at 10:00 a.m.  The interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East Street, Amherst, MA  01002.

Amherst, Ida A. Vlach, 95, died Sunday February 18, 2018 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst. She was born in Southbridge, MA., January 13, 1924 to the late Arthur and Blandine {Lachambre} Arcambault. Ida is survived by her beloved husband, Edward F. Vlach, her two sons, David and Brian Vlach and her sister Irma Murzycki.

A Memorial Mass will be Saturday February 24, 2018 at 10:00 am in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. There are no calling hours.

 

 

Amherst, Juliene C. McIntire, 74, of Amherst died at her home surrounded by her three children and husband on February 12, 2018.   Juliene was born on January 13, 1944 in Keene, NH.  She grew up living in Marlboro, NH where she first met and married the love of her life, Richard C. McIntire.  The two were happily married for 53 years, but the bond between the two started in a baby carriage being pushed by their mothers on daily walks and has lasted all 74 years.

Juliene ran a family daycare from her home in both Nottingham, NH and Amherst, Ma for over 30 years.  She was passionate about every one of her daycare children.  Juliene then retired and focused on playing with her own eight grandchildren.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting and needlepoint in her free time.  Her homemade pie crusts filled with her favorite homemade fillings were known by many across New England as simply, the best.  She loved to bake and enjoy time with her close friends.  She also loved to spend time on the porch at her cottage in Pemaquid, ME.  She was happiest when she had her family around her, as well as her grandchildren and friends. She had a special ability to make anyone she encountered feel like they were part of the family.  Juliene was also happiest when her two cats could be found sitting with her, she loved them dearly.

Juliene leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Richard McIntire, her three children Melissa Telega of Sunderland, MA. Jennifer McIntire and her husband Greg Gottschalk of Sunderland, MA.  and Richard McIntire Jr and his wife Sharon of Amherst, MA.  Juliene especially loved and was proud of her eight grandchildren, Rebecca and Tim Telega, Zoe, Tia and Anna Gottschalk, and Ashley, Alison and Richard McIntire III.  She is survived by her brother Arthur J. Croteau as well as her two Brother-in Laws Jonathan and his wife Charlene McIntire and Donald and his wife Dyla McIntire.  She also leaves her many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. Please know, she loved you all. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday February 22, 2018 at The Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst, Ma from 4-7pm with a brief memorial service beginning at 6:30.  A celebration of her life will be held at the VFW on Main Street in Amherst following calling hours.   The family is also planning a small service later this summer, in Pemaquid, ME

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Road, New Harbor, ME. 04554

 

Amherst, Juliene C. McIntire, 74, of Amherst died at her home surrounded by her three children and husband on February 12, 2018.   Juliene was born on January 13, 1944 in Keene, NH.  She grew up living in Marlboro, NH where she first met and married the love of her life, Richard C. McIntire.  The two were happily married for 53 years, but the bond between the two started in a baby carriage being pushed by their mothers on daily walks and has lasted all 74 years.

Juliene ran a family daycare from her home in both Nottingham, NH and Amherst, Ma for over 30 years.  She was passionate about every one of her daycare children.  Juliene then retired and focused on playing with her own eight grandchildren.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting and needlepoint in her free time.  Her homemade pie crusts filled with her favorite homemade fillings were known by many across New England as simply, the best.  She loved to bake and enjoy time with her close friends.  She also loved to spend time on the porch at her cottage in Pemaquid, ME.  She was happiest when she had her family around her, as well as her grandchildren and friends. She had a special ability to make anyone she encountered feel like they were part of the family.  Juliene was also happiest when her two cats could be found sitting with her, she loved them dearly.

Juliene leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Richard McIntire, her three children Melissa Telega of Sunderland, MA. Jennifer McIntire and her husband Greg Gottschaulk of Sunderland, MA.  and Richard McIntire Jr and his wife Sharon of Amherst, MA.  Juliene especially loved and was proud of her eight grandchildren, Rebecca and Tim Telega, Zoe, Tia and Anna Gottschaulk, and Ashley, Alison and Richard McIntire III.  She is survived by her brother Arthur J. Croteau as well as her two Brother-in Laws Jonathon and his wife Charlene McIntire and Donald and his wife Dyla McIntire.  She also leaves her many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. Please know, she loved you all. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday February 22, 2018 at The Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst, Ma from 4-7pm with a brief memorial service beginning at 6:30.  A celebration of her life will be held at the VFW on Main Street in Amherst following calling hours.   The family is also planning a small service later this summer, in Pemaquid, ME

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Road, New Harbor, ME. 04554

 

Amherst, Juliene C. McIntire, 74, of Amherst died at her home surrounded by her three children and husband on February 12, 2018.   Juliene was born on January 13, 1944 in Keene, NH.  She grew up living in Marlboro, NH where she first met and married the love of her life, Richard C. McIntire.  The two were happily married for 53 years, but the bond between the two started in a baby carriage being pushed by their mothers on daily walks and has lasted all 74 years.

Juliene ran a family daycare from her home in both Nottingham, NH and Amherst, Ma for over 30 years.  She was passionate about every one of her daycare children.  Juliene then retired and focused on playing with her own eight grandchildren.  She enjoyed sewing, knitting and needlepoint in her free time.  Her homemade pie crusts filled with her favorite homemade fillings were known by many across New England as simply, the best.  She loved to bake and enjoy time with her close friends.  She also loved to spend time on the porch at her cottage in Pemaquid, ME.  She was happiest when she had her family around her, as well as her grandchildren and friends. She had a special ability to make anyone she encountered feel like they were part of the family.  Juliene was also happiest when her two cats could be found sitting with her, she loved them dearly.

Juliene leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Richard McIntire, her three children Melissa Telega of Sunderland, MA. Jennifer McIntire and her husband Greg Gottschaulk of Sunderland, MA.  and Richard McIntire Jr and his wife Sharon of Amherst, MA.  Juliene especially loved and was proud of her eight grandchildren, Rebecca and Tim Telega, Zoe, Tia and Anna Gottschaulk, and Ashley, Alison and Richard McIntire III.  She is survived by her brother Arthur J. Croteau as well as her two Brother-in Laws Jonathon and his wife Charlene McIntire and Donald and his wife Dyla McIntire.  She also leaves her many wonderful nieces, nephews and cousins. Please know, she loved you all. 

Calling hours will be held on Thursday February 22, 2018 at The Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst, Ma from 4-7pm with a brief memorial service beginning at 6:30.  A celebration of her life will be held at the VFW on Main Street in Amherst following calling hours.   The family is also planning a small service later this summer, in Pemaquid, ME

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the Bristol First Responders, 104 Southside Road, New Harbor, ME. 04554

Dennis, Ma., Gary W. Smith passed away peacefully on Saturday February 10, 2018 at Mass General Hospital with his family at his bedside.  Born July 27, 1967 in Weymouth MA, Gary moved to Dennis when he was a young boy.  Gary attended all the Dennis schools and then moved to Northampton for his sophomore year.  He moved back to the Cape for his senior year and graduated from Harwich High School in 1985.  While in Northampton, Gary met his high school sweetheart Lori Stowell Smith.  They married in 1988 at Helen Hills Hills Chapel at Smith College. 

Gary and Lori chose to make their home in Dennis where Gary managed the South Yarmouth, Hyannis and Orleans Papa Gino’s.  He then went on to manage Radio Shacks in Hyannis, Kingston and Dennis, while also teaching karate lessons in Centerville.  Later in life, Gary became a Warranty Claims Administrator for Quality Claims Processing.  He also worked with his father every summer doing carpentry and landscaping, which he enjoyed very much.  He attended Cape Cod Community College, Bristol Community College and UMass. 

When Gary and Lori decided to start their family, they were blessed with two children Allison L. Smith and Alexander W. Smith.  Allison is currently attending Smith College and Alexander will be attending MIT in the fall.  Gary was so proud of his children, who were everything to him, and was able to be very present in their young lives while he worked from home.

Gary had many hobbies including scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, geocaching with the kids, and camping with the family.  He was the leader of Alex’s Cub Scouts Den and had a second degree black belt in karate.

Gary leaves behind his loving wife of 29 years Lori Stowell Smith, his devoted children Allison and Alexander, his father Warren G. Smith of Harwich, his mother Martha Eames Dickerman of Dennis, and his brother Douglas Beau Smith of Bridgewater. 

Calling hours will be held Tuesday February 20, 2018 from 4:00 – 6:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, MA., with a memorial starting at 6:00 pm.

Amherst, Doctor Stephen W. Jefferson, also known as Sabeur Bey, Jeff, and the “Jefferson Airplane,” passed away on February 9, 2018, in Northampton, Massachusetts. He was the son of David Collins and Lorraine Jefferson. He was born on August 3, 1950 in Newark, New Jersey and spent his young life with his mother’s family in Newark and his father’s in Easton, Pennsylvania. He became an avid basketball player at Easton High School where he graduated in 1968. He then chose to attend Rider University in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, because of his desire to excel as both an athlete and a scholar. At Rider University he set a record in rebounds that stood for 37 years and earned him a place in the Rider Hall of Fame. He received a master’s degree in education from Montclair State College in 1974 and then moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, where he earned a doctorate through the University of Massachusetts School of Education in 1987. Also critical to his life was coaching the women’s basketball team at UMass from 1978-1981 and refereeing high school and college basketball for 30 years.

 

He went on to work in the Massachusetts corrections system, spending time as the director of inmate training and education, and with juvenile justice programs in Springfield and Westborough. He became deeply committed to education for incarcerated people and committed his life to prison education reform and ultimately, prison abolition. From 1999-2013,  he taught history and sociology of sports and was the director of the undergraduate program in Sports Management at UMass Amherst Isenberg School of Management. He was a counselor with Men Overcoming Violence (MOVE) for at least 20 years, dedicating his time to the transformation of violence in families and communities. He suffered a stroke in September 2010 and, like in his many other endeavors, he was resilient and powerful in bouncing back after spending two months in rehabilitation.

 

After his stroke he got in tune with his spirituality and joined Hope Community Church, and decided to bridge his past practices in Islam with Christian faith by changing his name to Dr. Sabeur Bey. 

 

He leaves us with the memory of his laughter, his deep intellect rooted in history, and his seeking to transform violence and promote healing. He is survived by his three children, Cara, Pilar, and Sajo, his ex-wife Marla, his brothers Marvin, David, and Allen, his sister Dale, the Bey family, and a broad community of friends, students, and colleagues.

 

Calling hours will be Wednesday February 14, 2018 from 5 – 8 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, burial will be private.

Hadley, Lillian Ruth Hebert, Age 93, passed to her eternal home on February 10, 2018 surrounded by the love of her children.  She was born on June 24, 1924 in West Hatfield.  She was the daughter of the late Martin and Anna Zapka.  She attended Hatfield schools, but the Depression necessitated going to work for Edith Hill, Editor in Chief of the Smith Alumni Quarterly at Smith College before completing her high school education.  At that time, she became acquainted with Grace Coolidge, wife of the 30^th President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge.  She was extremely proud of this friendship.

 

Lillian was proud of her work with the Dutchmaid Clothing Company of Ephrata, PA where she began her career as a Clothing Demonstrator and worked her way to Area Manager encompassing several states.    Her late husband, Victor E. Hebert, the love of her life, joined her in the business for many years.  Upon their retirement, they moved to Pine Island Lake, located in Westhampton, where they spent summers with their children and made cherished memories with grandchildren and many friends over the years. 

 

Family was of the utmost importance to Lillian and Victor.  Lillian leaves behind her family who learned “love and kindness” from her.   Her sister, Jeanette Pontbriand, who lives on Cape Cod. Her son, Wayne and his wife Ginny, who currently live in Ave Maria, FL. Their two sons, Wayne Jr., who passed away in 2013 and Andrew, who lives in Westbrook, ME with his fiancé Tammy Hutchins.  Lillian’s daughter, Gretchen and her husband Randy who live in Amherst. Their two children, Sharri, who is married to Robert Lukaskiewicz and lives in Montague.  Shane and his wife Roselee who live in Hadley. Lillian leaves four great grandchildren who brought her endless joy – Owen, Alisa, Elena and Anna.

 

Lillian was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Hatfield, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Holyoke, and along with Victor, was among one of the founding families of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst.

 

In the final years of her life, Lillian lived at The Arbors in Amherst and made many friends with the staff and residents there.  Most recently, Lillian lived at Elaine Center at Hadley, where the Elaine Center staff and Hospice of the Fisher Home staff gave her just as much love as she gave back to them.  Lillian’s family is very grateful for the many people who helped Lillian live out her final years with dignity and love.

 

In her lifetime, she touched the lives of countless people with her sincere kindness and love for life.  Lillian was an inspiration for anyone who was fortunate enough to call her friend.  She would like to be remembered as a person who gave out love and kindness and as a person of great Faith.

 

Calling hours will be Thursday February 15, 2018 from 5 – 7 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Funeral services will be Friday 10:00 am at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Amherst, with burial following in Spring Grove Cemetery, Florence.

 

Memorial donations may be made to: The Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002 Memorial Fund or Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA 01002

 

 

 

Amherst, James Wolcott Hanner passed away quietly at his home on Thursday February 8, just shy of his 83^rd birthday. He was born in Rochester, N.Y. on March 7, 1935, the son of James Z. and Ruth Teasdale Hanner.

He had a lifelong interest in history, in part because of his postwar experiences living in Germany with his mother and father, who was a wartime Chaplain in the armed forces stationed in Europe. He was in England for the country’s end of war celebration in 1946. He returned to this country twice during college as a Winant Volunteer. While in Germany in 1946, as an 11 year old, he attended a session of the Nuremberg Trials, which left a lasting impression on him.

He graduated from Brown University in 1958, and pursued a career in Education. He was always interested In astronomy, which led him to meet his wife at the Maria Mitchell Observatory on Nantucket Island. Although she is the professional astronomer, he was the one who always knew how to find the stars and planets in the night sky.

He and his wife retired from Arcadia, CA, to Amherst in 2003. He was an ardent Red Sox fan, and moved back to New England just in time to witness their 2004 World Series win. Once in Amherst, they realized that their roots here run deep. Both Jim’s and his wife’s direct ancestors were part of the group of settlers from Dorchester who founded the first settlement on the Connecticut River at Windsor in 1636. In Amherst, Jim enjoyed singing in the Valley Light Opera and the Hampshire Choral Society.

He will be remembered for his optimism and his sense of humor.

He leaves behind his wife of 52 ½ years, Martha Safford Hanner, his daughter Cindy Hanner of Arcadia, CA, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law Drs.  Berdi Safford and John Hruby of Ferndale, WA.

Calling hours will be held Monday, February 19, from 2 – 4 pm at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst.

Donations may be made in his name to the Hampshire Choral Society or a charity of your choice.

Amherst, John David “Dave” Fitzgerald, 63, of Amherst died

peacefully after a brief illness on January 31, 2018 at the

home he shared with his longtime partner Melissa Porter.

He is survived by his older brother Michael and

sister-in-law Lisa of Oregon, niece Alana of Worcester,

uncle Robert Fitzgerald of Connecticut and cousins

Lisa, Peter, Tim, Laurie and Brian.

He was predeceased by his father John, mother Virginia

and younger brother Jonathan.

Born in Amherst on August 1, 1954, he attended Amherst

schools but restlessness and boredom got the best of him

and he dropped out before finishing high school.

Through a program of Hampshire County House of

Correction, he earned his GED in 1981 with the highest

score they had seem up to that time.

He soon enrolled in Greenfield Community College

to study Art. This, coupled with joining a 12 step

recovery program and getting sober on June 1 1982,

changed the course of his life.

After a period of sobriety he went to work at Beacon

Detox. Dave had a lifelong affinity for those who

struggled with alcoholism. On more than one occasion

he volunteered to serve at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving

and ring a bell for the Salvation Army at Christmas time.

Eventually he opened Fitzy’s Tattoos in Hinsdale,

New Hampshire drawing customers from all over the

Northeast.  He quickly became a well-known and

respected member of the tattoo community traveling

the United States, Europe and Japan, meeting other

artists, visiting museums and making friends

wherever he went. After many years he closed the

shop and moved to California, drawn by the weather,

music and custom car culture.

He returned to the Valley approximately 10 years ago.

Dave loved travel, hot rods and rock and roll,

preferably all at the same time.

He will be remembered for his easy smile and insatiable

lust for life.

In lieu of flower donations can be made to the

American Cancer Society.

A Calling hour will be from 2:00 – 3:00 pm Saturday,

February 17, at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst,

with a memorial service from 3:00 – 4:00 followed by a gathering at

Grace Church Parish Hall on Spring Street.

Come as you are, Dave’s orders.