Northampton, Richard V. Kellogg, 84 of River Run died peacefully at his home on January 20, 2015.  He was born May 31, 1930 in Pelham, son of Howard and Lillian Kellogg.  He was educated in Hadley and graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1948.

Richard was a manager for Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company supermarkets for over 30 years at numerous locations throughout Western Massachusetts.  He was also a gentlemen farmer being raised on a large farm in Hadley, and carrying on the tradition at his own small farm in South Amherst.  

Richard loved his horse racing at the Three County Fair in Northampton on Labor Day weekend every year.  He also loved crosswords (a skill that he picked up from his wife Doris).  Dad was an avid reader of the local newspapers on a daily basis.  He knew all that was going on in the Pioneer Valley. 

Dad loved his TV westerns including Gunsmoke, Maverick, Paladin, Bonanza, Bat Masterson and all that was available on his beloved Encore Westerns station.  Lastly, he was an avid Red Sox fan and watched every game on NESN with his wife Doris, and reruns the next day on games they had already won the day before. 

He leaves behind his son Stephen and his wife Carol; his son Larry and his wife Kathleen; his daughter Jeri and her husband Kevin Hayes; his son Richard and his wife Carol; his daughter Lori and her partner Rich Boduch; and his son Jeffery.  He is also survived by numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  He also leaves behind his brother-in-law Joseph Zuraw, and sister-in-law Pearl Zuraw.  Richard was preceded in death by his wife Doris. 

Richard would like to thank the staff of the Radiology Department of Cooley Dickenson Hospital, as well as Hospice.   

Dad was a self-less, grounded, and quiet person with a dry sense of humor.  It was not always easy to determine what he was thinking.  He often had a smile on his face that made you feel like he had a secret that no one else knew.  Dad will be sorely missed by us all, and we are comforted that he has joined Mom.  

Funeral services will be Saturday Jan. 24, 2015 at 11:00 am, at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Calling hours will be Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 from 4 – 7 pm at The Douglass Funeral Service. A private burial will be held this spring. 

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

A memorial service will be held on Sat., May 30^th at 2:00 p.m. in Montague, MA. The family asks that you visit www.emlenjones.org/memorial 

For more details and to confirm your attendance

Amherst, Emlen H. Jones, M.D., of Amherst, Massachusetts, died on Jan. 6^th, 2015. Viewing hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Home at 87 N. Pleasant St. in Amherst on Friday, Jan. 9^th, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. A funeral service will take place at the Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel at The Newman Center, University of Massachusetts Campus 472 N. Pleasant St. in Amherst on Sat., Jan. 10^th at noon. A memorial service is planned for the spring.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The Survival Center in Amherst or specifically to the Quest for Peace program through the Quixote Center in Washington, DC. A full obituary will follow. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Hadley, Rosemary Fern of Hadley Village Road, South Hadley died peacefully at Elaine Manor Nursing Home on January 2, 2015.  She was the daughter of the late Edward (“Ned”) and Mary Ellen (nee Black) McMahon.  Rosemary was born in Springfield Mass on September 12, 1935.  She attended Agawam schools and received her bachelor’s degree from Westfield State College.  Rosemary was employed as a bank teller at Commonwealth Federal Bank, Fleet Bank and retired from Bank of Western Massachusetts.  She was a gifted quilter and over the years made many treasured quilts for her family and friends.  Rosemary also enjoyed travelling, reading and was an avid Red Sox fan.  

Rosemary is pre-deceased by her husband Patrick Fern, a son Mark Bachand and grandson Lyle Bachand.  Rosemary is survived by her daughter Ann Bronner of Hadley, son Paul Bachand and his wife Trish of Belchertown and her daughter Elizabeth Bachand and her husband Stewart Warren of Granby.  She will be missed by her grandchildren Erin Summerlin, Lori Zumbruski, Daniel Warren, Cassie Warren, Sam Warren, Brian Bachand, Chelsea Bachand, Dylan Bachand, Mark Bachand and Robin Cabriotti.  Rosemary also leaves her great grandchildren Kyle Costa, Molly and McKenna Zumbruski, Liam Warren, Bailey and Brayden Bachand.  Rosemary was well cared for by her caretaker Mary Hobert.  The family would also like to thank the staff members at Comprehensive Home Care and Elaine Manor of Hadley.  

Calling hours for Rosemary will be on Tuesday, January 6^th from 5-7 pm at the Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst.  A private burial service will be held on Wednesday, January 7th at the Massachusetts Veteran’s Cemetery in Agawam.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Arthritis National Research Foundation. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Amherst, Nancy L. (Corthell, Edgington) Simpkins, 68 of Amherst MA formerly of Haverhill MA, passed away on Monday December 22, 2014 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton MA. She was born December 16, 1946 in Haverhill MA, the daughter of Robert and Arline (Penwell) Corthell. Nancy came to Amherst after her graduation from high school to work at the Belchertown State School.  She eventually went to work for Dr. William Truswell and worked for him for over 18 years. She was working for the Western MA Urology Group in Northampton when she retired last December. Nancy’s greatest joy was to work in her gardens, vegetables as well as flowers with her husband Dave who built her raised beds to make it easier on them both. She also enjoyed her canning abilities and putting up her vegetables and her jams and jellies with Dave. After her retirement last December she joined the Crafty Ladies Group at So Congregational Church and enjoyed preparing for the Sleigh Bell Fair full time. She was active in Unity Chapter No 66 of Eastern Star in Amherst for over 30 years and was currently their Treasurer. She was a past Worthy Matron, Deputy Grand Matron, Deputy Grand Marshal and a Grand Representative to Louisiana for Eastern Star.  She was also a Past Worthy Advisor, Mother Advisor and Grand Deputy for the International Order of Rainbow for Girls.

She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend.

Nancy was predeceased by her first husband Jack and her daughter Amy Edgington. She leaves to cherish her memory her husband David J Simpkins of Amherst, her daughter Tracy L. Holhut and her husband Jim of Greenfield, son Wayne Edgington and his wife Jackie, and Judy Edgington, of Florida, her six siblings, Robert C. Corthell (Sharon), Stephen A. Corthell (Patricia), Frederick O. Corthell (Teri), all of Haverhill, her three sisters, Janet C. Gillis of Amherst, Cynthia L. Basiliere of Haverhill and Natalie J. Pineau (Stephen) of Florida. Two Step Daughters, Debra Thurlby (Matt) of Nebraska, Donna Simpkins (Todd) of Connecticut, 5 step grandchildren and many Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Calling hours at The Douglass Funeral Service, 87 No Pleasant St, Amherst MA will be on Sunday December 28, 2014, from 2-5 pm with an Eastern Star Ceremony at 4:30 pm. A graveside service will be held on Monday December 29, 2014 in So. Amherst Cemetery, So. East St, Amherst, at 11:00 am with a memorial service to follow at 12:00 pm at the So. Congregational Church, 1066 So. East St., Amherst, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to South Congregational Church, 1066 So East St, Amherst, MA 01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Holyoke, William E. Blyda, 70, of Holyoke died Tuesday December 16, 2014 at Mercy Medical Center. William was born in Northampton; Nov. 20, 1944 he was the son of the late Anthony and Katherine {Keefe} Blyda.

William was a long time resident of Hadley, he was a graduate of Hopkins Academy. Bill was an avid sports fan especially enjoying all of the New England professional teams.

His family was most important to him and he is survived by his wife Dawn {Bristol} Blyda, his three daughters, Kari Blyda of Holyoke, Lynn Kelly Templeton and her husband Jack of CA, Billie-Jo Blyda of Holyoke and daughter in-law Rose Letourneau. He is also survived by his sister Nancy Junkins of GA., and a large local extended family. William was predeceased by a brother James.

Funeral services will be Monday December 22, 2014 at 10:00 AM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Burial will follow in Plainville Cemetery, Hadley. Calling hours will be Sunday December 21, from 1-3 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

At the family’s request, memorial donations in Williams’ name may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Holyoke, Francis A. McKay, age 94, died peacefully Dec. 12, 2014 in Holyoke surrounded by his family. He was born at home on West Street in Granby, May 28, 1920, the son of John and Olga (McKissick) McKay. He is survived by his wife of 67 years,  Kathleen Canavan McKay; his daughters:  Cynthia Murphy and husband Barry of Mendon, MA, Donna McKay of South Hadley, Katherine McKay and husband Stephen Pelletier of Deerfield, MA, and Amy Avakian and husband David of Westhampton, MA; and son Kevin and wife Kathryn McKay of Chicopee, MA;  grandchildren:  Timothy Murphy and wife Meredith, and daughter Fiona, Los Angeles; Kevin Murphy, New York City;  Shannon (Malone) and husband Justin Kopacz,  children Gustav, Emmet, Abraham, and Adaline, Blandford, MA; Keely and husband Marshall Malone, children Kale and Zephyr, Greenfield, MA; Daniel  and Adam Kokonowski , South Hadley, MA; Ryan McKay, Kalispell, MT,  children Kaeda, Aiden, Oakley, Irelyn, and Declan;  Colleen Stanton, Singburi, Thailand; Carolyn Stanton, Asheville, NC; Desmond Pelletier, Goleta, CA; and Anna and Abby Avakian, Westhampton, MA;  his sisters Dorothy Regan, Granby and Bernice Hripak, Belchertown  and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his son Gary D. McKay, his brother John McKay, and another sister Bernice who died in childhood.

Francis was a kind, hardworking, and gentle man, who as a boy rode to school in a horse-drawn wagon.  He never regretted leaving the family farm which, at its peak, was raising thousands of chickens.  At age 19, he was seriously burned in a gasoline explosion at the Hano Co. in Holyoke when he rescued a badly injured worker.   He served four years in the U.S. Army during WWII in New Zealand caring for wounded soldiers and on Saipan.   A former owner of Griggs Furniture in Amherst, MA and the Spirit Shoppe (Zag’s) in Ware, MA.  He also made deliveries for A.A. Fogarty Corp in Springfield.   

Ever the optimist, he was quick to remark, “It could be worse.”  He enjoyed the NY Yankees, golf, dancing, winters in Florida, and time with friends and family. 

Calling hours at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, are from 5 p.m to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19^th.  A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, Dec. 20th, 10:00 AM, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church,   122 North Pleasant St., Amherst.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Soldiers Home, Holyoke MA.

Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Amherst, Florita Beatrice McNealy, who for the past three years, lived in Amherst, died suddenly at home on December 11, at the age of 86. She resided in Michigan for a good part of her life and worked as a nurse anesthetist. She studied general nursing at St. Mary’s Infirmary in St. Louis, Missouri. This hospital trained the largest number of African American doctors and nurses from its inception in the early 20^th century to the late 1960’s.

In 1952, she began her training in anesthesia at St. Francis Hospital for Anesthesia Training in Peoria, Illinois. This program was the first anesthesia school that accepted African Americans and at that time Florita was the youngest person to have ever enrolled in the Program. It was also a milestone achievement when she became the first Black to be employed as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at St. Mary’s Hospital in Kankakee, Illinois—thanks to the recommendations of the nuns and surgeons that ran the O.R.

Florita was a Peace Corps volunteer and sent to Brazil to work on the SS Ship Hope. She traveled extensively and after she returned to the States, was employed in hospitals around Illinois and Michigan until she turned 78. In 2007, she retired from Pontiac General Hospital in Michigan after dedicating over 55 years to the healthcare field.

Florita had an unstinting love for anesthesia and attended countless professional conferences and conventions to learn the latest techniques in anesthesia. Additionally, she pursued graduate studies at Wayne State University in Michigan, primarily to better understand the challenges patients from various socio-economic groups seeking healthcare had to overcome.

She was a pioneer in many areas and she left behind much goodwill wherever she lived. One trait she left us is that no matter how challenged our lives are, we should always lend a hand to those in need. We learnt from her that even when you are crying, you should not ignore the tears of others.

Florita is survived by her sister, Laura Richards and her husband Femi Richards, a brother, William McNealy, a sister-in-law, Sarah McNealy, a very special cousin Peter Jackson and scores of nieces and nephews scattered all over the country.

Florita was a devout Catholic and member of St. Patrick’s Church in Detroit, Michigan. As we mourn her passing, may we find strength in knowing that death is only a transition and the spirit lives forever. For those who have toiled long and hard, a respite from the rigors of life is well earned. We cannot afford to deny her the rest she so rightly deserves. It is up to us to keep her memory alive in ways that would immortalize the impact she made in our lives.

She was buried on Tuesday, December 16, at the Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst and is resting in peace. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

Amesbury, MA, Claire “Pat “(Granfield) O’Connor 86 passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on December 13, 2014. She was preceded in death by her husband Justin H. O’Connor, son Thomas O’Connor, parents William and Lillian Granfield, sister Catherine (Rena) McNulty, and brother John Granfield, and son in law Jake Bigham .She lived in Amherst MA and worked at the University of Massachusetts Housing department before retiring in 1993. She was Eucharistic minister at St. Brigid’s church and a member of the Cursillo of the Springfield Diocese.

She leaves her six children Mary O’Connor of Amesbury MA, Eileen (O’Connor ) Iacobucci and son in law Mark of Palm Harbor FL, Annie O’Connor and son in law  Steve Schwartz of Wappingers Falls NY, Judy Bigham of Seattle WA                   Bill O’Connor and daughter in law Joy (Dean) O’Connor of Londonderry NH and Peggy O’Connor of Punta Gorda FL. Thirteen Grandchildren ; Miranda Belmont Ryan O’Connor, Hailey O’Connor, MIkaela Iacobucci, Justin O’Connor ,Mackenzie O’Connor, Raina Bigham, Liam O’Connor, Thomas Iacobucci, Lula Bigham, Idabelle Bigham, Marcella O’Connor, and Nonni Schwartz, and great grandchild Alex Hickman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 AM, Friday December 19, 2014, at St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow at 12:00 PM in Calvery Cemetery, Chicopee. Calling hours will be held Thursday December 18, form 6 – 8 PM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

Memorial donations can be made to St.Brigid’s Church P.O. Box 424 Amherst, MA 01004. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.

AMHERST, Doris A. Atkins died at the Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA on December 4, 2014. She was born in Bristol, CT on August 6, 1933, the daughter of the late Walter A. Zeiner and Edith (Blinn) Zeiner. She graduated from Terryville, CT High School in 1951 and received a B.A. degree from the University of Connecticut at Storrs in 1976.

She was a member of the Plymouth Grange #72 in Plymouth, CT and the Whigville Grange #48 for over 60 years. She was also a member of the South Congregational Church and the Thursday Club in Amherst.

She was predeceased by her husband, William C. Atkins in December of 2006, by her daughter, Donna Lee Maynard, and by her brother, Walter A. Zeiner of Mt. Dora, Florida.

Mrs. Atkins leaves her son, David Maynard, of Long Island, New York and her daughter-in-law Linda Winkler of Kingston, PA, her nephew Scott Zeiner of Sarasota, FL, her sister-in-law Elizabeth Zeiner of Mt. Dora, FL, and several cousins. She also leaves five step children: Chandler Atkins of Queensbury, NY, Dr. James Atkins of Goldsboro, NC, Linda Thompson of Warrenton, VA, Holly Pelissier of Nipomo. CA, Elizabeth Vega of Goldsboro, NC, and a number of step grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

Douglass Funeral Services will be in charge of the arrangements. At Mrs. Atkins request, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. A committal service will be held in Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst on Wednesday, December 10 at 11 AM. Reverend Fran Ruthven from South Congregational Church will conduct the service. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

Service details, Social networking, Memorial Guestbook and Slideshow are available here.