AMHERST, MA: Jill Avrunin died on March 2 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital from complications of pancreatic cancer that was diagnosed in early January.  Her husband, George, and daughter, Eleanor, were with her.

Jill was born in 1946 in Yonkers, NY, to Eileen (Ullman) Spitz and Alvin Spitz, and grew up in New Rochelle.  She graduated from NYU and moved west for a few years, working several jobs including as a keno writer in a casino in Reno.  She came to Amherst in the early 1970s and got a second bachelor’s degree and a master’s in biostatistics from the University of Massachusetts.

She worked for many years as a researcher in the School of Public Health at UMass and then worked on quality of care research for five years at Baystate Medical Center before retiring in 2013. Outside of work, Jill was a talented and generous cook, a voracious reader, and an avid sports fan.

Her family is very grateful for the wonderful care Jill received over the last two months at Cooley Dickinson, especially in the Emergency Department. 

In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please send contributions in her memory to the campaign to expand the Cooley Dickinson Emergency Department (https://www.cooleydickinson.org/giving/campaigns-and-initiatives/).

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Eric Day, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 following a brief decline due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

 

He was born on January 12, 1938 in Darlington, England. Like many working-class children, Eric left school at the age of fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship as a roll turner at a local steel mill. A post WWII program created to relieve the shortage of engineers gave Eric the opportunity to pursue training as an engineer while also working at the mill. After years of balancing both work and his studies, he graduated from Darlington Technical College at the top of his class with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a development engineer for Cummins Engine Company, United Technologies, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems where he focused on fuel pump and brake design. His creative design work led to a number of patents. He spent forty-two years as an engineer, twenty-eight of those at Cummins.

 

Eric is survived by his wife Claire, son Andrew Day, daughter Julie Day and son-in-law Tom Davidson, grandchildren Holden Davidson and Serafina Day, his sister Eveline Wilson, brother-in-law Bob Wilson and nephews Stephen and Jonathan Wilson.

 

In 1974, Eric, his wife, Claire, and their children moved to the United States. They lived in Columbus, Indiana until 1983 when they moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Eric and Claire moved to Easthampton, Massachusetts ten years ago.

 

Eric loved sailing, skiing, hiking, duplicate bridge, opera, classical music, his family, and his dogs. He and his wife loved to travel. They were both founding members of the Yorkshire-based Swaledale Outdoor Club. Eric was also someone who enjoyed his own company. He spent many hours solo skiing or sailing Long Island Sound, working on his boats, and watching the clouds drift over Mt. Tom. Family stories of his adventures hitchhiking as a teenager through Europe, his time in the Royal Air Force during his two years of military service, and all his other adventures emphasized his independent spirit, his perseverance, and his fearlessness.

 

He was preceded in death by his father Sam Day and mother Evelyn Day (Gregson).

 

The family would like to thank the many people who helped him in his long journey with Alzheimer’s: Cathie, Alan, Barbara, Joanna, Ingar, Michael, Iedes, Katerina, plus the staff of Linda Manor and Hospice of the Fisher Home. The family would also like to thank all those who supported the various family members through this time.

 

There will be a memorial service at Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield March 23^rd at 11am.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home (fisherhome.org).

 

Eric Day, devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and friend passed away on March 1, 2024 following a brief decline due to complications from Alzheimer’s.

He was born on January 12, 1938 in Darlington, England. Like many working-class children, Eric left school at the age of fifteen, after which he served an apprenticeship as a roll turner at a local steel mill. A post WWII program created to relieve the shortage of engineers gave Eric the opportunity to pursue training as an engineer while also working at the mill. After years of balancing both work and his studies, he graduated from Darlington Technical College at the top of his class with a degree in mechanical engineering. He worked as a development engineer for Cummins Engine Company, United Technologies, and Jacobs Vehicle Systems where he focused on fuel pump and brake design. His creative design work led to a number of patents. He spent forty-two years as an engineer, twenty-eight of those at Cummins.

Eric is survived by his wife Claire, son Andrew Day, daughter Julie Day and son-in-law Tom Davidson, grandchildren Holden Davidson and Serafina Day, his sister Eveline Wilson, brother-in-law Bob Wilson and nephews Stephen and Jonathan Wilson.

In 1974, Eric, his wife, Claire, and their children moved to the United States. They lived in Columbus, Indiana until 1983 when they moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Eric and Claire moved to Easthampton, Massachusetts ten years ago.

Eric loved sailing, skiing, hiking, duplicate bridge, opera, classical music, his family, and his dogs. He and his wife loved to travel. They were both founding members of the Yorkshire-based Swaledale Outdoor Club. Eric was also someone who enjoyed his own company. He spent many hours solo skiing or sailing Long Island Sound, working on his boats, and watching the clouds drift over Mt. Tom. Family stories of his adventures hitchhiking as a teenager through Europe, his time in the Royal Air Force during his two years of military service, and all his other adventures emphasized his independent spirit, his perseverance, and his fearlessness.

He was preceded in death by his father Sam Day and mother Evelyn Day (Gregson).

The family would like to thank the many people who helped him in his long journey with Alzheimer’s: Cathie, Alan, Barbara, Joanna, Ingar, Michael, Iedes, Katerina, plus the staff of Linda Manor and Hospice of the Fisher Home. The family would also like to thank all those who supported the various family members through this time.

There will be a memorial service at Unitarian Universalist Society of Greater Springfield March 23^rd at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully asks that contributions be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home (fisherhome.org).

AMHERST, MA: Maria “Helen” Salvador passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 28, after a short illness.  

Maria Helena Molina Celes was born Bogota, Colombia in 1930, immigrated to New York City at age 16, and became a naturalized US citizen on September 6, 1966.  She worked tirelessly to improve herself, completing training to become a hairdresser and learning the English language.  She loved living in NYC.    

Helen married John Salvador in 1964, and they lived in Queens for a few years until they moved out to Port Jefferson Station on Long Island.  When raising their two children, she advocated to ensure they had every opportunity to succeed and instilled the importance of education.  She insisted on music lessons, reading and doing well in school.  The beach was a special place to her, taking her kids to swim lessons every day in the summers and on weekend family trips.  She was a role model, even attending English classes at a local college and starting tennis lessons in her 50’s.  

One of Helen’s gifts was being a great friend.  She went to dinners and shows in NYC with other young women from Colombia, she and John hosted frequent weekend barbecues for many years, and she had several women that she spoke with on the phone almost every day for decades.  She was always ready to help a friend – to watch their child, drive them to an appointment, or navigate a government process.  Her friend groups included the crowd of Colombian families, Portuguese families, and neighbors.  She cherished traditional gatherings like the Leon’s Christmas party and picnics at the state park.  

Helen was a beautiful person inside and out.  She was a strong woman who stood up for what she believed in for herself, her family, her friends, and strangers. She made other people feel important and demonstrated unconditional love. She taught others so much about life, by the way she lived and her funny and important stories.  She laughed easily and made us laugh often.  Her faith was important to her, she was a practicing Catholic for her entire life.  

Helen’s pride and joy was her family.  She told everyone about the accomplishments of her family, especially her grandchildren.  She loved times when everyone could be together on a cruise, in San Diego and at graduation celebrations. 

Helen and John moved to Texas in 2011 to be near their daughter Sue’s family.  There they enjoyed the grandkids’ school and church activities.   They moved to Amherst three years ago, spending every minute she could with her son Doug’s family.  She was happy to get back to New York to see old friends, go to a Broadway show and shop in Manhattan.  She attended her grandchildren’s sports and school activities.  She lived her life independently with John and was vibrant up until the short illness in her final days.   

Helen is survived by her husband John; daughter Sue and her husband Tom, grandchildren Jimmy (wife Sophia) and Valerie; her son Doug and his wife Erin, grandchildren Ingrid and Cole.  

A funeral mass will be held on Monday, March 4 at 10am at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 122 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.

In lieu of flowers and to honor Helen’s advocacy of women and those in need, a donation may be made in her name to the Center for the Women of New York, https://cwny.org,  or Amherst Survival Center, https://amherstsurvival.org/.  

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

AMHERST, MA. Martha Aldrich Mitchell passed at the age of 93 after a brief illness on February 11, 2024.

 Martha grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts where she graduated from Brookline High School in 1948. She attended Emerson College in Boston, majoring in theater and was active with the Boston Tributary Theatre, playing lead roles in their productions in the late 1940s. In 1951, Martha left college to begin a family and raise her five children, first living in Arlington and then Acton. She also spent many summers in Maine. 

Martha was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Merritt James Aldrich and Doris Cuzner, the eldest of three girls.  She is survived by her sons Andrew J. Scott, Amherst, MA, David Laird Scott, Los Angeles, CA, daughters Elizabeth C. Wells (Michael), Grand Haven, MI, and Deborah L. Scott (David Rogers), Brooklyn, NY, her sister Deborah A. Dufton (Richard), Hampden, ME, her half-brother Merritt James Aldrich,  Jr., Los Alamos, NM, granddaughters Courtney A. Rogers (Chris Tomei), Brooklyn, NY, and Briana Rogers (Frank Visciano), Amsterdam, Netherlands, three great grandchildren Lucy, Jude and Olivia, as well as numerous beloved nephews and nieces. Martha was preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Alison Mitchell and her youngest sister, Suzanne Fletcher.

 Her love of plays and theater led her to being active in Community Theater at the Arlington Friends of the Drama and the Dettor’s Theater in Acton, Massachusetts. She volunteered for high school productions in Acton, designing and sewing costumes, and supporting local students.  In 1980, she moved to Amherst, Massachusetts to study playwriting at the University of Massachusetts where she received her BA degree. Later, she completed a Master of Arts degree with an emphasis in playwriting at Smith College.

 She worked for the Western Massachusetts Food Bank and was active in Grace Episcopal Church in Amherst.  Martha loved gardening and grew beautiful English style gardens like those she saw on her many trips to England visiting the birthplace of her mother, Doris Cuzner Aldrich, and visiting her English cousins. Martha also loved history, reading, writing, and her cats Ivan, Gabriel and Blaise. 

 Her greatest joy in life was her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  

A Memorial Service will be held on June 8, 2024, 11:00am, at the Grace Episcopal Church, 14 Boltwood Ave. Amherst, Ma. 01002

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

TURNER FALLS,MA: It is with great sadness that the family and friends of Anne Elizabeth Hollis Stuart are sharing the news of her passing on February 6, 2024.

Anne was born in Raleigh, NC on May 20, 1968 to Alastair MacDonald Stuart and Dr. Elizabeth Sutton Stuart. The family moved to Amherst, Mass. where Anne made life-long friendships with neighbors and classmates. She was a 1986 graduate of Amherst Regional High School and she then went on to earn her associate’s degree at Greenfield Community College and her bachelor’s degree in interior design at the University of Massachusetts.

Anne met her soul mate and fiancé, James E. Dresser III, when they both worked at Yankee Candle. Thus began a whirlwind romance that started with a trip to Aruba and culminated in 26 years filled with adventures and beautiful memories together. They had houses in Amherst and Turners Falls, which Anne furnished using her design skills, and they made friends and built community wherever they were.

Anne worked in the fundraising departments at Smith College and the local Girl Scout Council. She also worked for the Town of Montague and volunteered for many organizations, including Greenfield Community College, 4-H and The Montague Reporter. She was a member of Amherst Rotary, following in the footsteps of her parents. She supported many other local organizations such as Hospice of the Fisher Home, Leverett Co-op and numerous others.

Her compassion overflowed and she was known to always lend a hand or an ear for friends in need. Known for her lists and organization, Anne never missed a birthday and always took the time to send hand-written letters and care packages to friends and family, near and far.

She cherished all the children in her life and had special relationships with her niece, Rachel and her nephew, Andrew. Rachel lived with Anne and James when she was going through a hard time and Anne nurtured and helped her to see a bright future. Rachel recalls that Anne was also a best friend and her biggest advocate.

 Anne loved fine food, high tea, entertaining and the arts. She and James were season ticket holders at Tanglewood for many years, always inviting friends to join in the experience.

Survivors include Anne’s brother, Samuel Stuart (Michelle) of Sunnyvale, CA and her niece and nephew, Rachel Stuart and Zachary Stuart; her niece Jacquelyn Larios (Brandon) and nephew Andrew (Abigail) and their daughter, Elizabeth Jane. She also leaves James’ two sons, Robert L. Dresser and James E. Dresser IV (Brittany) and their three children: Owen, Joel and Aiden. She leaves many cousins, aunts and uncles and countless friends. Anne was predeceased by both parents .If you knew Anne; you knew the spark of joy that she brought to every room she entered. Those who loved her know that Anne’s light shines on.

A Celebration of Anne’s Life will be held on March 17 from 1 to 5 p.m.at St. Brigid’s Parish Hall, 122 N. Pleasant St., Amherst.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Anne’s name to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002 or to Girl Scouts of Central & Western Mass., Worcester Leadership Center, 115 Century Dr., Worcester, MA 01606.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Sylvia Joan Burruto passed away on February 15, 2024, in the presence of her loving husband of 61 years John Burruto following a prolonged period of declining health.

Sylvia was born in Brooklyn, NY on Halloween in 1939 to a Jewish refugee mother fleeing Nazi tyranny carrying her daughter in her womb.

Sylvia’s biological mother at age 18 started a new life in the U.S. and gave her baby, then named Dinah Casewitz-Oppenheimer, over to the care of a Jewish social service agency hoping her father would soon follow her to New York.

 

Tragically, baby Dinah’s father, along with his parents, were deported to concentration camps where they were subsequently murdered.

After a year or so in foster care, baby Dinah was adopted by her new parents; Harry and Pearl Felderstein, and began a new life as Sylvia Joan Felderstein of Rochester, NY.

Raised by her new parents Harry & Pearl and surrounded by an extended and close-knit family, Sylvia went on to study art at Syracuse University and later the University of Rochester where she met a man from the other side of the tracks who turned out to be the love of her life, John Burruto.

Married to John in 1963, the couple sought out adventure in Los Angeles, California where they had their first son Justin. Returning to Rochester, John and Sylvia had their second son David.

As John’s career in public education advanced, they moved to Amherst, MA where they settled for the next 50 years and where John served as the principal of the Amherst Regional Junior High School for over 20 years.

 

During her time in Amherst, Sylvia raised her two boys and pursued many career endeavors including as the founding secretary of the Jewish Community of Amherst.  

Sylvia’s professional life was a lesson in reinvention, taking on new challenges and overcoming obstacles.  She was a devoted mother, wife, and businesswoman with a sharp wit and ready retort for any circumstance – mostly for the better.

In the 1980s, Sylvia pursued a career in real estate becoming a local agent as she was by then a well-known figure in the community.  

In the next decade, Sylvia started her own business by taking over the former Alexander’s Jewelers in Northampton specializing in estate jewelry – a discipline she learned by working in and mastering the lessons of the trade.  

After leaving the jewelry business, Sylvia, always with an eye for crafts and style, again reinvented herself by learning about and mastering the dealing of antiques, specifically American primitive pieces – a discipline informed by living and working in New England.  Sylvia maintained booths in antique shops in various retail houses in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut stocked by her purchases gleaned from area auctions, estate sales, and markets.

Sylvia is survived by her husband John, her eldest son Justin and his husband Michael Duffy, her son David and his wife Star and granddaughter Daisy.

Services will be announced at a later date. Donations to the World Jewish Congress in her name would be preferred in lieu of flowers.

 

 

HADLEY, MA. Myrna Anderson Cook, age 74, of Hadley MA, passed away February 6th, 2024, peacefully in her home with her husband at her beside, after a short illness.  
She was born on July 27, 1949, in Southbridge, MA, to John and Dorothy Anderson.   She lived her childhood there, attending the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA, where she graduated in 1971 with a degree in Elementary Education.   Upon graduation, she taught third grade at Brookfield Elementary school. She married Richard Cook on September 7, 1974, and settled in Montpelier, VT.  Her first son, Kevin, was born in 1980 and her second son, Kenny, was born in 1989. Myrna and her husband, along with Kenny, relocated to Richard’s hometown of Hadley, MA in 1999 after 25 years in VT, to be closer to their aging parents.

Myrna enjoyed many home-making hobbies, including gardening of flowers, vegetables, and fruit, as well as cooking, baking, and latch-hook-rug making.  She also had a love of Golden Retrievers, of which she had many. Throughout her life, Myrna was a devoted mother to her son Kenny, who had Downs Syndrome, and required much hands-on attention and care. She also was a loving grandmother to her 3 grandchildren, and always loved spending time with them she was able, including her weekly phone calls to them in NJ as well as visits on holidays and and in the summer. 

Myrna is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard Cook, of Hadley, MA; her three grandchildren, Bryce Richard, Paige Taylor, and Quinn Kevin, along with her daughter-in-law, Sara Webb Cook, all of Lebanon Township, NJ; her twin brother, John Anderson, and wife Mary Ellen Anderson, of Sturbridge, MA; brother Robert Anderson of Ma.; brother-in-law, Peter Cook and wife Betsey, of Hadley MA; brother-in-law, Gordon Cook, of Hadley, MA; brother-in-law, Todd Loebel, of Hadley, MA; and many nieces and nephews, close friends and neighbors. 

Myrna sadly was pre-deceased by her two sons- Kenny on May 16, 2016 and Kevin, on March 11, 2023; she was also pre-deceased by her two sister-in-laws, Judith Cook Loebel and Beth Cook, both of Hadley, MA.

Calling hours will take place on Friday, February 16, 2024, from 10a-12p at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 north Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.

A short memorial service and prayer will be held immediately following calling hours. 

Food and Fellowship Celebration of Life will be held at Hadley American Legion, 162 Russell Street, Hadley MA., from 1pm-330pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Riverside Industries, 1 Cottage St, Easthampton, MA 01027.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Martha Ailine Belanger completed her earthly journey and joined the Lord in Heaven on Monday January 29th. Martha was born on April 30, 1942, in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada to the late Dollard and Alphena Page Belanger. She was one of seven children. Always outgoing and adventurous, Martha studied to become a secretary before leaving Canada at the age of 21 and venturing to Connecticut to begin the next chapter of her life. Even though Martha spoke English as a second language, as she was French-Canadian, her determination and persistence allowed her to quickly find administrative work for a large insurance firm in Hartford, CT. It was during this time that she met the man who would become the father to five of her children, Joseph, at a YMCA dance. Joe will tell you that he saw her instantly across the room, drawn to her infectious laughter. They went for a grinder and that led to marriage and five beautiful children. Although the marriage ended in divorce, the two remained lifelong friends. 

After years in offices Martha changed careers and went into healthcare, eventually retiring as a CNA helping people in their homes. Martha was known to be among the most loving and selfless people you could ever meet. Her time was spent helping others, not just those she worked with, but especially her children. Never one to put herself first, Martha’s every thought and action was in the service of others. A devout Catholic, her daily prayers included all members of her family both in the US and Canada. 

Always full of love and a zest for life, Martha caught the eye of another gentleman, Paul, and together they had Martha’s sixth child. Paul and Martha were together for over 35 years before Paul’s passing in 2020. 

Family was everything to Martha. She could often be found with at least one of her children but If Martha was with one of her children, she would call another, and another, and before long plans were being made for a family outing to a park, or beach, or a meal, or just a nice visit. She was happiest when all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were gathered enjoying food, music, singing, and dancing together. Martha, along with most of her family, especially loved to dance. Martha enjoyed the simple, often overlooked things in life. A ride in the car made her smile, as did a simple hot dog, and let’s not forget the grinder that led to five of her six children, or donuts with Paul. 

Time in nature was an important part of Martha’s life. She walked every day and would watch the birds and admire the flowers, seeing the beauty in everything from a finch or wildflower to the brightest Cardinal and most delicate rose. She would also point out the various creatures as they went about their activities. Martha loved animals and spent time caring for her many dogs and cats over the years.

Martha was greeted in heaven by her parents, three of her siblings, her daughter Suzanne, her grandson Andres, and her longtime companion Paul. 

Martha is forever loved and missed by her children Dorine, Anna Ponchita, Bella, David, and Paul Shawn; 10 grandchildren, Taja, Vanessa, Maya, Sean, Harmony, Juan, Aurora, Alizea, Fernando, and Starlight; seven great-grandchildren, Annabell, Owen, Odin, Ellabell, Odysseus, Melanie, and Adorabell, and many nieces and nephews. 

Arrangements are with Douglass Funeral Services in Amherst, MA. Calling hours will be Monday February 5, 2024, from 4-6PM. The Funeral Mass will be Tuesday February 6, 2024, at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, Amherst, MA at 11:00AM followed by burial in Wildwood Cemetery. 

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Minnie White (nee Crawford), of Amherst, MA passed away 1/26/2024.  Minnie was born in Ozark, AL in 1936 to Carlton Crawford and Sarah McKinnon.  Her siblings include sisters Grace, Maureen, Nettie, Sarah, and Blanche, and brother Major and the family relocated to Utica, NY, where Minnie eventually met her future husband Robert White.

Minnie worked in various positions throughout her career, most recently retiring from University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she worked as an accounting and payroll specialist.  Minnie was also a faithful member of Goodwin Memorial AME Zion church for many years prior to her illness, performing regularly with the church choir.

Preceded in death by Robert, Minnie is survived by her son, Warren White, her daughter-in-law, Alanna White, her grandson, Samuel White, as well as several nieces and nephews.  Minnie was a loving wife, a devoted mom, a caring mother-in-law, and a doting grandmother.  Her memory is a blessing to us all.

A calling hour will be Thursday, February 1, 2024 form 1pm-2pm with a service following at 2pm. Minnie will be buried in the Mass. Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam with her husband Robert.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com