Rarely making anything for herself, she used her creative talents to make quilts, clothing and other craft items for family and friends. A hobby gardner, her gardens were much admired.  She loved to bake and any occasion was a welcome chance to turn on the oven.

Anne taught middle and high school home economics for many years. Most recently, she served special education students. Her many students benefited from Anne’s warmth, patience and boundless support. Her co-workers appreciated her dedication, competence and professionalism.

When found in early stages, ovarian cancer is often treatable. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in honor of Anne that supports early detection research to benefit others affected by this disease.

Make check out to:  Gynecologic Research Program Fund

Send to: Massachusetts General Hospital

c/o Michael J. Birrer MD PhD

55 Fruit Street

Boston MA 02114

Calling hours will be Monday October 28, from 4 – 7 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday Oct. 29, at 10:00 at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley. Burial will be private. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

Robert Mark Weis

1956 – 2013

Amherst, Robert Mark Weis, 57, of Amherst, Massachusetts died at home on Sunday, October 20^th, 2013.  Born August 31^st, 1956 in Tallahassee, Fl, he was the third son of Verna Kugler Weis and the late Vernon Weis.  Bob spent his youth in Cincinnati, OH where he discovered his love of the natural world and science.  He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Chemistry, earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Stanford University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California Berkeley.   He joined the faculty of the Chemistry Department at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 1988 where he shared his passion for science with numerous students and colleagues.  Bob was a John and Fannie Hertz Graduate Fellow, a Jane Coffin Childs Postdoctoral Fellow, a Beckman Young Investigator, cofounder of Protein Attachment Technologies, LLC and was awarded 3 US Patents for his discoveries.  Bob is survived by his loving wife, colleague, and friend, Elizabeth Connor, and his beloved son, Connor James Weis.  Also surviving Bob are his mother, Verna Kugler Weis of Forest, Virginia; his two brothers, Richard Weis (Barbara Rogers) of Lexington, KY; William Weis (Marta) of Lynchburg, VA; his sisters-in-spirit, Mary Jane Connor of Easton, NY and Kathleen Connor (Thomas Cove) of Takoma Park, MD; his nephews, Jeff Weis (Valerie Feldman), Kevin Weis, William Cove, and Jack Cove; and his niece, Elizabeth Cove; and many relatives and friends.  He will be remembered for his gentle nature, humility, wry humor, hours coaching Connor’s soccer and basketball teams, and his resilience in the face of great adversity. Calling hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst on Friday, October 25^th from 5-8PM and a celebration of Bob’s life will be held at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst on Saturday, October 26^th at 10AM.  Contributions may be sent to the Fort River Elementary School Fund for Science Education established in Bob’s memory c/o Amherst Schools Business Office, 170 Chestnut Street, Amherst, MA 01002. Bob’s courage and perseverance were examples to us.  He will be dearly missed by his students, friends, and family. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

March 24, 1963 – October 17, 2013

Amherst, Michael Patrick Kane Sr. was born and raised in Northampton, Massachusetts.  He met and married Amy Costigan in Hatfield, Massachusetts.  They settled in Amherst, Massachusetts in November, 1992. Michael is survived by Amy, his wife of 24 years, his loving sons Michael Kane and Nathan Kane, his mother Frances Satterlee, his sister Susan Dillon, his brothers John Kane and his wife Betty, Paul Kane and his wife Letty, Karl Kane and his wife Hadiya and by his brother-in-law, John Costigan, sister-in-laws, Ruby Schmid and her husband Charles, Jenny Costigan and Peggy Costigan and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his father John Kane, brother David Kane, sister-in-law Jackie Costigan and brother-in-law Hubert Costigan. Michael was a graduate of Northampton High School.  He was a prize winning competitive swimmer in high school and competed all over Massachusetts. He worked for Northampton PVTA and was an occasional school bus driver for Five Star Bus Inc. Michael was an avid New England Patriot fan.  He often told his sons that even when the team was at the bottom years ago, he always supported them.  Michael and his sons enjoyed the Patriots vs. Tampa Bay game in Foxboro, Mass. in late September.  He loved to watch his sons wrestling matches and was a huge supporter of all they did.This summer, he enjoyed kayaking and swimming with his family.  He enjoyed taking day trips with Amy to visit his brother-in-law John, from Old Lyme, Connecticut.  The three of them would usually end up at Mohegan Sun casino. Michael ran daily in the many parks, trails, and tracks in town. He was a loving family man who always had time for family and friends.  He enjoyed the company of his good neighbors and the sense of community that surrounded him.  He will be deeply missed. Calling hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Service,  Amherst, on Thursday,  October 24^th from 5:00-8:00pm.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

BLANCHE RANDLES

AMHERST, MA- Blanche Lois Bean Randles, passed away on Oct. 14 at the Extended Care at Amherst with her daughter at her side. Born in Michigan in 1917, her parents were Arlo and Mildred Bean. She grew up in Fla. where she met and married Wesley C. Randles in 1940. They had a very active life, moving and traveling often, both for work and pleasure.

They were both amateur (ham) radio operators, Blanche having received her license in 1954 as W4GXZ, Wesley as W4COW. She helped start radio chapters in both Fla. and New England and was an officer and founding member in many of them.

She was also a member and officer of the Order of Eastern Star in Framingham MA and was Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Girls in Framingham for many years.

She is predeceased by her husband Wesley of 63 years and her brother Arlo (Bud) Bean Jr. She is survived by her daughter Diane Kjeldsen and son-in-law Erik, a brother Harry P. Bean Sr. of New Port Richey Fla., and by numerous nieces and nephews and a lifetime of friends all over the country.

She had a very good and full life. There will be a private celebration of that life at a later date. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

BELCHERTOWN- Wayne S Cote 49, died at home surrounded by his loving family. Wayne was a graduate of Pathfinder Regional High School, class of 1982. Wayne enjoyed a love a nature and had a black belt in Jujitsu. He will be deeply missed by his loving wife Elise Cote; their son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Kristal Cote of Belchertown; and their daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Aimee, Jacob, and Isabella Korzec of West Warren.  He also leaves his mother-in-law, Anne Peterson of Belchertown; three “sisters”-Laurie Peterson of Three Rivers, Renee Marsh and Kristy Pelletier, both of Belchertown; two “brothers”- Benjamin Duby of Three Rivers, and Robert Wilson of Belchertown; and “grandmother” Theresa Gregoire of Ludlow. Additionally, he is survived by his mother Sandra Bisson and her husband Denis, of New Hampshire; four sisters- Stephanie Cote of Florida, Christine Hebert of Thornike, Laura Zotz and Joline House, both of California; one brother, Mike Nelson of North Carolina; and several beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins. Calling hours will be Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 4 – 7 pm, followed by a brief eulogy, at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. To honor his memory: In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Mail to:  Ms. Sharon Hoey, Conservation Trust and Urban Parks Trust Fund, Skinner State Park, Department of Conservation and Recreation, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA  02114. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

MAURICE “MO” ST. ONGE

AMHERST, Maurice “Mo” St. Onge, 46, died unexpectedly in Amherst on October 6, 2013.  Born in Ware, MA on May 23, 1967, he was the son of the late Armand and Arlene (Dupuis) St. Onge both of Ware. Maurice was a 1985 graduate of Tantasqua Regional High School. He worked for 10 years at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He is survived by his sisters Camille St. Onge Magin and Suzanne Tanzyus. A Memorial Service and Reception will be held at the First Baptist Church of Amherst, 434 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, on Saturday, October 12, from 1 to 3 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Eliot CHS Homeless Services, 1 Prince St., Northampton, MA 01060, The Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Rd., Amherst, MA 01002, Not Bread Alone, 165 Main St., Amherst, MA 01002 or First Baptist Church of Amherst, 434 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

LESLEY (LES) BARTUS

PUTNEY, VT – Lesley (Les) Paul Bartus, 55, of Putney, Vermont, died unexpectedly at home on Wednesday, September 18, 2013. Born on September 18, 1958, Les was the son of the late John J. Bartus, Jr. and Mary (Marcinowski) Bartus.

Les grew up in Leverett, Massachusetts and attended Leverett Elementary School and the Amherst Regional Jr. High and High Schools. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1979 and was honorably discharged in 1989 at the rank of Staff Sergeant (E-6). After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Les attended Johnson State College and Castleton College and he took great pride in being admitted to the writers’ guild.

Les had a life long love of hunting, fishing and trapping. One of the highlights of his life was a safari hunting trip to South Africa in 2007. He enjoyed all kinds of hunting and fishing, and was considered an expert writer on those topics. His articles on hunting and fishing were published in a number of sporting magazines and newsletters, including Traditional Bowhunter, Game and Fish, Vermont Outdoors and Crossroads Anglers.

Survivors include his brother, Kenneth Bartus of South Deerfield, his sister Rebecca Clogston of Northampton and his nephew Daniel Clogston.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Wednesday, October 9th, at 10:00 a.m. in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions 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.

Robert {Bob} F. Williams

1958 – 2013

Amherst-Robert {Bob} F. Williams, 55, of Sturbridge, MA. died Sunday Sept. 29, 2013 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Born March 25, 1958 in Springfield, he was the son of the late Alfred and Irene {Daly} Williams. 

Robert grew up in Longmeadow and graduated from Longmeadow High School, where he was a member of the Varsity Swim Team and received numerous Chess Club awards. Robert was a 1984 graduate of Wesleyan University and Western New England University School of Law in 1993. He loved keeping in touch with all his Facebook Friends! And was a long time Real Estate developer in FL, CT and MA.  

Robert is survived by his four sisters, Sheila E. Williams and husband David Bruce of NYC, Judith V. Williams-Newcomb and husband Bob of Amherst, Lynn Williams Kincaid and husband Robert of MO, Victoria {Tory} M.W. Dixon and husband Juan of Amherst, nieces and nephews Madeline, Olivia, Irene, Juliet, Keith, Devin and Zachary. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Joyce and Frank Warren of NY, Kevin and Joan Daly of Ireland, Mary Fahey of West Springfield and many cousins and friends from MA, NY, WI, England and Ireland.  

Robert was pre-deceased by his parents Alfred and Irene Williams and physician and friend, Dr. Anthony Lovell. 

His family would like to offer special thanks to the loving and caring staff at Calvin Coolidge, and to Cindy Baecher and the team of nurses and doctors at The Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton EMT’s and Lifeflight crew and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. 

A graveside service will be Saturday October 5, 2013 at 10:00 AM at LongmeadowCemetery. Calling hours will be Friday from 4 – 6 PM at The Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst, with a reception to follow in Amherst from 6 – 9 PM. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to The Resident Activity Fund, Calvin Coolidge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 548 Elm St. Northampton, MA 01060. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com

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

AMHERST, Dr. Gerry Andler of Amherst, 50, passed away suddenly on September 19^th, 2013 after a swift and courageous battle with cancer.

Gerry was born on July 8, 1963, in Beverly, Massachusetts. He graduated from St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Massachusetts, in 1981, and attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut and Suffolk University in Boston before completing his chiropractic residency at Cleveland Chiropractic College in Los Angeles in 1988.

Gerry began his chiropractic career in Springfield, Massachusetts, at Advanced Back & Neck Center from 1992-1998. In 1999, Gerry left Springfield to pursue his dream of opening his own practice, Back in Motion Chiropractic in Belchertown. Committed to wellness and holistic health, Gerry’s skilled hands treated hundreds of patients at Back in Motion over his 14 years of practice. His devotion to his many patients was reciprocated by their loyalty and affection for him.

Gerry was a talented and avid athlete and sports enthusiast, excelling at everything he participated in from skiing to Ultimate Frisbee. He was an active hockey player and competed in three adult leagues for over 20 years – creating a brotherhood of teammates and lifelong friends. Gerry’s other enduring passion was mountain biking; he could be seen biking the trails around the valley on any given day regardless of the conditions.

Gerry had a kind spirit, a calming energy and vibrant smile. He lived an energetic lifestyle and loved reading, meditating, journaling, and educating himself.  Gerry was a nurturing and committed family man, enjoying the many gifts of fatherhood, whether on family journeys, memorable days at beach or watching his girls grow. His life was devoted to helping his family, patients, and friends to be joyful and healthy. Kind of heart and gentle of spirit Gerry will be deeply missed by his family, friends, many teammates, and community of well cared for patients.

Dr. Gerry Andler leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Denise Emmons Andler, formerly of Woburn, Massachusetts; his cherished daughters, Arielle and Hailey; his mother, Marilyn Kramer Andler, of Swampscott; his brother, William Andler of Salem, and his brother Robert Andler, of Rochester, NY as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.

A celebration of Gerry’s life will be held on October 13^th, 2013 at the Red Barn at Hampshire College from 2-5pm. Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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

IRENE K. KNIHNICKI

SOUTHAMPTON, Irene Katherine Knihnicki, 89, died on Sept. 25, 2013 at the Linda Manor Extended Care Facility in Leeds. Born on January 10, 1924 in Amherst, MA she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Katherine (Lecko) Knihnicki.

Irene graduated from Amherst High School and Northampton Commercial College. She learned to fly at Northampton Airport and soloed for about 10 hours on a student’s license.

Irene worked for the Department of the Army at West Point Academy in New York for 30 years as the Executive Assistant to the Principal of the Dependents School, where she earned numerous Excellence in Service awards. She traveled extensively with family and friends upon her retirement.

Through the years she took on the care giving role for her father, sister-in-law, mother and sister in Arizona. She moved back to Massachusetts six years ago to live with her sister Florence.

Besides her parents, Irene was predeceased by her sister Eleanor, age 11, in 1936 and her sister Helen Blake of Page, AZ. She is survived by her brother Edwin Knihnicki and his wife Pauline of Sunderland; her brother Richard Knihnicki and Marilyn Berube of Sutton, VT; her sister Florence Droy of Southampton; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be Friday, Sept. 27, at 11:00 a.m. at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst with burial following in South Amherst Cemetery. A calling hour will precede the service from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Unit at Linda Manor, 349 Haydenville Rd., Leeds, MA 01053 or VNA & Hospice of Cooley Dickinson, 168 Industrial Dr., Northampton, MA 01060.  Obituary and memorial register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

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