Suzanne Messing Sznajderman, an immigrant, outspoken feminist, journalist, and beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died on January 18, 2023 in her home in Amherst, Massachusetts. She was just a few weeks shy of her 91^st birthday.

Born in Warsaw, Poland in 1932, Suzanne spent her early childhood in Paris where she and her parents, Eva and Benjamin Messing, migrated in search of greater economic opportunity. Many of Suzanne’s relatives, including all of her mother’s closest family, perished in Poland during the Holocaust. 

In 1941 Suzanne, Eva and Benjamin, along with Benjamin’s two brothers and their families, escaped Nazi-controlled France for New York. Suzanne graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and attended Brooklyn College before transferring to the University of Michigan where she completed degrees in history and journalism. 

After graduating she returned to New York, where she began her journalism career. There she was introduced to Marius Sznajderman, an aspiring artist who would become her husband. Marius had also escaped France with his parents and settled with them in Venezuela before immigrating to New York to attend Columbia University. The couple was introduced by Marius’s aunt Collette, who was his future mother-in-law’s dentist in Europe before the war and later again in New York. Suzanne and Marius were married for 61 years until his death in 2018.

The couple settled in Hackensack, New Jersey, where Suzanne had a position as a reporter at the Bergen Record. When she became pregnant with her first child, Michael, she followed convention and resigned from the Record. She also chose to forgo a graduate degree in journalism at Columbia University, where she had been accepted. Two more children, Tobi and Marc, soon followed.

Her frustration about the limitations placed on married women fueled her interest in feminism. She joined the northern New Jersey chapter of the National Organization for Women and eventually became its president while also pursuing free-lance writing projects focused on women’s issues. She later became a writer and editor at New Directions for Women, an important, nationally distributed feminist newspaper. The relationships Suzanne nurtured in the women’s movement remained strong and important to her throughout her life. 

Suzanne continued to pursue her love of journalism until her final days, posting her reflections and commentaries about contemporary issues on her blog, Roaming Through Life. 

Despite frustrations with traditional gender roles, Suzanne was a loving and caring mother and grandmother, a role that also brought her much joy. She maintained close relationships with all her children and their spouses: Michael (Elaine Witt), Tobi (Joel Harris) and Marc (Jeannette Sznajderman) and her seven grandchildren: Evan, Jesse, Lily, Lina, Noah, Aimee and Rachel. And she stayed connected with dear friends and the extended Sznajderman and Messing families, despite their being spread across the globe. From Israel to France, Germany and Argentina, England and Venezuela, and across the United States, family and friends grieved her passing.

After more than 50 years in their quirky Victorian house in Hackensack, which became a gathering place for writers, artists, feminists and neighborhood kids, Suzanne and Marius moved in 2015 to Applewood, an independent living facility in Amherst, to be closer to Tobi and Joel. At Applewood they enjoyed making new friends and pursuing their artistic and professional interests. Suzanne quickly became active in the community, including helping lead a yearlong commemoration in 2020 of the 100^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment granting women nationwide the right to vote. The celebration culminated in a pandemic-appropriate, socially-distant parade that drew local and regional media attention.    

Both Suzanne and Marius were blessed with vital, sharp minds until the end. And like Marius, Suzanne was surrounded by family and wonderful caregivers when she passed.

A service celebrating Suzanne’s life and legacy will take place on Sunday, April 30, at 11 a.m. at the Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main Street. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Doctors Without Borders, Planned Parenthood or the Yiddish Book Center in Suzanne’s memory.                    

1. Margaret (Warriner) Wright, 85, of Amherst passed away after a short illness on February 10, 2023 at the Fisher House in Amherst.

 

There will be a viewing on Wednesday February 22, 2023 at 10:00 am, followed  by the funeral service at 11:00 am at The Salvation Army 170 Pearl Street Springfield, MA.

 

Margaret was born in Calcutta, India to Joseph and Ada Woods on November 23, 1937. She attended school in Greenfield Mass and graduated Amherst Regional High School Class of 1969. She graduated from Greenfield Community College in 1971 as a Social Worker.  Margaret married Robert Warriner, her high school sweetheart. After Robert’s early death, she married Leonard Rainville and later in life James Wright who she loved dearly. She spent her career as a social worker employed by a variety of businesses including The Salvation Army, Northampton State Hospital and retiring from Highland Valley Elder Services.  She was the daughter of Salvation Army Missionaries in Calcutta and arrived in the United States in 1942.  She spent her life serving the Lord with the Salvation Army as a member of the Springfield Corps since 1958, serving in many roles including as a bandsman and adult Sunday school teacher.  She was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans Women’s Axillary post 92 for many years.  

 

Margaret is preceded in death by Joseph and Ada Woods, Robert Warriner, Leonard Rainville and James Wright. She is survived by sisters Alice Garey of Greenfield, MA, Dorothy Woods of Norwich CT; children Elizabeth Warriner and husband John Hopkins of Floyd Virgina, Mary and husband Louis Raboin of Shutesbury MA, Roberta and husband Donald Piercey of Bradford MA, John and wife Catherine Warriner of Leverett, MA; Grandchildren Kimberly Raboin, Donnie Piercey, Eric Raboin, Christopher Piercey, Andrew Piercey, Keisha Warriner and 9 great grandchildren.  She is also survived by stepchildren – Richard and Betty Wright, Theresa Wright, Steve Meister, step-grandchildren, and step great grandchildren who she loved and treated as her own.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army 170 Pearl Street, Springfield, MA.  

 

There will be a private burial at Wildwood Cemetery in Amherst on Thursday February 23.

 

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Margaret T. Klesch died February 9, 2023 in Hadley, MA.

 

Margaret was born May 16, 1932, a daughter of John and Helen (Chalupka) Siska, in Johnstown, PA. She shared the same birthday with her father. Margaret was predeceased by her parents, her husband of almost 53 years, Robert C. Klesch, her sisters Catherine Pollock, Anna Albacete and Helen Bond; her brothers Steve, Joseph, Baby brother John, Andrew, Edward and Albert, and daughter-in-law, Janine Klesch.

 

She is survived by her son, David; her son Michael and wife Heather; her Daughter, Theresa and husband Paul Smith; Grandchildren Jonathan and Stephanie Smith, Grandson Robert Klesch, and Granddaughter Alexis Klesch, also numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Before she moved to Hadley, MA, Margaret was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Johnstown; where she served as an altar server, an extraordinary minister of the Holy Eucharist, a lector, church sacristan, and received the Prince Gallitzen Cross award in 2012. At 81 years of age, Margaret, at the coaxing of her son Michael and his family, moved to Hadley, MA to live with them. She was a member of Most Holy Redeemer Church in Hadley.

 

Margaret will be taken back to Johnstown, PA for burial beside her love in life, her husband Bob.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Margaret’s name to the Gabriel Project of St. Francis of Assisi Church at 120 Barron Ave., Johnstown PA 15906. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Peter John Rowell, born June 3, 1940, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2023 at the age of 82. A lifelong resident of Amherst, MA, Peter attended Amherst Regional High School and a graduate of Smith Vocational High School (class of 58). After serving as a member of United States Marine Corps, Peter joined the Amherst Fire Department up until his retirement in 1993. Always itching to stay busy, Peter had many additional odd jobs including work at Douglass Funeral Home and as a private chauffeur. Peter grew up with two siblings: Regina Hurrell, currently residing in Florida, and Robert Rowell, who passed away in 2007. For the past decade, Peter and his wife Jean have split their time between Amherst and Easton, MA, and enjoyed watching their three grandchildren grow up right under their noses. Peter is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jean Kzcowski Rowell, his son and daughter-in-law Matthew and Susan Rowell, and three grandchildren: Charlotte, Lucy and Hank. They will miss their Papi dearly.

Calling hours will be held at the Douglass Funeral Home on Monday, February 13 from 5pm – 7pm

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, February 14, 10am at St. Brigid’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Amherst Fire Department staff or St. Bridges Parish. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Mary Ann Osborne (Cleveland) of Amherst (69) gracefully passed away at home Thursday Feb. 2, 2023. She was a friend to so many and family to even more. Mary would have wanted to be known for how big her heart was and how kind her soul was. She lived locally her entire life making an impact on so many in the community. She was an extremely talented baker and loved everything that involved cooking. She solidified a spot in many Dogs hearts. She was a giving lady that didn’t want anyone to go without a piece of her in some way, shape or form.

She is survived by Husband Phillip Osborne of Amherst, son Matthew Cleveland of Ithaca NY., daughter in law Brittney Snyder and Granddaughter Grace Marie Cleveland.

Stepchildren: Kimberly Osborne, Loren Osborne and Ross Osborne.

Sisters: Cheryl Tidlund, Lynn Raskevitz and Julie Carantit.

Brothers : Bruce Cleveland, Joe Cleveland and Mark Cleveland, as well as many others.

Mary would want you to spread joy and love instead of worrying. Let’s all honor that by smiling, telling stories of her life and planting daisies and sunflowers to keep her legacy with us even longer. Calling hours will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 4 – 6 PM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

John (Jack) R. Dalton of Amherst, beloved husband, father, Poppy, friend and educator, entered eternal rest in the loving embrace of his family at home on January 31, 2023 at 93 years of age.

 

Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, John was predeceased by parents, Theresa and William Dalton and siblings Jane Brothers of Worcester and William Dalton of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  

 

Jack was a family man, always having the best interests of his wife, children and grandchildren in mind.  He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and sister in-law:  John Dalton of Sydney, Australia (Kelsey Dalton and Ian: Thea; Reed Dalton) David Dalton and wife Lynn of Golden, Colorado (Hilary Freeman and Patrick: Charlie and Margaret; Matt Dalton and Alexis): Patricia Kozlowski and husband Paul of Lunenburg, MA (Emily Kozlowski; Jacob Kozlowski and Amanda) and Ann Mackay and husband Rob of Berlin, MA (Ryan MacKay and Rachel: Tyler; Alex MacKay and Kathryn; Cory MacKay and Alekxis); Joanne Connell of East Providence, RI. 

Education is Jack’s legacy.  It was something that changed his life. He and Kathy made sure that each of their children and grandchildren had the opportunity to go to college.  Always believing that the best investment you could make was in yourself. 

Jack graduated from La Salle Academy Class of 1947.  He then served on the USS Kearsarge in the United States Navy stationed out of Quonset Point, Rhode Island and was honorably discharged in 1949.  He attended Providence College and graduated in 1953.

 

Jack started his career in education teaching at St. Paul’s School in Covington, Louisiana where he taught English and coached basketball and tennis.  He returned to Rhode Island the following year to marry the love of his life, Kathleen Connell with whom he shared 67 years of marriage until her death last year. Jack’s teaching career brought them to Lowville and then Syracuse, New York where he earned his master’s degree in education.  After teaching in Glens Falls, they settled in Amherst to raise their four children where he taught sixth grade before he became the beloved Principal of Fort River School. 

 

Mr. Dalton, as he was called at Fort River, was known to many as “the wind beneath their wings.”  He was an incredible leader and mentor to his Fort River family.  A man who was respected, admired and loved.  There are many who feel their entire life trajectory would have been different without his stewardship.  The Fort River playground was dedicated to him upon his retirement.

 

He was a recipient of the Dakin Community Service Award and was a founding member of the Long Plain Nature Center Planning Board.

 

Jack had a quick wit coupled with a genuine interest for others that made people enjoy being with him.  He was a fun and loyal friend.

As an avid lover of the outdoors, Jack enjoyed fly-fishing, cross-country skiing and was a Legends member at Amherst Golf Club and the Hampshire Fitness Club. 

 

Jack and Kathy moved to Greenleaves in Amherst, an independent retirement community, in 2010 after selling their home of 45 years in Orchard Valley.  Jack and Kathy were blessed to live at home together for all of their days. Greenleaves was a wonderful place for them with many kind and caring friends and neighbors.  They were supported by an amazing care team that allowed them to experience the best quality of life and find joy in each day.  We extend our deepest gratitude to the care team of Mary Jane Scott, Nangsel Tenzin, Layannie Haydon-Mayer, Sara Rider, Esther Bedford and Rosio Soledad Younga Lazo who provided loving and exceptional care.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Newman Center on Monday, February 20th at 10:30 am.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Cooley Dickinson Hospice in recognition of the outstanding and compassionate care provided by Charlene Vinton and Karen Hill. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

John (Jack) R. Dalton of Amherst, beloved husband, father, Poppy, friend and educator, entered eternal rest in the loving embrace of his family at home on January 31, 2023 at 93 years of age.

 

Born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, John was predeceased by parents, Theresa and William Dalton and siblings Jane Brothers of Worcester and William Dalton of Woonsocket, Rhode Island.  

 

Jack was a family man, always having the best interests of his wife, children and grandchildren in mind.  He is survived by his four children, nine grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and sister in-law:  John Dalton of Sydney, Australia (Kelsey Dalton and Ian: Thea; Reed Dalton) David Dalton and wife Lynn of Golden, Colorado (Hilary Freeman and Patrick: Charlie and Margaret; Matt Dalton and Alexis): Patricia Kozlowski and husband Paul of Lunenburg, MA (Emily Kozlowski; Jacob Kozlowski and Amanda) and Ann Mackay and husband Rob of Berlin, MA (Ryan MacKay and Rachel: Tyler; Alex MacKay and Kathryn; Cory MacKay and Alekxis); Joanne Connell of East Providence, RI. 

Education is Jack’s legacy.  It was something that changed his life. He and Kathy made sure that each of their children and grandchildren had the opportunity to go to college.  Always believing that the best investment you could make was in yourself. 

Jack graduated from La Salle Academy Class of 1947.  He then served on the USS Kearsarge in the United States Navy stationed out of Quonset Point, Rhode Island and was honorably discharged in 1949.  He attended Providence College and graduated in 1953.

 

Jack started his career in education teaching at St. Paul’s School in Covington, Louisiana where he taught English and coached basketball and tennis.  He returned to Rhode Island the following year to marry the love of his life, Kathleen Connell with whom he shared 67 years of marriage until her death last year. Jack’s teaching career brought them to Lowville and then Syracuse, New York where he earned his master’s degree in education.  After teaching in Glens Falls, they settled in Amherst to raise their four children where he taught sixth grade before he became the beloved Principal of Fort River School. 

 

Mr. Dalton, as he was called at Fort River, was known to many as “the wind beneath their wings.”  He was an incredible leader and mentor to his Fort River family.  A man who was respected, admired and loved.  There are many who feel their entire life trajectory would have been different without his stewardship.  The Fort River playground was dedicated to him upon his retirement.

 

He was a recipient of the Dakin Community Service Award and was a founding member of the Long Plain Nature Center Planning Board.

 

Jack had a quick wit coupled with a genuine interest for others that made people enjoy being with him.  He was a fun and loyal friend.

As an avid lover of the outdoors, Jack enjoyed fly-fishing, cross-country skiing and was a Legends member at Amherst Golf Club and the Hampshire Fitness Club. 

 

Jack and Kathy moved to Greenleaves in Amherst, an independent retirement community, in 2010 after selling their home of 45 years in Orchard Valley.  Jack and Kathy were blessed to live at home together for all of their days. Greenleaves was a wonderful place for them with many kind and caring friends and neighbors.  They were supported by an amazing care team that allowed them to experience the best quality of life and find joy in each day.  We extend our deepest gratitude to the care team of Mary Jane Scott, Nangsel Tenzin, Layannie Haydon-Mayer, Sara Rider, Esther Bedford and Rosio Soledad Younga Lazo who provided loving and exceptional care.

 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at the Newman Center on Monday, February 20th at 10:30 am.  Burial will be private.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Cooley Dickinson Hospice in recognition of the outstanding and compassionate care provided by Charlene Vinton and Karen Hill. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Elinor P. Thornton   (77) Amherst-On Wednesday February 1, 2023 everyone’s mother Ellie Pierce Thornton went on to join her own mother who she has missed for so many years. The daughter of Charles and Rosalie (Mielke) Pierce of Amherst, Ellie married Frank Thornton of Pelham in 1968. Two short years later Ellie left her job with the Amherst school system to begin raising her children-the job she was born to do. Along with her own two, Ellie was an honorary mom to decades of kids in the Amherst area, many of whom still stop her and Frank in the grocery store to say hi and show her pictures of their own children, (yes-she knows ALL their names!)  Ellie was passionate about charity and giving to those in need. She spent countless hours knitting preemie sets for hospitals and every year her family was tasked with loading the car absolutely full of the items she purchased at Christmas and back to school time for donation. Ellie fought (and won) a cancer battle for 22 years despite an original diagnosis of “incurable”.  Ellie enjoyed going to bluegrass shows with her husband and made many new friends among the chairs and the strings.

    Ellie is survived by her husband of nearly 55 years Frank of Amherst, her son Matthew (Tammy) of Sunderland, daughter Jan (William Dubuque) of Granby, sister Sandra Pierce (David Mamulski) of Northampton, sister in law Vannie of VT, niece April of VT, grandchildren Nicole, Adianna and Billy, great grandson Andre and by her best friend since grade school Marguerite Searle of Pelham. Ellie was predeceased by her brother Charles of VT and Ronald of Leverett.

    Ellie did not play the lottery. This past Christmas Marguerite gave her a scratch ticket-Frank had to show her how to play it. She won a bit of money. In true Ellie fashion, her last request was for her family to turn her winnings into gift cards and give them to an Amherst family going through a rough patch.

    If you would like to honor Ellie, her family asks that you please continue her tradition of charity by giving to someone in need through a church, school or survival center. Or make a donation to Norwottuck Fish and Game Association to send a child to the Massachusetts Junior Conservation Camp.

    Per Ellie’s request there will be no services. Instead, her family will plant a flowering shrub in her honor in the spring. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

            Sonya Bergquist, 91, died on January 26, 2023 at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst after a long period of declining health.  Sonya was born in Orange, Massachusetts on August 13, 1931 to Oscar and Irene (Erikson) Anderson, and was soon joined by her younger siblings, Marcia and David. 

 

            Sonya thrived in the close-knit community of Orange and made friendships that lasted her lifetime.  After graduating from Orange High School, Sonya attended the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree, and the University of Michigan, where she earned a Master of Science degree, both in botany.

 

            During her summer in Orange between universities, Sonya was able to spend time with an old high school friend, Richard (Dick) Bergquist, and the two soon knew that they wanted to build their lives together.  Sonya and Dick married in 1954 and enjoyed a long, close, and happy partnership until Dick’s death in February 2019.

 

            After several moves in their early years of marriage, in 1959 Sonya and Dick bought a house in Amherst where they raised their four children, remaining in the same house for 60 years until Dick’s passing.  Sonya was a devoted mother who prized kindness, practicality and fair play.

 

            Once her children were partially grown, Sonya began her career as an educator by working for four years as a science aide in the Amherst Regional Junior High School.  She then became a biology teacher at the Amherst Regional High School, where she taught from 1973 to 1997.  Sonya also served as department chair of the combined Junior-Senior High Science Department for many of those years.  Sonya loved teaching and her students, and was presented with the Robert Frost Award for Teaching Excellence.

 

            Sonya was a lifelong learner who was always interested in listening to others’ views and discussing a variety of topics.  For many years, she served the community as a member of the Amherst Town Meeting and as a volunteer worker at elections.  Sonya enjoyed watching all kinds of sports, especially baseball, and attended thousands of games over her lifetime.  She was adept at both jigsaw and crossword puzzles. 

 

            Sonya and Dick loved spending time with family and friends, especially at their lake cottage at Beaver Lake in Ware, where hamburgers, horseshoes, swimming and an assortment of boats were enjoyed by all.

 

            Sonya and Dick enjoyed many good years in retirement, taking a number of international and domestic trips, and spending winters in Florida.  Sonya also took up golf in retirement, playing in Florida in the winters and at the Amherst Golf Club in the summers.

 

            A person of quiet and deep faith, Sonya grew up attending Bethany Lutheran Church in Orange and was a founding member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst.

 

            With all her interests, Sonya’s deepest love was always for her family: her husband, their four children, and eventually their children’s spouses and their grandchildren.  Sonya was a grandma who played games, attended events, and sang with her grandchildren and enjoyed every minute.

 

            Sonya leaves her four children: Erica, Carl (wife Barbara), Craig, and Andrea (husband Marc), and her seven grandchildren: Eric, Peter and Diana Cajolet and Jenna, Andrew, Matthew, and Hannah Bergquist.  She also leaves her brother David (wife Marjorie), brother-in-law Clem, and her nieces and nephews.        Sonya was predeceased by her husband Dick, her parents, and her sister Marcia.

 

            The family wishes to thank those who devotedly cared for Sonya in her declining years: the staff of the Arbors at Amherst, Mag Home Care, Hospice of the Fisher Home, the Center for Extended Care at Amherst, and Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice.

 

            Calling hours for Sonya will be from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 16th at the Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA.

 

            Sonya’s funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 17 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 867 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA.,  followed by a reception at the church.

 

Donations in Sonya’s memory may be made to the Orange Scholarship Foundation (P.O. Box 298, Orange MA  01364) or to Hospice of the Fisher Home www.fisherhome.org

Anne H. Monchamp, 92, of Ware, MA. passed peacefully into heaven on 01/09/2023 at home surrounded by loved ones. She is predeceased by the love of her life Adrien Monchamp and her son Peter Monchamp. She leaves behind her daughter Carol Bardon, daughter-in-law Cathy Ryan, son Doug Monchamp and wife Karen, and daughter Julie Reynolds. She also leaves behind 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren who all meant the world to her. She lived a full life working first as a legal secretary and then as a librarian at St Joan of Arc School in Chicopee, MA, where she built and grew the program every year until her retirement. She loved to bake and made the best “Grammie Rolls” in the world. Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was sassy and funny until the very end.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in her honor to Shriners Children’s Hospital. 

 

There will be a ceremony to honor her life on Monday, 1/30/23 at 3:00 in the Chapel at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Agawam, MA.