Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden

                       June 15, 1943-September 18, 2023

Jacobus (Jaap) Van Heerden, 80, of Amherst passed away on September 18, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Jaap was born on June 15, 1943 in Haarlem, The Netherlands, son of the late Peter and Aaltje (Jansen) van Heerden.     He leaves his wife of 48 years, Regina Martel, cousins in The Netherlands, as well as a large circle of friends.       

He received a Master’s degree in geology from the University of Amsterdam before coming to the University of Massachusetts in 1969. Jaap was employed for more than 30 years as an AV Media Technician at the UMass Campus Center, retiring in 2003.

He enjoyed rock and ice climbing in the White Mountains and the French Alps. He was an inveterate traveler and photographer, visiting Mesoamerican ruins in Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico among other destinations. When he began birding, he joined the Hampshire Bird Club, where he volunteered for many years to provide AV support for the monthly club speakers and served on the Board.

Classical music was a lifelong passion. He frequently traveled to New York, Boston, and abroad to hear and meet with his favorite European musicians.

Services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the New York Philharmonic   https://give.nyphil.org/donate?utm_source=web&utm_medium=support_lp

or Hampshire Bird Club, Inc. Post Office Box 3637 Amherst, MA 01004-3637.

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

   

John M. Quinlan Jr., 85, of Amherst, passed away at home surrounded by his family on September 16, 2023.

John was the son of John and Annette Quinlan of Amherst. John was the oldest of 5 boys and attended Amherst Regional High School where he was fondly known as “Quinnie.”

A flat tire in high school, would lead him to meet his wife Joyce Quinlan (Kentfield) also of Amherst. The two of them would go on to wed in 1958 in Jaffrey, NH and create a beautiful life with their four children and many friends.

After graduating from high school in 1956, John spent four years in the Air Force. He was based out of Westover Air Reserve Base where he worked as a Munitions Specialist.

After leaving the service, he went to work for his father-in-law at Kentfield Hardware Store in Amherst where he would later take over the business. John was a hardworking handyman and eventually retired from the Jones Group in 2015.

John was an avid sports fan and would spend his days watching the NY Giants, Boston Bruins and NASCAR. When his children were young, he spent years coaching the Amherst Babe Ruth baseball team where he would pick up his new nickname of “Coach Q.”

John loved his family, and you could see it by how much he talked about them. He would always share their photos and would always be on the sidelines at sporting events and performances. His children, grandchildren and great grandchildren were his world and he tried to never miss an important event in their lives. John also took pride in his baking and cooking and you could often find him in the kitchen trying new recipes that he would share with friends on Facebook.

John is survived by his children Brenda (Aldrich) of Belchertown, Jeffrey Quinlan of California and Belinda (Deres) of Greenfield. John also leaves behind his four brothers, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

John will be met in heaven by his wife of over 60 years, Joyce Quinlan and his daughter Bonnie Quinlan of Manchester VT. He will also be met with many wet kisses from his four long time buddies: Jason, Tigger, Cocoa and Pepper.

Whether you knew him as John, Quinnie, or Coach/Mr. Q, please raise a beer in honor of a wonderful man.

Calling hours will be held at Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst on Friday September 22, 2023 from 10am-12pm. Graveside Service to follow at Plainville Cemetery, Mt. Warner Road, Hadley, Ma. 01035

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of John Quinlan to: The American Legion Veterans & Children Foundation. www.mylegion.org 

Judith Ann Parsons Haskell

April 18, 1935 – September 6, 2023

 

Judith Ann Parsons Haskell, 88, of Hadley, passed away on September 6, 2023, three days after undergoing emergency abdominal surgery.

 

Judy was born on April 18, 1935, in Barberton, Ohio, the only child of Marion Ernest Parsons and Dorothy Alene Hostetter Parsons.  She spent her childhood writing stories, drawing pictures, and making dolls as well as learning about insects, especially butterflies, in the fields near her home. Her maternal grandmother, an antique dealer, introduced Judy to the world of heirlooms, a collecting passion she pursued with enthusiasm the rest of her life.

 

The first in her family to graduate from college, Judy was a fearless trail blazer for women of her generation, and subsequent generations of women who pursue what is now referred to as STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.  She received her Bachelor of Science degree, with honors, from Ohio State University and her Master’s and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the biological sciences from Purdue University.  It was at Purdue that she met her future husband, David Haskell, who was also pursuing his Ph.D.  David enjoyed telling the story of seeing Judy through the window as she was busily working in the lab, and becoming instantly smitten.  They were engaged in two weeks, married soon after, and within several years had started a family, with a daughter, Heather Rebecca and a son, Jordan Mark and a dalmatian named Birch. As a family they traveled every summer across country, camping out, visiting landmarks and national parks, and collecting souvenirs of their journeys. David and Judy were married for 63 years before David’s passing in 2022.

 

In 1961, Judy completed her Ph.D. and joined David, working as a botany professor in the biology department at Smith College, in Massachusetts. A scientist with the looks of a supermodel, Judy accepted a position as a biochemical researcher and co-principal investigator for the United States Public Health Service at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She studied the active transport of potassium and sodium on metabolism in silkworms, a project that had implications in the treatment of muscular dystrophy. After seven years, and publishing and collaborating on eleven articles about her research findings, she left the lab for teaching, becoming a biology teacher at Northampton High School. She excelled in the classroom and soon was named Head of the Science Department for grades K -12, a position she held for over twenty years.   She won the Outstanding High School Science Teacher by the Williams College Sigma Xi Club, an academic honor society that recognizes scientific research and confirmed the impact she had on her students.  In addition to her success integrating research into the high school science curriculum, she and her students organized an annual blood drive for the American Red Cross, with Judy always first in line to donate blood.  Her former students, many of whom went on to become researchers and doctors, still remark that her “Origin of Life” lecture was the best they had ever heard.

 

Throughout her life and after retiring in 1990, Judy pursued her passions of helping others, collecting antiques, and learning about the galaxy. During her lifetime she nursed dozens of abandoned or injured birds to health, often brought to her by friends, neighbors and her students, and tended to a menagerie of animals including baby chicks, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, finches, squirrels, dogs, cats, bats, and a 6-foot iguana named Iggy. Called “a healer” by friends, people sought her out for her willing ear and sound advice. Judy could be found searching for treasures at tag sales, auctions and flea markets every weekend with her daughter, Heather, and son-in-law, Fred, and was thrilled every time a new image from the Hubble and Webb Telescopes was released.  Watching Nova with her son, Jordan, was one of her favorite pastimes.  She was among the first volunteers at the Hospice Shop for the Fisher Home, where she worked for over a decade.  And, her chili was legendary!

 

Judy is survived by her daughter, Heather and her husband, Frederick Burns, her son, Jordan, with whom she lived, her grandson, Kirk Edward, her former daughter-in-law, Molly Hoyle, and two devoted dogs, Danny and Joey.  Her husband, David, passed away in 2022.

 

At Judy’s request, no public service is planned. The family gives special thanks to her devoted caregivers, Devika Pandit and Jesenia Sanchez, who attended to her every need and filled her days with fun and adventure.  In lieu of flowers, Judy would appreciate donations to the T.J. O’Connor Adoption Center https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/ForHMZsVNbwJOxllwfx0nw or Dakin Humane Society https://www.dakinhumane.org/tribute-donation as her wonderful canine companions were adopted from the two organizations.  Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst has been entrusted with Judy’s arrangements.

LEVERETT, MA: George S. Pelis, 78 passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical on August 21, 2023.  He was the son of the late Stanley and Sophie Pelis.

George lived in the Amherst area throughout his life.  He graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1962.  After graduation he worked for the town of Amherst, then on construction and finished his working career as a technician repairing office equipment.

He married his high school sweetheart, Anita Major Pelis in 1965 and they shared 58 wonderful years of marriage together.

George enjoyed fishing and hunting when he was younger.  He loved the water, spending time with his family at Lake Wyola, Cape Cod and Florida beaches.  George and Anita enjoyed many years of travel, golfing in the warmer climate.  He also enjoyed watching the New England sports teams and attending UMASS sporting events.  He spent many hours watching a vast variety of birds at his feeders with his cat Shadow.  George’s favorite pastime, outside of his home and family, was golfing and spending time with his golfing buddies at Amherst Golf Club.

George is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Anita (Major) Pelis, daughter Laurie Pelis of Leverett and sister Carol Xinidakis of Louisiana.  He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and good friend Kevin Richey.

Anita would like to thank family and friends for all their concern and support.  She would also like to thank the kind and compassionate doctors and nurses from Baystate Medical.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, August 31^st from 6-7 PM at the Douglass Funeral Home at 87 No. Pleasant Street in Amherst with a short service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA  01101

AMHERST, MA. Kenneth (Ken) Isabelle, 71, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on August 4, 2023. Ken was born January 1, 1952 to the late Evelyn (Smith) and Eugene Isabelle.

He graduated from Granby High School in 1970 and worked for many years for the Town of Amherst Public Works Division before retiring as a supervisor in 2013.

Ken leaves his wife of 50 years Karen (Jenks) Isabelle their three children, Laura Isabelle Skowronek and her husband Steve, Mindy Isabelle and her husband Lamar Newsome and his

son Mike Isabelle. Ken also leaves seven grandchildren, Brittini Benton, Jill, Stephanie, and Nicholas Skowronek, Courtney-Shea Newsome, Alexis and Travis Isabelle. Two Great Grandchildren; Kylee Benton and A.J. Bell; Siblings, Dianne Isabelle, Kathy Isabelle and husband Tony Rebaudo, Judy Rohan and husband Dave, Jeff Isabelle and wife Beth,

Mother-in-Law Barbara Jenks.  Beloved Brother-in-Law Ron Gnatek, Cousin, best friend and partner in crime Maurice (Moe) Maheu and his wife Lynne. Cousin, Chris Maheu and her husband Bill Brinegar, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, woodworking and just tinkering with little projects. He and his son Mike restored a 31 Ford Coupe and built a Ford Cobra. Ken also restored a 1943 Chriscraft boat and handcrafted three wooden canoes, the first with his granddaughter Shea. There was always something to keep him busy in the garage.

He would be working on his grandson Travis’ mini bike or on a gun or two with his other grandson Nick. He and his Great granddaughter, Kylee built a dollhouse and he worked on projects or repairs for his daughters Laura and Mindy or any friends Like Carole and Steve that needed his expertise. His granddaughters Brittini, Jill, Stephanie, and Alexis would always turn to him to assist in various projects or problems that only “Grampy” could help with.

While Ken enjoyed projects in his garage or backyard, he always considered the time he spent with his family was priceless and the greatest joy in his life!

He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Ken was predecessed by his sister Donna Isabelle Gnatek in 2002.

Calling hours will be at Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst on Saturday August 12, 2023 from 1-4 pm.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to:

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute @ www.whoi.edu or The Hospice at Fisher Home.

http://www.fisherhome.org

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

AMHERST- Amy L. Wasserman, 63, of North Amherst, Ma, formerly of Pelham, left us early the morning of August 2 as the full moon set. Amy was the daughter of Hannah and Seymour Wasserman. She grew up in Natick, and graduated from Clark and Pratt Universities.

Amy was an artist and designer who made magical, whimsical and colorful things from yarn, polymer clay and any surface that could be painted. She was a master knitter, quilter and collage illustrator. She never left anyone in the dark about her opinion. She loved her daughter fiercely, and loved walking in nature with her dog, seeing rainbows, the weekly Amherst Farmer’s Market, knitting circles, connecting with and keeping tabs on extended family and her circle of friends. She taught all of us the meaning of resilience. She supported and was supported by Cancer Connection for almost 25 years. She was brave beyond measure and lived each day with an “attitude of gratitude.”  

She is survived by her daughter, Lily Plotkin and her partner Carlos Ayala Sibrian; Lily’s Dad, Scott Plotkin; her sisters and their families, Nancy and Katherine Arnup of Ottawa, Canada and Cathy and Victor Colman of Olympia, Washington and their children Rosa and Eli; her dear cousins Jane Neubardt and Ellen Wasserman of White Plains, New York and their families; Jonathan and Barbara Plotkin of Ithaca, NY, Martha Plotkin and Darren Gersh of Washington, DC and their families; her dog Ellie; and a large circle of friends.

Please join her family in a celebration of Amy’s life on Saturday, October 21 at 11 am at the Mt. Toby Friends Meetinghouse, 194 Long Plain Rd. (Route 63) in Leverett, MA.  Please wear bright colors and/or things made by Amy.  Feel free to bring your knitting, photos and stories.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cancer Connection, 41 Locust St., Northampton, Ma 01060 or www.cancer-connection.org

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

Springfield- Jane T. Sienkiewicz passed away peacefully at home on July 22, 2023.  She was born Jane Hayes on June 10, 1929, to Albina H. (Chagnon) and Edward F. Hayes of Mt. Tom Junction, MA.  She worked in a defense plant during WWII before meeting her husband, Ronald P. Sienkiewicz of New York, NY and Hadley, MA.  They were wed on August 27, 1949 at Immaculate Conception in Easthampton, MA.

Jane was a homemaker and mother until her youngest child started school; she then went to work in the Registrar’s Office at UMass Amherst, where she worked for 23 years.  She retired in 1995 and spent her remaining years travelling, gardening, and visiting friends and family.

She was predeceased by her husband, Ronald P. Sienkiewicz (1983) and daughter, Veronica, (2017).  She is survived by her son, Steven & his wife, Susan of Orlando, FL, “The Girls”: Susan Blagburn & husband Ken of Lake View PLT, ME, Maryanne Sienkiewicz & husband Edward Hobbs of West Hatfield, MA, Jane Patenaude & husband Michael of Holyoke, MA and Terry Sienkiewicz & partner Gary Brogan of Brownville, ME many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great, great- grandchildren, nieces & nephews.

She is also survived by her sister, Kathleen Hayes of Ballston Spa, NY, sisters-in-law Roberta Reardon of Whately, Kay Sienkiewicz of Buckhannon, WV. and dear friends and adopted children Lynn Nolan & husband Higgy of Springfield, John & David Wolfe of Wyncote, PA and Abbi Gold of Tucson, AZ.

Visitation will be Saturday, July 29, 2023 at Douglass Funeral Home, 87 N Pleasant Street, Amherst from 8:30-9:30 A.M., with a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, 122 N. Pleasant St, Amherst at 10:00 A.M. with burial following at St. Brigid’s Cemetery at the corner of N. Maple St. & Rocky Hill Rd. in Hadley. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Charlies Frederick Smyser, Jr., age 98 of Amherst, Massachusetts, passed away on July 20, 2023 after a long and fruitful life.  Charles was born on May 25, 1925 to Charles, Sr., and Gladys (Thomson) Smyser in Baltimore, Maryland.  Charles attended high school at the private Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, followed by a BS at the University of Maryland and an MS in Bacteriology from the University of Connecticut in 1952.  After graduation he came to the University of Massachusetts as an associate professor of microbiology in the Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences.  There he was principally responsible for the State testing program for avian diseases.  After retirement in 1987 he continued part-time in the same role for another fifteen years.

In 1955 he married Jean Elizabeth Pruyne, originally of Pittsfield.  They went on have four children, David (1955 to 1998), Jonathan, Robert (Bridget) and Cheryl Roberts.  He will be missed by his four grandchildren, Kacey (Austin) Snape, Jordyn Roberts, Tristan and Kieran Smyser, and two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Charles Snape.  

Over the years, Charlie had many interests, including making furniture, maple sugaring, and long walks to town and around the neighborhood.  He was active in Boy Scouts and volunteered for the North Congregational Church in Amherst.  He drove for a time with his son’s business, Dave’s Taxi Service. He was a loyal fan of Baltimore sports teams, and a reliable presence in his yellow “game day” socks at his granddaughters field hockey and basketball games.  

Calling Hours on Thursday, July 27 from 5 to 7 pm.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday July 28 at 11 am at Douglass Funeral Home in Amherst. 

MEMORIAL GUESTBOOK AT www.douglassfuneral.com 

Joyce died Sunday morning living life to the fullest and never letting cancer take the lead.  To know Joyce made you a better person.

An amazing woman, wife, mom, grandma, great grandma, sister, auntie, cousin, “sista” and friend.  Lover of all 2 legged, 4 legged and everything in between.  She is, and will be missed forever. 

In her memory, Joyce wanted all of us to live life to the fullest, love unconditionally and laugh often and as much as you can.  She wanted everyone to dance like no one is watching and to know that she loved you more!

There are no services, instead Joyce had a celebration of life last month that filled the room with love, light, joy and happiness which is how she wanted to be remembered. 

Memorial guest book is at www.douglassfuneral.com

Bud Mahoney (Walter J. Jr.) died peacefully on June 13,2023 in Northampton, Massachusetts surrounded by family and friends. Bud was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and is survived by his sister Rev. Eileen Mahoney, his daughter Julia Faruq (Umar), granddaughter Jasmine Davidson (Collin) and his great granddaughter Hayden Jane Davidson.

Bud attended Canisius High School in Buffalo, N.Y. and Georgetown University. He received law and public policy degrees from the State University of New York at Buffalo. His most prized initiatives were the historic restoration of the NYS Capitol and  a program to preserve indigenous peoples culture in New Zealand.

Bud never lost the core principles of his childhood faith. He delved deeply into diverse spiritual traditions, believing that we are all interconnected, part of the Greater Whole. He often visited the Peace Pagoda in Leverett, Ma. and regularly enjoyed Hindu chanting with groups of friends.

He was a natural philosopher and political analyst who relentlessly engaged his friends in exploring how we could create a more just and compassionate world. Among his very last words were, “Wonders never cease, for holy is the darkness and all shall be released.”

His friends and family will remember him for his constant search for meaning and especially for his generous, open heart.

All services are private

Memorial Guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com