Harold Zalkind, age 96, passed away after a brief illness on May 11, 2021, at home in Amherst, MA, surrounded by his family. He was born in Chicago, IL and was raised in the Bronx, NY. Hal, as he preferred to be called, moved to Amherst with his beloved wife Shirley Zalkind from Rye, NY in 2013 to live with his daughter and son-in-law. Hal grew up in the Bronx, NY where he was a star athlete, winning trophies for golf and tennis before graduating DeWitt Clinton High School in 1942. He met the love of his life Shirley, who lived across the street on East Gun Hill Road, at age 13. After graduating from high school, Hal enlisted in the Air Force and enrolled in the Army Specialized Training Program (ASTP), at Clark University in Worcester. As the war escalated in 1944, all those enlisted were transferred into the Army, no matter their training. Hal was assigned to the 26th Division of the 101st Infantry Regiment, of the Massachusetts National Guard, and sent to Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC for training. While there, Shirley traveled alone by train from New York to meet him so they could marry before he went overseas. Both were 19 years old. While in Europe Hal was wounded by sniper fire and hospitalized shortly before the Battle of the Bulge. At home in New York, Shirley received his army duffle bag containing his bloodied uniform without indication of Hal’s health or whereabouts, and news of his survival did not come until months later. Hal was honored with a Purple Heart for his service. Upon returning from the war, Hal joined Shirley’s brother in partnership in the family dry-cleaning and laundry business. They moved the business, Belle Cleaners, from the Bronx to Rye, NY. Hal and Shirley followed the business, first living in Port Chester, NY where they started their family, and then moving to Rye in 1967. Hal was an avid gardener who turned his home into a beautiful floral paradise that inspired all who visited. He volunteered at the Rye Nature Center for several years and took an interest in environmentalism. Shirley, an art teacher, painted many of Hal’s garden treasures in watercolor and the paintings decorated their homes in both Rye and Amherst. Hal was also an avid deep sea fisherman, and enjoyed fishing off the coast of Monhegan Island, ME. Hal and Shirley spent many of their retirement years wintering on St Martin, where he remained a serious tennis player well into his late 80s. After Hurricane Sandy, Hal and Shirley moved to Amherst to live with their family. Hal remarked that, upon moving to Amherst, he had come full circle from his time at Clark, back to Massachusetts. Hal was predeceased by their son Robert in 1983, and leaves behind his beloved wife Shirley Zalkind, his daughter Nina Zalkind Tetenbaum and son-in-law Don Tetenbaum, his grandsons Joshua and Noah Tetenbaum, and granddaughter-in-law Jennie Rose Halperin. He was loved and admired by his extended family and many, many friends he and Shirley acquired throughout their long life shared together. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Harold’s memory to the Jewish Climate Initiative (https://www.interfaithsustain.com/ jewish-climate-initiative/), or Cooley Dickinson VNA and Hospice https://www.cooleydickinson.org/programs-services/vna-hospice/ .

On May 1, 2021 we lost our Husband, Father, Grandfather, Edward F. Bielunis while engaged in his favorite sport of Bass fishing.

Born in Hadley on November 26^th 1941 he was the son of the late Francis (Frank) M. and Evelyn (Read) Bielunis.  He was raised on the family farm in Amherst and was a graduate of Amherst Regional High School where he played hockey.

After graduation Edward enlisted in the US Navy serving mostly on destroyers in the Atlantic fleet as a machinist mate second class.  He was held and in action during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  During one of his leaves at home he met his future wife, Ingrid (Radeker).

Upon leaving the service he worked as a farm hand for Howard Atkins (Atkins Farms), then entered construction, working for various contractors in the valley, most notably, Puffer Construction as a Superintendent and T&M Equipment Corporation as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement.

Upon retirement he continued his outdoor activities of hunting, bass fishing, snowmobiling and his newfound passion of being a mentor to his grandson Bruce, teaching him how to rebuild motors, hunting, fishing, among other things.

Edward was a member of I.U.O.E local 98, the Young Men’s Club of Hadley and several bass fishing clubs.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Ingrid, two Sons, David and partner Marcia, Michael and wife Cheryl (Monska) and his best bud, his grandson, Bruce.  He was also predeceased by his sister Beverly.

Walk through calling hours will be held Monday May 17, 2021 from 4:00 – 7:00 pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst.

In Lieu of flowers, donations to Ed’s memory, may be made to: Young Men’s Club of Hadley Kid’s Fishing Derby c/o Amy Fyden. Easthampton Savings Bank 100 East St. Hadley, MA 01035 Burial will be private. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

John Gerard Woynar passed away April 27, with his brother Mark by his side. John was born November 14, 1955. He grew up and lived most of his life in Amherst. He had a knack for finding the best fishing holes. He moved to Florida for a short time where he met his long time partner in life Geri. They moved back to the Amherst area and made a life together. During his time here on earth, John made some lifelong friends who helped him during the last few years, Buzz , Randy, and Shawn were always there to help John when he needed a friend. Besides his friends and his brother he leaves behind nieces and nephews and an abundance of cousins. He was predeceased by his love Geri and his parents Josephine and Michael Woynar Per Johns wishes there will be no services. Memorial guestbook at www.dougladdfuneral.com

Estelle (née Auger) Dugas, 83, of Amherst, died peacefully on May 7, 2021, at the Hospice of the Fisher Home, for whose tender care her family is profoundly grateful. She was the daughter of Annette (née Saint-Pierre) and Philias Auger, Sr. of Woonsocket, RI.

Estelle was blessed to have been educated by the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary, with whom she shared an enduring bond. She earned a high school diploma from Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, NH, and a BA magna cum laude from Rivier College (now Rivier University) in Nashua, NH, with a Music major and a French minor. After earning certifications in Music, French, and History, she taught all three subjects in the public high schools of Blackstone, MA, and Windsor Locks, CT.

In 1960, she married Donald Dugas of Woonsocket, RI. Although they divorced in 1986, the relationship they forged continued to serve as a source of mutual comfort and support in their later years.

Estelle’s vocation was motherhood, family her guiding star. She loved to sew, but music was her passion. Few things gave her as much joy as combining her art and her faith as a member of a church ensemble. The years she spent directing the wonderful friends she made in the choir of Saint Stanislaus Church in South Deerfield were especially happy ones, ending only when macular degeneration robbed her of the ability to read a score.

The majority of her professional life was spent working as a real estate agent, first with Town & Country Realtors, then with Jones-Town & Country. She derived real gratification from finding just the right home for clients as well as from welcoming newcomers to the Pioneer Valley.

Estelle worshipped at the Newman Catholic Center from 1973, when her family moved to Amherst, until her death. Her devotion, love of liturgy, simplicity, humility, thoughtfulness, creativity, adaptability, courage, and strength will be greatly missed.

Estelle was preceded in death by her parents; brother Philias Auger, Jr.; sisters-in-laws Theresa (née Lague) Auger and Diane (née Dugas) Burke; brothers-in-law Harold Robinson, II, and Robert Dugas; and nephew Harold Robinson, III. She is survived by sisters Colette Auger of Manchester, NH, and Madeleine Robinson of Manchester, CT. She is also survived by daughter Colette Dugas and her partner, Richard Brunswick, of Northampton, MA; son Don-John Dugas and his partner, Ruth Gilligan, of Akron, OH; and former husband, Donald Dugas, of Warwick, RI. And she leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews whose love, lives, and achievements were an unending source of joy.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on May 13, 2021, at the Newman Catholic Center, 472 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA, 01002. Estelle will be laid to rest with her parents, brother, and sister-in-law Theresa at Saint John the Baptist Cemetery in Bellingham, MA.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (495 Mammoth Road, Manchester, NH  03104) or the Amherst Survival Center (https://amherstsurvival.org/donate/). Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

Emily Diane Harrington, 40, died at her home in Northampton, after a long struggle with addiction. She grew up in Pelham and Amherst, and was a star pitcher, catcher, and power hitter for Amherst’s Lassie League Softball. Emily enjoyed music, writing poetry, and was a talented artist. She leaves her father, Michael Harrington, and step-mother, Susan Harrington, of Northampton; her mother, Deborah Palmer, and step-father, David Zarozinski, of Hadley; her sister, Sarah Evans, of Greenwich, CT; and two nephews. She also leaves her two beloved cats, Loki and Ash. Services will be private due to the pandemic. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the animal charity of your choice. 

Raymond “Ray” R. Lemoine, Jr. passed away after a brief illness, April 26 peacefully at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Springfield, MA to Raymond “Roland” Lemoine, and Alice (Christianson) Lemoine. Ray graduated from WNEC with a bachelor degree, went on to earn his CPA and became the CFO/Vice President of Western Builders, Inc where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 2018. He loved all sports, but his passion was hockey, a sport he played up until March 2020. He also coached hockey and was on the board of directors for the Amherst Hockey Association. He taught all of his children how to skate, instilling in them and many others a love of skating. To cherish his memory, he leaves his wife Karen (Burke) Lemoine, his children Laura (Chuck) Fulcher, Sean (Christy) Lemoine, Michelle Lemoine and her partner Roman. Ray was predeceased by his parents and his sister Judy Lemoine. He also leaves his sisters Kathie (Werner) Steuernagel, Mary (Joe) Lemoine, brothers Brian (Nancy) Lemoine, Gary (Ginny) Lemoine many nieces, nephews, and a large extended family. He also leaves his grandchildren Mason and Adalyn. Ray deeply loved his family and friends, including his long time friend, Rich. There was nothing better for Ray than to hang out with his family and friends over a campfire, having good times. Everyone will miss his ready smile and heart felt laughter. Services are private and a celebration of his life will be held at a future time when we can all come together. Ray devoted his remaining life to finding a cause and cure for ALS. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sean M Healey and AMG Center for ALS Research at Mass General in his name.

Deborah (Jackson) Brown died unexpectedly April 24, 2021. “Deb” as she was affectionately known by was an Amherst native and an Amherst high school graduate.  Growing up in the Pioneer valley Deb enjoyed softball, fishing and later in life Antiques, which she learned from her father. Deb owned her own property management company and was once named number one realtor of the year. She had many accomplishments in her life and loved her family unconditionally. Deb is predeceased by her sister Sandra and Sandra‘s husband Thomas Drake. She leaves behind her husband Jessie Davis, her Mother Helen Sullivan and stepfather Don, her father James Jackson and her stepmother Millie, her daughter’s Danielle LeSure and Gabrielle Davis, her sons Robert Beaulieu and Alex Beaulieu, her sister Theresa Fleurent and husband Rick, her brother James Jackson and wife Joanne, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers there has been a Go Fund Me page set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses and can be found under Help for funeral expenses for our mother Deborah. A graveside service will be held on Friday April 30, 2021 at 11:30 am at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. 

Deborah (Jackson) Brown died unexpectedly April 24, 2021. “Deb” as she was affectionately known by was an Amherst native and an Amherst high school graduate.  Growing up in the Pioneer valley Deb enjoyed softball, fishing and later in life Antiques, which she learned from her father. Deb owned her own property management company and was once named number one realtor of the year. She had many accomplishments in her life and loved her family unconditionally. Deb is predeceased by her sister Sandra and Sandra‘s husband Thomas Drake. She leaves behind her husband Jessie Davis, her Mother Helen Sullivan and stepfather Don, her father James Jackson and her stepmother Millie, her daughter’s Danielle LeSure and Gabrielle Davis, her sons Robert Beaulieu and Alex Beaulieu, her sister Theresa Fleurent and husband Rick, her brother James Jackson and wife Joanne, as well as many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. In lieu of flowers there has been a Go Fund Me page set up to help the family with funeral and other expenses and can be found under Help for funeral expenses for our mother Deborah. A graveside service will be held on Friday April 30, 2021 at 11:30 am at Holy Rosary Cemetery, Hadley. 

With a sadness that’s indescribable we announce Bonnie Lou DiCola (Wentworth), 65, passed away peacefully on April 10^th at 10:50pm. Bonnie was comforted and surrounded by her loving husband, two cherished children & son-in-law as she drifted away. She was told stories, reminded of memories, and listened to videos of her grandson to provide comfort.

Bonnie was born on April 25^th, 1955 in Northampton, Massachusetts to Doris Lydia Wentworth (Phillips) and Harold Dusty Wentworth of Amherst, Massachusetts. As a little girl and only child, Bonnie was dotted on by her loving parents. Between hunting with the dogs, church service and VFW adventures, Bonnie was always included in her parent’s outings.

In 1971, Bonnie was introduced to Michael A. DiCola who in the years to come would ignite an ever-lasting love that many of us only dream of. They married April 26^th 1975, in Amherst, MA surrounded by their best friends and families. The two love-birds were inseparable from the beginning, and the only time they spent apart was when Michael traveled to races. During these times, Bonnie would wait by the door for his return. They had a love that movies couldn’t replicate, and books couldn’t compare to.

In 1985, they happily welcomed their first-born son, Michael Dustin DiCola, and six years later they joyfully welcomed Angela Rose DiCola. Bonnie’s calling was being a mom to these two children, and a terrific mom at that.

There was no title more defining for Bonnie than that of “Mimi” which was granted to her joyfully on February 4^th, 2017 when her grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay was born in front of her eyes. Between late nights staying up with Karter, morning cuddles where he would play with her ears, the walks around the block where she had to run after him on his bike, letting him help her plant in her garden, and catching him jump off the ladder in the pool- there was nothing that made her eyes light up more than loving him from head to toe.

Bonnie always had what many would call a “cadillac” smile and it was contagious. Bonnie was well known and respected in the banking community. She would always go out of her way to check on customers, and made sure they knew how important they were to her. Bonnie began her career at Shawmut in the center of Amherst, MA, moved to Bank of Western MA (People’s United Bank) – which was only a few blocks away, and then finished her career at Easthampton Savings Bank as a Portfolio Manager for Municipal Banking. Every customer that Bonnie had, was a part of her heart and soul.

Bonnie has reunited in the sky with her ever-so missed father Harold Dusty Wentworth, and mother Doris Lydia Wentworth (Phillips). Bonnie heartbreakingly leaves behind her true love and husband Michael A. DiCola, her son Michael D. DiCola, her daughter Angela R. Gotay-Cheverez, son-in-law Kevin R. Gotay-Cheverez and adored grandson Karter Michael Robert Gotay.

In lieu of services & funeral, Bonnie will be cremated and come home to rest with her family.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

He Only Takes the Best

“God saw you getting tired, and cure was not to be. So, he put his arms around you, and whispered, “Come to me”. With tearful eyes we watched you and saw you pass away. Although we loved you dearly, we could not make you stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands to rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, he only takes the best”

2021. E. Shirley Stedman, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, former Town of Amherst employee and cherished pillar of the South Amherst and South Church communities, died peacefully at her home on April 7, 2021. She was 92.

Born in Palmer, Mass., on June 28, 1928, Shirley was the daughter of Edward and Julia (Koziel) Wilk. They planned to name her Shirley Eleanor, but a priest required that it be the other way around to baptize her with a saint’s name. She was still raised as Shirley and always called that; however, she was adamant about including E. at the start of her full name.

Shirley graduated from Palmer High School in 1946 and worked as a legal secretary in Palmer until 1952. She met David Stedman of Amherst on a blind date in 1949; they married in March 1951 and in 1953 started a family that eventually included four children. They built a house in Amherst, then moved to Ware, Mass., for four years before buying back the Amherst house in 1962. Shirley lived there the rest of her life, first amid a close-knit group of relatives and friends and later developing tight bonds with many newer neighbors.

She raised her children largely on her own and put three through college. To help accomplish that, Shirley returned to work in 1972, putting her formidable accounting and bookkeeping skills to use as a clerk in the Amherst town accountant’s office. Her unwavering support for each of her children continued throughout her entire life.

After retiring in 1989, Shirley logged many miles driving to her children’s homes to visit, babysit and play with her grandchildren. She also accompanied their families on numerous vacations, and she was a regular on Amherst Senior Center bus and vacation trips.

Shirley was a passionate fan of the Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots and Celtics. She also cheered on her children at countless youth hockey and baseball games and then high school and adult hockey ones. When the Fenton’s hockey team that sons Terry and Paul played on bought team jackets after winning a league championship, they gave Shirley one inscribed with her name and “#1 Fan.”

She herself enjoyed swimming, ice skating, bike riding and gardening. Into her mid-80s, Shirley walked three miles a day and mowed her lawn on her riding mower. Knitting was a favorite activity; she expertly knit sweaters, scarves, blankets and afghans for family members and friends. She also loved country and polka music, reading and doing jigsaw puzzles and word searches. She had a warm, lively sense of humor and an endearing laugh.

South Church, located within view of her home, was also at the center of Shirley’s life. She was an active member for 68 years. During that time, she served as church secretary, taught Sunday school, was a member of the Ladies’ Benevolent Society, helped distribute the weekly church bulletin and worked at church suppers and coffee hours. Most notably, she knit more than 100 prayer shawls as a dedicated member of the Shawl Ministry. She also met many dear friends through the church.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband David in 1977 and her older sister Irene Wilk, who died in infancy in 1926. She is survived by her brother Edward Wilk of Wilbraham; daughter Diane Rees and her husband James of North Conway, N.H.; son Terry Stedman and his wife Cindy of Jamestown, Tenn.; son Craig Stedman and his wife Laura Nordman of Westborough, Mass.; son Paul Stedman and his partner Alison Paravano of Worcester, Mass.; and daughter-in-law Donna Stedman of Hubbardston, Mass.

She also is survived by eight grandchildren – Trevor and Kevin Rees; Kyle Jenks; Cassandra Murphy; Nathan and Lydia Stedman; and Nelson Jost and Jeremy Stedman – plus six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Shirley’s family extends its gratitude to the caregivers from Judy’s Angels and Colony Care at Home – particularly Luz Cruz, Nilla Daveiga, Lisa Hresko and Julia Berry – who helped fulfill her wish to live out her life in her home, and to the team at Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice for their assistance, guidance and additional spiritual solace in the last weeks of her life.

An outdoor funeral service with social distancing is planned at South Church on Friday, May 7, at 11 a.m. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to South Church Amherst, 1066 South East St., Amherst, MA 01002. Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com