Amherst, Gordon Howard Fletcher-Howell, 70, died peacefully at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA on July 23, 2018.  He leaves his beloved wife of 46 years, Melanie; daughters Jessica Jimison of Amherst and Whitney Vaughan (Derek) of Durango, CO; and three granddaughters: Linden Jimison and Maya and Alexa Vaughan.  He also leaves siblings Betty Howell (Jerry Anderson) of Palo Alto, CA and John Howell of Richmond, IN; sisters-in-law Carolee Howell of Palm Desert, CA and Ann Neville Howell of Pocassett, MA; Father-in-law Donald Fletcher of Amherst, brother-in-law Clark Fletcher (Kathy Brown) of Chicopee, and three nephews and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents Alvin and Helen (Whitney) Howell and brother Harry Howell.  Gordon loved his family dearly and cherished reunions and opportunities for deep one-on-one conversations.  In a cruel twist, his frontotemporal dementia took his language bit-by-bit several years ago, and he was left to communicate with his family through funny gestures, faces and noises, then finally only his expressive eyes.

Gordon grew up in Arlington, MA, the youngest of four.  He enlisted in the Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in South Viet Nam as a radio operator in the First Marine Division Headquarters Battalion.  He described his experience as having “turned me from a being a gung-ho 19-year old Marine to a disillusioned, confused adult with serious questions about the role of war in world politics.”  He felt the biggest lesson he learned was that “war is an institution the world needs to outgrow.”  Upon his return home to Arlington in 1969, he promptly joined the Viet Nam Veterans Against the War participating in protests in Washington, D.C. and Boston.  During this tumultuous time, Gordon’s sister Betty brought home a former student for dinner with their family, and Gordon and Melanie’s romance began spontaneously!

Gordon and Melanie worked their way across the US doing odd jobs, landing in Kenwood, CA where they were married in 1972.  Organic gardening and tree pruning became his passions, leading him back to the East Coast and eventually to Amherst, MA in 1976.  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree (summa cum laude) in Plant and Soil Science followed by his Master’s Degree in Entomology from UMass Amherst.  Meanwhile, he baked bread for the family, tended and harvested the vegetable garden, built a tree house and taught his daughters to swing a hammer and have confidence in all aspects of work.  He also worked tirelessly in his landscaping company, Earthcare, since 1976.  Gordon left his mark on Amherst in plantings and patios around the area.  He pruned specimens out of trees and shrubs others thought should be destroyed.   His meticulous nature and belief in high quality work set him aside as a niche landscaper.  Gordon loved to give work opportunities to young people who needed a second or third chance, and found that he could connect well with people who felt ostracized from society’s strong current.  Gordon participated in local politics for many years, believing it was his civic duty to represent environmentally minded small business people, families, veterans, etc.  He taught many pruning and landscape design classes through the Leisure Services over the years.  Following the gulf War, it became apparent that Gordon struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder born of his experiences in Viet Nam. Speaking to local youth in schools and detention facilities with the Veterans Education Project became a positive outlet for processing his complicated Viet Nam experiences in creative ways to deglorify violence and increase understanding of the costs of violence.  This work, coupled with treatment through the VA system, brought Gordon peace that had previously escaped him.

Gordon was outspoken, even if his opinions were unpopular.  He loved to engage in substantive debate, not necessarily to change anyone’s mind, but rather to build a mutual understanding of varied perspectives. He was known to hold signs on the Amherst town common, but often stood apart from other demonstrators because he wanted to bring attention to a more nuanced perspective.     

Gordon learned to show his deep love and respect for his bride, genuinely appreciating Mel’s “features,” all the qualities that make her uniquely Mel, and the perfect balance to his own stubborn self.  He frequently said his marriage to Mel made him the luckiest man in the world! 

Perhaps Gordon shined most as a grandparent (Oompa).  While his approach to parenting was strict at times, he embraced his role as grandparent with nothing but love and adoration.  He took pride in his ability to provide the full range of infant and toddler care.  His grandchildren will remember him as always playful and jolly.  He reveled in being a part of their lives, as he felt they were treasures.

When Gordon’s mind was declining, he eventually received the diagnosis of frontotemporal dementia and he understood this would not be an easy road for anyone.  Always one to accept a challenge, Gordon declared, “I WILL NOT WHINE!” … And he never did.  His bravery surpassed all expectations, and the end of his journey was facilitated by the incredibly kind, caring, and compassionate staff at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home.  If he could have spoken, he would have told them what a beautiful job they are doing, honoring Veterans and maintaining their dignity through the ends of their lives.  He stood his ground, in Viet Nam, Amherst politics, and during his descent toward death.  Semper Fi…to family, friends, and his principles.

All are welcome to join: Douglass Funeral Home on Monday, July 30, 2018, 4:00-6:00 pm Calling Hours, 6:15-7:00 pm Open Sharing of Remembrances.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Gordon’s favorite local nonprofit: Veterans’ Education Project.  PO Box 416, Amherst, MA  01004-0416.

Amherst, Thomas Healy Trotman born March 5th, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan passed July 12th, 2018 in Amherst at home. Son of Theodore and Alma (Crause) Trotman of Detroit, brother of Shirley & Kevin Daly of Oregon, brother of Nancy & Jim Henry of Oregon, husband of Margaret Diane MacArthur Ferguson Trotman, who passed in 2002 and Daddy-O to the sunshine of his life, Joan (Jody) Babilonia, her husband Marcos Babilonia of South Hadley and their two boys Brett Babilonia of Holyoke, MA and Tyler Babilonia of Phoenix, AZ. Tom leaves behind his dear friend and companion Bobby Zajieck of Amherst and Brendan Larson house fixer, painter, do-er of all things and all around good friend.

Tom became a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst shortly after moving from Michigan. He served in many capacities and on many Boards and always answered the call when needed. He was a proud mid-western Lutheran.

Education was important to Tom. He began his undergraduate studies at Alma College where he met Margaret. Both Tom and Marge had lifelong friends from Alma. Tom then attended The University of Michigan and The University of Massachusetts where he obtained masters degrees respectively.

His professional career of over 30 years began at The University of Massachusetts where he retired from as Executive Director of the UMass Foundation. He served under former President David Knapp with whom he had a strong and close working relationship with. He was on The Board of Trustees at UMass for many years and loved his job. He was particularly proud of his work with the UMass Mounted Police and the Hadley Farm. He was awarded the Silvio O. Conte award for his service and dedication to the Foundation.

Tom loved all things outdoors: hunting, fishing, camping, fly fishing, boating and all things Orvis, and had a passion for Moosehead Lake Maine where he and his buddies would venture off to his camp and solve all of the problems of the world. As a young boy, it wasn’t uncommon for him to load up his canoe with his tent, some sandwiches and a rifle and head out for the weekend camping alone on the shores of a lake in Michigan.

Tom had a love of history, and was particularly fond of The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Michigan where he would take Jody every chance they could go. He was a voracious reader and loved antiquing and collecting. He collected things mechanical and anything that could be taken apart and put back together again. Tom was an active and lifelong member of The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors. Certainly not boastful about it, but he would be considered in todays terms as an aficionado and scholar of horology. Tom was also a British car enthusiast. It wasn’t uncommon to find several vehicles of sorted condition in his collection as any given time. Many long hours after work and on weekends were dedicated to fixing, tuning, assembling and loving these cars. His passion was contagious.

Tom leaves several nieces and nephews along with their families as well as two beloved kitties.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to The Dakin Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101 or to The Shriners Children’s Hospital C/O Helma Court No. 64 attention Pat Semb, P.O. Box 99, Erving, MA 01344.

Calling hours will be Thursday, July 26th from 5-8pm at the Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst. A funeral will take place on Friday, July 27th at 10am at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Amherst with burial to follow in Wildwood Cemetery.

Amherst, Marion Lunham “Mama” Williams, 100, of Applewood retirement community in Amherst, MA, formerly of Bronxville, NY, died peacefully in her sleep at Hospice of the Fisher Home in Amherst, MA on Saturday, June 2, 2018.

She was born in White Plains, New York on April 16, 1918 to Alice Evelyn Tompkins and Wilbur B. Lunham. She was married to Henry Oxboel, with whom she had one child, Eric, and then re-married to Richard Williams, a well-known local artist with whom she had a daughter, Marjorie, and a son, Donald.

Marion enjoyed music, especially country music, and had a great love of nature, the ocean in particular. Apropos to a lifelong love of reading, she worked extensively in the Westchester, NY library system, finally settling in to a long employment with the Scarsdale Public Library. She was a long-time member of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Tuckahoe, NY.  On her 100^th birthday, she was honored by the town of Amherst as being their oldest living resident.

Marion was the matriarch of a large extended family and was intimately invested in their lives and well-being as she meticulously tracked their birthdays and milestones events. Marion loved to laugh and was especially fond of family occasions where her sense of humor was on full display. Her home was often the site for holiday gatherings, especially Christmas where her home-baked Christmas cookies attained a legendary status. She was strong, resilient and always looking forward to every new event in her life.

She is survived by her son, Eric Oxboel and his wife Lynne of Mount Kisco, NY, her daughter Marjorie Budd and her husband Mark of Ashburn, VA, and her son Donald Williams and his partner Celia Mackinnon, of Northampton, MA. In addition she is survived by ten grandchildren (and one deceased grandchild), and twelve great-grandchildren.

A private family ceremony took place at White Plains Rural Cemetery arranged by the Westchester Funeral Home. The family would like to extend a special thanks of appreciation to both Applewood and the Hospice of Fisher House for their wonderful care and consideration.

Belchertown, Anyone who encountered Carol Mae Wagner more than likely heard a joke to two.  Here’s one to start… A window cleaner was washing a window on the 18^th floor of the library.  She fell, but didn’t get hurt, and didn’t die.  How’d she do it?  See answer below…

On June 12, 2018 the Pioneer and Quabbin Valleys lost an amazing scholar.  Carol Mae Wagner peacefully passed away after a long battle with cancer.  Carol was not your stereotypical scholar, but a scholar of life – if only more people in this world today lived each day like Carol, it would be a far better place.  She defied her death sentence on multiple occurrences, simply to keep on living. 

Carol didn’t care about age, gender, race, social status, or any other dividing category/title.  To her we were all human, we were all equal.  Her outlook on life was one to admire.  She had a passion for teaching the basic fundamentals of life.  Carol grew up on a dairy farm, shoveling poop, milking cows, caring for people, plants, and animals from birth to death.  The cycle of life was the key to a peaceful perception on the day to day encounters; the good, the bad and the ugly ones.

Her determination to keep on learning in life, lead her to achieving her Master’s Degree.  She continued on by creating an environment she could encourage others who had an open mind – she taught in Belchertown elementary system for 37 years, teaching 3^rd and 4^th grades.  In 2008, she won the Pioneer Excellence in Teaching Award.  To bridge the gap between the classroom and the outdoors, Carol initiated the Swift River Garden created by the students.  Carol promoted continued learning by volunteering and supporting the Clapp Library and the Belchertown Senior Center.  She was a true giver… never needing a thing.  As she retired from teaching, she dedicated her life to breeding boxers.  As she rode the roller coaster of her illness, the puppies would be the only thing the calm her coughing.  She’d share her love with each one, and in turn the puppies healed her. 

Once she was diagnosed with brain cancer, she decided to start writing down memories and life lessons she never wanted to forget.  One of her last entries was “I want to live, until I die…”.  Carol’s fierce independence, incredible work ethic, and nurturing demeanor allowed her to connect with many people.  She didn’t just touch your heart, she touched your soul.  In honor of Carol, the family invites those who would like to share a little love to the family farm located at 305 North East St. Amherst, MA 01002 on July 14^th, 5:00 PM for a potluck bbq.  Carol’s family reached across many towns, many creeds, many walks of life – please join to continue to spread Carol’s message and a few jokes. 

The answer you ask?  The window washer was washing the windows on the inside.  Remember, perspective is always relevant.

Athol, Michael Thomas Aliberti, son of the late Cira and Antonio Aliberti, was born March 7th 1943 in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He attended the Lawrence public schools. He was drafted into military service by the U.S. Army in 1964. He served a total of six years active duty and reserve time, including 12 months in Vietnam as a medical corpsman. Michael worked for the Massachusetts Highway Department for 30 years and retired as a senior Bridge Foreman. Following his long career maintaining the roads and bridges in Essex County, he refused to relax. He worked several other jobs including the University of New Hampshire, Walmart assembling bicycles, UPS delivering holiday packages and Universal Studios Orlando, FL. Michael was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and was always researching the latest gadgets and equipment to increase his chances of bagging that monster trophy or “big fish.” He also had an enormous appreciation for nature, and enjoyed watching the many deer, bears and other animals which frequented his property, both live and on his motion-activated wildlife camera. He loved to design and build birdhouses to attract specific avian friends for their songs and routinely fed wild turkeys who came running when he called, “come and get it.” When he was not working on improving his hunting or fishing skills, he could usually be found in his garage building something, in his yard obsessing over his vegetable garden, or around the house repairing something broken. Among his favorite things were Pirates of the Caribbean, bacon and Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Michael passed away suddenly on June 30 while working outdoors on his property in Athol. He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Deena Marie DuBois of Danvers, Massachusetts, son David and daughter-in-law Cinnamon, daughter Jill and five grandchildren, Alex, Josh, Ben, Lexi and Travis, who were his greatest source of pride and joy.
A celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Saturday, July 7th from 1-5pm at 116 Dayton Street, Danvers, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Heart Association in his name.

Gordy Thorne died on June 27, 2018 at home, Bramble Hill Farm, Amherst, Massachusetts.

He was an artist, a maker of things. He experimented, discovered, played, lifted; worked wood and stone; shaped earth; drew and painted on paper; made cars move because of wind. He passionately lived, defined and defended, what it is to create. This is who he was. But he was very aware that his life had a freedom because he was born to abundance. He wanted to take as many people along with this abundance as possible.

He had a rich inner life. He tended it by building boats, creating things and always by recording and working on each dream. He sketched around them, went to the depths of them, coming back up with images, thoughts, heart, insight and action. He created something out of nothing, over and over. He was always drawn to the connection between things. He never gave up his drive to explore. Near the end of his life he went for the deepest material and stayed in it. He was musing, he was delving, and then with grace and humor – accepting – until the very last day.

He always asked questions, large and small. From what is the responsibility of the government of a country or a town to take care of its people in large and small ways, to how can the sunflower seed make a twelve-foot plant? He spent lots of time trying to figure out how to solve and reshape what he thought was not right in the world. At first he created open spaces in which people could develop and show their art work. He believed an empty space held potential. So, the third floor of Thornes became Available Potential Enterprises. A.P.E. It became a place for anyone’s imagination. It was used by dancers, artists, actors, writers, and children for discovery and making things.

He and his wife came to think of their part of the 3rd floor of Thornes as an open field. It needed to be thought of as a part of nature. Preserved in the middle of a town, people could come and go, make use of it. Their interest in preserving space expanded to land. They started a foundation called “The Open Field Foundation”, which bought the Jacques Farm in Amherst, Mass. It became Bramble Hill Farm, and its mission was to support young organic farmers, and to encourage children and their families in the exploration and experience of the natural world. This included a Blue Barn made with Well’s Barn vaulted trusses – another open space for making and imagining. It was important to Gordy to clear a path around the perimeter of the farm, so neighbors and anyone could walk there.

After leaving Thornes, the next open space was 126 Main St. Northampton, a place right on the street, all windows. People could come in or just walk by, and look in at what was on the walls, the floor, or at the people in there doing things. The space became — Window. His last and largest project was his involvement in the Arts Trust at Hawley Street. When the 3rd floor space at Thornes was not able to be preserved as an “open field”, he felt an obligation to the town to help find a new one.

Gordy believed that a space for imagining, whether you were an artist making a dance or a farmer plowing and planting a field, a person walking around a farm, a child looking at the snakes coming out of a moist hollow in spring, would help make a world “you would want to inhabit.”

He never wanted to be the center of attention. He would leave a present in a special place so that you would find it on your own. That was his gift to you. That he kept giving you back to yourself.

Gordy is survived by his wife Anne Love Woodhull; by his son Ben Thorne and his wife Eliza Howard and their children Augie and Sylvie; by his daughter Nell Thorne; and his grandchildren Jesse, Ian, Julia and Alana Hislop, whose mother and Gordy’s eldest daughter, Jennifer Calloway Thorne, predeceased him.

A gathering will be held at 5:00 p.m. on August 12 at Bramble Hill Farm in Amherst.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Schumacher Society for a New Economics in Egremont, Massachusetts; Biodiversityworks in Martha’s Vineyard; and Brookfield Biodynamic Farm/ 24 Hulst Rd./Amherst, Massachusetts.

Elaine D. Trehub, 89, of the Applewood Retirement Community in Amherst, died peacefully at home on Sunday, July 1, 2018. She was born in Boston on November 20, 1928 to William (Bill) and Gussie Epstein (née Sherman). She and her three older sisters—Lillian, Charlotte, and Sylvia—were raised in Mattapan, just a few streets away from her future husband, Arnold. She later described the experience of growing up in Boston in the 1930s and 1940s in an oral history interview with the Yiddish Book Center; excerpts can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2tZVnLt. Elaine graduated from Dorchester High School for Girls in 1946, the same year in which she won a city-wide essay contest and received an award from former U.S. Navy officer and would-be U.S. congressman John F. Kennedy, then in his first political campaign. She attended Radcliffe College on a scholarship, graduating in 1950 with a B.A. She met Arnold Trehub at a wedding in 1948—one of his aunts made sure they were seated at the same table—and married him in August 1950. (He later claimed that he had first noticed her on a streetcar before they met, but that claim cannot be verified.) The couple lived in Cambridge while Elaine worked in the Harvard University Archives and Arnold completed his Ph.D. at Boston University. They moved to Amherst in 1954, settling in a house on Farview Way (their home for over sixty years), raising their three children and four cats, and participating in town life. Elaine and Arnold were among the founders of the Jewish Community of Amherst; and Elaine was active in the League of Women Voters for over fifty years.

A proud and accomplished homemaker, Elaine went back to school in 1970 and earned a library degree from Simmons College in 1973, commuting weekly from Amherst to Boston in all kinds of weather during the pre-cellphone era. She was hired as the College Archivist at Mount Holyoke College in 1973 and worked there until 1996. During her 23 years at Mount Holyoke, Elaine built the college archives into a well-organized research collection on women’s education and women’s history in the 19th and 20th centuries. Among other innovations, she introduced subject access to the collection (a revolutionary idea for archives in the 1970s) and a strong service orientation that focused on the needs of students and professional researchers alike. Her belief in service also helped her to build strong relationships with donors; one of her proudest accomplishments in this area was the acquisition of the personal papers of playwright Wendy Wasserstein, a Mount Holyoke alumna. An enthusiastic writer, Elaine took a research sabbatical in England in 1992. Accompanied by her husband and using Cambridge as her base, she collected materials on the history of women’s education in England at archives throughout that country. Her survey article on this topic was eventually published online, at https://bit.ly/2IIMs6t. After leaving Mount Holyoke in 1996, Elaine worked as a consultant in the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections for nine years. She retired from the profession in 2005. During her 32-year career, she was active in the Society of New England Archivists, helped to found the Five College Archivists, and mentored dozens of younger colleagues.

Elaine had a gift for forming lasting friendships and was a polite but unrelenting advocate for those with disabilities and other special needs. She loved reading (fiction and poetry), writing, gardening, swimming, and “shmying around” bargain stores, a habit she acquired at the original Filene’s Basement in Boston in the 1940s. She also loved foreign travel. Starting in the mid-1970s, she and her husband visited Portugal, England, Scotland, the former Yugoslavia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Israel, France, Estonia, Norway, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Despite her many interests and professional accomplishments, however, Elaine’s greatest source of pleasure and pride was her family—her husband and children. They were, as she said at the end, “a family bound by love”.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, her daughter Lorna, and her husband Arnold. She is survived by her son Craig, of Amherst; her son Aaron, of Opelika, Alabama; her cat Hector, also of Amherst; and nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews in the United States and Spain. A funeral service will be held at the Jewish Community of Amherst on Monday, July 9, at 10:00 AM. A memorial event will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, well-wishers are asked to make contributions to the Schlesinger Library at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study; the Mount Holyoke College Library; a library of their choice; or the Dakin Animal Shelter in Leverett, Massachusetts.

Amherst, Barbara J. Therrien left this world on June 26, 2018 at the Elaine Center of Hadley. She was 91 years old.

She was born in Amherst on March 5, 1927 to the late Guy and Anna Belden. Barbara married Alfred Therrien and raised three children in Amherst. Richard predeceased her in 1980 and Ronnie in 1994.

Barbara is survived by one daughter, Cheryl Waterman. She is also survived by one sister, June Ducharme of New York and one daughter-in-law, Christine Therrien of Texas. Barbara lived with her daughter Cheryl and son-in-law Thomas Waterman in Amherst.

Barbara had five grandchildren: Noel, Matthew, and Michael all from Texas and Melanie LaRochelle and Cody Waterman who predeceased her in 2015. She has 7 great grandchildren: Coldy, Chelsea, and Tanner Therrien and Nathan Wilson, all from Texas and Kayle, Torrie, and Brennan LaRochelle, all from Holyoke, MA. She also leaves four great great grand children: Trinity, Rayleigh, Braxton, and Oliver, all from Texas. The Newest addition is James Baily Jackson of Belchertown.

Following Barbara’s wishes, there will be no services.

Amherst, Bruce Edward Smith of Amherst passed on unexpectedly of unknown causes on June 24th. Son of the late Charlotte Kellogg and Frank Smith, Bruce graduated Amherst High School in 1975, where he played for the ARHS basketball team that became Regional Champions that year. He went on to play college basketball at Bucknell University, spent a semester in Florence, Italy, and received a degree in Political Science. Bruce engaged in local politics with zeal. Though he often found himself swimming upstream, he held true to his convictions. He may be best known for his self-produced project, “The Bruce Show,” which aired weekly on ACTV, and where he espoused his ideas with vigor, inviting the viewer to join in on more lighthearted activities.

Bruce had many interests and abilities. He was resourceful; a clever mechanic, careful gardener, avid reader and for many years self-employed as a house painter. Other hobbies included playing the guitar and harmonica, drawing, figure and landscape painting, carpentry, and furniture making. A member of the Greenfield Rod and Gun Club for many years, Bruce enjoyed shooting at the range and took up screen printing to make custom t-shirts for the membership. He lived by his own convictions and a profound sense of integrity. Bruce was a loving father and a true friend with a big heart and a playful sense of humor.

Bruce continued to play basketball throughout his life through the Greenfield rec. league among others. He developed a reputation for his quick wit and sharp elbows. The morning of Bruce’s passing, he played pick-up basketball at Mill River as he often did on Sunday mornings. He was also there to gather signatures to appear on the November ballot for Town Council, of which he already had sufficient numbers. Bruce was an engaged member of the community, always willing to lend a helping hand to neighbors and friends. He loved his country and appreciated the simple things in life. He will be deeply missed.

He leaves behind his daughter, Melissa Dickson nee Chapman-Smith and her husband Onias Timothy Dickson of Washington DC, his brother Andy Smith of Amherst, and beloved friend and companion, Anne Delman of Amherst. He also leaves the Smith family of Highland, MD, Geri, Samantha and Meverette; his former wife, Dael Chapman of Amherst; members of the Stratford and Kellogg families, and many good friends for whom he cared greatly.

A memorial will be held in the afternoon of Saturday July 7th. Please send a short email to BruceSmithMemorialService@gmail.com or leave a message with your phone number at (413) 461-0967 to be notified of the exact time and location of the service. 

Hadley, Nellie (Czajkowski) Griffin died at home on Thursday, June 28. She lived to age 101, born in Hadley in 1917 to John W. and Nellie (Orszulak) on a small farm. She graduated from Hopkins Academy and Northampton Commercial College. She received an excellent score on a civil service exam and was recommended by her teachers for a job in Washington D.C. She packed one small suitcase, took the train from Northampton and her career was launched. Working at the Department of Agriculture she met and later married Albert Griffin. After retiring from government service she worked for All State Insurance.

Affectionately called Nan by family members she was the fun, stylish aunt who visited from Washington D.C. She also traveled to Alaska, France, Florida and Puerto Rico with nieces or her sister. She enjoyed visiting the White House each December to view the Christmas decorations, loved the monuments and memorials in D.C., especially at cherry blossom time and has followed closely the political doings.

Her parents predeceased her, as did her husband Albert and siblings: Janina Esselen, Mildred Zachowski, Bertha Clark, Joseph and John J. Czajkowski. Since December of 2015 she has held the Hadley Golden Cane as the oldest resident of the town. She will be missed by her many nieces and nephews, their children and her devoted caregiver Viviene Williams.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday July2, 2018, 10:00 AM at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley. A period of visitation will be from 9:15 to 10:00 AM at the church prior to the Mass. Burial will follow in Holy Rosary Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA 01002.