Amherst, Lee Dersch (Heronemus) Martin died unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home in Amherst, MA January 11, 2017 at the age of 68. Lee grew up in the US Navy, traveling the world. She was always very responsible, dependable, and caring for others.  She was the oldest of 6 and yet was able to keep her sense of humor about being part of “all you kids”!   It was always wonderful to hear her laugh and when she played cribbage she was determined to win!

She lived “a good and thoughtful life”, and helped many with their physical traumas over 40 years as a professional caregiver.  She also wrote sensitive poetry throughout her adult life.  After retirement she felt compelled to volunteer at the Amherst Survival Center, falling right in step with their mission and becoming “a solid member of the early Friday volunteer crew!”  All those who came to know her loved her as the “sweet, kind-hearted, dependable, gentle, caring spirit” she was. “A warm, thoughtful woman”. And “a loyal friend”.

Lee lived an authentic life, with many rich friendships.  “She taught me many things, and it was a privilege to be part of her life.” Her siblings will always be warmed by the outpouring of love, shock, grief and sadness; and, grateful for the stories that have been shared about her from you who knew and loved her day to day as the unique person God made. “She will be greatly missed!”

A Life Celebration will be held in the late Spring or Summer in Amherst when all her brothers and sisters may be present.

AMHERST- Roger Fega died Tuesday, January 23, 2018. He was born June 6, 1947, in New Rochelle, New York to Mort Fega and Muriel (Praete) Fega.  

Roger is survived by his wife Cynthia Holmes, children Alison, Stephen and Madison, brothers Ken, Doug and Russ and his mother Muriel Fega. Roger drowned in Costa Rica where he was on vacation with his best friends Richard Wayne and Pamela Benepe.

Roger had an ever-curious mind and a deep love for music and family. He was known by many as the Jazz Farmer and hosted radio shows on several Valley stations. 

Roger had a deep understanding and appreciation for the wonders of nature, and cherished the opportunity to share his knowledge. His family and friends will miss his empathy and caring intuition as we move throughout life without him by our side. 

All are welcome to share their memories, grief, and companionship at his memorial service, which will be held at the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, (845 West St, Amherst ) on February 4^th at 12pm. Memorial donations may be sent to the Orchard Arboretum at Applewood, c/o Amherst Conservation Department 4 Boltwood Avenue, Amherst MA, 01002. Roger had devoted the past few years to revitalizing the arboretum. This project awakened in him a renewed physical and spiritual energy, which he shared with those around him.   

Amherst, Doris Reynolds Holden passed away peacefully on January 24, 2018. 

She was born in Ludlow, Massachusetts, June 1, 1922, the daughter of Thomas Harold and Georgia (Gates) Reynolds.

A graduate of Turners Falls High School (1939) and of Northampton Commercial College (1941), she received her B.G.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1975 and 1980, respectively.

In 1952, Doris married Cecil R. Holden, who died in 1980.  A brother, Thomas Gates Reynolds, and a long-time friend, Howard D. Barnes, predeceased her. 

She leaves a niece, Terry Ann Linley, a grand-niece, Erin Fryauff, and a grand-nephew, Brian Linley, all from Florida; several cousins; a friend and caregiver, Nancy Nash, several other care-givers, and many friends.

Doris was employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for twenty-eight years (1941 – 1969) and then the University of Massachusetts/Amherst until her retirement in 1984.

She was a sixty-year member of Edwards Church, Northampton, the senior Past Matron of Unity Chapter No. 66, Order of the Eastern Star, Amherst, and a member of several local organizations.

After her retirement, Doris enjoyed volunteering in the coffee shop at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, as a docent at the Renaissance Center at UMass/Amherst, and at the Hospice Shop for the Fisher Home.  She worked with Janet Dakin for the Friends of Amherst Stray Animals and continued with the Dakin Humane Society.  Doris served as treasurer for Edwards Church for many years as well as for the Friends of the Amherst Senior Center.  She was recognized several times for volunteering and was a Volunteer Emerita of the Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

As she wished, the funeral will be private with no calling hours.  A memorial service will be held at Edwards Church in late May.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, 171 Union St., Springfield, MA 01105, or the charity of your choice.

Hadley, Randall “Willie” E. Broadhurst, 78, a longtime Hadley resident, died Friday January 19, 2018 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born September 9, 1939 in Northampton to the late Randall R. and Catherine {McSorley} Broadhurst. He spent much of his younger years in the Northampton area while working for the VA Hospital in Leeds for more than 37 years. Willie was always proud of his service in the Army reserves. He frequented many local VFW posts and particularly enjoyed being Santa Claus around Christmas time. He was open minded and a gentle man and was a longtime member of the North Hadley Congregational Church, as well as a member of the Order of Odd Fellows and the American Legion in Hadley, where he thoroughly enjoyed marching in parades.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 31 years, Charlotte Broadhurst, his four brothers and two sisters.

He is survived by his son, daughter, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren whom he deeply loved. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces and friends; especially his special group the “Domes” and their morning breakfasts together.

A memorial service will be held Monday January 29, 2018 at 11:00 at the North Hadley Congregational Church, with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to North Hadley Congregational Church P.O. Box 695 Hadley, MA 01035 or Meals on Wheels 320 Riverside Dr. Florence, MA 01062

Hadley, Linda R. Rutkowski, 63, of Hadley passed away peacefully on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a courageous battle with cancer. Her son, Sean A. Martin was by her bedside. Born March 24, 1954 in Ware, MA she was the daughter of the late Henry and Evelyn (LaValley) Martin.

Those who knew and loved Linda, knew that she had big heart, enjoyed the simpler side of life, and had the strength and courage comparable to that of a warrior. Linda devoted her life to her family, her friends, and her home. With an eye of an interior decorator, combined with her natural creativity, Linda could make any room or old relic look remarkable when she was finished with it. When Linda wasn’t at home brainstorming her next household project idea, or out spoiling her grandchildren, you could be certain that she and her long-term companion Raymond, were out browsing the weekend tag sales looking for more treasures to bring home. Linda’s affinity for people, interior decorating, and keeping an immaculate home, were all quality traits that were well suited to her occupation as a housekeeper. Linda worked as both a private and professional housekeeper for many years in the local area until she retired from Applewood of Amherst in 1999. After retirement, Linda enjoyed spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, family, and her friends. Prior to moving to Hadley, MA in December 2017, Linda was a resident of College Highway Apartments in Easthampton, MA. While living there, Linda developed many, long-lasting friendships with the other residents who contributed to her trying new activities and games. In fact, many days, you could find Linda and other residents, downstairs in the community room sharing stories, building puzzles together, or playing one of Linda’s favorite games “cornhole”.

She leaves behind a son, Sean A. Martin of Meridianville, Alabama; a daughter, Valena M. Rutkowski of Belchertown, MA; a step-daughter, Leah Buzzee and her family of Westhampton, MA; 6 grandchildren, Derek, Seth, and Rebecca Martin of Meridianville, Alabama; Travis Martin of Louisville, KY and Paige and Peyton Dias of Belchertown, MA. She also leaves behind her companion of several years, Raymond Basara of Leverett; a brother, Robert Martin and his wife Sue of Belchertown; three sisters, Sandra Dix of Haydenville, MA; Joan Dion and her husband Richard of Easthampton, MA; Mary Martin of Belchertown; as well as, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Besides her parents, she is predeceased by two sisters, Carol Jenks and Debra Zola; a brother Henry R. Martin Sr; and her ex-husband and close friend Ronald R. Rutkowski.

A Celebration of Linda’s Life will be held Sunday, February 18, 2018 at the American Legion, 74 Pleasant St., Granby, MA from 2:00-7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association National Direct Response Headquarters 1200 Hosford Street, Suite 101 Hudson, WI 54016-9316

Shutesbury, Gordon David Kimball, 64, of Shutesbury, MA, Beloved Friend, Love, Confidante, Humorist, and Life Partner of Michele Cunningham, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2018 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a brief illness. CDH is also the site of his birth in 1953, and his later re-birth in 1986 after a near fatal motorcycle accident. Gordon was the son of Dorothy and Robert (Slim) Kimball of Shutesbury, both deceased. He is fondly remembered by the love of his life, Michele, his treasured son, Matthew Kimball and partner Abigail Pease of Turners Falls, grandchildren Madison and Ella Roxanne Kimball, brothers Paul Kimball of Boston, Peter Kimball and wife Donna of Richmond, NH, sister, Lillian Kimball Johnson, Crystal Kimball of Athol, wife of his deceased brother John Kimball, close cousin, Robert Taylor of Sunderland, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. The family welcomes all friends, family, and well-wishers to share in a Celebration of Life luncheon in Gordon’s honor on Saturday, January 27, 1:00 – 4:00 at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center, 289 Main St, Greenfield, MA.  

John Davis died January 3rd at the age of 86. He was born in Manchester, NH, grew up in Winchester, and had lived in Amherst for most of his adult life.

He was devoted to Ruthie, his late of wife 43 years. He loved antique airplanes, Dixieland jazz, and especially astronomy.

For many decades he was involved in and attended amateur astronomy organizations and events all over New England, including the Astronomy Association and Springfield Stars. He was an active longtime member of the Amherst Area Amateur Astronomers Association (the 5As) from whom he received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Arunah Hill Natural Science Center.

An exuberant and gregarious man, he loved his family, his old friends, and making new ones. He leaves his daughter Susan and his sister Maryjane and her family. He will be greatly missed by all of us.

At 10 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Jan 11, there will be a calling hour & service at Douglass Funeral Svc in Amherst followed by burial at Pelham Valley Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation or the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Edith Iselin Byron, the wife of Frederick William Byron, Jr., died on Saturday, Dec. 30, after a short illness. She was 80.

Edith, a proud native of New York City, had called Amherst home for 50 years since she moved there with her husband when he took a position teaching physics at the University of Massachusetts.  She also spent a couple of weeks each summer for the past 25 years in her beloved Greensboro, VT.

Community organizations in Amherst benefited from Edith’s time and commitment. Reading was one of Edith’s great passions leading her to the Jones Library, where she got many books that entertained and educated her two children, as well as to the Friends of the Jones Library.  Edith was actively involved in fundraising for the Friends that benefited the library, including its annual book sale. She also organized events for Amherst school children at the library where they received a library card and learned how the institution could benefit them.

Other passions of Edith’s life included theater and the visual arts. Edith was an accomplished stage performer during her years at Radcliffe College. In the years that followed, Edith was a devoted follower of stage productions in New York City, Boston, Hartford, and New Haven as well as locally.

Following in the footsteps of her father, the late Lewis Iselin, Jr., Edith pursued a career as an artist as much as she could while also being a wife and mother. Her paintings were displayed locally and in Boston and also continue to grace the homes of people who knew and appreciated her work. Edith’s love of art got her involved in Amherst’s public art commission, which commissioned several works by area artists, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

First and foremost, Edith saw her role as being a wife and mother. Edith’s children and grandchildren will always benefit from the priority she placed on their education. Edith herself was a graduate of the Brearley School in New York City and Radcliffe College in Cambridge, Mass. The importance Edith placed on being a mother also manifested itself in the energy and focus she applied to helping her older son Ken live with juvenile diabetes. The gift from this is a healthy life for which Ken will be forever grateful.

In addition to her husband of 56 years, Edith is survived by: her two sons and their wives, Ken and Julie Byron of Berlin, CT. and Alex Byron and Nikki Maguire of Oakland, CA; her sister Sarah Iselin of Norman, OK; a granddaughter, Rebecca Byron of Berlin, CT.; and two grandsons, James and Nathaniel Byron of Oakland, CA. In addition to her father, Edith was predeceased by her mother, Sally Cary Iselin of New York City.

Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people make memorial donations to either the Jones Library at https://www.joneslibrary.org or the Friends of the Jones Library so they can continue their good work.

!!!DUE TO THE WEATHER, CALLING HOURS FOR DAVID ARE CANCELLED TONIGHT, THE FAMILY WILL RECEIVE VISTORS FROM 10 – 11 AM FRIDAY, BEFORE THE SERVICE!!!

Pelham David A. Bray, 54, a long time Pelham resident, died unexpectedly at home on December 26, 2017. He was born July 20, 1963 to the late Waldo and Phyllis {Pelis} Bray. David was a 1981 graduate of Amherst Regional High School and received his Associates degree from Holyoke Community College in 1983. David was a long time local employee for various local restaurants and food service industry alike.

He is survived by his brother, Donald and his wife Nancy, several Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Calling hours will be held Friday, January 5, 2018 from 10 – 11 AM at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst funeral services will immediately follow at 11:00 am at the Douglass Funeral Service, with burial following at Wildwood Cemetery, Amherst.

Surrounded by friends and family, Dr. James Ralph—a long-time resident of Amherst–died peacefully on December 21, 2017 at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton.   He was 84 years old.

Dr. Ralph was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, on March 23, 1933, to Richard and Alice [Walwood] Ralph.  His family then moved to Bennington, Vermont, where he was raised with two sisters (Claire and Brenda) and two brothers (Richard and David).   For his entire life, he enjoyed the outdoors, especially the backcountry in Vermont and the rest of New England.

In 1950, he matriculated at Middlebury College, where he joined the Chi Psi fraternity.  After graduating in 1954, he entered Yale Medical School.  He received his M.D. in 1959.  He then held an internship and residency at Akron General Hospital in Ohio.  From 1961 to 1963, he was stationed at Shaw Air Force base in Sumter, South Carolina, as a captain in the United States Air Force.

Dr. Ralph moved with his growing family—he had married Edith Aeschliman in 1958— to the Pioneer Valley in 1963.  He was a physician at the University of Massachusetts Health Services until his retirement in 1997.   He served as assistant medical director of the health services for twenty-six years.   In 1991, he was the recipient of a Chancellor’s Citation Award for meritorious service to the University of Massachusetts.  For many years he was a member of the executive board of the Massachusetts Medical Society.

Sports were always an important part of his life.  He played on a number of varsity teams for Bennington High School.  Despite suffering injuries, he received accolades for his performance in football during his senior year.  Later, he became a physician for many of the athletic teams at the University of Massachusetts, including the men’s and women’s basketball squads and the football team.  In 2000, he was inducted into the UMass Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nothing was more important to him than his family.   He loved taking family vacations, especially camping trips  (which included a lot of fishing) across the country and Canada.

Dr. Ralph was known for his caring nature, for his generosity with his time and talent, for his warm sense of humor, for his steadiness in times of stress, and for always putting people first.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 59 years, Edith, and four sons and their families (and seven grandchildren):  Jim Jr. and Ophelia Eglene (Owen and Chloé) of Weybridge, Vermont; Lee and Stacy (Julia, Olivia, and Spencer) of San Diego, California; Jon and Patricia Gibson (Jessie and Jack) of Manhattan Beach, California; David and Marsha of St. Augustine, Florida.   He will be lovingly remembered by his sister Brenda and her husband Dr. Abraham Madkour of Manchester Center, Vermont, his brother David W. Ralph of Hercules, California; many nieces and nephews and extended family living throughout the country and the world.

The Ralph family wishes to extend a special thank you to the intensive care unit at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital, the VNA staff, and especially Dr. Ralph’s caretakers over the past year—Robin Alix, Michael Buckowski, and David Brown.

A funeral mass, which will be celebrated by Father John Smegal, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 13^th, at St. Brigid’s Church in Amherst (Dr. Ralph was a devout, lifelong Catholic), with a burial at Wildwood Cemetery.  Arrangements are under the care of the Douglass Funeral Services, 87 N. Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.  A reception, a celebration of his life, will follow at the Marriott Center on the 11^th floor of University of Massachusetts Campus Center in Amherst. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Brigid’s Parish, 122 N. Pleasant Street, P.O. Box 424, Amherst, MA 01004, and the University of Massachusetts Athletics Department. 200 Commonwealth Avenue, Amherst, MA 01003.