Theodore (Ted/Teddy) Edward Bishko, 62 passed away Wednesday June 11, 2024 at Cooley-Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Massachusetts. 

 Born in Northampton on April 22, 1962, he was born the son of the late Thomas and Alice (Vollinger) Bishko. 

Ted graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1980.  He played a season of college soccer at Westfield State College.  Ted then worked for Wanczyk’s Nursery on Rt. 9 in Hadley for many years.

 Ted is survived by his son; Bryant Bishko, his brother; Timothy M. (Charity) Bishko and sister Theresa (William) Smoot, and his nephew; Timothy Bishko, Jr. and niece; Emily Berry.

There will be a graveside service at St. Brigid’s Cemetery, 86 N Maple Street in Hadley on July 2, 10:00 AM.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

 

 

Cecilia (née Pérez Verdía Schuster) Jacobson of West Hatfield, MA passed away peacefully at home on June 1, 2024 after a prolonged illness with Parkinson’s disease and related dementia. She was born and raised in Mexico City, Mexico on December 4, 1948 as the second child of Alfonso Pérez Verdía Abarca and Delfina Schuster de Pérez Verdía. When her mother passed away at an early age, her father was remarried to Mercedes Piñón Pérez Verdía. Cecilia cherished her Mexican culture and adored her extended family who live throughout Mexico.

 Before moving to the U.S., Cecilia ran a travel agency from Mexico City in the 70s. In 1980, a friend introduced her to Rudy Jacobson on a blind date and they got engaged two months later. They started their life together in Northampton, MA where Rudy had established his manufacturing business, Temp-Pro. They wed in 1981 and were fortunate to see many parts of the world together during their 42-year marriage. In 1986, they adopted their daughter Daniela Jacobson from Mexico and raised her in the Pioneer Valley.

 “Ceci” was known for lighting up any room and for her generosity. She had a flair for fashion and a reputation for dressing to the nines. Her passion for glamour and makeup led her to becoming a Mary Kay beauty consultant. As an artist, her creativity came to life through quilting, sewing, calligraphy, and more. She was a steadfast patron of the performing arts and believed in the magic of live dance, music, and theater. She volunteered as a parent for The Bement School and at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital Gift Shop in her later years. Cecilia loved to travel and spend time in Vermont and Rhode Island with loved ones.

 Her family will remember Cecilia for showing up, without fail, for them and others. Ceci always sought joy in life, even in challenging times. She was an optimist and her cheerful spirit never wavered despite facing chronic illness during the isolating Covid pandemic.

 Cecilia leaves behind beloved family throughout the U.S. and Mexico, including husband Rudy, daughter Daniela and her husband Samuel Plotkin, and two grandchildren Naomi and Diego; brother Alfonso Pérez Verdía Schuster and sister-in-law Maria Luisa Villareal, and their children Alfonso, Xavier, and Maria Luisa; and two stepbrothers Jaime M. de Prieto Piñón and René J. Prieto Piñón. She is predeceased by her stepbrother Rodrigo Prieto Piñón.

 The family wishes to thank all caregivers who helped Cecilia along her journey, including the wonderful hospice team at Cooley Dickinson. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Cooley Dickinson VNA & Hospice, and Eventide Singers found at eventidesingers.com.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, June 27, at 10:00 AM in St. Brigid’s Church, Amherst. Burial will follow in St. Brigid’s Cemetery, Hadley, followed by a reception.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

Mary Regina (Mae) Mazzei, 88, formerly of Amherst, was born on January 6, 1936  to Maurice C. and Suzanne W Garvey and raised in Amherst. She was a resident of Agawam West Nursing and Rehab facility at the time of her death on June 14, 2024.

Mae attended Amherst Public Elementary Schools and graduated from St. Michael’s High School and Northampton Commercial College in Northampton.  After college she worked as a secretary at Page Lab, Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts and later in life as a clerk in the Assessor’s office in Hadley.

In September, 1957 she married Francis X Mazzei and as a married couple they resided and raised their children in Amherst. Mae was a communicant of St Brigid’s Church in Amherst.

Mae is survived by her daughter, Fawn E Mazzei of Agawam, son Maurice Mazzei of California, grandchildren Elizabeth Mazzei and Franklin Mazzei, and four siblingMae was predeceased by her husband, Francis X Mazzei, her son Francis S (Frankie), and four siblings.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, June 25^th at 10am at St Brigid’s Church in Amherst, Ma. A calling hour at the Douglass Funeral Home, 87 North Pleasant St, Amherst will be held from 8:30am to 9:30am prior to the service.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral .com

 

Thomas E Chalmers of Amherst, 88, passed away peacefully June 8 surrounded by his loving family.  Born in Holyoke Hospital on July 30, 1935, he was the son of the late Kenneth and Helen (Flemming) Chalmers.   Tom was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and retired from Alcoholism Services of Greater Springfield where he was an EAP counselor.  He was also a friend of Bill W for over 51 years.  Affectionately known as Big Tom, he helped many people and his reach spread far and wide. 

Tom adored his children and grandchildren, attending many sporting events.  As a long time Yankee fan, he had a playful banter with his Red Sox loving grandsons, Justin and Jamie, who once decorated his car with Red Sox memorabilia.  With a great sense of humor, he drove that car around with pride.  He was an avid golfer and was a long-time member of the Amherst Golf Club where he had once served as President and Club Chairman for the Francis Ouimet Caddie Scholarship Fund.

Tom leaves behind his loving daughters Karen Carey and Shawn Durocher, son-in-law Rick Durocher, grandchildren Justin Carey, Jamie Carey, Olivia Dame and her husband Andrew Dame, Christina Durocher and Ava Carey, sister Barbara Romashko and sister-in-law Kathleen Weatherwax. He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Jane and sons Brian and Tommy.

Calling hours will be Wenesday, June 19, form 4 – 7 Pm at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. A graveside service will be Thusday at 11 Am in South Amherst Cemetery.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

HADLEY, MA. Barbara J. Hendricks passed away peacefully Monday June 10^th surrounded by her loving family. Barbara was a lifelong resident of Hadley, growing up on the family farm, and then going on to work as a librarian at Hopkins Academy. She then went on to work at Hampshire College where she oversaw the college post office before enjoying many years of retirement life. Always on the go, she enjoyed traveling to many destinations. Whether cruising to Puerto Rico, trips to Hampton Beach, or driving through every state east of the Mississippi with Bud, Barbara always loved to be active and enjoy her adventures through life.

Barbara was predeceased by her husband Bernard Hendricks, her mother and father James and Margaret Searle, Brother Joel Searle and her niece Michelle Searle.  She will be missed by many loving family members. She leaves behind her life partner Edward “Bud” Galvin, her loving daughter Margaret Orsini, a son James Hendricks, Grandchildren Chris Orsini, Nicholas Orsini, and Noah Searle, and great grandchild Dominick Orsini. She also leaves behind her sister in law Mildred Searle and her niece Amy Searle who was Barbara’s source of strength in her final days.

A Mass a Christian Burial will be Friday, June 14 at 11 AM at Most Holy Redeemer Church, Hadley. A calling hour from 10-11 AM will precede mass at the Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Michelle Searle Scholarship” fund.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

AMHERST, MA. Melba Lorraine (Wold) Larson, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at age 91, after several years of progressive dementia and related complications.

Melba Larson was born Jan. 31, 1933, to Olga B. (Karlstad) Wold and Helmer P. Wold in Watford City, North Dakota.  She moved with her family to Bemidji, MN 1946-49, then back to the Karlstad family farm in ND, graduating in 1951 from Dakota Lutheran High School, Minot, ND.

Melba pursued her college degrees by working as many as five part-time jobs simultaneously, graduating 1953 from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA (a junior college at the time) where she earned a teaching degree. She then studied at bible school in California before going on to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in History and Music, and graduating in 1958. While at Concordia she toured with the college choir and was in a group called Mission Ambassadors “intended for Cobbers who are planning to be missionaries or who are very interested in the needs of various mission fields.”

In 1958 she made her first global mission trip, traveling to Europe with a volunteer group, working on a rural development project in France and then traveling around Europe with fellow volunteers. 

In 1959 she was working at the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis, MN in the world missions office, when she was introduced via mutual friends to Lyle Edwin Larson who was studying at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Within a year they were married: on April 9, 1960, they said their vows at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul MN. By the time Lyle graduated from seminary and was ordained as a minister, they had their first child and a call from the American Lutheran Church to join its mission in Tokyo, Japan. Which, after Lyle got over his surprise at being asked to go to Japan again (where he had been stationed with the U.S. Air Force), and with Melba’s encouraging support, they both accepted.

During their cumulative 25 years in Japan, Melba gave birth to two more children, taught English part-time for many years, was the undeniable favorite of the family dog, and enjoyed singing in every church choir, especially at St. Paul International Lutheran Church in Tokyo. She made many friends in Tokyo including among the expat community, and in retirement was able to fulfill more travel dreams like making multiple trips to visit friends in Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Switzerland.   

After returning to the United States in 1985, and a year in Niagara Falls, NY where Lyle served as interim pastor, Melba and Lyle moved to Scarsdale, NY where Lyle was installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church until his retirement in 1994. They immediately felt at home, as the proximity to Manhattan and the considerable Japanese expatriate community drew on many of their experiences in Tokyo.

Once in the New York metropolitan area, Melba found new work opportunities to contribute her education and experience. After a part-time position at Pace University’s law school in White Plains, NY, she joined the world mission office of The Episcopal Church headquarters in New York City, across from the United Nations.  While working for the Episcopal Church from 1989 to 1997, she supported  missionaries around the world including traveling to Panama, Kenya, and Uganda.

After moving to Washington, MA in the Berkshires following Lyle’s retirement, she continued to commute to NYC for three days each week for a few more years before she retired.  She loved to sing in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield MA, and was an active participant in four book clubs. Her love of the Berkshires included regular trips to Tanglewood concerts, hiking the Appalachian Trail while picking berries, and both downhill and cross country skiing. As Lyle told one of her children who was only joking about how they could have retired to a warmer climate: “Your mother loves the snow too much.” At their home in the hills of the Berkshires, it seemed to snow almost every day during peak winter months. In the spring they made maple syrup from the trees on their property.

After moving to Amherst in 2011, she was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church and represented the church in the Interfaith Opportunities Network which connected local houses of worship. By moving to Amherst where their son’s family had moved, she and Lyle were able to attend the many sports, music and other school activities of their three grandchildren Edward, Catherine and William.

Melba Larson is survived by daughter Susan; son Nathanael, his wife Elizabeth and three grandchildren; and daughter Rachel. She is also survived by her brother Carmen Wold of Watford City, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, brothers Harold Wold and Ralph Wold, and by her sister Pearl Marian Njus.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday June 15, 2024, at Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 1501 Fulham Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Rev. Jeffrey Johnson officiating. Interment will be the following day in Newman Grove, Nebraska.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. Melba Lorraine (Wold) Larson, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at age 91, after several years of progressive dementia and related complications.

Melba Larson was born Jan. 31, 1933, to Olga B. (Karlstad) Wold and Helmer P. Wold in Watford City, North Dakota.  She moved with her family to Bemidji, MN 1946-49, then back to the Karlstad family farm in ND, graduating in 1951 from Dakota Lutheran High School, Minot, ND.

Melba pursued her college degrees by working as many as five part-time jobs simultaneously, graduating 1953 from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA (a junior college at the time) where she earned a teaching degree. She then studied at bible school in California before going on to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in History and Music, and graduating in 1958. While at Concordia she toured with the college choir and was in a group called Mission Ambassadors “intended for Cobbers who are planning to be missionaries or who are very interested in the needs of various mission fields.”

In 1958 she made her first global mission trip, traveling to Europe with a volunteer group, working on a rural development project in France and then traveling around Europe with fellow volunteers. 

In 1959 she was working at the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis, MN in the world missions office, when she was introduced via mutual friends to Lyle Edwin Larson who was studying at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Within a year they were married: on April 9, 1960, they said their vows at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul MN. By the time Lyle graduated from seminary and was ordained as a minister, they had their first child and a call from the American Lutheran Church to join its mission in Tokyo, Japan. Which, after Lyle got over his surprise at being asked to go to Japan again (where he had been stationed with the U.S. Air Force), and with Melba’s encouraging support, they both accepted.

During their cumulative 25 years in Japan, Melba gave birth to two more children, taught English part-time for many years, was the undeniable favorite of the family dog, and enjoyed singing in every church choir, especially at St. Paul International Lutheran Church in Tokyo. She made many friends in Tokyo including among the expat community, and in retirement was able to fulfill more travel dreams like making multiple trips to visit friends in Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Switzerland.   

After returning to the United States in 1985, and a year in Niagara Falls, NY where Lyle served as interim pastor, Melba and Lyle moved to Scarsdale, NY where Lyle was installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church until his retirement in 1994. They immediately felt at home, as the proximity to Manhattan and the considerable Japanese expatriate community drew on many of their experiences in Tokyo.

Once in the New York metropolitan area, Melba found new work opportunities to contribute her education and experience. After a part-time position at Pace University’s law school in White Plains, NY, she joined the world mission office of The Episcopal Church headquarters in New York City, across from the United Nations.  While working for the Episcopal Church from 1989 to 1997, she supported  missionaries around the world including traveling to Panama, Kenya, and Uganda.

After moving to Washington, MA in the Berkshires following Lyle’s retirement, she continued to commute to NYC for three days each week for a few more years before she retired.  She loved to sing in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield MA, and was an active participant in four book clubs. Her love of the Berkshires included regular trips to Tanglewood concerts, hiking the Appalachian Trail while picking berries, and both downhill and cross country skiing. As Lyle told one of her children who was only joking about how they could have retired to a warmer climate: “Your mother loves the snow too much.” At their home in the hills of the Berkshires, it seemed to snow almost every day during peak winter months. In the spring they made maple syrup from the trees on their property.

After moving to Amherst in 2011, she was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church and represented the church in the Interfaith Opportunities Network which connected local houses of worship. By moving to Amherst where their son’s family had moved, she and Lyle were able to attend the many sports, music and other school activities of their three grandchildren Edward, Catherine and William.

Melba Larson is survived by daughter Susan; son Nathanael, his wife Elizabeth and three grandchildren; and daughter Rachel. She is also survived by her brother Carmen Wold of Watford City, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, brothers Harold Wold and Ralph Wold, and by her sister Pearl Marian Njus.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday June 15, 2024, at Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 1501 Fulham Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Rev. Jeffrey Johnson officiating. Interment will be the following day in Newman Grove, Nebraska.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. Melba Lorraine (Wold) Larson, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at age 91, after several years of progressive dementia and related complications.

Melba Larson was born Jan. 31, 1933, to Olga B. (Karlstad) Wold and Helmer P. Wold in Watford City, North Dakota.  She moved with her family to Bemidji, MN 1946-49, then back to the Karlstad family farm in ND, graduating in 1951 from Dakota Lutheran High School, Minot, ND.

Melba pursued her college degrees by working as many as five part-time jobs simultaneously, graduating 1953 from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA (a junior college at the time) where she earned a teaching degree. She then studied at bible school in California before going on to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in History and Music, and graduating in 1958. While at Concordia she toured with the college choir and was in a group called Mission Ambassadors “intended for Cobbers who are planning to be missionaries or who are very interested in the needs of various mission fields.”

In 1958 she made her first global mission trip, traveling to Europe with a volunteer group, working on a rural development project in France and then traveling around Europe with fellow volunteers. 

In 1959 she was working at the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis, MN in the world missions office, when she was introduced via mutual friends to Lyle Edwin Larson who was studying at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Within a year they were married: on April 9, 1960, they said their vows at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul MN. By the time Lyle graduated from seminary and was ordained as a minister, they had their first child and a call from the American Lutheran Church to join its mission in Tokyo, Japan. Which, after Lyle got over his surprise at being asked to go to Japan again (where he had been stationed with the U.S. Air Force), and with Melba’s encouraging support, they both accepted.

During their cumulative 25 years in Japan, Melba gave birth to two more children, taught English part-time for many years, was the undeniable favorite of the family dog, and enjoyed singing in every church choir, especially at St. Paul International Lutheran Church in Tokyo. She made many friends in Tokyo including among the expat community, and in retirement was able to fulfill more travel dreams like making multiple trips to visit friends in Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Switzerland.   

After returning to the United States in 1985, and a year in Niagara Falls, NY where Lyle served as interim pastor, Melba and Lyle moved to Scarsdale, NY where Lyle was installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church until his retirement in 1994. They immediately felt at home, as the proximity to Manhattan and the considerable Japanese expatriate community drew on many of their experiences in Tokyo.

Once in the New York metropolitan area, Melba found new work opportunities to contribute her education and experience. After a part-time position at Pace University’s law school in White Plains, NY, she joined the world mission office of The Episcopal Church headquarters in New York City, across from the United Nations.  While working for the Episcopal Church from 1989 to 1997, she supported  missionaries around the world including traveling to Panama, Kenya, and Uganda.

After moving to Washington, MA in the Berkshires following Lyle’s retirement, she continued to commute to NYC for three days each week for a few more years before she retired.  She loved to sing in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield MA, and was an active participant in four book clubs. Her love of the Berkshires included regular trips to Tanglewood concerts, hiking the Appalachian Trail while picking berries, and both downhill and cross country skiing. As Lyle told one of her children who was only joking about how they could have retired to a warmer climate: “Your mother loves the snow too much.” At their home in the hills of the Berkshires, it seemed to snow almost every day during peak winter months. In the spring they made maple syrup from the trees on their property.

After moving to Amherst in 2011, she was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church and represented the church in the Interfaith Opportunities Network which connected local houses of worship. By moving to Amherst where their son’s family had moved, she and Lyle were able to attend the many sports, music and other school activities of their three grandchildren Edward, Catherine and William.

Melba Larson is survived by daughter Susan; son Nathanael, his wife Elizabeth and three grandchildren; and daughter Rachel. She is also survived by her brother Carmen Wold of Watford City, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, brothers Harold Wold and Ralph Wold, and by her sister Pearl Marian Njus.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday June 15, 2024, at Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 1501 Fulham Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Rev. Jeffrey Johnson officiating. Interment will be the following day in Newman Grove, Nebraska.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. Melba Lorraine (Wold) Larson, died peacefully on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at age 91, after several years of progressive dementia and related complications.

Melba Larson was born Jan. 31, 1933, to Olga B. (Karlstad) Wold and Helmer P. Wold in Watford City, North Dakota.  She moved with her family to Bemidji, MN 1946-49, then back to the Karlstad family farm in ND, graduating in 1951 from Dakota Lutheran High School, Minot, ND.

Melba pursued her college degrees by working as many as five part-time jobs simultaneously, graduating 1953 from Waldorf College, Forest City, IA (a junior college at the time) where she earned a teaching degree. She then studied at bible school in California before going on to Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, majoring in History and Music, and graduating in 1958. While at Concordia she toured with the college choir and was in a group called Mission Ambassadors “intended for Cobbers who are planning to be missionaries or who are very interested in the needs of various mission fields.”

In 1958 she made her first global mission trip, traveling to Europe with a volunteer group, working on a rural development project in France and then traveling around Europe with fellow volunteers. 

In 1959 she was working at the American Lutheran Church headquarters in Minneapolis, MN in the world missions office, when she was introduced via mutual friends to Lyle Edwin Larson who was studying at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Within a year they were married: on April 9, 1960, they said their vows at Immanuel Lutheran Church, St. Paul MN. By the time Lyle graduated from seminary and was ordained as a minister, they had their first child and a call from the American Lutheran Church to join its mission in Tokyo, Japan. Which, after Lyle got over his surprise at being asked to go to Japan again (where he had been stationed with the U.S. Air Force), and with Melba’s encouraging support, they both accepted.

During their cumulative 25 years in Japan, Melba gave birth to two more children, taught English part-time for many years, was the undeniable favorite of the family dog, and enjoyed singing in every church choir, especially at St. Paul International Lutheran Church in Tokyo. She made many friends in Tokyo including among the expat community, and in retirement was able to fulfill more travel dreams like making multiple trips to visit friends in Australia, China, Singapore, Malaysia and Switzerland.   

After returning to the United States in 1985, and a year in Niagara Falls, NY where Lyle served as interim pastor, Melba and Lyle moved to Scarsdale, NY where Lyle was installed as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church until his retirement in 1994. They immediately felt at home, as the proximity to Manhattan and the considerable Japanese expatriate community drew on many of their experiences in Tokyo.

Once in the New York metropolitan area, Melba found new work opportunities to contribute her education and experience. After a part-time position at Pace University’s law school in White Plains, NY, she joined the world mission office of The Episcopal Church headquarters in New York City, across from the United Nations.  While working for the Episcopal Church from 1989 to 1997, she supported  missionaries around the world including traveling to Panama, Kenya, and Uganda.

After moving to Washington, MA in the Berkshires following Lyle’s retirement, she continued to commute to NYC for three days each week for a few more years before she retired.  She loved to sing in the choir at Zion Lutheran Church, Pittsfield MA, and was an active participant in four book clubs. Her love of the Berkshires included regular trips to Tanglewood concerts, hiking the Appalachian Trail while picking berries, and both downhill and cross country skiing. As Lyle told one of her children who was only joking about how they could have retired to a warmer climate: “Your mother loves the snow too much.” At their home in the hills of the Berkshires, it seemed to snow almost every day during peak winter months. In the spring they made maple syrup from the trees on their property.

After moving to Amherst in 2011, she was an active member at Immanuel Lutheran Church and represented the church in the Interfaith Opportunities Network which connected local houses of worship. By moving to Amherst where their son’s family had moved, she and Lyle were able to attend the many sports, music and other school activities of their three grandchildren Edward, Catherine and William.

Melba Larson is survived by daughter Susan; son Nathanael, his wife Elizabeth and three grandchildren; and daughter Rachel. She is also survived by her brother Carmen Wold of Watford City, North Dakota. She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle, brothers Harold Wold and Ralph Wold, and by her sister Pearl Marian Njus.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00am Saturday June 15, 2024, at Chapel of the Incarnation, Olson Campus Center, Luther Seminary, 1501 Fulham Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, with Rev. Jeffrey Johnson officiating. Interment will be the following day in Newman Grove, Nebraska.

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com

 

 

AMHERST, MA. Cynthia Walker Kuusisto (Cindy) passed away on May 20th, 2024. She was born January 2nd, 1951 as the only child of Maynard and Katherine (Galvin) Walker of Claremont, NH. She attended a three-room schoolhouse prior to graduating from Stevens High School (Claremont, NH) in 1969. 

 

She attended the University of New Hampshire, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences in 1973. She subsequently obtained her MSW in 1981 at the University of Connecticut. Cindy spent five years as an ombudsman at Springfield Health Center and Resident Services Coordinator at Applewood for seven years. After then spending the majority of her career as a medical social worker she retired from Baystate Medical Center. She considered it a privilege and honor to work with patients and their families during some of their most difficult times. 

 

Cindy met John Kuusisto at UNH and they were married in 1973. They have three sons: Alan and wife Michel Ryan of Sunderland; Peter of Pelham; and Colin and partner Morgan Taggart-Hampton of New Hampton, New Hampshire. She has three beloved grandchildren: Isabella Vassallo, Matthew Vassallo, and Sean Kuusisto, all of Sunderland. She and her family have lived in Amherst and Pelham since 1978. She also spent over 60 years enjoying summers at the family cottage on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire. 

 

She has been a longtime member of First Congregational Church in Amherst where she has been involved in numerous activities. She served on the Mission Ministry Team for 30 years, as Chair of the Cranberry Fair, on the Prior Leadership Council, and was a longtime member of the choir. 

 

Cindy was an avid reader who participated in the monthly Pelham Library Book Club for numerous years. She enjoyed piano playing since her elementary school years and continued to play for her own enjoyment. 

 

Cindy would like to thank the Red Tray Team for their friendship and care. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Compassionate Care ALS of West Falmouth (CCALS.org). 

 

A memorial service will be held at First Congregational Church in Amherst, MA on June 8th at 2:00 P.M.

 

Memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com