Amherst – Lillian Gnatek, 90, passed away October 12, 2016 after a long and fulfilled life. She was born November 17, 1925 to John and Anna Bartus in Leverett, MA. Lillian was educated in the Amherst schools and was a lifelong resident of Amherst.

Her husband, Frank, predeceased her. She leaves behind her sons, Ronald of Shutesbury, Donald of South Hadley, and James of Belchertown, her grandchildren, James Jr of Virginia, Melissa and her husband Joseph of Hopkinton, and Erika and her husband Phil of Florida, her great grandchildren, Zachery, Jacob, Andrew, and Alex, her sister, Linda, and many nieces and nephews.

A private ceremony will be held at St. Brigids church in Amherst. Donations may be made to the Amherst Survival Center.

 Louise Helen (Alberty) Palmer, beloved by all who knew her, passed on to the next phase of her journey on September 29, 2016 at the Center for Extended Care (CECA) in Amherst.

Born in Framingham, MA, Louise grew up in Westboro, MA with her late parents, Richard D. and Helen L. Alberty, and her late brother, Richard Alberty.  She graduated with Westboro High’s class of 1950 and remained good friends with a number of her classmates through the years.

Her good nature and enthusiasm for order, family togetherness, and sparkling-clean environments came in handy for her long career as proprietor, along with her late husband, Ellis L. (Bud) Palmer, of Anchor Cottages in East Sandwich, Mass.  For nearly 50 years they welcomed families to vacation at their beach-front spot on Cape Cod Bay, and many of their guests became lifelong friends.

Louise (“Mumsie” / “Nana”) will be sorely missed by her three daughters and their husbands, Deborah Palmer and Dave Zarozinski of Hadley, MA; Bonnie and Charles Slockett of Teaneck, NJ; and Sharon Palmer and Richard Costa of Brimfield, MA; as well as 7 grandchildren and their spouses: Sarah and Mark Evans, Emily Harrington, Katherine and Michael Wong, Samantha and Michael Cioffi, Eric and Leigh-Anne Costa, Stephen Costa, Sylvia Costa, 4 great-grandchildren, and many other extended family members, dear friends and appreciative acquaintances.  

The family extends many deeply-felt thanks to the caring staff at CECA’s Dharma Unit, Cooley-Dickinson VNA & Hospice, and the many friends who kept in touch and wished her well over the years.  

A memorial gathering will be held in the spring of 2017 in East Sandwich.

Those wishing to honor Louise’s memory are invited to make a donation to Cooley-Dickinson VNA & Hospice or The Alzheimer’s Association, and to offer at least one smile each day to someone who could use a little cheer.  

Shutesbury, MA – Elizabeth Stern, 93, passed away peacefully and comfortably at her son’s home on September 25, 2016. Elizabeth “Betty” May Alexander was born June 8, 1923, in Middletown, CT, to Mary M. {Shoneck} and Robert R. Alexander and is the oldest of her siblings. She was married three times; Roger E. Butler, Fred Ellis Rowan and Douglas N. Stern. She was employed as an accountant but finished her career as an executive secretary with Van Epps Construction Company, of Old Saybrook, CT., before her retirement in 1974. She was a master at sewing and had a passion for weaving, knitting and cooking. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and loved to share her cooking and canning secrets with her family and friends. She was involved with several churches including her most recent congregation, the Wesley United Methodist Church of Hadley. She also worked with the local Hospice Shop and Amherst Survival Center. Elizabeth touched so many people with humor, kindness of heart, and her honest and most deliberate straightforwardness. Those that knew her would remark that she was never afraid to try new things. Elizabeth is survived by her brother and his wife, Richard and Roberta Alexander of Gasetts, VT, her sisters, Grace Stalsburg of Deep River, CT, Gloria Burdick of Ivoryton, CT, Roberta Ziobron of Deep River, CT, and Paulette Grisky of Ivoryton, CT. Her sister Mary Hubert of FL predeceased her. She is also survived by her son and his wife, John and Yvette Rowan. Her son, William A. Rowan III predeceased her, as well as her late Husbands, Fred Ellis Rowan and Douglas N. Stern. A private memorial will be arranged sometime in the future. In lieu of flowers, a charitable donation may be made to the Dakin Humane Society (www.dakinhumane.com) or VNA Hospice at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Sarah “Sally” Ann Bailey Houck, 79, died Tuesday, September 20 after a sudden illness. She demonstrated per characteristic resilience and love for life and family throughout her final days, and she was blessed to be surrounded by her closest family during her final days and moments.

Sally was born to Irma and Richard Bailey in New Haven, Connecticut on April 6, 1937. After her days at the Day School in New Haven, she eventually became a proud Seahawk, graduating from Wagner College with a degree in sociology in 1959. In 1962, while attending a community theater party, she met Fred Honnold Houck who would become her dedicated and loving husband on April 27, 1963. Together, they raised their three children, first in Marblehead, MA and Hamden, CT, and then later in Amherst, MA where they settled and built a farmhouse in the woods. Through it all, she was a devoted teacher, sharing her love of water as a swim instructor for young children in the community. 

For over 25 years, Sally and her family spent parts of their summers enjoying the quiet coves, islands and loons of Squam Lake. Despite years of physical challenges, Sally always maintained a positive and resilient attitude on life, and she cherished her time at Squam while also traveling extensively with Fred, exploring the mountains, national parks, railways, and roads of every corner of the United States and many of those in Canada as well. When she wasn’t raising her children, traveling the country, or listening to loon-song on quiet summer nights, Sally lost herself in an endless stream of books and stories, and she frequently dreamed about and recalled her youthful days at her family’s cottage on the shore in Mansfield Grove, CT. She enjoyed sharing all of these memories and more with her closest friends during her regular visits to Kelly’s Restaurant.

More than anything, Sally loved her family. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother to five, not to mention a daughter, sister, and aunt, Sally found no greater joy than celebrating holidays, reveling in music, and hearing about the diverse lives and adventures of her loved ones. Even through her hard times, her family, old and young, provided her with purpose, strength, energy, and happiness, and she ended her life surrounded by those who loved her most.

Sally is survived by her husband of 53 years, Fred Honnold Houck; sister, Brooks McDermott; daughter Charlotte Mullen, her husband Robert Mullen, and grandchildren Robert and Sarah; son David Houck, his children Enders and Katherine, and their mother Mary-Kate Johnson; son Brent Freedland, his wife Abby Perkiss, and their daughter Zoe; niece and nephews Megan, Matthew, and Michael; and many more family members and friends from Connecticut to Georgia and from Washington D.C. to California.

Family and friends are invited to attend and share stories celebrating Sally’s life at a ceremony of remembrance to be held on September 24 at Douglass Funeral Service, 87 North Pleasant Street, Amherst MA, 01002. The ceremony will begin at 10:00 AM, and the family asks that you arrive shortly before. Private burial will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Hospice at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St, Northampton, 01060.

Amherst, Willow Morgan Sivel-Irons, newborn daughter of Jonathan and Lydia
Sivel-Irons of Amherst, died September 16, 2016 at Baystate Children’s
Hospital in Springfield. Willow was with us from September 15th to
September 16th, and her short time here was peaceful. The radiance
that she brought with her into the world showed those who loved her
how strong the Light can be, even in such a small person who has had
so much taken from her. She left the world with gentleness and
strength as well, in the loving arms of her parents.

Willow’s parents, Lydia and Jon Sivel-Irons, her sister Wren, and
countless friends and family members (including grandmothers Mary
Irons and Palma Vaccaro; grandfather Henry Irons; grandfather who has
already gone, Richard Sivel; great-grandparents Owen McQueeney, Sue
McQueeney, and Doris Sivel; aunties Katie Sivel, Hilary Irons, and
Ariane Thompson; uncles Asa Irons, Carl Davulis, and Carlos Vasquez;
and cousins Tessa, Frances, Lephia, and Eva Luna) will always love and
miss this gentle soul.

The doctors, nurses, midwives, and other people who brought Willow
into the world and helped her leave showed incredible fortitude and
love. They worked very hard, and did everything they could for her.
We are grateful to everyone at the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
and Wesson Women and Infants Unit in Springfield, and the Birthplace
at Pioneer Women’s Health in Greenfield.

Willow’s memorial service will be held Saturday, September 24th at 2pm
at the Mount Toby Friends’ Meeting, 194 Long Plains Road (Rt 63),
Leverett, MA 01054. Her memorial service will be a time of reflection
in the Quaker tradition. There will be a Meeting for Worship, during
which time we will gather in silent contemplation, standing to speak
individually as we feel moved to do so, with no set program. As a
community we will hold Willow in the Light.

Amherst, Willow Morgan Sivel-Irons, newborn daughter of Jonathan and Lydia
Sivel-Irons of Amherst, died September 16, 2016 at Baystate Children’s
Hospital in Springfield. Willow was with us from September 15th to
September 16th, and her short time here was peaceful. The radiance
that she brought with her into the world showed those who loved her
how strong the Light can be, even in such a small person who has had
so much taken from her. She left the world with gentleness and
strength as well, in the loving arms of her parents.

Willow’s parents, Lydia and Jon Sivel-Irons, her sister Wren, and
countless friends and family members (including grandmothers Mary
Irons and Palma Vaccaro; grandfather Henry Irons; grandfather who has
already gone, Richard Sivel; great-grandparents Owen McQueeney, Sue
McQueeney, and Doris Sivel; aunties Katie Sivel, Hilary Irons, and
Ariane Thompson; uncles Asa Irons, Carl Davulis, and Carlos Vasquez;
and cousins Tessa, Frances, Lephia, and Eva Luna) will always love and
miss this gentle soul.

The doctors, nurses, midwives, and other people who brought Willow
into the world and helped her leave showed incredible fortitude and
love. They worked very hard, and did everything they could for her.
We are grateful to everyone at the Davis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
and Wesson Women and Infants Unit in Springfield, and the Birthplace
at Pioneer Women’s Health in Greenfield.

Willow’s memorial service will be held Saturday, September 24th at 2pm
at the Mount Toby Friends’ Meeting, 194 Long Plains Road (Rt 63),
Leverett, MA 01054. Her memorial service will be a time of reflection
in the Quaker tradition. There will be a Meeting for Worship, during
which time we will gather in silent contemplation, standing to speak
individually as we feel moved to do so, with no set program. As a
community we will hold Willow in the Light.

Hadley, Charles J. “Chuck” Whitmore, 61, passed away on Saturday, August 27, 2016 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst after a period of declining health.  

Chuck was born on August 17, 1955 to the late Leonard “Skip” Whitmore and Nancy (Santos) Whitmore in Salem, MA. He was married to Cindy (Cendrowski) Whitmore and was the father of two daughters, Lindsey Whitmore and Kristen Whitmore. Chuck moved to Hadley as a teenager, and lived there for the rest of his life.  

Chuck wore many hats throughout his life. He graduated from Hopkins Academy in 1973 and started working on local farms before moving on to work as a delivery driver for Farm Petroleum. Through his work he honed skills in the arts of conversation and small business, which led him to launch Hampshire Oil with his wife. He also made a living as a home builder/contractor and truck driver. He spent summers running a wholesale vegetable business, where many road-siders across New England also knew him as “Chuck the Corn Man.”  

Chuck was a funny and witty conversationalist who laughed easily and always had a story to share. He loved to read the news and gather notes for future conversations with his family. Chuck was a great cook, and over the years many friends and family enjoyed a Whitmore Sunday dinner. Chuck’s daughters were the light of his life, and he took every opportunity to talk about their many accomplishments.   

He is survived by his daughters, Lindsey Whitmore of Jersey City, New Jersey and Kristen Whitmore, of Somerville, Mass., as well as by Cindy Whitmore of Sunderland; his step-mother Jane Whitmore of New Hampshire, his sisters Dianne Law of Maine and Laura Whitmore Sexton of New Hampshire, and his brother Scott Whitmore of Washington D.C., along with many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was pre-deceased by his brother Thomas Whitmore.  

Calling hours will be held Thursday, September 1^st from 5 to 8pm at Douglass Funeral Home at 87 North Pleasant St. in Amherst. A funeral service will be held on Friday, September 2^nd at 10am at the same location. Memorial donations may be made in his name to Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) at buylocalfood.org. 

Amherst, Robert “Bobby Don” Colbert, age 65, of Amherst, Massachusetts, died Friday, August 12, 2016, in Boston, Massachusetts.  Robert was born September 28, 1950, in Reagan, Texas, the son of Bobbie Jean (Coleman) Nickols (d. February 5, 1995) and Vernon Colbert (d. April 20, 1997). He was preceded in death by one brother, Johnny Lee Woods (d. February 7, 1990). He married Marjorie Lyn Magouirk Colbert on June 28, 1973, in Lawrence, Kansas. Their daughters Melissa Lynn Colbert and her fiancé Kristi Lynne Woodworth and Jennifer Marie Colbert survive. He is also survived by a sister Sabrina Simpson, and beloved extended family.

Robert graduated from high school in Littlefield, Texas, and continued his education receiving a B.S. in Education and an M.S. in School Counseling from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Madison.  His academic career included faculty positions at the University of Wisconsin Whitewater, University of Massachusetts Amherst and the University of Connecticut Storrs where he was tenured and served as Coordinator of the School Counseling Program.

His research focused on strategies for preparing school counselors for work in urban environments and in increasing college attendance by urban youth.  Robert was an avid long-distance runner, a dedicated golfer, enjoyed meditation and playing his guitar.  Family and friendships were important in his life and he would have been humbled by the recognition of many who considered him an important figure in their lives. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of life will occur at a later date.  Memorials can be sent to the University of Connecticut’s Neag School of Education Dean’s Fund on behalf of Robert Colbert for school counseling students of color.

Amherst, Young-Ok Kim Westort, daughter of Chang-Mo Kim & Chang Sun Lim died peacefully on August 18th, 2016 at the age of 88. Kim was born in Pyongyang North Korea in 1928. She was a 1950 graduate of a Ewha Woman’s University, Seoul South Korea where she majored in English literature. Kim came to the United States in 1956 where she earned her Master’s degree in clinical social work in 1958 at the University of Pennsylvania. Kim settled in Amherst Massachusetts in 1963, and went on to devote her career to helping and advocating for the disabled and those in need. When she retired in 1998, she was the senior-most social worker employed by the state of Massachusetts.  

Kim was committed to raising her four children, mostly as a single mother, characterized by strength, love, and compassion, and her commitment to the importance of education. Beloved mother to Thomas, Caroline, Michael, and Matthew. Devoted grandmother to Liliana, Amanda, Adria, Sophia, Maia, Natalie, Theo, and Greyson. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.  

Funeral services will be Monday August 22, at 11:00 am at the Douglass Funeral Service, Amherst. Calling hours will precede the service from 9:00 – 11:00 am. A private burial will follow.