All Obituaries

ORANGE—Rebecca J. “Becky”(Parent) White, 61, of Holtshire Road, died early Tuesday morning, March 31, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield after being stricken ill the day before. Born in Skowhegan, Maine on August 5, 1958, she was a daughter of Wilfred P. and Theresa “Terry” (Warren) Parent and grew up in Maine, moving to Massachusetts during her teens. In 1983, she married Mark White and they have enjoyed 36 years of marriage. A customer service...

NEW SALEM-    Joan Louise (Pickard) McCorquodale, (84) of New Salem, MA, passed away peacefully March 28, 2020 with her family by her side. She was born to the late Hobart Pickard, Sr. and Emma (Philbrick) Pickard, on May 26, 1935 in Littleton, MA.  Joan lived in Littleton as young child but spent her formative years in Pepperell, MA on a family owned farm where she raised and showed her own beef cattle at 4-H fairs. She graduated from Pepperell High School in 1953 and...

ORANGE- Elaine M. (Sawyer) Lefracois, 85, of East River Street, died early Friday morning, March 27, 2020 at Quabbin Valley Healthcare in Athol. Born in Athol on April 24, 1934, she was a daughter of the late George H. and Eva (Chaouquette) Sawyer, and grew up in the Athol-Orange area, graduating from Athol High School in 1952 In 1954, Elaine married Harvey Lefrancois and they enjoyed 35 years of marriage until his death on December 28, 1989. Elaine had worked for N. D. Cass Company, The...

“Not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.”  Mother Teresa SHUTESBURY-  After a 15 month battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, Anne-Marie Kenerson passed on to heaven while surrounded by her family on March 25, 2020 in her home of 55 years in Shutesbury, MA. Pre-deceased by her parents, Stanley and Ruth Thompson, Anne leaves behind her loving husband and best friend of 55 years, Laurey Kenerson; her sister Carolyn Brown of...

ORANGE- Diane Lee (Parker) Hamlett, married to Richard Hamlett, of Orange passed away on March 21, 2020. They met 60 years ago at Adams farm in Athol it was love at first sight and they have been happily married for 56 years. They enjoyed coon hunting, cruises, camping, playing cards and going to trap shoots around New England. Diane had a very large and close knit family; she devoted her life caring for her family and others. The family will cherish the memories of her famous devil dogs,...

ORANGE- Jean (Sawin) Johnson, 73,  of East Main Street and widow of Norman Johnson (January 12, 2012), died Friday, March 20, 2020 following an illness. Jean was the head cook at the former Eastern Star Home, which was located in the Wheeler mansion on East Main Street She was also mother to the late Wayne Hurlburt Jr., who died August 8, 2019. As were her pre-arrangement wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange,...

BARRE- Virginia B. (Edwards) Menegoni, 91, of Cutoff Road, passed away at home on Wednesday, March 18, 2020 following a brief illness, with loved ones at her side. Born in Oakham on June 14, 1928, she was a daughter of the late Stanley and Blanche (Bydwo) Edwards and grew up on the family farm, helping to raise the chickens and picking berries, as well as making deliveries. The family moved to Barre in the 1940’s and Virginia graduated from Barre High School in 1946. On October 30,...

ATHOL- Henry R. Lemay, 67, of Main Street, died on Monday, March 16, 2020 at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. Born on January 19, 1953 in Warwick, Rhode Island, he was a son of the late Henry R. Lemay Sr. and Patricia (Savini) Lemay, and grew up in Rhode Island. Henry married Debbie O’Kane in August of 2019. They have been together for 31 years. Henry enjoyed playing horseshoes, shooting pool, as well as watching NASCAR. Survivors include his wife, Debbie Lemay of Athol; sisters in...

ATHOL- Lawrence J. “Larry” Laffond, 49, of Pequoig Avenue, died Sunday, March 15, 2020 at home following an illness. Born in Athol on November 3, 1970, he was a son of Alfred and Dorothy “Sandy” (Buzzell) Laffond and grew up in Athol and attended Orange schools. He was married to Lisa Marie (Boudreau) in 2009. Larry worked for Griff’s Rubbish for many years and was a hard worker and loved his family. A huge sports fan, especially of the New England Patriots,...

TURNERS FALLS-  Gloria S. (Godfrey) Saben, 90, of Park Villa Drive, died on Friday, March 13, 2020 at Baystate Franklin Medical center in Greenfield. Born in Orange on June 22, 1929, she was a daughter of Wallace and Elsie (Carlson) Godfrey and grew up in New Salem and attended the New Salem Academy. On January 17, 1949, Gloria married Harold Saben and they enjoyed over 33 years of marriage until his death on February 4, 1982. Gloria worked at Riveto’s in Orange for a brief...