Williamsburg Funeral & Cremation Home

Bertha P. Ewick passed away on April 20, 2022 at Renaissance Manor in Holyoke, MA. Her final days were spent surrounded by friends and family. Bertha was born on December 17, 1925 in Portland, Maine to Antanina and Joseph Babijonas. She was predeceased by her mother and father, her dear brother Casey, and beloved husband Pete. Pete and Bertha married after a short courtship and spent 57 loving years as husband and wife. Together they loved traveling, exploring, and eventually retiring to Harwich. Bertha lived in many places including Portland, Maine, Florida, Worcester, Ludlow, New Jersey, Connecticut, Harwich, and most recently living in Chicopee with her daughter Claudia. Bertha enjoyed...

On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, Catherine Rita (Gilbert) Lyons, a talented seamstress and loving grandmother, died peacefully in her sleep in the Belchertown, Massachusetts home she shared with her grandson, Ross K. Hartman and his wife, Angelique. She was 97. Catherine was born on October 11, 1924, in Putnam, CT, to Wilfred Gilbert, Sr. and Annabelle (Harrington) Gilbert. She was one of nine children. A devoted wife for more than 40 years, Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (Bob) T. Lyons, who died on November 27, 1985. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Joel R. Lyons, who died on November 17, 2014. Dedicated to her family, Catherine left...

Rose Ann LaRussa, 96, entered into eternal peace on October 19, 2021. Rose was born on October 13, 1925 in Springfield Massachusetts to Giuseppe & Anna Teresa (Matera) Abbondanza. Rose is predeceased by her parents, her devoted husband Tom, and her sisters Betty Megliola of Springfield and Mary Tassinari of West Springfield. She is survived by her daughter Nina of Springfield, her son Tom of Somers Connecticut, and her grandchildren, Catherine LaRussa of Springfield and Adam LaRussa of Windsor Connecticut. Rose was a dedicated employee of Buxton in Agawam, and Travel Time in Springfield, but she always made her family her priority. She had a smile that warmed the hearts of everyone...

Lesley Plaus Bolduc passed away on October 5, 2021 after a sixteen year struggle with breast cancer. Lesley fought a brave and courageous battle. She survived the ordeal with courage and dignity. She was born in Springfield on October 15, 1945, to the late Harley and Merdena Plaus. She graduated from Technical High School, Greenfield Community College and the University of Mass. She also attended Western New England University School of Law. Lesley enjoyed a 24-year career as a social worker with Life Path of Greenfield where she served 110 clients and established many close relationships. She was an avid reader, often completing a book in a week. She enjoyed bass fishing at Lake...

With great sorrow her family announces the passing of Donna Marie Szwedzinski Cipriani. She died peacefully at home in Westfield on Friday after a courageous battle with cancer. Born September 1st 1953 to Emily and Stanley Szwedzinski, growing up surrounded by love in Chicopee. She based her life around thinking of others and her generosity knew no bounds. Donna was a devoted Register Nurse at Baystate Medical Center for 48 years. Her Infection Control coworkers were lifelong friends whom she adored. Donna loved volunteering at Denise's Westfield Homeless Cat Project and befriended the many fellow volunteers. Donna leaves behind her beloved husband of 36 years Steven, daughter Stephanie and...

Long-time western Massachusetts resident and newcomer to Haydenville William Patrick Callahan III passed away after his battle with cancer on Monday, August 23 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was 62. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, but grew up in Holyoke and was a 1977 graduate of Holyoke High School. Bill was a lifetime fanatic of music (particularly live and "good" jazz), baseball (particularly the Boston Red Sox, but later the Washington Nationals when he needed a new underdog team), reading (particularly historical fiction) and walking in the woods. Clad in his signature flannel shirt and ball cap, he could be found chasing and photographing butterflies throughout New England...

David E. West passed away May 10, 2021 and Nancy E. Paul West passed away February 17, 2021. Calling hours for both David and Nancy will be held at the First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, 4 North Main Street, Williamsburg, MA on Friday, June 25 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 26 at 2:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Williamsburg, 4 North Main Street, Williamsburg, MA. The memorial service will be live streamed, at Facebook firstcongregationalchurchofwilliamsburg or burgychurch.org. Williamsburg Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

David Earl West, 96 passed away peacefully at Linda Manor surrounded by family on Monday, May 10, 2021. David was born September 20, 1924 at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, and was the son of David P. West and Grace A. (Strong) West. David was raised with his three siblings on Mountain Street in the village of Haydenville. As a boy, he delivered newspapers throughout the village, was a member of the Pro Brush Boy Scout Troop, and attended Sunday School at the Haydenville Congregational Church where he sang in the choir. After graduating from Williamsburg High School, he served in the "Black Panther" 66th Division of the Infantry during World War II. He was selected as a member...

Kenneth Michael Couchon, Died peacefully at his home in Athol, on March 24, 2021. He was 70 years old. Born in Northampton, to Barbara (Lamothe) Fennessey and Donald Couchon, Ken lived with his family in Easthampton nearly 10 years until he came to live at the Belchertown State School in July, 1959. He remained there until the Ricci v. Okin class action lawsuit which started the process of closing the facility and residents began to transition to community housing. Ken moved to a community home in Amherst in 1988 and lived there 9 years until he moved to his community home in Athol in 1997. Ken was a very active and social individual. He attended Valley Educational Associates, BAROCO and...

Elyse (Ellie) Lynn (Moskowitz) Korell, 63 passed away peacefully on March 17, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center after a long battle with metastatic breast cancer. Ellie leaves her daughter, Anita (Korell) Suarez and son-in-law, William Suarez, her sister, Caryn Greco and brother-in law, James Greco, her grandchildren, Anthony and Alexis Suarez, her cousins, her dear friends, Tina and Ron Guidetti and all her friends from her congregation. Her services will be held via zoom on Sunday March 28th at 1:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to Jehovah's Witnesses at jw.org or to Rays of Hope. Her cremation was entrusted to the Williamsburg Funeral Home, for the full obituary please see...

Nancy Ellen (Paul) West, 93, passed away peacefully at Linda Manor on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. Nancy was born January 5, 1928 in Warren, Maine, and was the daughter of the late Reverend Charles D. and Esther (Morgan) Paul. She grew up in Southern Maine before moving to Russell, and then Amherst, Massachusetts. She attended grammar school in Russell and Westfield High School, and graduated from Amherst High School in 1946. She then attended Miss Barker's School in Springfield, MA and was employed as a nanny. Nancy married David E. West in 1950 and they spent 70 wonderful years together in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, where they raised three daughters. Nancy was a member of the...

Gary William Orluske, 82, passed away Sunday, January 31 at Linda Manor. He was born to the late Lawrence and Leona Orluske in Lakefield, MN. in 1938. He shared 53 beautiful years with his loving wife Beverlee Orluske. He is survived by wife Beverlee, children Dawn and Michael Fournier, Holly and Elliott Jones and the great joys of his life, grandchildren Ileana and Gabriel Fournier and Jackson, Ethan and Joseph Jones. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his brother Ronald, and is survived by his beloved siblings Janice Orluske, Mark and Barbara Orluske, Nadine Orluske and Marge O'Toole. He also cherished nieces Ronda, Nichole, Amber and nephews Brian and Derek. Gary was a teacher by...

Rose Nora Duval (n?e Whitehurst), age 72, passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2020 at Linda Manor in Leeds, Massachusetts. Rose was born in Northampton, Massachusetts to the late Ecir (Earl) Randall Whitehurst and Rosamond Elaine Whitehurst (n?e Versailles). She worked at Chartpak for many years and was a lung cancer survivor, 17 years cancer-free. Her greatest joy in life was time spent with her grandchildren, to whom she was known as "Mimi.". Whether it be attending Grandparent's Day at New Hingham Elementary, cheering her grandchildren on at Hilltown Junior Olympics and dance competitions, or glorious trips to Vermont, Arizona, and Disney, Mimi was most alive when with her...

Eleanor Warren Hathaway Loomis June 29, 1935 - October 25, 2020. Ellie was a beloved member of her community. She was deeply loved by her family and will be greatly missed. She was known for her love of woodworking, woman's sports, singing in the choir, farming and family. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought much joy to her life. The family plans to make arrangements to celebrate Eleanor's life when Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Williamsburg Funeral Home was entrusted with her cremation. HampshireCremation.com

Patty A. Richardson, 61, passed quietly at home after a lengthy battle with cancer on OCT. 18th, 2020. She was born June 27th, 1959 in Morrisville, Vermont, daughter of Douglas Richardson and Rose (Touchette) Richardson. She attended high school in Springfield and then worked for Dielectrics Inc. in Chicopee for 34 years. She lived with her life partner William D. Lamb and her many dogs in Chicopee, MA. She was predeceased by her parents and is survived by her son, Corey D. Richardson of Charlotte, N. Carolina and her sister Donna M. Richardson of Springfield, as well as many loving cousins and friends. Per her wishes, she will not be having any visitation or memorial services. Those...

Clarence (Bud) Stanley Rowley III passed away peacefully at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on August 15. He was born February 14, 1956. He went by Bud and no one ever called him Clarence. He leaves behind his loving companion/fianc? of 12 years Nina Pinger, her mother Esther who Bud affectionately called Miss Daisy, and Nina's sister Elizabeth, his well loved daughter Melissa Marie Dieni, her husband Frank, and their children Kirsten, John, and Andrew who called him Pencil Papa, and his son Adam Rowley. He also leaves his sister Sue Webb, her husband Ron and many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents, his sister Harriet, and his brother Ralph. He leaves behind many friends too...

Cheryl Lee (Pierce) Gates, 63. August 19, 1956 to August 13, 2020. Cheryl leaves behind her husband of 35 years, David E Gates, daughters, Tamra Gates (Ken Brawn) of Palmer and Cynthia Gates of Belchertown. Four grandchildren, Ava, Kathaleen, Loki and Odin Brawn all of Palmer. She also leaves beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Carol (Aldrich) Pierce and her sister, Charlene Pierce-Eaton. In lieu of flowers, the family would ask for donations to Shriner's Hospital for Children, Dakin Humane Society or Overlook Visiting Nurse Assoc. A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 25th from 3 to 7pm with a prayer service at 4pm at Tammy's...

Cheryl Lee (Pierce) Gates, 63 Passed away on Thursday, August 13th surrounded by her family at home, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Cheryl was born on August 19, 1956 to Charles and Carol (Aldrich) Pierce. She lived in Belchertown most of her life. Cheryl leaves behind her husband of 35 years, David E Gates, their daughters, Tamra (Tammy) Gates, her partner Ken Brawn of Palmer and Cynthia (Cindy) Gates of Belchertown. Four grandchildren, Ava, Kathaleen, Loki and Odin Brawn all of Palmer. She also leaves many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Charlene Pierce-Eaton. Cheryl was passionate about her family and friends. She loved the...

Brigitte Fischer, 55, passed away on July 27, 2020, peacefully next to her husband Thomas Fischer after a long courageous hard-fought battle with congestive heart failure. She was an outstanding woman who always knew how to keep smiles on peoples' faces. She was well loved by many. She was well known for her stubbornness. Brigitte worked at Health South for many years. She went and pursued to get her CNA license and started working at Keystone. Which she really enjoyed working. She will be dearly missed by her four kids, Albert Ortega, Daniel Ortega, Denise Ortega, and Alicia Fischer along with her many grandchildren. There will be no calling hours, donations will be accepted to the Shriners...

Kenneth Paul Lussier, Sr. passed away peacefully on July 18th, 2020 in his home after a long illness. He was born in Westfield, MA, on December 10, 1945, to the late Albert and Doris Lussier. He had one brother, Howard Lussier, 2 nieces, and 1 nephew. He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Madeleine Lussier, and they had a long lasting marriage of 45 years. He is also survived by the beautiful legacy of family that he left, including 7 children and their spouses: Robin and her husband David, Brenda and her husband George, Ken, Michelle and her husband Eric, Danielle, Kendra and her husband Phillip, Sam, as well as 10 grandchildren: Erica, Stephanie, Alexandria, Cassie, Ashley, Jonathan,...

David Karl White of Hancock, MA died peacefully July 17, 2020 at the Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Pittsfield, MA. Known to his friends as Karl, he spent the last years of his life battling Alzheimer's Disease while living at the Sweetbrook Rehabilitation & Nursing Center (2019), and under the care of his loving wife Dawn, at their home in Hancock, MA, for several years prior to that. Born with his twin sister Doris Kristine to John R. and Winifred (Brundage) White of Pittsfield MA on July 9, 1941, Karl was one of seven children. He completed the 11th grade at Pittsfield High School, and then received his diploma (GED) in 1959, he enlisted in the U.S.A.F.,...