Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home

Sheri was a warm-hearted and generous being , an enthusiastic and thoughtful listener , a nuanced communicator of ideas and feelings with never a need to take anyone down a peg. Sheri held convictions and beliefs that centered around protecting , honoring and supporting all human beings . For over thirty years she advocated for , collaborated with , and empowered the battered and bruised, the marginalized , the oppressed . Just a few days prior to her death she was working as the program director of a community mental health clinic in Springfield, Massachusetts . One of her first jobs was as a legal advocate at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. Sheri was strong , valiant , and courageous....

Lori J (Angers) LaValley, 60, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. Daughter of the late Lawrence and Beverly (Stark) Angers, she was born in Holyoke on November 26, 1960. Lori worked for many years as a case manager for the Department of Children and Families and in her retirement, she worked as a Care Provider, doing foster care for adults with disabilities. Lori was a caring and compassionate individual, evidenced by her dedication to her work and each patient and their families that she cared for. Each family was welcomed into her home and each one held a special place in her heart. As a resident of South...

Jane Ellis (Insley) Bontempo, 75, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at Baystate Medical Center. Daughter of the late Robert and Joann (Geer) Insley, she was born in Washington D.C. on January 27, 1946. Jane was very educated and shortly after graduating from Niskayuna High School in NY, she obtained her Bachelors from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY and later her Masters Degree from Springfield College. She went on to become an assistant to the chaplain at Mount Holyoke College before settling down as a homemaker to her cherished family. In her early years, Jane and her family spent the summers vacationing at Cape Cod and making lifelong...

Jennett Teece passed away peacefully at Baystate Medical Center on April 27, 2021 at age 84. Jennett was a former faculty member at the MacDuffie School and at Springfield Technical Community College. She was a graduate of Mount Holyoke College (bachelors) and Oberlin College (masters). She is survived by 4 children: Ronald Teece and his wife Laurie of Charlton MA, Robin Dale of Bethel CT, Sandra Teece of Agawam MA, and Eric Teece of Erving MA as well as 5 grandchildren: Matthew and Bryan Teece, Alexander and Marissa Dale, and Kira Teece. Services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jennett's name to either the Community Music School of...

Helen A. (Jette) Arana, 94, passed away on April 17, 2021 surrounded by her family. She was born September 30, 1926, in Exeter, NH, daughter of the late William and Amela (LaChapelle) Jette. Helen graduated from Newton Wellesley Nursing School. She has lived in South Hadley since 2008, and previously resided in Lexington, MA for over 40 years. She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Thomas Arana MD and three daughters, Susan (William) Furdon of Saratoga Springs, NY, Margot (James) Shinnick of Florence and Denise (Stephen) Bongiorno of East Islip, NY. She will also be missed by six grandchildren: Laura (Wes) Miller, Kristin (Joseph)...

Joann (Exner) Petrosky, 84, passed away March 24, 2021. She was born on September 18, 1936 in Waterbury, CT to the late Joseph C. and Selma L. (Rosenbeck) Exner. She spent her formative years in Torrington, CT and then in 1957, she graduated from Bay Path Junior College. Joann married her high school sweetheart, John, in the fall of that year. After the birth of her four children, Joann dedicated her time to raising her family and beautifully caring for her home. In her leisure, Joanne enjoyed reading, knitting, doing puzzles, and playing cards, most notably Bridge and Pokeno. She was a member of her local wine club and garden club, forming many lasting friendships along the way. Joann...

South Hadley?Michael J. Ciolek, Sr., 90, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2021 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. He was born in Springfield, MA on June 19, 1930. As a lifelong resident of South Hadley, he was an active member of St. Theresa's Church and the church's men's group. Michael enjoyed being involved in many aspects of the town, including being a member of the Knights of Columbus and being a Town Meeting Member. He was also involved with South Hadley Youth Athletic groups. Michael started in residential construction in the early 60's and later became a successful real estate developer in Western MA, founding both Associated Builders in 1971 and later South Hadley Realty Trust....

Alice Gordon Stewart, 82 of Granby, MA passed away after a quick and unexpected decline of health. Alice was born in New York City on March 5th, 1938 to Miriam T. Ellison and Thurlow M. Gordon. She married Fred Stewart, III on November 7, 1956. She faithfully and lovingly followed Fred around the country as his service and work required, eventually retiring in Granby to be near family. In Granby Alice found an even larger family that she ever expected to have. She volunteered her time and money to many groups and causes helping those not as fortunate in life. Alice's legacy will live on in Granby through her gifts to Friends of the Library. The other great love in Alice's life was gardening...

Edna (Desmarais) Zucker, 101, died peacefully on February 10, 2021. Born in Holyoke on January 13, 1920, she was the daughter of Henry and Rose (Beaudry) Desmarais. She lived in Granby for 64 years before moving to South Hadley in 2013. She was a communicant of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and volunteered for various programs there. She was also a member of The Red Hat Society and was a school volunteer for many years. She had been a 4-H leader and belonged to a Granby travel group. She will be deeply missed by her 3 daughters; Robilee Atherholt and husband Elliott of Chesapeake, VA, Nancy Geneczko and husband Thomas of S. Hadley, and Wendy Paris and husband Stephen of Rochester, NY. She...

Joseph "Leo" Desmarais Sr., son of the late Jean B. and Jessie (Fortin) Desmarais; passed away in his sleep at home with his wife of 50+ years, Barbara J (Lavoie) Desmarais, at his side on January 7, 2021. He was pre-deceased by his brother Paul who is survived by his wife Dorothy "Dot" (Paquette) Desmarais. Joseph is also survived by his children, Joseph Jr. and his wife Renee of Belchertown, MA, Janice, and her partner Kevin of Agawam, MA, Cherie (Desmarais) Jillson and husband Wesley and sister Crysti Jillson of Chicopee, MA, Christine and partner Shane. of Easthampton, MA. He leaves behind his brother- in-law, Richard "Dick" Lavoie and wife Pauline (St. Armand) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his...

Joseph "Leo" Desmarais Sr., son of the late Jean B. and Jessie (Fortin) Desmarais; passed away in his sleep at home with his wife of 50+ years, Barbara J (Lavoie) Desmarais, at his side on January 7, 2021. He was pre-deceased by his brother Paul who is survived by his wife Dorothy "Dot" (Paquette) Desmarais. Joseph is also survived by his children, Joseph Jr. and his wife Renee of Belchertown, MA, Janice, and her partner Kevin of Agawam, MA, Cherie (Desmarais) Jillson and husband Wesley and sister Crysti Jillson of Chicopee, MA, Christine and partner Shane. of Easthampton, MA. He leaves behind his brother- in-law, Richard "Dick" Lavoie and wife Pauline (St. Armand) of Myrtle Beach, SC; his...

Edward Thomas Corrigan Jr. (76) of South Hadley, MA passed away peacefully on New Year's Day, 2021 due to complications from Parkinson's with Lewy Body. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Ed managed his illness with strength and positivity. On his final day, he was surrounded by his family in his home. Ed was born and grew up in Jersey City, NJ and later moved to Longmeadow, MA where he resided for 44 years before moving to South Hadley. He is a graduate of St. Peter's Prep High School in Jersey City, NJ where he was on the varsity football and track teams. He later graduated from St. Peter's College where he was captain of the nationally ranked Pershing Rifles precision drill...

Ruth Thornton, 82, passed away peacefully on Dec. 29, 2020 surrounded by her family. Ruth was born in Holyoke, the daughter of Raymond and Ruth (Mutch) Hennequin. She was married to her high school sweetheart and husband of 61 years, R. Michael Thornton who passed away in 2018. She was a lifelong resident of South Hadley and a member of the First Congregational Church of South Hadley for over 60 years. Ruth began her career in Human Resources at Mt Holyoke College in the early 1970's. She then worked in Human Resources at Amherst College where she retired in 2002 as Assistant Director. After retiring, Ruth worked as Ombudsperson at Amherst College and was instrumental in starting...

On December 17, 2020 Alan Douglas Tilton left this world for greener pastures. He will be missed by Gail his wife of 65 years, his sister Sally, his children Kenneth (predeceased) Sherburne, Cheryl and Stephen. His grandchildren, Chris, Lonnie, Jimmy, Ethan, Richard, Jill, Bethany, Issac, and Jeremy, his great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by his extended family and dear friends. Alan brought joy wherever he went. He would quickly become close friends with everyone around him, the grocer, doctors, receptionist, the person in an elevator, a repair person, the delivery person, postal workers, friends of friends... He would strike up a conversation with...

On December 17, 2020 Alan Douglas Tilton left this world for greener pastures. He will be missed by Gail his wife of 65 years, his sister Sally, his children Kenneth (predeceased) Sherburne, Cheryl and Stephen. His grandchildren, Chris, Lonnie, Jimmy, Ethan, Richard, Jill, Bethany, Issac, and Jeremy, his great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by his extended family and dear friends. Alan brought joy wherever he went. He would quickly become close friends with everyone around him, the grocer, doctors, receptionist, the person in an elevator, a repair person, the delivery person, postal workers, friends of friends... He would strike up a conversation with...

Emme, or Em, as she was known to her family and friends, passed away at home with her husband, Al, and cats Minnie and Max, at her side, after fighting a seven month battle with breast cancer. Emme was born February 1, 1952 in Mineola, NY to Edgar N. Walther, and Jean(Wilgus) Walther and lived in New York until 1969 when the family relocated to Granby, MA. Following high school, Emme worked for dentists in Longmeadow, MA and South Hadley, MA. She was married to Alan Golinksi in 1981 and together they jointly owned and operated Olde Hadley Hearth and Patio in South Hadley until their retirement in 2007. Emme loved the outdoors and was an avid skier, gardener and animal lover but will be...

Alfred Edward Motzer, 94, of Loomis Village, South Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully November 12, 2020, following a short illness. Born on April 28, 1926, in Meriden, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Alfred H. Motzer and Ann McGuire Motzer. Al lived in Meriden for 50 years. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps immediately upon graduation from Meriden High School and was trained as a flight engineer on the B-24 bomber. When the war ended, he was transferred to serve in the Military Police. Upon discharge from the service, Al returned to Meriden and entered his father's business, Hobson & Motzer, in Wallingford, Connecticut, taking over leadership when his father...

Alfred Edward Motzer, 94, of Loomis Village, South Hadley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully November 12, 2020, following a short illness. Born on April 28, 1926, in Meriden, Connecticut, he was the son of the late Alfred H. Motzer and Ann McGuire Motzer. Al lived in Meriden for 50 years. He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps immediately upon graduation from Meriden High School and was trained as a flight engineer on the B-24 bomber. When the war ended, he was transferred to serve in the Military Police. Upon discharge from the service, Al returned to Meriden and entered his father's business, Hobson & Motzer, in Wallingford, Connecticut, taking over leadership when his father...

Barbara L. (Stebbing) Cummings of 44 Silver Street, South Hadley, Massachusetts died at Charlene Manor on November 3, 2020. Born in Chertsey, Surrey, England on December 14, 1920, her family moved to London in 1939. During WWII she worked a the Town Hall overnight dispatching first responders to fires and other emergencies. In 1943, she married John E. Ericson who was serving in England with the 8th Army Air Corp with the 303RD Bombardment Group. After settling in Granby, she became a U.S. citizen in 1964. While in Granby, she was active in the Church of Christ, 4-H, Pilgrim Fellowship, Grange, P. M. club and joined the British Wives Club at W.A.F.B. In 1967 she married Robert H. Cummings...

Galina Alexandrovna Ponomareva (Matviychuk), 74, of Granby, Massachusetts, yielded up her spirit with her husband by her side on August 13, 2020, after a long battle with cancer. Galina was born in Lutsk, Ukraine, in 1945, and graduated from the University of Lviv, Ukraine, in 1969. She married her soul mate in 1970, and over the next 50 years together they brought up their seven children and faced life's joys and challenges. Galina was an extraordinarily brave woman with a free spirit, who was a lifelong learner and educator. She received a Master's Degree in Ukrainian and Russian Linguistics from the University of Lviv in Ukraine and was an active member of the Scientific Student...

Patricia D. "Patti" Leaf, age 63, passed away peacefully July 25, 2020 in Amherst, MA where she has lived for the last four years. She was born in Vancouver, WA on March 1, 1957 to parents Carl and Doris Wastradowski. Patti was a 1975 graduate of Hudson's Bay Highschool in Vancouver, WA. Patti was married to Gary Leaf for forty-one years and raised two wonderful sons, Michael and Christopher. She was predeceased by her parents and sister, Jane, and is survived by her husband and sons, her daughters-in-law, Fajer and Alexandra, and her siblings Carol, Bill, Louise, and Lynn. Prior to Amherst she has also lived in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; and Midland and...