The Wellesley Townsman

Maureen FitzGerald Jutras - beloved wife, mother, grandmother and sister -of Wellesley, Mass. and Wolfeboro, N.H., departed this world July 9, 2022 in Boston. Born in Cambridge, Mass. to Joseph and Mary Broderick FitzGerald, she was the eldest of seven children. A graduate of Mount St. Mary's College in N.H., Maureen taught for the Department of Defense in Okinawa, Japan and went on to earn a Master's in Educational Leadership at Wheelock College. Maureen a lifelong educator, with her infectious spirit and curiosity, influenced the lives of thousands of PreK - 8th grade students as well as their families. As an educator in both Catholic and public schools, she nurtured the development of...

The family of Marguerite Bisson Collier, 93, share news of her passing peacefully on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Harvest Hill in Lebanon, NH , where she has been a resident since 2010. Marguerite and Bob Collier moved from Wellesley to Lebanon in 1994 to be closer to their daughter Heather, her husband, Don Vogel, and their young family. The Colliers arrived in Wellesley in 1966 with their three children Rob, Heather, and Ron - all graduates of Wellesley High School. A dedicated educator, Marguerite spent her years in Wellesley as a 4th grade teacher at Bates and Perrin Elementary Schools. In retirement she continued to mentor young teachers and with Bob, they would travel back to...

Helen L. Hewett, 88, passed away on Friday, August 20, 2021 at the Atrium Health Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. She had been under the care and support of hospice for an extended period. Helen was born on October 9, 1932 in Wellesley, Massachusetts to Anthony and Mary Paltrineri. She graduated from Wellesley High School. She met and fell in love with Carl Pearson Hewett from nearby Needham, and they married on July 24, 1954. After marriage, Helen spent many years at home as a devoted mother, caring for and raising her two children. In the 1970's, when living in Charlottesville, Virginia, she went to work as an administrative assistant at the University of Virginia. As...

Patty died peacefully at home in the early morning hours of May 28th, 2021, surrounded by her daughter Suzy, husband Art, and their youngest daughter Dani. Shortly after her passing Patty's granddaughters Ciel Powers, and Jess Raymond, her husband Zach and their sons Jameson & Archer were also able to say their goodbyes. Patty's only grandson Joshua, his wife Crystal and their children Ace, Leia, and Violet had come to visit the previous Sunday along with Patty's youngest son Chris, his wife Pam, and their daughters Emma & Abby. Patty was born at Faulkner Hospital in Boston on August 28th, 1936, to parents Richard Ely (born in Springfield, Mass) and Frances Louise Ludwick Ely (born...

Norberto Pedro James Rawlings passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 7, 2021 after a 15-year battle with Parkinson's Disease. His entire life can be traced through his seven books of poetry for which he is widely known and cherished in the Dominican Republic--from the capital of Santo Domingo to Consuelo, the sugar plantation in San Pedro de Macor?s where he was born on February 6, 1945. Norberto came of age under the dictatorship of Leonidas Trujillo and as a child touched the gun holstered by one of Trujillo's sons on a dare. From a childhood of deprivation, he broke free by reading everything he could get his hands on, and pursued his education by capturing and riding a...

Ann Austin MacGregor, 93, of Sarasota and a former resident of Wellesley, Massachusetts, died Wednesday morning, December 23, 2020 in the comfort of her home. Mrs. MacGregor was born in Worcester MA on February 28, 1927, the daughter of Elvira (Goulson) Austin and Francis M. Austin. She was a graduate of Classical High School in Springfield, MA and The College of New Rochelle, graduating with honors in 1948. She was a loving wife and mother who created a gracious and beautifully decorated home for her family. She enjoyed the many years she worked part time at John Douglas in Wellesley, MA, often kidding that she spent her entire paycheck buying beautiful clothes for the family. She...

On Sunday August 2nd, 2020, Murlyn Miner, passed away peacefully at the age of 99 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law, Heather and David Bower, in Nelson, NH. Murlyn Ardys Rodger "Murly" was born June 5th, 1921 to Delbert ("Dell") Rodger and Elma (Torfin) Rodger in Sheldon, North Dakota. She grew up in North Dakota and Montana describing her upbringing as filled with love, recounting fun adventures with her siblings Cherry and Duane, and supportive parents that instilled Christian values, hard-work, and the importance of education. Murly received her B.A. in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of North Dakota. She went on to Mills College in California for...

H. Phelps Edwards, Jr., of Naples, FL, formerly of Wellesley, MA, passed away December 6, 2019 at the age of 90. Phelps was born May 18, 1929 in Boston, MA to Hamilton P. and Elizabeth (Young) Edwards. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Josselyn Y. Edwards, of Ross, CA. Phelps leaves behind his loving wife of 68 years, Caroline Kneedler Edwards (Kip); his dear children: Elizabeth P. Edwards (Lisa) of Hailey, ID; Josselyn E. Futrell (Lyn) and her husband Tom of Wheaton, IL; Mary E. Scott (Muffy) and her husband Don of Midlothian, VA; Caroline C. Cameron (C.C.) and her husband Jack of Naples, FL; 9 wonderful grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. He is also...