Marylee L. Hyer

BROOKLYN —  Marylee (M’Lee) Long Hyer, 87, of Vina Lane (formerly West Hartford and Columbia,  and Myrtle Beach, S.C.), died Sept. 11, 2014 in Westview Nursing Home. She was the  wife of the late Walter T. Hyer.  Born in ‘1926 Hartford, she was the daughter of the late John and Virginia (Alsworth) Long.

Marylee graduated from Dean Junior College in Franklin, Mass.. She enjoyed raising three sons, environmental activism, singing in the Connecticut Opera, gardening, cooking, crocheting and doll making, as she was a talented seamstress. She enjoyed Jeopardy, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Upwords (where she rarely lost!). M’Lee was a skilled choral member and soloist, inheriting her music talents from her mother, Virginia, who played piano for silent movies at Radio City Music Hall. She passed along her love and considerable talents for music to her sons and grandchildren. 

Marylee had been an active member and deaconess of the Unitarian-Universalist Churches, both in West Hartford and Myrtle Beach. She was interested in politics and world affairs, and was a supporter of the Democratic Party for most of her life.

She leaves her sons: Bruce T. Hyer, member of Parliament, of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada; Walter A. Hyer of Arlington, Texas, and Thomas T. Hyer of Canterbury; grandchildren Michael Hyer, Preston D. Hyer, Megan M. Hyer, Kaitlyn N. Komorowski and Lauren E. Komorowski; and a half-sister Lorraine Joyce. She was very fond of her daughters-in-law Margaret, Cherie, and Marcia, and until her passing, was close with Harriet.

Visitation is from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Oct. 12  in Creamery Brook Retirement Village, Vina Lane. Brooklyn. Donations: Your local/favorite Unitarian-Universalist Church or to the Smithsonian Institution. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Bruce Palmer Sr.

WOODSTOCK — Bruce Wayne Palmer Sr., 60, of Woodstock, died unexpectedly Sept. 28, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He is the husband of April (Englert) Palmer.  Born in Feb. 21, 1954, Allentown, Penn., he is the son of Louise Mae (Wagner) Zellner-Palmer and the late Elmer Palmer. Bruce graduated from Louis E. Dieruff High School in 1972.

Mr. Palmer was a devoted family man, business professional, avid golfer, and devoted fan of the New England Patriots. Bruce was an essential and dedicated member of the Numa Tool family for more than 25 years 

He leaves his mother Louise (Wagner) Zellner-Palmer;  wife of 34 years April L. Palmer and his five children; Bruce Palmer Jr., Paul Palmer, Christeen (Marshall) Seeley, Dwayne Marshall, and Grady Marshall; 13 grandchildren; three brothers Barry Palmer, Alan Palmer, and Wayne Palmer. 

The Funeral Service was Oct. 4 in the Thompson Congregational Church. Donations: Thompson Congregational Church, 347 Thompson Rd., Thompson, CT 06277. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes. 

 

Walter Liessner

WOODSTOCK —  Walter Liessner, 79, of County Rd., died Oct. 3, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital.  He is the husband of Martha “Janet” (Gohl) Liessner.  Born in 1934 in Monticello, N.Y., he was the son of the late Albert Walter and Theresa (Bonk) Liessner. 

Mr. Liessner was a Principal Mechanical Engineer for Raytheon Company.  He was a member of the Carlisle Minuteman in Massachusetts, and an active member of Most Holy Trinity Church, as he was a devout catholic.  He co-founded the Carlisle Bakery in 1970.

Walter enjoyed working with his hands, doing activities like, gardening, landscaping, carpentry, home repair, was a master stone wall builder, and always carried tools in his pockets.  Walter loved Christmas, and always knew how many days until the next Christmas.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his sons, Christopher Liessner, PhD. (Patricia) of Georgetown, Mass., and Greg Liessner (Elina) of Orlando, Fla.; his daughters, Alinda Zawierucha (Marek) of Littleton, Mass., Karen Lamoreaux (Paul) of Carlisle, Dr. Patricia Kalil (Dr. Andre Kalil) of Omaha, Neb., and Cindy Maher (Dennis) of Upton, Mass.; his grandchildren, Janusz Zawierucha, Thomas Kalil, Vanessa Kalil, and Julianna Kalil; his step-grandchildren, Sarah Nicherson, Daniel Harrison, and Christi Maher; and his sisters, Theresa Seibert of Newton, Eileen McCullough of Upper Marlboro, Md., and Elsie Riley of Duncannon, Penn.  He is predeceased by his sister, Margie Glaab. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 7 at Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Donations:  UMass Medical Center, Cancer Research Office, 55 Lake Ave North, ACC 7th Floor, Worcester, MA 01655; or Project Northeast, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Eugene L. Roy,

Korean war vet

BROOKLYN —  Eugene “Ripper” “Mickey” L. Roy, 80, of Hartford Rd., formerly of Moosup, died Sept. 29,2014, in Regency Heights Nursing Home.  Born in 1934 in E. Providence, he was the son of the late Adelard and Viola (Murray) Spalding.

Ripper was a veteran of the Korean Conflict serving with the U.S. Marines. Ripper worked as a mason for the Brick Layers Union and Grendell and Dexter. 

He enjoyed watching his grandchildren at sporting events and loved his dog Lila.  He was a member of the American Legion, the Thompson Rod and Gun Club, and was an avid New York Giants and Boston Red Sox fan. 

He leaves his sons, Gary E. Roy of Thompson and Jeffrey Roy of Putnam; his daughters, Debbie Barrette of Brooklyn, Karen Roy of Woodstock, and Marie Sheldon of Woodstock; his sisters, Joyce Tine of Cranston, R.I., Rosemary Roy of Putnam, and June Poulin of Israel; seven grandchildren, and a great grandchild. Eugene was predeceased by three brothers Robert Roy, Sonny Roy, and Donald Roy and a sister Shirley Trent  

The Graveside Service was Oct. 7 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.

 

Ruth E. Slye

ABINGTON — Ruth E. Slye, 80 of Abington, died Oct. 2, 2014, at the Westview Nursing Home in Dayville. She was the wife of Thomas C. Slye Sr. They were married for 63 years. She was born Dec. 13, 1933, in Providence, daughter of the late William and Florence (Bonds) Jarrett. 

Ruth had worked at Crabtree and Evelyn in Woodstock for more than 20 years, before retiring. 

She leaves her husband Thomas C. Slye Sr.; daughter Donna Leplat (Marc); Thomas C Slye Jr. of Florida; grandsons Marc Leplat Jr., Michael Leplat and a great granddaughter Alexis Leplat, all of Rhode Island; a brother William Jarrett of Florida.

The funeral was private.  Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Victoria Z. St. Jean

PUTNAM — Victoria (Zaklukiewicz) St. Jean, 91, of Myers St., died Oct. 1, 2014, in Day Kimball Hospital. Born in 1922 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late John and Sophia (Ukleja) Zaklukiewicz.

Mrs. St. Jean was a graduate of the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Worcester, class of 1944. Upon graduating, she worked as a registered nurse for Dr. Morton Chapnick. She then worked for Day Kimball OBGYN for 35 years, retiring in 2008. Mrs. St. Jean enjoyed volunteering for many years with the Red Cross at the Putnam Congregational Church. Victoria enjoyed sewing, crocheting, reading, riding in the car, going out to lunch, and watching birds at the bird feeder. She was an avid piano player while she was in grade school, playing at St. Mary Church in Putnam.  Victoria received the Elementary Certificate of Great Honors from the National Conservatory of Music, Montreal University, in 1938. 

She leaves three sons, John R. St. Jean (Christine) of Brooklyn, Carl E. St. Jean (Karen) of Woodstock, and Bruce E. St. Jean (Ellen) of Woodstock; her daughter, Kathleen A. Roach (Donald) of Ludington, Mich.; her sister Angela “Nellie” LaBonte of Putnam; 10 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her sisters, Pauline Witkowski, Cecilia Zaklukiewicz, Helen Pempek, and Catherine Zaklukiewicz.   

The Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 6 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: Deary Memorial Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

John Perry Swenson,

WWII vet

WOODSTOCK VALLEY —  John P. Swenson, 98, of Bradford Corner Rd., died Oct. 2, 2014, while a resident at Regency Heights of Danielson.  He was the husband of both the late Mary (Kohlsaat) Swenson and Mary (Nelson) Kohlsaat-Swenson. Born in 1916 in St. Paul, Minn., he was the son of the late Perry A. and Agnes (Bjork) Swenson.

John served as a captain in the Army during WWII.  He graduated from the University of Minnesota as a civil engineer and was a member of Theta Tau Engineering fraternity.  John, along with his brother Sidney, were partners in their father’s building company, the Perry A. Swenson Co. based out of St. Paul. John moved to Connecticut in 1994 to be near his daughters and granddaughters. He was a lifelong student and an avid reader. He enjoyed participating in Learning in Retirement programs at Quinebaug Valley Community College and attending programs at UConn.  In his earlier years he enjoyed photography and curling.   He was also a lifelong fan of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.  

He leaves his daughters, Cathy (Swenson) Lewis of Woodstock, and Barbara J. Swenson of Wethersfield; his brothers, Sidney A. Swenson of St. Paul, Dr. Donald B. Swenson of Minnetonka, Minn.; his grandchildren, Chelsea (Lewis) Nettleton of Windsor, and Peri J. Lewis, of Woodstock.  He is predeceased by his son, John B. Swenson and his brother, Carl A. Swenson.

Burial with military honors will follow at a later date at Acacia Park Cemetery in Mendota Heights, Minn. Donations: Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 700 Snelling Ave. South, St. Paul, MN 55116. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Eileen M. Babbitt

DERRY, N.H. — Eileen M. Babbitt, 71, of Derry, formerly of Blaine, Maine, died Oct. 3, 2014, at Parkland Medical Center in Derry.  She was born March 28, 1943, in Worcester and was the daughter of the late Alfred W. and Emma R. (King) Dumaine.  She was raised and educated in Worcester and Thompson and had been a resident of Derry for the past year. Mrs. Babbitt was a homemaker and wife of an Army officer and spent many years traveling in support of his service.  After retirement, they lived in Connecticut and Florida prior to settling in Owl’s Head and Blaine.  She loved dogs and cats and was a long- time supporter of the Disable American Veteran’s organization. She leaves three daughters, Linda Prince (William) of Derry, Sharon Downer (Eric) of E. Berlin, Penn., and Christine Earle of New Sweden, Maine; five grandchildren, Andrew Prince, Hannah Prince, Burke Downer, Julia Downer and Alison Earle, three great-grandchildren; two brothers, Donald Dumaine of Whiteville, Maine, and Robert Dumaine of Putnam.  She was predeceased by her husband of 41 years, Ray Clifton Babbitt in 2001 and by a grandson, K.C. Prince in 1989.

After cremation, services will be set. Donations: Disabled American Veterans Association, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH, 45250-0301; and/or, The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium of Derry.

 

 

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