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Donna L. Alimandi
WOODSTOCK — Donna Alimandi, 74, of Woodstock died Sept. 28, 2022, at Day Kimball Hospital, after several ongoing health problems.
She leaves her partner Tom Paquin of Woodstock; children Cheryl Sellers of Danielson, Laurie Alimandi of Thompson, Kelly Alimandi of Missouri, Kim Yommer of Salem, and Dan Alimandi Jr. of Woodstock; grandchildren, Alisha, Kayla, Chelsea, Nathan, Noah, Nick, Zach and Marlee and great-grandchildren. She also leaves Dan Alimandi Sr. and Douglas Gilbert and her cat Shiloh.
She was born in Putnam the daughter of the late Winfred and Elsie Newport and lived in Putnam for many years before moving to Woodstock.
Donna retired from Linemaster Switch in Woodstock. She enjoyed camping and get-togethers with family, cooking, baking, gardening and spending time in her yard.
She loved the change of seasons from hummingbirds to winter birds.
Donna had a great sense of humor and continued to even when she was in so much pain. She was a very strong woman.
Services are private and burial will follow at Grove Street Cemetery in Putnam at a later date. Donations: Paws Cat Shelter, Inc. in Woodstock.
Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
John C. Desaulniers
PLAINFIELD — John C. Desaulniers, 59, died peacefully Sept. 18, 2022, in Governor’s House Nursing Facility in Simsbury.
Born in 1962 in Putnam, he was the son of Pauline (McGrath) Desaulniers of St. Augustine, Fla., and the late Dr. Rene Desaulniers. John lived at the John Dempsey Regional Center from 1972 to 1985. In later life he lived in the Philmar Group Home in Plainfield and recently was a patient at Governor’s House. John worked for several years in a sheltered workshop in Dayville. He was a gentle soul with a wonderful sense of humor. Activities included competing in Special Olympics, watching Red Sox baseball (and wearing Red Sox hats) and enjoyed music and dancing.
In addition to his mother, he leaves his siblings Suzanne Bauzys of Jacksonville, Fla., Maureen Russe (Richard) of Simsbury, Michelle van Haagen of St. Augustine, and Thomas Desaulniers (Donna) of St. Augustine; nieces and nephews. The Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 24 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Nancy Fagan Shaw
POMFRET — Dad has finally invited our Mom to the Dance. Nancy Fagan Shaw died Sept. 24, 2022, with her children in attendance at her home on Cooney Road in Pomfret.
Born Aug. 4, 1929, to Clement and Anita (Keena) Fagan, Nancy grew up in Norwalk. She met Donald at a young age when her family had photographs taken at Alice Jackson Shaw’s Studio where Donald helped out with the photography. While in Norwalk High School, Nancy helped Alice with artwork and making photo albums.
Upon discharge from the Navy in 1946, Donald returned to Norwalk and found Nancy had grown into quite the beauty. They were married May 21, 1949, and enjoyed 66 years of marriage. Their love for one another was so complete and true that their children never heard them exchange a harsh word.
Nancy was a skilled seamstress. For all her children she made clothes for Christmas, Easter and First Day of School while Donald did much of the hemming. In 1957 Nancy became a Brownie leader, graduating to Girl Scout leader as her girls got older. Nancy was also an accomplished watercolor artist.
Nancy had an absolute love for babies and little children. When the last of her six children reached school age, Nancy worked for many years as an aide for the Headstart Program and also as a teacher’s aide in the Brooklyn and Pomfret school systems. There will be many who remember her loving attention.
Nancy was predeceased by her husband who died in 2015. She leaves her children: Melissa Joyal (Leo) of Pomfret; Laurice Shaw of Pomfret; Amanda Manso (Paul) of Swansea, Mass., Brian Shaw of Pomfret; Holly Shaw (Richard Evans) of E. Killingly, Nancy McMerriman (Tim) of Pomfret; and Brenda Reges, Mom’s caregiver and our “adopted sister”. She also leaves a sister Annette Vickery (David); a nephew David Jr.; nieces Susan and Karen: 14 grandchildren; Christopher, Jennifer, Jason, Jake, Kevin, Lori, Amy, Paula, Julie, Jenna, Ryan, Kelsey, Hannah, Brendan; and 24 great grandchildren.
A service at Christ Church in Pomfret will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 8. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at Melissa and Leo Joyal’s home at 109 Valentine Rd. Pomfret Center. Donations: The family asks that you please perform a random act of kindness in Mom’s name. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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