Category: Current Issue



Nancy Iris Simonds
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Nancy Iris Simonds, born Aug. 25, 1956, residing in Port St. Lucie, died in the early morning on Oct. 27, 2022.
Daughter to the late Nancy B. Blakely and Albert L. Simonds, she leaves her three children, Michael Egan, Colleen Warnick and Nicholas Hinderliter, as well as nine grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Nancy Simonds attended the Rectory School and graduated from Woodstock Academy and Nichols College. She was a long-time employee of Linemaster Switch Corporation where she held several leadership roles.
Nancy was an avid lover of the arts, dancing, and most of all, live music. Animals always brought joy to Nancy’s life. She loved riding horses and being in the company of her feline and canine friends. Nancy instilled consideration and empathy for others, always enjoyed a good laugh, and will forever be missed, especially by her three loving children.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the care of Yates Funeral Home & Crematory.

Marion 'Betsy' Sorel
THOMPSON — Marion (Betsy) Sorel, 90, of Thompson died Oct. 10, 2022.
She was born Jan. 7, 1932, in Putnam.
Her parents, Raymond and Marion (Mills) Wing, her twin brother Raymond (Buddy) Wing, along with her sisters, Susan and Carol passed years ago. Her youngest sister Bobby (Robert) and her family live in Florida. Betsy’s husband, Armand E. Sorel, passed away in 2007 after 56 years of marriage.
She leaves five children, Linda (Bob) Coolick of Rocky Hill, Karen (Thomas) Richmond of Pomfret, David (Karen) Sorel of Woodstock, Joanne Sorel of Putnam, and  Cindy (Scott) Hale of Woodstock; 10 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren that will miss their “Gram.” She also leaves a large group of nieces and nephews including family from Sorel’s Garage in Brooklyn, along with many across the country in Washington state and California.
Betsy was a woman of many talents in and out of the home.
She put love into everything she did, knitting, crocheting, tatting, cross stitch, and, Oh the baskets she made! You wouldn’t be surprised to receive a handmade hat, scarf or slippers when you came to visit.
If you wanted to learn, she was more than willing to share her crafts.
She certainly had two green thumbs, her indoor plants, especially her African violets, thrived.
She enjoyed spending a lot of time in her gardens, growing fruits, herbs, and vegetables, canning, freezing and sharing her delicious dishes and recipes.
Their gentleman farm with a variety of livestock, cows, pigs, turkeys and chickens allowed them to feed their family with a lot of hard work.
Family gatherings at Gram’s will always be treasured memories. We will never forget her homemade pies, pickles, root beer, cider, applesauce, whoopie pies, grape juice and frozen pops. She was always up for a game of Scrabble, Rummy or a puzzle.
A visit to Old Sturbridge Village was a regular event. She had a jolly disposition, always had a smile or a laugh to share. Everyone left with a big hug!
A memorial service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putna. Burial will be private, at a later date.

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