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Sister M. Frechette
PUTNAM — Sr. Marcelle Frechette, DHS, 90, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, died Dec. 6, 2013, at the Holy Spirit Provincial Health Care Center where she had been in residence since June of 2007.
Born on June 5, 1923, in Lawrence, Mass., the daughter of the late Arthur and Marie (Normand) Frechette, Sr. Marcelle entered religious life in 1940 and made her religious profession on Aug. 20, 1945, at the Holy Spirit Provincial House, Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Anne Arthur.
Sr. Marcelle received a bachelor’s degree from the Diocesan Sisters’ College, S. Woodstock. From 1945 to 1980, she taught in various schools operated by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in CT, MA, VT, Upstate NY and Canada. After many years of teaching, Sr. Marcelle was assigned to St. Martin de Porres School in Gadsden, Ala., as Cafeteria Manager/Secretary. In 1987 she took on domestic services at the Provincial House in Putnam and served as part-time receptionist, a position she held until 2006.
She leaves two brothers, Donald Frechette of Danville, N.H., and Robert Frechette of Tempe, Ariz.; nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 11 the Provincial House chapel with burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Putnam.
Donations: Daughters of the Holy Spirit Retirement Fund, 72 Church St., Putnam, CT, 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Jeanne Brelsford
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jeanne Fredericka Brelsford, 54, of Jacksonville, formerly of Vernon and Putnam, died Nov. 23, 2013.
She was born June 27, 1959, in Putnam, daughter of Lois Grace Brelsford of Woodstock, and the late Frederick Brelsford. A 1977 graduate of Putnam High School, she participated in many high school sports. She was a former communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Jeanne worked for Kaman Aerospace Corporation of Bloomfield, Moosup, and Jacksonville, for 34 years, most recently as manager of Quality Programs. She was an outgoing person, a real people person, and made many friends through her life. Her hobbies and leadership positions included Assistant Director of the Jacksonville Harley Owners Group; Lt. Commander of the United States Power Squadron; Member of the National Corvette Restoration Society; Member of the National Corvette Museum.
She leaves her mother, Lois Grace Brelsford of Woodstock; her sister, Cheryl Salvas (Roger) of Woodstock; two nieces Kerry Clark (Kevin) of Pomfret; Lynn Yonush (Jason) of Woodstock; her nephew Jeffrey Salvas (Dory) of Woodstock; great nieces and nephew Kayla, Alyssa, Alise, Samantha and Justin, her longtime partner of 16 years, Kimberly Jensen and her four special dogs.
A Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 7, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Donations: American Cancer Society. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Marjorie V. Birch
THOMPSON — Marjorie V. (Ogilvie) Birch, 81, of Windsor Ave., Plainfield, formerly of Thompson, died Dec. 5, 2013, in Colonial Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in 1932 in Littleton, Mass., she was the wife of the late Richard Birch.
Marjorie was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. She leaves sons, Joel Birch of Putnam and Richard Birch of Thompson; her daughter, Tammy Eddy of Thompson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Donations: Colonial Health & Rehabilitation Resident Activity Fund, 16 Windsor Ave., Plainfield, CT 06374. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St. Putnam.
Emma Feige
POMFRET — Emma Feige,, 96, of Pomfret, died Nov. 26, 2013. Miss Feige was born Sept. 21, 1917, in Newport, R.I., daughter of Paul and Mary Feige.
Miss Feige began working for Charles and Louise Abbott in 1941, and was the caregiver, and surrogate aunt and grandmother, to generations of Abbotts. Her lifelong courage, determination, and will to live life fully were an inspiration to all her friends and family. She was an accomplished pianist, violinist, and vocalist who sang in several church choirs and madrigal groups.
“Tante” was also an avid gardener who took special joy in flowers. She loved living creatures as well as plants, especially each of the dogs who were her companions over the years. She had a passion for card games of all kinds, and was a regular, and skilled, bridge player for decades. She will be greatly missed for her booming, infectious laughter; her constant affection and care; and a wondrous and almost endless supply of cookies, pies and cakes.
She leaves a sister, Mrs. Helen Hemmer of Prospect Park, N.J.; nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.
A celebration of her life is planned for the spring of 2014. Her family and friends would welcome photographs and recollections to be shared in an album at that time. Please send them to her home at 330 Peterson Road, Pomfret Center, CT, 06259, c/o P. H. Abbott. Donations: Connecticut Humane Society at: Connecticut Humane Society, 701 Russell Road, Newington, CT 06111; or to the Food Pantry for Pomfret and the surrounding area care of: The Access Agency, 1315 Main Street, #2, Willimantic, CT 06226. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Claire M. Howland
N. GROSVENORDALE — Claire (Langelier) Howland, 95, of Linehouse Rd., died Dec. 4, 2013, in Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late Ralph W. Howland. Born in1918 in Wilsonville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Ora (Pratt) Langelier.
Mrs. Howland worked as an inspector for the American Optical Corp. She previously worked for Durand Candy and The Snowsuit Factory. She was a member of The Thompson Senior Citizens, and a lifelong communicant of St. Stephen's Church. She leaves her daughter, Linda Demers (Roland Jr.) of N. Grosvenordale; her brother, Raymond Langelier of Wilsonville, her grandchildren, Brian Demers of N. Grosvenordale, and Kevin Demers of Arizona; and her great grandson, Payton Demers. She was predeceased by seven brothers and sisters. The Mass of Christian Burial was Dec. 9 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations: Community Ambulance, PO Box 874, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes.
Warren G. Salvas
PUTNAM — Warren G. Salvas, 78, formerly of 5 Mile River Rd., died peacefully Dec. 6, 2013, in Matulaitis Nursing Home. He was the husband of Lorraine J. (Ducharme) Salvas for 58 years. Born in 1935 in Putnam, he was the son of the late William and Alice (Warren) Salvas.
Mr. Salvas served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Japan in the motor pool, running heavy equipment at the bottom of Mount Fujiyama. He attended school in Putnam.
He was a truck driver for Pepsi Cola Co. for 28 years and also worked in construction. He enjoyed antique cars and classic cars, country music, and keeping his property neat, as he was very proud of his house. He loved the Red Sox, animal shows, Grand Ole Opry shows, and working on his antique cars.
In addition to his wife, he leaves sons, Warren B. Salvas (Lisa) of Putnam and Jay P. Salvas of Bronx, N.Y.; daughters, Lois A. Salvas of Australia, Jocelyn M. O’Rourke (Mark) of Wethersfield, and Wendy B. Jackson of Beverly, Mass.; sister, Madeleine Gastonguay of Florida and Alice Smith of Putnam; grandchildren, Kelly, Kimberly, Rebecca, Stephen, Erika and Spencer; and great-grandchildren Grace Kelly and Layton Quinn. He was predeceased by his infant son, Warren J. Salvas, brother, William A. Salvas, and sister, June Whiteoak.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Dec. 12 in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery with military honors. Donations: Arc of Quinebaug Valley, 387 Cook Hill Rd., Danielson, CT 06239;or Matulaitis Nursing Home, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Georgette Joly
DANIELSON — Georgette Rosa (Perreault) Joly, 78, of Danielson, died Dec. 3, 2013, at home. She was born Oct. 5, 1935. Mrs. Joly attended St. James Elementary School and graduated from Killingly High School in 1953. She married George Joly on May 14, 1955.
She was a lifelong communicant of St. James Church and was steadfast in her faith. She worked for 20 years as a teacher’s aide at St. James School.
She was predeceased by her parents Henry and Eva (Landry) Perreault, her husband George, and her brother Raymond Perreault. She leaves her sister Joan Kent; her sons Michael and wife Meryl Lefkovich and his daughters Zoe, Coco, and Eva; Robert and wife Jane Woodhouse and their son Rene; David and his wife Annie and their daughter Nina.
A Memorial Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: “The Georgette Joly Scholarship Fund,” c/o St. James Church, 12 Franklin St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Doris M. Lefevre
PUTNAM — Doris Mae Lefevre, 85, formerly of Sabin Street, died Dec. 1, 2013, at Greenville Skilled Nursing in Greenville, R.I. She was born Dec. 26, 1927, in Putnam, daughter of the late John A. and Harriet (Whitman) Champeau. Doris worked for many years as a telephone operator in Danielson.
She had made her home in the Danielson and Killingly areas all her life. She attended Quinebaug Valley Community College, receiving an associate’s degree. Doris was affectionately known to her friends as “Edith Bunker”, she could start a conversation with anyone and always had a smile.
She leaves her children: Skip Berube (Theresa) of Lakeworth, Fla.; Timothy Berube (Linda) of Spring Hill, Tenn.; Chuck Berube (Val) of Danielson; Lisa Lefevre of Michigan, nine grandchildren, great-grandchildren; her former husband James O. Lefevre of Willington; siblings: John A. Champeau of Newport, R.I., Philip Champeau of Clinton, Tenn., Lucille Caron of Ballouville, Linda King of Pomfret. She was predeceased by a brother Rocky Champeau.
A celebration of her life will be held later. Donations: ASPCA or another animal charity. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.