Beverley McNally

PUTNAM — Beverley B. McNally, 93, died Oct. 7, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. Beverley was born Aug. 8, 1924,  in Providence, the second child of Henry Ernest and Constance Hird Burgess. Her family moved to Putnam and she attended Putnam schools, graduating with honors in 1942. She attended Mitchell College in New London and transferred to UConn. She received her bachelor’s in zoology in 1946. While a student, she was a member of the 1944

National Intercollegiate Archery championship team. Upon graduation, she began teaching junior high school science in the Putnam school system. In 1965, she received her master’s in education from UConn. She retired from teaching in 1985, following a 39-year active and noteworthy career.

Beverley served on many local and national education associations, and served in several elected positions, including president of the Putnam Education Association.  She was a charter member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization for women educators.

She was instrumental in forming the National Honor Society of the Putnam Middle School. She was a member of the Putnam Women’s Club, where she also served as president, and of the Day Kimball Hospital Woman’s Board. She was on the Rainbow Court Order of the Amaranth, a social and philanthropic organization basing its membership on Masonic heritage and promoting the practice of truth, faith, wisdom and charity.

Beverley married her high school sweetheart, Frank W. McNally, on July 4, 1948. Frank predeceased Beverley in July of this year soon after they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. They lived in W. Thompson where they built a home. In addition to her many professional duties, Beverley actively supported her three children academically and in music, sports, 4-H and scouting. Frank and Bev together created a lovely and welcoming home and garden where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends.

In addition to her husband, Frank, Bev is predeceased by her sister Alva King. She leaves her brother Russell Burgess; three children: Constance Crawford (Chris), Alison McNally (Bobby German) and Frank W. McNally Jr. (Sandra); grandchildren: Christopher Crawford Jr. (Karen), Alison Crawford, Alex Crawford (Taylor), Jason McNally, and Lisa McNally; great-grandchildren: Chloe, Ryan, Camden and Casey Crawford.

Beverley, who wouldn’t be caught without her pearls, will be remembered for her feisty and caring spirit. She had the mind of a scientist yet loved a touch of whimsy. She set a beautiful table. Her distinctive “school-teacher” voice could raise the roof and was always paired with a joyful smile. She loved the Red Sox, UConn basketball and ice cream.

A Funeral Service was Oct. 17 at the Christ Church in Pomfret followed by interment. Donation: Christ Episcopal Church Flower Fund. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Brenda L. Aiken

DANIELSON — Brenda Lynn (Challinor) Aiken, 59, of Danielson, died Oct. 11, 2017, at Davis Place. She was born on June 15, 1958, in Putnam, to James and Gloria (Tetreault) MacKenzie. 

She married Kenneth Aiken at 16 years old. This December would have marked 44 years of marriage. 

Brenda lived all her life in Connecticut with her family. Many years ago, she worked at Superior Bakery with her husband Kenneth. Brenda enjoyed babysitting her nieces and nephews when they were younger and spending time with her family and friends. Some of her favorite things to do included going to bingo, the casino and shopping, playing Yahtzee and Scat, and sharing a good conversation. Brenda had a heart of gold and always did whatever she could to make others happy. 

She leaves her daughter Tara Aiken and her long-term companion Daniel Paine, both of Putnam; her grandsons: Jared Jordan and Oliver Paine, both of Putnam; her brothers Dennis Challinor of Thompson, Robert Challinor of Rittman, Ohio, and James MacKenzie of Thompson; her sister Patricia Sargent of Putnam; nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents James and Gloria MacKenzie, her husband Kenneth Aiken, her brothers Richard Challinor, Michael Challinor, David Challinor, and William MacKenzie, and her sister Kathleen Fague.

The Funeral and Cremation were private. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Barbara J. Lamb

THOMPSON — Barbara J. (Tourtellotte) Lamb, 69, of Quaddick Town Farm Rd., died Oct. 13, 2017, at home. She was the wife of Thomas W. Lamb.  Born in 1948 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Marshall and Florence (Baranski) Tourtellotte Sr. Barbara was a graduate of Killingly High School.

On Oct. 18, 1969, she was united in marriage to Thomas Lamb at Most Holy Trinity Church in Pomfret.

Mrs. Lamb worked for more than 20 years as a home health aide for Community Home and Healthcare. She enjoyed gardening and flowers and family.

Mrs. Lamb was a member of the East Thompson Volunteer Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary where she was their secretary for many years. 

In addition to her husband Thomas, she leaves her son, Stephen Lamb (Elizabeth); her daughter, Kelly Lamb of Thompson; and her sister Elizabeth Gingras of Virginia. She was predeceased by her son Andrew Lamb; and her brother Marshall Tourtellotte Jr.

The Mass of Christian Burial is at 11 a.m. Oct. 21 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in West Thompson Cemetery. Donations: Charity of one’s choice. Valade Funeral Home and Crematory 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. 

 

Miranda Lyn St. Jean

STERLING —  Miranda Lyn St. Jean, 28, of Porter Pond Rd., died Oct. 11, 2017, at Wm. W. Backus Hospital. Born in 1988 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Judy A. (Sharpe) Chauvette of Coventry, R.I., and Timothy R. St. Jean of Killingly.

Miranda was an amazing baker and cook, always tweaking every recipe to make it her own. She loved all animals from dogs and cats to snakes and mice. As a little girl she would sneak all the strays into the house.

Miranda had a green thumb and worked at Logee’s greenhouse as a teenager. She took great pride in her gardening skills especially her morning glories and vegetable garden. She saw beauty where there was none and would plant flowers and trees so the rest of us could see it too. 

Miranda worked for a short while as a material handler at Staples prior to becoming disabled due to her special heart.

She leaves her fiancé Brandon Deojay; her daughter Ailise Chatelle; her father Timothy and stepmother Robin St. Jean; her mother Judy A. (Sharpe) and stepfather Leo Chauvette Jr.; her stepfather Shawn Credit of Moosup; brother Timothy St. Jean Jr.; seven stepbrothers Chris Woodman, Jack Thornton, and Jason, Branden, Kyle, Leo, III, and Ryan Chauvette; two stepsisters Holly Ellis and Tanya Credit; her best friend Sharon Deojay. Miranda was predeceased by her grandparents Florence St. Jean, Sissy Sharpe and Albert Sharpe Sr. as well as Nicholas Chatelle.

Donations to help cover her final expenses can be brought to any bankHometown, c/o The Miranda St. Jean memorial fund account #25860860 or mailed directly to Judy Chauvett, 17 Larch Dr., Coventry, RI 02816. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Marie Jeanne Benoit

NAPLES, Fla. — Marie Jeanne Benoit died Oct. 5, 2017.  

She was born on Jan. 21, 1936, and as a child attended private schools.  She married Leo Benoit in 1957.  

As the wife of an Army husband she traveled to many places.  Eventually she settled on Lake Bungay in Woodstock.  She worked for American White Cross as a customer service rep and then she worked at the ARC until her retirement.  Marie had a great love for animals, cats and dogs but her favorite was Sally, who was waiting at Heaven’s door for her.  

She leaves sons: Sherman Benoit (Mary) of Putnam, Lennard Benoit of Naples; a daughter Liane Johnson of Ironton, Mo.; a sister Yolande Bangert of Arizona; eight grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.  She was predeceased by her husband of 53 years Leo Benoit and a granddaughter Karen Johnson. 

Services were private  

 

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