Gertrude L. Hardy

N. GROSVENORDALE — Gertrude L. Hardy, 88, of Seastrand Road, died May 23, 2017, in UMass Medical Center. She was the wife of the late Roland Hardy, Philip Laramie, and Raymond Verdone. Born in 1928 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Narcisse and Dora (Faucher) Ravenelle.

Mrs. Hardy worked for Cluett Peabody, Bates Shoe and then retiring from American Optical as an injection molding machine operator. She was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary Albert J. Breault Post. She enjoyed golfing, knitting, crocheting, playing bingo at St. Joseph Church, and bird watching. 

She leaves her daughters, Diane Stephens (Gary) of Putnam, Claudette White (Ernest) of N. Grosvenordale, Vivian Kozey (Charles) of Eastford, and Jeanne Verdone of Woodstock; her brother Phillip Ravenelle of Webster; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings, Doris Blain, Jeannette Cardinal, and Norman Ravenelle; and one grandson.

The Mass of Christian Burial was May 30 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

M. Elizabeth Boncer

CUMBERLAND, R.I. — Marie Elizabeth Evenlina Boncer, 100, of Angel Rd., formerly of Quinebaug, died May 21, 2017, in The Holiday Retirement Center in Cumberland, R.I.  She was the wife of the late Louis Boncer.  Born in 1917 in Manchester, N.H., she was the daughter of the late Ulderic and Melina (Bergeron) Gelinas.

Mrs. Boncer worked as a machine worker for BF Goodrich until her retirement.  She was a communicant of St. Stephen Church and St. Joseph Church in Thompson.  

She leaves a niece; four nephews; four great-nieces and four great-nephews. She is predeceased by a brother, Joseph A. Gelinas; and her sisters, Cecile Przybyla, Jean Bergeron, and Rose Troy. 

The Mass of Christian Burial was May 26 in St. Joseph Church, N. Grosvenordale, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Disabled American Veterans Association, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale.

 

Magdalena Fujtas

PUTNAM — Magdalena (Babacs) Fujtas, 91, of Thurber Rd., died May 25, 2017, at Matulaitis Nursing Home.  She was the wife of the late Bala Dezamits.  Born in 1925 in Reta, Hungary, she was the daughter of the late Michael and Ann (Antal) Babacs.

Mrs. Fujtas worked for many years at Hitchcock Furniture as a hand stenciler and striper after immigrating here with her family from Austria.

She leaves her daughter Magdalena Pepe (James) of Pomfret Center; three grandsons James B. Pepe of Portland Org., Anthony P. Pepe Portland and Frank W. Pepe of Verdi, Nev. She was predeceased by a sister Illona Ujj.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. May 31 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret. Donations: Matulaitis Nursing Home, Residents Activity Fund, 10 Thurber Rd., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Helen J. Verrette

PUTNAM — Helen J. Verrette, 80, of Putnam, died May 26, 2017, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. She was born on March 13, 1937, in Elmford, N.Y., daughter of the late Frank and Eleanor Barrows.

Helen was a homemaker and loved spending time with her grandchildren. She enjoyed time with friends, going out for lunch, shopping trips, watching TV and doing word find puzzles.

She leaves her children Susan Durand of Thompson, Joann Desrochers (Robert) of N. Grosvenordale, Sandra Farrar (James) of Topsfield, Maine, Alan Verrette (Iwona) of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; grandchildren Danielle, Jamie, Travis, Tyler and Kyle; great-grandsons Benjamin and Nathaniel. Her siblings Robert Barrows; Frank Barrows; Frances Bourbeau; Lillian Holcomb and Charlotte Mauller. She was predeceased by two grandchildren Ryan and Lindsay. 

The Funeral Service was May 31 in Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam, with burial will be in Munyan Cemetery, E. Putnam.

 

Beverly Holmes Stark

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — Beverly Holmes Stark, 87, died May 15, 2017, in Brooksville. 

Bev spent most of her early life in Fall River, Mass., where she graduated from Sacred Heart Academy. She was a member of the Framingham Teacher’s College Class of 1952, and taught home economics in New Haven and Newton, Mass. 

She and her husband Cliff moved to Woodstock in 1958, where they raised four sons. While there, she earned her realtor’s license, and was successful largely due to her integrity and desire to help both buyer and seller. She was involved with the Woodstock Nursery School Marathon Bridge group, was a Cub Scout den mother, and helped fund raise for the Woodstock Nursery School and Woodstock Community Health Association.  She was active in the local senior citizens group and organized their craft club.

Bev was an accomplished seamstress. Her granddaughters loved the adorable American Girl doll outfits she made. Whenever a family member or friend was celebrating the birth of a new baby or a child’s birthday, they could count on Bev sending a package of handmade baby balls, toys and bibs. Even after suffering a stroke, she continued to create crafts. Beverly was thoughtful: she sewed gifts for people she didn’t know, put together care packages for armed services members, and bought backpacks and clothing for needy children. She loved bridge and other card games and was playing right up until the time of her passing. She also loved to shop, always hunting for a “bahh-ggin.” But she rarely purchased anything for herself; instead she looked for gifts for her family, children in foster care, and others.  When asked to recall her favorite memories, she often spoke of happy summer days at the family cottage in Portsmouth, R.I. She enjoyed sailing “candy” boats, playing bingo in the community house, sitting in a chair with her feet in the salt water, and just enjoying cherished times with her brother Ray, family members, and friends. 

She will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, positive outlook in life, and many generous acts of kindness. 

Beverly was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, Clifford D. Stark, and her youngest son, Steven. She leaves sons Jeffrey (Valerie) of Natick, Mass.; Douglas (Amy) of Whitinsville, Mass.; and Philip of Spring Hill, Fla.; and  five grandchildren: Brian, Kevin, Kristabel, Joy, and Molly, and their families;  nieces and nephew, cousins, extended family. 

Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. June 3 at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 24 Child Hill Road, Woodstock. Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Geoffrey S. Coderre

N. GROSVENORDALE — Geoffrey S. Coderre, 49, of N. Grosvenordale, died May 23, 2017, at UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester.

Geoffrey was born in Putnam and lived most of his life in E. Putnam, moving to N. Grosvenordale eight years ago.  He was a forklift operator for Rite Aid Distribution Center. 

He enjoyed fishing, gardening, hunting and being outdoors.  

He was an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and the Boston Celtics.

He leaves his father, Richard A. Coderre of Jacksonville, Fla.; his mother, Judith D. Rhynehart of E. Putnam and her companion, Fred McCoy of Baltic; one brother, John A. Coderre and his companion Suzanne Hart of Central Village; four sisters, Deborah Yakis of Woodstock and her companion, Mike Picard, Monique Sisson and her husband Randall of Pomfret, Roxanne DeOliveira (Roberto) of Woodstock, Nadine Gray (Sean) of Putnam; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; his cat, Fluffy.

Graveside Services were May 26 in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: PAWS-CT, P.O. Box 31, South Woodstock, CT 06267.  Shaw-Majercik Funeral Home, Webster.

 

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