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Frances J. Shaw,
church organist
PUTNAM — Frances J. Shaw, 96, of Hurry Hill Road, died Feb. 21, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital. She was the wife of the late Clayton H. Shaw who died in 2000. She was born Oct. 18, 1913, in Eureka Township, Mich., daughter of the late Albert S. and Anna N. (Sturgeon) James. She had made her home in Putnam most of her life, and active member of the Putnam Methodist Church, where she was the church organist for over 55 years, served as choir director, youth choir director, an active member of the United Methodist Women. She had served on many boards and committees at the church. She had also made many quilts for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.
Frances worked as an executive secretary for several years for the American Red Cross. She enjoyed sewing, making jellies and jams; working in her flowers gardens. She had recently authored a book and it was illustrated by her granddaughter “Reflections” The history of the James Family.
She leaves her son, James C. Shaw and his wife Beverly of Putnam; daughters, Ann Kathi Peterson of Putnam, Robyn Tracy and her husband Daniel of Dudley; a brother, Clayton James of La Conner, Wash.; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter Ruth Holly Preble, two brothers: Walter James and Lawrence James.
A Memorial Service was Feb. 25 at the Putnam Methodist Church. Donations: Putnam United Methodist Church or The Hole Wall Gang Fund, 555 Long Warf Drive, Department W, New Haven, CT 06511. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
David G. Pelletier,
father of 3
MOOSUP — David G. Pelletier of Moosup and long time resident of Danielson, died suddenly Feb. 19, 2010, at home after a long-term illness. He was born in 1960, the son of Rosalie P. (Geherean) Tyler of Moosup and the late George N. Pelletier.
He leaves his sister Theresa Villarreal; brother Mark Pelletier; three children Stephanie, Shawn, and Shannon Pelletier; four grandchildren; his long-time companion Bridgette Wunsch; his former wife Joyce Pelletier.
There was a Memorial Service Feb. 24 at St. Johns Catholic Church, Plainfield. Donations: Diabetes Association of America. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Ena Beausoleil,
church member
PUTNAM — Ena Beausoleil, longtime resident of Putnam, died Feb. 21, 2010, in Gautier, Miss., at age 103. Ena was born in 1906 and was raised in Putnam and lived there until 1998 at which time she moved south to live with her family in Gautier.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church and was active in the Circle of Fun, Ladies of St. Anne, The League of Catholic Women and a past President and Secretary of the St. Jean de Baptiste Society. She was a member of a close association of 10 women friends who met as a study group for over 50 years. The group never dissolved but their ranks were reduced as each in turn passed away. Ena was the last survivor of that wonderful group of friends.
As a young woman, Ena was employed at Belding Heminway in Putnam as a weaver. She later worked as a buyer in the children’s department at Bugbee’s Department Store. She returned to Belding where she was employed in the Quality Control Department. She retired from Belding in 1975. Ena was well known for her exceptional sewing skills and worked at home as a seamstress during her many years in Putnam.
She leaves three children, Roger and his wife Barbara of Crestview, Fla., Lucien and his wife Betty of Gautier, and Norman of Putnam; 12 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild. She was predeceased by her husband, Salvador; sister Germaine (Cartier); daughter Jeanne (Rousseau).
The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 27, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, Putnam, with burial in St. Mary Cemetery. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Rachel Haggerty,
former town clerk
N. GROSVENORDALE — Rachel Haggerty, 82, of First Street, died Feb. 24, 2010, in Worcester. She was the wife of the late John Haggerty who died in 1987. Born in 1927 in N. Grosvenordale, she was the daughter of the late Francis and Yvonne (Martin) Coderre.
Rachel was elected as town clerk of Thompson in 1978, and maintained that position until 2004 when she retired. She was the president of the Connecticut Town Clerk’s Association from 1997 until 1999. After her retirement, she continued to be active in Thompson town politics. She enjoyed traveling with her friends and spending time with her family.
She leaves her son, Kevin Haggerty and his wife Teddie of North Grafton, Mass.; her daughter, Kathleen Haggerty and her companion Thomas Dorenkamp of Worcester; her brother, Francis Coderre of Bloomfield; her granddaughter, Rebecca Haggerty; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, the late Marcella Choiniere.
Visitation was Feb. 26 in Valade Funeral Home, 23 Main St., N. Grosvenordale. Donations: The Thompson Ecumenical Empowerment Group – TEEG, P.O. Box 664, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255.
Gertrude M. Bellerive,
former spinner
PUTNAM — Gertrude M. Bellerive, 84, of Ballou Street, formerly of Woodstock Avenue, died Feb. 22, 2010, at Day Kimball Hospital. The wife of Roland O. Bellerive, they were married May 4, 1946, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation. He died March 28, 2006.
She was born Jan. 18, 1926, in Putnam, daughter of the late Edmond and Emerence (Charon) Durocher. She was employed for over 47 years as a raw silk spinner at the former Belding Heminway mill in Putnam. She was a communicant of St. Mary Church of the Visitation. Gertrude was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, served as vice president and secretary for the Putnam Senior Citizens and also a member of the North Grosvenordale Senior Citizens.
She leaves a son, Roland A. Bellerive and his wife Nancy of Attleboro, Mass.; grandchildren, Kim Durand and husband Gary of Thompson, Carrie Proulx and husband David of Thompson, Christopher Bellerive and wife Renee of Dudley; great-grandchildren, Monique Mailloux and husband Jeffrey of Putnam, Alica Durand of Thompson, Gabrielle Durand of Thompson, Christina Proulx of Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Alexandria Bellerive of Dudley, Madison Bellerive of Dudley and a great-great-grandson; a niece
The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 25, at St. Mary Church of the Visitation with burial in St. Mary Cemetery, Putnam. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, P.O. Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or St. Mary Church Restoration Fund, 218 Providence St., Putnam, CT 06260. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Robert E. Bernier,
plant engineer
BROOKLYN — Robert E. Bernier, 92 of Grant Hill Road, died Feb. 21, 2010, at home. He was born July 22, 1917, in St. Ignace, Canada; he was the son of the late Adolphe and Elmira (Richard) Bernier. He was the husband of the late Agnes (Chartier) Bernier who died May 2, 2009. They were married on May 30, 1941 at St. James Church in Danielson and were married for 67 years.
At the age of 18 Robert became employed by LaRosa Pasta Manufacturing. He became the plant engineer of the New England Plant and later ventured to become a regional engineer for all of the LaRosa Plants
He leaves his sister; Sr. Marie Claire, sister of Charity, Quebec; two grandchildren, Jean Paul Bernier and Dawn Marie Sorel; four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Agnes Bernier and a son Anthony C. Bernier; siblings; Avila Bernier, Paul-Emile Bernier, Claire Bernier and an infant brother.
The Mass of Christian Burial was Feb. 26 at St. James Church, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery, Danielson. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.
Susan S. H. Goodwin,
mother of 3
WEBSTER — Susan Goodwin, 93, of Webster, died Feb. 15, 2010, at Webster Manor Nursing Home where she had been a resident since 2005. She was the wife of Edwin H. Goodwin, who died in 1996. Sue was born on April 13, 1916, in Winchester, Mass., daughter of Alfred H. and Alice (Russell) Hildreth. She attended Abbott Academy and Smith College, where she majored in music and played the pipe organ, graduating in 1939.
Sue and Ed were married in 1941 and eventually settled in Darien, in 1951 where they raised their three sons, Jonathan, James, and Richard. Favorite family activities included sailing, skiing, and gardening. From 1970-1980 Sue worked as the gift and bridal consultant. After retirement Sue and Ed moved to Grafton, Vt., where they continued to ski, garden, and entertain for nearly 20 years. In 2000 Sue sold the Vermont home and moved to Brooklyn, CT, living at Creamery Brook Retirement Village for nearly 5 years.
She leaves her two sons Jim and his wife Linda of Pomfret, and Rick of Oakland, Calif., and his wife Karen and their children Jeremy and Emily. She was predeceased by a son, Jonathan in 1987.
A private service of burial will be held later. Donations: Christ Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 21, Pomfret, CT 06258. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Gladys Paine,
owned beauty salon
POMFRET — Gladys L. Paine (Tunnie), 81, of Pomfret, died Feb. 25, 2010, at Regency Heights Nursing Home in Danielson. Born Sept. 24, 1928, in Abington, she was the daughter of the late Frank R. and Gladys (Hall) Paine.
She lived in Pomfret her entire life until October 2009 taking residence at the Regency Heights. She was a graduate of the Ellis Technical School majoring in hairdressing and cosmetology, and owned and operated Abington Beauty Salon for many years until retiring in 1996. Her hobbies and interests included sewing and needlework. She especially enjoyed making clothing for her grandchildren.
She leaves her son Gary Paine of Pomfret Center; granddaughter Lindsay Paine and her partner Walter Gardner of Pomfret Center, Josie Paine-Thurlow and her husband Kevin of Pomfret Center, Alison Paine of Charlotte, N.C., Jessie Paine and partner Steven Livernoche of Webster; sisters Mildred Seifert of Reading, Mass., Ruth Seifert of Pomfret Center, Emma Ellsworth and husband Robert of Pomfret Center; Lois Molnar of Ashford, sister-in-law Joyce Paine of Pomfret Center. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law Linda (Schulz) Paine; brothers Howard Paine, Frank Paine Jr, Maurice Paine and Oliver Paine.
The Funeral was Feb. 28 at Abington Congregational Church with burial in the spring in Abington Cemetery. Donations: Any Parkinson’s Organization. Smith & Walker Funeral Home 148 Grove St., Putnam.
Irene Polanski,
mother of 3
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Irene Polanski, 88, of Traverse City, formerly of Brooklyn, died Feb. 21, 2010. She was born Nov. 10, 1921, in Chicopee, Mass., the was the daughter of the late Justine and Peter Sokolowski. Irene married the late Roman Polanski on Sept. 7, 1942. They made their home in Brooklyn for many years. In 2004, she moved to Michigan. Irene Worked at Kaman Aircraft, Southern Doors, and Glass Containers.
She leaves three daughters, Nancy (Paul) Woods of Ft. Mill, S.C., Frances (Michael) Stachura of Brooklyn, Mary Ann (James) Pierce of Traverse City; a sister, Justine (David) Detar of Lady Lake, Fla.; eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Francis Sokolowski.
A Prayer Service was Feb. 27 at Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, Reynolds Street, Danielson, with burial in Holy Cross Cemetery.
Charles B. Reynolds,
WWII vet
DANIELSON — Charles B. Reynolds , 85 of Danielson, died Feb. 22, 2010, at the Pierce Home in Brooklyn. He was the husband of Mary A. (Lacey) Reynolds. Born Jan. 4, 1925, in Killingly, he was the son of George B. and Vera (Morse) Reynolds. He was a graduate of Killingly High School.
He joined the U.S. Navy and served on PT boats during WWII . Charles married Mary Agnes Lacey in 1942. Charles worked for Jacobs Rubber Co., retirin in 1987. His family heritages included Descendants of Jamestowne, Va., Mayflower of Plymouth, Mass., Pilgrim Hopkins Heritage Society San Diego, Calif., Sons of the American Revolution, Civil War Descendants, Sons of the Spanish War. He leaves children, Brenda Russell and her husband Pat of Danielson, Brian Reynolds and his wife Carol of Danielson, Douglas Reynolds and his wife Judy of Danielson, Debbie Kandolin and her husband Randy of Woodstock; 13 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Mary; sister Mrs. Dorothy Codding; son Gordon Reynolds; grandson Michael Soucy, and a great-grandson Riley Soucy.
A Prayer Service was March 1, 2010, at the Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson, with burial with military honors in Holy Cross Cemetery. Donations: St Jude Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105.
Elsie O. Stark,
PUTNAM — Elsie O. Stark, 96, of Putnam, died Feb. 24, 2010, at Westview Nursing Home in Dayville. She had also lived with her daughter Marge for 10 years. She was the wife of the late Charles N. Stark. She was predeceased by her first husband Fredrick Shippee and her second husband Richard Burlingame. Elsie was born March 6, 1913, in Putnam, daughter of the late Ernest and Attie (Chase) Burton. She was a member of the Putnam Baptist Church, a 50-plus year member of the Chepachet Grange. She had worked for many years at Belding Heminway and later at Wellington Curtain. She also baked and cooked at Margeo’s restaurant in Putnam. She leaves her son Frederick Shippee of New York; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.. She was predeceased by her daughters: Marjorie Long, Florence Bourbeau, Elise Bushey; siblings Doris Johnson, Attie Chase, Walter Burton, Ernest Burton. The Funeral Service was Feb. 27 in the Putnam Baptist Church with burial in Munyan Cemetery, E. Putnam. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.