Shirley Anne Pozzato
PUTNAM — Shirley Anne Pozzato, 90, most recently of Putnam, died peacefully on June 22, 2025, at home, surrounded by her devoted daughters, and her outstanding hospice aide, Sue. 
She was born on July 29, 1934, in Woodford Green, England, the second daughter of John and Ivy Marshall. 
Shirley and her two sisters were evacuated as children, to the Westcountry of England, during “The Blitz” of London, in WWII. 
She grew up in Devon, England, where she developed her lifelong love of the sea. 
Shirley emigrated to the USA, in search of a better life. And, While attending classes to obtain her citizenship, she met her future husband, Carlo Pozzato, with whom she had become smitten, while she was teaching her Italian classmate how to improve his English. 
They ultimately married, and remained together until his untimely death from leukemia, in 1987. 
Shirley had studied in England to be a horticulturalist and was tremendously knowledgeable in all things botanical. 
She worked as a professional orchid grower with the Rod McLellan Company in South San Francisco, for many years. And, in 1984, she was honored by having an orchid named after her (Vuylstekeara “Shirley Pozzato”.) 
A lifelong, avid gardener, Shirley left behind beautiful gardens everywhere that she lived, including in Redwood City, Calif.; at St. Elizabeth’s Church in SSF, Calif.; in Bethesda, Md.; Tumon Heights, Guam; San Diego, Spotsylvania, Vir.; and in North Bend, Wash., while she was living with one, or the other, of her two daughters. 
She was also a voracious reader of mysteries and thrillers, and her sharp wit made for the most amusing meeting notes ever written, during her tenure as the secretary of the Sunlight Garden Club of Spotsylvania. 
Shirley leaves behind her elder daughter, Adelia White (née Pozzato), a former, U.S. Navy nurse, and her two children, Carlo and Julia Lombardo; and her younger daughter, Lydia Pozzato, a retired FBI SSA, with whom she had lived for the past 34 years. She also has many, living relatives in England, and in Italy (through her late husband.) 
Considerate to the end, Shirley requested that there be no funeral, so none of her friends from around the world would feel obligated to travel long distances, “Just to say, ‘Goodbye, especially since I wouldn’t be there,” as she firmly stated it. 
Instead, her daughters ask that her beloved friends and family share some of their fondest memories of Shirley on her online guest book, for all to remember her by, at www.GilmanAndValade.com 
Her final resting place will be with her husband, Carlo, in the columbarium at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, Calif. Gilman and Valade Funeral Homes and Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.

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Wed.  July 2
Photo Exhibit
PUTNAM --- An exhibit of photographs by Carmine Angeloni is now on view until September in the Corridor Gallery in the Putnam Municipal Complex. For more info: putnamCtArtsCouncil.com.

Thur.  July 3
Food Share
PUTNAM --- The Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse's Food Share starts at 9:30 a.m. and runs until 11 at the Farmer Market Pavilion off Kennedy Drive. All are welcome. Drive-through. 

Fri.  July 4
Happy Birthday, USA!

Fourth of July Jamboree
WOODSTOCK --- The East Woodstock Congregational Church's 4th of July Jamboree kicks off at 9 a.m. with plenty of music, food, and more. The jamboree started in 1957. The parade starts at 1.

Sat.  July 5
Concert, Fireworks
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present a free concert followed by fireworks around Rotary Park. First will be the concert with wildly popular and dynamic rock cover band Roc-Kin’ from 7 to 9 p.m. And then the fireworks start about 9:15. Rain date – Sunday July 13. All free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.

Freedom Fest
PUTNAM --- The Albert Breault VFW Post 1523 and its Auxiliary will present its fourth annual Freedom Festival from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the green next to St. Mary Church and in the post across the street. It’s a free family friendly event that includes dunk tank, bounce house, face painting, video games, portable arcade, yard games and programs that the post supports in the community. Free food and drinks. Information on Cub Scout Pack 21 available, too. There will also be bingo at the Post Hall (small fee). Afterwards the Town of Putnam will host a concert from 7 to 9 p.m. at Rotary Park and then fireworks.

Sun.  July 6
Exhibit
WOODSTOCK --- The Center for Woodstock History is presenting a photo exhibit, "Woodstock Through the Camera's Eye in Post-Civil War America," from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays. Check for updates: 860-928-1035. 

Tues.  July 8
Al-Anon Meeting
POMFRET --- Al-Anon will meet at noon on Tuesdays at the Christ Church, 527 Pomfret St. All welcome.

Sat.  July 12
Elks Anniversary
PUTNAM --- The Putnam Elks Lodge 574 will be celebrating its 125 Anniversary from noon to 3 p.m. with a Community Day at the Lodge on Edmond Street. All welcome.

Can, Bottle Drive
PUTNAM --- Paws Cat Shelter is holding a Can and Bottle Drive from noon to 3 p.m. at the shelter, 74 School St. Please separate 2-liter bottles. Pet food and donations are always welcome and greatly appreciated. For more info or to make a monetary donation: 860-315-1228.

Sat.  July 19
Al Fresco – River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present “Al Fresco Chicago Total Access (a Chicago tribute band) at 7 p.m. at the bandstand at Rotary Park. River Fire follows at 8:30 p.m. Free.

Mon.  July 21
Meditation
THOMPSON --- The Quiet Corner Mindful Meditation group will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Thompson Public Library. Free. Beginners are welcome; no meditation experience necessary.

Sat.  Aug. 9
Concert-River Fire
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present Ed Peabody & the Big Blue Thang from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the bandstand at Rotary Park. River Fire follows at 8. FREE.

Sun.  Aug. 10
Main Street Car Cruise
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will present the annual Main Street Car Cruise around downtown and Rotary Park from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free registration starts at 8 a.m.

Sat.  Sept. 13
Fall Festival
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Recreation Department will host a Fall Festival at the Recreation Park. This is an old fashioned family fun day with a band, old-fashioned games, pie-eating contest, apple pie contest, food and more! This year's partner is  PCS PTO for a Harvest Hustle 5K & Kids Fun run. www.pomfretct.gov/recreation.

Sat.  Sept. 27
Pomfret Historical Program
POMFRET --- The Pomfret Historical Society will present “Jordan Freeman: Black Revolutionary War Soldier” performed by Kevin Johnson of the CT State Library at 3 p.m. at the Old Town House. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Hollywood Visit
Crews were filming “Remain,” a supernatural romantic thriller, June 26 at Tavern in Main in downtown Chepachet. There was a black cover over the tavern porch - maybe night scene was being filmed or they didn’t want traffic, etc. showing up through the tavern windows. The movie is directed by M. Night Shyamaian and stars Jake Gyllenhaal. The movie was co-created by Shyamaian and Nicholas Sparks. Book and film are due out in October 2026.  The parking lot of the church across the street was packed with crew parking.  At the Pavilion at Kent Field crews filled the tables under the pavilion and there was a large food truck there, too. Linda Lemmon photo.

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