Sr. Eileen Smith, DHS
Sr. Eileen Smith, DHS, 103, a member of the Daughters of the Holy Spirit, entered her eternal rest June 17, 2025, at St. Joseph Living Center in Windham where she was in residence since 2018.
Rose Eileen was born Dec. 31, 1921, in Attleboro, Mass., the daughter of the late Joseph A. and Rose (Soucy) Smith, the seventh of 15 children. She entered religious life in 1940 and made her religious profession on Aug. 20, 1945, at the Provincial House in Putnam. She was then known as Sr. Mary Joseph. She received a bachelor’s from Diocesan Sisters’ College in South Woodstock, and an LPN Certificate from Grassland School of Practical Nursing, Valhalla, N.Y.
Following her religious profession Sr. Eileen served in many varied ministries. She first taught in schools staffed by the Daughters of the Holy Spirit in Waterbury, and in Alabama.
Sr. Eileen was among the first groups of Sisters who went to Chile when the congregation opened missions in that country in 1963 at the request of the bishops of Chile. She served in Antofagasta and Chanaral, Chile from 1963-66 where she taught and visited the families in their homes. She returned to the U.S. and taught ESL classes at Annhurst College until 1969 at which time she took an LPN course at Grassland School of Practical Nursing in Valhalla. Upon completion of this in 1970, Sr. Eileen returned to Antofagasta and established a clinic there to care for the sick.
Returning to the U.S. in 1972 she worked as a nurse in Selma, Ala., and then at St. Clare Convalescent Home in Newport, R.I. She later ministered as a nurse under the Migrant Health Services in Hastings and Haine, FL and spent many summer months from 1974-76 among the migrants of the East Coast in Alabama, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland. She returned to Antofagasta in 1976 and worked there as a nurse for another 10 years followed by a year at the clinic of the Haitian Health Foundation in Jeremie, Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere before returning to the clinic in Antofagasta, Chile. In 1994 she served as clinic nurse among the migrants of Painter, Vir., before retiring to the Provincial House in Putnam in 1995. She joined the community at St. Joseph Living Center in 2018.
She leaves the Daughters of the Holy Spirit spiritual family – her Sisters in community, the Consecrated Seculars and the Associate; many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Austin, Paul, Ralph, Joseph, Gerald, Noel, James and Thomas and by her sisters Marie, Ruth, Theresa, Janet, Claire and Sr. Mary Lou, DHS.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. July 1 at Corpus Christi Parish/St Joseph Church, 99 Jackson St., Willimantic, followed by burial in St. Mary Cemetery in Putnam at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: DHS Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 497, Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman & Valade Funeral Homes, 104 Church St., Putnam.
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Wed. June 25
Art Exhibit
PUTNAM --- The Putnam CT Arts Council will present “An Abstract Fantasy: An Artist’s Journey of Self Discovery,” featuring the art of Tabitha “Purrmage” Cummings, through June in the Corridor Gallery inside the Municipal Complex.
Art Exhibit
THOMPSON --- The Friends of the Thompson Public Library will present, in its Art @ the Library series, “Dimensional Work by Laura Salo” (quiltings). The display case will feature “Thompson Public Library Children’s Department Level Up at Your Library Summer Reading 2025.”
Art Exhibit
POMFRET --- The Connecticut Audubon Society at Pomfret on Day Road will present an art exhibition, “Nature Reveals Itself," through June. Free admission.
Sat. June 28
Household Hazardous Waste
PUTNAM --- The Town of Putnam will hold a Household Hazardous Waste and Confidential Paper Shredding Collection Day from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Putnam Middle School. Putnam residents only. Bring ID.
Amateur Radio
THOMPSON --- The Eastern Connecticut Amateur Radio Association (ECARA) will be participating in the annual national Field Day event sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) the weekend of June 28-29. The members of ECARA will be operating from a portable Amateur Radio station they will set up at Gawron Farm, 200 Gawron Road from noon Saturday to noon Sunday. This exciting event showcases ham radio operators' ability to serve the community with emergency communication capabilities, and challenges ham radio clubs all over the country to contact as many other stations as possible in a 24-hour exercise. The public is invited to observe, learn about Amateur Radio and even participate hands on. It's open to all ages, family friendly, and refreshments will be available. Info: ECARA.net
Sun. June 29
Poetry Reading
ABINGTON --- A free poetry reading will be held at 4 p.m. at the Abington Social Library. Reading will be: Thompson Poet Laureate Steve Veilleux; novelist and poet Sarah Blanchard and poet Karen Warinsky, both Woodstock residents. The event is open and free to the public.
Free Concert
WOODSTOCK --- The Performing Arts of Northeast Connecticut, The Three C’s and the Loos Center for the Arts will present St. Luke’s Steel Band with Caribbean music at 5 p.m. at Roseland Cottage. Free. Bring chair or blanket.
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.
Eucharist
BROOKLYN --- In honor of Independence Day, the public is invited to an historic Eucharist at Old Trinity Church (at 60 Church St.) at 10 a.m. The service will feature a salute to American folk music, officiated by priest-in-charge, Rev. Dr. Gretchen Grimshaw. http://www.trinityepiscopalchurchbrooklyn.org.
Fri. July 4
Happy Birthday, USA!
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.
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.
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 the department is partnering with 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.
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Valedictorians, Salutatorians Honored
The Putnam Rotary Club recently honored the area's valedictorians and salutatorians. From left: Incoming President Kathy Kirk, PSA valedictorian Dominick LaDuca, PHS valedictorian Madison Lamothe, WA salutatorian Kira Greene and valedictorian Xander Miller and committee chair Kristen Willis. Not pictured: Marianapolis - salutatorian Chloe Alba and valedictorian Vincent Vo; Pomfret School - salutatorian Zoe Lovett and valedictorian Eason Yishen Zhao, PHS - salutatorian Isabelle Magalhaes; PSA - salutatorian John Devine; Tourtellotte - salutatorian Luke Senosk and valedictorian Sofia Thurber. Linda Lemmon photo.
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Legion awards honors and installs officers
PUTNAM — The Mayotte-Viens Post 13 American Legion of Putnam made several awards and installed its officers for the coming year at its recent annual Awards Banquet.
The Master of Ceremonies was Past Commander Brian Maynard and the ceremony was presided over by Everett Shepard, the Past State Commander, and National Sergeant-at-Arms. Other dignitaries included Police Chief Chris Ferace, Fire Chief Robert Campbell, Jim Eccleston from the Elks, and Fred Ruhlemann from the Danielson Veterans Coffeehouse.
Charles MacKenzie received Post 13’s Legionnaire of the Year Award. Collin DelSanto was the Putnam Firefighter of the Year and Nicholas Ustin was the Putnam Police Officer of the year. Certificates of Appreciation were presented to members of the Golf Tournament Committee, including Brian Maynard, Eric Quinn, Charles MacKenzie, and Michael Vassar. A plaque of appreciation was also presented to Commander Michael Rocchetti.
The new officers sworn in include Post Commander Michael Rocchetti; Senior Vice Commander Christopher Steinbrick; Junior Vice Commander Tina Lajoie; Finance Officer Charles Mackenzie; Chaplain Pierre Desilets; and Sergeant-at-Arms Frank Tremont. This is the same lineup as last year.
Approximately 50 people were in attendance at the Putnam Elks Lodge. The food was provided by G-7 caterers.
captions:
Legion Officers Installed. From left: Charles MacKenzie, Michael Vassar, Michael Rocchetti, Eric Quinn, and Brian Maynard. Courtesy photos.
Honors. Left: Putnam Police Officer of the Year Nicholas Ustin. Above: Brian Maynard presents Firefighter of the Year award to Collin DelSanto