Alfreda Noel
Owned Knit And Purl Shop
ATHOL - Alfreda (Ross) Noel, formerly of 383 East River St., Orange, and of Athol, died on Friday, Nov. 1, 2002 in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.
Her husband, Henry Noel, died in 1971, and her first husband, Frederic G. Tessier, died in 1961. She leaves three children: Lucille T. Chagnon of Wilmington, Del.; Fred G. Tessier of Lake Helen, Fla., and Claudia J. Tessier of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Leona Jarvis of Shelburne Falls and Helene Abare of Florida; six grandchildren and eight great - grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. A sister, Dorothy Purple, died in 1994.
She was born in Troy, N.H. on Jan. 21, 1916, a daughter of Alfred and Cora (Frazier) Ross, and was a lifelong resident of the Athol - Orange area. She graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1932.
Mrs. Noel with her husband, Fred, owned and operated Rays Pharmacy from 1935 until she sold it in 1963 following his death. She subsequently owned the Knit and Purl for nearly 20 years, first in Orange and then in Athol, retiring in 1990 following its sale.
A lifetime member of Our Lady Immaculate Church, she was a past president and active member of the Catholic Women's League, as well as a Youth Council Leader. She was an accomplished seamstress and artist. In 1998, Haleys Antiques displayed a collection of her oil, watercolor, and pastel paintings in a one - woman show. She also braided rugs, did tole painting and made numerous quilts.
The funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Private burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Calling hours in the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home are from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimers Association, Western Mass. Chapter, 11 Campus Lane, Easthampton, MA 01027, or to the charity of one's choice.
Lucie Hale
Athol Centenarian
ATHOL - Lucie S. Hale, 101, of Athol, and formerly of Northampton, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2002, in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare.
She was born in Bernardston on June 23, 1901 the daughter of Arthur and Anna (Allen) Hale.
She has resided in Athol for the past five years coming from Northampton. She was employed at the Smith College in Northampton as a resident mother in the college dormitory for many years.
She leaves three nephews, Fredrick Hale of Shelburne, Vt., Warren Hale of Salem, N.H., Robert Hale of Barefoot Bay, Fla.; a niece, Mary Lynch of Rochester, N.H.; and several additional nieces and nephews.
A brother, Charles Hale who died in 1975, predeceased her.
A memorial service will be held at a time to be announced in the spring of 2003.
Burial will be in the Tyler Cemetery, Vernon, Vt.
A calling hour will be held Sunday, Nov. 3, from 1 to 2 p.m. in the Fiske Funeral Home.
Lula B. Stevens
TOWNSEND - Lula B. (Ballou) Stevens, 102, formerly of 24 School St., and 66 Dudley Rd., died on Monday, Feb. 10, in Emerson Hospital, Concord. She was born in Phillipston, daughter of Frederick and Nellie (Coleman) Ballou and lived there for 60 years.
Yolanda E. Tomasini
NORTH ADAMS - Yolanda Elizabeth (Simonetti) Tomasini, 82, of 74 Lincoln St., died on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2003 at the Sweetbrook Health Care Center in Williamstown.
She was born in Athol, Nov. 24, 1920, the daughter of Carlo and Maria (Superci) Simonetti.
Barbara K. Williams
Retired Teacher
ORANGE - Barbara K. (Kidder) Williams, 95, of 23 Burrill Ave., died Saturday, Feb. 8 2003, in the Baldwinville Nursing Home, Baldwinville.
She was born in Chico, Calif., on Oct. 3 1907, the oldest daughter of Kirwin and Stella (Merriam) Kidder.
She was educated in the Orange public schools and graduated from Orange High School and Fitchburg Normal School where she trained as an elementary school teacher. She was married to Frank Williams and lived in Fall River and Nantucket Island.
She taught in Foxboro, Warwick, and for over 30 years in Whitman. Following her retirement she returned to Orange and was an active participant in the Orange Women's Club, the Orange Methodist Church, and the Retired Teacher's Association. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed cooking, reading, bird watching, music and travel. She shared the experiences and souvenirs of her European travels and other trips at various local clubs and groups presentations. Barbara was very family oriented and although she had no children of her own, she enjoyed spending time with her many nieces and nephews and their families.
She is pre - deceased by her brother, Albert and four sisters, Olive Paro, Shirley Cornwell, Marion O'Brien, and Beverly Hutchinson. Besides her nieces and nephews, she also leaves an aunt and life - long friend, Katherine Forster, also 95 years of age, of Chestnut Hill, Orange.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday Feb. 13, at 1:30 p.m. at the South Athol United Methodist Church, Morgan Avenue, South Athol.
Burial will be private in South Cemetery, Orange.
There are no calling hours.
A reception will be held at the home of Rick and Kay Leonard, 44 South Main St., New Salem following the services.
The Fiske Funeral Home, Athol, is directing arrangements.
Brian P. Brewer
Technician
GARDNER - Brian P. Brewer, 25, of 51 Grant St., died unexpectedly Friday, feb. 7, 2003 in Winchendon.
He was born in Gardner, Feb. 18, 1977, son of Paul L. Brewer and Kyoko (Miyakuni) Brewer and lived in Fitzwilliam and Winchendon before moving to Gardner two years ago. He was an oil burner technician with his father at the P.L. Brewer Co. in Phillipston. He was an enthusiastic outdoorsman and enjoyed riding 4 wheelers and trail bikes.
His children were his pride and joy. He cherished the time he spent with them.
He is survived by his wife of three years, Theresa (Boucher) Brewer; two daughters, Brenda K. Brewer and Brianna L. Brewer, both at home; his parents, Paul L. Brewer of Phillipston and Kyoko (Miyakuni) Brewer of Gardner; one brother, Andrew J. Brewer and his wife, Lillian, both of Winchendon; maternal grandmother, Tsune (Uechi) Miyakuni of Japan; his paternal grandmother, Louise A. (Herr) Brewer of Winchendon; one nephew, one niece and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service in the Fletcher - Hebert Funeral Home, 70 Pleasant St., Winchendon, on Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. The Rev. James Sinclair, Pastor of the United Parish in Winchendon, will officiate.
Burial wil be in the Riverside Cemetery, Winchendon.
Visiting hours at the funeral home are from 6 to 9 p.m. today.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory be made to the Brian Brewer Childrens Trust Fund, c/o Colonial Co - operative Bank, 1 School Square, Winchendon, MA 01475.
Jennie A. Dargelis, Was Bookkeeper
ATHOL - Jennie A. Dargelis, 81, of 539 Pequoig Ave., died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 in the Athol Memorial Hospital, after being stricken ill at home.
She leaves a sister, Agnes Penski and her husband Sigmund; a nephew, Alan Dargelis and two nieces, Irene Dalterio and Patricia Hillis, all of Athol; many grand - nieces and grand - nephews, and one great - grand - nephew.
She was born in Athol on Nov. 29, 1921, daughter of Anthony and Pauline (Grigalunas) Dargelis, and was a lifelong resident of town. She graduated from Athol High School with the class of 1939.
Ms. Dargelis was a bookkeeper for the former Fishmans Department Store and Lachance Furniture for several years. She then worked at the L. S. Starrett Company for five years, retiring in 1986. She was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Church and its Women's Guild. She traveled extensively throughout the United States, Canada and Hawaii. She enjoyed going to the movies and the theater, and loved the beach.
The funeral will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11 from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home, with a Mass at 11 a.m. in the St. Francis of Assisi Church.
Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery. Calling hours in the funeral home are 7 to 9 p.m. Monday.
Douglas W. Oakes
Truck, Bus Driver
ATHOL - Douglas W. Oakes, 87, of 50 South Lenox St., Worcester, and formerly of Athol, died Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 at home after being stricken ill.
He was born on Jan. 15, 1916 in Athol, the son of Walter and Flossie Oakes. He grew up in Athol and was educated in Athol.
Mr. Oakes was a veteran of World War II serving in the United States Navy. He was involved in the Asiatic - Pacific Theatre and as a gunners mate on the U.S.S. San Francisco. After his time in the service he returned home and moved to Worcester.
He was employed at Sealtist Ice Cream for over twenty years as a truck driver. He was a member of the Teamsters Local 170 in Worcester. He also worked for the Worcester Transit Authority from 1966 to 1981 as a bus driver. More recently he was a shuttle driver for Harr Ford in Worcester. He enjoyed music, traveling and going to Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
His wife of 49 years, Mary (DeSantis) Oakes, died in 1995. He leaves two sons, Douglas L. Oakes of Shrewsbury, Louis D. Oakes of Florida; a daughter, Rose M. Oakes of Worcester; six grandchildren, one great granddaughter and several nephews and nieces. A sister, Frances Larson of Auburn, and a brother, Wesley B. Nason predeceased him.
Funeral services with military honors will be held Wednesday, Feb. 12, from the Fiske Funeral Home, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church.
Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held, Tuesday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in his memory to the American Heart Association 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.
