Pauline V. Shepardson
ORANGE - Pauline V. (Barrett) Shepardson, 82, of 383 East River St., died Thursday, Nov. 13, 2003 in her home after being stricken ill.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Witty's Funeral Home.
Robert E. Nelson
Toolmaker, Farmer
New Salem - Robert E. Nelson, 85, of 222 North Main St., passed away Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 in the Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol.
Born in Orange, Aug. 13, 1918, a son of Sigurd and Agnes (Pedersen) Nelson, he grew up in Orange, and attended Orange Schools. The family moved to New Salem in 1935 and he graduated from New Salem Academy in 1936.
A United States Army Veteran of World War II, he served with the 9th Armored Infantry from 1941 to 1945 in Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe. He was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal and European Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon.
He was employed as toolmaker at the Adell Corp in Orange, 30 years until retiring in 1969.
Previously he worked many years as a farmer, logger and swamper. He had formerly been employed at the Castine Dairy Farm several years.
He also farmed on the family homestead, raising strawberries, vegetables and flowers.
An outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his all terrain vehicle.
His hobbies included, carpentry, electrical and plumbing projects, playing cribbage, chess and enjoying his many friends.
His brother, Harry Nelson, passed away in 1994, and his two sisters, Irene Nelson passed away in 1930 and Arlene Serabian passed away in 1996.
He leaves several cousins.
A graveside service will be held Saturday, Nov. 15 at 10 a.m. in North New Salem Cemetery. The Rev. Stanley Dahlman of Northfield will officiate.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Food Bank, 97 North Hatfield Rd., Box 160, Hatfield, 01038 or a charity of the donors choice.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, is directing the arrangments.
Yola Calvi
NET Office Manager
BALDWINVILLE - Yola Calvi, 90, of 51 Hospital Rd., formerly of Athol, died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at the Baldwinville Nursing Home.
She was born in Athol, on Sept. 12, 1913, the daughter of Angelo and Mary (Finardi) Calvi and had lived in Athol all of her life, graduating from Athol High School in 1931.
She attended school in Worcester for the telephone company, returning to Athol working as office representative for New England Telephone, later being promoted to manager of the Athol office working there for 33 years, retiring in 1972. She retired at age 59 to care for her mother. She had previously worked at the former York Theatre selling tickets and for the Western Union office recording telegrams and hand delivering them to area residents.
She was a life member of the Telephone Pioneers of America. She devoted much of her time assisting fellow telephone operators and service representatives with medical insurance and paperwork.
She was a member and champion worker of the Athol Memorial Hospital Auxiliary working on sweater sales, fairs, pancake breakfasts and always taking great pride in volunteer work with community projects.
She was an accomplished skater, spending much time skating at Silver Lake. She also enjoyed flower gardening, her dogs and was very devoted to her family.
She leaves a niece, Diane C. Gardner of Athol; a nephew, J. Philip Calvi of Purcellville, VA; two great nieces, Tracy Gardner at Mt. Holyoke College and Alicia Gardner of Athol.
Funeral services will be Monday, Nov. 17 at 2 p.m. in the Higgins - O’Connor Funeral Home, 146 Main St., Athol, with the Rev. Harold V. Lloyd, pastor of the Athol Congregational Church, officiating.
Burial will follow at the Highland Cemetery and there will be a calling hour from 1 to 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, Athol, Mass. 01331.
Joseph R. Westcott
Army Veteran
WILBRAHAM - Joseph R. Westcott, 68, passed away on Nov. 10, 2003 at his home.
He joined the National Guard at the age of 17 and then joined the Army.
Mary Jewell Horrocks
Home Care Provider
ORANGE - Mary Jewell (Bass) Horrocks, 70, of 50 Red Brook Lane, died Sunday evening, Nov. 9, 2003 at Athol Memorial Hospital.
Born on Jan. 13, 1933 in Springfield, she was a daughter of Jay R. And May (Kibbe) Bass and went to grade school there before moving and graduating from Northampton High School in 1950. She later took her LPN course at the Westboro State Hospital.
Before retiring, she had worked at New England Memorial, Bay State Medical, Quabbin Valley Healthcare of Athol, Baldwinville Nursing Home, and the Shrope Foundation, a children's rehabilitation hospital. While in Springfield, she also provided home care to people.
A loving mother, she was always helping everyone. She enjoyed birds, working in her garden, making crafts, baking, and playing the piano.
She moved to Orange in 1995 from Norfolk, CT and had previously lived in the area.
She was a member of the Seventh - Day Adventist Church in Athol and had served as a Deaconess and on the Social Committee.
Survivors include her sons Daniel Horrocks and Jonathan Horrocks, both of Torrington, CT; sisters, Lillian Baxter of Westhampton, her twin, June Nelson of Orange, and Shirley Fuller of Keene, NH; brothers, Russell Bass of Fuller, OR, and Leroy Bass of Washington Isle, WI; 17 nephews and nieces; and 31 grand nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, Nov. 14, at Witty's Funeral Home at 10 a.m. Dr. Warren Ruf, Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, will officiate.
Interment in Westhampton Center Cemetery will be private.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday evening, Nov. 13 at the funeral home, from 6 - 8 p.m.
Flowers may be sent or donations given to the Dana Farber, Cancer Research, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.
Leon J. Bagdonis
TEMPLETON - Leon J. Bagdonis, 83, of 93 Dudley Rd., and formerly of Athol, died Thursday, Nov. 6, 2003 in the Heywood Hospital, Gardner, following an illness.
Flora Ellen Randall
AMHERST - Flora Ellen (Rhoades) Randall, 90, a resident of the Center for Extended Care, died on Monday, Nov. 10, 2003, at the nursing facility following a period of failing health.
Harriet B. Minott
FITCHBURG - Harriet B. Minott, 76, formerly of Concord and Bedford, and more recently of Fitcburg, died at the Hillcrest Nursing Home, on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2003.
Virginia Amer
Medical Secretary
ORANGE - Virginia (Paluilis) Amer, 70, formerly of Orange, died unexpectedly on Oct. 23, 2003, in her home in London, England.
Born in Orange on May 31, 1933, she was the daughter of the late Anthony and Pauline (Deveitis) Paluilis of Orange, and the widow of Dr. Izzeldin Amer. She was the mother of Dr. Halima Amer, a research scientist in Berklee, Calif.
Virginia grew up in Orange and graduated from Orange High School and the Becker Junior College. She received a B.A. degree in education from the University of Liverpool, England. She was a medical secretary at the Charing Cross Hospital in London.
She lived in Rome and then in Khartoum, where she married Dr. Amer. Later they moved to London, where they lived for 12 years.
Besides her daughter, she leaves three brothers: Robert Paluilis of Orange, John Paluilis of Pittsfield, and Charles Paluilis of Hinsdale, N.H.; a sister, Eleanor Yourg of Chicago; and many nephews and nieces in the United States and in Sudan. She was predeceased by her siblings, Kathryn and Paul Paluilis.
She was active in many social causes in both England and Sudan. She touched many lives across different cultures, and will be missed by many. Her family and friends wish to express their thanks for her life and for the love she had for them.
Funeral services were held in the St. Pancras Chapel in London, where she is interred.
