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Charlotte Ryan, Writer
And School Advocate
NORTH ORANGE - Charlotte Prince Ryan, 92, of 62 Main St., who devoted her life to improving schools for all students, was still active in that role when she died on Friday, June 20, 2003 after a short illness in Heywood Hospital in Gardner.
Born in Binghamton, New York City as a historian, writing histories for area banks.
After her marriage to Edward F. Ryan, the couple moved to Southbury, Conn. where they ran a dairy farm.
Mrs. Ryan's active role in state education came with the family's move to Manchester, in 1949, where she became involved in the Massachusetts in 1974, and a publication, "The Open Partnership: Equality in Running the Schools" (1976).
As a member of the Mahar School Committee for 10 years and chair of the building committee, she was a significant force in the realization of the Mahar Regional School.
A lover of the outdoors all her life, she raced a 210 sailboat in the 1950's and 1960's, and with her husband and children enjoyed many trips to the wilderness areas of North America. In her later years, she traveled to Asia as well as Europe. She was an active member of the Community Church of North Orange and Tully, singing in the choir and serving as treasurer.
She leaves a son Frederick Ryan of Bethlehem, Penn., and a daughter, Susan Oleksiw of Beverly; and two grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1986, and sons Michael in 1995 and Barry in 2002.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 30, at 2 p.m. at the Community Church of North Orange and Tully with Rev. Lois Buchiane officiaiting.
Private burial will be in Jones Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, June 29 from 6 - 8 p.m. at Witty's Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Wheeler Memorial Library Building Fund, 49 East Main St., Orange, MA 01364.
Forster Services
SMYRNA, Del. - Funeral services were held at Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, MA, on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 for Hazel W. (Webb) Forster, 95, formerly of Rodney Street, Smyrna. Del., and Orange, with Pastor Stephanie Sermuksnis of the Orange and South Athol United Methodist Churches officiating.
Interment followed in South Cemetery, Orange. Pallbearers were Gary Marshall, James Wikel, and Don Ziminski.
Witty's Funeral Home of Orange directed the arrangements.
Sheila R. Leonard
Nurse's Aide
PETERSHAM - Sheila R. (Smith) Leonard, 42, of 35 Leighton Rd., died Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at her home.
She was born in Arlington, on Dec. 31, 1960, the daughter of James and Margaret (Carver) Smith. She lived in Arlington for many years, graduated from Minute Man Technical School in Lexington, and for the past 12 years had resided in Petersham.
She was a nurse’s aide for many years and was a den mother for Cub Scout Pack No. 23 in Petersham.
She loved spending most of her time with her family.
She leaves her husband of 17 years, Michael C. Leonard; a son, Jason, and a daughter Sara Leonard, both at home; her parents, James and Margaret Smith of Burlington; three sisters, Elayne Walton of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, Maggie Smith of Tahoe City, N.Y., on Feb. 13, 1923, a daughter of Theodore and Anna (Niles) Hoffmann, she grew up in Buffalo where she graduated from high school and a Buffalo secretarial school.
After her marriage in 1944 to Rev. James Cope Crosson, an Episcopal Minister, she lived in Oakland, Massachusetts. While residing in Amherst, she was a secretary in the English and music departments of Amherst College for many years. She worked as a real estate agent in Calif. and Andrew Tower of Petersham along with numerous friends. A grandson, James Cope Crosson Tower, died May 18, 2003.
A memorial service will be held Friday, June 27 at 2 p.m. in the Community Church of North Orange and Tully. The Rev. Lois S. Buchiane, Pastor, will officiate.
There are no calling hours.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Dorcas Society, Community Church of North Orange and Tully, Main St., North Orange, 01364.
Witty's Funeral Home, Orange, is directing the arrangements.
Hazel W. Forster
Dressmaker, Dancer
ORANGE - Hazel M. (Webb) Forster, 95, formerly of Rodney Street, Smyrna, Del. died Saturday, June 21, 2003 in the Capital Healthcare, Dover, Del.
Born in Orange, on Sept. 29, 1907, a daughter of James and Mary (Keyes) Webb, she grew up in Orange and graduated from Orange High School in 1926.
She and her husband moved to Smyrna, Del. in 1964 with the General Foods Corporation Minute Tapioca Division when the company was relocated.
A longtime member of Orange United Methodist Church, she enjoyed sewing, dressmaking and raising Boston Terrier dogs. She and her husband were square dancers and members of the Levi and Lace Square Dance Club of Dover.
Her husband of 70 years, Theodore C. Forster, died in 1998. She leaves a sister - in - law, Katherine Forster of Orange; several nephews, nieces and cousins.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 25 at 2 p.m. in Witty's Funeral Home . Pastor Stephanie Sermuksnis of the Orange United Methodist Church will officiate.
Burial will follow in South Cemetery, Orange.
There will be a calling hour from 1p.m. until the time of the service Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to the Orange United Methodist Church, 104 South Main St., Orange, 01364.
Eleanor P. Maher
GREENFIELD - Eleanor P. (Henrich) Maher, 89, formerly of 7D Elm Terrace Apartments and a resident of the Poet's Seat Nursing Home, died on Saturday, June 21, 2003 at the Franklin Medical Center, following a period of failing health.
Pauline A. Manackas
GARDNER - Pauline A. Manackas, 87, formerly of 111 Kendall St., died Sunday, June 22, 2003 in the Baldwinville Nursing Home after an illness.
Gladys H. Ryder
Champion Bowler
ATHOL - Gladys H. (Purple) Ryder, 93, formerly of 115 Fish St., died Friday morning, June 20, 2003 in the Willow Point Nursing Home in Vestal, N.Y. in 1997 so that she could be close to her daughter.
Her husband, Percy K. Ryder died many years ago.
Mrs. Ryder worked in the office of the former Union Twist Drill Co. for 34 years retiring in 1976. She was a communicant of the Our Lady Immaculate Church in Athol and a member of the American Association of Retired Persons. She was a champion bowler, winning many trophies and enjoyed arts and crafts, crocheting and traveling.
She is survived by one daughter, Joyce Rizzi of Endicott, N.Y.; one brother, Vincent “Bill” Purple of Athol; and one sister, Mary Lamson of Athol; one grandson, Raymond Rizzi and his wife Maribeth of Morristown, N.J.; two granddaughters, Donna McKinley and her husband Stephen of Mt. Airy, Md. and Regina Rizzi of Knoxville, Tenn.; six great grandchildren, Justin, Nelson and Ian McKinley and Kathryn, Lauren and Mary Lou Rizzi; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Ida Morris of West Springfield, and two brothers, Alexander and Walter Purple, both of Athol.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral from the J. Edward Murphy Funeral Home on Saturday, June 28 with a Funeral Mass in Our Lady Immaculate Church at 11 a.m.
Burial will take place in Gethsemane Cemetery.
A calling hour at the funeral home will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions in her memory be made to the AVPDC (Athol Veterans Park Development Corporation), 134 Chestnut Hill Ave., Athol, MA 01331.
