Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, Great Barrington, Massachusetts
Lois Wheeler Weeks Spring
Lois Wheeler Weeks Spring, 90, of Ashley Falls Road, Sheffield, died on March 14, 2004 at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Born in Boston, Massachusetts April 13, 1913 she was the eldest child of Miles Washburn Weeks and Lois Richards Frost of Chestnut Hill, MA and Menlo Park, CA. She was a graduate to the Beaver Country Day School, class of 1930; and of Smith College, class of 1934.
An active and well-known antiques dealer since 1947, she moved from Scituate, MA to Sheffield, MA in 1962. During the 1950's and 60's she exhibited in many outstanding antiques shows in Boston, New York, Baltimore, Washington, Detroit and Lake Forrest, IL, as well as several local shows in Massachusetts and Connecticut.
Since 1973 she concentrated on conducting business from her home in Sheffield (in the Berkshires), where she made many good friends among collectors and dealers from all over the country.
Mrs. Spring was a charter member of the Berkshire County Antique Dealers' Association, a long-time member of the Trustees of Reservations, and the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, both based in Boston. Always interested in birds and animals, she was a supporter of both the Massachusetts and the National Audubon Societies.
She is survived by a sister, Sarah (Sally) Weeks Turner of Clayton, California; nieces Martha Richards Weeks Windhurst of New Hampshire and Nancy Gale Settle of California; nephews Andrew Gray Weeks, Jr. and Robert Gardner Weeks of Colorado, Warren Washburn Weeks of Texas, and Philip Kenneth Turner of California.
She was preceded in death by her brothers Warren Washburn Weeks and Andrew Gray Weeks, and a sister, Eleanor Frost Weeks.
Services for the late Lois Wheeler Weeks Spring will be conducted at a later date.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Little Guild of St. Francis Animal Shelter c/o Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Elizabeth P. Alexander
Elizabeth P. Alexander, 84, formerly of Alford Road, died Saturday at Timberlyn Heights Rehabilitation Center, where she had resided for several years.
Born in Alford on April 25, 1919, daughter of Andrew and Grace Bushnell Stoddard, she attended schools there.
Her husband, Harry F. Alexander, died Aug. 17, 1977.
She leaves two sons, Arthur F. Alexander of Vancouver, Wash., and Harry A. Alexander of Hewitt, Minn. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.
Services for Elizabeth Alexander of Great Barrington will be today, Friday, at 2 at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, conducted by the Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor of The First Congregational Church. Burial will be in the spring at West Center Cemetery.
Richard J. Brush
Richard J. Brush, 65, formerly of East Street, died Saturday at Berkshire Medical Center after a prolonged illness. He had suffered a stroke in April 1991, four months after an automobile accident. At the time of his death, he had been residing in Cheshire.
Born in Brooklyn, NY, on Nov. 12, 1938, son of Waite S. and Alice Brusie Brush, he was a graduate Roe Jan High School in Hillsdale, NY. He also attended Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute before entering the service.
An Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, he served from 1962 to 1973, and was first stationed on a small island off the coast of Japan at a listening station. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant.
After living in South Dakota for a few years, he moved to Hillsdale in the late 1970s and worked as a transportation supervisor for the Hillsdale School System. He then moved to Mount Washington.
Mr. Brush was a former member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Copake, N.Y. He was an avid Yankees fan.
He is survived by his brother Ernest Brush of Mount Washington.
A service for Richard J. Brush will be held Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 12:30 at the FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME, 426 Main St., Great Barrington. Burial will be in the spring in the Hillsdale Rural Cemetery in Hillsdale, N.Y., at a later date.
Jacquelyn Cobden
A memorial service for the late Jacquelyn Cobden of Sheffield Road, South Egremont, who died February 13, 2004, will be held on Sunday, March 28, 2004 at two o'clock at the First Congregational Church in South Egremont with Rev. Kevin Smail, pastor, officiating.
She is survived by two step-daughters, Karen Bristol of Wrentham, MA and Sarah Cobden of Southbury, CT; a brother, Baird Creighton of Houston, TX; three sisters, Jean Cook of Montgomery, NY, Ann Callahan of Mahwah, NJ and Claire Westlake of West Melbourne, FL; two step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by her husband Richard Cobden, III.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Southern Berkshire Elderly Transportation, the American Cancer Society or to the charity of one's choice through Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Linda Gail Farnham O'Keefe
Linda Gail Farnham O'Keefe, 37, of Alum Hill Rd. in Sheffield died in a automobile/truck accident in Canaan, CT on Friday, March 26, 2004
Born in Granville, NY on October 10, 1966, she was the daughter of William and Mary Auston Farnham.
She was a 1984 graduate of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School in Falls Village, CT. She was working toward getting a horticulture certificate from the Berkshire Botanical Garden/ Massachusetts School of Liberal Arts.
She worked most recently as a landscaper beautifying gardens at private residences in the tri-state area. She was an avid hiker spent numerous hours working on the gardens at her home, Linda was most at home in the outdoors.
Linda was a dynamic and positive woman. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter and sister who cared deeply for the people and interests that she filled her life with.
Linda was a member of the Kingdom Hall in Sheffield.
She married her husband in Great Barrington on June 11, 1994.
Linda is survived by her husband, Daniel J. O'Keefe and her two sons, Nolan MacDonald and Dylan O'Keefe at home, her mother Mary Auston Farnum of Great Barrington, MA, her father William Farnham of West Cornwall, CT, and three brothers, William Farnham, Jr. of Johnson, VT, Randy Farnham of Wakesfield, VT and Mitchell Farnham of Alford, MA. She also leaves her former husband, Leo MacDonald of Canaan, CT and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
A memorial service for Linda Gail Farnham O'Keefe of Sheffield will be held on Wednesday, Morning at eleven a.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 30th from four to seven p.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Linda O'Keefe Memorial Fund, which will go towards her sons' college education, through the funeral home, 426 Main St. Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Gladys Cecil
Mrs. Gladys Cecil, 80, of Port Richey, FL died on Tuesday, March 30, 2004 at Fairview Hospital. She had been in the process of moving to Great Barrington to be closer to her family.
Born April 5, 1923 in Old Landing, Kentucky, she was the daughter of Clint and Rachel Drake Gross and attended schools in Kentucky.
Mrs. Cecil was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary in Port Richey. She enjoyed quilting and spending time with her family.
Gladys is survived by her son Harold Davis of Elizabeth Town, Indiana and her two daughters, Peggy Richard of Becket, MA and Nancy Bronstein of Great Barrington, MA. She also leaves two sisters, Shirley Trevarrow of Newport Richey, FL and Lee Thacker of Deerborn, Michigan, along with nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Gladys Cecil will be held at a later date in Kentucky.
Those who desire may make memorial contributions to Fairview Hospital through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. Mary Spadaccini Zucco
Mrs. Mary Spadaccini Zucco, 90, of Fairview Terrace in Great Barrington died on Friday morning, December 16, 2005 at Fairview Commons.
Born on June 7, 1915 in Great Barrington she was the daughter of Morris and Mary Viea Spadaccini. She attended schools in East Canaan, Ct. including school #5.
Primarily a homemaker, Mary was a communicant of St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington, a member of the former Daughter's of Isabella and The Thursday Morning Club. Mary enjoyed working in her gardens and spending time with her family.
She married Angelo Zucco in Canaan, CT in 1941. The couple were married for 63 years when Mr. Zucco died in February, 2004.
She is survived by her son Richard Zucco and his wife Patricia of Great Barrington; her brother Bruno Spadaccini of Canaan, CT and her sister Erma Malnati of Albuquerque, NM; two grandchildren, Victor Zucco and Tricia Zucco; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Zucco was predeceased by her husband and four brothers and one sister.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Spadaccini Zucco of Great Barrington will be on Monday morning, Dec. 19, 2005 at ten a.m. at the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Burial will follow at St. Peter's Cemetery.
There will be no calling hours.
Those who desire may make contributions in Mrs. Zucco's memory to The Disabled American Veterans through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Eileen Theresa Fogarty
Eileen Theresa Fogarty of Great Barrington passed away Good Friday, April 14, 2006, at peace, surrounded by her family and the caring staff of Fairview Commons. Prior to moving to assisted living facilities in the area, Eileen was cared for by various members of her family throughout the country.
Born in Brooklyn, New York on November 22, 1920, daughter of George and Margaret Curtis Johnston, she was one of ten children.
Eileen's resume begins with, "I have eight sons." The mother of eight boys and wife of an Irish-American fire fighter, she was the corporate executive that kept the household healthy, fed, clothed schooled and spiritual.
In addition to her beloved sons, Eileen was "mom" to many more, especially her daughters-in-law. She received and shared unconditional love to and from her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and countless friends along her road. It has been said that to love and be loved is the greatest gift of all. With that in mind, the Fogarty family and Eileen's fellowship of friends remain forever grateful for all the love she shared in her extraordinary life-time.
Eileen is survived by her sons, Roger Fogarty along with Tom and his wife Nina all of Lake Placid, FL; Dennis and his wife Pat of Arlington, VA; Brian and his wife Joy along with Gerard and his wife Sarah all of the Turk- Caicos Island; Tim and his wife Coleen of Becket, MA; Mathew and his wife Anne of Sheffield, MA and Ken and his wife Diane of Stockbridge, MA. She also leaves nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Eileen was predeceased by her husband Thomas Fogarty who died on January 16, 2005. The couple were married on July 3, 1939 and moved with their family from Long Island to the Berkshires in 1969.
A Liturgy of the Word celebrating the life of Eileen Fogarty will be held on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at eleven o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington, celebrated by Rev. John Lis, pastor of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield. Burial will be at a later date.
The family will receive friends on Monday, April 17, 2006 from four until seven at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mrs. Barbara Griffin
Mrs. Barbara Griffin, 91, of California Avenue in Pittsfield died Wednesday morning, April 19, 2006 at Berkshire Medical Center. Mrs. Griffin had been a longtime resident of Stockbridge before moving to Pittsfield in 1978.
Born in Stockbridge on July 2, 1914, she was the daughter of Chauncey West and Grace Anna Smith Hakes. She attended local schools and was a graduate of the former Williams High School in Stockbridge.
Throughout the years Mrs. Griffin held a number of jobs until retiring in the 1980's. She worked in Stockbridge at the Stockbridge Library and at the Marion Fathers. She also was employed by the former England Brother's Department Store on North Street in Pittsfield and did office administration work for the Mount Greylock State Reservation for many years.
Mrs. Griffin was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and while living in Stockbridge she attended the Stockbridge Congregational Church. She spent countless hours researching genealogy and was a member of the Berkshire Family History Association in Pittsfield. She also enjoyed knitting and held a special place in her heart for animals.
She is survived by two nieces, Patricia Fadding and her husband Russell of Glendale, MA, along with Doris Schulz and her husband Frank of Tampa, FL. She also leaves her grand-nephews Marc and Steven Fadding along with Michael and Scott Schulz; her cousin Charles Hakes of Berlin, New York and her beloved cat, Patches.
Barbara was predeceased by her husband Earl Lawrence Griffin who died in December of 1960. The couple were married on May 1, 1937. She was also predeceased by her brother Ivan Hakes.
A graveside service celebrating the life of the late Barbara Griffin will be held on Friday, April 21, 2006 at two o'clock at the Southlawn Cemetery in Williamstown, conducted by Rev. Burt Marshall.
There will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society through Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Robin J. Hamilton
Mr. Robin J. Hamilton, 53, of Mill Ponk Park in West Stockbridge died suddenly August 13, 2004 at home.
Born in Red Bank, New Jersey on March 5, 1951, he was the son of the late Hugh and Joyce McLeod Hamilton. He attended The Ledges boarding school in Hopedale, MA.
Robin worked as a mechanic at A & B Auto in Tewksbury, MA until moving to West Stockbridge in 2002.
He is survived by his daughter, Christina Hamilton of Lowell, MA, and his brother, Jeffrey Hamilton, of West Stockbridge.
He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara Kokinios in 1989. The couple were married in Lowell, MA in 1978.
The family invites everyone to join them for graveside services on Friday, August 20, 2004 at ten o'clock at the West Stockbridge Center Cemetery on West Center Road.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from four until seven p.m. at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Edward L. Philbrick
Edward Lovering Philbrick, Sr, 98, of Sheffield and Brewster, Massachusetts died Friday, August 13 at Fairview Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Great Barrington, where he had resided since April.
He lived in Brewster, Cape Cod until 2002 at which time he made his home with his son Bruce, daughter-in-law, Mary Percy Philbrick, and granddaughter, Cassandra Philbrick, in Sheffield and a grandson Edward Ian Philbrick, news producer for CBS affiliate television station KFVS TV-12 Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Born in Woburn, Massachusetts on October 25, 1905, son of James Staigg and Lizzie Lovering Philbrick, Ed was the eldest of four brothers and a sister. He leaves one brother, James Philbrick.
Ed Philbrick graduated from Woburn High School in 1924. Following graduation from the Eastern Radio Institute in 1925, he enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Radioman Second Class.
Ed then worked for the Texas Company, Houston, Texas in charge of the field units operating the first seismographs, radio, geophysical and photographic equipment locating oil deposits along the Gulf Coasts of Texas and Louisiana.
He was employed on several merchant ships on the Great Lakes and on two world cruise ships as the ship's radio operator. He also served as a radio operator between the Lightship Nantucket and Lightship Pollack Rip off the coast of Cape Cod.
During the 1930's to 1942 Ed worked as a radio technician in the operation and servicing of broadcasting equipment and as a radio engineer in connection with broadcasting live radio programs at radio station WEEI Boston, which was owned by the Boston Edison Company and later by the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS). On an assignment for WEEI, Ed co-piloted the boat that made the first contact with the Mayflower II replica as it approached the United States on its maiden voyage from Plymouth, England to Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1957.
He was a founding member and a sixty-five year member of the Boston branch of the International Brotherhood of Electric Workers.
Ed held several radio operator licenses and additionally an amateur radio station license having built his own radio station equipment.
A Navy veteran of World War II and a member of Sheffield American Legion Post-340, Mr. Philbrick received his commission as a Chief Warrant Officer in 1942. He served his military tour in Bizerte, Tunisia, North Africa overseeing the repair of radio, radar and underwater sound equipment, was the Officer in Charge of Radio Tunis, and was discharged from active duty in November, 1945.
His wife, Cleora Flood whom he married on February 22, 1930, died in 1983. He leaves two sons, Edward Lovering Philbrick, Jr of Brewster and Bruce Waine Philbrick of Sheffield, a daughter, Audrey Flood Philbrick Vermont of Baltimore, Maryland, a brother James Philbrick, nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews.
He enjoyed traveling near and far across country on his Indian motorcycle, bowling, photography, the Boston Red Sox, the sea and being near the sea, sailing, building his own sailboats and homes, tent camping with his family at Nickerson State Park, Brewster from the early 1930's to 1953, traveling with Cleora in their trailer after retiring from Radio Station WEEI, in Boston in 1969. Perhaps he most enjoyed telling tales of his travels and adventures.
Not long before his father's retirement, his son, Bruce introduced his parents to sports car racing and volunteering as flag & communication officials with the New England Region of the Sports Car Club of America. Ed and his wife, Cleora, traveled for over twenty years to various sports car race tracks and circuits on the east coast including Lime Rock Park, Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, Bridgehampton, Sebring, and Daytona. During this time Ed maintained the communications equipment for New England Region Sports Car Club of America and for the tracks that they visited always ready with his motorcycle at the track to make a needed repair.
A family funeral for Edward L. Philbrick, Sr will be held in Woburn, Massachusetts with Major Lee Vermont, U.S. Army Chaplain, Mr. Philbrick's son-in-law, officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations and expressions of sympathy in Mr Philbrick's memory may be made to the Old Parish Church Memorial Fund in care of the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Hareptia Ball
Hareptia Ball, 90, of Clayton Road, Ashley Falls died Sunday August 22, 2004 at Geer Nursing Facility in Canaan, CT where she had been a resident for the past two years.
Born in Port Jefferson, New York on January 9, 1914 she was the daughter of Stanley and Linnie Curtis Winters. The family moved to Clayton, MA where she attended Mill River School.
Primarily a homemaker, Hareptia enjoyed sewing, knitting, needlepoint, reading, doing crossword puzzles and cooking. She was a member of Trinity Methodist Church in Ashley Falls where she volunteered her time baking and working on various church event, such as there chicken barbeque. She was also a member of the Sheffield Grange and the Sheffield Senior Center.
She married Robert E. Ball, Sr. on July 4, 1929 in Sheffield. The couple were married for nearly fifty seven years when Robert died on November 12, 1986.
Hareptia is survived by her son Stanley E. Ball and his wife Karen of Sheffield and two daughters Eleanor O'Brien of Florida and Jessie Malumphy of Lee, MA. She also leaves twenty three grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by four sons Roger, Phillip, David and Robert E. Ball, Jr. along with one daughter Bertha Ball.
A family funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at two o’clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington with Rev. Betty LeGeyt, pastor Trinity Methodist Church officiating. Burial will follow at the Ashley Fall Cemetery.
The will be no calling hours.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Methodist Church through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Lori A. Blaise Silipa
Mrs. Lori A. Blaise Silipa, 39, of Orchard Street, Pittsfield died Thursday evening August 26, 2004 at Berkshire Medical Center as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident that morning.
Born in New Haven, Connecticut on August 9, 1965, she was the daughter of Herbert C. and Mary Sullivan Blaise. She was a 1983 graduate of Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington. Following graduation Lori worked as an EKG technician at Fairview Hospital and graduated from Springfield Technical College in 1985.
Lori moved to Hawaii where she married Falefasa "Fasa" Silipa. While in Hawaii she worked at Straub Medical Center from 1988 until the couple moved to Pittsfield in 1995. After returning to Pittsfield she graduated from Berkshire Community College as a registered nurse.
Presently she was working for the Berkshire Visiting Nurses Association in Pittsfield.
Lori was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield. Her greatest joy came from spending time with her family, especially with her son Blaise.
She is survived by her husband Fasa and their son Blaise of Pittsfield. She also leaves her mother Mary S. Blaise and her step-father Ron Kane of Great Barrington, her father Herbert C. Blaise and his wife Nancy of Alburg, VT, her sister Lyn Biasin and her husband Tom of Lee; her maternal grandmother Helen B. Sullivan of Shoreham, VT; two nieces Camryn and Madison Biasin and her nephew Aaron Biasin along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
The family invites people to join them for funeral services on Monday August 30, 2004 at ten o'clock at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington with Rev. Michael Shershanovich, pastor of St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield as celebrant.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 29, 2004 from three until seven at the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Everyone is invited to a memorial mass celebrating the life of Lori Blaise Silipa on Saturday, September 4, 2004 at nine o'clock at St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield with Rev. Michael Shershanovich as celebrant.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Blaise Silipa Educational Fund through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
James G. Small
Mr. James G. Small, 86, of Salisbury Road in Sheffield died Sunday evening, September 12, 2004 at Great Barrington Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.
Born in Troy, New York on April 22, 1918, he was one of five children of Herbert W. and Cecelia Mary Ford Small. He attended schools in Sheffield, MA and graduated from Sheffield High School in 1935.
James worked as an electrician before entering the United States Army Air Corps in 1941. He served as a bombadier/navigator on B-29's in the Pacific, flying 33 missions out of Guam. He retired from active duty in 1945, and continued to serve in the reserves until 1978, attaining the rank of Lt. Col. During his service he received the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Upon discharge, James worked locally as an electrician until founding James G. Small Electrical Cont. in 1950, retiring in 1980. He served as the wiring inspector for the towns of Sheffield, Egremont, and New Marlborough from 1978 until retiring in 1993.
Active in civic affairs James was a founding member of the Sheffield American Legion and two time commander. He also served as District 1 County Commander in 1972. He was a member of Retired Officers Association and a member of the Sheffield Fire Department for 23 years, serving as fire chief in 1957 & 1958. He served 20 years on the democratic town committee and was a life member of the James A. Modolo VFW post 8348 in Great Barrington. He was a charter member of the Sheffield Kiwanis, a member of the Mount Everett Knights of Columbus and was a past chairman of the Sheffield Council on Aging.
James was an avid football fan and enjoyed cabinet making. He was a communicant of Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield.
His first wife Marion Mulligan Small, whom he married in 1946, died in June of 1972.
He is survived by his wife Evelyn E. Bunce Small, whom he married in June 1974 at Our Lady of the Valley Church; one son, James H. Small of Delhi, New York; and three daughters, Glynn Trombetta of Cody, Wyoming, Maureen Seward and Sheila Smith both of Sheffield. He also leaves three sisters, Cecelia Kay of Great Barrington, Ann E. Finn of Westford, MA and Mary Ustico of Canaan, CT; two stepchildren, John E. Bailey of Mount Washington, MA and Valerie Pickert of Ashley Falls, MA; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his brother, Herbert Small, who was shot down over France in 1944 during World War II.
Liturgy of Christian Burial for James G. Small will be celebrated on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at ten o'clock at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Sheffield. Burial will follow in Our Lady of the Valley Cemetery in Sheffield.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, September 15, 2004, from four until seven at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Valley Church through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Claire O. Sullivan
Mrs. Claire O. Sullivan, 76, of East Street, Great Barrington died Tuesday evening September 14, 2004 at her home.
Born in Waterbury, CT on August 8, 1928 she was the daughter of Joseph B. and Veronica Kelly Owens. The family moved to Pittsfield in 1930 where she attended local schools and was a graduate of St. Joseph's High School in Pittsfield in 1945.
She moved to Great Barrington in 1945. Claire retired from K-Mart in Great Barrington in June 1993. Prior to that she had worked at the former W.T. Grant Store, which had been located on Main Street in Great Barrington. She worked for the New England Telephone Company for 20 years. She was on the last shift of operators in the Great Barrington office to work the night. The phone company went to dial service in 1965.
She was a communicant of St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington and was a member of the Rosary Society. She was a member of the James A. Modolo post 8348 Ladies Auxiliary in Great Barrington. She loved tracing the family genealogy, music and books. Above all she was devoted to her family and cherished the time they spent together.
She is survived by three sons, Timothy J. Sullivan of Alexandria, VA, Patrick D. Sullivan of Great Barrington, and Thomas J. Sullivan, III of Great Barrington. She also leaves two daughters, Mrs. Michele S. Shimmon and Miss Patricia A. Sullivan, both of Great Barrington, along with her sister, Bernadette Carmel of Pittsfield, and five grandchildren: Kelly, Chad and Ryan Shimmon and Kerri and Tara Sullivan.
She was predeceased by her husband Thomas J. Sullivan who died December 14, 1993. The couple were married at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington on February 7, 1948.
Liturgy of Christian Burial for Claire O. Sullivan will be celebrated on Saturday, September 18, 2004 at eleven o'clock at St. Peter's Church in Great Barrington with Rev. Daniel Papineau, MIC, celebrant.
The family will receive friends on Friday evening September 17, 2004 from four until seven at Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the St. Peter's Ramp Fund or Hospice Care in the Berkshires through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mary M. O'Brien
Mrs. Mary M. O'Brien, 85, of State Line Road, West Stockbridge died Thursday morning at Laurel Lake Center for Health and Rehabilitation where she had resided since December 26, 2003.
Born in Great Barrington, on March 7, 1919, daughter of Garrett and Catherine McCarthy, she graduated from the former Williams High School in 1936 and from the St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing as a registered nurse. She had lived in West Stockbridge all of her life.
Mrs. O'Brien worked as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital in Pittsfield for many years. She also worked as a nurse for several years at Austen Riggs Center in Stockbridge, retiring in 1979.
She was a communicant of St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge and a member of its Rosary Altar Sodality. She was very active in the Richmond-West Stockbridge Community Health Association and the Greater Years, a senior citizen's organization. She especially enjoyed being with her family and helping many in the community.
Her husband, James F. O'Brien, whom she married at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge on April 22, 1946, died December 6, 1998.
She leaves five children, Dennis J. O'Brien of Ambler, PA, Thomas G. O'Brien of Drexel Hill, PA, Mary K. Stodden of Hancock, MA, Joanne E. Flynn of Stockbridge, MA and Joseph R. O'Brien of Pueblo, CO. She also leaves her sister, Catherine Daly of Natick, MA, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, along with several nieces and nephews.
She was also predeceased by a brother, Joseph McCarthy.
Liturgy of Christian Burial for Mary M. O'Brien will be held on Monday, September 20, 2004 at ten o'clock at St. Patrick's Church in West Stockbridge with Rev. Daniel Papineau, MIC, as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Patrick's Cemetery in West Stockbridge.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 19, 2004 from three until six at the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington.
Donations in memory of Mary can be made to the James F. and Mary M. O'Brien Memorial Scholarship, set up for the benefit of a graduating senior of Monument Mountain Regional High School, through the funeral home, 426 Main Street ,Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Mildred D. Steinberg
Mildred D. Steinberg, 82, of Prospect Street, Great Barrington died early Sunday morning September 19, 2004 at Fairview Hospital after a forty year battle with multiple sclerosis.
She was born in Greenfield, MA on November 30, 1921, the daughter of Max and Florence Bissell Gans. The family moved to the Great Barrington area when Mrs. Steinberg was a young girl. She attended Bryant Elementary School and was a graduate of the former Searles High School in Great Barrington. She also attended Framingham State Teacher's College in Framingham, MA.
On June 24, 1942 in Springfield, MA she married Irving Steinberg, owner of Gans Company from 1964 to 1989. Shortly after their marriage the couple moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey where Mr. Steinberg was stationed in the Army.
During World War II she volunteered as a nurse's aide. While in New Jersey she also worked for Nathan's Department Store.
In 1943 she moved back to Great Barrington while her husband was overseas during the war. She worked as a volunteer at Fairview Hospital. She also worked at the former Larkin's Market on Railroad Street. She was a member of Ahavath Sholom Synagogue and Haddasah.
Besides her husband, she leaves two sons, Howard J. and Lawrence G. Steinberg, and a daughter, Rasha Benigno, all of Great Barrington. She also leaves a sister, Lois M. Papo of Denver, CO, and six grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. at the Finnerty and Stevens Funeral Home in Great Barrington with Professor Sheldon Rothberg, former spiritual leader of the Congregation of Ahavath Sholom. Burial will follow in Ahavath Sholom Cemetery in Great Barrington.
There will be no calling hours.
Those who desire may make memorial contributions in memory of Mildred D. Steinberg to Fairview Hospital through the funeral home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
Nellie Alzina Mead
Nellie Alzina Mead, 86, of State Road, died Tuesday afternoon, September 21, 2004 at Great Barrington Health Care where she had been a resident since August of this year.
Born October 25, 1917 in Lee, Massachusetts, she was one of five children born to Floyd and Pearl Loomis Johnson. She graduated from the former Searles High School with the class of 1935.
For many years she was head of the cafeteria at Searles Middle School, where she was best known for her lasagna and rolls.
She married Andrew H. Mead June 13, 1936 in Great Barrington. Mr. Mead died April 10, 1972.
Nellie loved caring for her family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with animals, especially her beloved dog Nike.
She is survived by her four sons, Andrew E. Mead and his wife Edna, of Gilbert, AZ and Great Barrington, Thomas H. Mead and his wife Carol, Rodney P. Mead and his wife Nancy, both of Great Barrington and Robert A. Mead and his wife Laurie, of Lee; one sister, Eva Hart of Arizona; fourteen grandchildren, nineteen great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by three brothers, Harold, Lloyd and Clarence Johnson.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, September 23, 2004 from four p.m. until seven p.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Nellie A. Mead will be conducted Friday, September 24, 2004 at eleven a.m. at the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home by Rev. Charles VanAusdall, pastor First Congregational Church. Burial will follow in Elmwood Cemetery.
Contributions in Nellie's memory may be made to either the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad or to the Berkshire Humane Society through the Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230.
