Mary Temperance Hilliard died peacefully at home on Friday the 22nd of January 2021, in Galveston Texas surrounded by family and friends.
She was born Monday, June 14, 1954 in Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Henry Townsend (“Bill”) and Lydia Caffery Hilliard. She attended Vanderbilt and Stephen F. Austin Universities and graduated in 1978. Following graduation, Mary moved to the “Wilds” of New Mexico to become a Wild Horse Wrangler. She lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico until 1995 when she became Manager of Southwest Shipyard and moved to the family home on the West end of Galveston Island.
Mary was a lover of animals, and owned many dogs over the years including Blue, Sandy, Dune, Frank Lee, Annie, and Abby as well as a few cats. She was a strong patron and benefactor of the Houston SPCA and the Veterinarian Medical Center. She also supported pet rescue and adoption.
She loved to spend time with friends and entertain at her home. She will be remembered for her kindness, her humor and her loving heart.
She is predeceased by her parents, Bill and Lydia. She is survived by brothers Hank and John ’72, sister Susan, and nephews, Hank, Townsend, and Scott Hilliard and several great nieces and nephews.
An intimate graveside burial service for family and close friends is to be conducted on Saturday, January 30th 2021 at Forest Park Lawndale in Houston, Texas. A memorial service for Mary will be held at a future date to be determined in the summer of 2021 at Galveston Country Club pending developments with the Covid pandemic.
The family is extremely grateful of the help of many of Mary’s close friends including Dianna Kinsey, Brenda Larkins, Hope Williams, Barbara Fenner, Nurse from the Hospice Team, and the caregivers from Right at Home including Betty, Haley, Jarnae, Jennifer and Tennille.
June Savage Barratt, 97, formerly of Riverside and Danville died on Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Nottingham Village in Northumberland, PA. She lived in the retirement center since 2009 and most recently in the nursing center. She was born April 10, 1923 at the Maus House in Mausdale to the late Katharine and J. Albert Savage. They later resided on Ninth Street in Riverside. On January 30, 1949 she married Alfred W. Barratt Jr. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Danville. They resided on Frosty Hills Drive in Danville. June graduated from Danville High School in 1941. She attended Northampton School for Girls in Massachusetts in 1942 and graduated from Wellesley College in 1946 with a degree in Botany. She graduated in 1948 with a master’s degree in Biology from Bucknell University, which is where she met her future husband, Al. Early in her career she was employed by Merck & Co. as a microbiologist. She was a very competitive golfer, playing at Frosty Valley Country Club regularly. She also loved to play Bridge. June spent lots of time at the family lake home on Ganoga Lake where she loved to swim, hike and just be in nature. June enjoyed traveling, visiting many states and countries, and documenting her travels with photography. Her greatest joys were her two grandsons. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Al in 2010 and her son David in 1982. June is survived by her daughter Wendy Weader and her husband Larry of Lewisburg, and her grandsons: Andrew Weader of Wilkes-Barre and Tyler Weader of Silver Spring, MD. Burial will take place at Odd Fellows Cemetery, at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Brady Funeral Home in Danville.
George Arthur Padmore, Jr. was born in Monrovia, Liberia on January 12, 1940. He was the oldest of five sons born to Edith Mai Wiles Padmore and George Arthur Padmore, Sr.: Arthur, Ed, Gerald, Ronnie, and James “Wiki”. When Arthur was still a young boy, his parents left him in Monrovia in the care of “Gran and Grampa” Euphemia and Edwin Barclay, while they went to Harbel to plant a newly acquired farm for Grampa Edwin Barclay. It was likely the influence of Grampa, an accomplished composer and musician, who was then serving as the 18th President of Liberia, that Arthur first developed his musical ear and lifelong love of music. It was also through the influence of Grampa Edwin Barclay, who introduced Arthur to the encyclopedia, that Arthur developed a lifelong love of learning. Arthur grew up in the Barclay household with cousins Mary, Siata, and Earnest, and later also with Gran and Grampa Wiles at 99 Broad Street with cousins, Maakai (Sirleaf), Nehsee (Tubman), Myrna (Tolbert), Emmett Harmon, James (Wiles) and other relatives, as well as brothers Ed and Gerald. He attended St. Patrick’s Elementary School in Monrovia and then later attended high school at the College of West Africa (CWA). He left CWA in 1956 when his father was appointed Liberian Ambassador to the United States, and the entire family moved to Washington, D.C. He graduated from The Williston Academy (now Williston Northampton School) in Easthampton, Massachusetts and matriculated to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and lived at Harkness House, where he made lifelong friends like John “Hoss” Frank and Carl Wattenberg. He was accepted into Boston University School of Law but later returned to Liberia where he received his law degree from the University of Liberia. In 1965, he married Pairlene Eleanor Thomas and they had three daughters: Dawn Mai, Shirley (Mensah), and Soenda (Norman). A true disciple of cool jazz and pretty much everything else that went along with that genre of music, Arthur enjoyed his young adult years as a member of Monrovia’s Crowd 18 and as co-founder of “The WAVE.” A popular nightclub in Monrovia at the time, “The WAVE” was an acronym for co-founders “Winston (Richards), Arthur (Padmore), Varsay (Sirleaf) and Estrada (Bernard),” a name coined by Pairlene. Arthur also hosted the popular jazz radio show, “Music for Moderns,” which introduced many Liberians to jazz. Arthur and Pairlene’s home in Monrovia was often filled with friends, family, and music. As a young father and husband, Arthur worked as hard as he played. He was General Manager of Liberia Amusements Limited which owned and operated popular Monrovia movie theaters like the Relda among others. He also ran a law practice and branched out into various enterprises including a video rental business and gift shop. Like so many Liberians, Arthur’s life as he knew it was upended by the military coup in April 1980. The friendships Arthur developed and maintained during his years in America paid off. For example, his longtime friend from Brown, John Frank, took in his two eldest girls to give Arthur and Pairlene time to settle. The family eventually settled in Wilmington, Delaware, where Arthur’s first cousin, Emmett Harmon, lived with his family. Although things were not always easy, Arthur decided to make the best of his new life. He took a job selling insurance and he and Pairlene became dedicated members of the Cathedral Church of St. John, where he was eventually named senior warden. He also worked closely with the Liberian Association of Delaware, aiding those in need in Liberia. Arthur also served as an administrative law judge for the Delaware Public Utilities Commission for fifteen years. In 2001, he was appointed by the Governor of Delaware to serve as the Public Advocate for the State of Delaware. In that role, he advocated on behalf of all consumers of regulated utility services such as gas, electric, water, and cable. In the thirty-plus years he lived in Wilmington, Arthur took on the role of family elder. He spent countless hours curating and documenting the histories of the Barclay, Grimes, Padmore and Wiles families, using a computer program on Ancestry.com which at that time was in its infancy. He took great pleasure sharing the family history with all his extended family at family reunions and other gatherings. In 2010, Arthur retired as Public Advocate and later moved with Pairlene to Cary, North Carolina to be closer to youngest daughter, Soenda, son-in-law, Carnley Norman, and grandchildren, Laura and Eleanor. They left countless friends and cherished memories in Wilmington. After years of working hard and raising their family, Arthur and Pairlene were lucky to enjoy their respective retirements. They often traveled to St. Louis, Missouri to spend time with middle daughter, Shirley, her husband Paul, and granddaughters Olivia and Ava. Arthur was especially proud of the fact that he was present for Ava’s birth and often noted hers was the first birth he ever witnessed. They visited daughter number one, Dawn (“Maisie”), in New York and never missed her performances as a classically trained Soprano. Arthur and Pairlene also traveled elsewhere within the United States to visit family and friends and often, together with friends and family, traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, China, and other far flung places. They even invested in a small condominium in the Dominican Republic where they learned Spanish and how to dance Salsa. They continued to make friends along the way. Their many travels were interrupted when Arthur developed a medical condition that led to episodic, but severe, illness. He eventually underwent surgery to address the condition. Unfortunately, complications from the surgery led to even greater health challenges. Over the past two years, Arthur valiantly faced every medical challenge that came his way (and there were many including total loss of vision). Throughout all of those challenges, his “Bride” of 55 years remained steadfastly by his side, caring for him with support from his daughters, his brother, Gerald, aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He died peacefully in the early morning hours of January 7, 2021, surrounded by his wife and his three daughters. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, his three daughters and sons-in-law, his four granddaughters, siblings, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and scores of other family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.
It is with profound sadness that the family of Peter Michael Dolan, Jr. of Manassas, VA share the news of his passing on January 5, 2021 at the age of 52. Pete was raised in Williamstown, MA where he attended the Pine Cobble School. He graduated from the Williston Northampton School in 1986 and from Hamilton College in 1990, where he met his wife Karen. After college, Pete worked as a zoning administrator and land use planner before attending law school. He graduated from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago, cum laude, where he was Lead Articles Editor for the Law Review. Following his law school graduation in 1996, Pete worked as an attorney in Denver before moving to Virginia. For the last 19 years Pete’s legal career was with Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh, P.C. in their Prince William County location where he served most recently as Managing Shareholder. In his leadership of the Land Use & Zoning Practice group, Pete’s legacy of work had a significant impact on Prince William County. He genuinely loved his job and had the highest regard for his “work family” of trusted colleagues, mentors and friends. He also believed in personally giving his time to the broader community in which he lived and worked. He served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center, as Chairman of Board of Directors for the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce, as a member of the Board of Directors of the Prince William County Boys & Girls Club, and as a member of the Prince William DCSM/Zoning Ordinance Advisory Committee. Pete dedicated his time to numerous service and charitable organizations, served as a guest lecturer for George Mason University graduate programs and as a moderator for industry events. Pete was first and foremost devoted to his family. His wife, Karen, of 26 years and their two daughters, Katherine and Erin, were the loves of his life. They enjoyed a wonderful family life including travel and time spent at Deep Creek Lake where Pete loved to be at the helm of his boat. Pete also enjoyed reading, skiing, golf, family games and most outdoor activities. He was passionate about music of many genres and will always be remembered for matching the perfect tune to any mood or occasion. He loved attending concerts and sporting events as well as cheering on his favorite teams. Pete will be treasured always for his humor, fun-loving nature, loyalty, integrity and compassion for others. His family also finds solace in the fact that he lived life in the moment and didn’t tend to sweat the small stuff. His kindness and ability to simply put people at ease touched the lives of many who knew Pete and who feel a deep loss in his passing. Aptly nicknamed “Rock” by his Theta Delta Chi brothers in college, Pete’s steadfast strength throughout a life well lived will be a comfort to all in the days ahead. And as the road rises to meet him, his personality and grace will continue to live on in his daughters. In addition to his wife and daughters, Pete is survived by his loving parents, Peter and Carole Dolan of Williamstown, MA; his sister, Beth Dolan, and her husband, Kevin Pezanowski of Bennington, VT, who will forever cherish their memories with their son and brother “Zig”; his aunt and uncle, Sandie and Michael Dolan of Pownal, VT; his in-laws, John and Carolyn Beck of Leesburg, VA and their family. Pete will also be sorely missed by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. The family welcomes all to a memorial celebration of Pete’s life which will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the LUNGevity Foundation and the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation.
William “Bill” Anderson, formerly of Norwell and Brookline, passed away unexpectedly on Dec. 31, 2020 at his residence at Linden Ponds in Hingham, MA at the age of 73. Bill was born on September 8, 1947 in Boston and was raised in Norwell. He graduated from Williston Academy in 1965 and Hartwick College in 1969. He was employed by John Hancock for many years until his retirement. He was predeceased by his parents Elizabeth “Betty” Anderson and Edmund “Ed” Anderson ’34, both of Norwell and New Hampshire, his sister Ellen Anderson of Newton and his brother in law Dean Hobbs of Marshfield. He is survived by his sister Caroline (Anderson) Hobbs of Marshfield, his brother Ted Anderson of Lewistown, MT, and his sister Elizabeth (Liz Anderson) DiSanto of Redwood City, CA. He is also survived by one nephew and three nieces. Bill was a quiet man and had a gentle soul. His many friends were far and wide. He was an intellectual who was very involved in the political climate of the time and enjoyed a good discussion with family and friends around the dinner table. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, funeral services will be private. The family requests that any donations in Bill’s memory be made to the Charles River Center, 59 East Militia Heights Rd., Needham, MA. or to the ARC of South Norfolk, 789 Clapboardtree St., Westwood, MA 02090.
Irving Budd Callman, Jr., 99, passed away at Mennonite Home while under Hospice care on Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Born in Bronxville, NY, he was the son of the late Irving and Rita Spiro Callman, Sr. He was married to Connie Crum Callman for 23 years. He was previously married to the late Martha Hunt who passed away in 1994. Budd graduated from Williston Academy in 1940 and from Bowdoin College in 1944 where he was President of Zeta Psi Fraternity. He served in the Pacific theater with the United States Marine Corps as 1st Lieutenant from 1944-1945 and was honorably discharged in 1958 as Captain. Following his service to his country, he joined Armstrong Cork Company in 1947. He interrupted his employment with Armstrong in 1951 and, together with a friend, bought a WWII jeep and took ship for Lisbon, Portugal. From that point they traveled across Europe and the Middle East arriving in Baghdad. He returned in 1952, reinstated his employment with Armstrong, and met and married Martha Hunt. In 1954 he was transferred to Spain as Manager, South Spain for Armstrong’s Spanish subsidiary. From 1960-1970 he served as General Manager of the Spanish Company, and President of their Board of Directors from 1970-1972. In 1970, Armstrong transferred Budd to Dusseldorf Germany, as Assistant General Manager of their German Company and its European affiliates. In 1976 he returned to the Parent Company in Lancaster in International Operations, retiring in 1986 as Director, International & Subsidiary Compensation. An active community leader, he served as President of the Charlotte Street Association and President of the Board of Trustees of the Fulton Opera House where he was named Trustee Emeritus. He was also active with United Way and was a member of the Lancaster Country Club and Trinity Lutheran Church. When not engaged in actively working for these organizations, he was an avid golfer who enjoyed nothing more than meeting his friends on the golf course, even when the ground was too frozen to drive a golf tee. He and Connie traveled frequently to his beloved Spain, and extensively throughout Europe, England, the Scandinavian countries, central America, and the Galapagos Islands. His wanderlust never abated from the time of his Middle East journey! In addition to his wife, he is survived by a niece Nancy Henkes (Robert), a nephew Peter Thompson, great-nephews Jeffrey Henkes (Adrienne) and Alex Henkes (Caren), as well as sisters-in-law, Ann Broich and Elizabeth Crum. He is also survived by nieces and nephews-in-law Steven Broich, Sharon Morgan (Andrew), Michael Broich (Hannah), Mark Broich, (Kristin), Joy Weiler (Jason), and numerous great-great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Marjorie Thompson, and a very close 1st cousin whom he considered to be a brother, Charles Callman. This is a synopsis of what Budd accomplished in his life, but the measure of a man is far greater than what he does! As Mary Baker Eddy wrote in 1895, “The man of integrity is one who makes it his constant rule to follow the road of duty, according as Truth and the voice of his conscience point it out to him. He is not guided merely by affections which may sometime give the color of virtue to a loose and unstable character. The upright man is guided by a fixed Principle, which destines him to do nothing but what is honorable, and to abhor whatever is base or unworthy; hence we find him ever the same,– at all times the trusted friend, the affectionate relative, the conscientious man of business, the pious worker, the public-spirited citizen. He assumes no borrowed appearance. He seeks no mask to cover him, for he acts no studied part; but he is indeed what he appears to be,– full of truth, candor, and humanity. In all his pursuits, he knows no path but the fair, open, and direct one, and would much rather fail of success than attain it by reproachable means. He never shows us a smiling countenance while he meditates evil against us in his heart We shall never find one part of his character at variance with another.” Due to the temporary limitations of COVID, the family will hold a private interment at Conestoga Memorial Park and will hold a larger celebration of Budd’s magnificent life later in the spring of 2021. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Fulton Theater, 12 N. Prince St., Lancaster, PA 17602.
John Joseph Lyons of Hyannisport, Massachusetts and Naples, Florida passed away peacefully on December 9, 2020 at age 75.
John was born in Springfield, Massachusetts to John and Yvette Lyons in 1945 and attended Cathedral High School and Williston Academy. An outstanding athlete at Cathedral, he was voted All City in football and All Western Mass in Baseball. At Williston he was All New England and inducted into the Williston Hall of Fame in 2007.
John graduated from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine where he also played football and baseball starting on the varsity of both from his freshman year. At Bates he met his bride of 51 years, Carol Barry from Dedham, Massachusetts.
John was a dedicated father and grandfather first and foremost. He and Carol treasured their children. He especially enjoyed time spent with his five grandchildren. John was often present at many sports activities, musical performances, and school functions with them.
John began his real estate career in the early 1970’s and co-founded his own company, Landry and Lyons in 1975. With the acquisition of Whyte company the firm became the largest residential real estate company in Western Massachusetts with over 200 realtors. John and his partner sold the company in 1987 and he continued to run the company for 2 additional years.
John retired in 1989 at the age of 44 and continued to be somewhat active in business. He guided select New England companies to grow, become more profitable and ultimately be sold. He also played a lot of golf at both Wyndemere Country Club and the Hyannisport Club.
John’s early retirement allowed him to spend more time with his wife Carol. John and Carol enjoyed travelling the world and visited every continent except Antarctica on their many adventures. John and Carol especially enjoyed their recent two-week trip to celebrate their 50th anniversary. They brought their whole family to Europe on a trip down the Rhine River.
Most of all John loved his family and instilled in his children strong values including hard work, generosity and doing the right thing. John will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts. John leaves behind his son, John Lyons Jr., Dina Lyons and grandchildren Jack and Nik of Centerville, Massachusetts, his daughter Beth Strachan, son-in-law Richard Strachan and grandchildren Gus, Charlotte and Brook of Hingham, Massachusetts. He also leaves his sisters Mary Leary (James), Kathleen Lucas (Marc), Laura Mirandi (Thomas), and his brother Thomas Lyons (Suzy). His faithful furry companions Charlie and Brady will miss him dearly.
A celebration of John’s life will be held at a later date in Massachusetts. Donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund at danafarber.jimmyfund.org
J. Keith Alford spent nearly all of his working years in the family business. You might know that business as Adam Meldrum & Anderson Co., the preferred department store of Western New Yorkers for generations, the eight-story downtown flagship renowned for its glittering Christmas window displays and cozy Yankee Doodle Room. Mr. Alford, of Amherst, NY, died November 2, 2020, after a period of declining health. He was 79. “He loved working with people,” said Mr. Alford’s daughter, Ann Alford, who said he described AM&A’s as a “challenging and exciting place to work.” Mr. Alford was best known among his many friends for his easygoing nature. “People repeatedly talk about what a kind, gentle, honest and even-tempered man he was, and many people remember his great laugh,” his daughter said. Born April 8, 1941 in Buffalo, Mr. Alford was the middle child of Mary-Louise Kittinger Alford and Dr. J. Edwin Alford. He attended Campus School, then Nichols School, and spent his final two years of high school at the Williston Northampton School in Easthampton, Mass., graduating in 1960. On June 14, 1963, in Trinity Church, Mr. Alford married Wende Stevens Adam, the daughter of Robert Borthwick Adam III, grandson of the founder of AM&A’s and the store’s top executive. While the couple had “known each other forever,” their daughter said, they had their first date at a New Year’s Eve party at the urging of their younger siblings, who were close friends. He graduated in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in English from Syracuse University, where he belonged to Phi Delta Theta fraternity. From 1965 to 1966, Mr. Alford worked as a salesman for the Kittinger Furniture Co. in Buffalo. He then went to work for AM&A’s, first as receiving and marketing manager, then as merchandising contractor. From 1969 to 1980, he was vice president of operations, guiding AM&A’s through its expansion heyday. From 1980 to 1994, he was president and chief operating officer, the start of a gradual transition of the company’s management, said CEO Robert Borthwick Adam III, Mr. Alford’s father-in-law. “Instead of a one-man show, it’s been a two-man show since 1980,” Mr. Adam told The News in 1989. In 1989, Mr. Adam stepped down as CEO of the company, making Mr. Alford his successor and remaining as chairman. Under Mr. Alford’s leadership, the downtown AM&A’s store defied trends by outselling its nine suburban stores. In May 1994, AM&A’s was sold to The Bon-Ton Stores, a regional retailer based in York, Pa. Mr. Alford worked as a consultant for The Bon-Ton for a while, then joined his longtime friend Stuart Hunt in the Hunt Commercial Real Estate Corp. as a shopping center and retail consultant/licensed agent. Through the years, Mr. Alford was a member of the board of directors of Marine Midland Bank Western Region in Buffalo, of McCurdy & Co. in Rochester and of Frederick Atkins, Inc., in New York City. A trustee of Buffalo General Hospital starting in 1985, he was secretary to the board from 1991 to 1996. He was a member of the board of directors and executive committee of the Greater Buffalo Partnership between 1993 and 1995. A member of the Western New York Retail Merchants Association and its board of directors from 1980 to 1992, he belonged to the Buffalo Area Chamber of Commerce and served on its board from 1983 to 1985. He also served on the board of AAA of Western and Central New York, the Albright-Knox Art Gallery and the United Way, and was chair of Buffalo Place and the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau. He was on the board of directors of the Greater Buffalo Development Foundation in 1990. Mr. Alford was dean of the Saturn Club in 1984 and director of the Buffalo Yacht Club from 1995 to 1998. He was listed as a noteworthy department store executive by Marquis Who’s Who. His major volunteer commitment was to the Salvation Army, where he served on the advisory board for 40 years, starting in 1976. He was secretary of the board of directors from 1984 to 1985, vice chairman in 1989 and chairman in 1990. Especially after retirement, Mr. Alford enjoyed visiting his family’s property, Longhouse, in Muskoka, Ont. He was an avid sailor and skier and belonged to the Buffalo Ski Club in the 1970s. He also enjoyed antique cars, woodworking and traveling. Mr. Alford was a member of North Presbyterian Church in Amherst, and served on its Session before becoming ill. He was devoted to his wife and family, said his daughter, and was “a fantastic ‘Poppie’ to his seven grandchildren, all of whom adored him.” Besides his daughter, Ann Alford, Mr. Alford is survived by his wife of 57 years, Wende Adam Alford; two sons, Scott and James Alford ’87; a sister, Gail Gundlah; a brother, Bryant Alford; and seven grandchildren. A private family service has been held.
Marie Elizabeth (Lawler) Aquadro, 93, passed away peacefully in Leeds, MA on November 21, 2020 with family at her side. Marie was born to the late George Edward and Genevieve (Swiatek) Lawler in Northampton, MA at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on March 16, 1927. Marie grew up in Northampton, graduating from Northampton High School in 1944 and then the Northampton School for Girls in 1945. While at Northampton High School, she was on the Girls’ Basketball team and enjoyed special outings with friends. She then attended the Elms College, graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Following graduation, she worked as a Phlebotomist at the New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, MA where she became the unofficial house expert at drawing blood from infants. On September 3, 1951, Marie married Richard Conz Aquadro, her knight in shining armor and the love of her life. Marie and Richard started their family in the Boston area with their first three daughters before moving back to Northampton in 1954 and completing the family with a son and daughter. Marie enjoyed volunteering as a leader for her daughters’ Brownie troops and also as a member of the Hampshire Regional YMCA’s Board of Directors. Marie was a devout Catholic and incorporated her religion and the church into her daily life and that of her family. In 1970, she received the Pious Catholic award for her dedicated service as a CCD teacher. She was also an informed and passionate political participant and worked as a poll worker for over 20 years. During her later years she cherished her time with Richard in New Smyrna Beach, FL where they had an open-door policy and would go months with guests rotating in and out. They valued the good meals they had there from Hot Dog Day at Dairy Queen to Burger Night at the Breakers, always with friends in tow. Marie was an avid swimmer enjoying her swims at both the Hampshire Regional YMCA and the Northampton Country Club; this continued into her later years switching to water aerobics both in Northampton and in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. When not in the water, she could be found soaking in the sun, but never without her signature visor. From April through October, she watched her beloved Red Sox as often as she could. Marie loved travelling. She and Richard travelled frequently when their children were grown both internationally and nationally visiting many countries and states. After Richard retired, they traveled across the country seeing amazing sites. They kept a travel log which she recently found and read. She enjoyed reminiscing about the trip with her children. Marie was a life-long avid reader and it was not unusual for her to be reading two or three books at a time depending on which book was in which room, or whichever one was the lightest (in her later years, never hard cover – “too heavy”). She loved cooking and especially searching for new recipes to try out on her family. She became an exceptional cook, passing on her enthusiasm and talent to her children and grandchildren – and always made sure to critique where necessary. Everything was from scratch- “There will never be a boxed mix or meal in this house!” Marie also shared her love of bird watching with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many others. There was rarely a bird she couldn’t identify, and always made sure to educate everyone around her. She ensured the birds were well fed with her collection of bird feeders, and much to Richard’s dismay, found a way to please the rival squirrels and chipmunks with seed on the patio. Marie loved her time with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and often commented, no matter how long the visit, that she wished it were longer. She was always up to date on what was happening in the lives of her grandchildren and supported them unconditionally. She never missed a holiday, big or small, and ensured everyone received their cards filled with $2 bills and her classic “Guess Whoooo” signature for Halloween. We will miss her infamous eye rolls, diva-like personality, and her first-class taste. She will always be remembered through Sunday mimosas, eggs benedict, and butter pecan ice cream. Marie is survived by her five children Elizabeth Kouri ’70 and husband Kevin of Naples, FLA, Alison Gleason and husband Daniel of Leeds, MA, Kimberly Sapienza and husband Thomas of Chelmsford, MA, Richard D. Aquadro and wife Sabra of Northampton, MA, Jennifer Egan and husband James of Walpole, MA. She has thirteen grandchildren: Kevin, Daniel, Kristen, Bryan, Aileen, Christine, Timothy, Courtney ’11, Andrew, Anthony ’15, Ania, Natalie ’17 and John. Seven great-grandchildren: Sapphire, Theodore, Declan, Parker, Genevieve, Elizabeth and Marie. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Brooks of Ellicott City, MD. She was predeceased by her true love and husband of 68 years, Richard Conz Aquadro ’47, and sister Virginia Lebeau. We would like to thank all compassionate caregivers at O’Connell Home Care for the loving care they provided to Maire over the past year. Calling hours for Marie will be Saturday November 28 from 9:30-11:30 AM. Due to the pandemic, masks are required for all guests, and physical distancing must be observed. Other services for Marie will be private and held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Elms College, 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013, Shriners Hospitals for Children, 516 Crew Street, Springfield, MA 01104 or The Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, Daily Hampshire Gazette, P.O. Box 299, Northampton, MA, 01061.
Deborah A. Schwabach of Gilbertsville, New York, died Thursday, July 9, 2020, following a long illness. She was born Deborah Ann Wickes on June 23, 1942, at Albany Medical Center and grew up in Scotia. She graduated from the Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts, and attended the University of Chicago. She later graduated from the SUNY Regents College and University of Kentucky. She loved nature, birds, wildlife and exploring back roads to see where they would take her. She had an extensive knowledge of New York State history and wrote articles for Adirondack Life, Kaatskill Life, New York Alive, the Encyclopedia of New York State, as well as many newspapers and national magazines. She also had some poetry published. She drove the Alaska Highway in an old pickup truck and crossed the country many times, visiting every U.S. state except Hawaii and Alabama. She taught writing at SUNY Oneonta, Syracuse University, SUNY Cortland, the University of Delaware, and the Marist College program at Oneonta Job Corps. A lifelong proponent of Civil Rights, she was honored as the NAACP’s Person of the Year for her campaign to get Oneonta library cards for Job Corps students. She is survived by her sons, Aaron (spouse, Qienyuan Zhou) of San Diego and Jon of Gilbertsville and daughter, Karen of Hammondsport; sister, Cynthia (spouse, James Vail) of North Carolina; nieces, Gabrielle and Lindsay; and grandchildren, Veronica, Jessica and Daniel. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jennifer; nephew, Jeffrey; and brother, Robert. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, in Brookside Cemetery in Gilbertsville, with a memorial service planned for a later date after the pandemic. The family asks that those who wish to do so please donate to the Gilbertsville Emergency Squad in her memory.
