June Ramsey Atwood, 91, of West Falmouth, MA, died on Monday, February 7, 2022, unexpectedly in her home. A descendant of the Henry Swift family, she was born in Worcester, MA in 1930, daughter of the late Webster Kimball Ramsey and Chrystella Swift Ramsey.

June attended the Northampton School for Girls, the Bancroft School, Colby-Sawyer College, and the Katherine Gibbs School. June spent almost every summer of her life in West Falmouth with her extended family and many dear friends.

She married Joseph R. Atwood on October 11, 1952, and after residing in Farmington, CT, they moved to Sudbury, MA to raise their family. After retirement, June and Joe moved to West Falmouth where she was active with the West Falmouth Library, Colonial Dames, Woods Hole Golf Club, Harbor Head Tennis Club, Bowerman’s Beach Club, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Marine Biological Laboratory, Cahoon Museum, Heritage Museums and Gardens, and the Royal Megansett Nursing Home, where she founded the Scherettes, who kept the residents singing and moving.

June was a classy, well-dressed lady who enjoyed skiing and tennis and loved the arts. She also loved meeting people and socializing. In her late years, she would often be seen cruising around the village in her Highlander, stopping to chat with people. She loved talking with everyone, from the oldest residents to the youngest of children.

June was the beloved wife of the late Joseph Rowen Atwood and the devoted mother of Dr. Steven Webster Atwood and his wife Sandra Bittermann Atwood of Vineyard Haven, and Carol Atwood Reynolds of West Falmouth. She was also the adored grandmother of Jeremiah Webster Atwood and his wife Beth Nicole Atwood of Dover, Tristan Owen Atwood and his wife Cassandra Liberty Atwood of Vineyard Haven, and Whitney Christine Reynolds of Cold Spring, KY, and great-grandmother of Hallie Leigh Atwood of Dover. She is survived by her dear sister, Carol Webster Rice of Hubbardston.

A Celebration of June’s life, and Joe’s also, with family and friends, will take place later in the spring in West Falmouth. (which will be announced in the paper)

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the West Falmouth Library, P.O. Box 1209, West Falmouth, Massachusetts 02574.

Stephanie Brown Fehm, a fifty-year resident of Davis, California died on January 26, 2022, after bravely living with cancer for over two years.

Stephanie was born in October 1940 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Barbara (Nath) and Chester Brown. She grew up in Kent, Connecticut and spent summers in Campton, New Hampshire at her beloved family home on Mad River. She attended St. Mary’s School for Girls in Peekskill, New York and later Northampton School for Girls, in Northampton, Massachusetts, from which she graduated in 1958.

After graduation, she entered the nursing program at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut from which she graduated in 1961. She continued to practice as a registered nurse at Yale New Haven Hospital. The family moved to Florence, Italy where her husband, Tony, worked on his Ph.D. in Art History. After returning to the United States, the family settled in Davis, California, and she always returned to New Hampshire for as many summers as possible.

In California Stephanie continued to practice nursing and later became a nurse practitioner. She was a member of one of the first classes to graduate from University of California, Davis, Nurse Practitioner Program when it was established in the 1970’s. Stephanie worked as a nurse practitioner in rural health clinics and in vulnerable communities during her clinical career. She went on to become a labor representative for the California Nurses Association until she retired in 2005. Through her hard work, along with all the dedicated people at CNA, nurses in California have safer working conditions, higher salaries, better benefits, and more secure retirements.

Stephanie was a life-long FDR Democrat and an ardent women’s rights advocate. Over the years she worked for numerous candidates both on the local and national level. She was passionate about her civic obligation to be an informed voter and an active participant in the democratic process.

In retirement she became deeply involved with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) program in Davis. She served on a variety of committees and enjoyed a host of friends and courses. In one of her OLLI writing classes, she wrote: “I would want to be remembered as a good and loyal mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. I hope that I would be remembered as a fair person, one who tried to treat all people equally. It would please me if others would remember me for two absolute rules: never cross a picket line or buy art to match the furniture!”

Stephanie was also an active and devoted grandparent to her three granddaughters. When they were young, she picked them up from school, took care of them when they were sick, and attended every school function and athletic event. She was a powerful support and role model.

Stephanie was predeceased by her father, Chester; mother, Barbara; brother, Jonathan; and sister, Katharine. She is survived by her daughter, Gretchen (Ian) Blake, Sacramento, California; her granddaughters, Anna Blake, Portland, Oregon; Allison Blake, Berkeley, California; Elizabeth Blake, Santa Cruz, California; her sister, Susan Norris (Tim), Andover, New Hampshire; and her nephew, Matthew Norris, Seattle, Washington, along with many cousins.

Stephanie’s family could not have managed her final weeks without the loving care, professionalism, and unwavering support from Lisa Saephan, RN and Vihn Tran at Honest Living. We will be forever indebted. Her family would also like to express gratitude and thanks to Mercy Cancer Center, Sutter Home Health, Sutter Hospice and Sutter Davis Medical Group for their commitment and dedication to Stephanie’s care.

Stephanie was a woman of substance, determination, and kindness. She was greatly loved, will be hugely missed, and long remembered.

New Hampshire was always in her heart, and Stephanie’s hope was to get back again for a visit. There will be a summer family gathering and remembrance at Mad River Cemetery, Upper Road, Campton. For all her friends and family in the Davis area, there will be a celebration of her life at a later date. For more information, please email: Steph.Brown.Fehm.Celebration@gmail.com.

Christian Gerhard, born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1924, died at home in Bethesda on October 10, 2021. The daughter of Christine and John Murray-Allen, late of Cambridge, England and Mombassa, Kenya. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Hans Gerhard; daughters Lynn Gerhard of Spring, TX, Suzanne with husband Allen Tubis of Annapolis, MD; and son John with Berit Holthe of Jaerna, Sweden; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Christian came to the United States at the outset of WWII, and after graduation from Radcliffe College served as a coder in the Women’s Royal Naval Service. After the war she continued her studies in musicology, earning a Master’s degree, and playing cello and piano in university orchestras. Dedicated to raising her three children, Christian paused her professional career until they had outgrown the home. She then changed direction to devote most of her professional work to education, specializing in reading. She taught that subject at local high schools, and, after earning a doctoral degree, at George Washington University. Her book on the subject (Making Sense) was published by the International Reading Association in 1975, and she lectured at professional conferences at home and abroad. Christian’s professional work reflected her deep commitment to social and political causes. Private service scheduled for a later date

Lynda Swenson’s sparkling blue eyes, gentle spirit, and beautiful smile warmed the hearts of all who knew her. She was full of kindness yet also possessed a quiet inner strength and stubbornness, which helped her live a full and happy life, even during her long battle with brain cancer. Lynda was born and raised in the New Hampshire lakes region. A native of Center Sandwich, she never missed the fair. She went on to elementary school in New Hampton’s little red schoolhouse and attended Northampton School for Girls. Lynda met her husband, Lenny, on the shores of Lake Waukewan. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Lynda’s positive influence was deeply felt by many in the Monadnock Region. Raising her three children, she was a vital and supportive piece of the New Ipswich community for over 38 years. Lynda was the favorite neighborhood mom, loving and accepting as her own, her children’s friends. Always cheering, present, and helpful during community activities, school performances, and Mascenic Viking sporting events. In 2015, she retired to Center Harbor to enjoy the lakes and mountains of her youth.
Lynda had the loveliest flower gardens and a true gift for horticulture. She relished working in the earth, making her passion her profession: one full of flowering colors, bright designs, and happy growth. Lynda had great expertise in gardening and landscaping; she worked with herbs, in greenhouses, commercial spaces, garden centers, and in the community. Lynda loved all things outdoors. Many have fond memories of shared early morning walks, serene (sometimes exhilarating) X-C skiing, hikes, and kayaking adventures. By the gallery of joyful memories proudly displayed on her walls, there is no doubt of her immense love for her children, grandchildren, sisters, family, and friends. Lynda will always be remembered for the beautiful things she grew, her sweet cheerful smile, kind soul, and loving spirit.
In honor of her wishes, there will not be a service, but a celebration of life will be held later this summer.

On Friday, January 7, 2022, Emily Gilman Hayden of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, passed comfortably to meet her many friends and loved ones in God’s kingdom and take her place in the alto section of the Heavenly choir, wearing Groucho Marx glasses and a fake mustache. She was surrounded by loving friends and family, and, after a mostly successful seven-year battle with lung cancer, she was ready to meet Jesus at last. Emily was predeceased by her parents, Doris (Ekstrom) and Donald Bertram Gilman, and brother, Hugh Gilman ’57, of Wellington, New Zealand. She is survived by her husband John ’62; son Peter ’88 and daughter-in-law Melissa; son Daniel ’93; grandchildren Kyra, Tyler, Giles and Ian; and siblings-in-law Peg Gilman, Priscilla Santiago and Tony Santiago, and many nieces and nephews. Emily was born on July 18th ,1943 in Elmhurst, Illinois. She spent her early years in Jackson, Mississippi before the family relocated to Warren, Massachusetts. However, she retained the ability to call up her best southern drawl on command. She attended the Northampton School for Girls, where she met John, her husband of 54 years, at a Valentine’s Day dance with the nearby boys school he attended. She was a gifted athlete (including archery and field hockey) and singer. She would go on to graduate from Skidmore College, where she was a member of the Sonneteers, with whom she toured. A life-long lover of books and knowledge, she earned her graduate degree from Springfield College, and held positions at several area bookstores, including Logos, Johnson’s, and the Christian Bookstore, before opening her own bookstore, The Last Word, in West Springfield, which she operated for years in person and later online. Above all, she was a homemaker, wife, mother and grandmother. In her later years, she was nearly always adorned with some item from one of her grandchildren’s colleges, and for whose school football teams she cheered raucously each fall weekend. She was also a caretaker of a several cats, who were her constant companions. In her later years, Emily devoted her time, passion, and creative energy to service in the Orchard Covenant Church and to the Community Survival Center of Indian Orchard. She was grateful to be welcomed into the community of Kenyan and Congolese families that have settled in our area. Through her many travels around the country and abroad, perhaps her most satisfying visit was to the village of Muhudu, in Kenya, where she was able to meet and share in the love of her adopted family. She faced her illness with characteristic frankness and toughness, but also with the reassurance that her journey would bring her home to the Lord. She was very grateful for the excellent care and support she received from doctors Michael Rosen and Philip Glynn; Lisa, Bonnie, and the nursing staff at the Sister Caritas Cancer Center, and the staff at Mercy Hospital. She could not have continued without the enduring support of her loving husband John, who was constantly by her side. She passed on at home, cared for by friends and family, and was welcomed in Heaven at last with love. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd., Wilbraham, MA 01095 is in charge of the arrangements. The family requests those who wish to to consider a donation to Community Survival Center of Indian Orchard, 240 Main St., Indian Orchard MA 01151, https://communitysurvivalcenter.org. or Orchard Covenant Church, 95 Berkshire St. Indian Orchard, MA 01151, https://www.orchardcovenant.org.

Barbara E. (Mitchell-Frieswick) Scilipoti, 87, passed away peacefully with family by her side on December 27, 2021. She was predeceased by her loving husband and companion, Sergio. She was the daughter of the late Edward L. and Mildred M. Mitchell of Mendon, MA. She was born in Milford, MA and raised her family in Milford and Upton, moving to Framingham, Marlborough and her final residence at Atria Draper Place in Hopedale. She is survived by her children, William Frieswick and his wife Kathleen of Haverhill, Nancy Phipps and her husband Wayne of Mendon, Renata Parsons and her husband Douglas of North Carolina, Robert Frieswick of Douglas and Daniel Frieswick of Dudley. She was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara of Parker, CO and brother Edward B. Mitchell. She was a loving aunt, nana and great-grandmother. Barbara graduated from Northampton School for Girls in 1951 and attended Michigan State College before returning home to marry William Frieswick of Milford and starting her family. Barbara loved serving the public and was President of the Upton PTA, Director of the Upton District Nurse’s Association and First Vice President of the Milford Hospital Ladies Aide. She also owned and operated the Upton Shuttle Service. Over her life she worked as an Employment Interviewer and Acting Personnel Director at the Milford Hospital, Commonwealth of MA Department of Public Health in Boston, Monster Board and Whitney Place in Natick. You often heard Barbara state that she loved being a mom and was blessed with 5 children by the age of 28. She enjoyed cooking, sewing and loved tap dancing as a child. She loved helping at her parents restaurant, Milly Mitchell’s where she handled the take out and hamburger/ hot dog window. When not working, she loved swimming in Lake Nipmuc. She was a woman of style, elegance and grace with a happy heart, delightful sense of humor and a warm and kind smile that made everyone that met her smile too. She will be deeply missed. Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 31, 2021 from 9:30-11AM in the Buma-Sargeant Funeral Home, 42 Congress St., Milford, MA followed by a funeral service at 11AM in the funeral home. Interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Milford. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Barbara Scilipoti to the Fisher House Inc., 7323 West Highway 90, Suite 107, San Antonio, TX 78227. These donations will be made to the Lackland Air Force Base Chapter. The Fisher House provided housing/food for family during her daughter’s medical treatments. www.bumafuneralhome.com

Donna Alice Loughran Bordes-Barrera, of Juno Beach, Florida, passed away July 11, 2021.

Jane K. Thompson, accomplished genealogist, beloved mother and grandmother, age 92, of Norwell, MA, passed away on December 14, 2021, in Providence, RI. Born Jane Gerrit Kremers on May 28, 1929, in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of Margaret Grace (Burling) and Ernest Kremers. As a child, she lived in Lewiston Heights, NY, where she recalled “jumping around in the hay and playing make-believe games.” She attended the three-room schoolhouse in Lewiston Heights and eventually attended Northampton School for Girls (MA) for one year in preparation to enter Smith College, where her mother had registered her at birth. In 1950, she graduated from Smith and married Jack Monroe Thompson. She raised four children while earning a Master of Social Work at Boston College and starting a career as a licensed clinical social worker. In the 70’s while working at Brown University, she became a trailblazer for equal pay – winning a lawsuit against the University for sex discrimination in salary. Once retired from social work, she devoted herself to genealogical research, publishing the award-winning “The Burling Books: Ancestors and Descendants of Edward and Grace Burling, Quakers (1600-2000).” Jane married Henry Irvin (Hank) Stahr, Jr., in 1986. They shared a love of family, reading, games, competitive croquet, Scrabble, sailing and travel. She and Hank lived on First Cliff, Scituate, for 28 years. Jane was predeceased by her husband Hank, in 2014; and her elder sisters Martha Burling (Kremers) Whitmore and Ann Lee (Kremers) Currie. She is survived by her children Andrew Thompson (Loren Brigham) of Providence, RI, Christopher Thompson (Deborah Waters Thompson) of Smithfield, RI, Mary Thompson (Joan Connors) of Moose Pass, AK and Geneva, Switzerland, James Thompson (Pamela Storey) of Jamestown, RI; and stepchildren John Stahr (Jennifer Jonas Stahr) of Hingham, MA, Carol Stahr Savage (James Savage) of Winchester, MA, and Tricia Stahr (Mark Cwetna) of Nederland, CO. She is also survived by seven Thompson grandchildren: Jessica Rohrbaugh (and daughter Mia), Adrian (Caroline Wheeler), Garrett (fiancée Sara Plotkin), Benjamin, Julia (Fletcher Bonin), Lily and Aimei Thompson; as well as six Stahr grandchildren: Stephen, David and Alexandra Stahr and Laura, Elizabeth (fiancé John Hibbard) and Emily Savage. Donations can be made in Jane’s name to Hope Health Hospice, 1085 N Main St., Providence, RI 02904, or to your local food pantry.

Frances Abbott Reynolds, 92, of Leicester, MA, died peacefully Tuesday, December 28, 2021, in her home.
Her husband, Thomas H. Reynolds ’44, died in 2007 in Wayland at the home where they raised their children. She leaves two sons; William Reynolds and his wife Diane of Agawam and Thomas Reynolds and his wife Susan of Plymouth, three daughters; Anne Leake and her husband David of Kaneohe, HI, Frances Nolan and her husband Daniel of Naples, FL and Susan Olivo and her husband John of Leicester with whom she lived, 13 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Frances was born in Springfield, the only child of Edwin K. and Frances Krause Abbott and was close friends with her cousin Edward Hobbie of Deerfield. Fran graduated from the Williston Northampton School and Wellesley College class of 1950. She was active in the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Wayland and volunteered with the Girls Scouts, as well as, serving in various leadership positions in
the Sudbury Wayside Inn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for many years. She became a member of the First Congregational Church upon moving to Leicester. During her life she enjoyed bible studies, going to church, listening to hymns and praying, reading, camping, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends.
Burial was in Olde Hadley Cemetery, Hadley, MA, on January 4, 2022. There will be a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Leicester on May 28, 2022 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the First Congregational Church of Leicester Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 122, Leicester, MA 01524.

Frances Hazlehurst Taylor passed peacefully on December 6, 2021. She was born June 7, 1931 in Colorado Springs to Edith Billings Farnsworth and George Blagden Hazlehurst. Frances enjoyed a lifelong love of reading beginning at her mother’s bookstore in Colorado Springs. She also developed a love of art through her Grandfather, Francis Drexel Smith, an early Colorado artist. Frances attended Northampton School for Girls and Wellesley College, graduating in 1952. She married Erik Sprague Taylor in 1954. Frances worked as a legal assistant for the Denver District Attorney and for the state of Colorado Attorney General’s office. She was active with the Crow Canyon Archeological Center, Hotel de Paris Museum, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Four Mile Historic Park and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in Colorado. She enjoyed tennis, skiing, the family cabin in South Park, the great outdoors, traveling, and researching family history. Her passion for preservation led to the designation of her Denver family’s home as a historic landmark. She was a member of the Denver Fortnightly Club and several beloved book clubs. Frances is survived by her three children: Erik S. Taylor Jr., Ann M. Taylor (Cheryl Ayres) and Jennifer T. Fox (William); her four grandchildren, Madeleine and Charlie Fox, Kari and Bryan Ayres; her brother John Hazlehurst and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erik Taylor. Services will be held Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 11:00 am at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1350 N. Washington St., Denver CO. Memorials may be made to the Hotel de Paris Museum, the National Trust for Historic Preservation or the Crow Canyon Archeological Center.