Obituaries

Susan E. LaFord

Susan E. LaFord

Jun 19, 2024

Susan Ellen (Farrar) LaFord died June 19 with Ed by her side.

She was born in Winchendon, MA, on July 27, 1946, to Albert Farrar, and Shirley (Boutelle) Farrar. She was raised by her mother and Grandparents Kenneth Boutelle and Hazel (Plummer) Boutelle.

She attended Winchendon Schools and graduated from Murdock High School, in 1964.

Susan married Edward A. LaFord on May 18,...

Bette "Lorraine" Skaife

Bette "Lorraine" Skaife

Jun 15, 2024

It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of Bette "Lorraine" Skaife, a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, on June 15, 2024. Born on February 10, 1936, in Fitchburg, MA, Bette spent her entire life in the comfort of her hometown, Ashburnham, Massachusetts, where she thrived with the love of her family and friends. Bette, known by...

Thomas Joseph Hasselmann

Thomas Joseph Hasselmann

Jun 13, 2024

Thomas Joseph Hasselmann, 37, died Thursday, June 13, 2024, at UMass Medical Center in Worcester after a long illness.

He was born in Fitchburg on December 30, 1986, a son of Steven and Beverly Jo (Daughney) Hasselmann.

Thomas leaves his son Noah Hasselmann, two brothers, Cory Hasselmann, and his wife Rebecca, and Blaine Hasselmann; and two sisters, Alicia McKenzie, and Caitlynn Edden...

Dennis M. Jean

Dennis M. Jean

Jun 13, 2024

On the 13th of June, we bid farewell to a remarkable soul, Dennis M. Jean Sr., born November 12, 1951, in Medford, MA. A beloved family man, and a lifelong Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. Dennis worked for Stop & Shop for 42 years, driving for Van Pool for 13 years, and selling real estate for several years,...

Beatrice Delma Bennett

Beatrice Delma Bennett

Jun 9, 2024

Beatrice D. Bennett, 89, died peacefully Sunday morning, June 9, 2024, at Gardner Rehabilitation & Nursing Center after a period of declining health.

She was born on February 2, 1935, the daughter of the late Jeffrey and Delma (Plouffe) LaPlante and was a resident of Winchendon for most of her life.



Beatrice spent her younger years as a homemaker and caring for...

Pauline H. Aiken

Pauline H. Aiken

May 31, 2024

Pauline H. Aiken, 84, died peacefully Friday, May 31, 2024, at Heywood Hospital after an illness.Born in Gardner on April 30, 1940, she was the daughter of the late Delphis and Lena (Lambert) Desmarais. Pauline was employed as a dietary aide at Heywood Hospital until leaving to raise her family.Pauline was a member of the Ladies Morning Bowling League at...

Lucille R. Corkum

Lucille R. Corkum

May 29, 2024

Lucille R. Corkum, a woman of strength, courage, and unwavering love, passed away on May 29, 2024. Born in Hudson, New Hampshire on July 25, 1940, Lucille was a beacon of resilience and a testament to the enduring spirit of the human heart. As Maya Angelou once said, “I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse...

Dennis Leo Boudreau

Dennis Leo Boudreau

May 22, 2024

Dennis L. Boudreau, 74, died Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family.He was born in Gardner, on January 30, 1950. a son of the late Leo and Arlene (Trueheart) Boudreau. He was a 1968 graduate of Athol High School. He was the youngest member to join the Carbs Club at the age of 15. He served...

John "Jack" Paul Bowler

John "Jack" Paul Bowler

May 20, 2024

John "Jack" Paul Bowler, a respected and much-loved member of the Winchendon, Massachusetts community, passed away peacefully on May 20, 2024. Born in Gardner, Massachusetts on October 17, 1936, to the late Gordon A. Bowler, Sr. and Cecile A. (Sirard) Bowler, Jack was known for his adventurous spirit, loving nature, witty charm, and creative talents. As Helen Keller once said,...

Donna R Ronco

Donna R Ronco

May 19, 2024

Donna R. Ronco, an outstanding woman of determination and compassion, was born in Winchendon, MA, on March 23, 1945.  Donna was known for her exceptional work ethic. She began her career at Ray Plastic, continued on to Winchendon Savings Bank, and eventually moved on to the Winchendon Housing Authority, where she demonstrated her commitment to her community.  Donna's passion extended...

Diane Lea Chapman

Diane Lea Chapman

May 19, 2024

Diane Lea Chapman, aged 88, of Ashburnham, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2024. Born on August 8, 1935, in Fitchburg, MA, Diane was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, and a respected member of her community. Diane spent her working life serving the young minds of her community as a teacher's aide at the local...

Luis Ricardo González

Luis Ricardo González

May 14, 2024

 Luis Ricardo González 27 August 1954 – 14 May 2024 

It is with profound sadness that we publish the passing of Luis Ricardo Gonzalez, cherished brother, respected teacher, and talented musician. Luis created a life as a symphony of love, creativity, and dedication that left an indelible mark on all those who were fortunate to know him. As Maya Angelou once...

Joseph R. Lavenskie

Joseph R. Lavenskie

May 8, 2024

Joseph R. Lavenskie, born December 24, 1950 in Gardner MA died peacefully on May 8, 2024. He resided in Rindge, NH with his loving partner of many years Eileen, living off the land. He enjoyed working on race cars and was a talented mechanic. He could turn trash into treasures, a resourceful and inventive man that never met a stranger, especially in...

Terttu Cluff

Terttu Cluff

May 7, 2024

Terttu Cluff, born on April 26, 1938, in Finland, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2024, at the age of 86. She spent the majority of her life residing in Templeton, Massachusetts, where she created a home filled with love and warmth. Terttu was a woman of great resilience and strength, having faced the trials of life with a quiet dignity...

Anita M. Davidson-Ford

Anita M. Davidson-Ford

May 3, 2024

With heartfelt sadness, we announce the passing of Anita Davidson-Ford, a beacon of strength, joy, and resilience. Born into the world on October 14th, 1961, in Athol, Massachusetts, Anita walked her own path, radiating kindness and touching the lives of all she encountered. We lost our beloved Anita on May 3rd, 2024, to her long battle with COPD yet her...

Jeanette M. Roy

Jeanette M. Roy

May 2, 2024

Jeannette Marie Roy, a lifelong resident of Winchendon, Massachusetts, was born on June 17, 1926, and peacefully departed this world on May 2, 2024. She was the cherished daughter of the late William and Gertrude Marquis. Jeannette was a stalwart figure in her family and community, working diligently in the ice cream freezer manufacturing industry before her well-earned retirement. She...

Elizabeth Martin

Elizabeth Martin

May 2, 2024

Elizabeth “Betty" (Marquis) Martin, 88, of Gansevoort, NY, died peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, May 2nd at Wesley Health Center in Saratoga Springs NY. She was a resident of Gansevoort, New York but held fond memories of her hometown, Winchendon, MA. Betty was a courageous woman, never afraid to face life's challenges head-on. Despite never formally employed, she...

Wayne Launier

Wayne Launier

Apr 29, 2024

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Wayne A. Launier on April 29, 2024, after a long battle with diabetes since 2019,  He was born in Winchendon, on October 25, 1947. A proud resident of Templeton, Massachusetts, Wayne was a beloved figure in his community, known for his kind heart and generous spirit. He was a...

Jeremiah Brown

Jeremiah Brown

Apr 29, 2024

Jeremiah” Jeremy” Brown was born on November 27, 1971, at Leonard Morse Hospital in Natick, MA. The Doctor asked to speak with me shortly after he was born, and said, “He’s not a good baby”. He couldn’t have been more wrong, Jeremy was a great, truly loving human being, both as a baby and an adult. We have always felt...

Murielle "Lee" Jacoby

Murielle "Lee" Jacoby

Apr 29, 2024

Murielle Jacoby, affectionately known by many as Lee, passed away on April 29, 2024, in Winchendon, Massachusetts. Born on March 14, 1942, in Swansea, MA, USA, she was a woman of loyalty, intelligence, empathy, and ambition. Her life was a testament to these qualities, as she achieved personal and professional successes that were underpinned by her commitment to education and...