DEATH
Ronald Noel Normand
Jul 06, 2025 |
Ronald Noel Normand, 87, of Marion and Plymouth, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2025. He was married to Patricia (Connors) Normand for 64 years. He is predeceased by his parents Everett Normand and Germaine (Jobin) Normand also of Marion.
Ron was born in 1938 and lived in Marion for 40 years. He was a graduate of Fitchburg State College where he met his wife, Patricia. He also earned a master's degree in education from Bridgewater State University. Ron was a beloved teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School for 25 years, sharing his passion for learning with thousands of children over the years. He not only shared his love of history with his students, but also his love of sports. At various times in his teaching career, he served as the ORR boys' baseball, soccer and golf coach.
After retiring, Ron and Patricia moved to Plymouth and began to fulfill Ron's lifelong goal of exploring every nook and cranny of the U.S. with historical significance. When not traveling, he would be immersed in political or spy novels, cheering on his beloved New England sports teams or maintaining his lawn of envy.
Family and friends enjoyed Ron's wry sense of humor. He reveled in playing the role of devil's advocate often snaring the unsuspecting visitor with an innocuous "so what do you think about...." His friends, children and grandchildren spent countless hours in both earnest and lighthearted verbal duels with Ron.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, and four children Ronald F. Normand (Sandwich MA), Suzanne Barrett and her husband Patrick Barrett (Annapolis MD), Kerry Hayes (Marion MA), and Elizabeth Hiller and her husband Andrew Hiller (Marion MA), as well as his cherished grandchildren Jennifer Barrett, Allison Barrett, Megan Hayes, Connor Hayes, Emily Hiller and Drew Hiller.
Ron left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The family is deeply grateful for the wonderful care Ron received at Laurelwood.
A memorial service will be held at St. Bonaventure Church in Plymouth at 10 am on July 24. A reception will follow at the Great Island Clubhouse, 140 Great Island Rd, Plymouth.
Ron was born in 1938 and lived in Marion for 40 years. He was a graduate of Fitchburg State College where he met his wife, Patricia. He also earned a master's degree in education from Bridgewater State University. Ron was a beloved teacher at Old Rochester Regional High School for 25 years, sharing his passion for learning with thousands of children over the years. He not only shared his love of history with his students, but also his love of sports. At various times in his teaching career, he served as the ORR boys' baseball, soccer and golf coach.
After retiring, Ron and Patricia moved to Plymouth and began to fulfill Ron's lifelong goal of exploring every nook and cranny of the U.S. with historical significance. When not traveling, he would be immersed in political or spy novels, cheering on his beloved New England sports teams or maintaining his lawn of envy.
Family and friends enjoyed Ron's wry sense of humor. He reveled in playing the role of devil's advocate often snaring the unsuspecting visitor with an innocuous "so what do you think about...." His friends, children and grandchildren spent countless hours in both earnest and lighthearted verbal duels with Ron.
He is survived by his wife Patricia, and four children Ronald F. Normand (Sandwich MA), Suzanne Barrett and her husband Patrick Barrett (Annapolis MD), Kerry Hayes (Marion MA), and Elizabeth Hiller and her husband Andrew Hiller (Marion MA), as well as his cherished grandchildren Jennifer Barrett, Allison Barrett, Megan Hayes, Connor Hayes, Emily Hiller and Drew Hiller.
Ron left a lasting impact on all who had the pleasure of knowing him. The family is deeply grateful for the wonderful care Ron received at Laurelwood.
A memorial service will be held at St. Bonaventure Church in Plymouth at 10 am on July 24. A reception will follow at the Great Island Clubhouse, 140 Great Island Rd, Plymouth.
DEATH
Linda Joy (Miller) Pierce
Jun 30, 2025 |
Linda Joy (Miller) Pierce, 71, formerly of Wareham, passed away on June 30, 2025, at Bourne Manor Extended Care Facility, Bourne. She was the daughter of the late Donald and Gretel M. (Swanberg) Miller.
She was born in Brockton and lived in Wareham and Mashpee for many years. She graduated from Wareham High School.
Linda worked as a bookkeeper for Franconia Hurley Fuel Company in Wareham for several years before retiring.
Survivors include her son, Bradford E. Pierce and his wife, Heather of Rochester; a sister, Shelley Miller-Inglis of Mashpee; 4 grandchildren, Abbigail Dupont, Amelia Pierce, Alexander Pierce, and Amy Pierce all of Rochester. She was the sister of the late Donna Craven.
Services are being held privately. Arrangements are by Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.
She was born in Brockton and lived in Wareham and Mashpee for many years. She graduated from Wareham High School.
Linda worked as a bookkeeper for Franconia Hurley Fuel Company in Wareham for several years before retiring.
Survivors include her son, Bradford E. Pierce and his wife, Heather of Rochester; a sister, Shelley Miller-Inglis of Mashpee; 4 grandchildren, Abbigail Dupont, Amelia Pierce, Alexander Pierce, and Amy Pierce all of Rochester. She was the sister of the late Donna Craven.
Services are being held privately. Arrangements are by Chapman Funerals & Cremations - Wareham, 2599 Cranberry Hwy., Wareham.
DEATH
Margaret Diane (Peggy) Montgomery
Jun 26, 2025 |
Margaret Diane (Peggy) Montgomery passed away on June 26, 2025 at home in Tarrytown, New York at the age of 87.
Peggy spent her early childhood in Western Massachusetts and Vermont, after which she lived primarily in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, MA. Valedictorian of the class of 1955 in Fairhaven, she went on to attend Bates College (BA), where she majored in English. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Wisconsin. She taught English in Bethel, CT from 1959 to 1961, then at John Jay High School in Cross River, NY from 1961 to 1991. She once stated, "I had the luxury of teaching to my interests: British and American literature, from Shakespeare to O'Neill and the Canterbury Tales, women writers, 20th Century novels, [and] creative writing." There are thousands of her former students who love language, literature, and learning today as a result of her incisive and subtly subversive lessons. A testament to this is the fact that she remained in regular contact with many of her students and participated in several ongoing John Jay alumni reading groups until shortly before her death. Peggy was a founding member of the John Jay High School Retired Teachers Association, which awards an annual scholarship for graduating high school seniors who plan to enter the teaching profession.
Peggy was a resident of Manhattan from 1961 to 2024, and in retirement, she expanded and deepened her ethic of service by volunteering in the city she loved. She shared her expertise at the New York Public Library Centers for Reading and Writing, the New York City Writing Project at Lehman College, and at Women in Need, where she conducted writing workshops for homeless single mothers. She also volunteered at the Caron Foundation, an addiction rehabilitation organization. She was founder and facilitator of the Manhattan chapter of OurPath.org.
Through the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York, she served meals to the needy, worked on the Nuclear Disarmament Task Force, was a member of the Women's Alliance and the Circle of Elders, and served as Deacon of the church. She was a delegate to the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly for eight years. Perhaps the culmination of her UU service came when she served as president of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, which she described as some of the most rewarding work of her lifetime.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents, George E. Montgomery and Margaret S. Montgomery (nee Fallon), both of Mattapoisett, MA.
She is survived by her sister, Linda J. Tunstall, and brother-in-law, Cuthbert Tunstall of Fairhaven, MA. A private family interment will follow in Mattapoisett, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
1) The Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York
https://onrealm.org/allsoulsnyc/-/form/give/now or 2) The Mattapoisett Free Public Library
https://www.mattapoisettlibrary.org/Pages/Index/182750/donate-wishlist
These comments are thanks, in part, to Lois Chazen, who profiled Peggy for the All Souls Quarterly in Spring 2010.-- David Quinn, JJHS '71.
Peggy spent her early childhood in Western Massachusetts and Vermont, after which she lived primarily in Mattapoisett and Fairhaven, MA. Valedictorian of the class of 1955 in Fairhaven, she went on to attend Bates College (BA), where she majored in English. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching at the University of Wisconsin. She taught English in Bethel, CT from 1959 to 1961, then at John Jay High School in Cross River, NY from 1961 to 1991. She once stated, "I had the luxury of teaching to my interests: British and American literature, from Shakespeare to O'Neill and the Canterbury Tales, women writers, 20th Century novels, [and] creative writing." There are thousands of her former students who love language, literature, and learning today as a result of her incisive and subtly subversive lessons. A testament to this is the fact that she remained in regular contact with many of her students and participated in several ongoing John Jay alumni reading groups until shortly before her death. Peggy was a founding member of the John Jay High School Retired Teachers Association, which awards an annual scholarship for graduating high school seniors who plan to enter the teaching profession.
Peggy was a resident of Manhattan from 1961 to 2024, and in retirement, she expanded and deepened her ethic of service by volunteering in the city she loved. She shared her expertise at the New York Public Library Centers for Reading and Writing, the New York City Writing Project at Lehman College, and at Women in Need, where she conducted writing workshops for homeless single mothers. She also volunteered at the Caron Foundation, an addiction rehabilitation organization. She was founder and facilitator of the Manhattan chapter of OurPath.org.
Through the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York, she served meals to the needy, worked on the Nuclear Disarmament Task Force, was a member of the Women's Alliance and the Circle of Elders, and served as Deacon of the church. She was a delegate to the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly for eight years. Perhaps the culmination of her UU service came when she served as president of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, which she described as some of the most rewarding work of her lifetime.
Peggy was predeceased by her parents, George E. Montgomery and Margaret S. Montgomery (nee Fallon), both of Mattapoisett, MA.
She is survived by her sister, Linda J. Tunstall, and brother-in-law, Cuthbert Tunstall of Fairhaven, MA. A private family interment will follow in Mattapoisett, MA.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
1) The Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York
https://onrealm.org/allsoulsnyc/-/form/give/now or 2) The Mattapoisett Free Public Library
https://www.mattapoisettlibrary.org/Pages/Index/182750/donate-wishlist
These comments are thanks, in part, to Lois Chazen, who profiled Peggy for the All Souls Quarterly in Spring 2010.-- David Quinn, JJHS '71.
DEATH
Suzanne McCarter Tifft
Jun 24, 2025 |
Suzanne McCarter Tifft, known to family and friends as Sue or "Nanny," died peacefully at home in Marion, Massachusetts, on June 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving sons and daughter-in-law. She was 93.
Born in New York City on January 18, 1932, Sue was the daughter of Thomas Nesbitt McCarter Jr. and Suzanne Pierson McCarter. She spent her early years between New York City, Moorestown, New Jersey, and Marion, Massachusetts. She graduated from Miss Porter's School in Connecticut in 1950 and started her first job "behind the scenes" at Steuben Glass on Fifth Avenue, which her father arranged so she could work discreetly-an arrangement she accepted with her trademark good humor and - a defining characteristic - a gentle defiance of social expectations.
She married Henry Neville Tifft Jr. in 1954 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City. Together they raised two sons, William and Philip, first in New York and later in New Canaan, Connecticut, before dividing their time between Marion and Vero Beach.
Sue had a deep love of travel that led her to a career as a travel agent, both professionally and later as an informal guide and advisor for friends. She was fiercely independent, endlessly curious, and famously hard to keep up with when exploring new places.
Family and friends remember Sue for her overwhelming energy, sense of fun, and deep love of people from all walks of life. She made friends everywhere she went-from country clubs to bars-and relished meeting people of every background. She was never happier than when talking with strangers at a restaurant bar, comparing travel stories, debating art or politics, and learning about others. Her favorite phrase, "That's different," was always offered as a compliment, reflecting her delight in the new and unusual.
She was devoted to keeping life interesting for those around her, organizing parties, stuffing pinatas with unexpected surprises, encouraging her grandchildren to gently bend the rules, often sending them out with the proviso "Don't do anything I would do,", and insisting that her family learn to sail, play tennis and cards, garden, dance, and appreciate theater-regardless of their natural talent.
Sue was predeceased by her husband Henry in 2006 and her brothers Thomas and John McCarter. She is survived by her sons William (Ellen Bruzelius) and Philip Tifft; her grandchildren Axel (Debra Kao) and Anna (Kyle Wulff); and her great grandchildren Aurora, Ajax and Ellen; and many friends whose lives were brightened by her warmth, humor, and adventurous spirit.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Marion at 4pm on August 1, 2025, followed by a celebration of life at the family home.
Sue's family asks that those wishing to honor her memory do so by making someone feel welcome, finding the joy in something "different," or planning a new adventure of their own. Donations to the Buzzards Bay Coalition honoring her deep love of Marion and the Bay are also encouraged.
Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Born in New York City on January 18, 1932, Sue was the daughter of Thomas Nesbitt McCarter Jr. and Suzanne Pierson McCarter. She spent her early years between New York City, Moorestown, New Jersey, and Marion, Massachusetts. She graduated from Miss Porter's School in Connecticut in 1950 and started her first job "behind the scenes" at Steuben Glass on Fifth Avenue, which her father arranged so she could work discreetly-an arrangement she accepted with her trademark good humor and - a defining characteristic - a gentle defiance of social expectations.
She married Henry Neville Tifft Jr. in 1954 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in New York City. Together they raised two sons, William and Philip, first in New York and later in New Canaan, Connecticut, before dividing their time between Marion and Vero Beach.
Sue had a deep love of travel that led her to a career as a travel agent, both professionally and later as an informal guide and advisor for friends. She was fiercely independent, endlessly curious, and famously hard to keep up with when exploring new places.
Family and friends remember Sue for her overwhelming energy, sense of fun, and deep love of people from all walks of life. She made friends everywhere she went-from country clubs to bars-and relished meeting people of every background. She was never happier than when talking with strangers at a restaurant bar, comparing travel stories, debating art or politics, and learning about others. Her favorite phrase, "That's different," was always offered as a compliment, reflecting her delight in the new and unusual.
She was devoted to keeping life interesting for those around her, organizing parties, stuffing pinatas with unexpected surprises, encouraging her grandchildren to gently bend the rules, often sending them out with the proviso "Don't do anything I would do,", and insisting that her family learn to sail, play tennis and cards, garden, dance, and appreciate theater-regardless of their natural talent.
Sue was predeceased by her husband Henry in 2006 and her brothers Thomas and John McCarter. She is survived by her sons William (Ellen Bruzelius) and Philip Tifft; her grandchildren Axel (Debra Kao) and Anna (Kyle Wulff); and her great grandchildren Aurora, Ajax and Ellen; and many friends whose lives were brightened by her warmth, humor, and adventurous spirit.
A memorial service will be held at Saint Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Marion at 4pm on August 1, 2025, followed by a celebration of life at the family home.
Sue's family asks that those wishing to honor her memory do so by making someone feel welcome, finding the joy in something "different," or planning a new adventure of their own. Donations to the Buzzards Bay Coalition honoring her deep love of Marion and the Bay are also encouraged.
Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
DEATH
Andrew J. Revell
Jun 19, 2025 |
Andrew J. Revell, 51, of Rochester, Massachusetts passed away Thursday, June 19, 2025, after a brief illness. He was the husband of Susan M. (Brenneke) Hunter Revell.
Born in Independence, Missouri, to Roger and Kathy Revell, Andrew spent his early years in Missouri and Texas. His academic journey later took him across the country, culminating in a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University in 2004. Andrew moved to Massachusetts in 2007 to begin his academic career as a psychology professor at UMass Dartmouth, where he worked until his death.
Andrew had many passions and was never limited by his disability. An accomplished musician in his youth, he played timpani in orchestras during his undergraduate years. After settling in Massachusetts, he embraced adaptive sports, including skiing, golfing, sailing, and tennis. He especially loved riding his recumbent trike around town with his sons and later relished the freedom of an all-terrain mobility vehicle that allowed him to join family outings to the beach and hiking trails.
His love for the arts and community was also profound. Andrew sang bass with the Sippican Choral Society and was an avid photographer. He participated for several years in the Pan-Mass Challenge, raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and continued to serve the organization as a photographer and crew leader for volunteers at the Wellesley site. He was committed to local service, holding leadership roles such as President of the Board of Directors for Coastline Elderly Services in New Bedford, a board member of the Rochester Council on Aging, and Senior Warden at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Marion.
Andrew's adventurous spirit was matched by the unwavering support of his wife, Susan, and their sons, Galen and Toby. Together, they shared countless experiences that embodied his belief in living life fully. His resilience shaped his children, instilling a lifelong compassion and courage inspired by their father's example.
Andrew is survived by his beloved wife, Susan M. (Brenneke) Hunter Revell; his cherished sons, Galen and Toby Revell; his parents, Roger and Kathy Revell of Waukee, Iowa; his sister, Amy Elizabeth Revell Teas, and her husband Andy Teas of West Des Moines, Iowa; his nephew Max and niece Ellie; and a host of family and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, strength, and passion for learning.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road (Route 6), Mattapoisett. The funeral liturgy will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11 am in St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street, Marion. A private inurnment will occur later.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pan-Mass Challenge or Adaptive Sports Partners in honor of Andrew's enduring commitment to community, resilience, and the power of inclusion. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
Born in Independence, Missouri, to Roger and Kathy Revell, Andrew spent his early years in Missouri and Texas. His academic journey later took him across the country, culminating in a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University in 2004. Andrew moved to Massachusetts in 2007 to begin his academic career as a psychology professor at UMass Dartmouth, where he worked until his death.
Andrew had many passions and was never limited by his disability. An accomplished musician in his youth, he played timpani in orchestras during his undergraduate years. After settling in Massachusetts, he embraced adaptive sports, including skiing, golfing, sailing, and tennis. He especially loved riding his recumbent trike around town with his sons and later relished the freedom of an all-terrain mobility vehicle that allowed him to join family outings to the beach and hiking trails.
His love for the arts and community was also profound. Andrew sang bass with the Sippican Choral Society and was an avid photographer. He participated for several years in the Pan-Mass Challenge, raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and continued to serve the organization as a photographer and crew leader for volunteers at the Wellesley site. He was committed to local service, holding leadership roles such as President of the Board of Directors for Coastline Elderly Services in New Bedford, a board member of the Rochester Council on Aging, and Senior Warden at St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Marion.
Andrew's adventurous spirit was matched by the unwavering support of his wife, Susan, and their sons, Galen and Toby. Together, they shared countless experiences that embodied his belief in living life fully. His resilience shaped his children, instilling a lifelong compassion and courage inspired by their father's example.
Andrew is survived by his beloved wife, Susan M. (Brenneke) Hunter Revell; his cherished sons, Galen and Toby Revell; his parents, Roger and Kathy Revell of Waukee, Iowa; his sister, Amy Elizabeth Revell Teas, and her husband Andy Teas of West Des Moines, Iowa; his nephew Max and niece Ellie; and a host of family and friends whose lives were touched by his kindness, strength, and passion for learning.
The family will receive visitors on Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 4 to 7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Road (Route 6), Mattapoisett. The funeral liturgy will be held on Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11 am in St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church, 124 Front Street, Marion. A private inurnment will occur later.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Pan-Mass Challenge or Adaptive Sports Partners in honor of Andrew's enduring commitment to community, resilience, and the power of inclusion. For online guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com
DEATH
Ruth-Ann (Kirby) Flynn
Jun 17, 2025 |
Ruth-Ann (Kirby) Flynn, 83, of Wilton CT, passed away peacefully, surrounded by loving family, on June 17, 2025, at The Greens at Cannondale.
Born in New Bedford, MA, and raised in nearby Rochester, Ruth-Ann was the daughter of the late George Arthur Kirby II and Ruth Sylvia Hartley. She attended Rochester's Waterman School and New Bedford High School, and received a B.A. in Government from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
After graduation, Ruth-Ann moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the Republican National Committee. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, Charles P. Flynn (Charlie). The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this August.
From Washington, Ruth-Ann moved to New York City, where she worked as a legal assistant at a Wall Street law firm until her 1965 wedding, at which time she moved to Wilton, CT. It has been her home ever since.
At the time the Flynns moved to Connecticut, the state was experiencing a teacher shortage and had implemented a program offering teaching permits to liberal arts graduates who completed a summer training course. Ruth-Ann jumped at the opportunity, marking the beginning of what would become a 48-year-long career in education. She later earned a Master's degree in Education from Fairfield University, further deepening her commitment to teaching and learning.
Known to generations of students as "Mrs. Flynn," Ruth-Ann taught both second grade and kindergarten at Ridgebury and Scotland Elementary Schools in Ridgefield. She was active in the Ridgebury and Connecticut Education Associations and participated in contract negotiations for the teachers' union. She was also a member of the Ridgefield Teachers Association, where she was involved at both the state and national levels. Her legacy continues through an annual college scholarship she established for Ridgefield High School students.
Ruth-Ann loved downhill skiing, whitewater and sea kayaking, and, more recently, pickleball. She was a member of the Wilton Garden Club and the Wilton Congregational Church, where she served as an usher and was active on the Mission and Service Committee.
A lifelong dog lover, Ruth-Ann and Charlie shared their home with a series of beloved bloodhounds, and in more recent years, with a basset hound named Maxi.
Though Connecticut was her home, Ruth-Ann maintained lasting ties to friends and family in Massachusetts. She and Charlie traveled north frequently for family gatherings, especially at Christmas and on Memorial Day, to cheer on relatives in Rochester's annual river boat race. She remained a proud promoter of the family business, the George Kirby Jr. Paint Company in New Bedford. Even in later years, she rarely missed her cherished summer visit to Snows Pond, where she swam, paddled, and sang around the campfire with her nieces and nephews.
Ruth-Ann will be remembered for her kindness, her quick wit, and her sweet spirit.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her sister, Meryden Kirby; nephews Mark Hartley, Matthew Hartley, George Kirby IV, and Adam Kirby; nieces Kathy Brady, Shawn Ann Schafler, Dana-Lyn Hartley, and Michelle Kirby; as well as many great-nieces and -nephews, and several great-greats. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, George A. Kirby III.
A graveside service will be held for Ruth-Ann on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Sherman Cemetery, Pine Street, Rochester, MA. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Wilton Congregational Church on Saturday, July 26, at 2:00 pm at Pilgrim Hall.
To offer online condolences, please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com.
Born in New Bedford, MA, and raised in nearby Rochester, Ruth-Ann was the daughter of the late George Arthur Kirby II and Ruth Sylvia Hartley. She attended Rochester's Waterman School and New Bedford High School, and received a B.A. in Government from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority.
After graduation, Ruth-Ann moved to Washington, D.C., where she was employed by the Republican National Committee. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, Charles P. Flynn (Charlie). The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this August.
From Washington, Ruth-Ann moved to New York City, where she worked as a legal assistant at a Wall Street law firm until her 1965 wedding, at which time she moved to Wilton, CT. It has been her home ever since.
At the time the Flynns moved to Connecticut, the state was experiencing a teacher shortage and had implemented a program offering teaching permits to liberal arts graduates who completed a summer training course. Ruth-Ann jumped at the opportunity, marking the beginning of what would become a 48-year-long career in education. She later earned a Master's degree in Education from Fairfield University, further deepening her commitment to teaching and learning.
Known to generations of students as "Mrs. Flynn," Ruth-Ann taught both second grade and kindergarten at Ridgebury and Scotland Elementary Schools in Ridgefield. She was active in the Ridgebury and Connecticut Education Associations and participated in contract negotiations for the teachers' union. She was also a member of the Ridgefield Teachers Association, where she was involved at both the state and national levels. Her legacy continues through an annual college scholarship she established for Ridgefield High School students.
Ruth-Ann loved downhill skiing, whitewater and sea kayaking, and, more recently, pickleball. She was a member of the Wilton Garden Club and the Wilton Congregational Church, where she served as an usher and was active on the Mission and Service Committee.
A lifelong dog lover, Ruth-Ann and Charlie shared their home with a series of beloved bloodhounds, and in more recent years, with a basset hound named Maxi.
Though Connecticut was her home, Ruth-Ann maintained lasting ties to friends and family in Massachusetts. She and Charlie traveled north frequently for family gatherings, especially at Christmas and on Memorial Day, to cheer on relatives in Rochester's annual river boat race. She remained a proud promoter of the family business, the George Kirby Jr. Paint Company in New Bedford. Even in later years, she rarely missed her cherished summer visit to Snows Pond, where she swam, paddled, and sang around the campfire with her nieces and nephews.
Ruth-Ann will be remembered for her kindness, her quick wit, and her sweet spirit.
She is survived by her husband, Charlie; her sister, Meryden Kirby; nephews Mark Hartley, Matthew Hartley, George Kirby IV, and Adam Kirby; nieces Kathy Brady, Shawn Ann Schafler, Dana-Lyn Hartley, and Michelle Kirby; as well as many great-nieces and -nephews, and several great-greats. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, George A. Kirby III.
A graveside service will be held for Ruth-Ann on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, at 1:00 pm at the Sherman Cemetery, Pine Street, Rochester, MA. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church, 11 Constitution Way, Rochester. A Celebration of Life will take place at the Wilton Congregational Church on Saturday, July 26, at 2:00 pm at Pilgrim Hall.
To offer online condolences, please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com.
DEATH
Daniel J. McCarthy
Jun 17, 2025 |
Daniel J. McCarthy, 53, of Marion, passed away on June 17, 2025, at Tobey Hospital, Wareham, after an unexpected cardiac event. He was the son of Gerald P. and the late Catherine T. (Carguilo) McCarthy. Dan loved his family, his fiancee Nicole, his dogs Loki, Mazy, and Scully, (Mozi, dec. 3/18/2020), and the life and world he built with so much care. He was born in Barnstable with his twin brother, Dennis, who often joked that Dan was blessed with the humor and Dennis with the looks, but the jury remains out.
He grew up in Dennis alongside a crew of brothers - Michael, Matthew, and James (Jimmy), and of course, Dennis - and at an early age, he was instilled with such qualities of appreciating the value of hard work, loyalty, and integrity. He attended Deerfield Academy, and then graduated from Syracuse University, where he met lifelong friends. He later lived in Barnstable (Cotuit), building his first house, before creating his sanctuary home in Marion in 2017. Nothing made him happier than sitting on the porch with his neighbors and friends to admire the dogs in the yard among the flowers and clover he had planted by design for wildlife and honeybees. Dan worked as a builder in the area for many years, but building was a passion that extended beyond his professional life. He loved gardening and creating many beautiful, intricate landscapes and spaces. He also learned beekeeping, canning, and boating, and he enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and walking the bogs with his dogs. He prized playing trivia, which he usually dominated with his Sandwich buddies, and listening to the Grateful Dead and Yacht Rock. Dan had a remarkable and surprising way of making people belly laugh with his quick wit and one-liners. Despite his humble but handsome, strong exterior, he often showed up to lend a hand without any invitation. He truly built a life that he treasured with loving people around him.
Survivors include his father, Gerald P. McCarthy and his wife, Catherine of Naples, FL; his fiancee, Nicole K. Ouellette of Marion (formerly of Sandwich); his brothers and sister and spouses, Michael of Dennis, Matthew (Carolyn) of Barnstable, Dennis (Jennifer) of Rochester, James (Carriann) of Rochester, and Kate (John) McGann of Plymouth; and many cherished nephews and nieces. He was very fond of his godmother and aunt, Joan, and her husband Walt Alvezi, of Sandwich, and loved his aunts, Maryellen Leonard, of Cotuit, and Maureen McCarthy of Springfield, and his uncles, Robert McCarthy of Springfield, Edward Rose of Quincy, and Nick (Jean) Carguilo of Florida.
Family and friends will celebrate his glorious life at a future date.
Dan deeply believed that rescuing dogs was his purpose in life, forever wishing all dogs left behind in shelters would someday have hope, happiness, and a home. Donations in his memory may be made to Great Dog Rescue of New England (https://gdrne.com), where he adopted Loki, his best friend, or to Sterling Animal Rescue (https://www.sterlingshelter.org/), who found Mazy (pictured), his baby.
He grew up in Dennis alongside a crew of brothers - Michael, Matthew, and James (Jimmy), and of course, Dennis - and at an early age, he was instilled with such qualities of appreciating the value of hard work, loyalty, and integrity. He attended Deerfield Academy, and then graduated from Syracuse University, where he met lifelong friends. He later lived in Barnstable (Cotuit), building his first house, before creating his sanctuary home in Marion in 2017. Nothing made him happier than sitting on the porch with his neighbors and friends to admire the dogs in the yard among the flowers and clover he had planted by design for wildlife and honeybees. Dan worked as a builder in the area for many years, but building was a passion that extended beyond his professional life. He loved gardening and creating many beautiful, intricate landscapes and spaces. He also learned beekeeping, canning, and boating, and he enjoyed hiking, kayaking, and walking the bogs with his dogs. He prized playing trivia, which he usually dominated with his Sandwich buddies, and listening to the Grateful Dead and Yacht Rock. Dan had a remarkable and surprising way of making people belly laugh with his quick wit and one-liners. Despite his humble but handsome, strong exterior, he often showed up to lend a hand without any invitation. He truly built a life that he treasured with loving people around him.
Survivors include his father, Gerald P. McCarthy and his wife, Catherine of Naples, FL; his fiancee, Nicole K. Ouellette of Marion (formerly of Sandwich); his brothers and sister and spouses, Michael of Dennis, Matthew (Carolyn) of Barnstable, Dennis (Jennifer) of Rochester, James (Carriann) of Rochester, and Kate (John) McGann of Plymouth; and many cherished nephews and nieces. He was very fond of his godmother and aunt, Joan, and her husband Walt Alvezi, of Sandwich, and loved his aunts, Maryellen Leonard, of Cotuit, and Maureen McCarthy of Springfield, and his uncles, Robert McCarthy of Springfield, Edward Rose of Quincy, and Nick (Jean) Carguilo of Florida.
Family and friends will celebrate his glorious life at a future date.
Dan deeply believed that rescuing dogs was his purpose in life, forever wishing all dogs left behind in shelters would someday have hope, happiness, and a home. Donations in his memory may be made to Great Dog Rescue of New England (https://gdrne.com), where he adopted Loki, his best friend, or to Sterling Animal Rescue (https://www.sterlingshelter.org/), who found Mazy (pictured), his baby.
DEATH
Margaret (Peg) Olney
Jun 15, 2025 |
After a long life of service to her community, church and family, Margaret (Peg) Olney of Mattapoisett passed away on June 15, 2025, following a brief cancer-related illness. She recently celebrated her 90th birthday. For 57 years, Peg was the beloved spouse of David Olney, who died in 2015.
Born in Bridgeport, CT, Peg was the oldest child of John M. Leask, Jr., and Margaret H. (Harris) Leask. She was raised in Fairfield, CT. After graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1953, Peg attended Bates College in Lewiston, ME, receiving her B.S. degree in Biology in 1957. It was at Bates where she met Dave, when they were both working in the dining hall dish room. It was the match of a lifetime. Peg and Dave married in 1958, and first settled in New Rochelle, NY, where their three children were born. The family moved to Waltham, MA in 1973, in part to be closer to their Mattapoisett summer home that overlooks the scenic beauty of Buzzards Bay. Upon their retirement in 1995, Peg and Dave chose Mattapoisett as their year-round home.
Peg was a stay-at-home mom for many years but returned to the work force when the children reached college age. She worked in the financial services department at the Sodexo North America headquarters in Waltham.
In 2005, the New Bedford Standard-Times named Peg as Mattapoisett's Women of the Year. The headline states that "Her civic contributions seem never-ending". Indeed, that was always the case. When her children were young, Peg was a Cub Scout and Brownie troop leader, and was involved with the PTA. In retirement, Peg provided countless hours of her time in support of the Mattapoisett Women's Club, Friends of the Mattapoisett Library, the Mattapoisett Museum, and the Council on Aging.
Peg and Dave found their spiritual home at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Peg served as church treasurer and was involved in numerous church activities. Peg and Dave shared a love for music, and for years both sang in the church choir and the Sippican Choral Society.
At home, Peg loved gardening and through the Women's Club Garden Group, maintained plantings at sites all around Mattapoisett. She also was an accomplished cook. Every year her pies were best sellers at Harbor Days. Peg was an avid reader who participated in several book groups. She was a devoted watcher of Jeopardy!
Survivors include her three children, Douglas of Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan of Tiverton, RI and Katherine and her husband David Kleinschmidt of Acton, MA. Peg's four beloved grandchildren are Maggie Olney, Caroline Olney with fiance Christopher Steinley, T.J. Olney, and Nathan Kleinschmidt. Peg is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Carlson of Redding, CT. Her brother David Leask preceded her in death. Her extended family includes several cousins and twenty-one nephews and nieces along with their spouses and children. She will be missed by them all.
Gifts in Peg's memory may be made to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, or to the Mattapoisett Women's Club Scholarship Fund.
Visiting hours will take place from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, June 23 at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals in Mattapoisett. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 26 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Burial at Cushing Cemetery in Mattapoisett will be private. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Born in Bridgeport, CT, Peg was the oldest child of John M. Leask, Jr., and Margaret H. (Harris) Leask. She was raised in Fairfield, CT. After graduating from Roger Ludlowe High School in 1953, Peg attended Bates College in Lewiston, ME, receiving her B.S. degree in Biology in 1957. It was at Bates where she met Dave, when they were both working in the dining hall dish room. It was the match of a lifetime. Peg and Dave married in 1958, and first settled in New Rochelle, NY, where their three children were born. The family moved to Waltham, MA in 1973, in part to be closer to their Mattapoisett summer home that overlooks the scenic beauty of Buzzards Bay. Upon their retirement in 1995, Peg and Dave chose Mattapoisett as their year-round home.
Peg was a stay-at-home mom for many years but returned to the work force when the children reached college age. She worked in the financial services department at the Sodexo North America headquarters in Waltham.
In 2005, the New Bedford Standard-Times named Peg as Mattapoisett's Women of the Year. The headline states that "Her civic contributions seem never-ending". Indeed, that was always the case. When her children were young, Peg was a Cub Scout and Brownie troop leader, and was involved with the PTA. In retirement, Peg provided countless hours of her time in support of the Mattapoisett Women's Club, Friends of the Mattapoisett Library, the Mattapoisett Museum, and the Council on Aging.
Peg and Dave found their spiritual home at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Peg served as church treasurer and was involved in numerous church activities. Peg and Dave shared a love for music, and for years both sang in the church choir and the Sippican Choral Society.
At home, Peg loved gardening and through the Women's Club Garden Group, maintained plantings at sites all around Mattapoisett. She also was an accomplished cook. Every year her pies were best sellers at Harbor Days. Peg was an avid reader who participated in several book groups. She was a devoted watcher of Jeopardy!
Survivors include her three children, Douglas of Brooklyn, NY, Jonathan of Tiverton, RI and Katherine and her husband David Kleinschmidt of Acton, MA. Peg's four beloved grandchildren are Maggie Olney, Caroline Olney with fiance Christopher Steinley, T.J. Olney, and Nathan Kleinschmidt. Peg is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Carlson of Redding, CT. Her brother David Leask preceded her in death. Her extended family includes several cousins and twenty-one nephews and nieces along with their spouses and children. She will be missed by them all.
Gifts in Peg's memory may be made to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, or to the Mattapoisett Women's Club Scholarship Fund.
Visiting hours will take place from 4 to 7 pm on Monday, June 23 at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals in Mattapoisett. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 26 at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church. Burial at Cushing Cemetery in Mattapoisett will be private. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
DEATH
Leslye (Shurtleff) Ribeiro
Jun 15, 2025 |
Leslye (Shurtleff) Ribeiro passed away peacefully on June 15, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family. She leaves behind her devoted husband of 56 years, Carl Ribeiro, along with their son Mark, his wife Catherine, and her loving and much-adored grandchildren, Crosby and Graham. Leslye was predeceased by her parents, Edward B. Shurtleff and Elinor (Terzian) Weaver, and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Leslye was born on August 17, 1946, in Fairhaven, MA. A proud graduate of Fairhaven High School, Class of 1964, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education from Bridgewater State College. Leslye's passion for education led her to become a kindergarten teacher at Rogers School in Fairhaven, where she inspired young minds and developed lifelong friendships with her coworkers. After starting her family, she devoted herself full-time to being a loving mother. In later years, she returned to teaching at Fairhaven Preschool and The Loft School of Marion, where her kindness and dedication continued to touch the lives of many.
Leslye continued her interest in education by serving on VASE (Volunteers at Sippican Elementary) and on the Parent's Committee at Tabor Academy.
Leslye was a lifelong athlete. In her high school years, she participated in basketball, volleyball and softball, notably scoring 53 points in a FHS women's varsity basketball game. Her love of sports continued into adulthood. She cherished the game of tennis and the friendships it brought, playing twice a week year-round, staying active and engaged with a close-knit group of tennis friends.
She always had a love of music, beginning in her high school band and orchestra and continuing throughout her life. She especially enjoyed playing the ukulele for her grandchildren. She had a song for every moment-say any word, and she'd effortlessly sing a tune with something fitting.
Leslye loved traveling with Carl, both for business and for family adventures. She took great joy in her home and loved spending time outside in her yard. After retirement, she and Carl spent ten wonderful years visiting their home on Spring Island in Okatie, South Carolina, where she embraced her love of nature.
Leslye is survived by her loving sister, Donna DeBalsi, and brother-in-law, Bob DeBalsi, as well as her beloved nieces, Kristin Laquale (husband Anthony and daughter Sophia) and Bethany Kirk (husband Shane), along with many cherished cousins and dear friends.
Leslye and her family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care she received by so many at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, SouthCoast Health, SouthCoast Health Cancer Center, SouthCoast Health Hospice and two very special at-home caregivers.
Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 am in the First Congregational Church of Marion, 144 Front St., Marion. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be Friday, June 27th from 4-7 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslye's memory may be made to SouthCoast Health at Home, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or SouthCoast Community Foundation, 350 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
Leslye was born on August 17, 1946, in Fairhaven, MA. A proud graduate of Fairhaven High School, Class of 1964, she went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education from Bridgewater State College. Leslye's passion for education led her to become a kindergarten teacher at Rogers School in Fairhaven, where she inspired young minds and developed lifelong friendships with her coworkers. After starting her family, she devoted herself full-time to being a loving mother. In later years, she returned to teaching at Fairhaven Preschool and The Loft School of Marion, where her kindness and dedication continued to touch the lives of many.
Leslye continued her interest in education by serving on VASE (Volunteers at Sippican Elementary) and on the Parent's Committee at Tabor Academy.
Leslye was a lifelong athlete. In her high school years, she participated in basketball, volleyball and softball, notably scoring 53 points in a FHS women's varsity basketball game. Her love of sports continued into adulthood. She cherished the game of tennis and the friendships it brought, playing twice a week year-round, staying active and engaged with a close-knit group of tennis friends.
She always had a love of music, beginning in her high school band and orchestra and continuing throughout her life. She especially enjoyed playing the ukulele for her grandchildren. She had a song for every moment-say any word, and she'd effortlessly sing a tune with something fitting.
Leslye loved traveling with Carl, both for business and for family adventures. She took great joy in her home and loved spending time outside in her yard. After retirement, she and Carl spent ten wonderful years visiting their home on Spring Island in Okatie, South Carolina, where she embraced her love of nature.
Leslye is survived by her loving sister, Donna DeBalsi, and brother-in-law, Bob DeBalsi, as well as her beloved nieces, Kristin Laquale (husband Anthony and daughter Sophia) and Bethany Kirk (husband Shane), along with many cherished cousins and dear friends.
Leslye and her family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care she received by so many at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women's Hospital, SouthCoast Health, SouthCoast Health Cancer Center, SouthCoast Health Hospice and two very special at-home caregivers.
Her Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 am in the First Congregational Church of Marion, 144 Front St., Marion. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be Friday, June 27th from 4-7 pm in the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett. In lieu of flowers, donations in Leslye's memory may be made to SouthCoast Health at Home, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA 02719 or SouthCoast Community Foundation, 350 Union St., New Bedford, MA 02740. For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
DEATH
Peter "Taki" Konstantopoulos
Jun 06, 2025 |
Peter "Taki" Konstantopoulos, 85 of New Bedford and Mattapoisett, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 6, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of the late Pepe Xifaras Konstantopoulos, with whom he shared 55 wonderful years of marriage.
Born in Athens, Greece, Peter was the son of the late Athanasios Konstantopoulos and the late Despina (Kritikou) Konstantopoulos. He proudly served in the Greek military and later established his own successful plumbing business in Athens. In 1966, during a boat cruise to Paris, he met the love of his life, Pepe. Together, they embarked on a new journey, immigrating to the United States to build their life as a married couple. They wed in Lowell, Massachusetts, and soon settled in New Bedford.
Peter initially worked in local mills before opening his own business, Peter's Variety Store, in downtown New Bedford. A few years later, he returned to his trade as a plumber and was employed by Chamberlain as a pipe fitter.
Peter split his time between New Bedford and Porto Rafti, Greece, enjoying the best of both homes. He found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored deeply. He also enjoyed playing poker and traveling back to Greece whenever he could.
A devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Dartmouth, Peter remained connected to his faith and heritage throughout his life.
He is survived by his devoted daughter, Debra Konstantopoulos-Psichopaidas and her husband, Nick G. Psichopaidas of Mattapoisett. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Maria Nicole Psichopaidas and George Nicholas Psichopaidas. He was the brother of the late Stelios Konstantopoulos and Theodora Bousdris and is survived by his sister Barbara Helioutou along with many nieces and nephews.
Peter will be remembered for his strong work ethic, generous heart, deep love for his family, and his unwavering ties to his Greek roots. The family of Peter would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the health care providers and staff at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Southcoast Hospital for their compassionate care and support.
His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, June 12, 2025 at 8:30 from Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home followed by a service at 10:00 in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth. Visiting hours Wednesday evening June 11, 2025 from 5:00-8:00. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Road, Dartmouth, Mass. 02747.
Funeral arrangements committed to the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, 129 Allen St., New Bedford. Expanded lighted parking area with handicap accessible entrance to rear of funeral home.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.aubertine-lopes.com.
Born in Athens, Greece, Peter was the son of the late Athanasios Konstantopoulos and the late Despina (Kritikou) Konstantopoulos. He proudly served in the Greek military and later established his own successful plumbing business in Athens. In 1966, during a boat cruise to Paris, he met the love of his life, Pepe. Together, they embarked on a new journey, immigrating to the United States to build their life as a married couple. They wed in Lowell, Massachusetts, and soon settled in New Bedford.
Peter initially worked in local mills before opening his own business, Peter's Variety Store, in downtown New Bedford. A few years later, he returned to his trade as a plumber and was employed by Chamberlain as a pipe fitter.
Peter split his time between New Bedford and Porto Rafti, Greece, enjoying the best of both homes. He found immense joy in spending time with his grandchildren, whom he adored deeply. He also enjoyed playing poker and traveling back to Greece whenever he could.
A devoted member of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Dartmouth, Peter remained connected to his faith and heritage throughout his life.
He is survived by his devoted daughter, Debra Konstantopoulos-Psichopaidas and her husband, Nick G. Psichopaidas of Mattapoisett. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Maria Nicole Psichopaidas and George Nicholas Psichopaidas. He was the brother of the late Stelios Konstantopoulos and Theodora Bousdris and is survived by his sister Barbara Helioutou along with many nieces and nephews.
Peter will be remembered for his strong work ethic, generous heart, deep love for his family, and his unwavering ties to his Greek roots. The family of Peter would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the health care providers and staff at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Southcoast Hospital for their compassionate care and support.
His funeral will be held on Thursday morning, June 12, 2025 at 8:30 from Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home followed by a service at 10:00 in St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Rd., Dartmouth. Visiting hours Wednesday evening June 11, 2025 from 5:00-8:00. Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 186 Cross Road, Dartmouth, Mass. 02747.
Funeral arrangements committed to the care of Aubertine-Lopes Funeral Home, 129 Allen St., New Bedford. Expanded lighted parking area with handicap accessible entrance to rear of funeral home.
For online condolences and directions, please visit www.aubertine-lopes.com.