All Obituaries

Marylin (Martin) Rhie, 82, died peacefully on Sunday, January 26, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, surrounded by her family, from the long-term effects of a pneumonectomy performed in 1959. Born in Washington, DC to the late Elva (Eastman) Martin and Dean Woodmansee Martin, she has lived in Wilbraham since 1972.   After receiving her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in the History of Chinese Art, she and her husband moved to western...

Irene V. Rivers, 93, died peacefully on Thursday, January 23rd at Vero of Wilbraham. Born in Huntington, MA to the late August and Angelina (Jolly) Charbonneau, she owned and operated Pine Cleaners and Dyers for 20 years. She was predeceased by her husband Stanley J. Rivers and grandchildren Carolyn and Luke. Irene is survived by her five children: Albert Rivers, Rosemarie Acquista, Stanley J. Rivers, Jr., Louann Cunningham and Laurie Reilly, five grandchildren: Dawn, Joann, Rebecca, Amanda...

Kathleen M. (Richards) Phipps, 76, died peacefully on Saturday, January 18, 2020, at home. She was born in Beverly, MA to the late Ernest and Adeline (Peters) Richards. She worked in production for Sylvania of Salem, MA and Western PA for many years. She was a longtime member of the Wilbraham Democratic Town Committee and Red Hat Society. Kathy was an active member of the Wilbraham Senior Center and was past president of the Friends of Wilbraham Seniors. A faithful communicant of St....

Joan C. (Lauck) McMann, 84, passed away Friday January 17, 2020 at Wing Memorial Hospital in Palmer. Born in Hicksville, Long Island NY, August 1, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Sophie (Rueger) Lauck. Joan received her nursing degree in Brooklyn, NY and worked as a registered nurse for over 35 years at the former Mary Lyons Nursing Home in Hampden. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Hampden where she was a Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Friendship...

Barbara (Allen) Kelly, 90, died peacefully at home on Thursday, January 16, 2020. Born in Springfield to the late Wesley and Ethel (Palmer) Allen, she was married to James A. Kelly, Jr. for twenty-seven years until his death in 1981.  She was a homemaker raising their five children before returning to school to become a registered nurse, working for many years at the Hartford Institute for Living. During spring and summer, Barbara would be found digging in her garden, finding the...

Levi Anthony Carrier – Beloved Father & Husband, Prolific Business Man – Passes Away   On Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at 3:34 PM, Levi Anthony Carrier, age 77, of Wilbraham, MA passed away peacefully, surrounded by close family and loved ones.   Levi was a fiercely-loved father, husband, brother, son, and friend. He was the embodiment of strength and masculinity, balanced by boundless generosity, kindness, and compassion. Levi was well known for his positive...

Eugene “Geno” Nawrocki, 81, died peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2020 at Baystate Wing Hospital. Born in Chicopee, he was son of the late John and Genevieve (Adamczyk) Nawrocki. A graduate of Chicopee Vocational High School, he has owned and operated Geno’s Auto Service in Chicopee since 1956. In 1983, Geno purchased and ran Granby Auto Salvage until 2000.  He was a member of Chicopee Moose Family Center Lodge #1849, Chicopee Elks Lodge #1849 and the Fraternal Order...

Leonard A. Mengel, 88, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Leonard was bom in Holyoke, MA son of the late Alfred and Flora (Marcotte) Mengel. Leonard served his country in the Air Force from April 1951 until his honorable discharge in April 1955. Leonard owned and operated Suzor’s Appraisal Service for many years prior to his retirement. He lived in Wilbraham, MA most of his life before going to the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home....

T. Jean Franklin, age 90, passed away on Monday, January 6th at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born and raised in Wilbraham and died in the same home she was raised in which brought her much comfort. A graduate of Classical High School in Springfield, Jean held many secretarial positions in her lifetime. She was best known for her volunteerism and organ and keyboard playing. For a time she played the organ for the Springfield College gymnastic team and would often travel to...

Bernice M. (Douglas) Vautrain, 92, died peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Chestnut Hill of East Longmeadow. Born in Springfield to the late Albert and Rena (Larro) Douglas, she was a longtime resident of Hampden. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Armand Vautrain. Bernice is survived by her son Raymond A. Vautrain and his wife Carmella, two daughters Lisa Vautrain and her partner Robert Jennings and Nancy Rollings, Grandchildren: Katharine Champagne, Daniel Vautrain, Ronald...