All Obituaries

Susan E Atherton passed away March 17, 2023. Sue, as she liked to be called, was the daughter of Robert and Pauline (Packard) Atherton. She is survived by her husband, Paul Sabin, sister Shirley Davis, brothers Paul (Gerry) Atherton, Lewis (Betty) Atherton and step-daughter Sara Terrill and her sons, as well as her niece, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband James Terrill and her parents. Sue was a 1976 graduate of Mohawk Trail Regional High School.  Sue was...

Rita M. (Bennett) Richmond, 94, of Adamsville Road, passed away on Thursday March 16, 2023 at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. She was born in Colrain on August 10, 1928 the daughter of Lawrence and Ella (LaRock) Bennett. Rita attended Arms Academy a member of the class of 1946. She left after her junior year to work at Kendall Mills in Colrain during WW2. She would later earn her GED in the 1970’s. Rita married Robert Richmond in 1954 and had two children. She...

Florence M. Bjork, Rowe’s oldest resident and recipient of the Town of Rowe, Massachusetts “Most Senior Citizen” Ceremonial Cane, died on March 14, 2023 at her home at 288 Zoar Rd. She was 106. She was born November 17, 1916 in New York City being the daughter of Toivo E. and Fannie (Palokangas) Hill. Her mother being 16 years old was the only one of the family and relatives in Finland who had a desire to come to America. She bought a ticket for the RHS Titanic. When she...

The Reverend Lois Stetson Buchiane passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on Sunday, March 12, 2023, at Franklin Medical Center. Lois was born on October 4, 1925, in Heath, MA, the daughter of Herbert S. and Beulah (Hager) Stetson.  Lois grew up in Heath, graduating from the Branch School in Heath in 1939 and from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls in 1943.  Lois graduated in 1948 from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, with a B.S. in Bacteriology; also trained at...

Robert Earle “Bob” Elwell, 85, passed away at home on Monday, March 6, 2023. He was born at home in Colrain, MA on October 25, 1937 the son of Earle and Gertrude (Littlejohn) Elwell. He attended local schools and graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls. Bob started working for his father, Elwell’s Trucking, as soon as he could drive. The primary focus of the business was transporting raw milk from area farms to processors. The original Snow’s Ice Cream in...

James R. “Jim” Giard, 87, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 26, 2023. Jim was born in Colrain on March 11, 1935, the son of Antoine and Viola (Bernard) Giard. He was orphaned at 5 and was raised with his Uncle’s family until 16, when he struck out on his own and developed a strong sense of independence and perseverance. He served in the US Marine Corps during the Korean War era, then attended Newman Prep in Boston and Holyoke Junior College while raising 2...

Clarence “Spike” Edward Wheeler, 79, passed peacefully on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. He was surrounded by children and grandchildren. Spike was born January 15, 1944, to Leland and Sylvia (Long) Wheeler of Shelburne, MA. He graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls. His lifetime work, as a finish carpenter, may be found in many buildings across West County. He enjoyed many parts of his life in West County; puttering and working around...

Ruthe E. (Wheeler) Jubinville, 83, passed away peacefully on Wed., February 1, 2023 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Ruthe was born in Shelburne on April 23, 1939 the daughter of Leland and Sylvia (Long) Wheeler. She was a graduate of Arms Academy and Greenfield Community College with a degree in nursing. Ruthe’s career as a registered nurse spanned over 50 years, caring for generations of local families. Her career began as the on-site nurse for the Bear Swamp construction...

Donna G. (Waterman) Interlande, 83, passed away at home with her loving family by her side on Wednesday, January 25, 2023. Donna was born in Greenfield on April 9, 1939 the daughter of Wayne and Arlene (Crocker) Waterman. She graduated from Greenfield High School, class of ’56. Donna was manager of the Men’s and Children’s departments of Wilson’s Department store for many years. At home, Donna enjoyed gardening, cross-stitch, supporting the Red Sox and Patriots,...

Alice H. Lively, 97, passed away peacefully at Regal Care Center, Greenfield, MA Jan 25, 2023. She was born in Colrain on January 12, 1926, the son of Emory and Maude (Gilderdale) Hebard. Alice attended local schools in Colrain and was a graduate of Arms Academy Class of 1943. She taught at Spurr school, Colrain, for the year 1944 and then taught at West Halifax school for the year 1945. On Nov. 27, 1946, she married Edward Lively, who predeceased her in 2008. After raising her family,...