Search Archived Marriage Records
Lydia Mae Olcott, 55
Was Nantucket Native
Lydia Mae (Burdick) Olcott died peacefully in her sleep at her home on Friday evening, Feb. 15. She was 55. A native of Nantucket, she was born on August 5, 1946 to the late William F. and Helen E. Burdick.
After a period of employment at Holgates Laundry, she pursued a career as a chef; most remembered was her tenure at Arno's Restaurant on Nantucket. She moved to Martha's Vineyard with her children in 1979.
Friends will remember her quick wit and great sense of humor. There was never a time she could not cheer you up with a joke or a quick anecdote.
Lydia is survived by her daughter, Janet M. Packer, and her son, Robert D. Olcott, both of Vineyard Haven; one sister, Anne Marie Burdick of Cranston, R.I., three grandchildren; David and Nathaniel Packer, and Robert D. Olcott Jr., all of Vineyard Haven; also two nieces and two nephews.
A graveside service will be held in the Oak Grove cemetery, Tisbury on Saturday, Feb. 23, at 11 a.m. A gathering will follow at Hillside Village; all are welcome. Donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Service, C/O Community Services, Box 369, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Arrangements are by the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.
Jane W. Burt
Graveside memorial services for Jane W. Downs Burt, widow of Norman R. Burt, of Middle Road in Acushnet, will be held at the Oak Grove cemetery in Vineyard Haven at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements are under the direction of Kirby Funeral Home, 61 Tarkiln Hill Rd., New Bedford.
Priscilla Blake, 80
Was Island Summer Resident
Priscilla Mathieson Blake of Venice, Fla., died Friday, Oct. 5, at Englewood Community Hospital from complications of a recent fall and hip replacement. She and her family spent many summers on the Island, both at Katama and on East Chop. She was 80.
Born in Boston and raised in Reading, she was a resident of Dedham for 33 years before retiring to Venice in 1980. She was graduated in 1946 from the New England Hospital for Women and Children and became a registered nurse. She worked for Charwell Nursing Home in Norwood, Boston City Hospital and New England Hospital for Women and Children.
She was a flutist in the West Roxbury Parkway Concert Orchestra, past president of the Dedham Youth Orchestra, member of Allin Congregational Church, where she sang in the choir for many years, and a former member of the Dedham Girl Scout Council. In Venice, she played flute in the Happiness and Sandpipers bands and became an avid painter, donating her works to others. During World War II, she served in the Nurse Cadet Corps.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, John Claflin Blake of Venice; her two children, Susan Jean Blake of Miami and Cynthia Blake Sullivan of Norwood; three grandchildren, Christine, Michael and Julie Sullivan of Norwood; a brother, Robert Mathieson of Haverhill, and a sister, Ruth Mathieson Johnston of Reading. Her other brother, John Mathieson of Mason, N.H., predeceased her.
Services will be private. Memorial contributions can be made to Japanese Gardens Memorial Fund, 6181 Teahouse Road, Venice, FL 34293 or to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Camp, P.O. Box 2000, Boys Ranch, FL 32064.
Paul O. Roedel, 78
Was an Active Civic Leader
Paul O. Roedel, known to his friends as Ridley, died on Oct. 5 at Massachusetts General Hospital after a courageous seven-month fight for his life. He was born on July 25, 1923, in Hartford, Conn., son of the late Paul O. Roedel Sr. and Allys Allen Roedel.
Paul was a retired vice president of the Wiremold Co. of West Hartford, following 35 years of leadership in sales management and corporate community responsibility which led to a three-term presidency of the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, service as chairman of the West Hartford Economic Development Commission and member of the regional advisory board of Connecticut National Bank.
He was elected citizen of the year by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce in 1981 for effective leadership in economic development and devotion to the welfare of the handicapped while working with the Hartford public school system, Newington school system and the Constructive Workshop.
In addition to volunteering in his hometown of West Hartford, Paul was also a legend in the East Chop community. He was a member of the East Chop Tennis and Beach Club, the Edgartown Golf Club and The Landings Racquet Club in Sarasota, Fla. He was a leader in every association he joined, whether a recreational club or the Oak Bluffs harbor committee.
Educated in the West Hartford school system, Paul attended Dartmouth College and was graduated from Trinity College after serving for five years as a carrier-based combat pilot in the U.S. Navy. He had two tours of duty in the South Pacific, flying night missions.
Paul was a man who worked hard and played hard, always fair, loved his family deeply and at all times remembered to think of others first, especially those who were less fortunate. He will be greatly missed in both of his home communities, especially by those who worked and played with him at his dearly beloved East Chop home.
He is survived by his lifelong wife and companion, Carolyn, and his three devoted daughters, whom he raised as he would boys, Cheryl Roedel Sudderth, Sandy Roedel Baker and Nancy Roedel Krannich. He also leaves his three beloved grandchildren, Sam Baker and Kyle and Taylor Krannich, his sister, Barbara Hall, and five nieces and nephews.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. There will be a private interment at sea. Donations in his name may be made to the Vineyard Conservation Society.
Matt Perry, 63
Was Avid Hunter and Fisherman
Matt Perry died suddenly on Nov. 27 after a 36-year battle with kidney disease. He was 63 years old.
Born in Oak Bluffs in 1938, he enjoyed living on the Island his entire life, save a few short years off-Island working in California, serving in the U.S. Army and attending lineman school on Cape Cod for the old Cape and Vineyard Electric Company. He cherished his Island roots and loved the close-knit community ties that make life here so special. He spent his entire career working for the electric company. He retired from ComElectric in 1993 after 35 years of service.
Though he loved the Island and its people, he cherished his family most of all. He was married
to Ann Nichols for 36 years and raised his three children with love and lots of fun. He and Ann were devoted to each other and were often seen holding hands on their walks downtown and while running errands. During his last years, her constant care and companionship comforted him as he fought his battle with kidney failure.
Matt loved the outdoors and the special beauty of Martha's Vineyard. He was an avid hunter and loved to go rabbiting and duck hunting, as well as roam the Panhandle during deer week. Even if the hunt wasn't successful, his day was, because he had spent time outdoors in the peaceful quiet of the Island.
Fishing was another favorite of his, especially during the derby. He was often seen on the jetty at West Chop early in the morning, fishing the rip. He landed many large bass as well as blues. He was proud to have won the derby for largest shore bluefish in 1991. He loved the sport, and his enthusiasm was contagious.
Matt was an accomplished and competitive golfer. He started playing while in his twenties at the old Island Country Club, and he won his first club championship in 1965. A four-handicapper at the time, he was a determined competitor but, at the same time, a true sportsman. He later played regularly at Mink Meadows, enjoying the company of his many friends there.
When Farm Neck opened, he became a charter member and a regular with the noon-time gang. He won the club championship there in 1984 and 1986. This was remarkable, since his kidney failure was then severe enough to require dialysis, which he started in 1987. Despite this, he continued to play regularly and well. His many golf buddies recall his love for the game, his determination to play his best despite his medical condition and the camaraderie he enjoyed with all who knew him.
Matt was a true Islander who loved the simple life. He was quick to laugh and join in conversation with his many friends. He was deeply loved by his family. He shared his love of sports and the outdoors with his wife and children. His integrity and values were role models for his children, who he raised with love and affection. He put all three children though college, and he and his wife gave everything they had to help them along in life. This was his proudest accomplishment.
He is survived by his wife, Ann; his sons, Dr. Raymond Wong and Brad Wong; his daughter, Deanna Perry; two granddaughters, Allison and Jenna Wong; his brothers, Arthur, Lester and Eddie; his sisters, Doris, Rita and Jane, and many nephews and nieces.
Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Vineyard Haven at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, with a reception at the Portuguese-American Club starting at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Matt Perry Memorial Fund, National Kidney Foundation, 129 Morgan Drive, Norwood, MA 02062.
Lorraine Dube, 43
Was Kind, Generous Person
Lorraine D. Dube, 43, of Mashpee, died on Friday, August 24, at the Greenery Nursing Home in Hyannis after a long illness. She is the daughter of Donald Dube and Carolyn (Heath) Dube, both of Florida.
She was born in Oak Bluffs and raised in Edgartown. She spent much of her life on the Vineyard before moving to Mashpee.
She was an active speaker. For more than five years, she and nurses from the Visiting Nurses Association traveled to the Falmouth High School and Cape Cod Community College to educate others about HIV and AIDS. She spoke out about the disease to inform others about the facts and faces of HIV.
During a time of good health, Lorraine was employed as a limousine driver for Connections Limousine. She enjoyed many hobbies including pottery. She loved the ocean and enjoyed fishing and shellfishing. She will be remembered by her family for her generosity to family and friends. She hand-crafted Christmas ornaments and gave them to others at the holidays.
Besides her parents, she is survived by a daughter, Hilda R. Lewis of Hyannis; her former husband, Charles H. Lewis of Oak Bluffs; a brother, Donald Dube of Edgartown, and a sister, Susan Dube of California. She also leaves a beloved cocker spaniel named Luci.
A funeral will form at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, at the Doane, Beal and Ames Funeral Home, 160 West Main street, Hyannis. A funeral service will be held in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Interment will be in Mosswood cemetery, Cotuit. Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, August 28, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association, 1550 Falmouth Road, Centerville, MA 02639.
Irving Olds Murphy
Was Army Veteran, Attorney
Irving Olds Murphy, 76, of Erie, Pa., and Chilmark, died Wednesday, Nov. 7, at Hamot Medical Center following an extended illness.
He was a longtime summer visitor to the Vineyard, first coming to the Island in 1950. He lived at Seven Gates Farm in Pheasant Field, a pre-Revolutionary Cape Cod style home previously owned by his wife's parents, the late Harry A. and Mildred Yoars.
He was president of Seven Gates Farm for two years, and he and his wife were members of the First Congregational Church in West Tisbury.
He was born in Erie on March 19, 1925, a son of the late J. Douglas and Catherine Lamb Murphy. He was graduated from Exeter Academy in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army in the 99th Division as an infantry staff sergeant. He then received his battlefield commission as a second lieutenant. Following his time in the Army, he entered Yale University and was graduated in 1949; he was salutatorian and Phi Beta Kappa. He then was graduated from Yale Law School in 1952, second in his class, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif. In 1958, he was named Young Man of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
Following his graduation from Yale, he joined the law firm of MacDonald Illig. In subsequent years he became the managing partner. He was senior vice president and executive counsel and division officer of the law division of Erie Insurance from 1993 to 1995, and from 1995 to 1996 he took over the law practice of his son, Doug, due to Doug's ill health. He was president of the Erie County Bar Association in 1982, chancellor of the Erie County Bar Association in 1996 and was a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the House of Delegates of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
He was a founding member of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, where he served on the original design and building committee. He was also a lay reader and Eucharistic minister.
He was a member of the Erie Club, Aviation Club and Kahkwa Club. For many years he was a member of the board of directors of Edinboro University, appointed by Governor Scranton, and served on the Board of Pennsylvania State College and University Directors. He was a member of the board of the Erie Community Foundation, was past president of the Erie Playhouse board of directors, served on the Fairview school board from 1961 to 1968, was a member on the Erie County government study commission in 1975 and was a member of Erie County Council from 1978 to 1983. He was involved with the city of Erie's and Washington Township's charter governments. Mr. Murphy was an incorporator for both Hamot Medical Center and St. Vincent Health Center. He had been president of the Erie Civic Theatre Association and vice president of the Junior Chamber of Commerce.
He was preceded in death by his son, J. Douglas Murphy, in 1996 and a grandson, David S. Murphy, in 1978.
Survivors include his wife, Eve Yoars Murphy, whom he married
in 1948; two daughters, Carole Fedorka and her husband, Dr. Nicholas Fedorka, of Meadville, and Holiday Parker and her husband, Robert, of Dallas, Tex.; a daughter in law, Lynda Murphy, of Chilmark; five grandchildren, G. Richard Murphy, currently at the University of Maryland, Sara Anne Murphy of Chilmark, Catherine J. Fedorka, Carleigh E. Fedorka and Nicholas P. Fedorka, all of Meadville.
Friends are invited to services at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Michael Annis officiating. Interment will be in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church Columbarium.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1070 West Dutch Road, Fairview, PA 16415 or Hospice of Metropolitan Erie, 110 West 10th street, Suite 203, Erie, PA 16501.
Rev. S. Read Chatterton
Served Federated Church
The Rev. S. Read Chatterton, a former pastor of the Federated Church in Edgartown, died on Monday, August 13, in Lake Charles, La. He had lived in Edgartown from 1957 to 1972.
Mr. Chatterton was born in Berlin, N.H., in 1912, the son of a Vermont farmer, and was raised in the Massachusetts town of Montague. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Brown University and earned his divinity degree from Hartford Seminary. He was ordained in 1936 and served Congregational churches in Connecticut and Massachusetts for more than 30 years. He retired in 1972 and moved west from Edgartown to take a new post as chaplain of the Masonic Home in Decoto, Calif. He continued to serve various churches in California for 15 years, and moved to Lake Charles in 1990. He was an associate at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Charles, where he served as a pastoral care adjunct.
A Mason, he was a former member of the Hiram Lodge in Edgartown and was past Grand Chaplin of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. A lifelong Rotarian, he was past president of the Cameron Park Rotary Club in California. At his death, he was a member of the Lake Charles Downtown Rotary Club and was the club's 1992-1993 Rotarian of the year. On the Island, he was chaplain of the Oriental Lodge in Edgartown, president of the Martha's Vineyard chapter of the American Field Services International Scholarships Inc. and a member of the West Tisbury Grange. He was one of the most active and able members of the Island Duplicate Bridge Club.
He was married
to Margaret Ross Grimes of Braintree for 62 years. His wife, who predeceased him in 1998, served as curator of the Dukes County Historical Society during the family's years on the Vineyard. He was also predeceased by a daughter, Louise Smith.
On the occasion of the Chattertons' departure from Martha's Vineyard in November of 1972, Colbert Smith, a former member of the Gazette staff, wrote:
"For many people of Edgartown, whether they were members of his flock or not, it will be difficult to envision life in the town without him, without the complex Chattertonian personality which has made its presence felt far beyond matters of the spirit. For some, that complexity was hard to get used to when Mr. Chatterton first came to town and maybe there are some who have never gotten used to it, but generally speaking, it cannot be denied that this peculiar amalgam of impregnable conscience, astringent wit, enthusiastic activism, ready empathy and plain old unabashed New England nosiness has added a distinctive zest to the day to day affairs of the community."
"What am I proudest of about my Island ministry?" Mr. Chatterton was asked by the Gazette on the eve of his departure. The Gazette wrote: "Jocularly, Mr. Chatterton replied that not since the early 19tth century when Parson Joseph Thaxter occupied the pulpit he now holds has any minister served so long. ‘And I knew I couldn't beat him,’ Mr. Chatterton said, ‘because he stayed 37 years, so I guessed I'd go.’<\q>”
Survivors include his wife, Willie Lou Wright Chatterton of Lake Charles; three daughters, Sara Snoek of Tiburon, Calif.; Elizabeth Jeter of Houston, Tex., and Ruth Singletary of Lake Charles; seven grandchildren, Kara Eaton, Jeffrey Jeter, Barton Smith, Jonathan Snoek, Daniel Snoek, Meghan Singletary and Caitlin Singletary, and four great-grandchildren, Jethro Eaton, Shannon Eaton, Erin Jeter and Isaiah Eaton.
Meredyth Cutting Thomas, 86
Was Active Island Volunteer
Meredyth Cutting Thomas, formerly of Glenside, Pa., and West Tisbury, died peacefully in her sleep Oct. 14. She was 86.
In July 2000, Mrs. Thomas was moved from Windemere, in Oak Bluffs, to a nursing home in Bridgton, Me., to be closer to her son and daughter-in-law, William W. (Tom) Jr. and Elise B. Thomas of Harrison, Me.
She graduated from Abington Hospital School of Nursing and in 1938 married
William W. Thomas, who set up a dental practice in Glenside. She assisted him in that practice until his death in 1956.
In 1971 she moved to the home in Lambert's Cove that the family had bought in 1955. On the Island, she was a volunteer at Martha's Vineyard Hospital, and was active in Meals on Wheels and in both the Lambert's Cove Methodist Church and its successor, the Lambert's Cove Christian Church.
In addition to her son and daughter-in-law, she is survived by two daughters, Virginia T. Pond, of Baltimore, and Nancy T. Bailey, of Englewood, Fla.; four brothers, Donald S.
Cutting, of Reading, Pa., Robert J. Cutting, of Gainesville, Va., Clark T. Cutting, of Abington, Pa., and Fred A. Cutting, of Leheigh Acres, Fla.; two sisters, Carolyn L. Cutting and Priscilla A. Cutting, of Abington; and six grandchildren.
A memorial ceremony will be held in Lambert's Cove in the spring. Contributions can be made to Abington Memorial Hospital or Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
There were many stages in the life of Meredyth Cutting Thomas. The family would like those who knew her to remember the stage they loved the most, and say goodbye with a smile.
Mary Jane Maciel
Was Vineyard Haven Native
Mary Jane Smith Maciel, lifelong resident of Vineyard Haven, died Friday, Sept. 21, at Windemere Nursing Home in Oak Bluffs after a long illness. May, as she was known to all, was 84.
She was married
to Raul Maciel Jr., who predeceased her in 1995. She was born on May 31, 1917 in Vineyard Haven, the daughter of the late Richard and Sarah Jenkins Smith. She was graduated from Island schools and raised her family on State Road, Vineyard Haven. May was an active leader in the Boy Scouts of America, which she enjoyed with her four sons. She and Raul were active boaters, C-Bers and members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. May was good with her handwork, especially her beautiful crocheted afghans.
She is survived by her four sons, Robert E. Sr. of West Tisbury, Russell S., Richard L. and Roy A., all of Vineyard Haven. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Her graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 25, in Oak Grove cemetery, Tisbury, officiated by the Rev. Lloyd Chorpenning. Arrangements are by Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home in Oak Bluffs.
Memorial donations may be made to Community Services of Martha's Vineyard, P.O. Box 369, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Stephen Powers, 52
Was Founder of Banking Firm
Stephen J. Powers, age 52, of Bronxville, N.Y., and Edgartown died Friday, August 17. Mr. Powers was the son of Charlene Powers and the late Shannon Powers of Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
Mr. Powers was the founder of Cronus Partners Inc., an investment banking firm with offices in New York city and Norwalk, Conn. Mr. Powers was a graduate of Princeton University with a degree in political science and received his master's degree from the University of California Santa Barbara. Mr. Powers was an active alumnus of Princeton and was president of his 25th reunion class.
He is survived by his daughter, Anne C. Powers, and son, Stephen J. Powers of Westport, Conn.; his brother, R. Scott Powers of Greenlawn, N.Y.; his sister, Karen E. Powers of Lexington, and his mother.
A private family memorial was held on Martha's Vineyard on Thursday, August 23. In addition, a memorial service will be held at the Princeton University Chapel on Oct. 20 at 11 a.m. The family requests any contributions be given to the American Liver Foundation, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603, New York, N.Y. 10038.
