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Mary C. Donohue
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2006 for Mrs. Mary C. Donohue. Mrs. Donohue was born in Watertown, a daughter of the late William and Mary J. (Gallagher) Robillard. She grew up in Watertown and was a graduate of Watertown High School. She worked for 36 years as a secretary at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, retiring in 2001. Mr. Donohue had been a lifelong resident of Watertown. She died on Sunday, January 14, 2007 at the Meadow Green Nursing Facility in Waltham at the age of 91.
Mrs. Donohue was the wife of the late Joseph A. Donohue and is survived by her children: Marie P. Pabisz and her husband Henry of Bifield, JoAnne L. Donnellan and her husband Michael of Watertown and Geraldine M. Woods and her husband George of Lisbon Falls, ME. She was also survived by 4 grandchildren. She was the sister of the late William J. Robillard.
Funeral Services will be held from the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St., on Rte. 20, Watertown, on Wednesday at 8 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 o'clock in the Church of Saint Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. Interment Ridgelawn Cemetery. Calling hours: Tuesday PM. Relatives and friends kindly invited.
Contributions made in Mary’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 would be appreciated.
Lillian E. Holle
Lillian Elizabeth Holle, a long time resident of Boston, and more recently of Cambridge and Newton, died on Wednesday, January 03, 2007, in the Newton Health Care Center. She was 90 years old.
Ms. Holle, was born in Newark, NJ, and grew up there. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University and had worked for many years as an Executive Secretary at Allyn & Bacon, a publishing company, until she retired in 1982. Ms. Holle enjoyed the Boston Symphony and was a member of Trinity Church Episcopal, Boston. For many years she volunteered at the Sherrill House in Boston and at Trinity Church.
Daughter of the late Louis and Mary (Gnirs) Holle, she was the sister of the late Marie Holle and step-sister of Edward Sockler and his wife Rose of New Jersey.
At her request, there will be no funeral services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sherrill House, 135 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA. 02130.
Estelle C. Flannery
Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 2, 2007 for Mrs. Estelle C. Flannery. Mrs. Flannery was born in Dedham, MA, a daughter of the late Nicholas and Assunta (Ferragamo) Capozzi. She was the youngest and the last surviving of 13 children. Mrs. Flannery had been employed by Sears Roebuck Company prior to her marriage in 1936. She moved to Watertown and raised her 7 children. She loved to cook, especially rolls and pastry. Mrs. Flannery died on Tuesday, February 27, 2007 in Holbrook, MA at the age of 93.
She was the wife of the late William F. Flannery and mother of Mary E. Caira and Patricia A. Flannery both of Watertown, Margaret T. Boyd, William F. Flannery of Mansfield, Joseph A. Flannery of Mascouthah, IL, Ellen E. Monagle of Holbrook and the late David M. Flannery. She was also survived by 10 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.
Funeral Services will be held from the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home in WATERTOWN SQUARE at 6 Riverside St. (cnr. of No. Beacon St.) Watertown on Friday at 9:30 A.M. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:30 O’Clock in the Church of St. Patrick, 212 Main St. Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment St. Patrick Cemetery. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 PM.
Contributions may be made in Estelle’s memory to the Hospice of the South Shore, 100 Bay State Drive, Braintree, MA 02184.
Helen L. Samson
Helen Louise (Verrall) Samson, a former member and Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Watertown Free Public Library, died on Friday, February 16, 2007 at Brookhaven Nursing Center. She was 101 years old.
Mrs. Samson was born in Chicago, IL., daughter of Harry F. and Helen (George) Verrall. She grew up and received her high school education in Strasbourg, Saskatchewan, Canada. She also completed teacher training at Normal Schools in Regina and in Winnipeg. She taught at the Upland School in Brunkild, Manitoba and at the Norberry School in Winnipeg.
In 1942, she moved to Watertown and became active in the community. In 1946, the Watertown League of Women Voters was organized in her home on Standish Road, and in April 1954 she was elected President of the League. In 1962, she was appointed a Trustee of the Watertown Free Public Library to fill a two-year vacancy, and was elected for 4 succeeding terms of 3 years each. She was also elected as a member of the Watertown Democratic Committee for 8 years. In 1968, Mrs. Samson was appointed as the secretary of the Watertown Book Club, which was founded in 1844; she served in that capacity for 21 years. In 2002, Mrs. Samson received a Watertown Women of Achievement award.
In 1989, Mrs. Samson moved to Brookhaven, a life care retirement community located in Lexington. Since its founding just months before Mrs. Samson moved there, Brookhaven has emphasized the development of a close and caring community. That emphasis made Brookhaven a highly compatible setting for her, and over many years there Mrs. Samson formed strong friendships and involved herself in numerous activities. Writing had always been an interest; at Brookhaven Mrs. Samson contributed to The Voice, a general interest publication that keeps the community informed about the wide-ranging interests and achievements of residents. In addition, Mrs. Samson provided leadership as well as numerous stories to the Journal Group (in more recent years named The Writing Group) since its beginning in1990.
In 1974, inspired (as well as nagged) by her novelist daughter Joan, Mrs. Samson organized a large body of materials, including numerous colorful stories of early life on the Canadian prairies, into her first book, A Tree That Grew Sideways. After that, Mrs. Samson proceeded to write numerous additional books, many of them collections of stories, others of a philosophical nature. Mrs. Samson produced the bulk of her work after moving to Brookhaven, where she was stimulated by the presence of fellow writers. Several of her books have been collected in the library at Brookhaven.
Along with many other qualities, Mrs. Samson's stories embody her rich sense of humor. In one of her early tales of life on the Saskatchewan prairies, entitled "The Two Holer," Mrs. Samson tells of an incident when, as a 7 year old, she inadvertently entered the family outhouse which Slim, a hired hand, was already occupying. Maintaining her poise and with perfect gentility -- a gentility reciprocated by Slim -- Mrs. Samson utilized the second of the two holes. If Mrs. Samson's mother, who observed both her daughter and Slim emerging from the outhouse in close succession, felt any amusement over this incident, she allowed herself to express only an instructive and emphatic disapproval.
Another story, entitled "On Room Schoolhouse," tells of Mrs. Samson's adventures attending a primitive one-room school. Her parents had considered the three mile walk each way excessive before their daughter had attained age 8, and when Miss Clark, an inexperienced and already overburdened teacher, saw this new student belatedly arrive, she assumed that Mrs. Samson was illiterate, and given her embarrassed silence, a "slow" child as well. As a result, Miss Clark assigned Mrs. Samson to the youngest group, and thereafter largely ignored her. The misunderstanding continued until near the end of the year. At that point, one day Miss Clark caught Mrs. Samson "pretending" to follow the lesson of older students in a collection of poems supposedly much too advanced for her. In a fit of pique, Miss Clark challenged Mrs. Samson to come to the front of the class and recite the poem under discussion. To the amazement of everyone in the room including Miss Clark, Mrs. Samson read the poem not only fluently but with power and eloquence. Miss Clark kept Mrs. Samson after school, where Mrs. Samson explained that she and her mother (who wrote poetry) had been reading the poem in question together just the night before. Expecting to be chastised for her deception, Mrs. Samson was surprised (and moved, as are readers of this story) when Miss Clark tearfully apologized for her oversight, and urged her extraordinary pupil to continue to develop the love of literature which Mrs. Samson's recitation to the class had made so evident.
Along with her sense of humor and her love of good writing, Mrs. Samson possessed great affection for people of all kinds. Over her long life she formed legions of friendships. Though she will be missed, joyful memories of her will live on.
She leaves a son, Dale R. Samson of Los Angeles, CA; a son-in-law, Warren Carberg of Concord; and three grandchildren: Amy Helen Carberg; Ethan L. Carberg; and Rebecca Carberg. She was married for 59 years to Edward W. "Ted" Samson, who died in 1989, and she was the mother of the late Joan Samson Carberg and the sister of the late Harry Verrall.
A memorial service will be held at Brookhaven on Saturday, March 10 at 2 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Keith Butters Benevolent Fund, c/o Brookhaven, 1010 Waltham St., Lexington, MA 02421, to assist Brookhaven residents who have outlived their financial resources.
Arrangements are with MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald of Watertown. For further information, please refer to www.macdonaldrockwell.com or telephone 617-924-4700.
The obituary was composed by Warren Carberg, Helen’s son-in-law.
Jean B. Eaton
A Funeral Service for Jean Barbara (Virgo) Eaton, 85, will be held on Wednesday, February 28, 2007 at 11 AM in the Phillips Congregational Church, 111 Mount Auburn Street, Watertown.
Mrs. Eaton was born in Boston, a daughter of Luther H. and Florence F. (Traynor) Virgo. She was a lifelong Watertown resident and a graduate of Watertown High School. Mrs. Eaton was an active member of the Phillips Church and of the XL Ladies Group at the church, as well as serving on committees for the church bazaars and other functions.
Mrs. Eaton was also a past President of the Watertown Women’s Club, a member of the Watertown Garden Club and the first Worthy Advisor for the Watertown Rainbows. She had been a secretary at Microwave Assoc. in Burlington until her retirement in 1982. Mrs. Eaton died on Saturday, February 24, 2007, in the Mount Auburn Hospital, after a sudden illness.
She leaves her husband of 65 years, William Eaton; two daughters: Karen V. Norton of Watertown and Barbara J. Borovick of Goffstown, NH; a son-in-law, Thomas L. Norton of Watertown; five grandchildren: Sean Borovick and his wife Wendy of Manchester, NH, Kirk Borovick and his wife Jasmine of Derry, NH, Jena Alberico and her husband John of Hudson, MA, Jeremy Norton and his wife Noelle of Watertown, and Thomas Norton and his wife Susan of Martha’s Vineyard; and six great-grandchildren.
Calling hours will be on Tuesday, February 27th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home on Main Street. Interment will on Wednesday in Ridgelawn Cemetery following the Services at 11 AM in the Phillips Congregational Church. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jean’s name to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, 01701. For further information, please call 617 924 4700.
Michael G. Jones
A Funeral Mass for Michael Gary Jones, 31, will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 27, 2007, in the Church of Saint Patrick, Watertown.
Mr. Jones was born in Waltham and was a lifelong resident of Waltham. After graduation from Waltham High School, he furthered his education at Bay State College. Mr. Jones was a Supervisor at Peets Coffee & Tea, Cambridge. He enjoyed biking, fishing, bowling, working out and cooking. Mr. Jones died suddenly on Thursday, February 22, 2007, at home.
He leaves his mother, Anna M. (DiLegge) Jones of Waltham; his father, Gary W. Jones of Watertown; a brother, Lance P. Jones of Waltham; his maternal grandmother, Caterina (Porrazzo) DiLegge of Watertown; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was also the grandson of the late Pietro DiLegge and the late Jonathan H. and Simone M. (Laforge) Jones.
The Funeral will from the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St., on Rte. 20, Watertown, on Tuesday at 8 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 9 o'clock in the Church of Saint Patrick, 212 Main St., Watertown. Entombment will be in Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge.
Calling hours will be on Monday, February 26th from 4-8 PM in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home on Main Street. Relatives and friends kindly invited to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital Trust, PO Box 414421, Boston, MA. 02241-4421
Gail Marie Shutt
A Funeral Mass for Gail Marie Shutt, RN, 55, will be celebrated on Monday, February 26, 2007, at 10:30 AM in the Church of Saint Jude, 147 Main St., Waltham.
Ms. Shutt was born in Boston, a daughter of George L. and Marion L. (MacGregor) Shutt. She was a lifelong Watertown resident and a graduate of Watertown High School. Ms. Shutt furthered her education and graduated from the Shepherd Gill School of Nursing and Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing.
She was a parishioner and an Eucharistic Minister at St. Jude Parish and a volunteer for hospices in the area. She died on Thursday, February 22, 2007, in the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
She leaves two brothers: George J. Shutt of Waltham and Paul F. Shutt of Watertown; two sisters: Mary T. Smith of Forestburg, Tex., and Virginia E. Bryant of Cape Cod; nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visiting hours on Sunday, Feb. 25th . from 2-4 PM in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St., on Rte. 20, Watertown and to her Funeral Mass on Mon. at 10:30 AM in the Church of Saint Jude, 137 Main St., Waltham. The interment will be private.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA Care Network Hospice, 175 Highland Ave., Needham 02494.
Edson W. Trumbull
A Funeral Service for Edson “Ed” Walker Trumbull, 91, will be held on Friday, February 23, 2007, at 10 AM in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home at 270 Main St., on Rte. 20, Watertown.
Mr. Trumbull was born in Amesbury and graduated from Newburyport High School. He furthered his education and graduated from Bentley College in 1941. During World War II he served in the US Navy and afterward was an Office Manager at Kennedy’s Department Store until his retirement at age 65. Mr. Trumbull, a resident of West Newton since 1957, was a member of the Charles River Wheelmen. He died on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, in the Maristhill Nursing Home, Waltham.
He leaves his wife of 50 years, Elvira J. (Pascuzzi) Trumbull; three children: Mark S. Trumbull of New Haven, Conn., Bruce S. Trumbull of Littleton; and Susan M. Mooney of Sutton; and nine grandchildren.
Son of the late Harlowe and Elizabeth (Coffin) Trumbull, he was the brother of the late Frances Trumbull.
Calling hours will be on Thursday, February 22nd from 4-8 PM in the MacDonald, Rockwell & MacDonald Funeral Home on Main Street, Watertown. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be on Friday in Saint Patrick Cemetery, Watertown, following the 10 o’clock services at the funeral home.
