Dorothy S. Politis 1919 - 2011 PITTSFIELD Dorothy S. Politis, 91, of 379 South St., Pittsfield, passed away at home on April 6, 2011. Dorothy was born in Pittsfield on July 11, 1919. She was the daughter of Robert Clayton and Hazel Minnie Sweet Stead; she graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1936 and North Adams State Teacher's College in 1940. She taught in Pelham and Dalton public schools. While in Pittsfield, Dorothy was active in the Girl Scout Organization, Pittsfield College Club and the UCS Organization including helping raise funds for the Girls' Club Pool. She was a member of South Congregational Church and served on various boards, including the Fellowship Advisor. While on the board, she helped organize Pops Concerts with the Friends for Community Music School, was active in Concept Therapy and was an avid painter. Mrs. Politis lived in the U.S. Virgin Islands from 1980 to 2008. While living there, she was an active member in the Historical Society, Spiritual Growth Group and Audubon Society. She was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church and traveled about the country and world with her husband. Dorothy is survived by her husband, Dr. Alexander C. Politis, whom she married Dec. 18, 1943; her children, Dr. Galen Politis and his wife Patricia of Pittsfield, Daria Forman and her husband Dr. Paul Forman of Albion, Maine; grandchildren, Thea Politis of Pittsfield, Dr. Garrett Politis of Williamstown, Seth Forman of Carson City, Nev. and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Theda (Teddy), in 2007. FUNERAL NOTICE: Memorial services for Dorothy S. Politis will be held Thursday at 12 noon at the South Congregational Church, with the Rev. Joel Huntington officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours. A reception will be held after the memorial service. WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 is in charge of the arrangements. Donations in her memory can be made to Pittsfield Community Music School , 30 Wendell Ave., Pittsfield, through the funeral home.
Jean M. Chapman 1925 - 2011 RICHMOND Jean M. Chapman of Richmond died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on April 8, 2011, at Craneville Place in Dalton, where she resided for nearly two years. She was born Jean Marie Gaston on Mother's Day, May 10, 1925, the oldest of three children of Marshall A. and Edith Campbell Gaston of West Stockbridge. Jean attended local schools, graduating from Williams High School in 1942 and earning an education degree in 1946 from State Teachers College of North Adams, now MCLA. On June 25, 1949, she married Malcolm (Mac) Edward Chapman of Richmond, who predeceased her on Jan. 29, 1976. She taught briefly at the Berkshire School for Crippled Children, before pausing to raise her family. When her youngest child entered school, she returned to education, teaching first grade for many years at Morris Elementary School in Lenox before retiring in 1973 to care for her husband. After his death at an early age, she worked for a period as a home health aide and managed a widow's outreach program. She also worked as a stitcher at Housatonic Curtain Co., retiring in 1997. Jean loved the outdoors and was often seen hiking Perry's Peak or Harvey Mountain near her Richmond home. She was especially fond of the Maine coastline and traveled there often to visit lighthouses and hike the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge and the Marginal Way. Deeply interested in genealogy, Jean spent countless hours researching family and local history. She was an active member of the Richmond Congregational Church, serving on the Deaconate and singing in the choir. At home, she loved to play the piano and organ, enjoying all music, including one of her favorites, The Doors' "Light My Fire." She will be remembered by all who met her for her warm friendly smile, her infectious laugh and her zest for life. May peace be with her. Jean is survived by two sons, David M. and his wife, Kate, of Pittsfield, Douglas E. and his wife, Sharon, of Richmond; three daughters, Joan M. and her husband Rick Bartlett of Richmond, Carol J. and her husband Donald McCagg of Canaan, NY, and Nancy L. and her husband Carl Meissner, of Richmond; one grandson, Shaun E., of Brooklyn, NY, two granddaughters, Kelly J. McGrath of Tampa, FL, and Elizabeth Jean Bartlett of Richmond, and one great-grandson, Riley E. McGrath of Tampa, FL; Rick's sons, Erick T. and Trevor B. Bartlett, and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brothers, Marshall A. and his wife Lois B. Gaston, of West Stockbridge and Gilbert J. and his wife Elizabeth D. Gaston, of Yarmouth, ME and her longtime dear friend and companion, George J. Neuf of Dalton. FUNERAL NOTICE: A funeral service will be held Monday, April 11, at 1 p.m. at the Richmond Congregational Church, 1515 State Road, Richmond, MA, followed by burial at the Richmond Center Cemetery. Calling hours will be Sunday, April 10, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East Street, Pittsfield, and Monday, April 11, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Richmond Congregational Church. Memorial donations may be made to the Richmond Congregational Church or to the Anita Chapman Scholarship Fund through Wellington Funeral Home, 220 East Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201.
Marjorie C. Olds 1921-2011 DALTON Marjorie C. Olds, 89, of 621 North St, Dalton passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on April 8, 2011. Marjorie was born in Dalton on April 14, 1921. She was the daughter of Ralph and Nellie Adams Crosier; she graduated from Dalton High School in 1938. Mrs. Olds attended Berkshire Business College. She worked at Crane & Co. in the Stationary Department, retiring at the age of 62. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, plants and gardens. She was a long time member of the Grace Episcopal Church where she enjoyed working with the crafters. She was a former member of Wachonah Country Club. Many years ago, she bowled in the CRA League. Marjorie is survived by her husband Harold Olds whom she married October 23, 1943. Marjorie is survived by her children Beverly Olds of Pittsfield and Barbara Olds of Dalton. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral Services for Marjorie C. Olds will be held Tuesday April 12 at 10:30 at the Grace Episcopal Church, with Rev. Daina Salntis Rector, officiating. Burial will follow at the Ashuelot Cemetary following the service. Calling hours will be today 4 to 7 p.m. at the BARTLETT-WELLIINGTON FUNERAL HOME 525 Main St. Dalton, MA. Donations in her memory can be made to the Grace Episcopal Church in Dalton, MA.
Theda T. Houghton 1919-2011 PITTSFIELD Theda T. Houghton, 91, formerly of Belvidere Ave. most recently of Providence Care Center in Lenox, passed away at Berkshire Medical Center. Born April 18, 1919 in Pawlet, Vt., the daughter of Schuylre E. and Maude Grace Hulett Towsley, she was a 1937 graduate of Bennington High School. Theda had twelve years on musical education playing the baritone and trumpet. She was employed for 2 years in the Draper Corp., and 26 years at Clarice's Corset Shop. Theda was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Pittsfield. She was a member of the Ruth Miriam Circle, she enjoyed music tremendously and loved cats. Theda was predeceased by her husband Frederick E. Houghton whom she married September 7, 1946 he died March 4, 1993. She leaves her nephews Paul Towsley and his wife Edith of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., Richard Towlsey and his wife Peggy of West Springfield, Mass., nieces Ann Stanton of Jennings, Fla., Jean Day of Hoosick Falls, N.Y., as well as numerous grand nieces and grand nephews. Special friends Barbara Pucko, Rosemay Carey and family, Violet Santo and Moses her special four legged friend. Theda was predeceased by two brothers Howard Towsley and Donald Towsley. FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Theda T. Houghton will be held Monday, April 18, 2011 at 1 p.m. at the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, with the Rev. Judith Kohatsu. Burial will be in the Park Lawn Cemetery in Bennington, Vt. There will be an hour of visitation the day of the service from noon until the funeral at 1 p.m. Donations in her memory may be made to Berkshire Humane Society care of the funeral home, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. Thoughts and wishes may be sent to condolences@wellingtonfuneralhome.com
Martha Todd 1917-2011 PITTSFIELD Martha Todd, 93, passed away Thursday, April 14 at Hillcrest Commons, where she resided. Born in Pittsfield, on September 23, 1917, she was a 1938 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Martha retired from General Electric in October 1977 after 34 years of service, in the wiring division. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsfield. Martha loved to travel, write letters to people of all walks of life and talking about the good ole days. She leaves her daughter Pamela Hubbard of Pittsfield, several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE: Graveside services for Mrs. Martha Todd will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the Pittsfield Cemetery with the Rev. Judith Kohatsu, pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Pittsfield, officiating. Friend are asked to meet inside the cemetery gates at 10:45 a.m. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers donations in Martha Todd's memory may be made to Salvation Army, The Christian Center or HospiceCare in the Berkshires, care of the WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield, MA 01201 who are in charge of arrangements. Martha's family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to all the staff and caregivers from both Hillcrest Commons and HospiceCare in the Berkshires for their wonderful care, love and support for Martha and family.
Willie Frank Sistrunk "T-Bone" 1950-2011 PITTSFIELD Willie Frank "T-Bone" Sistrunk, 61, of 102 Howard St., passed away at Berkshire Medical Center on April 16, 2011. Born Jan. 10, 1950 in Alabama, son of the late Curlis Sistrunk and Robena Greathouse Adams, he attended local schools graduating from Pittsfield High School in 1969 and from the University of Massachusetts in 1975 with a degree in finance. He went to work for U.P.S. in 1976 for over a year then to BTEP/CETA from 1977 until his retirement due to ill health. He was a board member of the West Side Neighborhood Resource Center and also helped organize the Pittsfield Gatherin'. Survivors include his wife, Sabrina Y. Sistrunk, whom he married June 25, 1977; his four children, Casondra Conyers-Sistrunk, Donald Conyers-Sistrunk and his wife, Bernadetta, Jermaine Sistrunk and his wife, Julie, and Jerome Sistrunk and his wife, Colleen; 13 grandchildren; and his siblings Claudette Roberts, Judy Chadwell, James Adams, Theresa Mungin, Cynthia Adams, and his uncle, Isaac Frazier; and a host of nieces and nephews. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers, Curtis H. Sistrunk and Henry T.D. Adams. FUNERAL NOTICE: A memorial service for Willie Frank "T-Bone" Sistrunk will be held Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 2 p.m. at the Reigning Love Church, East Street, Pittsfield. There will be no calling hours. Following cremation burial will be at the convenience of the family. Donations in his memory can be made to Greylock Federal Credit Union, Willie F. Sistrunk Basketball Camp. WELLINGTON FUNERAL HOME, 220 East St., Pittsfield is in charge of arrangements.