DEATHS

Published on September 29, 2006

Lawrence Podell

FOREST HILLS, N. Y. - Lawrence Podell, father of Janet Podell of Amherst, died on Sept. 7 at the age of 76.

Born in the Bronx, N.Y., to immigrant parents, Peter and Rose (Litwin) Podell, he attended the City College of New York and received his Ph.D. in sociology from Cornell University.

Most of his career was spent at the City University of New York, where he was a professor of urban affairs, university dean for program and policy research, and eventually professor of management at Baruch College. Ill health forced him to stop teaching in February; otherwise, he would gladly have continued forever. He was a firm believer in the power of education to transform lives and communities.

Dr. Podell carried out major studies of the impact of open admissions at CUNY and the efficacy of the programs designed to improve the academic skills of college students with remedial needs. He also authored a series of studies that examined the characteristics of families receiving welfare and the effectiveness of the social services designed to help them.

In addition to his daughter, Dr. Podell is survived by two sons, David Podell of Brooklyn and Roger Podell of Wantagh, N.Y.; a daughter, Sue Mason of Waterbury Center, Vt.; his wife, Marie-Helene Trope-Podell; his former wife, Diane Kopperman Podell; and seven grandchildren.

Shirley R. Ingraham

AMHERST - Shirley R. Ingraham, 76, passed away Sept. 5 at the Center for Extended Care in Amherst.

Born in Springfield on April 24, 1930, she was the daughter of Robert C. and Lucy (Jones) Raynor.

Shirley graduated from Colby College, and later earned a master's degree in education from American International College. She taught third grade in Agawam before moving to Clearwater, Fla.

Shirley was active with her church community in Florida. She sang in the choir, and worked on a committee that developed and ran a child care facility. She loved music, enjoyed playing the organ and using her computer.

Shirley worked to improve nursing home care for Florida residents. For several years, she was an officer for the FLICRA (Florida Life Care Residents Association) organization, which lobbies Florida legislators.

She is survived by a sister, Betty Raynor, of West Hartford, Conn.; a son, Robert D. Ingraham, of Wilton, N.H.; a daughter, Cynthia Lord, of Amherst; and two grandchildren.

Mrs. Ingraham's family would like to thank the staff at the Center for Extended Care at Amherst, Dharma Unit, for their dedicated care.

A memorial service in Florida is being planned for April.

Memorial donations may be made to Faith United Church of Christ, 2401 Drew St., Clearwater, FL 33765.

Thomas P. Chalmers

AMHERST - Thomas P. Chalmers, 38, peacefully embarked on yet another journey on Sept. 23.

He was born in Garfield Heights, Ohio, and moved to Amherst at a young age. He was a graduate of Amherst Regional High School, class of 1986, and was an employee of the town of Amherst.

He loved the Red Sox, Steelers and Mother Teresa. He was not a fan of Francona's. He will be remembered for his infectious grin and his ability to make all feel special. He was especially close to Bill W.

Tommy described himself as a work in progress, and it was his goal to be available to those who needed him.

Surviving are his parents, Thomas and Jane Chalmers of Amherst; his sister, Karen Carey and her children, Justin and Jameson, of Amherst; his brother, Brian of Pennsylvania; his sister, Shawn Durocher and her husband, Rick, and their daughters, Olivia and Christina, of Fitchburg; his uncle, John Shea of Amherst; an aunt, Kathleen Weatherwax and her husband, Donald, of Amherst; and Barbara Romashko and her husband, John, of Springfield; along with several cousins.

Contributions may be made to the Joslin Clinic or the American Diabetes Association.

Obituary and register at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Samuel B. Stoler

SUNDERLAND - Samuel B. Stoler, Ph.D., of Sunderland, research associate professor in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, died Sept. 18 at the age of 42, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in 1963, Sam attended Longmeadow public schools through high school, and earned his A.B., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees at UMass-Amherst. He was chosen to be a Fellow of the National Research Council of the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD. Sam was a nationally known scientist and the author and co-author of numerous scientific studies in his chosen field of yeast genetics. He discovered and named two genes and had mentored many UMass students, both undergraduate and graduate, in their efforts to follow in his footsteps.

But Sam was equally proud of his ability to sink a billiard ball in any chosen pocket and was a member of several local pool teams. He loved the game of golf, and in his spare time he was a gourmet cook. He could take either side of a political argument and present a convincing case. He was always available for any charitable endeavor, and his closest friends came from all walks of life. He will be sorely missed by all those who have known him.

Sam leaves his father, Dr. Bruce B. Stoler of Longmeadow; two brothers, Atty. Bruce Kelley Stoler of Mocksville, N.C., and Atty. Jeffrey Stoler and his wife Linda, two nieces and a nephew, of Westwood; and his former wife Deborah Lebeau Stoler. Sam was predeceased by his mother, Margaret Stoler, and one brother, Bradford.

The family requests no flowers. A contribution to the University Health Service at UMass-Amherst or to the Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, in Sam's name would be appropriate. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Albert Stanley

HADLEY - Albert M. Stanley, 93, of Bay Road, died Friday in the Sunbridge of Hadley Nursing Home.

Born in Roxbury on May 31, 1913, he was the son of Arthur and Evelyn (Morton) Stanley and has lived in the area since 1924. Mr. Stanley worked at the UMass Farm and Page Lab in the early 1950's prior to working at Amherst College as a groundskeeper, retiring in 1974. Albert also ran a dairy farm in South Amherst for five years. In his leisure time he enjoyed working in his gardens and taking walks on the mountain range. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy (Clem) Stanley in 1986; a brother, John; a stepdaughter, Dolly Clem; and his best friend, Gordon Cook. He is survived by three sons: William A. and his wife, Carolyn, of Young, Ariz.; John A. and his wife, Madonna, of Hadley; and Thomas E. and his wife, Linda, of Leeds. Albert will also be missed by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

For those wishing, donations may be made in his memory to Sunbridge of Hadley arts and crafts fund, P.O. box 720, Hadley, 01035 or to VNA and Hospice at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton, 01060. For more information or to sign the online guest book, please visit www.beersandstory.comMary

Jean Conser

BOZEMAN, MONT. - Mary Jean Conser, formerly of Amherst and Greenfield, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 19, with family at her side.

She was born in Bozeman, Mont., on Feb. 3, 1940, the youngest child of Eldon and Kathryn (Hoke) Conser. After graduating from Bozeman Senior High School in 1958, she received a master's degree in education from Montana State College in Bozeman.

Mary gave birth to her only child, Hans Kevin Conser, on Oct. 25, 1965. In 1968, Mary and Hans moved to Puerto Rico, where she started and ran her own alternative K-12 school for five years. 'The School,' as it was named, was the center of her life during that time, and the source of much joy, as well as many frustrations. One popular The School innovation was the entire school going to the beach every Wednesday. She always referred to her students as her own children, and affected many lives with her passionate educational efforts.

Mary loved to take her inflatable canoe out onto the ocean and observe wildlife. She also was an accomplished musician and spent many Sundays playing music for fun in an ad hoc group called 'Usually Baroque.' Many of her creative interests evolved into careers for a time, including jewelry making, pottery and computers.

She eventually lived and worked as the educational director at the zoo in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, where she and Hans were charged with handraising tigers, lions and assisting large animal surgery, among other things. Her 21 years in Puerto Rico left her with many children, fluent Spanish, great gesturing skills and a zest for life.

In 1986, Mary accepted a position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and in 1989 she transferred to Massachusetts. While there, she furthered her creative interests by taking up furniture making, English Country Dance and bookmaking.

Her family and extended family benefited by being on the receiving end of her handmade gifts and dance lessons (the latter to the chagrin of the male relatives). Her grandson, Max, was her pride and joy, and she always made a point of traveling to Bozeman to celebrate his birthday with him every year, as well as summer vacations. Max is the proud owner of three handmade books that his Nana wrote and made for him. She loved her Maxie fiercely.

Mary had many, many friends that rallied around her throughout her short illness. She recently proclaimed that she had never realized how many great friends she had. Mary was able to return to Bozeman 11 days before her death so she could be with her family.

She was preceded in death by her father.

She is survived by her son, Dr. Hans Conser, and her grandson, Maxell Conser, of Bozeman. She is also survived by her mother, her sister, Nettie Warwood, and her brother, Charlie 'Butch' (Judy) Conser, as well as three generations of nieces and nephews.

Mary lived her life simply, but deeply.

Her sharp wit and gentle spirit will be greatly missed. 'Nana,' we hope you're dancing!

Memorial contributions may be made to Monforton School, 6001 Monforton School Road, Bozeman, MT 59718, or the charity of one's choice.

Albina Newton

HADLEY - Albina (Bea) Soltys Newton, 88, of 128 Mount Warner Road, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 21.

Mrs. Newton was born on Nov. 27, 1917, in Hadley, daughter of the late Michael and Katherine Soltys. She was employed as a housekeeper for various Amherst College faculty for many years, the Amherst Regional High School cafeteria and at the University of Massachusetts Health Center until her retirement. She was an active member of the North Hadley Congregational Church for approximately 30 years and the grange, where she held many offices, for over 65 years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting and reading, and also loved flowers, gardening and cooking. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Henry Newton Jr.; two daughters, Patricia Ruff and her husband, Douglas, of Lemon Grove, Calif., and Katherine Sayers and her husband, Daniel, of Thomaston, Conn.; a sister, Agnes Krzanowski of Hadley; and two brothers, Michael Soltys of Valencia, Calif., and Chester Saltis of Northampton; seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews.

A daughter, Anita Louise Newton, predeceased her.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Hadley Congregational Church, 243 River Road, Hadley, MA 01035.

Obituary and register are available at www.douglassfuneral.com.

Marion Morrison

NORTHAMPTON - Marion Irene (Bak) Morrison, 92, passed away at Hampshire County Care on Thursday, Sept. 20.

She was born Aug. 27, 1914, in Hadley, the daughter of George and Emily Bak. She graduated from Hopkins Academy and received a registered nurse degree from Providence Hospital. She served in the U.S. Army in World War II, where she met and married her husband, Lt. Col. William Joel Morrison Jr. Upon discharge, the Morrisons made their home on Pine Street in Florence, where Marion's flower gardens attracted visitors from early spring to late fall. Mrs. Morrison worked at area hospitals, including Smith College, Cooley Dickinson and Hampshire County Hospital. As night nurse at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital in 1964, she provided emergency care to Sen. Edward Kennedy when his plane crashed in Southampton. After retiring from Hampshire County Hospital, Marion and her husband moved to Lake Wales, Fla.

Her husband predeceased her in 2001, and Marion returned to western Massachusetts to live out the rest of her days.

She leaves behind a daughter, Kathleen Morrison Mlotok and her husband, Paul, of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two sons, William J. Morrison III and his wife, Marianne Hiland, of Willmett, Ill., and Donald G. Morrison and his wife, Linda Haskell, of Florence. She also leaves three grandsons, three great-grandchildren and a sister, Mildred Bragdon of Manchester, Maine.

Contributions in Marion's memory may be made to the Polish Women's Alliance of America, 6643 North West Highway, 2nd floor, Chicago, IL 60631.

Messier Funeral Home of Holyoke is in charge of arrangements.

Mildred Kukucka

EASTHAMPTON - Mildred V. (Russell) Kukucka, 78, of Highland Avenue, died Wednesday at the Linda Manor Nursing Home in Leeds.

She was born in Hadley, April 22, 1928, the daughter of the late Henry and Cora (Randolph) Russell. She was educated in the Hadley schools and attended the Hopkins Academy. She moved to Easthampton in 1954, where she had lived ever since. Mrs. Kukucka was employed in the kitchen at the Lathrop Home in Northampton for eight years. She was a communicant of the Notre Dame Church in Easthampton.

She leaves her husband of 58 years, Edward Kukucka of Easthampton; her sons, Edward P. Kukucka of Westhampton and David R. Kukucka of Easthampton; her sister, Helen Steward of Enfield, Conn.; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorial gifts can be made to the Notre Dame Church, Pleasant Street, Easthampton, 01027.