Ahern Funeral Home Condolences

Barbara Schmocker, 88, of West Hartford, CT and formerly of Westerly, RI and Tequesta, FL died Wednesday, July 27, 2011 at Hartford Hospital. Barbara was born May 27, 1923 in Northampton, MA and was raised by her mother, Anna Dulac, in Antrim, NH. She received her BE degree in 1944 from Plymouth State Teachers College and her MA degree in 1966 from the University of Bridgeport. She taught typing, shorthand and bookkeeping for over 25 years retiring as Business Department Chairperson of Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk, CT in 1979. She took great pride in mentoring both students and younger teachers. She also served as President of the Norwalk Teachers Association, St. Anne’s Society and Catholic Daughters of America. Following retirement, she lived in Tequesta, FL with her husband Karl Schmocker until his death and later with her college roommate and best friend Ann Partridge. Playing bridge and ballroom dancing were two of her favorite activities. In 2005 Barbara moved to Westerly, RI where she and Ann lived until recently. She is survived by her son Richard Thibodeau and his wife Mary Ellen Thibodeau of West Hartford, CT, her grandson Matthew Thibodeau and his wife Jody Koch of Chicago, IL and her granddaughter Jessica Thibodeau and her husband David Cho of Washington, DC and one great grandson, Mitchell Thibodeau. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday August 22, 2011 at 10:00 am at St. Clare’s Church, Westerly, RI. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Clare’s Church, 4 Saint Clare Way, Westerly, RI 02891 or to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc. www.ahernfuneralhome.com

Irma G. Schmidt, 112, wife of the late Dr. George P. Schmidt of Douglass College, Rutgers University, passed away peacefully, July 25, 2011, at Woodlake at Tolland. Irma was born October 7, 1898, in Indianapolis, IN, grew up in Elyria, OH, where she attended Lutheran parochial schools, Elyria public high School, and the Academy of Music at Oberlin College. She subsequently became a piano teacher and pursued this vocation for much of her adult life. After her marriage, Irma moved East with her husband to settle in New Brunswick, NJ, the home of Rutgers University. A committed volunteer, she became very active in the Rutgers community where her husband taught for many years. She became president of the newly formed Newcomers society, a group which operated often beyond the college campuses, addressing the needs of many social agencies during the Great Depression, and later, among newly drafted GIs at nearby Camp Kilmer during WWII. She was a Charter member of the Rutgers Women’s League, a member of the National Board of the YWCA, and a lifetime member of the P.E.O., a venerable educational and philanthropic women’s organization with 19th century roots in the mid west where Irma grew up. Irma lost a beloved son, George P. Schmidt Jr., to cancer in 2006. She is survived by a daughter, Marianne Simonoff of Tolland; two grandsons, Gregory Simonoff and his wife Katerina of Rowley, MA, and Paul Simonoff and his wife Erica of Somerville MA; great granddaughters, Keira, Kristy, and twins, Anika and Sofia. Memorial services will be held at the United Congregational Church of Tolland, Tolland CT, Tuesday, August 2, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Woodlake at Tolland, 26 Shenipsit Lake Road, Tolland CT 06084; or to the Irma and George Schmidt Scholarship Fund, Douglass College/Rutgers, 181 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick NJ 08901-8557. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Anthony J. Spirito Sr., 86, of Farmington, beloved husband of Frances (Benvenuto) Spirito, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 26th. Born in Hartford, January 13th, 1925, son of the late Joseph and Carlotta (Bianci) Spirito, he resided in Farmington for 55 years. Prior to retiring in 1991, he was employed by Finast in the Distribution Center in Windsor Locks. Anthony was a longtime communicant at the Church of St. Patrick in Farmington where he was also a member of the Men’s Club. He was a decorated United States Army veteran of World War II. Besides his loving wife, he is survived by his daughter, Susan S. Chase and her husband Mark of Plainville, two grandsons, Mark and his wife Jennifer Chase, Stephen Chase and a great-grandson Joseph Anthony Chase. He was predeceased by his dear son, Anthony Joseph Spirito Jr., USMC, who was killed in action RVN 1968. The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to all the staff at Apple Rehab in Plainville for their love and care. Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville TODAY ( July 28, 2011) from 9:00-10:00am. Funeral procession from The Ahern Funeral Home will be at 10:00am followed by the Funeral Liturgy in the Church of St. Patrick, Farmington at 10:30am. Burial with full military honors will be in the family plot at Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Memorial contributions may be made to Parkinson Disease Association, CT Chapter, 27 Allendale Drive, North Haven, CT 06473 or to the Plainville Community Pantry, 54 South Canal St., Plainville, CT 06062.

Richard J. Sheridan, beloved husband of Helen Sheridan for 58 years passed away at home on Monday, July 25th after a long illness. He is survived by his wife Helen, her sister Margery along with nephews and nieces: Edward Giovine, Laura Benedetto and Philip Giovine, Richard Ayers, Richard Pascal, Jeanne Gargiulo, Sherry Kreek . He is pre-deceased by his father Richard J. Sheridan who was a Deputy Inspector in the New York City police department and his mother Mary Flanagan Sheridan, an uncle Martin J. Sheridan who won five Olympic Gold Medals for the United States. He was a resident for the past many years of Farmington Woods in Avon, Connecticut. He was a former executive of Allstate Insurance Company and served in the United States Marine Corps. He had undergraduate and graduate degrees from New York University. His wisdom, lifelong guidance, gentle manner and compassion will be greatly missed by us all. Donations in his memory may be made to the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Bidwell Square, Unionville, CT 06085. A private burial will be on Saturday, July 30th at Gate of Heaven Cemetery Hawthorne, NY after a Mass of Christian Burial in their chapel. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc.

Sandy Elizabeth Crowe (Grabchuk), 55, of Kensington, CT, passed away on Saturday, (July 23, 2011), surrounded by her family. Sandy was born and raised in Avon, CT, and graduated from Avon High School and Post College. She was the daughter of the late Alexander and Mary Grabchuk of Avon, CT. She was the beloved wife of Richard F. Crowe (35 years) of Kensington, CT. Sandy was a devoted and loving mother of Michelle and Brendan Bartley of Somerville, MA; Jennifer M. Crowe of West River, MD, and Michael T. Crowe of Kensington, CT, and grandmother of Zander M. Bartley of Somerville, MA. She also leaves her sister Teresa “Tisa” Knight of Jacksonville, FL, with whom she shared a special bond and her sister Gemma Garland. Sandy also leaves behind her loving mother-in-law Dorothy M. Crowe of Unionville, CT, as well as many devoted relatives. She also leaves behind her Best Friend and shopping buddy, Alice Mitchell, with whom she shared countless “Memory Days.” She was an active member of the Berlin Community. She was a member of Sacred Heart Parish, serving on the Parish Council as well as being a Eucharistic Minister. Sandy shared a special bond with Father Ed. As a long time member of the Berlin UpBeat Program, she served on the UpBeat Community team and the UpBeat Core Team. She was the UpBeat Director of the volunteers at the Hospital for Special Care. “Ma” Crowe’s involvement with the UpBeat Peer Leadership Program impacted the lives of thousands of Berlin Youth. Sandy was the recipient of the Berlin UpBeat Peronace Volunteer Award and the “2010 Celebrate Berlin! Award” presented by the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain. As a cancer survivor, she was involved with a documentary on Stem Cell Transplant by Harvard Medical and Dana Farber. Please take a moment to view her story at www.hsci.harvard.edu/finding-cure-leukemia-stem-cell-story. The Crowe family would like to extend their gratitude to Dr. Corey Cutler and his Stem Cell team at Dana Farber, as well as all of the doctors and staff at Hartford Hospital. The Berlin Community and most especially the youth of the community have lost a shining star in their beloved “Ma Crowe.”
Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Tuesday (July 26) from 4-8 p.m. The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Wednesday (July 27) at 10 a.m. in the Church of St. Mary Star of the Sea, Unionville. Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Avon. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berlin UpBeat Program c/o Berlin High School, 139 Patterson Way, Berlin CT, 06037.

Jane (McLagan) Lougee, 80, of Farmington and Deerfield Beach, FL, beloved wife of Fred M. Lougee, passed away suddenly Sunday, July 17th. Born in Hartford, September 22nd, 1930, daughter of the late Donald and Myrtle (Griffin) McLagan, she received her B.A. from Western Connecticut College, her Masters in Education from Columbia University and her P.D. also from Columbia University. Jane served in the West Hartford School System for over 30 years retiring in 1987 as Director of Special Education. Her career then took her to the State of Connecticut, Newington Children’s Hospital School and then to CCMC School where she served as Principal since the school’s inception until her retirement in 2003. She was associated with many national and state professional and educational organizations, most especially in the area of Special Education. Besides her husband, Jane is survived by her uncle, Douglas D. McLagan, her cousins Irene McLagan-Turnbull and Donald McLagan all of Glasgow, Scotland. She was predeceased by her two brothers, Gordon and Donald McLagan.
Friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Monday (July 25) from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held in The Ahern Funeral Home on Tuesday (July 26) at 11:30 a.m. followed by burial in Fairview Cemetery, West Hartford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Little Guild (for the welfare of animals) 285 Sharon Goshen Tpke, West Cornwall, CT 06796.

Lina (Alissi) Ferola, 88 years old, passed away peacefully on July 19, 2011 in Avon. Lena was born on August 19, 1922 in Springfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Corina (Chistolini) and Salvatore Alissi. She grew up in Springfield, Massachusetts, but moved to Connecticut when she married Frank Ferola. Lena derived deep satisfaction and joy from her family and will be remembered for her strength, wisdom, and huge loving heart. She was an attentive listener and constantly provided support and love to all who were lucky enough to know her. Her greatest attribute was being a great “Mom” and “Nonna” throughout her life. She will be deeply missed, but the memory of her kindness and consideration of others will live on in the hearts of her beloved family and friends. Lena was a skilled seamstress, talented calligrapher, and was proficient in needle work and a variety of other crafts. She belonged to St. Patrick’s Women Guild and The Caspano Club. She is survived by four daughters; Corinne Ferola of Farmington, Leta Watkins and spouse Gary of Huntington, VT,
Karen Bach and spouse Tom of Unionville, and Sally Trombley and spouse Tom of Farmington. She leaves behind 3 cherished granddaughters; Angela Ferola-Hill of Salem, MA, Carissa Rose and spouse Mike of Bristol, and Carrie-Ann Bach of Unionville. She also leaves her darling great granddaughter, Aubrey Rose. She is also survived by her sister Elena Warren, sisters in law Jo-Anne Alissi and Sarah Alissi, and her aunt Martha Alissi, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. She was predeceased by a daughter Janet Ferola, a son Andrew Ferola, her husband Frank Ferola, brothers Albert Alissi and Joseph Alissi, sisters-in-law Ida D’Arcy and Vicki Ferola, and brother-in-law Joseph Ferola. The Ferola Family wishes to thank the Marty Santulli Family of Avon for the loving care they provided Lena at the very end of her life. Visiting hours will be held on Friday July 29 from 5:00 – 8:00 pm at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street Rt. 4, Unionville. A Catholic Mass will be celebrated at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Unionville, Connecticut, on Saturday, July 30 at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at The Riverside Cemetery in Farmington. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of the Ahern Funeral Home 860-673-2601.

On July 19, 2011, four days after the 14th anniversary of my Dad’s passing my Mom, Katrine Dannevig Olsen (Kat to her friends) passed away unexpectedly at home. Born November 25, 1937 in Oslo, Norway she grew up during World War II. She learned how great the USA was. This was especially true after the war, as the USA helped Norway with supplies and food to get Norway and its citizens back on their feet. Mom met Dad – Olaf T Olsen, a fellow Norwegian in New York. He was smitten and dazzled her with long stem roses (which she cut short to fit a vase) and a fancy car. Mom left the Norwegian University to marry Dad. They were married in 1959 in a Stave Church in Norway and then made their home in Connecticut. In August of 1960 they bought their first house in Bloomfield and a month later Kay Dannevig Olsen was born. Within the next couple of years, Kris Dannevig Olsen and Kenneth Dannevig Olsen finished the Olsen family. In the early 70′s mom went back to college as a freshman and received her BS in Psychology from Trinity College. She received her MS in Psychology from the University of Hartford. All the while she continued being the Mom that went on the school field trips, helped coach the swim team and was a staunch Republican – even though, she was still a Norwegian citizen and couldn’t vote. In 1979, she built a house with her family in Farmington. She also became a real estate agent and continued this for more than 25+ years ending at Keller Williams. In the early 80′s Kat and Olaf were instrumental in developing a million dollar endowment for the Hill-stead museum. In addition, Kat was active with Garden Club and the ‘clatter valley society” as well as other charity organizations. In 1992, Kat, became a U.S. citizen in her own right. All three kids graduated college and their own lives. Kay worked in marketing and started her own company in 1999. Kris moved to New York and worked in Construction Management and Ken worked with Kay. Ken also worked part-time at Gledhill Nursery in West Hartford and then in 2009, was instrumental in starting the Laurel Group in the Hamptons, NY. In 2002, Kay met Doug Coombs. Kris married Yvette and have three children, Bryce Lipscomb is the oldest and he has a younger brother Ridge Dannevig Olsen and a younger sister Chloe Elizabeth Olsen. Over the years, Kat would continue to help friends and neighbors, bringing food, taking them to church or to vote or whatever someone needed. She always had a big heart. Kat not only leaves her family that loves her, she leaves many true friends who cared deeply for her. We will all miss her.
There will be a gathering to share great stories at The Ahern’s Funeral Home, 111 Main St., Rt. 4, Unionville on Saturday, July 30, 2011 from 2-4 p.m. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Animal Friends of Connecticut PO Box 370306, West Hartford, CT 06137-0306.