MARGARET A. POIRIER
September 4, 1947 ~ December 25, 2020 (Age 73)

WINCHENDON - Margaret A. "Peggy" Poirier, 73, of 23 Town Farm Road, died peacefully Friday evening, December 25, 2020 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner.

She was born in Brooklyn, NY on September 4, 1947, daughter of the late John and Virginia (Nelson) Polizzio and lived in Leominster, Ayer and Fitchburg before moving to Winchendon eleven years ago.

Peggy had worked for over twenty years for Warren Company, of Hudson, New Hampshire, formerly of Littleton, MA. She retired as head of its electronics department. She enjoyed crocheting, cooking and spending time with her family.

She leaves her husband of 57 years, Anthony J. Poirier; two sons, Anthony J. Poirier Jr of Winchendon and Steven J. Poirier of Athol; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. A sister, Kathleen Bodari, predeceased her.

Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon is directing arrangements.

TRUDI L. (BENOIT) BIGWOOD
July 31, 1962 ~ December 24, 2020 (Age 58)

Trudi L. (Benoit) Bigwood, 58, died on Thursday morning, December 24, 2020 at home after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Gardner on July 31, 1962, she was the daughter of Kenneth and Carol (White) Benoit and grew up in Athol, attending Athol High School.

In July of 1990, Trudi married Steven Bigwood and have enjoyed their 30 years of marriage.

Trudi was a dietician assistant at Baldwinville Nursing Home and had previously worked at several restaurants, including the former Ronzo's Bistro in Erving.

Trudi loved doing crafting, going boating with Steve, her daughter and granddaughter. She loved striper fishing, bird watching, nature walks, cooking and most of all, time with her family. Trudi had also enjoyed antiquing with Steve.

Trudi leaves her loving husband, Steven Bigwood of Orange; a daughter, Brieanna (Lachance) Fisher of Leominster; a granddaughter, Krystina Barber.

Trudi also leaves her mother and step father, Carol and Charles Patriquin of Orange; her siblings, Kim Joslyn of Athol, Wendy Powell and her husband, Mark, of Princeton, Rachel Sevieny and her husband, David, of Winchendon, Jeff Benoit of Ft. Meyers, FL, Nathan Benoit of Orange, Todd Benoit and his wife, Jen, of Richmond, NH, Kenneth "Hank" Benoit and his wife, Bertha "Bert", of Athol, and Matt Benoit of Swanzey, NH; many nephews and nieces; her mother in law, Nancy Bigwood and her companion, Don Dushion of Athol; and brothers and sisters in law, Roger Bigwood and his wife, Sherry and Chris Bigwood and his wife, Tracey, all of Athol; and her beloved dogs, "Dexter" and "Benny".

Trudi was predeceased by her father, Kenneth Benoit.

There are no calling hours.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Donations in Trudi's memory can be made to Mahar Cancer Walk, P.O. Box 680, Orange, MA 01364-0680.

Witty's Funeral Home, 158 South Main Street, Orange, is assisting the family.

MARSHALL J. CARRIER
June 24, 1934 ~ December 29, 2020 (Age 86)

WINCHENDON - Marshall J. "Harpo" Carrier, 86, of 116 Ipswich Drive, died peacefully Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in Heywood Hospital, Gardner.

He was born in Winchendon on June 24, 1934, son of the late Adrian J. and Yvonne M. (Roberts) Carrier and lived in Winchendon for most of his life.

Marshall was a cabinet maker, who worked most recently for Carrier Furniture Co., where he was also an owner. In previous years, he worked at Winchendon Furniture, Belangers Furniture and Temple Stuart Furniture Co.

An avid golfer for many years, Marshall had been a member of the Winchendon Golf Club. In earlier years, he enjoyed bowling and playing pool. His greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family.

He leaves his wife of 64 years, Rita (Jacques) Carrier; three sons, Rick M. Carrier of Royalston, Mark J. Carrier and his wife Joyce of Winchendon and Jeffrey Carrier and his wife Susie of Jacksonville, FL; eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren; two brothers, Norman D. Carrier of Winchendon and Paul J. Carrier of Winchendon; a sister, Gloria Gendron of Winchendon and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Roger Carrier and three sisters, Annette Taylor, Anita Barthel and Carol A. Fournier.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, January 4, 2021 at 11 A.M. in Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will be held prior to the Mass from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary Restoration Fund, 52 Spruce Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.

MARTHA L. TREPANIER
July 7, 1942 ~ December 25, 2020 (Age 78)

GARDNER - Martha L. (Wood) Trepanier, 78, formerly of Gardner, died Friday evening, December 25, 2020 in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, Athol. after a period of declining health.

She was born in Grafton, MA on July 7, 1942, daughter of the late Henry and Mildred (Cummings) Wood and was a 1960 graduate of Grafton High School. Later in life, she graduated from Mt., Wachusett Community College with a degree in Human Services.

Martha was the director of Winchendon Community Action Committee for 25 years until her retirement in 2009. She had also been the domestic violence counselor for the Gardner Police Department for several years. Martha was a 50 year member and past matron of Jessamine Chapter Order of the Eastern Star in Gardner and was a member of Massachusetts Grand Chapter Order of the Eastern Star. Martha was also a member, and former deacon and Sunday School director of First Congregational Church. She founded and ran Project Contact at Bonnie Brae Summer Camp, serving the greater Gardner community for several decades. Her hobbies included sewing, quilting and photography. She also had a life-long love of reading and was typically half-way through a book about Native American culture, which she was fascinated by.

Her husband, Robert F. Trepanier, died in 2000. She leaves four children, Dale A Larocque and his wife Brenda of Rindge, NH, Richard A. Larocque of Lakeville, Roderic D. Larocque 2nd of St. Petersburg, FL and Lisa Ari Macomber and her husband Kevin of Dauphin, PA; two stepchildren, Jason Trepanier of Boston and Renee Gionet of Leominster; a brother, Philip Wood of Hutchinson, Kansas and six grandchildren.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021 from 12 to 1 PM, at which time there will be an Order of Easter Star Ceremony and funeral service conducted by Rev. Sela Rousseau.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

Funeral services will be streamed and may be viewed on the funeral home website.

Memorial donations may be made to Winchendon CAC, 273 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.

PETER N. RICHARD
June 19, 1941 ~ December 19, 2020 (Age 79)

PHILLIPSTON - Peter N. Richard, 79, died peacefully at his residence Saturday, December 19, 2020, with his family at his side, after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born in Waltham, MA on June 19, 1941, son of the late Henry J. and Blanche C. (Lalime) Richard and graduated from Cheshire Academy and Merrimack College. He lived in Waltham and Lexington for many years and moved to Phillipston 20 years ago.

Peter spent his life managing and expanding Hardric Laboratories, Inc., the family optics and machining business founded by his father.

He was a caring, loving and generous husband, father, brother and son who enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was an artist, a model railroader and an R/C airplane enthusiast. In his early years he loved sailing out of Gloucester and in his later years enjoyed raising animals on the family farm, retiring from that to revel in the sunshine of winters in the Borrego Springs CA desert.

Peter was a member and past president of the Historical Society of Phillipston, and member of the Phillipston Lions Club.

He leaves his wife of 45 years, Catherine "Kay" Deans; three children, April Richard of Beverly, Adrian Richard and his partner Jessie Ruano of Redondo Beach, CA and Joshua Richard of Beverly; two grandchildren, John Pierre Custis and Evan Daranikone; a sister, Ellen Tannehill of Winchendon; his dog Lady and extended family Kay Gomez-Debrosse and her children. Also, several cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. A brother, Robert Richard, predeceased him.

A memorial service will be held Friday, January 8, 2021 at 1 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. The Rev. Stephanie Flynn will officiate. Masks and social distancing are required.

Funeral services will be streamed and may be viewed on the funeral home website.

Burial will be in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport MA at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Peter's favorite charities: St. Lebre Indian School, Ashland Montana 59004; St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 326, Chamberlain SD 57326 or the Congregational Church of Phillipston.

SHELBY L. CORKUM
August 9, 1999 ~ December 28, 2020 (Age 21)

WINCHENDON - Shelby L. Corkum, 21, of Winchendon died at her home on Monday, December 28 2020 after a long struggle with addiction.

Shelby attended Winchendon Public Schools and was a member of Winchendon Youth Hockey and North Central Mass Youth Hockey. Shelby enjoyed horseback riding and was an animal lover. She enjoyed camping, making crafts and spending time with her family and friends.

Shelby is survived by her paternal grandparents, Laurence and Diane (Austin) Corkum of Winchendon; her mother Alicia (Smith) Corkum of West Virginia; her sister Elizabeth A. Corkum of Winchendon; her brother Colby G. Corkum, Jr. and his girlfriend Jaiya Perez of Winchendon; her maternal grandmother Rebecca (Aho) Thompson and her husband Bill of Virginia; her great grandmother Phyllis Aho of Virginia; as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Shelby was predeceased by her father Colby G. Corkum, Sr. in 2003 and her stepfather Jack Dudley in 2016.

Funeral services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

Memorial Donations can be made in Shelby's name to House of Hope, PO Box 10371, Swanzey, NH 03446.

Arrangements are under the care of Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

CONNIE R. LASHUA
1958 ~ December 24, 2020 (Age 78)

WORCESTER - Connie R. (Hicks) Lashua, 61, of Worcester, died Thursday, December 24, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital after a battle with ALS.

She leaves her husband, Nicholas Lashua; her mother, Marilyn Hicks of Groton; three sisters, Cathy Collins of Winchendon, Charlene Hawkins of Milford, NH, and Cindy Losh of Leominster; a brother-in-law, Gilbert Lashua of Sutton; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Roderick and Raymond Scott Hicks. She was born in Stewartstown, New Hampshire, daughter of the late Raymond V. Hicks and Marilyn (Jeffers) Hicks.

Connie was a picture frame maker at a factory in Townsend, MA. She loved knitting, walking, writing letters, and going to the Big E Fair. She enjoyed going to the Pickle Barrel restaurant on Pleasant St.

Funeral services are private and under the care of Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave, Worcester. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to ALS Association, PO Box 37022, Boone, IA 50037-0022 (https://www.als.org/donate).

GERTRUDE M. VOTOUR
December 24, 2020 (Age 91)

AUBURN - Gertrude M. (Mullaney) Votour, 91, passed away comfortably Thursday, December 24, at her home.

Gertrude was the wife for 67 years of the late Francis K. Votour and is survived by her children Jeannette, and Gary and his wife Andrea, three brothers John Mullaney and Fran Ojala of Winchendon, William Mullaney and his wife Margaret of Seminole, Fla. and Thomas Mullaney of Worcester.

Gertrude was born in Worcester, daughter of Patrick A. and Marguerite E. (Rivers) Mullaney, and has lived in Auburn for more than 50 years. Gertrude was a loving wife, mother, and friend to all.

Gertrude worked and retired from Caldor's as Head Cashier. She also for many years volunteered at OTC for Bingo.

She enjoyed game shows, thumbing through catalogs and laughing every day.

A heartfelt thank you to her neighbors that were very kind to her, all her caregivers that took such good care of her, and HHA & Homemaker Autumn.

Also, thank you to Dr. Thomas Patnaude and staff, Care Tenders and Notre Dame Hospice, and to Athy Memorial Home, Worcester, for its help with the arrangements.

Funeral services will be private on December 31, followed by burial at Worcester County Memorial Park. There are no calling hours.

Memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 (www.parkinson.org) or The Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham, MA 024452 (www.alz.org).