WILLIAM E. SLEMMER JR.
March 18, 1961 ~ May 27, 2021 (Age 60)

WINCHENDON - William E. "Bill" Slemmer Jr, 60, of 131 West Street, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, May 27, 2021 in UMASS Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, with his family at his side.

He was born in Philadelphia, PA on March 18, 1961, son of the late William E. and Patricia (Mesi) Slemmer and graduated from George Washington High School. He had lived in Winchendon for 22 years.

Bill worked in the plastics industry for 41 years and recently retired from Sabic Polymershapes in Tyngsboro as a material specialist. Bill had a physical resemblance to Chuck Norris and appeared in many local cancer benefits as a standup comedian. He was an annual participant in the Gardner Relay for Life. Bill enjoyed working on his home and was an avid fan of the Boston Bruins and Boston Red Sox while keeping his allegiance to Philadelphia professional sports teams.

He leaves his wife of 35 years, Kathleen B. (Clendaniel) Slemmer; two children, Ryan W. Slemmer of Winchendon and Shelby N. Slemmer of Fitchburg; three sisters, Debbie Kanicki of Bensalem, PA, Donna Slemmer of Philadelphia, PA and Patrice Bevan of Williamstown, NJ and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister, Deneen Thompson.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 2, 2021 at 7 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. A calling hour will precede the service from 6 to 7 P.M.

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

Memorial donations may be made to Simonds-Sinon Regional Cancer Center, 275 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

ALICE CONTOIS
January 19, 1932 ~ May 30, 2021 (Age 89)

Winchendon --- Alice (Brejtfus) Contois, 89, of Winchendon, died Sunday, May 30, 2021. She passed away in the loving home of Steven and Debora Contois where she had lived for the last 11 years. Her passing came after a long battle with dementia and breast cancer.

Alice was born January 19, 1932, in Clinton MA, the daughter of Julian Brejtfus, and Victoria (Semanski) Brejtfus, and came to Leominster, many years ago. She is survived by her son, Steven Contois and his wife, Debora of Winchendon; her daughter, Heidi Walker of Leominster; five grandchildren, Colby Contois, Taesha Contois, Ryan Nutting, Calie Clark, and Travis Walker; her great granddaughter, Christine Contois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, George "Bob" Contois; both of her parents, Julian and Victoria Brejtfus, her daughter, Cindy Nutting and her husband, Dave; her son in law, Forrest Walker and all of her siblings, Judy, Gertrude, Stanley, Edward and Johnny.

Alice had lived in Leominster with her beloved husband until July 2010. She worked at Fairlawn Rehabilitation Center until the age of 78 at which point she retired because Bob had taken ill. After his passing, she moved to Winchendon to live with her son and his family. She was a devoted and loving mother, wife, and grandmother, and enjoyed gardening, camping, baking, holidays and most of all her family and God.

Calling hours are Saturday, June 5, from 9:30 to 10:30 A.M. at Richardson Funeral Home, 106 West St. Leominster. The funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 A.M. at St. Leo's Church. 128 Main St. Leominster. Burial will follow at Evergreen Cemetery, Leominster. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net

PHYLLIS ANN (WILSON) SHIPPY
May 26, 2021 (Age 58)

Winchendon - Phyllis Ann (Wilson) Shippy, 58, of Winchendon died Wednesday, May 26th in Heywood Hospital. She leaves her husband of 21 years, Buxton Shippy; her children, Buxton Llyod Shippy II, and his wife, Bethany of N. Attleboro, Phylicia Louise Shippy and Phebe Alexandrea Shippy both of Winchendon; a granddaughter, Bria J. Shippy; a brother, Gary Wilson and his wife, Marilyn Velazquez of New Jersey; a sister, Phebe Curry and her husband, Kermit of Maryland; and many nieces and nephews including, Edward, Kayce, Ryan, Garrison and Madison. She also leaves many extended and beloved cousins, family and friends.

She was born in Worcester the daughter of Robert and Dorothy Wilson. Phyllis graduated from Doherty High School and attended Norfolk State University. She was a member of New Hope Community Baptist Church, Ayer. Phyllis worked at Job Corps for 10 years and retiring in 2017 as the Director of Residential Life.

Phyllis enjoyed traveling and visiting with her family in Virginia. Her favorite pastime was cooking and baking for her loved ones especially cupcakes and cookies. She was a strong and loving wife, mother, grandmother and a good friend. Phyllis was personable and supportive to family and friends at every occasion.

Calling hours are Friday, June 4th from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in O'CONNOR BROTHERS FUNERAL HOME, 592 Park Avenue, Worcester followed by her service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery, 119 Webster Street, Worcester. oconnorbrothers.com.

LORRAINE M. O'BRIEN
October 24, 1930 ~ June 1, 2021 (Age 90)

TEMPLETON - Lorraine M. (Boucher) O'Brien, 90, of 263 State Road, Otter River, died peacefully Tuesday afternoon, June 1, 2021 at her residence, with her family at her side.

She was born in Winchendon on October 24, 1930, daughter of the late Ovila and Annabelle (LaPlante) Boucher and was a graduate of Murdock High School. Lorraine had lived in Otter River for many years.

Lorraine was a van driver for the former Fred's School Bus Co. in Winchendon for many years until her retirement. In previous years, she was employed in the Narragansett Regional School District. Lorraine was a member of the Templeton Senior Center and enjoyed quilting, sewing, camping and playing bingo. She and her husband had wintered in Florida for 22 years. Her greatest enjoyment was spending time with family.

Her husband of 60 years, William A. O'Brien Jr., died in 2014. She leaves her children, Susan M. O'Brien of Alburg, VT., Sandra J. Kendall and her husband Jay of Otter River, Carol A. Farrell and her husband Tom of Phillipston and David J. O'Brien and his wife Susan of Royalston; two daughters in law, Joyce O'Brien of No. Adams and Kathy O'Brien of Ashburnham; grandchildren, Patrick W. O'Brien, Shawn Janssens, Andrew Kendall, Kate Kendall, Kelly Lodi, Meghan Farrell, Kara Feeney, Nickolas O'Brien and Shannon O'Brien; great grandchildren, Kirsten O'Brien, Olivia O'Brien, Patrick O'Brien Jr., Jameson Doran, Harper Lodi and Connor Lodi. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her son, James A. O'Brien and a brother, Maurice Boucher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, June 4, 2021 at 10 A.M. in St. Martins Church, 248 State Road, Otter River.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 5 to 7 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Martins Church, 248 State Road, Otter River, MA 01436.

ANGELO L. LIMBERT
June 30, 1960 ~ May 29, 2021 (Age 60)

Fitchburg - Angelo L. Limbert, 60, passed away on Saturday, May 29 at his residence.

Angelo was born on June 30, 1960 in Manhattan, New York a son of Jose Louis Limbert and Josefina Hernandez Giglio.

Mr. Limbert is survived by his mother Josefina Giglio of Fitchburg, one son, Joshua Limbert and his husband, Patrick of Framingham, brothers, Henry Batallas of Westminster, Harry Batallas of Fitchburg, Joseph Limbert of Winchendon, Carlos Limbert of Fitchburg, sister, Helen Davis of North Carolina, and several nieces and nephews.

Angelo was employed at Market Basket for 43 years. He served his country in the US National Guard.

Angelo was a dedicated father, brother, uncle and his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his family, whether it was swimming in his pool, going fishing on the lake, or enjoying a cookout with loved ones. In his youth, Angelo would often be seen driving around in his pride and joy, a yellow 1970 Chevy Malibu.

Mr. Limbert loved all sports and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. He was a skilled Billiards player and was awarded many trophies and accolades from the American Pool Association.

Calling hours are from 2-4 on Friday, June 4 with a prayer service at 4:00 pm in the Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd., Fitchburg.

CLAIRE L. (DUCHESNEAU) BECOTTE
June 30, 1960 ~ May 29, 2021 (Age 60)

WINCHENDON - Claire L. (Duchesneau) Becotte, 88, of 676 Brown Street, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, May 27, 2021 at her residence, with her family at her side.

She was born in Three Rivers, Quebec, Canada on January 15, 1933, daughter of the late Eugene and Doris (Lambert) Duchesneau and grew up in Leominster. Claire graduated from Leominster High School and a business school in Fitchburg. After living in Leominster for most of her life, Claire and her husband moved to Winchendon 14 years ago.

Claire worked early in her marriage at Bell Atlantic Phone Company as an information operator until she began her family. After raising her children, she worked at IC Credit Union and then returned to Verizon, where she continued working until her retirement. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, cooking and camping at Hampton Beach. She was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church, Baldwinville.

She leaves her husband of 61 years, Lucien W. Becotte; four children, Linda Testa and her husband Arthur of Westminster, Paul Becotte and his wife Patricia of Southington, CT, Leo Becotte and his wife Rhonda of Ashburnham and Alan Becotte and his wife Cheryl of Winchendon and eleven grandchildren, Aaron, Rachel, Samantha, Matthew, Quinn, Emma, Michael, Katelyn, Adam and his wife Melissa, Thomas and Nicole. She was preceded in death by a brother and sister in-law, Eugene Duchesneau Jr and his wife Beverly.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, June 14, 2021 at 11 A.M. in St. Vincent de Paul Church, 1 Forest Street, Baldwinville. There are no calling hours.

Burial will be held at a later date in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations in honor of Claire may be made to Brookhaven Hospice, 114 Turnpike Road, Suite 206, Westborough, MA 01581.