F. DONALD LEGAULT JR
January 28, 1959 ~ November 16, 2021 (Age 62)

GARDNER - F. Donald Legault, Jr., 62, of Gardner died peacefully Tuesday evening, November 16, 2021 in Wachusett Manor Nursing Home, Gardner, with this family at his side.

He was born in Waterville, Maine on January 28, 1959, son of Catherine L. (Russell) Legault of Gardner and the late F. Donald Legault. Don grew up in Maine and Massachusetts and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Marine Corps, serving at one time in Okinawa.

Don had worked at various times as an automotive mechanic, security officer and in the cement siding business. He enjoyed fishing in his younger years, riding his motorcycle and played baseball in high school. Don enjoyed writing poetry and had published three poems.

In addition to his mother, he leaves his brothers and sisters, Catherine A. Legault of Gardner, Diana L. Legault of Gardner, Michael R. Legault of Nashua, NH, Paul J. Legault of Gardner, Russell P. Legault and his wife Lorrie of Westminster, Annette M. Legault of Templeton and Leo A. Legault and his wife Laurie of Winchendon and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Friday, November 26, 2021 at 12 Noon in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Calling hours will precede the service Friday from 10 AM to Noon in the funeral home.

Burial, with military honors, will be in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, 54 Eagle Street, Ware, MA 01082.

DORIS SMITH
November 18, 1937 ~ November 22, 2021 (Age 84)

Royalston, MA - Doris (Dunham) Smith, 84, of Royalston, passed away at home on Monday, November 22, 2021.

Doris was born in Winchendon, MA on November 18, 1937, daughter of Lewis Dunham and Arlene (Stowell) Dunham. She attended Royalston schools and graduated from Gardner High School.

Doris married Nelson Messier in 1954. She is survived by their two sons, Paul (Kim) Messier and Mark (Kolinda) Messier, both of Fremont, Nebraska. She is predeceased by their daughter, Darlene Messier. Doris leaves several grandchildren, Lena, Michael, Lewis, Bobby, Phillip, Kirby, Caleb and Tianna and four great grandchildren, Dylan, Kiera, Carly and Christian.

Doris is predeceased by her second husband, Arthur J. Smith. They made their home for a number of years in Westminster. She is also predeceased by brothers, Lewis Dunham of Texas, Harry Dunham of Virginia, and recently sisters, Rita Gates and June Smith, both of Royalston. Doris is survived by her brothers, Roger Dunham of Royalston, Billie of Florida and her two sisters, Alice Leonard of Royalston and Sally Berry of Orange, MA.

Doris worked for a number of years as a waitress at some well-known restaurants in the area, including the Cape Ann Diner, Chat & Chew in Westminster and the Chetwood Restaurant and Inn in Templeton. Doris was known as a hard worker and often worked two and three jobs at a time, including working at Independent Lock in Fitchburg and retiring from Digital Equipment Corporation in Westminster.

Upon retirement, she traveled to jazz and bluegrass festivals as far west as Omaha and south to Florida, where Doris had a vendor booth to sell her craft items of knitted and handmade items. Doris was a prolific oil painter and loved to make many types of crafts.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society.

A memorial service is planned for a later date.

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

CLYDE H. WILBER
December 15, 1940 ~ November 19, 2021 (Age 80)

WINCHENDON - Clyde H. Wilber, 80, of Winchendon died peacefully Friday afternoon, November 19, 2021 in Heywood Hospital, with his family at his side, following a short illness.

He was born in Gardner on December 15, 1940, son of the late Clifford E. and Louise E. (Pierce) Wilber and grew up in East Templeton. Clyde was a 1960 graduate of Narragansett Regional High School and proudly served his country as a member of the United States Coast Guard for four years, following high school graduation.

Clyde worked many years for New England Promotional Marketing until his retirement at the age of 72. In earlier years, he worked at various times for Pages Hardware, Union Twist Drill, RCA Tracking Satellite Station, Rich's Department Store and Pioneer Premium Promotions.

Clyde was an active member of Bethany Baptist Church for 45 years, serving on the Deacon Board and Missionary Board, and serving as church usher, choir member and Sunday School Superintendent. From 2001 to present, Clyde was a member of Beth Eden Baptist Church, serving with its Senior Ministry and as an Adult Sunday School teacher. His other interests included serving on the Northeast Baptist Conference Board, Lakeside Christian Camp Committee and Christian Education District Committee. For many years, Clyde also served on The Master's Christian Academy Board of Directors.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Marilyn M. (Nutt) Wilber; three daughters, Wendy L. Gettens and husband James of Sterling, Penny L. Hebert and husband Mark of Gardner and Tammy R. Kim and husband Eiu of Maynard; a brother, Eugene Wilber and his wife Linda of East Templeton; four grandchildren, Aaron Hebert, Jared Hebert, Emily Kim and Ethan Kim, as well as nieces and nephews. A brother, Carl Wilber, preceded him in death.

Calling hours in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon are Saturday, November 27, 2021 from 3 to 5 P.M.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 3 P.M. in Beth Eden Baptist Church, 350 Ashburnham Street, Fitchburg.

Burial, with military honors, will be in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 1 P.M.

Memorial donations may be made to Beth Eden Baptist Church, 350 Ashburnham Street, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

RICHARD PADENI
July 12, 1933 ~ November 16, 2021 (Age 88)

BRADENTON, FL - Richard "Dick" Padeni of Bradenton, FL., died peacefully on November 16, 2021.

Dick was born in Winchendon, MA on July 12,1933, the son of Milo and Anna (Smith) Padeni and was a graduate of Murdock High School. He proudly served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge, he attended Cushing Academy and Fitchburg State College.

Dick had a career of 32 years with Decotone in MA and SC, retiring as a Production Supervisor. He later worked for a couple of years as Manager of Converting Operations with ITD Metalized.

Dick moved to Florida to fulfill his plan of retiring on a "golf course," living there for the last 28 years, enjoying the company of his many family and friends from Massachusetts, Florida and Canada. A highlight of his life was the opportunity to caddy for his dear friend Laura Davies during a LPGA tournament. Dick loved to play golf and was a New York Yankees fan. In earlier years, he played ball and coached his sons Little League and Hockey teams.

He precedes the love of his life Shirley (Bourgoine) Padeni. Dick has 3 children from his previous marriage, Jimmy, David and Tracy, along with 3 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Military funeral services will be held Friday, December 3, 2021 at 1 P.M. in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations made to the Jimmy Fund.

THERESA ROSE MILLER
December 15, 1940 ~ November 16, 2021 (Age 93)

We lost a very special and amazing person on November 16, 2021. Theresa Rose (Malouin) Miller, 93 years old, passed away peacefully at the Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center where she had resided for the past four years. Theresa was born and raised in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, one of 15 children of Isidore Philippe and Juliette Malouin. She loved to reminisce about her life growing up on Arcadia Avenue, attending Immaculate Conception School, St. Bernard's Central Catholic High School and especially St. Margaret's School of Nursing in Dorchester, MA where she graduated as a registered nurse in 1950.

Theresa began her nursing career as a maternity nurse at the Lucy Helen Hospital and later at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg. She greatly enjoyed being a nurse, and often did private duty care and later worked at Hillcrest Nursing Home giving special care and attention to each resident.

In 1951, Theresa attended a USO dance where she met Vincent Miller, an Army soldier stationed at Fort Devens. Vincent was the love of Theresa's life, and the couple married in 1953. Theresa and Vincent had eight children and family was everything to them. Theresa loved to travel, and together she and Vincent enjoyed numerous road trips with their children. In 1974 they took a special month long trip to Europe planned by Vincent. In later years she chaperoned many yearly trips to France with the St. Bernard's students and Sr. Constantine.

After Vincent died in 1975, Theresa raised their eight children on her own and what a wonderful job she did! Theresa's real joy in life was her eight children, and her thirteen grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. She loved spending time with all of them.

Theresa loved dancing, playing cards, Bingo, Foxwoods, watching The Price is Right and listening to music, especially Dame Vera Lynn. Her favorite foods were tomato sandwiches, corn on the cob and drinking coffee.

Theresa was a Gold Star Wife, volunteered at Our Father's Table and was a member of the Lunenburg Senior Center and the Fitchburg Senior Center for many years.

Theresa is survived by her children, Katie Miller of Portsmouth, NH, Patti Washburn of Ashburnham, Suzie Kowaleski of Winchendon, Joseph Miller of Winchendon, her grandchildren and great grandchildren and her sons in law Mike Dufault and Craig Leger. Her children Marylou Miller, Lisa Miller, Diane Dufault and Michele (Keke) Leger and two special granddaughters, Sara and Jamie Lynn predeceased her.

Theresa is also survived by her two brothers, Omer Malouin of San Antonio, Texas and Gerard Malouin of Cary, North Carolina, and sister Madeleine Julius of Winchester, MA.

Her funeral will be held on Monday, November 22,2021 with a Mass at 11a.m. in St. Denis Church, 85 Main St. Ashburnham, MA . Calling hours are Sunday, November 21,2021 at the funeral home from 3 until 5:30p.m. and all are welcome to attend. A mask is suggested for both the calling hours and at Mass. If you plan to attend the Mass ,please meet at church on Monday.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to the Eagle House Senior Community Center, 25 Memorial Drive, Lunenburg, MA 01462.

"We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day."
Composed by Ross Parker and Hughie Charles
Sung by Dame Vera Lynn

The Lavery Chartrand Alario Funeral Home 99 Summer St. Fitchburg is directing. Michael S. Alario – Director – Owner.

RUTH MARY (McCARTHY) GERACE
February 6, 1937 ~ November 20, 2021 (Age 84)

Born in Everett Massachusetts on February 6, 1937, daughter of the late John J (Jack) & Marion R. (Jodrey) McCarthy, Ruth passed peacefully on November 20, 2021 at The Madonna Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center in North Attleboro MA.

Ruth was a graduate of Medford High School (class of 1955). After raising her large family, she decided to begin a nursing career; graduating from Lawrence Memorial Hospital Nurses Aid Program in 1971 and the Licensed Practical Nurse Program through the Greater Lowell Vocational Tech in 1976.

She was an LPN employed by various Massachusetts Hospitals (St John's Lowell, Whidden Memorial Everett and Joslin Diabetes Center Boston MA), she eventually retired from Clinic work while living in Jacksonville, NC.

Ruth spent her childhood in Everett, after which she raised her family in Medford, Lowell and Chelsea MA. Towards the end of her career, she relocated to Jacksonville, NC where she stayed for almost 22 years. Traveling north to be with family, Ruth has been a resident of The Madonna Manor Center since 2019.

A voracious reader of all types of literature, Ruth enjoyed being surrounded by many of the books she loved. Additionally, she was a highly skilled needle art enthusiast-specifically knitting and needlepoint- making countless afghans and blankets upon request. Numerous times these items were donated or auctioned off for charity.

Ruth was the wife of the late Harry L. Gerace, Sr. and the mother of seven children, 14 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Ruth is survived by her son Francis X. and wife Martina of Winchendon MA, Harry L Jr. and wife Mercy of Revere MA, Brian K. and wife Donna of Attleboro, Joseph A. and wife Ute of Jacksonville NC, and Marion R. Jones and husband Anthony of Wakefield MA. Ruth was predeceased by her son John and surviving wife Rita of Acton MA and Helen A. and her surviving former husband Jamal (Jimmy) Ahmed of Tewksbury MA.

Ruth was the older sister to Barbara White of Newport NC; John J (Jack) McCarthy Jr of Jacksonville FL, Elizabeth Muscarella of Lowell MA, Marjorie Carbone of Londonderry NH, Patricia Weismann of Boxboro MA, and William McCarthy of Farmington ME. She was predeceased by her sister Carol Sandelin.

Ruth's family wishes to especially thank the staff of Madonna Manor for their exceptional level of care of Ruth during her time there, and Old Colony Hospice, who were actively involved with her end-of-life care.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Ruth's visiting hours in the Carafa Family Funeral Home, 389 Washington Ave., CHELSEA, on Wednesday, December 1st from 9:30 – 11:30 A.M. Funeral Services will follow the visitation in the Funeral Home at 11:30 A.M. Services will conclude with inurnment at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.

For the protection of the public health, we kindly ask those not vaccinated to please wear a mask or facial covering. Masks are optional for all those vaccinated.

DONATIONS: In lieu of flowers, her family respectfully asks that you consider a donation in Ruth's memory to The Madonna Manor Skilled Nursing & Rehab Center, c/o the Activities Department, 85 North Washington Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760.