JACQUELYN I. FLYNN
March 21, 1932 ~ March 9, 2022 (Age 89)

Jacquelyn (Gosselin) Flynn of Winchendon Passed away peacefully, Wednesday, March 9th at Heywood Hospital in Gardner. Born on March 21, 1932 she was the daughter of the late Henry and Alvina (Witalisz) Gosselin. She was predeceased by her Husband of thirty years Edward Flynn and her sister Carole Hopper.

She leaves behind her daughters Karen Mattus and husband Thomas of Ashburnham and Nancy Romanowski and husband David of Winchendon. Grandchildren Melissa Sadowsky and her husband Nicholas of Delray Beach, Fl, Jonathan Mattus and wife Carly of Charlotte, NC, Joshua Romanowski of Knoxville, TN and Dylan Romanowski of Winchendon. She leaves great grandchildren Tessa and Owen Sadowsky and Maxwell Mattus, several nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends.

Jackie grew up in Everett Massachusetts graduating from Everett High school. She worked in Education Administration at Tufts University, Murdock High School, the Winchendon School and Mount Wachusett Community College.

After retiring, Jackie traveled extensively across the country visiting family and friends from Florida to California and New Mexico, always taking the train as she had a fear of flying, which she finally conquered to attend a family vacation in Florida. She also spent many years traveling and performing around the country with the Chair City Pipers.

Jackie donated countless volunteer hours for many committees and boards in the town of Winchendon including the Cultural Council, the Housing Authority Board, The Council on Aging and the Winchendon Senior Center. She also worked at the Town Polls on election days where townspeople would look forward to her home baked goods and fudge.

Donations in Jackie’s memory can be made to the Winchendon Senior Center, The Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, the Winchendon Community Park or the Winchendon CAC. We would love to thank the staff at the Heywood Hospital, Gardner rehab and the Winchendon Health Center for all the wonderful care.

Calling hours will be at Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home 343 Central St, Winchendon Friday, March 18th from 5-7pm. A Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, March 19th at 10 am at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church 52 Spruce St, Winchendon, MA.

To leave an online condolence please visit www.stone-ladeau.com.

Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central St., Winchendon is assisting with arrangements.

Kevin J. Mack, Douglas M. Stone, and Walter C. Taylor, funeral directors.

GLORIA V. FREDETTE
February 24, 1939 ~ March 13, 2022 (Age 83)

WINCHENDON - Gloria V Fredette, born February 24, 1939, to Rosario and Mary (Davis) Charlonne, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 13, 2022, in Winchendon, MA surrounded by loved ones.

The last four years of her life she lived with a form of Alzheimer's which progressed over time. She was cared for in her home by her loving husband of 64 years, Robert B. Fredette. The family would like to acknowledge Summit Elder Care of Leominster and thank them for helping him to make this possible.

In addition to her husband, Gloria leaves a daughter, Renee J. Connors and her husband, Patrick of Gardner, and a son, Brian Fredette, and his wife Judy of Winchendon. A son, Scott R. Fredette predeceased her when he was 17 years old. She leaves three granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren which include Heidi Fredette (children, Ivy & Deacon Thomas); Heather & Corey Fisher (children, Bryce & Elyse); and Aimee & Chris Beck (children, Jocelyn, Zariah, Odin, & Vera). She leaves a sister and her husband, Janet & Norman Roberts. She was predeceased by a sister & brother-in-law, Rosalie & John Roberts, and a brother, Kenneth Charlonne. She leaves several godchildren, nieces & nephews.

Gloria worked for 32 years at W.W.Cross in Jaffrey, NH in the quality control department. Gloria enjoyed spending time with family. Holidays were always so much fun and she would go out of her way to make sure these days were extra special for her loved ones. She especially enjoyed cuddling her great-grandbabies and was proud to be present at the birth of her oldest great granddaughter, Jocelyn 11 years ago. With her loving husband by her side, she enjoyed summer camping trips with family in Old Orchard Beach, relaxing in their sunroom, shopping, exploring different restaurants, birthday dinners, and playing dominoes with family.

Funeral services and burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Jude Research Hospital, 313 Washington Street, Newton, MA 02458 or stjude.org in Gloria's memory.

To send an online condolence please visit www.stoneladeau.com.

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

Kevin J. Mack, Douglas M. Stone and Walter C. Taylor funeral directors.

THOMAS W. BEST
March 13, 2022 (Age 80)

ACTON: Thomas W. Best, 80, longtime resident of Acton, MA passed away peacefully Sunday, March 13, 2022. Survivors include his college sweetheart and beloved wife of 57 years, Nancy (Arceci) Best, a native of Winchendon; their children Amy Torres Best and husband Jimmy; Michael Best and wife Nicole; and three grandchildren. Also surviving are his three siblings: Margaret Ann Schrecengost, Judy Olwyn Best, and Gary Best and a sister-in-law Dolores Arceci.

Mr. Best was born in Fredericktown, Pennsylvania and earned his Eagle Scout. After high school in Peters Township, he attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering. He earned his M.S. in Civil Engineering at Iowa State University.

Mr. Best spent 21 years active duty in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and retired as a Major. He also was a veteran of the Vietnam War earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He continued his career as a civilian with the Corp of Engineers and later worked as an Environmental Engineer at Hanscom Air Force Base. Upon his retirement he pursued a passion for genealogy and was known as a genealogy angel helping adoptees and others find their birth families.

Mr. Best was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Dorothy Best.

Visiting hours are Tues. March 22nd from 2-4pm at the Acton Funeral Home, 470 Massachusetts Ave (Rte 111) Acton. The funeral Mass will be celebrated Wed. March 23rd at 9:30am in St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, 89 Arlington St, Acton. The Rite of Committal with military honors will follow at 2pm in the Massachusetts Memorial Veterans' Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St, Winchendon. Memorials are requested for Fisher House of Boston, PO Box 230, South Walpole, MA 02071 and the Acton Council on Aging PO Box 2006 Acton, MA 01720. Memorial page actonfuneralhome.com

DERIK A. MERRITT
February 3, 1982 ~ March 12, 2022 (Age 40)

WINCHENDON - Derik A. Merritt, 40, of Winchendon died unexpectedly Saturday evening, March 12, 2022.

He was born in Greenfield, MA on February 3, 1982, son on Joseph Merritt of Athol and the late Brenda (Webster) Barnes and lived in Baldwinville for 17 years until moving to Winchendon five years ago.

Derik was a 2000 graduate of Narragansett Regional High School and had worked as an automotive mechanic for many years. he had worked at the former Jack's Auto Repair on Winchendon. An outdoor enthusiast, Derik enjoyed fishing and hiking.

In addition to his father, he leaves his companion and mother of his children, Nicole Harty of Winchendon; three children, Min-D Merritt, Deaven Merritt and Zackary Merritt, all at home; a brother, Camden Barnes of Ft. Worth, Indiana and his grandmother, Maureen Webster of Orange. A son, Derik Merritt, preceded him in death in 2000.

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

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

Kevin J. Mack, Douglas M. Stone and Walter C. Taylor funeral directors.

MARJORIE L. DAVAN
March 9, 1970 ~ March 14, 2022 (Age 52)

AYER: Marjorie L. Davan, 52, a longtime resident of Ayer, died unexpectedly Monday, March 14, 2022 while snowmobiling in Lower Cupsuptic Township, Maine.

Marjie was born in Groton, March 9, 1970, a daughter of Nancy B. (Phelps) Davan and the late Donald K. Davan and resided most of her life in Ayer. She was a 1988 graduate of Ayer High School where she enjoyed playing basketball and softball.

After graduating from high school, Marjie went to work at Cains Company in Ayer where she remained for 29 years when the plant was relocated. She then worked several years at J.P. Sullivan Apple Company in Ayer.

In addition to her mother of Ayer, Margie leaves three brothers, Kenneth C. Davan of Fitchburg, Ronald W. Davan of Winchendon, Michael R. Davan of Shirley; two sisters, Bonnie J. Holleran of Fitchburg, Brenda M. Smith of Westminster; her boyfriend, Dana Lawrence of Oquossoc Village, Maine. She also leaves several nieces and nephews.

Marjie's family will receive relatives and friends at calling hours Sunday, March 20, 2022 from 2pm-5pm at the Anderson Funeral Home, 25 Fitchburg Road, (Rte 2A) Ayer. For additional information or to leave an online condolence, please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com.

Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, March 21, 2022 in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Ayer.