MICHAEL P. DESMARAIS
July 29, 1962 ~ January 22, 2023 (Age 60)

WINCHENDON - Michael P. Desmarais, 60, of Winchendon, died unexpectedly at his residence Sunday, January 22, 2023.

He was born in Winchendon on July 29, 1962, son of the late Leo P. and Gabrielle C. (Twiss) Desmarais. A lifelong Winchendon resident, Mike was a 1980 graduate of Murdock High School.

Mike worked at Belletetes as a woodworker for many years. A NASCAR enthusiast, Mike loved to barbecue and enjoyed building things. He especially enjoyed spending time with his dog Bailey.

He leaves three children, Christopher Desmarais and wife Tina of Star, Idaho, Nicole Hobbs of Eagle, Idaho and Cassandra Desmarais of Boise, Idaho; four grandchildren, Nick Hobbs, Luky Hobbs, Ryver Hobbs and Abigail Tucker; a sister, Elaine O'Malley and husband Patrick of Baldwinville; a brother, Mark E. Desmarais of Winchendon, as well as two aunts, one uncle, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be held Friday, February 3, 2023 from 10 A.M. to 12 Noon in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon. Funeral services will follow at 12 P.M.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in the spring.

Memorial donations may be made to Ahimsah Haven Animal Resue, 202 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.

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

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

PAULA ANNE KELLEHER-WUNDER
July 28, 1945 ~ January 21, 2023 (Age 77)

Haymarket, VA - Paula Anne Kelleher-Wunder died peacefully in Haymarket, VA. on January 21, 2023, surrounded by her children and close friends. Born July 28, 1945, in Winchendon, Massachusetts to the late Thomas A. Kelleher and Pauline Gamache-Kelleher, she lived in Athol and Orange as well as Washington D.C., Dumfries, VA, and Royal Oak, MI.

A one-of-a-kind person, Paula was known for being fiercely loyal, outspoken, and fearless. She instilled those traits in her three children whom she loved dearly and would defend with every fiber of her being but not hesitate to call them to task or face responsibility for their mistakes.

She was a passionate traveller and pet lover often travelling with her pets in tow. Travelling extensively throughout the U.S. she has visited the glaciers of Alaska, the swamps of Florida, and everywhere in-between. Anyone who knew Paula knows that her trip to Wyoming left an indelible impression on her as she never stopped talking about the connection she felt with the place and its awe-inspiring natural wonders. Her never-ending sense of adventure also took her to the British Isles, France, and the Carribean.

Paula is survived by her oldest son Thomas Frawley, his wife Rachel and their children Aria, Logan, and Sedona of Waterford, MI; daughter Paige Wunder-Fadden, her husband Aongus and their children Elizabeth and Brady of Rogers, AR; as well as son Matthew, his wife Jessica, and their children Cami and Chase of Haymarket, VA.

Paula was predeceased by her brother Thomas of Cornville, AZ and is survived by her younger brother Shaun and wife Cheryl of Orange, MA.

A "Celebration of Life" is scheduled for Saturday, February 18 at the Dominion Valley Country Club at 15200 Arnold Palmer Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169 from 4-7 p.m.

The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Paula do so by donating to https://bestfriends.org a charity committed to providing sanctuary to homeless pets and striving to make all animal shelters "no kill shelters" by 2025.

NICOLE (BOYDEN) BREWER
August 13, 1972 ~ January 28, 2023 (Age 50)

WINCHENDON - Nicole (Boyden) Brewer, 50, of Winchendon, died peacefully Saturday, January 28, 2023 in Health Alliance Hospital, Leominster.

She was born in Berlin, Germany on August 13, 1972, daughter of Rudolph and Ruth (Kumbier) Ritter. Nicole immigrated from Germany to the United States in 1991, and she eventually settled in Winchendon for over the past decade. A woman who was passionate about taking care of others, Nicole had earned her Medical Assistant Certificate from Mt. Wachusett Community College and had been accepted in to the 2023 LPN program.

Nicole worked at Heywood Hospital as an Emergency Room Technician and had previously worked as a Medical Assistant at Athol Primary Care. She enjoyed traveling, crafting, horses and spending time with family and friends.

Her husband of twelve years, Andrew Brewer, died in 2020. She leaves three children, Caitlin Connor and husband Patrick of Townsend, Collin Boyden and longtime girlfriend Katelynn Hutton of Winchendon and Caleb Brewer of Winchendon; her brothers, Roger Ritter of Berlin, Germany and David Ritter of Andenau, Germany; her sisters, Eva Wolfe of New Windsor, NY, Astrid DeLeon of Amberg, Bavaria, Jeannette Freeman of Berlin, Germany and her twin, Patricia Favorian-Snyder of York, PA; a grandson Greyson Connor and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be held Friday, February 10, 2023 from 11 AM to 1 P.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Memorial donations may be made to the Caleb Brewer Education Fund, care of Caitlin Boyden.

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

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

KATHERINE A. (WHALEN) RUSSELL
February 26, 1940 ~ January 25, 2023 (Age 82)

WINCHENDON - Katherine A. (Whalen) Russell, 82, of Winchendon, died peacefully Wednesday, January 25, 2023 in Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, with her family at her side.

She was born in Gardner on February 26, 1940, daughter of the late George and Mary (Pavlosky) Whalen and was a member of the first graduating class of Narragansett Regional High School in 1958.

Katherine worked for many years as an assembler for DA Manufacturing in Winchendon until her retirement. She enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles. An avid sports fan, she also loved to shop and then go to Applebee's. For many years, she and her husband spent winters in Florida.

She leaves her husband of 23 years, Kenneth L. Russell; four children, Michele McDonough and husband Richard of Royalston, Mark Russell of Port Orange, FL, Nicole Alger and husband Marc of Rutland, VT and Cheryl LeBlanc and husband Chad of Winchendon; two brothers, Jim Whalen and wife Janice of Baldwinville and Tim Whalen and wife Jackie of Winchendon; a sister in law Susan Whalen of Winchendon; ten grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard Whalen and Jonathan Whalen.

Private funeral services will be held in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

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

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452

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

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

JOANNE I. HANSEN
December 26, 1939 ~ January 26, 2023 (Age 83)

Joanne Iona Hansen, 83, of Beloit, WI, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2023 in her daughters home.

She was born on December 26, 1939, in Winchendon, MA, the daughter of Harold and Pearl Crevier. Joanne was a graduate of North Brookfield High School. She was a veteran of the United States Army. Joanne married Donald Hansen Sr. on October 15, 1960 in North Brookfield, MA. He predeceased her on November 2, 2005.

Joanne provided several families with childcare in the nearby area, and watched her friends dog, Auggie. She loved children and was known as "Grandma JoJo" by many. Joanne was a member of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing bingo, cards, computer games, and was very crafty. Joanne could often be found watching the Game Show Network and doing puzzles. Her love for children lead her to become a foster parent. Joanne cherished spending time with her family.

Survivors include her children, Donald D. "Buddy" (Mary) Hansen Jr., and Kristie (Paul) Petitt all of Beloit, WI; grandchildren, Bradley, Kelsey (Reese), Ryan (Rachel), and Sara (Andrew); great grandson, Jeremy Ribarich; mother, Pearl Crevier of MA; sister, Maria Pollard of Spencer, MA; brothers, Eugene Crevier of North Brookfield, MA, and Harold (Cheri) Crevier of CT; and son-in-law, John Ribarich.

Joanne was predeceased by her father; husband; daughter, Donna Ribarich; sister, Elaine Charron; and dog, Edon.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial for Joanne will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 4, 2023 in Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, 2222 Shopiere Rd., Beloit, WI, with Fr. Michael Resop officiating. Burial will be in Floral Lawn Cemetery. Visitation of Remembrance will be held from 10:30 a.m. until the time of service Saturday in the church. Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to Beloit Regional Hospice.

JOHN J. HARASIMOWICZ
November 14, 1939 ~ January 28, 2023 (Age 83)

WINCHENDON - John J. Harasimowicz, 83, of Winchendon, died Saturday, January 28, 2023 at his residence.

He was born in Gardner on November 14, 1939, son of the late Dr. Paul P. Harasimowicz I and Helen F. (Lapnewska) Harasimowicz and was a 1957 graduate of Gardner High School. He had been a resident of Winchendon for over 50 years.

John proudly served his country as a member of the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He worked for many years as a construction project superintendent for the former A.J. Martini Inc.. until his retirement. He was a member of the Carpenters Union and greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren.

He leaves his wife of 62 years, Judith Anne (DeVoe) Harasimowicz; four daughters, Paula Jean Haley of Worcester, Karen Marie Cornetta of Gardner, Mary Ann Buras and husband Michael of West Newton and Rebecca Jane Raczkowski and husband Thomas of East Amherst, NY and five grandchildren, Justin Reed Haley of Worcester, Katelin Ann Cornetta of Gardner, Matthew Ryan Haley of Worcester, Angela Audrey Buras of Troy, NY and Jennifer Allison Buras of West Newton, MA.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 10 A.M. in Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon.

Military honors will follow in Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, Winchendon.

Calling hours in the funeral home are Wednesday, February 1, 2023 from 5 to 7 P.M.

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

DEBORAH L. GARIEPY
January 20, 1951 ~ January 23, 2023 (Age 72)

Gardner: Deborah L. (Wright) Gariepy, 72, of Gardner, formerly of Leominster, Quincy and Hamden, CT, passed away Monday, January 23, 2023, after a short illness. Debbie was born in Springfield, January 20, 1951, daughter of Shirley (Metcalfe) Wright and the late Crane Wright. Additionally, Deb leaves her beloved daughter Allison Scharf of Nashville, TN; her sister and best friend, Lori Morin and her husband, Brian, Leominster; her brother, Steven Wright and his wife, Karen, of Hampden; her first husband Tim Scharf; stepchildren, Alissa Scharf, Rebecca Scharf, and Michael Scharf; as well as her second husband Dan Gariepy, stepchildren Brian Gariepy and Eric Gariepy. Deb is also survived by nieces, nephews, grandchildren, godchildren and so many who called her their friend.

Graduation from Hamden High School, and later education and training, led her to the medical field in a supportive role at facilities including Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and the Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. Following her retirement she continued to care for people in other humanitarian ways with her volunteer work. Deb served as a volunteer for many years at several institutions including Ginny's Helping Hand in Leominster, the Gardner Veteran's Memorial Center and the Winchendon Community Action Committee, where she is remembered for her sense of humor and dedication to those in need. In a world that could have been a softer place, Debbie herself became a beacon of kindness and strength. She enjoyed gardening, being near the ocean and spending time with her family. She had an easy, infectious laugh, and a generous spirit. Debbie was a light and will be greatly missed by those lucky enough to know and love her. Her legacy is a reminder not only how far-reaching generosity can be, but how deep it takes root in the hearts that need it most.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Spring, when flowers are blooming. The Isabelle & Anderson Funeral Home, 316 Clarendon Street, Fitchburg is assisting the family with arrangements. For additional information or to leave an online condolence please visit their website at www.andersonfuneral.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Winchendon Community Action Committee, 273 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475.