Author Archives: Dana Farwell

   Despina “Tess” Kopka, of Nashua and formerly of Salem, MA, passed away Thursday morning, April 25, 2024 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. She was the wife of William Kopka, to whom she had been married for 49 years.        

    A resident of Nashua since 1965, Tess was born in 1932 in Peabody, Massachusetts, a daughter of the late John and Mary (Supronovich) Rafael.

    She worked as a Production Control Planner for Harris Corporation in Nashua, an Electronic Assembler and Inspector for Sprague Electric in Nashua, was an Office Clerk for Ackley Associates in Nashua, and a Data Entry Clerk for Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Nashua.

    Tess was very active at Christmas Fairs and well known for her Christmas Tree Creations, etc.  She was a member of the former St. Casimir Church and past Secretary of the St. Casimir Couples Club. Tess was most recently a communicant of St. Christopher Church in Nashua following the closing of St. Casimir’s Church.

    From 1987 to the present, she and her husband William, owned and operated Kopka Tax Service that provided tax and electronic filing services.

    Tess was predeceased by her first husband, Robert J. Walker, Sr. of Nashua, to whom she had been married for 25 years; her son, Robert J. Walker, Jr. of Nashua; a sister, Ethel Kirrane of Beverly, MA; her brothers, George Rafeal of Beverly, MA and Nicholas Rapheal of Hendersonville, TN; and a grandson, Travis Levesque.

     Besides her husband, survivors include three sons and a daughter-in-law, Clinton J. and Sheryl Walker of Amherst, NH, Richard J. Walker and Joseph J. Walker of Nashua; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Leslie Berry of Keene, NH, and Debra and Dean Parks of Nashua; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews who she dearly loved.

     A private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. 

   Eugenia Bielawski, 98, of Nashua, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 17, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Kazimierz Bielawski with whom she shared 62 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2014.

    Born in Warsaw, Poland, on January 5, 1926, to Aleksander and Emma Slowik. She lived her early years in Poland until she was displaced to Germany after World War II. Eugenia immigrated to the United States in 1951 and settled in Nashua, NH, where she has been a lifelong resident. Eugenia worked in several of the mills in Nashua including Sprague Electric and Horton & Hubbard.

    Eugenia enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting and spending quality time with her family whom she loved deeply. She was a communicant of St. Kathryn Parish in Hudson, NH and the former St. Stanislaus Church in Nashua, NH.

    Members of her family include her sons, Richard Bielawski and his wife Cindy, and Stefan Bielawski; daughters, Elizabeth Smith, Danuta Clarke and Barbara Bielawski; five grandsons, Timothy Smith and his wife Michelle, David Smith and his wife Season, Derek Bielawski and his wife Suzanne, Thomas Clarke and his wife Angie, and Michael Clarke; six great-grandchildren, Ally Smith, Brady Smith, Jenna Clarke, Gabby Clarke, Izzy Clarke and Kennedy Smith; two nieces, Jadzia Davie and Halina Lukaszewicz. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Julia Lukaszewicz.

    The family would like to express their gratitude to the entire staff on Rose Lane at All American Assisted Living in Londonderry, NH as well as Brookhaven Hospice for the care and loved shown to their mom.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday, April 25^th from 5 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Kathryn Church, 4 Dracut Road, Hudson, NH, Friday morning, April 26^th at 10 o’clock. Interment will follow in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Pine Hill Road in Nashua. Friends are invited to attend and will gather at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Scott G. Grandmaison, 63, a lifelong Nashua resident, passed away Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center after a brief illness.         

   Born in Nashua on July 1, 1960, he was a son of the late Gerald L. Grandmaison and Barbara H. (Barr) Grandmaison. Educated in local schools, Scott was a graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1978.

   Scott had been employed as a foreman with the Iron Workers Union, Local #7 for twenty-five years.

    An avid golfer, Scott also enjoyed fishing, hunting, motorcycling and cooking in his leisure time. He held membership in both the Club National of Nashua and the Nashua Fish and Game Club.

    Scott leaves behind Kathleen M. Martin-Grandmaison; his stepson, Dillon Martin and his wife Megan; three grandchildren, Landon, Layne and Layla; his brothers, Thomas A. Grandmaison and his wife Lauren and their son, Andrew, and Michael Lacombe and his sons, Cody and Adam, and Adam’s son Lincoln; also three brothers-in-law and their wives, Edward and Margaret Larkin, John and Patricia Larkin and Stephen and Marilynn Larkin; and twelve nieces and nephews.

     Family and friends are invited to the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday, April 19^th from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. followed by a prayer service. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Scott’s memory to the Nashua Children’s Home Association, 125 Amherst Street, Nashua, NH 03064. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

A graveside service will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Nashua Street, in Milford, NH for David Crane Miller, 73,  who passed away in Parsippany, NJ after a lengthy illness.

Born in New York City, NY in 1949, he was the son of the late John Hamilton Miller II and Harriet Crane Miller of Rumson, NJ.  David was also predeceased by his older brother, John Hamilton Miller III of Little Compton, RI.  Educated in NJ schools, David attended Rumson Country Day School as a child and graduated from the local high school.  After graduating from Paul Smith’s College, David attended technical school where he trained in computer science.

A member of the Rumson Country Club in Rumson, NJ, David enjoyed skeet shooting on the grounds of the club. Close to his family members throughout his life, David enjoyed many evenings at the home of his older brother John and his wife Lora  spending time with his niece Hope and nephews Rhoads and Ned at their NJ home. In his later years, David was a welcome guest at his younger brother Toby’s home in Charlestown, MA where he instructed his young niece on space travel and his nephew on building with construction blocks.

After retiring, David pursued his interest in scuba diving, underwater photography and the great outdoors.  Travel to national parks allowed David to pursue his lifelong interest in the natural world.  He was fond of recalling trips taken as a child with his family throughout the southwest and Yosemite, riding in the back seat with his brother.

Throughout his life, David contributed to food banks and wildlife and conservation causes.  Giving back to the wider community was important to David.

Members of his family include his brother Talbott (Toby) Miller and his wife Mary Jo Dahlbloom, his sister-in-law Lora MacFall and her husband Douglas MacFall; his niece Hope Miller Burchard and her husband Jason F. Burchard and their daughters; his nephew Rhoads Elkington Miller and his son and daughter; his nephew Edward Crane Miller and his wife Sarah L. Miller and their daughters and son; a niece Marina Miller; a nephew Alex Miller and several cousins.

There are no calling hours.  Donations may be made to his memory to World Central Kitchen at wck.org or your local food bank .  Arrangements are in care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, NH.

   Inda E. Farrell, 96, wife of the late Robert J. Farrell, passed away at her home, Sunday, April 7, 2024.         

   She was born in Groton, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Lovell and Ida Souther. Inda attended nurses training school at Memorial Hospital in Nashua now known as Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.  

    Inda was a member of the New Hampshire Nurses Association and certified as a Psychiatric Nurse. She was a member of the James E. Coffey Post Ladies Auxiliary and was a life member of the 101^st Airborne Association.

    She and her late husband enjoyed traveling throughout the states and several countries abroad.

    Inda is survived by her five children, Catherine Cogswell, Kristen Farrell-Dabilis and her husband Tom, Kirk Farrell and his wife Kathy, Shaun Farrell and his wife Maggie, and Shannon Goodrich and her husband Mike; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

   As per her request, there are no calling hours and burial will be private. Inda will be laid to rest next to her husband at Edgewood Cemetery. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

Tom Dufresne, Hollis, New Hampshire, died on April 6 after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on October 24, 1950, in Lowell, Mass, Tom was the beloved son of the late Robert and Claire (Mailloux) Dufresne. He lived his formative years in Tewksbury, Mass, and graduated from Tewksbury High School and UMass Lowell. He was a member of the Kappa Delta Phi Fraternity while at UMass and kept in touch with his fraternity brothers throughout his life. Most of his professional career was spent in beverage sales.

Tom was an avid hunter and fisherman, both warm water and ice fishing. He and his brothers spent a lot of time together, fishing in Lake Michigan, Lake Winnipesaukee, and sometimes even Flint’s Pond in Hollis. His favorite hunting spots were in northern New Hampshire and New Brunswick, Canada.

Tom had two real passions. The first was cycling. He took this sport up initially to ride in the Pan Mass Challenge (PMC) to raise money for the Jimmy Fund and the Dana Farber Cancer Center. He rode with his team, Nashua Rides for Hope, the first weekend in August every year. The course was 192 miles over 2 days. There were many good stories about the team and their shenanigans at the Monkey Bar in Provincetown and on the Party Boat ride back into Boston. The irony, of course, is that Tom succumbed to this dreadful disease himself. Over the course of 16 years, Tom raised over $131,000, 100% of which went directly to cancer research.

His second passion was conservation. As a member, and later Chair, of the Hollis Conservation Commission, Tom was responsible for preserving thousands of acres around Hollis from development, a remarkable and enduring legacy.

On August 10, 1974, Tom married Martha Bassett. They spent their early years in Nashua, before settling in Hollis in 1983. They would have celebrated 50 years of marriage this August. In addition to his wife, Martha, Tom will also be greatly missed by his two daughters, Caitlin and Margaret, and his two beloved granddaughters, Lilyth and Evelyn, who knew him as Pepere.

He is also survived by his brothers John (Claudia), Hollis, NH, and Bobby (Vicky), Nashua, NH; sisters Roberta Gasco (Stephen) Meredith, NH, Elaine Dunn (John), Merrimack, NH, and Mary Leen (Kevin), Key West, FL. In addition, Tom leaves behind his brothers-in-law Bob Bassett (Marilyn Ray), Caribou, ME, and Tom Bassett (Carol Spindel), Urbana, IL, as well as his sisters-in-law Mary Bassett (Art Giacomarra), Northborough, MA, and Annie Bienvenue (Rick) Lowell, MA. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins. His youngest sister, Annette, predeceased him.

Friends may call on Thursday, April 11, 2024, from 4-7 at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock St., Nashua, NH. There will be a mass in his honor on Friday, April 12, 11 AM, at the Parish of the Resurrection, Broad Street, Nashua. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Dana Farber Cancer Center or the Jimmy Fund. Please donate online at www.pmc.org/BD0267 or mail to Bob Dufresne, 17 Settlement Way, Nashua, NH 03063. Condolences/directions at www.farwellfuneralservice.com.

Patricia “Patti” Helen Chilton, a beloved woman known for her warm heart, vivacious spirit, and unwavering commitment to her family, passed away on April 5th, 2024.

Born in Nashua, New Hampshire, Patricia’s early years were spent absorbing the rich tapestry of life in a small town, which laid the foundation for her nurturing and compassionate nature. She was raised in Townsend, Massachusetts, where she blossomed into a remarkable woman admired by all who knew her.

Patti’s life was a testament to her profound love for her family. She was a devoted mother to Tawny (Chilton) Lasco, husband Michael Lasco, Cody Chilton, and Alexis Chilton, cherishing every moment spent with them and guiding them with her wisdom and grace. She cherished being a Nana to Hendrex Lasco, who she embraced with joy and enthusiasm, showering him with love and affection that knew no bounds.

She also held a special place in her heart for her siblings, Eugene Currier, Brian Dailey Jr., and Misty (Dailey) Bergeron. The bond they shared was fortified by shared experiences and love. Patti’s presence brought light, laughter and direction to their lives, and she will be deeply missed.

Patti was predeceased by her mother, Margaret (Woodside) Dailey and survived by her father, Jerry Currier, and her loving step father, Brian Dailey. Patti was the loving aunt to many nieces and nephews, who always looked to her for love, guidance and support.

She exemplified the characteristics of someone with the love for caretaking those around her. This was a part of her from a young age working at nursing homes and a local health food store in Groton, MA. As she grew her capabilities through raising her children, Patti became a licensed barber in the small town of Hollis, NH. She worked at a local barber shop, and soon became a small business owner. After her success creating many relationships with those she served and creating a welcoming environment to all, she went back to caretaking others in different ways. She worked at a variety of home, health, and hospice, along with assisted living for those with memory disabilities. Patti stayed connected with many coworkers and clients from all of her work experience as she adjusted to her lifestyle.

As we bid farewell to Patricia Helen Chilton, we reflect on the indelible mark she has left on our lives. Her journey on this earth may have ended too early, but her story continues through the lives of her family and all who were fortunate enough to know her. In her memory, let us cherish our loved ones a little more closely and strive to live with the same generosity and love that she exemplified.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 12th from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, NH. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Patti’s name to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, American Cancer Society or a charity of one’s choice, as a tribute in her generous spirit and commitment to helping others. We invite all who knew and loved Patti to join us in honoring her memory and celebrating the remarkable life she lived. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Joann E. Breen, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 4, 2024 at the age of 94.

   She was born August 18, 1929 in Augusta, Ga, the daughter of the late Clarence Cheeks and Johanna Elizabeth “Bessie” (McKnight) Cheeks. Joann was the eighth of nine children. She had been a longtime resident of Nashua, since 1968.

    After hearing Happy Birthday sung in Sunday school, she went home and using two fingers played Happy Birthday for her brother, she was four years old. At a later time she heard Roll Out the Barrel on the radio and played it on the piano.  In the 1^st grade she changed her name from Johanna to Joann, she didn’t like Johanna.

    At 7 years old, she took piano instruction and played in her first recital. The teacher had her play middle c with the right hand, then the left, which was the 1^st piano lesson. Joann was humiliated and showed everyone her real ability with both hands she broke out with God Bless America. At the age of 12 she was playing in church.

    Joann was attending the Barrett school of nursing at the University hospital in Augusta when she was a senior, and married Michael T. Breen on June 2, 1950, and later graduated. While at Barrett, she was a member of the glee club. For the next two years, she practiced nursing at the university hospital while Michael served in the Army in Germany.

    After Michael’s return to Augusta, they moved to Alexandria, VA where they started a family. In 1963, the couple moved the family to Hyattsville, Md where they purchased their 1^st home.

   Joann practiced nursing again at Prince George’s General Hospital in Prince Georges, Md for 5 years. She also worked private duty in a home for one year, preferred the hospital.

    In 1968, the family moved to Nashua where she joined Nashua Baptist Church and became pianist shortly thereafter. Joann was a junior girl scout leader for 3 years and very active in her church. Every week she would buy flowers and make a floral arrangement for the front of the church. She would then look for someone troubled and send the arrangement home with them.

     In 1969 she was hired by Greenbriar Nursing Home. Shortly after she started a weekly workshop service for points. In 1975 she was promoted to In Service Director, and was teaching students to become nurses aides.  In 1976, Joann earned her certification in Geriatrics, but resigned from nursing months later due to a back injury. A number of years later, she served as co-president of the Nashua Garden Club.  She served as secretary of the Nashua Soup Kitchen where she spearheaded a rummage sale to bring in funds.

    Joann remained very active in her church. Twice she won the culinary delights competition with The Telegraph. She placed entries in the Deerfield Fair for many years, walking away with 27 ribbons the first year.

     In her senior years, she worked in the nursery while Mom’s attended bible study. She worked at three churches, she continued to play keyboard for over 40 years at Greenbriar for their worship services, until she fell and broke her leg.

    Joann is predeceased by son, John E. Breen and her husband of 71+ years, Michael T. Breen. She is survived by a son, Michael P. Breen of Nashua and a daughter, Marie E. Pierce of Nashua; three granddaughters, Michelle Breen of Maine, Joann Breen Merrill of Maine and Heather (Pierce) Blasnek of Colorado; three adopted grandsons, Taylor Bulluck of Nashua, Drew Bulluck of Concord, NH and Nathan Bulluck of Nashua; and eight granddaughters.

     If you would like to give a donation in her memory, please send a check to: Northeastern Baptist College, P.O. Box 4600, Bennington, VT 05201. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com The Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, assisted the family with arrangements. 

     Daniel T. Dube, 90, of Hudson, passed away Thursday morning, April 4, 2024 at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a period of declining health.

    Born in Nashua on April 17, 1933, he was a son of the late Simeon T. and Jeannette A. (Blais) Dube. Dan grew up in the French Hill neighborhood of Nashua and attended the former St. Francis Xavier Parochial School. An Army veteran, Mr. Dube served his country at Landstuhl Hospital, Germany during the 1950’s and also at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in the early 60’s. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant.

    Dan had been employed with Greg & Son, Pennichuck Water Works in Nashua, Pelham Woodcraft and later with Alden and Broden Corporation. 

     He was a communicant of St. John The Evangelist Church in Hudson for many years and held membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars Nashua Post 483. In his leisure time, Dan enjoyed growing tomatoes, camping, traveling and hunting.

    Dan was the husband of the late Sara A. “Sally” (Reynolds) Dube, whom he married on June 25, 1955 and shared 52 years together until her passing on June 27, 2007.

   Members of his family include his five children, Thomas Dube, Sister Diane Dube, PM, Maria Dube, Susanne Levesque and her husband Michael, and the late Dennis A. Dube, who passed away in 1998; ten grandchildren, Joshua, Daniel and his wife Jen, Amanda and her husband John, Casandra, Tanya, Ashley and her husband Travis, Hannah and her husband Neil, Austin and his wife Jillian, Sarah and Alex; fourteen great-grandchildren, Celia, Aidan, Isabelle, Owen, Will, Dylan, Madysen, Abigail, Paisley, Finnley, Clark, Bobby, Danny and Lucy; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Leonard and Jacqueline Dube and Gerard and Margaret Dube; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Nancy C. Bathalon, Natalie Gendron and Frances and Donald Doucette; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, wife and son, Dan was predeceased by two sisters, Therese Maheu and Margaret Demanche.

  Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Wednesday, April 10^th from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. John The Evangelist Church / St. John XXIII Parish, 25 Library Street in Hudson, Thursday, April 11^th at 10 a.m. Friends are invited to meet at the church. Interment will take place at a later date. Donations may be made in his memory to the Community Hospice House, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Chelsea A. (Dube) Vicaire, 30, of Hudson, wife of MacKenzie Vicaire, passed away Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2024 at Southern New Hampshire Medical Cetner in Nashua after a period of declining health.         

    Born in Nashua on December 27, 1993, she is a daughter of Jamie and Valerie (Harvey) Dube. Chelsea grew up in Hudson and was a graduate of Alvirne High School Class of 2012.

    Prior to her illness, Chelsea had been employed as a cashier at Market Basket in Hudson and also in the meat department of the Market Basket in South Nashua. She later worked at BAE Systems for a time.

    Chelsea especially loved spending time with her son, Sebastain. She also loved her cats and enjoyed surfing the internet in her leisure time.

Members of her family include her husband, MacKenzie; a son, Sebastian Vicaire; her parents, Jamie and Valerie Dube; a brother (her twin) Tyler Dube and his significant other Megan Makara; her sister, Rebecca Dube and her significant other Neil O’Brien; nephews, Danny and Theo O’Brien; her great aunt, Judy and her husband, uncle Butch.

     Family and friends are invited to the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, April 9^th from 5 to 8 p.m. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

   Arvid John Dahlbloom, Jr., 67, a prominent businessman of Nashua and formerly of Auburn, NH, passed away at his home, Saturday morning, March 30, 2024 after a period of declining health.         

    Born in Nashua on December 21, 1956, he was the son of the late Arvid John and Josephine Christine (Wilson) Dahlbloom. Educated in local schools, Arvid was a graduate of Daniel Webster College in Nashua, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business.

   Prior to his retirement, Arvid owned and operated a chain of successful, innovative pet stores in the New England area centered around his vision of creating an animal to people matchmaking service.  His wife Robin shared this vision as they incorporated it in their stores. 

      Arvid’s lifelong dedication to animal welfare began at an early age when he organized neighborhood kids to rescue snapping turtles stranded in the middle of the road near Salmon Brook in Nashua.  He raised tadpoles in a bathtub for the NH Fish hatchery.  Every lost or stray dog or cat seemed to find their way to Arvid’s garage where they found shelter with a kind boy until their home could be located.  In later years, Arvid and his wife Robin along with their children Arvid Jr. and Alayna rescued larger animals, reptiles and birds who had been abandoned.  The neighbors all joined in as Arvid and his family chased runaway emus through back yards of Auburn and horses through fields on the family’s seven acre farm and brought them safely home. 

      Arvid carried his love of animals to young and old alike through community outreach efforts.  It has been said of Arvid that he “never met a stranger” either in the animal or the human world.  Forging connections between the two worlds sustained him and was his life’s mission.  An early proponent of comfort animal companions for the elderly, Arvid brought animals to nursing homes and assisted living facilities throughout the Nashua area.  Grateful residents looked forward to “Arvid’s Animal” visits which staff credited with lifting spirits in dementia and Alzheimer’s patients.  Educating the public about New England wildlife was a passion of Arvid’s.  He visited schools and participated in events in New Hampshire and the Boston area often presenting with a wildlife conservationist on the value of the human and animal world connection.  Arvid believed each could learn from the other.  He matched a scarlet macaw to a member of an internationally renowned rock group with the same care he took pairing a kitten to his beloved niece and a springer spaniel to his devoted nephew. 

      Devotion to his family was the driving force in Arvid’s life.  From the time his son Arvid Jr. was born until the night before Arvid died, his last words in the evening were, “I love you, Son.”  His pride in all of his son’s accomplishments shone always in his bright blue eyes even as they dimmed.  His granddaughter Ivy Ann was the light of his life and he took great joy in watching her evolve and grow in the short time they had together.

    An active outdoorsman, Arvid was an avid fisherman, enjoyed riding motorcycles and gardening at his home. He coached a girls’ softball team, basketball teams and other sports both in Auburn and Nashua, sponsoring youth athletics as his Dad had  before him. 

   Members of his family include his son and daughter-in-law, Arvid John Dahlbloom III and Maurine Dahlbloom and their daughter Ivy Ann Dahlbloom; his step-daughter, Alayna Peck and her daughters, Janessa and Serenity; his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Jo Dahlbloom and Talbott Miller; his niece and nephew, Marina Miller and Alex Miller; several cousins; and his aunt Donna Reay of Minnetonka, Minnesota with whom he shared a love of the outdoors and nature.  Arvid is also survived by faithful family friends, Mr. and Mrs. Jean Levesque of Nashua, NH.

    In addition to his parents, Arvid was also predeceased by his former wife, Robin L. Dahlbloom and his partner of twenty years, Susan B. Salisbury.

There are no calling hours. A Graveside Service will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Nashua Street in Milford, Saturday morning, April 13^th at 11:00 AM. Friends are invited to attend. Donations may be made in his memory to Envisioning Access, 541 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02134 to support use of innovative technologies and capuchin service monkeys to help people with disabilities, formerly known as Helping Hands: Monkey Helpers. For additional information or to make an online donation in Arvid’s memory, please visit envisioningaccess.org. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

    Edward Floyd Durivage, 83, of Hudson, passed away Friday afternoon, March 29, 2024 at Elliot Hospital in Manchester after a period of declining health.         

    One of nine children, Ed was born in Nashua on December 26, 1940, a son of the late Floyd C. and Yvonne L. (Lemay) Durivage. A resident of Hudson for many years, he previously made his home in Merrimack and Nashua. Educated in local schools, Ed was an Army veteran who served his country from May 1963 to May 1965.

   A longtime landscaper, Ed owned and operated D & S Landscaping for many years. In his leisure time, Ed loved horse racing, traveling and visiting casinos all around the USA.

    Members of his family include his wife, Shirley R. (Smith) Lafreniere Durivage; his three children, Edward F. Durivage, Jr. and his significant other Jessica Bourgois, Donna Comire  and John Durivage; four grandchildren, Jason Durivage and his wife Whitney, Nicole Tetrault and her husband Ryan, Emery Comire and Brianna Ballard and her husband James; five great-grandchildren, Grace Durivage, Blake Durivage, Callum Tetrault, Cassidy Tetrault and Amarah Dagher; and many nieces and nephews. Ed was predeceased by his brothers, Robert, Rodney and William Durivage; and his sisters, Shirley Bouley, Nancy Welch, Margaret Mailloux, Betty Lafond and Judy St. Onge.

    Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday, April 4^th from 6 to 8 p.m. Army Funeral Honors and Interment will take place at the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Route 3 in Boscawen on Friday, April 5^th at 2 p.m. Friends are invited to attend. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Kathryn Rita Urquhart, 77 of Hudson, NH passed after a brief illness, Tuesday March 26^th, 2024.

Mrs. Urquhart was born October 25^th, 1946 in Nashua, NH, daughter of the late James Edward Diggins and Rita D. (St. Germain) Diggins. She lived most of her life in Nashua but moved in later life to North Carolina to be with her children. Most recently she returned to Nashua to be close to her sisters and youngest daughter with whom she lived.

She was a graduate of Nashua High School class of 1965. Over the years she worked for the telephone company, Nashua Trust and then many years for the City of Nashua.

Kathryn enjoyed cooking, canning, sewing and knitting. But most essentially her life was about caring for others. Even while raising her own children she would take in troubled youth before their transition to foster care. She cared deeply about family and she cherished every birthday, holiday and family event. Her greatest joy was the happiness of her children and their children.

Mrs. Urquhart was predeceased by a brother, James Diggins, her brother-in-law Charles Griffin, and her brother-in-law Walter Matte.

She is survived by four sons, two daughters and their spouses, Alan B. and Joyce B. Urquhart of Fort Mill, SC, Christopher J. and Jennifer L. Urquhart of Fort Mill, SC, Kevin R. and Kay B. Urquhart of Charlotte, NC, Amanda B. and Ken D. Dover of Fort Mill, SC, Candace R. Brickey of Hudson, NH, and Dave Clark and Sean M. Urquhart of Charlotte, SC;  her four sisters and two brothers-in-law, Diana and Barry Isaacs of Leland, NC, Janet and Frank Prince, Peggy Matte, all of Nashua, NH, and Frances Griffin of Natick, MA and a sister-in-law, Nancy Diggins of Weare NH;  her eleven grandchildren and their spouses Ali and Nichole Urquhart, Aidan and Anna Urquhart, Ryan Urquhart, Taylor (Urquhart) and Sean Meadows, Kendall Dover (passed), Kenneth Dover Jr., Haley (Dover) and Justin Adkins, and Matthew and Lauren Brickey.

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their spouses; Steven and Robyn Isaacs, Matthew and Kristen Isaacs, Carl and Monique Johnson, Peter Matte, Gregory and Bridget Matte, Kyle Griffin, Amanda Diggins and Shawn Diggins; and many great grandchildren and wonderful friends.

Family and friends are invited to the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Friday, May 10^th from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. followed by interment in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

Sergio “Papi” Hebra Sr. passed away peacefully surrounded by his large and loving family while clutching his baseball, covered in his Yankee blanket, and with canaries singing until his last breath.

Born in Havana, Cuba in 1932, Sergio experienced that storied city in its heyday. He played in the Cuban amateur baseball leagues until age 21 when he was signed by Joe “Papa Joe” Cambria to start a minor league career in United States, eventually signing a minor league contract with the Washington Senators.

After his playing days, Sergio settled down in his Havana “barrio” and married the love of his life, Consuelo. The young couple started a family, but in 1959 their lives would change forever when a ruthless, communist dictator took over the country. They realized they had to leave their homeland and applied for an exit visa that took three years to receive. While waiting to leave the island, Sergio worked in forced labor camps cutting sugar cane under watchful eyes of Revolution Committee members.  The night before the family was granted permission to defect, a Revolution soldier arrived to deliver threatening, parting insults, then confiscated the house and all personal valuables and kicked the family into the street with whatever clothing they could fit in a suitcase.

After arriving in Miami, FL and through word-of-mouth in the Cuban-American community, Sergio moved the family to Lynbrook, NY but soon found better employment opportunities in Nashua, NH—their newly adopted hometown.  Despite language and cultural differences, the family quickly adapted to the new American way of life.  For the children, it seemed like an easy transition, and soon a large network of American friends became a part of the entire Hebra family. Maybe it was the open door and constant social activity at the house… or the delicious Cuban food that always seemed available.

Papi loved baseball and was a true New York Yankees fan for life (ugh)! He enjoyed talking to young people about the game, teaching them how to grip the ball correctly and throw a curveball (his specialty). He met lifelong friends at Grace/Hampshire Chemical, but over the years never stopped complaining about how overtime shifts were taken from him…40 years ago!  He delighted in breeding canaries but only sold them to friends. He enjoyed watching cowboy movies and any MLB games, as well as random visits from Bob, his energetic and very helpful neighbor and friend. He was energized by telling stories until the very end.

And of course, his love for family and his friends was passionate and undeniable. He truly was everyone’s Papi, even before there was a Big Papi in Boston.

Papi’s wife, Consuelo Milian, predeceased him by ten years and said to him just before she passed: “Don’t get too comfortable, you are right behind me.” Guess he showed her.

He is also preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Hebra and Concepción Rego, sister Olga Bustamante, sister-in-law Silvia Abelleira and husband Angel Abelleira, and mother-in-law Josefina Valdes (who would prepare family meals, but there were times when Papi came home hungry after a 12-hour shift and she had already given his plate to her favorite son-in-law, Angel).  Yeah, he remembered that until the end, too.

Papi is survived by mostly Boston Red Sox fans, daughter Ana and husband Andy, son Sergio and wife Jada, daughter Diane and husband Dave, brother Andres and wife Maria, nephews (like sons) Angel and wife Susan, Alberto and wife Mary, Andres Jr. and wife Elvie, and Albert. Grandchildren include Natalia, Sam, Dante, Diego and wife Lauren, Mia, Lily and Nickolas. Grandnephews/nieces include Brandon, Andy and wife Jenni, Dennis, Audrey and husband Paul, Eric, Vanessa, Julien, Jaden and great grandnieces include Yvette, Sophia Belle and Sara Beth, and several members of the Milian and Rego families.Papi will be profoundly missed and always loved by his family and friends.

A private burial service and celebration of life will be held at a later date. If you’d like to honor Papi’s memory with a donation, you are invited to contribute to any of the following: The Community Hospice House in Merrimack; NH SPCA; Dana Farber Cancer Institute; Checks payable to: The Consuelo Hebra Fund for Families in Transition Mount Pleasant Elementary School, 10 Manchester Street, Nashua, New Hampshire 03064. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com  Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.

    Brenda C. Frost, 60, of Dexter, Maine and formerly of Nashua, passed away peacefully at her home, Wednesday evening, March 20, 2024, after a period of declining health.   

    One of thirteen children, Brenda was born in Nashua on June 10, 1963, a daughter of the late Robert E. and Emiline V. (Lambert) Frost. Brenda resided at the family home on Whitney Street in Nashua for many years with her sister, Mildred and husband Daniel Durant and has resided with her sister, Beverly Stewart and husband Brent of Dexter, ME for the past six years.

   Members of her family include two brothers, Wilfred Dukette of New Hampshire and Robert E. Lee Frost and his wife Susan of Merrimack; five sisters, Cecile Maker and her husband Wallace of Merrimack, Florence Kortz and her husband Richard of Owensboro, KY, Lorraine Dukette of Nashua, Linda Camber  of Dexter, ME, Beverly Stewart and her husband Brent also of Dexter, ME, and Charlene Mack and her husband Daniel of Londonderry; also many nieces and nephews and many caretakers throughout the years.

    In addition to her parents, Brenda was also predeceased by two brothers, Frank and George Dukette; and two sisters, Mildred Durant and Theresa Hair.

     Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, April 2^nd from 5 to 8 p.m. Her funeral service will be held in the funeral home, Wednesday, April 3^rd at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in St. Louis Cemetery in Nashua. Friends are invited to attend. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the sudden passing of Brenda A. Labrie, 62, on Tuesday, March 19^th, of Litchfield, N.H. She passed away peacefully at Catholic Medical Center in the ICU, surrounded by her family, and loved ones.

Brenda was born on September 15^th, 1961, in Nashua, to Leo F. Mondoux and Evelyn M. Mondoux (Wilkins), both deceased. She was the youngest of three siblings, sister to Leo R. Mondoux (deceased), and Michael J. Mondoux of Hudson, N.H.

She grew up in the Nashua area and was a graduate of Nashua High and Class of 1979. Brenda continued her educational journey at Plymouth State College and completed her bachelor’s degree in business management at New Hampshire College in 1984. She went on to pursue a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership at Southern New Hampshire University and graduated in 2012.

Brenda began her professional career in Human Resources at Nashua Trust Company in 1982, which eventually became First NH Bank. She started a successful career with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) in 1996. Brenda has worked at SNHU for the last 28 years, holding several different positions in the Human Resources Department. Her most recent position as the Associate Vice President of Benefits. Brenda’s dedication, hard work and integrity helped build many of the programs and benefits in place at the organization today. She was committed to her work and cared deeply for all of those she worked closely with over the years.

She will always be remembered for her kind and compassionate spirit. Brenda was devoted to her family and friends and always placed others’ needs above her own. Her smile was infectious and will be forever missed. One of her favorite activities was Saturday morning shopping with her best friend and sister in-law, Cheryl Labrie. She enjoyed spending many years at Lake Winnipesaukee in her lake house with family and friends. Boating, sunsets, and lake-life filled her days with joy and adventure. Many of which were spent with her loving partner, Joseph A. Iwanicki, who left her with countless lasting memories. One of her many hobbies that held a special place in her heart was her neighborhood book club where she made some of her closest friends over the past 25 years.

Brenda spread color and joy everywhere she went, and her absence will be felt by many. She was a loving mother, wife and partner, daughter, sister, and friend. Brenda poured boundless love into raising her children and grandchildren, and instilled in them the values of kindness, empathy, and perseverance. She is survived by her three children, Chad M. Labrie, Brett R. Labrie, and Drew T. Labrie. Her older brother, Michael Mondoux, daughter in-law Lauren M. Labrie, and her three grandchildren, Connor, Landon, and Hunter Labrie. Also, many relatives, nieces and nephews, close friends, and colleagues. Her death is proceeded by her late husband, Richard P. Labrie, oldest brother Leo R. Mondoux, and her parents Leo F. Mondoux and Evelyn M. Mondoux (Wilkins).

Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Tuesday, March 26th  from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church, 216 East Dunstable Road, Nashua, Wednesday morning, March 27th at 10 a.m. Entombment will take place in the Mausoleum of Mount Calvary Cemetery in Manchester. Family and friends are invited to attend all services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Nashua Soup Kitchen, 2 Quincy Street, Nashua, NH 03060.To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com