Cheshire Family Funeral Home and Chapel

08/06/2026

Sean Patrick Plumb

Sean Patrick Plumb, 68, passed away on July 25, 2026, on a beautiful sunny morning at his happy place on Spofford Lake, New Hampshire. He was surrounded by people he loved and who loved him in return.

He is survived by his wife Sandra; son's Sean (Whitney), Chris (Kasia), and Patrick. He is also survived by his most cherished grandchildren, Owen, Wyatt and Penelope; sisters Sharon (Jay) Andruskiwec, and Katie Rader; aunts Luanne Spinelli, Barbara Burnett and Dawn Jackson; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends.

Our Sudden loss will hopefully turn to many happy memories and smiles as we reminisce of the past and of the good and generous person, he was.

Per his request there are no services, burial will be private.

Donations in his memory can be made to Spooner House, Shelton CT, or St Jude's Children's Hospital.

Arrangements are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com

View Sean Patrick Plumb's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/05/2026

Jeanne Sweeney

Jeanne Elinor Sweeney, 80, of Burke, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston following a courageous several-month illness. Born on September 16, 1945, in Brattleboro, VT, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Elinor (Scott) Burkewitz.

Jeanne grew up on Spofford Lake in New Hampshire and, as a teenager, moved to Brattleboro, VT, where she graduated from Brattleboro High School. Following graduation, she attended Malone Community College, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse credential, then later attended Champlain Community College, where she completed her Registered Nurse education. Dedicated to caring for others, she spent more than 20 years serving as a travel nurse across the United States before concluding her distinguished nursing career as a Registered Nurse at Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone, NY.

Jeanne will be remembered for her quick wit, infectious sense of humor, and the warmth she brought to those around her. She treasured time spent with family and friends and found joy in life's simple pleasures—camping, caring for others and animals, and savoring her favorite treat, lobster.

She is survived by her daughter Sandra Thompson Farkas; sons Vance Johnson and Marc Johnson; brother Robert Burkewitz and wife Sharon; and grandchildren Tegan Johnson, Tanner Johnson, Desmond Johnson, Hayven Johnson, and Madelyn Farkas. In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her husband of 33 years Richard J. Sweeney; sister Ann Dunn; and brother David Burkewitz.

Arrangements are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com

View Jeanne Sweeney's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/05/2026

Mary L. Doucette

Mary L. Doucette, 90, of Swanzey, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at home on July 31, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Mary was born on April 26, 1936, in Orono, Maine, to the late William Savoy Sr. and Alice (DeRoucher) Savoy. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Orono, Maine and carried the values of kindness, compassion, and love of family with her throughout her life.

On November 11, 1954, Mary married the love of her life, Donald Doucette. Together they shared 65 wonderful years of marriage, building a home centered on faith, family, and unconditional love.

Mary devoted much of her career to caring for children, a role that reflected her gentle and nurturing spirit. She also worked at a local craft store, where she was surrounded by the creative hobbies she cherished. An accomplished knitter, crocheter, and painter, Mary found joy in creating beautiful handmade gifts that will continue to be treasured by those who received them.

Above all else, Mary’s greatest pride was her family. She leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion that will continue through generations.

She is lovingly survived by her children: John Doucette of Swanzey, New Hampshire; David Doucette and his wife, Donna, of Hollywood, Florida; Donna Stevens and her husband, Craig, of Swanzey, New Hampshire; Sherri Mesic and her husband, Steve, of Swanzey, New Hampshire; and Ann Stevens and her husband, Matt, of Sebec, Maine.

She is also survived by her sister, Agnes Gallant and her husband, Ray, of Augusta, Maine; her brother-in-law, Richard Doucette and his wife, Ann, of Old Town, Maine; and her beloved grandchildren: John Doucette and his wife, Vicky, of New Port Richey, Florida; Amy Martin and her husband, Jason, of Surry, New Hampshire; Abby Darling and her husband, Adam, of New Port Richey, Florida; Andrew Stevens of Claremont, New Hampshire; Eric Brosseau and his wife, Amanda, of Swanzey, New Hampshire; Nicole Snide and her husband, Colin, of Troy, New Hampshire; Ashli Paquette and her husband, Justin, of Keene, New Hampshire; Meghan Belletete and her husband, Zak, of Marlborough, New Hampshire; Britnee Tymeson and her husband, Jessie, of Hubbardston, Massachusetts; Desiree Doucette of Coral Springs, Florida; and Emma Poggi and her husband, Alex, of Goffstown, New Hampshire. She also leaves behind 25 cherished great-grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Mary was predeceased by her beloved husband, Donald Doucette; her parents, William Savoy Sr. and Alice Savoy; her brothers, William Savoy Jr. and Paul Savoy; and her grandson, Tyler Auger.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a graveside service celebrating Mary’s life at Oak Hill Cemetery in Swanzey, New Hampshire on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at 11:00am.

Mary’s gentle heart, creative spirit, and steadfast love for her family will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

View Mary L. Doucette's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

08/04/2026

Kevin Scott Hadley

Kevin S Hadley, 70, passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) on July 31, 2026, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, NH.

Kevin was born July 7, 1956, in Bellows Falls, VT to Ken and Janice (Blake) Hadley. At age 10, after his father died from ALS, the family moved to North Springfield, VT.

Kevin loved sports, especially playing baseball from Little League in North Springfield through high school. He was a standout on both the Cosmos baseball and football teams. More importantly was his enthusiasm for the games and his unwavering loyalty to his teammates. He graduated in 1974 from Springfield High School.

Kevin was an avid Red Sox fan from the time he was a young boy watching the game on TV with his gramp. He was also a big fan of John Wayne; easily reciting lines from all his movies.

Kevin worked at Green Mountain Cabins in Chester, VT for a few years before he and his friend, the late John Hall, purchased an old fixer-upper Chevy van. They headed west in 1979, visiting National Parks.

He attended Vermont Technical College and received his Mechanical Engineering degree in 1984. Soon after he was recruited by AT&T/Bell Labs in North Andover, MA where his career morphed into microelectronic sales. This work sent him around the US and overseas. He retired at the age of 59 from a Global Tech Company that manufactured optical communication components.

In 1980 Kevin married Nancy Hadley from Springfield, VT. They both shared a passion for travel while focusing on their careers. In 1992 they welcomed the birth of their son, Kenny. Over the years they resided in Exeter and Newfields, NH. They enjoyed traveling, boating, beach and family gatherings. Tragedy struck in 2017 when their son Kenny succumbed to ALS.

A year later, Kevin and Nancy moved to Beaufort, SC where they resided for six years. However, they missed the four seasons and their families. They returned to New England, settling in Keene, NH in 2024. Soon thereafter, Kevin was diagnosed with ALS. He was fortunate to be part of a study & research group that offers a treatment to slow the progression of this dreadful, debilitating disease. He received a monthly injection at DHMC under the care of neurologist, Dr. Elijah Stommel.

He leaves behind his wife Nancy after 45 years, Kenny (predeceased), sister Marcia Fontaine, niece Morgan Fontaine and brother Colin (Joanne) and many cousins, extended family and friends.

Nancy would like to thank the incredible and compassionate care he received from the staff at Cheshire Medical. Including, Dr. El Chami.

A celebration of his life will be held August 23rd from 12pm to 5pm at Harpoon Brewery in Windsor, VT.

The family kindly asks guests to wear Red Sox attire to honor and celebrate Kevin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the DHMC ALS Research Center or the ALS.org Association.

Arrangements are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com

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08/04/2026

A HUGE thank you to the Keene, NH Police Department for their incredibly generous donation of backpacks filled with school supplies for our Back-to-School Drive!

We are so grateful for your partnership and for helping our community.

There's still plenty of time to get involved! If you'd like to donate, backpacks, school supplies and classroom essentials may be dropped off at our Keene location Monday through Friday from 9:00am-2:00pm

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far- we couldn't do this without you!

08/03/2026

We're partnering with the American Red Cross to host a blood drive, and we want to hear from you!
Please take the time to fill out the survey below. A single blood donation can help save multiple lives, and together we can make a meaningful impact in our community.
Thank you for helping us explore this new opportunity to give back!

Cheshire Family Funeral Home's Blood Drive Interest Survey – Fill out form

08/03/2026

Edwin R. Johnson

Edwin R. “Ed” Johnson, 77, of Westmoreland, NH, passed away on July 27, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, after a short period of declining health. Known simply as "Papa" to those who knew and loved him, Ed leaves behind a legacy of deep family devotion, selfless community service, and the enduring impact of a truly dependable, hardworking man.

He was born on May 11, 1949, in Northampton, MA, to the late Russell Clark Johnson and Katherine (Liebl) Johnson. Ed grew up locally and graduated from Keene High School with the Class of 1967. He faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972 as a member of the Ghost Riders during the Vietnam War.

Ed is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Ellen (Fleuriel) Johnson; his cherished daughter, Wendi Hebert, and her husband, Jon (more son than son-in-law); and the grandchildren he adored, Evann and Brooke. He is also survived by his previous wife, Theresa Johnson, and her children, Timothy, Tammy, Heidi, and Heath (Brenda); his sisters, Kay Grimes and Pat Porter; and his brother, Bob Johnson (Carol). In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his oldest brother, Russell “Gus” Johnson Jr.

Ed dedicated much of his life to serving his community through his profession and volunteer work. He worked for many years as a machinist, most recently at Sunset Tools in Keene, NH, until his retirement in 2015. Deeply committed to the safety of others, he served his communities for over 55 years as a firefighter. He was a proud member of the Chesterfield Fire Department from 1969 to 1977, and the Westmoreland Fire Department thereafter, where he served as Deputy Chief from 1994 to 2019. He was a lifetime member of the department at the time of his passing. Additionally, he faithfully served as the Cheshire County Fire Warden for over 21 years, starting in 2005 as a deputy and serving from 2012 to 2026 as warden.

Outside of his work, Ed found his greatest happiness in the great outdoors. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved spending time haying with his family. Ed was a master fabricator; there was nothing he couldn't repair, build, or figure out. He also had a deep love for animals; there were always dogs and cats by his side, including the three he leaves behind: his dog, Timber, and his cats, Smoky and Bandit.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 29th, at 11:00 AM at South Village Cemetery on Glebe Road in Westmoreland, NH. A Celebration of Life will follow immediately at 30 Hunt Road, Westmoreland, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the NH State Fire Wardens Association, P.O. Box 67, Orford, NH 03777.

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08/02/2026

On Friday, we had the privilege of honoring Michael J. Hayes III in a truly meaningful way. His beloved 1941 Ford truck was proudly displayed at the entrance of our funeral home, for family and friends to remember him through something he cherished.

07/23/2026

Michael Joseph Hayes III

Michael Joseph Hayes III, a beloved father, brother, and friend, passed away surrounded by his devoted family at his home on Granite Lake on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at the age of 63. Michael had courageously battled glioblastoma for nearly four years. As one friend recently remarked, he was an outlier in every sense of the word. Not only in beating the initial prognosis more than three times over but also in how he continued to stoically push through the hardest days. Michael’s peaceful passing came just over one year after his wife of 41 years, Susan (Randall) Hayes, passed in June 2025.

Michael was a man who found purpose in working hard, taking risks, and caring for those he loved. He enjoyed sharing stories; a drive down any local road would always feature anecdotes about a memorable vehicle extrication or connection to a good friend or customer. Driving was one of his favorite activities; whether for work or pleasure, he enjoyed motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles, and cars and trucks of all types. His adventuresome spirit led to many escapades with treasured friends, including automotive-related shenanigans in high school and boating in Boston Harbor in more recent times. Michael was loved by many for his sharp one-liners that could always make you crack a smile, even at the most challenging moments. He was deeply proud of the life he and Susan built for their family.

Born on September 10, 1962, to Judith and Michael J. Hayes Sr. in New York City, Michael was raised on Long Island with his five brothers and one sister before the family moved to Stoddard, NH after visiting the area during summer vacations. His teenage years were full of adventures and early entrepreneurial activities that often involved something with a motor. He graduated from Keene High School in 1980 and then earned an Associate’s Degree in Automotive Services - Truck & Diesel Mechanics from the New Hampshire Technical Institute in 1982.

Michael met his future wife, Susan, when he was dispatched to disband a party at one of his mother’s apartment buildings in Keene and Susan then later asked him to work on her Chevy Nova. They were married on July 9, 1983, in Keene and immediately began to build and plan for their life together. Michael was working long hours running the shop for Cheshire Transportation in Brattleboro while renovating a foreclosed home in Keene. They quickly started a family together, welcoming their two children, Kelly and Mikey, to the world. Soon after, they moved to Stoddard, NH, where Michael and Susan started Hayes Car & Truck Repair, which continues to serve the local community today. In 1987, Michael and Susan purchased a home on Granite Lake in Munsonville, NH, their beloved homestead of 39 years. Granite Lake was a wonderful place to raise their young family as they spent time boating, snowmobiling, and hosting gatherings for many family members and lifelong friends.

As their children grew up and found their own partners and married, Michael and Susan warmly welcomed Scott and Katie into their family’s life, greatly enjoying time spent whether at Granite Lake, their children’s own homes, or on many outings. When Michael received his life-changing diagnosis in 2022, Susan left her nursing career and their family rallied around him to ensure that he had the best care possible. Michael had many meaningful visits from family, friends, and neighbors throughout this time - finding great joy in sharing stories, often over a round of his favorite beer, Guinness Extra Stout. His family will forever cherish memories made on a trip to Ireland in December 2023 where he enjoyed his Guinness straight from the source. In the final months of his life, after enduring multiple surgeries and rigorous rounds of treatment, Michael proudly became a grandfather with the arrival of Mikey and Katie’s son, William Michael Hayes.

Hayes Car & Truck Repair was an important part of Michael’s life. Building the business from the ground up in the 1980s, Michael’s strong work ethic and respected mechanical expertise led to its growth as a trusted local garage offering many services including reliable repairs, commercial tire service, emergency towing, and heavy duty recovery for all sorts of vehicles. Michael was well-known for being very resourceful with the humble fleet of tow trucks he maintained over the years - always getting the job done, whether it was pulling a neighbor back onto the road during a snowstorm or a tractor-trailer jack-knifed across Route 9. He built a community of loyal customers and a professional network that he greatly cherished.

Michael served as a board member of the New Hampshire Towing Association for a number of years and was also a founding board member of the New Hampshire Towmasters. He enthusiastically participated in many trainings and completed WreckMaster certifications to continue developing his skills with the added bonus of seeing his towing friends. His children have many memories of riding shotgun with Michael on tow truck calls and the family’s annual trips each May to the New Hampshire Towing Association’s Tow Show at Hampton Beach.

Michael is dearly missed by his loving children, daughter Kelly Hamshaw and her husband, Scott, of Bristol, VT., and son Michael C. Hayes and his wife, Kaitlyn, of Keene and their son William Michael Hayes. He is also survived by his siblings, Matthew and his wife, Janis, of Croton-on-Hudson, NY; Elizabeth Lazzaro of Hampton, NH; Casey Hayes and his partner, Jen, of Stoddard, NH; and Andrew Hayes and his wife, Jess, of Marlow, NH along with his mother-in-law, Irmgard Randall of Keene, NH, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Michael was predeceased by both of his parents, Judith and Michael, and his brothers Kevin Hayes and Brian Hayes.

Michael’s family is deeply grateful for the expert and compassionate care he received from the Neuro-Oncology Team and the 3K Infusion Center nurses at the Dartmouth Cancer Center in Lebanon, NH. The staff from Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services (HCS) brought much comfort and support to Michael and his children in his final weeks.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the Cheshire Family Funeral Home, 44 Maple Ave, Keene NH. A celebration of life and burial will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Michael’s honor to Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services in Keene, NH (Donate - Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services) or to the Child Life Fund at the Dartmouth Cancer Center to support children undergoing cancer treatment (please that note your gift is “in memory of Michael Hayes for Fund ID # 22554” and can be made online or sent to the Dartmouth Health Medical and Healthcare Advancement Team, 1 Medical Center Drive HB 7070, Lebanon, NH, 03576).

All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Home, Chapel, and Crematories. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.

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07/22/2026

Lisa A. Chalifour

Lisa A Chalifour, 64, of Keene, New Hampshire, passed away peacefully at her home on July 18th, 2026, surrounded by the love of her devoted sons.

Born on June 1st, 1962, in Keene, Lisa was the daughter of Karl Boes and Virginia Boes. She was raised in Keene, where she built a life centered on family, kindness and compassion.

Lisa was a loving and devoted mother to her sons, Neil Livengood III and Nathan Livengood, who were the pride and joy of her life. She was known for her generous heart, caring nature, and unwavering willingness to help others. Whether through a thoughtful gesture, a listening ear, or simply being present, Lisa made those around her feel loved and supported.

She found great joy in traveling, discovering new places, and shopping for the people she loved. Above all, she cherished the time she spent with her family and created countless memories that will be treasured forever.

Lisa was predeceased by her father Karl Boes, her mother Virginia Irene Boes, and her brother Karl Boes. She is survived by her beloved sons, Neil Livengood III and Nathan Livengood; her brother Gary Boes; her sister Alice Sheldon and her husband Wayne, and many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

Bural will take place at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, at Mountain View Cemetery in Troy New Hampshire. All are warmly welcomed to attend.

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