Ahearn Funeral Home

06/14/2026

Anthony "Tony" F. Gleason Sr.

NORTHAMPTON - Anthony “Tony” Francis Gleason Sr., a longtime Northampton resident and businessman, passed away on June 13, 2026, in Estero, FL, surrounded by the love of his family. Born to Helen Clair (Feeney) Gleason and Patrick Donald Gleason, Tony was known for his devotion to his family, his community, and the businesses he led for decades. Tony often reflected on how fortunate he was to have been raised into a hardworking, fun-loving and respectful family. He enjoyed an incredible childhood, traveling with family to once-in-a-lifetime destinations, while camping and creating memories that lasted a lifetime. He cherished growing up on Prospect Avenue and in the surrounding Northampton neighborhoods. Tony felt blessed to have come of age during the 1960s and 1970s, when the city of Northampton was experiencing a renaissance.

In 1981, Tony met the love of his life, MaryAnn Lionetti, during spring break in Fort Lauderdale, FL. He often said that he knew the night they met that MaryAnn was "the one." They were married in June 1983. Together, Tony and MaryAnn welcomed three children: Anthony in 1986, Patrick in 1987 and Maureen in 1988. Tony was happiest when his family was together. Whether wrestling with the kids on the living room floor, gathering for holidays, or traveling, family was always at the center of his life.

His love for family was also reflected in his dedication to the "family business." Tony started working at Don Gleason's Campers Supply in elementary school and continued through his formative years. On his eighteenth birthday, Tony walked about fifty feet from Don Gleason's Camper Supply to Gleason Bros., Inc. and began his career as a mover, warehouseman, and machinery rigger trainee. The work came naturally to him, and he steadily advanced through the ranks while learning every aspect of the business. Working alongside his father and many dedicated Gleason Bros. associates, Tony earned a reputation for hard work, fairness, and leadership. In 1986, Tony became the third-generation owner and president of Gleason Bros., Inc., while his father became chairman emeritus after retiring full-time to Florida.

In 1996, Tony made the difficult but courageous decision to profoundly shift the future trajectory of Gleason Bros., Inc. After operating for ninety-four years as a nationwide moving, rigging and storage business, Tony elected to cease operations in favor of renovating the warehouses on Pearl Street into premier commercial office and retail space. In the decades that followed, Tony and MaryAnn built a steadfast tenant-base and real estate portfolio throughout the Pioneer Valley. Tony’s vision built the foundation for current and future operations of the Gleason family business and legacy.

Tony will be remembered as a man who loved his family, his country and his hometown of Northampton. He was a friend to many, a listener who believed in hearing both sides of every story and a person who genuinely cared about others. Above all, he was a loyal husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.

A devoted Catholic, Tony lived his life rooted in faith, trusting God's guidance through both joyful and challenging times. Tony was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton and Our Lady of Light Parish in Estero, FL.

Tony leaves behind his beloved wife of forty-two years, MaryAnn; his children, Anthony Francis Gleason II and his wife Jennifer Gleason (Conz) of Northampton; Patrick Donald Gleason II and his wife Christina Gleason (Janiero) of Rockfall, CT; and Maureen Chase (Gleason) and her husband Corey Chase of Cape Coral, FL; together with his cherished granddaughters, Catarina, Josefina, Marion and Quinn.

He is also survived by his siblings, Patrick "Terry" and partner Patricia Stevens of Hubbard, OH; John and Geraldine of Northampton, Daniel and Alison of Northampton, his sister, Gwendolyn of Naples, FL; along with his brother-in-law, William Lionetti of Holyoke, MA; his sisters-in-law, Roberta Lionetti of Tampa, FL, and Regina Gleason of Longmont, CO, as well as nineteen nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews and his treasured “grand dogs.”

Tony was predeceased by his parents, Patrick Donald and Helen Gleason; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Norman and Alice (Spano) Lionetti; his brother-in-law, Lieutenant General Donald M. Lionetti, U.S. Army (Ret.); his grandson, Anthony Francis Gleason III "Tripp" and many beloved members of both the Gleason and Lionetti families.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 19th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Road in Northampton. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 20th, at 10:00 AM at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Chapel (Annunciation Church), 85 Beacon Street, Florence, Massachusetts. A private burial service will be held at a later date at the discretion of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, c/o the Patrick D. Gleason II Scholarship Trust.

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06/12/2026

John P. Coderre

SOUTH DEERFIELD - John P. “Jackie” Coderre, age 81, passed away peacefully June 10, 2026, at his home in South Deerfield after a lengthy illness.

Born to Germaine and Jeanette (Seney) Coderre, John grew up in Leeds and Hadley, graduating from Hopkins Academy in 1962. John attended Northampton Commercial College and obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting in 1966 from American International College. Working full-time for the Internal Revenue Service, John attended night school and obtained his Juris Doctor from Western New England College School of Law. John was then sent to work in Maryland with a team investigating the then-Vice President for tax evasion.

After leaving the IRS, John opened his law and tax preparation practice in Hadley while remaining dedicated to public service. John would offer help to the Deerfield Volunteer Fire Department and served for a brief time as Acting Police Chief. For more than 40 years, John variously served on the Town of Deerfield Board of Assessors and Select Board, as well as the Frontier Regional School Committee and Franklin Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors

John enjoyed sunny days on his sailboat at Lake Mattawa and vacations in Boothbay Harbor, ME, Florida and Myrtle Beach. He was a NY Giants fan and golfer who always made time for the 19th hole. A communicant of St. James Catholic Church then Holy Family Parish, John served as lector and alter server until his illness.

Preceded in death by his parents and his brother, James, John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Simonne (Dion) Coderre and son David Coderre, of So. Deerfield, and his daughter, Hon. Carol Coderre of Bowie, Maryland. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Catherine Coderre and Susanne Punton (Tom) as well as his brother-in-law Donald Dion (Carla), numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, as well as grand and great-grand nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful to Craig, Burt, Debbie and Josh from Hospice of the Fisher Home, and his caregivers Marissa, Haley and Shelley. They are especially thankful for his niece Noelle, nephew Justin and grandnieces, Debra, Savanna, and Abby each of whom were a daily presence giving compassionate care with added laughs, smiles and foot tickles.

The family will hold calling hours on Monday, June 22, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Family Roman Catholic Church, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield. (Please meet directly at church) Burial will follow at Saint Stanislaus Cemetery, Boron Ave., So. Deerfield.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Hospice of the Fisher Home, 1165 N. Pleasant St. Amherst, MA. 01002 or the Holy Family Parish Renovation fund, 29 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield, MA. 01373

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06/12/2026

Jane Yolen Stemple

Jane Yolen, the prolific and beloved author whose stories reshaped children’s literature and gave voice to myth, history, folklore, and imagination, died peacefully at home with her family by her side.

Jane Yolen was born on February 11, 1939 in New York City at Beth Israel Hospital, the first child of Isabel Berlin Yolen and Will Hyatt Yolen. A couple years later she was joined by her brother Steve.

The family briefly moved to California and Newport News but returned to New York City where she excelled in school, dancing, piano, and, of course, writing. She studied ballet at Balanchine’s school. During this time, she and Steve created a newspaper for their apartment building. They wrote all the articles and interviewed neighbors. Their mother typed and xeroxed the papers which they sold for five cents each to the same neighbors they’d interviewed.

In the summer of her 13th year, the family moved to Westport, Connecticut. She excelled there, as well. She sang in the choir, was captain of the girls’ basketball team, won the debate awards, was News Editor of the school paper, and vice president of the Spanish and Latin Clubs. She matriculated to Smith College where, by senior year, she was president of the Press Board and had won poetry awards and the journalism award. She wrote the lyrics to the class musical and starred in the senior show. She wrote and published poetry.

After college, she moved back to New York City and became an assistant editor at Knopf—writing during lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends. At work, she wrote flap copy for many books, including CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY. While she considered herself a poet and journalist, on her 22nd birthday, she sold her first children’s book—a nonfiction called PIRATES IN PETTICOATS. Shortly after, she sold her first picture book, SEE THIS LITTLE LINE illustrated by Kathleen Elgin.

It was there, in The Village, that she met David Stemple, whom she married several years later. For the better part of a year, they toured Europe and Isreal, camping in their van and working on kubutzes. They returned pregnant with their daughter Heidi. They settled in Massachusetts and had two boys. They bought a 15 -acre farm in Hatfield with 4 barns—one of which they opened up for artisans including potters and leather workers, silversmiths and instrument makers. The family camped in the summers wherever she was teaching that year.

Jane was passionate about community—she was the second person to join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and one of their first keynote speakers. She established their first regional conference in New England. She began, arguably, the longest running writer’s group in existence. She started the Western Massachusetts Illustrator’s Guild (WMIG). She taught children’s literature at Smith College and lectured all over the country.

OWL MOON, illustrated by John Schoenherr, was published in 1988 and won the Caldecott metal --catapulting her author status out of the midlist. Jane championed free speech, book access for all, our connection with the natural world, children confronting injustice, and trusting readers of all ages to take in the truth. When she was asked to write about Christopher Columbus, she refused to whitewash history, choosing to write the story from a Tiano boy’s perspective in her book ENCOUNTER illustrated by David Shannon. She mentored other writers and wrote books to showcase new illustrators. Her novel BRIAR ROSE was burned on the steps of the Kansas City Courthouse. She received honorary doctorates from Keene State College, The University of Massachusetts, Bay Path College, Our Lady of the Elms College, Westfield State College, and her alma matter Smith College. Her books won many awards including The Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, The Nebula, The World Fantasy Award, The Mythopoeic Award, The Sophie Brodie Medal, The Anne Izzard Storytelling Award, The Massachusetts Book Award, The Association of Jewish Libraries Award and the Catholic Libraries Medal, as well as many awards for her full body-of-work. More importantly, she received mail from readers almost daily telling her what a difference her books had made in their lives. This was her true award.

Her husband David died in 2006 after a hard-fought battle with cancer after 44 years of marriage. During his treatment, she wrote a series of sonnets, one for each day. She did this because writing was her own salvation in hard times, but THE RADIATION SONNETS was published, and it helped countless readers through their own medical crises.

In 2018 Jane published her 365th and 366th book on the same day. A gala to celebrate A Jane Yolen Book for Every Day of the Year was held in her honor at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. And in 2026, she published her 450th book.

It’s hard to overstate the roll Jane played in the field of children’s literature. There are few kidlit writers who weren’t inspired, influenced, or mentored directly or indirectly by her and/or her books including her own grown children and grandchildren. She believed that books for children were one of the most important building blocks of childhood and she refused to talk down to her readers of all ages. That said, she never took herself too seriously. She loved a pun and any kind of world play. She would, with little encouragement, recite from memory the names of all the students in her first-grade class or the entire Jabberwocky. She was known to climb atop a piano and belt out a song. And she loved to reminded writers that the magic word for all writing was BIC which was short for “Butt In Chair.” Scholarships in her name at both Boyds Mills and SCBWI will continue to support writers into the future.

She was predeceased by her parents, Will and Isabel Yolen and her husband David Stemple. She is survived by her brother Steven Yolen, her children, Heidi E.Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple, her daughters-in-law Elizabeth and Joanne, as well as her grandchildren, Maddison, Ariel, David, Caroline, and Amelia, her grandson-in-law Richard, her son-out-law Dennis, and her partner Peter. Beyond that, she will be missed deeply by her wider creative family of authors and illustrators and readers. Thankfully, her legacy of story will live on in her books.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple Scholarship at Boyds Millshttps://boydsmills.org/jane-yolen-heidi-ey-stemple-scholarship/ Jane Yolen Midlist Grant at SCBWI https://buy.stripe.com/aFa6oGdhQaMggmF6zNawo0e or the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/donor-form?svcid=renxt&formId=aa6bda54-f045-4608-930a-8657423ab3a4&envid=p-Zvfc0ahKpEaGAYIjVD5nFg&zone=usa

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06/10/2026

Patricia Ann Kellogg

FLORENCE- Patricia A. Kellogg, 87, of Fairway Drive passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at Cooley Dickinson Hospital.

Patricia was born in Ware, a daughter of the late Robert H. and Louise E. (King) Thayer. She attended local schools in Petersham. Patricia married Charles E. Kellogg, and together they settled in Chesterfield in the home he built, where they raised their three children and shared many years of marriage, memories, and family. They found a love for country music and spent years dancing the 2-step—once she could get Chuck out on the dance floor.

Patricia cherished time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy to her life. She worked part-time at the Daily Hampshire Gazette before leaving to start her favorite job as “Grandma Pat.” She spent years perfecting her grandma skills raising her six grandkids. She volunteered for many years in the coffee shop at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, meeting hundreds of folks at difficult times in their lives and helping to make their day better. Later in life, she enjoyed puzzles and loved watching the hummingbirds at her feeders.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles E. Kellogg, and her siblings Robert Thayer and Michaele Bartus. Patricia leaves her children: Michaele Sheehan, Christopher Kellogg (Teresa), and Michael Kellogg (Colleen), all of Florence. She also leaves her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Nicholas Kellogg (Samantha) and their daughter Fiona; Alexis Kellogg (Drew Curtis) and their daughters Maren & Shelby; Rachel Gagne (David) and their children Charles & Brianna; Amanda Sheehan; Devin Kellogg; and Brooke Kellogg. She is survived by her siblings Carolyn Coughlin and John Thayer; her sister‑in‑law Judy Thayer; her brother‑in‑law Richard Bartus; and many nieces and nephews.

The family will hold calling hours on Wednesday June 17 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at AHEARN FUNERAL HOME, 783 Bridge Rd., Northampton. The family invite you to join them for a Celebration of Patricia’s Life on Sunday, July 12, 2026, at the Elks Club, Spring Street, Florence from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. Burial at Center Cemetery in Chesterfield will be prior to the Celebration of Life.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests Donations in Patricia’s memory be made to Cancer Connection, 41 Locust St., Northampton, MA. 01060.

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06/06/2026

06/03/2026

Pati Stillwater

Pati Stillwater passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 27, 2026.

Friends are invited to attend a graveside service on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026 at Wildwood Cemetery, 70 Strong Street, Amherst at 11:00 AM.

(Please arrive promptly by 10:45 A.M., follow the signs to the gravesite)

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06/03/2026

Virginia Mary Kirk

Virginia “Vir” M. Kirk of Chesterfield, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, at Hood River Post Acute Care Center in Hood River, Oregon. Vir was born on June 24th, 1930, to Ernest L. and Ethel B. Dodge at their farmhouse in Chesterfield. She was predeceased in death by her parents, her husband, Norman F. Kirk of Chesterfield, and four siblings; Elliot B. Dodge of Manchester, CT, Ruth E. Witherell of Westfield, MA, Dorothy P. Roberts of Chesterfield, MA, and William H. Dodge of Hadley, MA. She is survived by her daughter, Joyce V. Murphy of Hood River, OR, her grandchildren, Kimberly J. Millhollin and Darren N. Bates, both of Fairview, OR; and her great grandchildren, Mackenzie M. Bates, Alexis L. Bates and Ayla R. Bates of Fairview, OR.

On October 30th, 1947, Vir married Norm Kirk and they lived in Chesterfield until his passing in 2016. She then moved to Oregon to live with her daughter and son-in-law. It was a big move for her, but she handled it well.

After their marriage, Norm and Vir bought a farmhouse in Chesterfield and ran their own dairy farm there for a few years. Vir loved the Holstein cows and had a name for each one! In the mid 50’s, they sold the cows to pursue different adventures. Vir wrote about how Norm bought an airplane at 40 years old, and how they then traveled to every state but four. She loved to fly from the backyard to Jaffery, NH for scallops at the airport restaurant – and to go up in the fall when the colorful foliage was at its peak.

Vir was a member of the First Congregational Church in Chesterfield where she sang in the choir for many years, and volunteered cooking church suppers. She was also a member of the Chesterfield Grange and the Mother’s Club. She sang in minstrel shows in town in the 50’s, and later in life was a cook, bus driver and custodian at the Davenport School (all at the same time!) in Chesterfield. Norm helped a lot with custodial duties.

Vir was famous for her good nature, fun and laughter, and her love for children. She loved to sing and dance (western style square dancing). She enjoyed art, music, moped riding, and raising rabbits. But her all-time favorite hobby was fishing for brook trout, which she took very seriously. She is also remembered in Chesterfield for making and sharing homemade root beer and pies. As everyone knows, her favorite treat was ice cream! – Hot fudge sundaes with chocolate ice cream.

Vir possessed a deep love for life and all of its little miracles. May she bring love and laughter to those in heaven, and fond memories to us who remain.

There will be a Celebration of Life on June 20th, 2026, at 1:00 PM at the First Congregational Church in Chesterfield. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 56, Chesterfield, MA 01012.

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06/03/2026