Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home

08/28/2026

Richard Llewellyn Hall passed away on June 12, 2026. Born on February 1, 1945, he was the son of Llewellyn and Carolyn (Doane) Hall. Richard attended The Loomis School and graduated from Middlebury College. At Loomis he captained the soccer, hockey and lacrosse teams and was known as “Shape” by his teammates for his physical prowess. At Middlebury he captained the soccer team and found many lifelong friends there. Richard was a generous soul who lived a minimalist life and would give whatever he had to anyone in need, including the shirt off his back. His adventures took him down the Putumayo River in Ecuador and his belief in a just society took him out to Los Angeles to help rebuild Watts after it burned in 1965. He also served in VISTA, the government anti-poverty program in Laredo, Texas.

He leaves his sons, John Hall and Peter Hall, his sister Barbara Gibbs, his brother Robert Hall (Marcia). He was predeceased by his sister, Emily Phillips. Richard also leaves his nieces and nephews, Marcia Moore, Steven Gibbs (Mary), Kendal Gibbs, Gretchen Hall
(Doug), Steve Hall (Lisa), Sabra Hall, (Jason), Margaret Johnson (Jonathan), Richard Phillips (Paula) and Sarah Butkus. He leaves, in addition, his grand nephews and nieces, Taylor and Melanie Moore, Robert and Michael Gibbs, Payton and Trevor Krupp, Cierra, James and Austin Ward, Adalyn Schumer, Grayson, Lucas and Audrey Hall, Sam and Lilly Johnson, Tyler, Aaron and Kathryn Butkus as well as his many good friends.

There will be a graveside service at the West Hartford Cemetery, 200 Whitman Road at 2:00 on Friday, October 2, 2026. Donations in memory of Dick may be made to the Horace Bushnell Children’s Food Pantry, 23 Vine Street, Suite B, Hartford, CT 06112.

08/25/2026

Mandry A Santiago Morales, 55, of Bristol, CT passed away Thursday, August 20, 2026 at UCONN. Mandry was born in Juana Diaz, PR and was the daughter of the late Jose Santiago and Maria Morales.

Mandry is survived by her four sons Edwin Chevere, Jean Carlos Santiago, Carlos Santiago and Irvin Santiago and her daughter Rose Santiago, her three brothers Jose Antonio Santiago, Nelson Colon and Filiberto Colon her sister Madelyn Santiago, her thirteen grandchildren. Mandry was predeceased by her sister Mayi Santiago.

Funeral service for Mandry will be held Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 12pm at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Thursday from 10:30am to 12pm. To share a memory of Mandry, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

08/24/2026

Father Thomas G. Sickler, M.S., 79, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died August 21, 2026 at Kimberly Hall North in Windsor, CT. He was born on March 5, 1947 in Kingston, New York. His parents were the late Thomas Joseph Sickler and Dolores Ann (McNamara) Sickler. After attended grammar in Kingston, he attended high school at the La Salette Seminary in Cheshire, CT. He then attended the La Salette Seminary in Altamont, New York, where he received his A.A. in Liberal Arts. Father entered the La Salette Novitiate on July 1, 1966 and continued his education at Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA, receiving his B.A. in Philosophy; and his S.T.B. in Theology from the Catholic University in Washington, DC.

Father Sickler made his First Vows on July 1, 1967 at Our Lady of Sorrows in Hartford, CT; and his Perpetual Vows on September 19, 1971. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1973 at St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA.

He ministered at St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA and St. Stanislaus Parish in Nashua, NH. In 1977, he was the Chaplain at St. Francis Hospital. From 1979 to his retirement in 2013, he was assigned to St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA; Holy Trinity in Westfield, MA: Our Lady of La Salette in Brooklyn, CT; and St. James Parish in Danielson, CT. In 2013 Father Sickler was granted retirement status with residence at the La Salette Hartford House in CT.

In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Sickler, M.S., is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Hart. He was predeceased by his sister, Sister Catherine Sickler, CSJ.

For Connecticut: A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Hartford House Chapel at 10:30 am. Calling hours will be at Hartford House on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 9:15 am to 10:15 am.

For New York: On Saturday, August 29, 2026, wake will be held at Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. At 10:30 am, there will be a procession to Immaculate Conception Church, Delaware Ave., Kingston; with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Following the Mass, Father will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 331370, West Hartford, CT 06133.

08/24/2026

Father Thomas G. Sickler, M.S., 79, a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette, died August 21, 2026 at Kimberly Hall North in Windsor, CT. He was born on March 5, 1947 in Kingston, New York. His parents were the late Thomas Joseph Sickler and Dolores Ann (McNamara) Sickler. After attended grammar in Kingston, he attended high school at the La Salette Seminary in Cheshire, CT. He then attended the La Salette Seminary in Altamont, New York, where he received his A.A. in Liberal Arts. Father entered the La Salette Novitiate on July 1, 1966 and continued his education at Merrimack College in N. Andover, MA, receiving his B.A. in Philosophy; and his S.T.B. in Theology from the Catholic University in Washington, DC.
Father Sickler made his First Vows on July 1, 1967 at Our Lady of Sorrows in Hartford, CT; and his Perpetual Vows on September 19, 1971. He was ordained to the priesthood on June 16, 1973 at St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA.
He ministered at St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA and St. Stanislaus Parish in Nashua, NH. In 1977, he was the Chaplain at St. Francis Hospital. From 1979 to his retirement in 2013, he was assigned to St. Joseph Church in Fitchburg, MA; Holy Trinity in Westfield, MA: Our Lady of La Salette in Brooklyn, CT; and St. James Parish in Danielson, CT. In 2013 Father Sickler was granted retirement status with residence at the La Salette Hartford House in CT.
In addition to his La Salette Community, Father Sickler, M.S., is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Hart. He was predeceased by his sister, Sister Catherine Sickler, CSJ.
For Connecticut: A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated on Friday, August 28, 2026, at the Hartford House Chapel at 10:30 am. Calling hours will be at Hartford House on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 9:15 am to 10:15 am.
For New York: On Saturday, August 29, 2026, wake will be held at Leahy Funeral Home, 27 Smith Ave., Kingston, NY from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. At 10:30 am, there will be a procession to Immaculate Conception Church, Delaware Ave., Kingston; with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am. Following the Mass, Father will be interred at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

Contributions in his memory may be made to: Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette Retirement Fund, P.O. Box 331370, West Hartford, CT 06133.

08/20/2026

Juana T. Zevallos, 94, of Hartford, CT beloved wife of the late Andres Zevallos passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at Hartford Hospital. Juana was born in Lima, Peru and was the daughter of the late Alberto and Rosa (Delgado) Vega.

Juana is survived by her five daughters Maria S. Palmer and her partner Jorge Casallas, Maria T. Zevallos and her husband Jorge Grados, Gabriela Zevallos and her husband Roosevelt Orbe, Cristina Zevallos-Montalvo and her husband Luis and Grace Dela Cruz, her grandchildren Jesus Pardo, Rozio Kosko, Annette Zevallos, Andre Zevallos, Lizette Orbe, George Grados, Susana Doolittle, Leylith Grados, Joanne Dela Cruz, Bryan Dela Cruz, and her great grandchildren Roosevelt, Jrose, Jelani, Jeda, Noah, Bryson, Evan, Shelby, Summer, Dominic, Jackson, Kailah, Justin, Eric, Julian, Santiago and Giovanni.

Funeral service for Juana will be held Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at 10am at St. Augustine Church, 10 Campfield Ave., Hartford. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT Monday from 4pm to 7pm. To share a memory of Juana, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

08/17/2026

Thérèse B. Bourgeois ‘Terry’, 94, of Hartford passed away peacefully Friday, August 14, 2026. She was the beloved widow of Antoine Joseph Bourgeois ‘Tony’. Thérèse was born February 29,1932 in New Brunswick, Canada, daughter of the late Antoine and Julie (LeBlanc) Belliveau
Her family’s home functioned as the town’s post office, where at a young age, she helped sort mail and keep records. She would also accompany her father, an amputee on one arm from the elbow down, to deliver the mail by horse drawn buggy in warmer months and sled in winter. She honed her skills working in the insurance industry in Canada. In the late 1950’s, she moved to the U.S., where she worked for the Travelers Insurance Company’s Accounting department for over 34 years. She was involved in the Travelers Girls Club, and other interests included quilting, making hooked rugs, reading, and word-finding puzzles. She was a devout Catholic throughout her life.
To family and friends from up north she was affectionately known as “Tessi”; she enjoyed seeing them every summer. Her and Tony spent part of their retirement years in Naples Florida where they volunteered at St. Andrews and Vincent DePaul thrift stores. In her final years, she returned to Hartford, and her family is eternally grateful for the kindness of neighbors who helped keep a watchful eye over her as she got older. She was able to stay in her own home until age 93. Her last year was spent in Suffield, CT where she received wonderful care. Terry was known for being strong willed while smiling and pleasant all at once.
Thérèse is survived by her two sons, Roger and Ronald (wife, Bonnie Halvorson-Bourgeois); grandchildren, Ryan (wife, Taylor Bourgeois), Brandon (wife, Melanie Zucca Bourgeois); her granddaughter Chrystal Bourgeois, her four great-grandchildren; and extended family in Canada.
Family and friends are invited to the Dillon Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke. Wethersfield, CT 06109, Friday, August 21, 2026, from 4pm to 7pm. Funeral service for Therese will be held Saturday, August 22, 2026, 11:00 am at María Reina De La Paz Parish-St. Lawrence O’Toole Church, 494 New Britain Ave. Hartford, CT 06106. To share a memory of Therese, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

06/15/2026

Helen Daley LaMotta, 99, beloved mother, wife, nurse and traveler, passed this life on the seventh of June, 2026 at Skybrooke at Simsbury, Connecticut. In truth, heaven called earlier but of course Helen’s response was always “just a minute”. Helen’s good friends and family wish to acknowledge that they were the real beneficiaries of her long and love filled life.

Helen went to Saint Francis School of Nursing and began her career as a nurse at Hartford Hospital where she met her husband, Rudy. She proudly served as a flight nurse during World War II. She stayed home to raise her children in Wethersfield and returned to work as a real estate agent. Later, Helen worked as a unit secretary on the maternity floor at Hartford Hospital for many years, and after retirement, volunteered at her local school library. Proud of her Irish heritage, she enjoyed trips to Ireland and also visited Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Mexico.

Helen is survived by her son Joseph LaMotta and his wife Rebecca Reynolds, her four daughters Anne-Marie LaMotta, Marianne LaMotta-Walman and her husband Glenn, Ellen Thibodeau and her husband Gerard and Amy LaMotta and her partner Michael Taylor. Helen is also survived by four grandchildren, Leslie, Jake, Noah and Matthew and his wife Jackie, one great grandchild Liana, and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her second family at Skybrooke at Simsbury, who truly are the best caregivers one could ask for. Helen was predeceased by her parents Robert and Elvie (Wagner) Daley, her husband, Dr. Rudolph V. LaMotta, her brother Robert Daley and her sister Dolores Lavery.

Relatives and friends of Helen’s are welcome at Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 from 10am to 12pm. Burial will be private. Donations in Helen’s memory may be made to Compassionate Caregiver’s Fund, LLC, c/o Northbridge Companies, 71 Third Avenue, Burlington, MA 01803, or to the Alzheimer’s Association. To share a memory of Helen, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com.

06/08/2026

Maria D. Ortiz, 98, of Hartford, CT passed away Thursday, June 4, 2026 at home. Maria was born in Carolina, PR and was the daughter of the late Emilio and Isidora (Aristu) Lopez.

Maria is survived by her son Mariano Ortiz, Jr. Maria was predeceased by her daughter Maria M. Rosario and her son Luis Ortiz.

Funeral service for Maria will be private. The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT. has charge of arrangements. To share a memory of Maria, please visit

Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home provides complete funeral services to the local community.

06/02/2026

Alita K. Butcher, 92, of Wethersfield, CT beloved wife of the late Louis Butcher to whom she was married for fifty years, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2026. She was born in Hartford on July 5, 1933, daughter of the late Anthony J. and Ruth (Bratton) Brewer.

Alita was the consummate mother and housewife, the meaning of which has lost its true value over time. She was always there for her four children and virtually raised her granddaughter Nicole. She loved cooking and baking for her family even when times were lean. She also loved sewing, often times the clothes our family wore, as well as knitting and quilting, but most notably she had an amazing green thumb and spent hours gardening to the delight of the family and our neighbors. Alita also loved traveling with family and friends and especially loved our vacations to the beaches at Siesta Key, Florida and more recently at Point of Woods.

Alita, Mom, Mimi’s passing will leave a hole in our hearts which only time will heal, but we can take comfort in knowing she is in a better place. She will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her but always remembered for the love she showered upon us so unselfishly.

Alita leaves behind her loving daughter Kathleen M. Sinisi and her three sons, Louis Butcher, Jr., Anthony S. Butcher and Gerald K. Butcher and his wife Mary. She is also survived by her six grandchildren Nicole Sinisi, Thomas Butcher, Margaret Butcher and her husband Greg Hall, Audrey Woods and her husband Tyler, Ashley Butcher and her fiancé Dom Zboyovsky, and Emma Coleman and her husband Kevin, and her beautiful little great grandchild, Isla Woods, who unfortunately she never had a chance to meet.

Alita also leaves behind her brother Thomas Brewer and his wife Tana, her sister-in-law Marci Grzadzinski and her sister-in-law Paula Brewer, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she cherished, but she especially loved the times she spent and telephone calls with her nieces Melissa Lantz and her husband Barry, and Amy Vann and her husband Matt.

Finally, Alita leaves behind her life-long friend Lois Young, which the word friend truly does not define the closeness of their relationship or the similar interests which they shared.

Funeral service for Alita will be private. The Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, CT has charge of arrangements. A Celebration of Alita’s life will be held later in the year. To share a memory of Alita, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com

06/01/2026

Cathy Ann Barber, 72, of Rocky Hill, CT beloved wife of the late Robert A. Strout passed away Saturday, May 23, 2026 at Middlesex Hospital. Cathy was born in Dallas, TX and was the daughter of the late Joseph and Veronica (Padegimas) Barber. Cathy received bachelor degrees in both Computer Science and Culinary Science from Southern Connecticut State University. After college she managed Fitzwilly’s Restaurant before beginning a 27 year career as a property manager at Lasher Court in Wethersfield, CT. She was loved and appreciated by staff and residents alike. Cathy was an avid reader, loved to cook, was a treasured friend, and had a generous spirit. Her favorite memories included delicious meals shared with friends and family.

Cathy is survived by her two brothers Harry Barber and Anthony Barber and his wife Roseann.

A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield CT on Saturday June 6, 2026. Relatives and friends may call at the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, Saturday, from 10am to 12pm. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Loaves and Fishes Ministries, 646 Prospect Ave, Hartford, CT 06105 or American Cancer Society, 825 Brook St., Rocky Hill, CT 06067. To share a memory of Cathy, please visit www.dillonbaxter.com