West Hartford

FARREN, Elizabeth Sayers Elizabeth Sayers Farren wife of the late Joseph W. Farren, died peacefully on Saturday evening (May 10, 2008). Born in Hartford, daughter of the late John Michael Sayers and Abbie O'Connell Sayers, on July 3, 1918. Betty, or Lil as she was known when she grew up in the North End of Hartford, was a member of the first graduating class of St. Michael's Grammar School. She attended Weaver High School and graduated from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing, Waterbury, Class of 1939.

The response to The Courant's annual "Mother of the Year" contest was overwhelming, as hundreds of readers statewide -- too many to permit the publication of all their letters here -- wrote to express their love and admiration for their mothers. Following is a sampling of the many letters received: Elaine Jacobs West Hartford Everybody thinks that his or her mom is No. 1 but I bet she isn't as talented as mine! My mom goes to work five days a week, makes five lunches, does laundry for six people, buys us necessities, cooks dinner and still manages to give us hugs and kisses, along with quality time.

Ryan Kindl went 4-for-4 with a double, triple and four RBI as Glastonbury defeated Portland 10-6 Sunday in a Zone III American Legion game in Portland. Josh Proctor went 3-for-4 with three RBI for Glastonbury (6-7). Chris Methot pitched a five-hitter and struck out six for the victory. Joe Fuller went 3-for-3 with three RBI for Portland. Simsbury 9-4, Avon 7-5: Brian Hood went 3-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and four RBI to lead Simsbury (13-3) past Avon (3- 10) in the first game of a Zone I doubleheader in Simsbury.

The body of John Francis Whealon was carried home Wednesday in the style to which he was accustomed -- plainly and simply. The archbishop's body was taken by hearse from a Hartford funeral home to St. Mary Home in West Hartford, where he had a modest apartment, and where friends and family came to say goodbye. His unadorned pinewood casket was closed for the last time at a private rite in the Ahern Funeral Home early in the afternoon. Auxiliary Bishop Peter A. Rosazza led prayers at that intimate ceremony for family and close associates.

Diana Kirschner, an expert on dating and relationships whose book, "Love in 90 Days: The Essential Guide to Finding Your Own True Love" (Center Street, $21.99), is a best-seller, will speak Sunday at noon at Congregation Beth Israel, 701 Farmington Ave., West Hartford. Her talk is titled "The Single Most Important Thing You Can Do to Find Love." Kirschner has appeared on the "Today" show, "Oprah" and "Nightline" and has written for The New York Times, USA Today and Time. Her appearance is co-sponsored by the Mandell JCC Book Festival, Beth Israel Friends of the Library and Jewish Singles ages 35-55.

Hours before Pearl Harbor was bombed, 15 secretaries from Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Co. gathered at Ryan's restaurant in Hartford for a Christmastime gabfest. Later, the day's news hit them. One secretary joined the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service, the women's naval corps. Others joined a Red Cross first aid team. The men they knew left to fight, and the women wrote to them. Their everyday talk turned to war. It united the women, and today 13 from across the state will attend their 50th annual December lunch.

DeLUCCO, Frank J. Frank J. DeLucco, 86, of West Hartford, beloved husband of Frances (Libretto) DeLucco for 56 years, passed away Thursday (March 1, 2007) at Hartford Hospital after a long illness and with his family by his side. Born in Hartford, son of the late Joseph and Angelina (DeBella) DeLucco, he was a 1939 graduate of Weaver High School where he lettered in baseball, basketball, and football. Frank was a United States Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 106th Quarter Master Division and participated in the Battle of the Bulge.

MISKELL, Theresa Jean Theresa Jean Miskell, 26, of David St., Enfield, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, (December 9, 2003) at the Hartford Hospital. Born in Hartford, she was a lifelong resident of the Enfield community and a member of the Class of '95 at Enfield High School. Theresa was presently employed as a customer service representative at Tele Tech in Enfield; previously she had been employed with IKON Solutions in Glastonbury. Theresa loved outdoors activities, especially hiking and water sports, and also enjoyed working with children.

BUCKLEY, Michelle Theresa (Kollar) Michelle T. Buckley, 43, of Naples, FL and formerly of West Hartford and Winsted, died on Tuesday (July 31, 2007). Born in Chicago, IL, she is the daughter of Edward and Catherine Tobin Kollar of West Hartford. She leaves her loving husband Thomas Buckley of Naples; her parents; her siblings and their spouses and children: Elizabeth and Robert Kelly, of New Hartford, Rachael and Louie Leombruno of Madison, Brian Tobin and Maxine Kollar of Sparta, NJ, and Rebecca and Matthew Blake of Millis, MA. She was a loving and generous aunt to her nieces and nephews: Reece, Margaret and Kyle Kelly; Matthew, Lucas and Owen Leombruno; and Sydney and Zachary Kollar.

For many of Greater Hartford's retailers, this Christmas was far better than the last one, even more than they had hoped. "We absolutely thought this would be a catastrophic Christmas season," said Risa Becker, co-owner of Becker's Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in West Hartford. The recession seemed endless, with unemployment as high as it has been in 27 years. But, instead, Becker said, "We were very pleased with our increase." Nationally, retail sales in November and through Dec. 24 increased by 3.6 percent from the same period in 2008, according to MasterCard Advisors' SpendingPulse, which tracks cash sales and debit and credit card purchases.

What do Punjabi, Cantonese, Malayalam, Arabic, Icelandic, Serbo-Croatian, Mandarin, Burmese, Somali, Bengali and Igbo of Nigeria have in common? They are just a few of the 66 languages other than English that are spoken among families in the West Hartford school district, new town data show. That number is down slightly from last school year, but it still remains among the highest in the state, which has a total of 164 non-English home languages represented throughout Connecticut school systems.

KALWEIT, Irene (Orzech) Irene (Orzech) Kalweit, 92, of Wethersfield, beloved wife of the late Walter L. Orzech, and the late Henry Kalweit, passed away peacefully at home Saturday (January 9, 2010). Irene was born in Hartford, daughter of the late William and Blanche (Gajewski) Kozlowski. Prior to her retirement, Irene was employed by the State of CT, Department of Motor Vehicles. After her retirement, Irene thoroughly enjoyed an active and involved life. She was a parishioner of Corpus Christi Church, member of the Wethersfield Seniors and the Wethersfield Ladies Senior Golf League, and ballroom dancer extraordinaire.

HARVEY, Alice N. Alice N. Harvey, 93, of West Hartford, died Saturday (January 09, 2010), daughter of the late Michael and Mary Agnes (Mulvey) Harvey and resided in Hartford for many years prior to relocating to West Hartford in 1997. Before her retirement in 1983, she had been employed by the Hartford Insurance Co. for 38 years. She excelled in bowling competing in bowling leagues and won many individual and team prizes in Connecticut. She also enjoyed golf and was a member of the Goodwin Park Golf League and the Indian Hill Country Club in Newington.

CARLSON, Fern Fuller Fern Fuller Carlson, 86, of West Hartford, CT, died early Wednesday, (December 29, 2009) at a local hospice. She was the daughter of the late Fred E. Fuller and Edith Cowles Fuller. Fern was born in Norwich, CT, and grew up on the Mystic River until the family home was swept away in the 1938 hurricane. She moved to Groton and attended what was then known as Willimantic State Teacher's College (now Eastern Connecticut State University). Following graduation, she accepted a position as an elementary school teacher in West Hartford.

BRASH, John Allan John Allan Brash passed away Tuesday, (January 5, 2010) at Hartford Hospital. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy Spencer Brash of West Hartford. John was a kind and gentle man who was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle. He will be remembered as a loyal friend and good neighbor who was always willing to lend a hand when needed. He enjoyed being around people and was always interested in what they had to say. John was born June 29, 1918; son of the late Andrew and Maggie Brash of Hartford, CT. John faithfully served his country in World War II and received the Purple Heart for his distinguished service.

FILOMENO, Mary (DeFranco) The funeral of Mary (DeFranco) Filomeno, 104, of West Hartford, beloved wife of the late Sam Filomeno, who passed away on Wednesday, January 6, 2010, will be Saturday, January 9, at 10 a.m. from the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church, Hartford. Burial will be in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield at the convenience of the family. Calling hours are today, January 8, from 4–8 p.m. at the funeral chapel.

PLATHOTTATHIL, Thresia Thresia Plathottathil, 84, beloved wife of the late P. M. Joseph, passed away Wednesday (January 6, 2010) surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Kerala, India December 10, 1925. Thresia was a parishioner of the Church of Saint Helena, West Hartford and will always be remembered for her devotion to her family and for her beautiful smile. She is survived b y her sister, Mariamma of Kerala; seven children, George and his wife, Elsy of Farmington, Joseph and his wife, Mary of Newington, Gracy and her husband, Jacob of Newington, Mary and her husband, Jacob of West Hartford, Matthew and his wife, Ancy of Somers, Mercy and her husband, Wilson of Farmington and Jessy and her husband, Thomas of West Hartford; sixteen grandchildren, Lisa, Michael, Christopher, Nisha, Praveen, Preethi, Priyon, Don, Della, Shawn, Ryan, Kristen, Winnie, Jeffin, Jefrin and Jayden; four great-grandchildren, Maya, Elias, Kevin and Sreekar and several nieces and nephews.

MEDINA, Enrique Enrique Medina, 46, of West Hartford, husband of Magali (Maldonado) Medina, passed away on Tuesday, (January 5, 2010). He was born on February 1, 1963 in Hartford, son of Carmelin Medina Sanchez and Miriam (Berrios) Medina. Enrique was employed at St. Francis Hospital and served in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed playing and watching sports and was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He was a warm and caring person who loved his family, especially his children, above all else.

BOUCHARD, Maria (Schumsky) Maria (Schumsky) Bouchard, 60, of West Hartford, wife of James Bouchard, passed into eternity on Saturday, (January 2, 2010) after a long battle due to complications of lung cancer. She was born March 2, 1949, the daughter of the late Stefan Schumsky and Helen Schumsky of West Hartford and she lived in West Hartford all her life. She worked at the Corporate&NDtab;Office at Church Homes Inc. and was a board member and Treasurer of the Touch of Love Pediatric Aids Foundation.

NEARMAN, Ida Schneider Ida Schneider Nearman, 97, died peacefully on Wednesday, (January 6th, 2010). She was the daughter of Goldie and Julius Schneider of New Haven. She was a 1927 graduate of New Britain Normal School. Ida moved to Hartford when she married Aaron in 1939. They were married for 62 years before his death in 2001. Ida was a devoted mother to Harold (Lynn Rosen) and Myrna (Jay Rabin). She was a dedicated grandmother to Nancy Nearman Sweetman (Steve), Barbara Nearman Hackenyos (Dan)