Folsom Funeral Service

Louise Harding Russell, a resident of Woodstock, Vermont, died Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham.  She was 74.  Louise was born September 18, 1945 in Lake Forest, Illinois, the daughter of Henry Edwards and Louise (Harding) Russell.  She was an administrator at Children’s Hospital in Boston.  Louise is survived by her brother, William E. Russell of Hanahan, South Carolina, and her sister-in-law Diane Russell of Chestnut Hill, MA.  Services were private.

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Dennis J. Dixon, of Dedham, April 25, 2020, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family early Saturday morning.  He was the beloved husband of Holly A. (Hagan), loving father of Allyson Dixon of Dedham and Travis Dixon and his wife Jackie of Walpole.  Also survived by his siblings, Richard Dixon of Florida, Marjorie Ann Good of North Carolina along with nieces nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Dean Dixon.  Dennis was a Vietnam veteran, 7 time marathon runner, rode his bicycle thousands of miles, was always making people laugh, and most importantly was a loving father and devoted husband.  Due to the current circumstances, funeral services will be private.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dennis’ name may be made to  Home Base, c/o Mass General Development Office, 125 Nashua St., Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114-1101 or  www.HomeBase.org to support veterans.

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Our beloved mother, Marguerite K. McDonald, passed away on April 22nd, ending a courageous 12-day struggle with the Covid-19 virus. She faced her final challenge with the same grace, love and courage that she modeled across all facets of her 83 years. She will be forever missed and remembered by the many people she loved and whose lives she enriched. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Philip R. McDonald, in 1987.

Maria Katryn Marguerite McDonald (Chubaty) was born on February 22, 1937, and raised in Vancouver, B.C. She met her future husband Philip, also a native of Vancouver, at a company picnic in 1957 while both worked for Imperial Oil of Canada at the time. The two exchanged countless love letters while Marguerite studied piano at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto and Philip attended the Harvard Business School. Marguerite moved to Boston in 1960 and married Philip on her 24th birthday. After living several years in Cambridge, MA and Buffalo, NY they made their permanent home in Newton, MA in 1968. Here they raised their two beloved children—Rebecca Louise (Becky) and Andrew Bruce (Bruce) in a house filled with cats and plants and surrounded by beautiful gardens that she tirelessly tended to with love and creativity. Marguerite was an adventurous cook and often hosted dinner parties that included exotic smells, laughter and friendship.

Mom learned to drive when she was 50; although she did not think of herself as brave or strong, her lived life demonstrated an abundance of these characteristics. After being widowed at age 49, she was able to build an incredibly full and rich life for herself dedicated to her family and her love of art and music. She remained actively engaged in her passions despite being afflicted with debilitating Multiple Sclerosis. She was a very hard working and talented artist. A passion she pursued up until the day she became sick with Covid-19. In the early 1970s, she attended the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. During the 1990s, she was very involved with the Newton Arts Center, where she displayed many of her paintings. She loved to attend live musical performances and visit art museums. Her penchant for marveling at every detail of a painting, and spending hours perusing a single gallery or watching opera was legendary.

Marguerite lived in the family home on Windermere Road in Newton, MA for most of her life. In 2016 she moved to Maplewood Assisted Living in Weston, MA, where she lived for almost four years. She again made a beautiful home for herself while continuing to paint, make new friends and attend concerts. In November 2019 she moved to the long-term care facility in Newbridge on the Charles in Dedham, MA.

Marguerite loved her family dearly and spent as much time with them as possible. A competitive family game of Uno was not an uncommon sight in recent years. Her frequent losses to her grandchildren brought her great joy and consternation.

She is survived by her daughter Rebecca McDonald and her husband Jonathan Brill of Sausalito, CA; her loving son Bruce McDonald and his wife Laurie of Westwood, MA; her much-adored grandchildren Justin McDonald and Matthew McDonald of Westwood, MA; her dear brother Johnny Chubaty and his wife Glenda of Port Coquitlam, B.C. ; her sister-in-law Valerie Davison and her husband Peter of Surrey, B.C., her daughter-in-law’s parents Mitchell and Maxine Selig of Newton, MA; her nieces and nephews—Dennis, Jamie, Lara, Galen and Carrie, and their children all in British Columbia; and, her many cousins in Nova Scotia. She will forever be remembered by her many dear friends—old and new. A funeral and memorial service will take place at a later date. In honor of her memory, please consider donating to the MS Society at nationalmssociety.org.

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Robert Victor Piemonte, a resident of Highland Glen in Westwood for several years, and formerly a resident of New York City, New York for many years, died Tuesday, April 21, 2020 t the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Needham after a brief illness.  He was 85.  Robert was born July 28, 1934 in the East Elmhurst Section of Queens, New York City, the youngest of the twelve children of Rosario and Carmela (Santoro) Piemonte, immigrants from Sicily.  He served in the US Army before earning his Doctorate Degree in Education.  Robert worked as a Registered Nurse.  Services will be private.

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Charles J. Downing, a resident of Chestnut Hill and formerly of Westwood died Thursday, April 23, 2020 after battling pneumonia. Charles was the beloved husband of the late Barbara (Roberts) Downing, and the son of the late James Downing and Anna (Murray) Downing. He was the devoted father of Marianne Walsh and her husband John of Sandwich, Catherine Downing of Quincy, Paul Downing and his wife Cheryl of Taunton, Michael Downing and his wife Wendy of Whitinsville, and Roberta Downing of Nashua, NH and the dear brother of Theresa Stegall of Dedham, the late James Downing of Norwood, the late Leo Downing of New Hampshire, Beverly O’Rourke of Colorado and Mary Linscott of Colorado. Charles was the loving grandfather of Edward, John, Michelle, Rachel, Kayla, Thomas and Mathew, and is also survived by 12 great grandchildren who he adored. He was loved by many nieces and nephews. Charles cherished his time with his family. He enjoyed going out to restaurants, playing bingo and going to play the “slots”. He was loved very much and will be missed greatly. A funeral mass will be celebrated at a later date. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Wingate Chestnut Hill for your wonderful care. In lieu of flowers donations made be made to Salvation Army of charity of your choice.

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Georgina E. (Prisco) Hassey, a former resident of Dedham and Hyde Park, passed away at Norwood Health Care on April 23 at the age of 93.  She was born in Dedham to Carlo and Virginia (DeSalvo) Prisco.   Georgina was a graduate of Randolph School for the deaf in 1947.  She was the beloved wife of the late Arthur W. Hassey.   The dear mother of  Linda McCarthy and her husband David of Walpole. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jarrod and Rachel and great grandchildren; Ava, Jarrod and Gianna and  brother Francis “Sonny” Prisco.  Georgina was predeceased by 12 siblings. A private graveside service will be held in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.

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A longtime resident of Dedham, died Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at her home in Dedham, surrounded by her family. She was 59. Pamela was born November 23, 1960 in Tempe, Arizona, a daughter of Donald Paul and Suzanne (Haddrell) Pritchard. She grew up in Marblehead before moving to West Roxbury, where she graduated from Ursuline Academy with the Class of 1978. Pamela earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Child Welfare from Suffolk University in 1982. She has worked for the Dedham Public School System for over 15 years, most recently at the Greenlodge School. She lived for her work nurturing students, and watching them thrive. Pamela enjoyed travel, and spending time with her family, especially at the beach and at Canobie Lake Park. She is survived by her husband, Thomas Anthony Vicente; her two sons, Jacob Paul Pritchard Vicente, and his wife Julia Wilkinson Vicente, of Woodstock, CT, and Zachary Paul Pritchard Vicente; her daughter, Samantha Suzanne Pritchard Vicente; her brother, Brian P. Pritchard; her sister, Alison H. Hammer; and the loves of her life, her “grandbeauties” Kelsey and Mya. She is also survived by her stepmother Elva Hicks, and many nieces and nephews. A Celebration of her Life will be announced at a later time.

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Edward Victor Kamps of Interlachen, FL and formerly of Dedham, passed away on April 11, 2020 at the age of 70. Born in Norwood, he was the dear son of Harriet A. Kamps of Dedham and the late Harvey Hollis Kamps. He was a broker in real estate and enjoyed science and playing chess. Edward was the father of Jeffrey E. Kamps of Dedham, Amy J. Kamps of Dracut, Michelle T. Kamps of Dedham, Julie E. Ojeda and her wife Michelle of Irvine, CA and one other daughter. He is also survived by his three grandchildren and brother Roy Kamps of Norwood along with his niece and nephew. He was predeceased by his sister. Private interment will be held in Brookdale Cemetery. 

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Juanita Jack Blaney, June 7, 1926 – April 15, 2020, passed away at Victoria Haven Nursing Facility in Norwood, MA.  Born in Boston, MA to Pauline Macleod Jack and Harry Kingsley Jack, Juanita attended Boston Conservatory of Music where she studied harp which she loved and played for many years.  In her later years she enjoyed her 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, painting, fishing and just being out in nature.  Juanita was also very active in Waters Church in Norwood, MA where she had many great friends.  For most of her life Juanita was a homemaker and raised 4 children in Westwood, MA.  She is survived by her children; Lawrence Blaney and his wife Ann of New Hampshire, Sheldon Blaney and his wife Janice of Dedham, MA, Scott Blaney and his wife Arlene of North Carolina, Leslie Blaney and her husband Mike Hill of South Carolina.  Juanita is predeceased by her sister Eileen Fischera.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date, to be determined when we can all congregate safely.

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Edward Joseph Killion Jr., a longtime resident of Dedham, died Friday, April 10, 2020 at the Norwood Hospital after a brief illness.  He was 91.  Edward was born June 1, 1928 in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Edward J. Sr., and Ellen L. (Smyth) Killion.  He was a retired warehouse manager for Kreides-Creveling Shoe Company.  He was the husband of the late Florence Mary (Capone) Killion who predeceased him in 2017. Edward is survived by his three sons, Edward J. Killion III, and his wife Gail, of Jacksonville, FL, Mark G. Killion, and his wife Francesca, of Norwood, and Francis D. Killion of Burlington, New Jersey, as well as 5 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. Services and interment in Brookdale Cemetery in Dedham will be private.

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