Raymond Griffitts Hyde, 68, of Delaplane, Va., and Vineyard Haven, died in Boston on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017, while visiting family and friends in New England. During his hospital stay, friends came by ferry, plane, and electric car to see and support him.

Born in Riverdale, Md. on Feb. 9, 1949, Ray grew up in Owensville, Ohio, before moving to Massachusetts for his high school years. A 1967 graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, Ray studied marine engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He attended the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and received an undergraduate degree and a master of science degree in engineering management from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

In Dulles, Va., Ray was a principal engineer for 10 years at Orbital ATK, which designs, builds and delivers space-, defense-, and aviation-related systems to customers around the world, including providing cargo delivery services to the International Space Station for NASA. Before that, Ray worked for two aerospace companies, Atlantic Research Corp. and Aurora Flight Sciences, in the fields of analytical chemistry, database administration, and systems engineering, and other fields.

An expert sailor and lifelong boat owner, Ray was known for his love of the sea and his many sailing adventures, which included a transatlantic crossing to Portugal via the Azores, the Eastern Seaboard from Maine to Florida, and the Caribbean. He also loved working on the farm that he and his wife Margaret kept in Delaplane.

Ray made friends easily, and was known for his storytelling, gift of gab, and love of puns, all qualities he shared with his late father.

Ray was predeceased by his parents, Robert T. Hyde and Elizabeth Anne Hyde of Martha’s Vineyard, and his infant daughter Jessica of Delaplane. In addition to his wife Margaret, Ray is survived by four siblings, Beth Fox of Wolfeboro, N.H., Robin Hyde of West Tisbury, Ken Hyde (Leonie) of Centreville, Va., and Paul Hyde (Camille) of Marion; and six nieces and nephews and their families, Johanna Cage of Southboro, Miriam Keen of Bridgewater, Whitney Hyde of West Tisbury, Michael Dower of Boston, and Rob Hyde and Emily Hyde of Marion.

A family gathering will be held at a later date to celebrate Ray’s life. There will be no calling hours. Donations may be made in Ray’s name to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Foundation at rheumresearch.org, or to the charity of your choice.

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Wade Joseph Oliver of Oak Bluffs died unexpectedly on Nov. 23, 2017.

Wade was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard. He moved to Key West, Fla., where he lived from 1990 to 1995, when he moved back to the Vineyard and met his wife, Pamela (Ponte) Oliver. Wade had a passion for working on cars, boats, and pretty much anything mechanical. He also loved all the outdoors had to offer, including fishing and quahogging.

Wade is survived by his wife, Pamela Oliver, daughter Tabitha Oliver, son Damien Hathaway, and stepdaughter Danielle (Ponte) Grillo. He is also survived by his mother Grace “Bunny” Oliver, brother John Oliver, sister Monica Oliver; nieces Amanda and Taylor Sloditskie, nephews Michael Sloditskie, and John Oliver Jr.; granddaughters Jayla Lyons and Lillianna Grillo. Wade also leaves behind longtime best friend Dale Walker, and Ryan Camacho, whom he loved and cared for as a son. He was predeceased by his father Victor Oliver, and his brother Victor Oliver III.

There will be a celebration of life at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at 11 am; you may bring a dish to share if you’d like.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the GoFundMe account to help pay for his cremation, as per his final wishes.

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Laura Semrad, 56, of Carlisle, died suddenly on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, in Sandwich.

Laura was born on July 22, 1961, in Concord, to the late Theodore and Sheila Semrad. Laura grew to adulthood in Carlisle, moved to Martha’s Vineyard, and then went on to graduate magna cum laude from Simmons College. Always a deeply empathetic person, she chose to devote her professional life to the care and helping of others, working as a nurse for Massachusetts General Hospital and then Emerson. Laura was a zealous and loving mother, a devoted sister, and a doting daughter.

She is survived by her son, Eben Semrad-Cossutta, Chilmark; her sister, Susan Semrad, Sandwich; and her brother Theodore Semrad, Carlisle. Besides her family, she has left behind the things she loved to do. Horses, gardening, and her books are all sadly things she can’t take with her. But her ever-merry presence will be remembered by her family and friends. No words here can express the void that she left to those who loved her, or our sadness to lose such an amazing, cool, lovely, and beautiful person.

The service held for Laura will be private. In lieu of any flowers, the family encourages donations to be made to the Gleason Public Library, 22 Bedford Road, Carlisle, MA 01741

For directions and online condolences, please visit nickersonbourne.com.

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Juan Narciso More Laso died in his home in West Tisbury on Nov. 25, 2017.

Juan was born in Madrid, Spain, and grew up in the Roa de Duero area, where his family made wines.

He studied economics and winemaking, but was a bullfighter until he was gored in the ring. Juan was in the hospital for a year, needing transfusions and skin grafts. But as was his character, he moved forward.

Juan lived and worked in Mallorca immediately before coming to this country. He came to the United States to be with and near his two youngest children, Suzanne and Cary, whom he adored.

Juan was one of the bravest men ever known. His bravery led him into the bullring, his bravery led him to come to a new country, his bravery led him into the wilds of Southern Chile, to Patagonia, and his bravery led him to forging a life with his wife.

Juan was a terrific cook. His paellas were legendary, and anticipated by all whom he cooked for. He was a gardener and a creative builder who made stone walls, gates, greenhouses, birdhouses, wine glass racks, and freeform sculptures.

He was a passionate futbol fan. His favorite team was Real Madrid. But when Spain took the World Cup several years ago, he jumped into the Oak Bluffs Harbor in celebration.

Juan is survived by his wife, Jane, and the very large combined family they share. He leaves behind a world of friends in all corners of the globe who remember his character, his candor, and his humor.

He will be cremated. Half of his ashes will return to his beloved Quintanamanvirgo in Spain, and the other half will remain with his wife.

A memorial service will be held in the near future on Martha’s Vineyard.

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Roger C. Blake Jr., 86, of Chelsea, formerly of Falmouth and West Tisbury, died on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Eileen Blake for 48 years.

Roger was born in Falmouth to Roger C. and Mary (Parker) Blake. He attended school in both Falmouth and Martha’s Vineyard, graduating in 1949. He completed one year at Brigham Young University before entering the Navy at the start of the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953. After his service, he completed his degree in history at Brigham Young University. He started a teaching career in Falmouth, and continued on Martha’s Vineyard, teaching shop and math for 25 years. He loved teaching, and was a director at the Edgartown Boys Club. He coached many of the Island teams, including JV baseball and basketball. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and shellfishing with his friend Kathy Spiro. Roger retired in 1989, and started his new career of charming Islanders, tourists, and celebrities alike as the face of Eileen Blake’s Pies.

Roger is survived by his children, Karen Blake of Oak Bluffs, and her children Jason, Alec, and Lynlee; Roger Blake III of Falmouth, and his children, Laura and Carrie; Robert Blake of Worcester; Irene LaCross of Rutland, and her children, Joshua and Brandon; Erik Blake and his wife Catie of Oak Bluffs, and their children, Parker, Izabella, and Addison; Mary Ellis and her husband Gary of East Falmouth, and their son Cayton. He is survived by his grandchildren, Douglas, Sarah, Coral, and Justin, the children of Douglas and Linda Blake, who predeceased him. He is also survived by surrogate grandchildren Anya and Connie Toteanu; and his brother, Douglas Blake of East Longmeadow, and sister, Eva Webber of Falmouth.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, Dec. 8, at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 56 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Rd., Oak Bluffs. A graveside service will be at 10 am on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the West Tisbury Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Chelsea Soldier’s Home, 91 Crest Ave, Chelsea, MA 02150.

For online guestbook, obituary, and directions, visit ccgfuneralhome.com.

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Norma Jean White, 69, of Cataumet, died at the Falmouth Hospital on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2017. She was the wife of Peter White for 18 years. She was born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, the daughter of Richard and Alice (Silvia) Ferreira.

For many years, Norma and Peter owned the Scottish Bakehouse on Martha’s Vineyard. Her love of baking continued on long after they sold the bakery, and she took great pride in the many birthday cakes and Christmas treats she made for family and friends. She was also a bird lover, and could spend hours watching the many different visitors to her feeders (she even tolerated “Harry the Squirrel,” and fed him many treats.

Norma is survived by her children, Gerald F. Maciel Jr., and his wife Shaun of East Falmouth, Timothy R. Maciel and his wife Charlene of Mashpee, Melissa J. Healy and her husband Stephen of Pocasset, Jameson M. Maciel and his wife Rachel of Lebanon, Ind., and Corey T. Maciel and his wife Bridget of San Antonio, Texas; her 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; her siblings Delbie Ferreira, Ronald Ferreira, Sandra Healy, Judith Pachico, and Anthony Ferreira; many beloved nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews; and her first husband, Gerald F. Maciel Sr. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Richie Ferreira.

Services are being privately held. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Red Stocking Fund of Martha’s Vineyard, Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539. For online guestbook and obituary, visit ccgfuneralhome.com.

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Richard J. Mavro, 89, of Oak Bluffs died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Friday morning, Dec. 1, 2017, at the Beth Israel – Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. Richard was the husband of Lorraine (Rogers) Mavro and father of Richard R. Mavro (Nola) and Noreen Mavro Flanders (Brian).

Born in Boston in 1928 as a 2½-pound preemie, Richard was destined to overcome many obstacles in his lifetime. Although he was diagnosed with dementia 11 years ago, many never realized it because his friendly smile and greeting were still the most recognizable parts of his personality.

Richard graduated from Edgartown High School in 1947. After graduation he headed off to Daytona Beach, Fla., on his infamous car trip in his Model A Ford with his good friend Jimmy Klingensmith. In 1948 Richard returned to the Island to marry his high school sweetheart, Lorraine Rogers, on Feb. 19, 1949.

Also known as Dick, Richie, and Greek, Richard’s interests and talents were as varied as his names. At a young age Richard learned that economics dictated that he become a true “do-it-yourselfer.” Every chore became a puzzle to the naturally curious and intelligent person he was. Fixing cars (Model As. into his 70s), building chimneys, sewing a canvas top for his boat, fixing his motorcycle, rigging a new rudder for his Sunfish, being a chimney sweep, and so much more. He was a longtime motorcyclist. He leaves a full complement of motorcycle friends from his trips to Americade and other rides.

In his younger years, Richard was an avid photographer. As he and Lorraine traveled, there were always plenty of slides to see upon their return, with a story to go with each one. His artistic side also came out in items such as the wire boats he made, and the wooden numbers he would produce for Lorraine commemorating how many years they were married.

Richie was a social man. Every job he had saw him working with the public. Those who knew him would remark about him being quick with a smile, an anecdote, or a joke. He loved getting together with friends and family, where he would often become the center of attention with some jokes to tell. You might be laughing, but watch out! You’d never know when you would end up the subject of his humor!

Richard worked for 24 years at the First National Stores (which was located where the Vineyard Haven Post Office is today) until it closed in 1972. Not wanting to leave Martha’s Vineyard, (“God’s country,” as he called it), he declined a transfer to the Cape. After a short stint at the Steamship Authority, he was hired at the Oak Bluffs Post Office. Interestingly, when he transferred to the Vineyard Haven Post Office, he ended up back working in the familiar building where he spent so many years in the employ of First National.

When he turned 63, Lorraine convinced Richard to retire so they could have time to enjoy life. He left the United States Postal Service after 20 years of service, but that was not the end of Richard’s work life. He was a caretaker, mechanic, lawn mower, handyman, and worked part-time for Chapman, Cole and Gleason, making friends with the same men who will now lay him to rest.

Most of all, Richard was a family man. No matter what came his way, family always was first. Many don’t know it, but he had a chance for an appointment to West Point when he graduated from high school. Instead of taking advantage of such an opportunity, he declined it because he felt his mother needed his help and support. He and Lorraine had only two children, Richard (Dick) and Noreen, but he had an extended family that crossed the states. Cousins from Danvers to Maine to South Carolina to Arizona were still a source of great pleasure for him through his 89 years. The summer party for Cousins Day was something he always looked forward to. Richard was enormously proud of his three grandsons, and the “cherry on the sundae” for him was the pleasure of spending time with his great-grandchildren.

As well as his loving wife of 68 years and their children, Richard is survived by his three grandsons and their spouses, Matthew B. Flanders and wife Carole Lee (Sylva), Christopher A. Flanders and wife Brianna (Jean), and Timothy Mavro and wife Kandace (Sylvia). Richard also leaves eight great-grandchildren: Christopher’s children Alanna, Avery, and Amelia Flanders; Matthew’s children Mackenzie Flanders, and Sydney and Justin Bierman; and Timothy’s children Lennox and Ethan Mavro. (Finally a boy to carry on the Mavro family name!) Richard is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and cousins to round out his family tree.

Richard was the son of Mary (Salvadore) Ripley and stepson of William Ripley. He was also predeceased by his sister Anna Mavro Morgan and his brother Donald (Buddy) Mavro.

Services will be on Tuesday, Dec. 5, with calling hours from 9 to 10:30 am in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, and his funeral Mass celebrated at 11 am at Saint Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs, followed by a celebration of Richard’s life at the Portuguese-American Club in Oak Bluffs.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Richard’s name to Beth Israel Deaconess Plymouth, Senior Behavioral Care Unit, 275 Sandwich St., Plymouth MA 02360. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.

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Helen Louise (Wolfe) Brown, 87, died on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at her home in West Tisbury. She was the wife of Raymond E. Brown, who predeceased her, and is survived by her stepdaughter, Pamela Martisauskas.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, at 11 am in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Leo Christian.

Donations in her memory may be made to the West Tisbury Fire Dept. and EMTs, PO Box 490, or to Friends of Up-Island Council on Aging, P.O. Box 3174, both in West Tisbury, MA 02575. A complete obituary will follow in a later edition of this paper.

Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guest book and information.

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Barbara Marie (Callanan) Lunbeck died Nov. 27, 2017, after a brief illness at home in Audubon, Pa. She was 88.

Born August 18, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, to John Joseph and Margaret Falke Callanan, Barbara was a spirited and popular student, graduating with a B.S. in 1951 from Mary Manse College in Toledo as class vice-president, with high honors in chemistry. While at Mary Manse, Barbara met Bob. After graduation she worked for a year in Toledo as a chemist. Married in 1952, Barbara and Bob shared a 63-year marriage that ended only with Bob’s death early last year.

Barbara and Bob lived in Strafford, Pa., for nearly 40 years. There they raised their six children and made lifelong friendships. Barbara spent many hours playing tennis with friends and family at the Martin’s Dam Club. Barbara was a devout Catholic, and an active volunteer in church-related causes. She also volunteered in the community, serving as a troop leader for the Brownies, a docent for Art Goes to School, and a volunteer for Birthright International.

Barbara loved art, reading, conversation, and travel. After decades consumed by family responsibilities, she began taking studio art classes in earnest in the 1980s. She soon became a full-time student, commuting daily for two years to the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, where she majored in painting. Many of her landscapes, still lifes, and portraits now adorn her children’s walls.

Barbara was a voracious reader, her taste ranging from fiction to history and politics, and an engaging conversationalist. She was blessed with abundant common sense and humility. Barbara had strong opinions, which she leavened with her dry wit.

Barbara loved traveling and sailing. She and Bob traveled extensively at home and abroad, often with friends. Sailing adventures took them frequently to the Caribbean and the Chesapeake. They fell in love with Martha’s Vineyard, where in 1987 they built a summer home in Chilmark. In 1994 they moved there from Strafford, enjoying the island year-round for 13 years. In summer contests on Menemsha Pond that pitted their humble and sturdy catboat with Barbara at the helm against a fleet of sleek Herreshoffs, they savored the occasional race victory. Barbara was particularly involved with the Chilmark Public Library, where she served as president of the Friends at the inception of the library’s renovation and addition project.

Several years ago Barbara and Bob returned to Pennsylvania, joining many decades-long friends at Shannondell in Audubon. Barbara aged gracefully, her warmth and wit defining her final years. Barbara was loved deeply by her large family, who each now treasure her in their memories.

Barbara was predeceased by her parents, her sister Carol Callanan, and her husband Robert (Bob). She is survived by her six children and their spouses, Elizabeth (Gary Gerstle), Robert Jr. (Kathleen), James (Julia Reid), Peggy Montague (Richard), John (Muyar), and Martha (Mike Brown), her 14 grandchildren, Daniel and Samuel Gerstle; Natalie and Robert (III) Lunbeck; Emma, John, and Axel Lunbeck; William, Tess, and Kate Montague; Alexandra and Victoria Lunbeck; and Maggie and Molly Brown, and her great-grandchild, William August Meade Montague.

A funeral Mass will be said at 9:45 am, Saturday, Dec. 9 at St. Monica Church, 635 First Ave., Berwyn, Pa., followed at noon by a celebration for family and friends of Barbara’s life at the Ashcroft Clubhouse, 10000 Shannondell Dr., Audubon, Pa. She will be laid to rest alongside Bob at Abel’s Hill Cemetery in Chilmark.

Special thanks to Senior Adult Concierge Service for their exemplary care and kindness. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Barbara’s name to the Friends of the Chilmark Public Library, P.O. Box 434, Chilmark, MA 02535, or chilmarklibrary.org.

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James Conway Higgins died peacefully at home on Nov. 30, 2017, at the age of 87.

He was born in Beckley, W.Va., on Jan. 22, 1930, to James S. Higgins and Florence Conway Higgins. He was a lifelong parishioner of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church. He attended Stanton Military Academy, where he graduated in June 1948. He attended and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., in May 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in commerce. He went on to receive his certified public accounting certification from the state of Indiana and continued his education and dream of becoming a lawyer by attending the University of Notre Dame School of Law, graduating in June 1955.

He worked in the family business, Higgins Grocery Co., while studying for the West Virginia bar exam. He passed the bar exam with honors, and was certified to practice law by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia in April 1956.

Mr. Higgins was employed as an in-house attorney for Huelett Smith prior to opening the law firm of Higgins & Gorman. He then worked as a solo practitioner for six years before joining the firm of Persinger & Co. After 12 years with this company, he joined the firm of Rist, Higgins & Associates, where he practiced law until he retired at the age of 85.

Among his many accomplishments included serving as the City of Beckley police commissioner for 10 years. In 1968, Mr. Higgins argued before the West Virginia Supreme Court regarding whether public busing for parochial school students would be paid for with public funds. The Supreme Court ruled in Mr. Higgins’ favor, allowing public funding for the busing of parochial school students. He was awarded the Father Kerrigan Council of the Fourth Degree of Knights of Columbus Award for his outstanding work in the busing lawsuit. The lawsuit impacted all parochial school students throughout the state. In the estate planning area of law, Mr. Higgins drafted and enacted the first Clifford Trust in West Virginia, for the Conway family.

Mr. Higgins was an avid tennis player and a member of the Men’s Tennis Club, who donated the Ewart Avenue clay courts to the city of Beckley to make more tennis courts available to all ages of tennis players. He helped organize tennis tournaments with the resident tennis pro at the Greenbriar for the annual Coal Rodeo.

He enjoyed spending summers with family and friends at his residence on Martha’s Vineyard in the town of Aquinnah.

He was a very active parishioner at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and also worked on a committee with the Archdiocese of Wheeling, assisting in the drafting of Vatican II. He taught CCD religion classes for 12 years at St. Francis de Sales.

Most important, Mr. Higgins leaves a lasting legacy of faith, love, and an undying belief in his family and the Roman Catholic Church.

Mr. Higgins donated his remains to the Human Gift Registry at the West Virginia University School of Medicine in Morgantown, W.Va.

He is predeceased in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Mildred S. Higgins. He is survived by their 10 children: Jamie H. Eason, James C. Higgins II, John H. Higgins, Michael P. Higgins, Joseph E. Higgins, Thomas A. Higgins, Mary P. Bell, Vincent L. Higgins, Genevieve A. Cardile, and Katherine F. Nunez. Mr. Higgins is also survived by 17 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A memorial Mass will be held at St. Francis de Sales Church at 11 am on Dec. 19; visitation will begin at 10 am at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations kindly be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of West Virginia, 1601 2nd Avenue, Charleston, WV 25387.

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Roger C. Blake Jr., 86, died on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2017, after a lengthy illness. The family has rescheduled the graveside service; it will start at 9:30 am on Saturday, Dec. 9, at the West Tisbury Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 7 pm on Friday, Dec. 8, at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 56 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Rd., Oak Bluffs. For online guestbook, obituary, and directions, visit ccgfuneralhome.com.

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Melvin A. Pachico, 80, died unexpectedly on Dec. 4, 2017.

He was born on Jan. 23, 1937, in Vineyard Haven to Frank A. and Gladys (Brooks) Pachico.

Melvin enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18 in 1955, returning to the Vineyard after his tour of duty in the States at the Boston Missile Defense site.

Melvin was happiest when working. His many professions included working as a chef at Home Port Restaurant for owners Chester Stearns and Chet Cummens; an apprentice embalmer at Sylvia Funeral Home; a landscaper for Allen Gelinas; he then operated his own landscaping and caretaking business for more than 35 years. He was a jack-of-all-trades, painting and acquiring his contractor’s license. He, along with his brother Donald, replaced many an Island roof. He retired in 2002.

Melvin enjoyed children, and was known to tease a few. He was known for his chocolate chip cookies, he made for many of them. Pictures of his cookies often appeared on Facebook, as they were so large.

He was a member of the Holy Ghost Association. Winters were spent with his wife, Judith, in Port Richey, Fla.

He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Frank A. Pachico Jr. and wife (Catherine), his sisters Lillian Burovac and Susan Jackson, his brother-in-laws Phil Dube, Timothy Fullin, and Arthur Metell, and two nieces and one nephew. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith (Marchant) Pachico; his two daughters, Janet Sylvia (Timothy) and Kimberly Serpa (Eric), all of West Tisbury, and five grandchildren, Brandyn Sylvia, Brianna Sylvia Olender (Bill), Zachary Sylvia, Caitlin and Christopher Serpa; and a great-granddaughter, Alyssa Sylvia. Also surviving him are his sisters, Sylvia Metell and Linda Fullin, his brother Donald Pachico (Judy), brother-in-law Peter Jackson, and sister-in-law Elaine Ciancio (Mike), and many nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Holy Ghost Association Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557. As he wished, there will be no funeral. A celebration of his life will be held at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, from 1 to 4 pm.

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Ruth Mary Rocha, 94, died on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017, at her home in Vineyard Haven.

Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs, will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 12 from 5 pm to 7 pm. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 11 am in St. Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven.

Donations may be made in her memory to the Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information. A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.

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Chris Abrams (Christine Iannone Hudson Abrams) died painlessly and peacefully on Dec. 8, 2017. In her final days she was surrounded by family, friends, and the wonderful caregivers who selflessly guided her through the last stages of her long struggle with brain cancer. She was 69.

She was an early childhood educator who had a special way with children; some called her a kid whisperer. She taught preschoolers and teachers for 30 years, and was the founding director of the Chilmark Preschool in 2005 until she retired in 2010, after the onset of her illness. On the Chilmark Preschool website it says, “It was her vision, wisdom, and philosophy that built the foundation for the high-quality program that evolved.” During her career she touched the lives of countless children and families, taught many teachers, and was a strong advocate for Island early childhood education.

Many parents attribute their most important child-rearing learning to Chris. When asked about her uncanny way of connecting with children, she would say, “Well, I don’t really know, I guess it’s just that I never lost my child’s eyes. I still see what they see.” For her, school was just life. Her children and their friends always thought of her as a particularly creative and imaginative Mom who was fun to be around, and let them make mistakes and tend to the consequences without intervention (except when necessary).

Her other passion and professional pursuit was music. Her musical interests were diverse. She played the piano and accordion, and for many years played recorder and harpsichord in the Island Consort. Later, she was the accompanist for the Vineyard elementary school string program. The director at the time, Diane Crane, says, “She was the accompanist, but she was my colleague and collaborator, and the champion of every child. I always thought of her as the ‘musician’s musician.’ Upon reflection, ‘teacher’s teacher’ is a good summation.”

She was just as happy playing in a church (she was the organist at the Chilmark Community Church for years), in a club (accompanying Jemima James), or at home with friends. She was devoted to her first piano teacher, Ada Esser in New York, but her decades-long friendship and student relationship with her Vineyard teacher Lisa Rohn meant the world to her. She listened to everything from classical to hip-hop, and somehow she always kept up with whatever music young people were listening to.

Along with children, education and music, she also loved nature, laughter, family, friends, the recovery community, pets, horses, psychology, anthropology, history, pop culture, baking, the Red Sox, and skiing (which, having taken it up late in life, she never really mastered, but somehow that didn’t seem to matter — she loved it anyway). In fact, she was insatiably curious about nearly everything (except maybe football and flagwaving). The breadth of her knowledge combined with her piercing intellect and easy pattern recognition allowed her to do the New York Times crossword puzzles lickety-split, day after day, even in the last days of her life when she needed a scribe to fill in the blanks.

Her memory was extraordinarily complete. There was no reason to ever ask Chris, “Do you remember …?” She did, for certain, whatever it was. She could even recall what she ate for a particular lunch at a particular diner on the road somewhere in Saskatchewan in 1970. Friends said she remembered things in their lives that they themselves had forgotten; she would remind them of these things, and their significance.

Her remarkably wide circle of friends came from across the geographical and cultural landscape. She gathered them from the various parts of her life, nurtured the relationships, and kept them. During the last year of her life, many visited; storytelling and laughter were the stuff of these visits. Her relentless self-reflection and deep sense of humility gave her an uncommon ability to connect and empathize. People were attracted to her unflinching honesty, razor-sharp wit, fierce sense of justice, and love of conversation … and banter. Her sister Pam says, “We made reminiscing into an Olympic event. I would remember the truly crazy stuff, and she was the Bob Costas of interpretation, analysis, and commentary.” Her ability to communicate verbally transferred brilliantly to texting; in her last years it was her preferred method of communicating. She was the emoji queen — an artist through and through, building and maintaining her community near and far.

Her style was always her own, never influenced by the trendy or fashionable. Status meant absolutely nothing to her; she was more attracted to street people than stars. She cleared her own path, and fearlessly (and fearfully too!) navigated its twists and turns and ups and downs, of which there were many. Chris was fiercely loyal, but she demanded that those she associated with valued excellence, resilience, and modesty. She made it reasonable to expect more from oneself. All of this doesn’t intend to gloss over the difficult parts; it was not uncomplicated to be a part of her life.

Chris was born in 1948 in Queens. Her parents, Anthony Iannone and Martha MacGuffie, were both in medical school, so she was raised in the early days by her Italian grandmother, Antoinette Iannone. Her parents divorced when she was 3, and her mother moved with her and her sister Martha to Rockland County to live with her stepfather, Perry Hudson, and his daughter Harriet. In subsequent years, two more sisters and three brothers were born.

She left high school when she was 16, spent much of a year in France, came home and studied the piano intensively, and then went to Marlboro College in Vermont, where she met John Abrams. They married in 1969 and began a six-year back-to-the-land hippie odyssey. From Vermont to Northern California to Berkeley — where son Pinto was born in 1970 — they went onward to Oregon, British Columbia, back to Vermont, and finally to the Vineyard in 1975. After working with her husband’s company, South Mountain, for a few years, she commuted to Boston to get her master’s at Wheelock College in early childhood education, and began her teaching career. In 1984 daughter Sophie was born.

Chris is survived by her husband John, and her beloved family: her son Pinto and his wife Jessica Benjamin; her daughter Sophie Abrams Mazza and her husband John Mazza; her three grandchildren, Kalib, Silas, and Axel; four sisters, Harriet, Martha, Pam, and Jane, and one brother, William. She was predeceased by two brothers, Rob and Reid.

Her life was improved immeasurably by her caregivers: her longtime friend and soulmate Lisa Nichols, her new friend Remonia Doctor, the spirited Libby Green, and her daughter’s friend Georgia Maroni, and caring hospice professionals June Miller and Jill DeLaHunt. Her childhood friend Tory Ettlinger often came to take care of her too.

Memorial donations in memory of Chris may be made to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.

It’s hard to imagine life without Chris. She was a force. A service to celebrate her life will be held in the spring of next year, details to be announced.

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Sandra Lee Gramkowski, or Sandy, as her friends called her, died on Nov. 15, 2017, in Cape Coral, Fla., at the age of 68.

Sandy was born on August 10, 1949, to Doris E. Rowand and Eugene G. Hehl. Sandy was the oldest of three children with sister and brother Deborah Hehl Eppinger and Theodore Hehl. She attended a vocational high school where she studied cosmetology and hairdressing, and met her husband Steven, or Steve for short. Sandy and Steve were married in 1968. This year they would have celebrated their 49th anniversary on Thanksgiving.

During their early years of marriage, they had two children, Kim and Tessie. The family lived in Haddonfield, N.J., then moved to the Vineyard in 1978. While Sandy lived on the Vineyard, she helped run the family construction business, Gramco. Sandy was active on the hospital’s finance and quality assurance committees. One of their fundraisers was a game booth at the fair. The stroller-shaped roulette wheel raised money for the ob-gyn relief fund which eventually produced enough to get a full time ob-gyn doctor on the Island. She enjoyed painting, fishing the Derby with Steve, and traveling, specially family trips to Walt Disney World with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, and grew the prettiest roses. When they moved to Florida, it took her forever to decide on what palms tree to buy: Who knew there were so many types of palm trees?

Sandy was predeceased by her brother, Theodore Hehl. She is survived by her husband Steven, her younger sister Deborah, her daughters Kimberly C. Carlos, wife of Adirley Carlos of Edgartown, and Theresia L. Gramkowski of Cape Coral, Fla. Sandy is also survived by her grandchildren, Brendan M. Gramkowski of Cape Florida, Sabrina E. Carlos, Gabriella C. Carlos, and Franchesca R. Carlos of Edgartown. The family loves and misses her.

Arrangement are by Fuller Metz of Cape Coral, Fla., and will be private. Donations can be made in Mom’s memory to Hospice.

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By Heather Goodwin

Nancy Elizabeth Marshall died last month due to cancer. She was 73. Born in Paris (Texas, not Paris — you wish, Mom!) The family (Army brats) eventually made its way to Natick. Mom was stunning. She entered beauty pageants, was the Homecoming Queen, and participated in many school events. She was never without her circle pin. So mod!

After finishing high school with high marks, she was one of the first female students at Boston College. When she graduated with a degree in education, she taught kindergarten. To make extra money she waitressed on the side. One day she heard the ever-boring “What’s a girl like you doing in a place like this?” line. Oh, Dad … however, the handsome Navy man swept her off her feet and they were married soon after. When she got pregnant with me, she was fired from her teaching job, as it was “unseemly” for students to see a pregnant woman, even if she was married! Two brothers came after me, then we moved to the Vineyard. Loads of cousins and fun … it was idyllic. She was the perfect stay-at-home-mom!

Unfortunately, in 1983, my father died, leaving my mom destitute. Mom had to get two jobs to take care of us. It must have been so hard on her (I’m a single mom myself), but you never would have known it. Things just went on. Several years later, she was happy to meet the second love of her life. And boy, did he worship her! They stayed on the Island until it got too expensive, then moved to Sanford, Maine; we visited often. The cancer came as a cruel surprise. She took it like a champ, hanging on for over a year — most of that time completely healthy! The end came swiftly; a blessing, I suppose. She hugged us all before she went. It was miraculous, considering she could barely move. We cherished those hugs, and I’m sure we will till it’s our time.

Nancy is survived by her brother, Kenneth Slauta of Natick; Michael Marshall, her second husband, of Sanford, Maine; her three children, Heather, Todd, and John; and her reason for spoiling, her two grandchildren, Sage and Lohen. And to them, Nana was God. We miss you, Mom!

A memorial service will be held in the spring.

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Nancy Ann (Greer) Hough died peacefully on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, in Majestic Oaks at John Knox Village, Orange City, Fla., after a lengthy challenge of dementia. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Garry deN. Hough III, in 2007.

Nancy (“Nan”) was born on Easter Sunday, April 8, 1928, in Cambridge, to Frederick Wade and Eleanor (Fuller) Greer. She grew up in Belmont, graduating from Belmont High School in 1945. She received her bachelor’s degree in physics from Smith College in 1949. She traveled with her family, played the piano, was an excellent student and artist, and loved spending her summers at Girl Scout camps around New England. A Thanksgiving dinner in 1946 arranged by her mother Eleanor and Mary Hough, both of whom were active at the state level of Girl Scouts, led to an introduction to Mary’s son, Garry. Nan and Garry were married in Belmont on Jan. 7, 1950, and thus began a 57-year marriage and adventure of family, community service, and travel.

Nan and Garry settled in Longmeadow with their two young daughters, and Garry joined his father’s orthopedic surgery practice. Three more children arrived while Nancy built a life in her new hometown, becoming involved with community and social activities. She was an active member of South Congregational Church in Springfield, Junior League of Springfield, Smith College Alumni Club, Longmeadow Country Club, Hampden District Medical Society Women’s Auxiliary, and the Chirp & Burp Society. While Nan might join a group because it was expected of her, those around her soon found out this shy woman was actually very talented and astute, soft of demeanor but sharp of mind. She was often asked to become a leader within the organizations, frequently as the treasurer. Garry and Nan traveled extensively for both pleasure and Garry’s medical career, visiting throughout the U.S., the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Nan was an accomplished seamstress for herself and her children, loved to garden, took pride in having designed her family’s home, played bridge, did needlepoint, loved to swim (when her family wasn’t insisting she be a lifeguard) and was a champion candlepin bowler. Encouraged by family and friends, Nan always loved astronomy, from viewing the 1932 solar eclipse to watching man land on the Moon; she kept a telescope handy and woke her children up in the early morning to watch NASA launches. The Hough house was known for many years as a place where Nan’s children’s friends could gather for fun, but if a thoughtful ear was needed, they would find that, too.

When Garry retired in 1986, they renewed their interest in international medicine by volunteering for Orthopedics Overseas, living briefly in Malawi and Peru. The bug had first bit in 1974, when Garry designed a sabbatical volunteering for CARE to teach and practice orthopedic surgery in Indonesia for four months;they brought their two youngest children along for an eye-opening experience living and learning in Southeast Asia. Retirement also saw Nan’s hometown change once again, as they split their time between Marathon, Fla., and Vineyard Haven. Later, as Garry’s health declined, they moved from Marathon to Orange City, where they lived in the John Knox Village, becoming full-time residents there in the early 2000s. Wherever Nan lived, friendships grew and connections strengthened, until dementia took its toll, first with Garry and then with herself.

Nan leaves behind her five children, Margaret (“Peggy”/“Meta”) of Corvallis, Ore., Alice Robinson and her husband Tom of Vineyard Haven, Virginia (“Ginny”) Matchak and her husband John of Norwalk, Conn., Richard (“Rick”) and his wife Karoline of Mason, N.H., and Hilda Brown and her husband Richard of Gainesville, Fla.; her three grandchildren, Tim, Brian, and Michael Robinson; her four stepgrandchildren Jennifer Mata (Victor), A.W. Woolfrey (Whitney), Chris Brown (Amanda), and Tim Brown (Stacy); and by seven step-great-grandchildren, her brother F. Wade Greer Jr., and his wife Barbara, of Florida and New Hampshire. She also had a loving extended family of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews, and their families.

There will be a service at the chapel at John Knox Village, in Orange City, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, at 2 pm. Interment of her ashes will be held in Vineyard Haven in the spring. The family suggests donations may be made in Nan’s memory to Habitat for Humanity, Smith College, or any educational or charitable organization that lends a helping hand to those in need.

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Stella Lyeman Novotny died on Nov. 1, 2017, of a formidable form of acute myeloid leukemia, two weeks after her 4th birthday. Stella was the daughter of Casey Kriedman and Jed Novotny of West Tisbury and New York City, sister of George, and the granddaughter of Terry Kriedman and Deurward Lyeman Hughes, and Sandra Novotny.

As related by the rabbi at her funeral service, Stella made life her stage, and everyone and anyone served as her audience. She dressed up as all the superheroes, especially as Wonder Woman, danced to Lady Gaga, and sang to Bob Marley. She danced at home, at Sloan Kettering, and at Seattle Children’s, always with tubes flowing and IV poles following. She danced in tutus, in costumes, with her parents, with the nurses, with the doctors. Her family devoted their lives to making Stella’s short life as “normal” as possible.

All treatments were explored, all experimental medication pursued, and all trials researched. Through it all, Stella laughed and sang and teased. Her spirit was miraculous and infectious. She was a beautiful child, even when she lost her hair. It just made her eyes twinkle more brightly.

Stella loved her life, as unusual as it was. In the year and a half since her diagnosis, Stella was always with her parents. She was never alone.

Stella would insist that we keep on dancing. And that we find a cure for this terrible disease that targets young children.

Contributions can be made in her memory to targetpediatricaml.org. A gathering at the Edgartown Lighthouse Children’s Memorial will be held sometime next summer.

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Alicia Gervais died on Dec. 7, 2017, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with breast cancer. She was 54.

While Alicia was growing up, her family often vacationed in Oak Bluffs. She went to one year of high school at M.V. Regional. While in college, she decided to live the rest of her life for the Lord. After earning a B.S. in business from North Central College in Illinois, she began a career in modeling. She exercised her Christian faith by listing herself as not available for ads of lingerie, alcohol, or tobacco. She excelled, appearing in many television and print ads. She was the first African-American to appear in the Lands’ End catalog. She was on the cover of Eddie Bauer.

With the advent of her firstborn, she placed her energy into motherhood, giving great emphasis to the education of her children. She homeschooled for several years. She was always interested in any benefit for the children.

Alicia had a keen interest in which foods to eat, gardening, and enjoying the outdoors. She worked as an assistant librarian at the Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury libraries.

She is survived by her children, Hunter and Christiana Wolff of Miami, Fla., her husband Joe of West Tisbury, her parents Alonzo and Marcia Thompson of Dunedin, Fla., and Naperville, Ill., and her sister, Sonya Thompson of Chicago, as well as many other family and friends.

Services will be held at the Revival Church of the Nation, 60 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road (next to M.V. Community Television) in Oak Bluffs, on Saturday, Dec. 16 at noon. Burial will follow in the West Tisbury Cemetery, State Road, West Tisbury.

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Helen Louise (Wolfe) Brown, 87, died on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at her home in West Tisbury. She was the wife of Raymond E. Brown, who predeceased her.

Helen was born on August 8, 1930, in Somerville, to George William Wolfe and Helen (Gannon) Wolfe. She attended the Charles Street School and the Summer Street School, and graduated from Concord High School in New Hampshire, where she grew up. She graduated from New Hampshire School of Nursing, with affiliation at New Jersey Medical Center.

Helen worked at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital from December 1959 to March 1994, mainly in the maternity department. She had many co-workers whose names would be familiar to Islanders: Turk Kingsbury, Betsy Boggess, Tootie Johnson, Jane Keenan, Almeida Reed, Gladys Welch, Louise Yapp, Judy Hathaway, and Ann Burt, just to name a few.

After a few years of retirement, she went on to work at the Howes House Council on Aging in West Tisbury, where she enjoyed being the receptionist from 2004 to 2012. Helen loved to knit, work on crafts, socialize, and go to the beach. She had many close friends, and enjoyed living on the Vineyard since the 1950s.

Helen is survived by stepdaughters Pamela Brown Martisauskas of Oak Bluffs and her son Jason Martisauskas and family; Helen Brown Harley of Rhode Island and her daughters Nancy Iadeluca and Patricia Harley and family; Jeanne Brown Bryan of New Orleans and family; Pamela Ridgeway, Rebecca Jacoves, and Peter Bryan and their families; Elizabeth Brown Ciciora (predeceased) and her son Jeffrey Ciciora, his wife Sandy and their daughter Molly Ciciora and son Benjamin Ciciora; she was also predeceased by Patricia Brown West of Florida and her sons Andrew West and Elon “Trip” West.

She is also survived by her sister Nancy Nylen of New Hampshire and her family, Mark, Carol (predeceased), Paul, Jon, and David and their families. Helen was predeceased by her two brothers, Kenneth Wolfe and Robert Wolfe. Members of Robert’s family are Sally, Robert, Peter, Gary, and Jane and their families. Helen is survived by many nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews.

A graveside service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 6, in the Oak Grove Cemetery on State Road in Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Leo Christian, which was followed by a gathering of friends and relatives at Helen’s home in West Tisbury. Arrangements were under the care of Chapman, Cole and Gleason funeral home on Edgartown Road in Oak Bluffs.

The family would like to give their appreciation to the VNA, Elder Services, Hope Hospice, Horizons for Geriatrics, and Sostek for their services and care given to Helen during her illness.

Donations in her memory may be made to the West Tisbury Fire Department and EMTs, P.O. Box 490, West Tisbury, MA 02575, or to Friends of the Up-Island Council on Aging, P.O. Box 3174, West Tisbury, MA 02575.

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