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Obituaries

Barbara Kandl Powers

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      AMHERST – Barbara Powers died on May 14, 2020 with her husband John by her side, after a long, brave battle with pancreatic cancer.   She was a loving wife, devoted mother, and adoring grandmother remembered for her warm friendships and kindness, spectacular holiday meals, and timeless sense of style.  Barbara’s quick wit and mental acuity will certainly be missed, she never missed a trick.

      Born in 1945, Barbara grew up in Peoria, NY with her parents Thomas and Mary (Gallagher) Kandl, and four brothers.  Summers she spent horseback riding at the Gallagher family dairy farm in Sangerfield, NY.  She graduated from Pavilion Central High School in 1963 where she was her class salutatorian.  Next she studied at Rosary Hill College in Buffalo, NY, and briefly taught elementary school.

      In 1967, Barbara married her high school sweetheart, John (Jack) Powers, love of her life since their first ‘unforgettable’ date on April 13, 1962.  They wed at St. Anthony’s Church in Batavia, NY and immediately following the wedding, the couple left for Quantico, VA.  As the wife of a young Marine officer, Barbara learned to clean rifles and keep John’s uniforms pressed to USMC standards.  Son Michael was born at Camp Lejeune, NC, and for a period Barb had her hands full as a single mom while John served overseas.   Daughters Colleen and Katherine arrived while living in Dale City, VA and finally, after a detour in Durham, NC, son Patrick was born after Barbara and family settled in Amherst in 1974.

      In addition to her dedication as a wife and mother, Barbara was a founding partner of The Amherst Shoppe, a thriving gift emporium loved by local patrons for 24 years.  She decorated Christmas trees year-round, and curated Christmas village collections for all tastes.  No doubt, her penchant for holiday flair inspired her annual Gingerbread house construction begun with her children and continued with eight beloved grandchildren.  You can be sure Barbara never used store bought gingerbread, only homemade!  She was an accomplished cook, producing family “beauty dinners” and cataloguing culinary triumphs and tragedies in her crisp cursive hand.  She was a faithful parishioner at St. Patrick’s Church in Milford and a volunteer at SHARE.  Upon retirement, Barbara became an avid gardener, world traveler and golfer, playing with John at renowned courses around the world.  There was nothing Barbara enjoyed more than the annual vacations to gather the entire family together, children and grandchildren all there for the fun.

      Barbara Powers is survived by her husband of 52 years, Colonel John Powers; her brothers Thomas, Martin, John and Daniel; her children Mike and his wife Beth, of Amherst, NH,  Colleen of Stamford, CT, Katie and her husband Jon of Hollis, NH, and Patrick and his wife Kristen of Hollis, NH. She also has eight loving grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jack, Aiden, Annika, Matthew, Charlie, Satya, and Helena. 

      A funeral mass will be scheduled at St. Patrick’s when churches reopen. She will be buried at the NH Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to SHARE Outreach Inc., 1 Columbus Avenue, Milford, NH 03055 or online at www.sharenh.org,

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Diane Ellen (Lewis) Tate

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      AMHERST – Diane Ellen Tate (née Lewis), 82, passed away on April 9, 2020 at the Arbors of Bedford.

      Born in Waterbury, CT, she was the daughter of the late Holden and Marian (née Palmer) Lewis.

      In 1960, Diane earned her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from the Millersville State University in PA where she met her future husband, Joseph H. Tate. Diane moved with her family to Amherst, NH in 1980 as a result of her husband’s job transfer. Diane enjoyed a 30-year career as an Elementary School Teacher and concluded the last 14 years of teaching at Wilkins Elementary School in Amherst, NH. In her leisure time she was an avid Bridge player and participated in several Bridge groups in the Amherst area.

      Diane will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Joseph H. Tate, of Amherst, NH with whom she shared 58 years of marriage; her daughter Terri Tate and Michael Rousch of Cambridge, MA and her daughter Kelly Tate and Gary Smith of Braintree, MA; her sisters Linda Morris of Henniker, NH and Patricia Quay of Malvern, PA; her brother-in-law John Prendergast of West Chester, PA; her sister-in-law Millie Tate of Simpsonville, SC; her nieces Kim, Donna, Trish, Cheryl, Stacy, Kim, Patty, Linda, Pat, Deb and her nephew Jim.

      She was predeceased by her sister-in-law Frances Hoster, brother-in-law James Tate, sister-in-law, Margaret Prendergast, brother-in-law, Donald Quay, and niece, Sherry Morris Morrall.

Donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Society of America.

      To view Diane’s Online Tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.

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Jeanne Marie Tarrant

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     HAVERHILL, MA – Jeanne Marie (Charbonneau) Tarrant died peacefully at the Penacook Place nursing home in Haverhill on May 22, 2020.

      Born in Haverhill, she was the daughter of the late Loretta and Alcid Charbonneau.  She met her husband of almost 66 years, Robert (Bob) Tarrant in Haverhill, marrying on June 10, 1954.  Shortly thereafter, they bought their first home in Newbury, in 1954, where they raised their four children.

      Jeanne, primarily a homemaker for many years was a committed wife and mother.  She was Bob’s bookkeeper when he owned The Meat Shoppe in Newburyport, a cub scout den leader, Sunday school teacher at Saint Louis De Gonzague church in Newburyport and taught piano lessons. Later Jeanne worked as a teller at The Arlington Trust Bank.  In her early married years she enjoyed bowling. She was also an avid tennis player and golfer.  Bob and Jeanne enjoyed boating with their children and friends on the Parker River and at Crane’s Beach, where Jeanne would provide lavish meals.  In fact, Jeanne was an excellent cook and loved to host family and friends for dinner and holidays.  Everyone was always welcome.

      In 1997, Bob and Jeanne sold their family home and moved to Myrtle Beach, SC to retire.  They enjoyed many joyful years playing golf, socializing with friends, working at the Carolina Opry and hosting their growing family.  

In 2012 they moved back to Merrimac, Massachusetts to be closer to family. 

      Jeanne is survived by her loving husband Bob of Haverhill and children, Robert Tarrant Jr. (Kathi Conroy) of Merrimac, Ma., Kathleen  Keegan (widowed from Ken) of Newburyport, Ma.,  Christine Redd (Matt) of Amherst, NH., and daughter in law Catherine Tarrant (Kevin) of Underhill, Vt.  She is also survived by 12 Grandchildren, Kayla Tarrant Tindle (Bob), Kyle Tarrant, Shanley Autz (Danny), Thomas Tarrant, Gus Tarrant, Tucker Tarrant, Haley Keegan, Sean Keegan, Kendall Keegan, Jessica Redd, Curtis Redd, and Ainsley Redd.  Jeanne is also survived by 2 Great Grandchildren, Daniel and Shea Autz. Jeanne was predeceased by her parents, sister Lorraine Gagnon, brother, Alcid Charbonneau and Son Kevin Tarrant.

      Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend a Mass of Christian burial on Monday, June 1 at St. James Church, Winter Street, Haverhill at 11:00AM. Burial will follow in the St. James Cemetery, Primrose Street, Haverhill. The family is requesting that in leu of flowers donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit Comeau Funeral Home on Facebook or www.comeaufuneral.com

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