April 2025

It is with great sorrow that we announce that Richard D. Pogmore, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, peacefully passed away on April 26th. He leaves behind his wife, Jeannie (Gustafson) Pogmore, of Lebanon.  Rich was born November 11th, 1932 in Meriden, CT and was the son of the late Frederick F. Pogmore and Anna (Sittnick) Pogmore of Wallingford, CT.  In 1985 he married Jeannie Gustafson Pogmore who was the love of his life as he was hers.  They spent many happy years together at their Lebanon home and enjoyed their vacation home in North Eastham, MA.  They also spent many years traveling throughout the United States.  Rich especially enjoyed the western states.

Rich grew up on the family farm in Wallingford where he learned his strong work ethic. He loved his family, farming, animals and all things outdoors, spending many years hunting and fishing with his family and friends.  Rich loved sports, especially baseball and hockey which he played into his fifties.  After his retirement, he became an avid collector of arrowheads. 

Rich was always ready to lend a hand to anyone who needed help.  We will miss his sense of humor and will.always remember his beautiful smile. 

Early in his life, Rich was employed as a Union Roofer for J.E. Daly Roofing.  He then became Assistant Manager for Eastern States Farm Exchange which became Agway.  He was a Conservation Officer for the State of Connecticut for 20 years.  He always did some type of farming in addition to his employment.

Rich loved his country and proudly served in the United States Naval Reserve, joining in December of 1950 in Cromwell, CT.  He attained the rank of Builder Chief Petty Officer after 10 years. He served a total of 23 years, retiring to follow his dream of becoming a  dairy farmer in Pennsylvania.

Rich was an experienced carpenter and built all four of his homes, including a vacation home on Cape Cod.  However, his true passion was farming. In 1973 he bought a farm in Turbotville, Pennsylvania where he successfully built and managed his own dairy farm.  Upon his return to CT, he purchased land in Lebanon, built his home and began growing fruit and vegetables.  He built a farm stand to sell his produce, Bluebird Hill Farm, named after the bluebirds living in his orchards. His son, Charlie, and grandsons, CJ and Tyler, are continuing his legacy and have expanded the business.

Rich leaves Jeannie, his two sons, Richard of Muncy, PA, Charles (Rose) of Lebanon,  his daughter, Christine (Ed} Lopes of Mystic, and two stepdaughters, Leslie (Chet) Young of Appleton, WI and Meagan (Stan) Lively of Port St Joe, FL.  Grampy, Gramp, Grandpa Richard  and Great-Grampy will be missed by his 10 grandchildren, RD Pogmore, Michael Pogmore, Rory (Gino) Magliocco, CJ (Eileen) Pogmore, Tyler Pogmore ,Leah Lopes,  Brianna (Kyle) Pierce, Rachel Kohlbeck, Amelia Lively, and Brian (Maddy) Koch.  He also leaves his 9 great-grandchildren, Charles, Milton, Grady, and Margaret Pogmore, Rocco and Conner Magliocco, Anslee and Layne Pierce, and Waylon Koch.  Rich leaves his two sisters, Jane Maxwell of Meriden and Edith Nagy of Clinton, and his sister and brother-in–law, Patricia and Vincent Genereux of Clinton.  He also leaves many nieces and nephews.  

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his daughter, Judith, his sister, Barbara Morrisette, his brothers and their wives, George and Dorothy Pogmore and Frederick and Barbara Pogmore.  

The family wishes to thank everyone at St. Joseph Living Center for the compassionate and skilled care he received from the doctors, nurses and CNAs.  Anyone who wishes to donate in Richard’s name may contribute the LebanonVolunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 51, Lebanon, CT 06249 or St. Joseph Living, 14 Club Rd., Windham, CT 06280.

Services will be at the convenience of the family.  

The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge of arrangements.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our loving mom, grandmother, great-grandmother, best friend and second mom to many of our friends. 

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Everett “Putt” Wade, and her parents, Esther Eliason Hamilton DeGraff and Samuel Raughley Hamilton; brothers: Hammy, Raughley, Ernie and Eddie.  She is survived by her daughters, Kathy Wade (Allan); Barbara Wade Johnson; Cindy Wade Wolfram (David); Ginny Wade-Fralick (Rob). Grandchildren, Kortney, Tavis, Liam, Ava & Chloe, and great-grandchildren, Lee & Kolbie. Shirley was born and raised in Portland, CT.  A skilled seamstress, she loved creating and designing wedding gowns while working alongside her daughters. She enjoyed traveling and vacationing with her family; making Christmas pierogies; baking for family gatherings and always keeping everyone happy. She was quick with a joke and loved to tease.  

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Waters Edge Care and Rehabilitation for the care, kindness and support they provided to our mom during her last years. 

Calling hours will be at Trinity Church, 345 Main St., Portland, on May 1st at 9:30 AM, followed by a service at 11 AM.  Burial will be in the Swedish Cemetery, Portland.   In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the American 

Diabetes Association.  

The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge 

of arrangements.

Jane (MacMahon) Foster, 96, of Portland, (CT), passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, after a challenging year of valiantly fighting a series of illnesses. She was the devoted wife of Myron R. Foster, the love of her life for over 60 years until his passing in 2011.  She was the beloved mother to Robert Barry Foster of Hull, MA, loving grandmother to Brittany Bishop Lazar of Concord, NC and Meridith Patterson of Gastonia, NC, great grandmother to Astrid Lazar and mother-in-law to Michael Clawson of Salisbury, NC. She was pre-deceased by her daughter, Francine Clawson of Salisbury, NC, twin sister, Jean Griskivich of East Meadow, NY and brother, Robert MacMahon of Portland, CT.

Jane was born on August 28,1928, to Robert and Genevieve MacMahon and was a lifelong resident of Portland.  Growing up in the Fairview Heights section of Portland, Jane graduated from the Portland school systems.  During her teen years, she learned valuable life lessons working in the local tobacco fields.  After high school, she ventured to Boston where she and her twin sister Jean attended the Fisher School of Business and received their degrees in Stenographic studies in 1947. Excerpts from her yearbook noted “her good sense of humor, full of mischief and a 5’1” dynamo bubbling over with personality”.

After college, she returned to Portland and was initially employed as a Secretary for Standard and Knapp.  During this time, she was introduced to her future husband, Myron, and they were married in 1949.  She always considered her biggest life accomplishment was the birth of her two children, Francine and Robert, after which her focus turned to becoming a homemaker.

Jane was blessed throughout her life with many wonderful friends.  She enjoyed the family cottage on Newfound Lake in New Hampshire where she was often seen suntanning, swimming, boating, skiing, snowmobiling and antiquing.  Jane also enjoyed Cape Cod where she and Myron renovated and rented three cottages for many summers in Dennisport.  After selling those, they spent several years restoring their summer home, a 1712 half-cape in South Chatham which they continued to enjoy in their golden years.  A true beach lover, she found joy in the sun, sand and waves.

She was an active member of her community and enjoyed volunteering her time to several organizations, including the Portland Historical Society, Middlesex Memorial Hospital and as a dedicated poll worker for the state of Connecticut. She was an avid gardener and long-term member of the Portland Garden Club where she met many of her lifelong friends.  As a devout Catholic, she enjoyed many years as a member of the St. Mary’s Altar Society.

Jane had numerous passions in life. She loved traveling with her family and friends, most notably to Hawaii where she always enjoyed the tranquility of the ocean and the native people.  Her love for antiques brought her to Ogunquit, the backroads of New Hampshire and Vermont and the fields of Brimfield, always looking for a good bargain.  She loved the theatre, especially musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House usually preceded by a great Italian dinner out.  She was enthusiastic about her gardens spending long, hot days weeding them to perfection. Lastly, she took immense pride in planning annual Christmas parties at her home for her family and friends to celebrate her favorite holiday.

Jane distinguished herself in many ways through her compassion, creativity, independence, courage, and outgoing personality.  Her love extended to many family pets, especially to her late canine companion, Pebbles.  She always had a smile on her face and friendly conversations even during her various illnesses.

A special thank you goes out to all the doctors, nurses, aides and therapists at Portland Care and Rehab for their compassion, dedication and loving care provided during Jane’s final months, as well as a thank you to all the friends and neighbors who visited.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, May 5th at 11 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Portland.  Burial will be in Swedish Cemetery, Portland.  Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, on Monday morning from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Jane’s name to St. Mary’s church in Portland or one of the organizations she supported herself, including the Alzheimer’s Association, ASPCA or Connecticut Humane Society. 

Mary Martucci Kidd, 83, of Haddam, formerly of East Hampton, passed away on April 11th after a brief illness. Mary was born in the Bronx on December 12th, 1941, and moved to Marlborough as a teen, graduating from RHAM High. In 1960, she married and raised a family in East Hampton, where she lived for most of her life. She became a word processor and worked for many years at law firms in Hartford as well as at Connecticut Underwriters in Portland. Retiring 20 years ago, she moved to Haddam. Mary enjoyed sewing, flowers, travel, shopping, and all kinds of crafts. She is survived by her children: Theresa Kidd (Jim Day) of Haddam; Joseph Kidd (Patty) of Portland; Mary Lou Nash (Michael) of Methuen, MA, and Stephen Kidd (Paula Taupier) of Old Saybrook; nine grandchildren: Thomas, Daniel, Alex, Molly, Phillip (Jillian), Nicholas, Ian, Kaitlyn, and Matthew; her brother, Anthony Martucci of CA; many friends at the Haddam Senior Center, and Linda, a friend from high school. She is predeceased by her husband, Laurence Kidd, and her sister, JoAnn Sigleski McNichol.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, May 10th in St. Peter’s Church, Higganum at 11 a.m.  Burial will be Lakeview Cemetery, East Hampton.  There are no calling hours.  

The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge of arrangements.