January 2026

Joan (Vacca) Guilmette, wife of Randall Guilmette of Portland, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 22nd, following a brief illness. She was 77. The daughter of the late John and Caroline (Amenta) Vacca, Joan lived her entire life in Portland. In the 1970s she was an

active member of the Portland Junior Women’s Club, and served for two years on the Board of Education. A life-long parishioner at St. Mary’s church, she was often recognized as, “the lady with the hats.” Joan was possessed of an indomitable spirit, and was fearless in pursuit of her goals.  After graduating from Portland High School in 1966, Joan went to work at Camp’s in Middletown, where she developed her love and aptitude for sewing, often making her own clothes when what was available in stores didn’t meet her standards.  Finding herself unemployed in her early 40s, Joan founded her own company, Connecticut Metal and Tool Supply, and resolutely took on much bigger competitors in a male-dominated industry, forging her own path and running a successful business before selling and retiring at age 70. A life-long lover of learning, Joan had always dreamed of going to college, and in her 50s she took that step, earning her B.A. in history from Trinity College--and having so much fun doing so that she went ahead and earned her M.A. from Wesleyan as well. Joan loved family and friends and had plenty of both, and her house was always open to anyone coming to town who needed a place to stay. She loved cooking and trying new recipes, and was happiest whenever her family was all together. She housed foreign exchange students from many countries, and as a result had friends all over the world. She loved to travel and visit friends in other countries, and in her retirement continued traveling, visiting France, Italy and New Zealand, cruising the Nile, and traveling the length of the Mississippi River. She worked as a guide at the Mark Twain house, and volunteered at the Connecticut River Museum and the Portland Historical Society. When she wasn’t working or traveling, Joan enjoyed summers in her pool, and walks around the neighborhood with her friends, daughter, and sister-in-law Alice. Joan was accompanied on all her journeys by the love of her life, her husband Randy, whom she married in 1967. In addition to her husband, Joan leaves behind three children and children-in-law: Lucian Guilmette and Kristine Hopp, Dolores and Alexander Bates, and John and Meghan Guilmette, all of Portland. As a proud Nunna, Joan took delight in her seven grandchildren: Emily, Isabelle, and Katherine Guilmette, Mariana (Bates) Stover and her husband Russell and Cole Bates, and Clara and Evan Guilmette. She also leaves her brother James Vacca and his wife Joyce, and her sister Suzanne Burgess and her husband Jeffrey, also all of Portland, along with many beloved nieces and nephews and countless friends. Her family would like to thank the staff at Middlesex and Hartford Hospitals and at Portland Care and Rehabilitation Center for taking such good care of Joan in her final days. 

The funeral will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 9 a.m. at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Portland, at 10 a.m. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday, January 30th from 4-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to St. Mary’s Church in Portland.

Mary Stewart Anderson (64) of Portland, CT passed away unexpectedly on Saturday January 17th 2026. Born on August 27th, 1961 at Middlesex Hospital to Calvin H. Stewart and Marie (Cofrancesco) Stewart. She is survived by her husband, James Anderson of Portland. Mary is also survived by her older sister Lisa (David) Jolley of East Berlin, CT. Mary leaves behind two children and a grandson, Erica Marie and Alan Michael both from Portland and her beloved grandson, Parker James Anderson. Mary leaves behind a rather large extended family and many dear friends. She is also predeceased by some of her beloved friends and family of whom she talked about and missed dearly; always reminiscing of them throughout her days.

Growing up and graduating in Middletown, she would always talk about her upbringing on Fisher Road and being outside all day long until she was called for dinner. Hanging out mostly at Veterans Park with all her neighborhood friends. 

Mary held a variety of positions throughout her life including clerk-typist with the State of Connecticut, Brooks/Rite-Aid, and Shop Rite (to name a few). She had many hobbies throughout her life including going to the LAKE to do her crossword puzzles, scratch a lottery ticket in hopes for the big win, or to simply take a “cat nap” which she was able to do anywhere she went. She had a tremendous love for a variety of things including: The Green Bay Packers, UCONN basketball, Budweiser beer (non-alcoholic the last few years), the color blue, black cats, all types of music especially Karen Carpenter and Michael Jackson, and especially enjoyed BBQ’s on her fathers side of the family. Her favorite restaurant to visit for Mother’s Day and her birthday was always Lenny and Joes Fishtales in Westbrook, CT. 

If anyone knew Mary, even if just for a moment, one of the first questions she would ask a new face would have been “When’s your birthday?” and from that point on, whenever she saw you again, she would know you by exactly that— your birthday- it was quite impressive to everyone how she could remember all those dates (this included famous celebrities too). 

Mary loved to laugh and have a good time. She had a great sense of humor. She never took life too serious. She easily made friends anywhere she went; she was anything but shy. Her passing comes as a complete shock to all and she will be sorely missed by everyone who knew and loved her.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 24that 11 a.m. in Zion Lutheran Church, 183 William St., Portland. Burial will be in Swedish Cemetery, Portland. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 24th at Zion Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 12th from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the Portland Memorial Funeral home, 231 Main St., Portland.  Burial will be in St. Sebastian's Cemetery, Middlefield.

Philip R. Olson, 72, of Portland, CT also known to many as Uncle Phil, passed away peacefully on January 6th, 2026 surrounded by his family. He was the son of the late Raymond P. Olson and Nancy E. (Gibbons) Olson of Portland. Philip was a lifelong resident of Portland and graduated from Portland High School in 1971. He received a college degree in Business Admin and Accounting. A plumber by trade and a co-owner of Bald Hill Christmas Tree Farm until its closing in 2020. He was a longtime member of Portland Volunteer Fire Department Company #3 and the fire department’s drill team. He eventually rose to the rank of Deputy Chief of the department, which was a great honor for him. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church having served on the Church Council, Worship & Music, Property and Bell Committees. He also served as a greeter and most recently worked very hard on the 150thAnniversary Committee.

Philip had a passion for history, loved old-time country music and John Wayne films. He enjoyed tinkering with projects and found tranquility mowing the fields on his property. The companionship of his Springer Spaniels brought him great joy. Later in life, he had a daily ritual of posting facts of today’s date in history, weather updates and his poetry online.

Philip cherished the memories he made with his family. He leaves behind his sister Nancy Gandini and husband Jack as well as two nephews Joe (Allison) Gandini and Tim (Jordyn) Gandini. Along with 1 great niece, 3 great nephews, many cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 16th at 11 a.m. in the Zion Lutheran Church, 183 Williams Street, Portland. Burial will be in Swedish Cemetery, Portland. Family will receive friends on Friday morning at Zion Lutheran Church from 10 a.m. until time of service. The Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations be made to Zion Lutheran Church.

Marilyn Ann Phillips (Salsbury), of Middletown, Connecticut, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family.

Born and raised in Portland, she was the daughter of the late Carolyn and Merrill Salsbury. She attended Portland High School and later completed the University of Connecticut’s Business Certification Program, which supported her long and successful professional career.

Marilyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She devoted her life to raising her children and to opening her home to others in need. Supporting children and families was central to her life, both personally and professionally.

She built a respected career in real estate and remained active in her work. In addition, she gave generously of her time and resources to charitable causes. She served as a foster care buddy, was a member of CT Alliance of Foster & Adoptive Families (CAFAF), and consistently supported organizations focused on children and families.

Family gatherings were important to her, and she was well known for her cooking and hospitality. Her cranberry bread, cherry-topped chocolate chip cookies, and baked beans became family favorites and lasting traditions.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Phillips; her children Kelli (Rob) Gagne, John (Tammy) Phillips, Aimee (Shawn) Plourde, Luke Phillips, Rochelle (Jim) Purcell, Ray (Lisa) Phillips, Cheryl Willis, Michael Phillips, Kathleen Pezze, and Stacey Phillips; as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to CT Alliance of Foster & Adoptive Families (CAFAF)

The funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 13th at 9 a.m. from the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary’s Church, Portland at 10 a.m. Burial will be in the family plot in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, January 12th from 4 to 6 p.m. 

Betty Kauffman Smedick, age 86, passed away peacefully on January 3rd, at Middlesex Memorial Hospital.

Born in Cromwell, Connecticut, to Arthur Kauffman and Melba (Fredman) Kauffman, Betty lived a life defined by strength, independence, and deep care for others. A strong and determined woman, she raised her family of five children on her own, a role she carried out with resilience, devotion, and unwavering love.

Following 20 years of employment at the Portland Laundromat, Betty went on to work as a Benefits Specialist at the home office of Ames Department Stores in Rocky Hill, where she was known for her dedication and reliability.

Betty loved to sew and create various crafts, finding joy in making things by hand. She also enjoyed playing Bingo, even though she never won—a fact she laughed about often. More than anything, Betty truly cared about people. Her home and her heart were always open, and many lovingly called her “Mom,” despite not being related by blood.

Betty is survived by her five children: Donald Smedick of Middletown, Bruce Smedick of Newington, Charlene Burrell of Suffolk, Virginia, Debra Walton of Walden, Vermont, and Ramona Quinn of Portland. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Joshua Smazer, Richard Smazer, Amanda Smazer, Thomas Quinn, Deanna Smedick-Hale, Shane Burrell, Cody Burrell, and Angel Burrell, Jessica May as well as six great-grandchildren.

She is further survived by her brother Arthur “Sonny” Kauffman and sister Arlene Goodell.

Betty was predeceased by several brothers and sisters.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at the Portland Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland on January 24th, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.