March 2023

Joan E (Clark) Rice, age 83, of Middletown CT, passed away Saturday March 25, 2023, peacefully surrounded by her loving family after a brief illness. She was born in Hartford CT, April 14, 1939, a daughter to Francis and Ruth (Block) Clark. She was the first daughter and second oldest in a family of thirteen children.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years Glenn E. Rice. She is survived by her daughters Susan Robinson and husband Alan Robinson of Colchester, Sheila Rice, and Sandra Feitel and husband Bryan Feitel of Haddam; grandchildren Heather Smith, Hunter Feitel, Scott and Slade Rice and several great grandchildren; brother in- law Raymond and wife Barbara Hart of Pittsfield, ME; sister in- law Carmen and husband Mike of Eddington, ME; brothers and sisters Claire Ciochini, Ruth Norton, Paula Oakcliff, Richard Clark, Alice Valli, Carol Bowerman, Alan Clark, and Linda Brown. 

After graduating from Portland High School in 1957 her first job was at Singer Sewing Machine in Wethersfield, CT. She was married to Glenn E Rice June 20th1959. She raised her family in Portland, CT. She went back to school and graduated from Morse School of Business and worked for Middlesex Mutual Assurance Company for 13 years until she retired.

Joan’s faith was at the center of her life and she was very active in her church community of The First United Methodist Church, Middletown, CT. For many years she enjoyed cooking food and serving at church functions. She loved square dancing with her husband every weekend, camping and traveling to Maine with her family. She enjoyed knitting and would make beautiful sweaters, hats, mittens, blankets and scarves. She was a faithful UConn Husky Girls Basketball fan. Joan was a proud and dedicated hard worker. She was a woman who loved so freely and deeply with all of herself and was kind to anyone she met. She loved taking care of her family and her home. She was the most loving and kind mother and grandmother. She was extremely patient and forgiving always and was at peace just spending time with loved ones. She especially loved spending time with her dearest friend Rachel Titus. She was an amazing cook and would always be called upon to make her famous cole slaw for all family functions. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Rest in Peace Mom. Love You.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 12that 10 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church, 40 Tuttle Rd., Middletown. Burial will be in the family plot in Portland. 

Doreen Ann Flaherty, 61, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday,

March 1st, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones. Her warrior spirit fought through a brief battle with an aggressive cancer. Doreen leaves behind her loving

husband Robert Tripoli and her cherished daughter, Nicole Aresco and step-daughter, Alicia Tripoli. She was born in Stamford to Fred and Marilyn Flaherty. She also leaves behind her mother, brother, Dan Flaherty of Arizona

and sister Debbie Flaherty of Manchester, as well as beloved niece, Devin Burnes and nephews, Dillon Keating and Michael Burnes. A graduate of Portland High, Doreen went on to put herself through Saint Francis School of

Nursing while raising her daughter and became a registered nurse. As a nurse

of over 30 years, she gave her heart and soul to the patients and nursing home

residents in her care. She will be remembered for empowering her staff and bringing comfort to countless lives throughout her career. Her nursing tenure

ended at Chestelm Health and Rehabilitation Center where she served as both Director of Nursing and MDS Coordinator. Throughout her life, exercise and fitness was a passion of hers. Her unique style of teaching aerobics and cardio combat created lasting bonds between her and members of her classes. Known as “sensei”, she will be sorely missed by her combat kickboxers.

Doreen loved to spend time traveling, always keeping her annual tradition with

her husband on Singer Island in West Palm Beach, Florida. Her most joyous and special memories were created when the sun was shining in CT and she was surrounded by friends and family on her pontoon boat on Lake Pocotopaug. Her family will continue to carry the strength and love she bestowed upon them until they see her again in the sunshine wearing flip flops.

Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Friday, March 10th from 5-7 p.m. Burial will be private.   In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation at cholangiocarcinoma.org.

Michael Monahan Clancy, 78 of Portland, CT passed away March 21, 2023 at his home with his family by his side. Michael was born February 6, 1945 in Fall River, MA and grew up in Wethersfield, CT. He served on the USS Harlan R. Dickson DD 708 in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. A graduate of CCSU in 1974, Michael went to work for the US Postal service in Newington for 33 years. After retirement, he worked for the CT Department of Transit for another 10 years. It was his last position as a Ranger at Quarry Ridge Golf Course, where he golfed daily and made lasting friendships that he truly cherished. Michael was an avid newspaper and book reader, golfer, music and cat lover. He was a great friend and host to many gatherings at his home on Great Hill Pond where anyone was welcome to stop by anytime. His biggest accomplishment though was being the world's best Dad and Grandpa. 

Michael is predeceased by his parents Michael Francis Clancy and Helen (McGrath), brothers Tim Clancy and Kevin Clancy and brother in law Richard Melluzzo. He is survived by his daughter Sarah Reed and her husband Brian T Reed and grandson Thomas Michael Reed, his sisters Mary Ellyn Vicino and her husband Nick and his sister Patrice Melluzzo, several nieces, nephews and countless friends. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Portland Food Bank.

A memorial mass will be held on Monday, April 3rdat 12 noon in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland on Monday, April 3rd from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Burial will be private. 

Raoul (Ray) Douglas Ouellette, 76, of Murrells Inlet, passed away peacefully on Friday January 20, 2023. He was born on April 14, 1946 in Fort Kent, Maine, and later moved with his family to Middletown, Connecticut. After graduating high school he joined the Marine Corps, serving time in Viet Nam. Following his honorable discharge, he met his soul mate Denise Robida, and they married in 1969. He joined the Connecticut State Police in 1970, rising to the rank of Colonel before retiring in 1992. He had a passion for flying and got his private pilot license, enjoying time in the sky every chance he could. In 1994 he and the family moved to South Carolina. He enjoyed playing golf with friends, and spending time at his favorite fishing spot with his son. He and Denise enjoyed boating on the river, dancing on Saturday nights, and get-togethers with friends.

He leaves his loving wife, Denise, his wonderful son Mike, his cherished grandchildren, Robert and Makayla, their mother Melissa Ouellette, and a large extended family. He was predeceased by his parents, Raoul J. Ouellette and Emilda Dubois Ouellette. He also leaves two sisters, Rhonda Burdick and Patricia Heizman, and a brother, Patrick Ouellette, all of Connecticut, as well as many nieces and nephews. He loved his entire family with his whole heart.

A Celebration of Ray's life will be held on Wednesday March 8th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland. Burial with full military honors will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Portland. 

Alice Iverson Stemmler, lived a full and happy life for 102 years, passing away peacefully on March 1, 2023.  Born November 16, 1920, in Floral Park, New York, she moved to Portland, Connecticut with her parents and five siblings when she was a small child.  As a child, she joined the 4H club which was a perfect fit for her love of plants, gardening, cooking and farming.  She graduated from Portland High School and due to her accounting acumen pursued a career first as a purchasing agent for a small manufacturing company in East Hampton, and then as a secretary in a dental office where she was trained as a hygienist.  She met Paul Stemmler and they married in 1943.  Together they raised their four children in Portland. 

           Alice remained a life-long learner.  She learned to tailor and made all her children’s clothes.  She loved to bake. Her pizzelles were a specialty loved by all. She also loved to paint in the Norwegian style and learned rosemaling, oil painting techniques, and watercolors.  She also crafted ceramics and in her later years became an accomplished stained-glass artist, often leading classes at the Portland Senior Center to share her skills with others. 

           Alice was active in her community.  She belonged to the Zion Lutheran Church in Portland where she was involved in many church activities.  She was an avid member of the Hemlock Grange, holding many offices over the course of her 86 years of membership. 

           She also loved to travel. Through many trips to Norway, she established links to her Norwegian relatives and roots.  She also enjoyed Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Canada, France and Switzerland as well as traversing the United States.

           Alice was predeceased by her husband, Paul Stemmler, and her grandson William Navratil.  She is survived by her four children Sanda Stemmler Nichols; Jay H. Stemmler (Denise LaMonica Stemmler) both of Portland; Roxanne Stemmler Navratil (William) of Willington, Connecticut and Laura Stemmler Millane (Michael) of Cromwell, Connecticut.  She is further survived by nine of her ten grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. Her love of her family and easy laughter will remain in all their hearts forever

           Calling hours will be Monday, March 6th from 4 pm to 6 pm at the Portland Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland.  Services will be held on Tuesday, March 7th at 11 am at the Zion Lutheran Church on Williams Street in Portland, reception to follow in the church. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of your choice. 

Mary L. Conley, 91, beloved and devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 18th after a short illness surrounded by her loving family. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Katherine and Lawrence Lapenta. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert C. Conley.

Mary grew up in Middletown and lived most of her life in Portland before moving back to Middletown to live with her daughter Julie and family. Mary worked at Middlesex Hospital Maternity Floor for many years before her retirement. Mary was loving, caring, giving and will be remembered for her generosity and compassion. She had a heart of gold and always thought of others with her acts of kindness, raising her family to do the same. Mary’s family was her world, as well as her many extended family members and friends. She loved to vacation in Lake George, New York (where she went white-water rafting just four years ago) and North Conway, New Hampshire, as well as baking (especially Christmas cookies with Julie), watching old movies with Matt, reality TV shows, and most of all her ultimate favorite was Outlander with Jamie Fraser. Mary was always busy crocheting many blankets and hats for friends and family, donating many of these items as well. She loved her daily phone calls with her daughters, cousin Jean, and longtime friend Netta. Mary had a great sense of humor and was the first to step up to help anyone in need.

Mary leaves behind and will be greatly missed by her daughters, Karen (and Robert) Binnington of Portland, Barbara (and Mike) Mershimer of Wilmington, North Carolina, and Julie (and Sal) Milardo of Middletown, her grandchildren, Matthew (wife Ramsey), Courtney, Rob (wife Krista), Ryan, Antonio and Ava (who all called her Grandma, Gram, or “Omie”), and her great-grandchildren, Logan, Ian, Gavin, and Cassidy.

Mary’s family would like to thank Dr. Franklin, Dr. Kapoor, Dr. Novak, and Dr. Pete for the years of taking such excellent care of their mother.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 28th at 10 a.m. in the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St., Portland. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, March 27th from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in the family plot in the Swedish Cemetery, Portland.