October 2024

Frances Marion Johansen, 85 and a longtime resident of Avery Heights Facility in Hartford, CT passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024. Born in Brooklyn, NY she was the daughter of Benjamin Gomes and Mary (Gomes) DeCampos and the stepdaughter of Earl DeCampos. After moving to Connecticut from New York, she met and married her husband of fifty years, James, and they were longtime residents of Farmington, Connecticut.

Frances is predeceased by her parents, her stepfather, her husband, her sister Lori Elliott and her brother Benjamin Gomes.  Frances also leaves behind her daughter Laurie and son-in-law Val Burzynski, her son Troy Johansen and partner Audrey Parducci, and seven grandchildren, Chelsea Griswold and her wife Diana Muzquiz, Ty Griswold and his wife Rachel, Chantel Johansen, Nicole Martel and her husband Taylor, Christopher Burzynski and his partner Jen Boyea, Lauren Cloutier and her husband Justin, and Stefan Burzynski and his wife Kelli. She also leaves behind eight cherished great grandchildren, Christian, Victoria, Grant, Adelyn, Porter, Remington, Connor and Cameron.

In her years as a Farmington resident Frances was a devoted parishioner at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church in Unionville where she was very active in the Ladies Guild. She was also a loyal member of the Red Hat Society. Frances worked for many years as a cashier and then became a devoted caregiver for her grandchildren Chelsea, Ty, Nicole and Chantel in their pre-school years.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, November 8that 10 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church, Portland. Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main St, Portland, on Friday morning from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. Burial will be private in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Unionville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org.

Lorretta “Lorry” M. Hamilton, 87, of Cromwell, CT passed peacefully at The Atrium in Rocky Hill surrounded by her family on October 24th. Born on December 14th, 1936, in Middletown, CT, she was the daughter of the late Norman and Estelle (Salinsky) Manchester. Lorry grew up in Middletown and lived in Portland for many years before moving to Cromwell. 

Lorry held several jobs throughout her life including serving as a nurse's aide at CVH Middletown, driving a school bus in Portland, providing home health care in the Cromwell area, and working as a welder for many years at Pratt & Whitney in Middletown.

Lorry was a parishioner of the Hilltop Covenant Church in Cromwell where she was a member of the choir and active in church activities. She loved to bake and cook for her family and enjoyed having her family together for special occasions and holidays. She was a nurturing person and cared for everyone and everything in her life – she was especially fond of her Christmas Cactus, a plant she had since she was 18 years old that still lives to this day! One could say she would never let a plant die even if it was supposed to. She loved old westerns and held a special place in her heart for John Wayne. 

Lorry is survived by two sons, Samuel R. Hamilton, Michael N. Hamilton and his wife Kathleen of Columbia, CT; her five grandchildren, William “Billy” Hamilton and his wife Shannon, Tamie Hamilton, MaryBeth Penfold and her husband Andrew, Heather McGrath and her husband Ryan, and Amanda Findlay and her husband Brandon. Lorry also leaves seven great grandchildren, Alea, Skylar, Mallory, Charlotte, Savannah, Van and Bradley and one great-great granddaughter, Sapphire. 

Besides her parents, Lorry was predeceased by her husband Samuel “Raughley” Hamilton and son, William “Bill” Hamilton. She is also predeceased by her brother, Norman Manchester and sister Lois Gleason. She leaves behind her sister Maureen Lastrina and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Lorry will be remembered for her unconditional love and endless care for her family and friends. 

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to Middlesex Hospice Homecare in her memory.

Friends may call at the Portland Memorial Funeral Home, 231 Main Street, Portland on Tuesday, Oct 29th from 4-6PM. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Oct 30th at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at a later date in the Swedish Cemetery, Portland.