THE REPUBLICAN Springfield, MA. 18 May 2007 Norma M. MacDonald FLORENCE, MASS. - Norma M. (Duplin) MacDonald, 77, formerly of 40 High St. in Florence passed away Thursday peacefully at the Cooley Dickinson Hospital surrounded by her family. She was born in Northampton on March 22, 1930 the daughter of the late Romeo & Florence (Gagnon) Duplin. She was raised in Northampton, educated in local schools, and graduated from the former St. Michaels High School in 1947. She worked for the former Hampshire Community Action Commission with Daycare. She loved working with troubled youth and especially enjoyed giving her time and love to these children who so needed a friend. She had previously worked for the former Pro-Brush in Florence. She was a communicant of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Florence. Norma especially enjoyed gardening and cooking for the family. She was predeceased by her husband, James A. MacDonald. She leaves her loving children; Ken MacDonald and his wife, Robin of Whately, Karen Broderick and her husband, Steve of Eastford, CT. and Lori Norris and her husband, John of Newburyport, MA. She also leaves her beloved grandchildren, Ben & Kate Broderick, Ryen & Ian MacDonald, Taylor & Adrienne Abin and Meghan & Caileen Norris. A Funeral Service will be held Monday at the Czelusniak Funeral Home of Northampton at 10:00 A.M. with the Rev. John Gawienowski, celebrant. The burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Northampton. Calling hours at the Funeral Home will be Sunday Afternoon from 2:00 to 5:00 P.M. Donations in Norma's memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 54 Wayside Avenue, Suite C West Springfield, MA 01089. Published in The Republican on 5/18/2007. ============================== THE REPUBLICAN Springfield, MA. 18 May 2007 Marie Antoinette Ratte 1900 2007 FRAMINGHAM, MASS. - Marie Antoinette Ratte, 106, of Saint Patrick Manor in Framingham was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, May 16, 2007. She was born in Baie des Sables, Province of Quebec, Canada on December 21, 1900 a beloved daughter of the late Jacob and Sophie (Deschamplains) Ratte. She lived in Detroit, Michigan for many years before moving to Springfield in 1990. She was employed as a seamstress and dressmaker for Ruth Joyce Dressmakers in Detroit, MI and retired in 1965. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church in Springfield. She leaves several dear nephews, nieces and cousins. Her funeral will be held on Saturday morning, May 19, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. from the St. Pierre Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, 7 Chapin Terrace at the corner of Chestnut Street (near Baystate Medical Center) in Springfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street in Springfield. Her burial will follow the Mass at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 421 Tinkham Road in Springfield. Her family will receive friends at the funeral home in the Chapin Chapel on Saturday morning, May 19, 2007 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. before the Mass. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the Sacred Heart Church Renovation Fund, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Published in The Republican on 5/18/2007.