OLD LYME — Polly Anne (Bowes) Bekaert, 88, of Old Lyme, passed away peacefully at home Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. She is survived by her daughter Mary Casey Pike; her son John Paul … She is predeceased by her husband Eugene Charles; her son Peter Charles …
… she met her future husband, Eugene. They were happily married Oct. 31, 1959…. It was in 1968 that they purchased a cottage at White Sand Beach in Old Lyme. It was here that Miss Polly used to spend her summers with her family as a child and would continue to do so with her own family.
… In the summer, they would return to Old Lyme to spend wonderful times with family and their many friends. Then Polly and Gene decided to make Old Lyme, their permanent residence. Miss Polly started a book club for all of the “ladies” and enjoyed many wonderful afternoons with the “ladies” at the beach and their many social events.
Friends and family are invited to calling hours from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, at Christ the King Church, 1 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme. Burial will follow in Duck River Cemetery, 12 McCurdy Road, Old Lyme …
OLD LYME — Margaret “Peggy” Ann Martel, aged 91, passed away Nov. 16, 2023, in Old Lyme, surrounded by her children. Born in Skowhegan, Maine Aug. 16, 1932, she was the daughter of Eugene and Katherine McBride.
She was raised in Watertown, Mass., with her late brother Paul McBride. After graduating from Saint Patrick’s High School, she enjoyed working as an operator at the telephone company. In 1953, she married Robert P. Martel of Manchester, N.H., and went with him to his Navy post in Pearl Harbor. They returned to Massachusetts to raise their four children and resided in Belmont and Lunenburg, before settling in Wellesley for many years, until retirement.
Peggy was a lifelong learner. While raising her children, she always made time to continue her education and took university classes with a focus on the Russian language, politics, history and literature. She later worked at Babson Reports and the Wellesley Public School System where she served as the secretary to the principal at Bates Elementary School until her retirement. Peggy also held the role of administrative support professional’s representative in the Wellesley Teacher’s Union-an accomplishment she took pride in, particularly as her grandfather was president of the Typographical Union in the 1920s. In addition to their day jobs, she and her husband owned, rented and maintained several homes in Wellesley; Peggy was a handywoman alongside her husband on weekends.
Upon retirement, Peggy and Bob split their time between Cape Cod and Florida, and enjoyed hosting family visits. They travelled the U.S. and liked seeing new places. After the death of her husband of nearly 50 years, she took extensive trips overseas including China, South America, and European countries. Peggy was a woman of many interests. She spent many hours quilting, crocheting, painting and doing needlepoint. She followed the news very closely and had a keen interest in the stock market. She was an avid reader and a frequent visitor to public libraries. Peggy took great joy in writing and was active in multiple writing groups. In her final years, her writings included a comprehensive life memoire, a short work of fiction and extensive short pieces.
She is survived by her children: Laureen Martel (Alfred Kausel) of Venice, Fla., Timothy Martel (Wendy Greene) of Lexington, Mass., Julie Martel (Fred Behringer) of Old Lyme, and Christopher Martel of Sudbury, Mass.; and her sister-in-law Anne McBride. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Madeleine Kausel, Alana and Ilise Martel and Sarah, Eric and Hannah Behringer. Peggy was the architect of memorable family vacations that they all remember fondly.
In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to your local public library. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.
This file photo shows Roger M. Smith (center) after being named the 2020 Old Lyme Citizen of the Year. Mr. Smith passed away Oct. 29, 2023. In this file photo, he stands between Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold and then-Selectman Christopher Kerr at the 2020 Annual Town Meeting.
On October 29, 2023 Roger Murray Smith, 83, passed away peacefully with his daughters, sons in-law and grandchildren by his side …
Born September 9, 1940 to Florence and Walter Smith, Roger was raised in Laurel Beach, CT …
In Old Lyme he and his wife Marcia volunteered for many organizations. These included High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, the Old Lyme Congregational Church, Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau, and The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library. In honor of his commitment to service, he was named Old Lyme’s Citizen of the Year in 2021 for his charitable work …
Roger is survived by his wife Marcia, daughters Katie Smith-Cashen (Chris), Elizabeth Smith (Bill), Sarah Smith-Blanchard (Rob) his eight grandchildren …
There will be a memorial service on Thursday, November 2nd at 1:00 at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme, CT. on the corner of Lyme Street and Ferry Road.
In lieu of flowers the family asks any donations be made to the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center or the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
OLD LYME — Joan S. “Joanie” Bonvicin passed away at her home surrounded by her family Oct. 16, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born Sept. 1, 1939, in New London to Ellsworth “Babe” Green and his wife Kathryn “Kitty.”
She leaves behind her husband Louis “Lou;” her son Rick and his wife Debbie; daughter Suzi McCormack and her husband Tom; and greatly loved grandchildren. Bailey Steele and his wife Lauren and Kristen Steele. She is also survived by her brother Donnie and his wife Cindy; and much-loved nieces, Melissa Seckla, her husband Tim and children, Maddie and Chris, and Heather Green, her fiancée Tommy and her daughter Delana. She was sadly predeceased by her brother Larry Green.
After working as a legal secretary, then for the Building and Zoning Inspectors of Old Lyme, she realized her true place and calling when she became the secretary for the Middle School of Lyme-Old Lyme. She was beloved and treasured by all the students and parents who met her and were greeted by her smile and experienced her kindness. Her love of holidays and candy dishes was legendary. Parents gave her notes and lunches for delivery. Students who had forgotten field trip or lunch money were always given what they needed by “Mrs. Bonvicin.” As the face and the heart of the Middle School, her reach was wide; she formed treasured friendships with custodians, teachers and other administrative folks which lasted beyond her reluctant retirement after 44 years.
Her next adventure brought her to the Lymes’ Senior Center as a volunteer for whatever needed to be done including one of her strengths: writing and sending birthday cards. She never forgot a birthday and always sent cards. More friendships were formed at the Senior Center, although she never stopped missing the Middle School and the kids.
A celebration of her life will take place at 2 p.m. Thursday Oct. 26, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road. A reception will follow in the adjacent fellowship hall. Please visit www.fultontherouxoldlyme.com for tributes and directions.
A scholarship is being established in her name for students exhibiting her character and qualities, and donations may be made to the “Mrs. Bonvicin (Joanie) Scholarship Fund” on GoFundMe.com (https://gofund.me/49f5d96e).
