Mary C. Olsson - November 12, 2024

Mary C (Morrissey) Olsson passed away Tuesday, November 12 peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Kai Olsson of 29 years, daughter Sophie and sons Francis and Toby.

Mary C. Olsson

She was raised in the family home in Franklin Ma where she attended St Mary’s Catholic School before leaving for college in Florida, and then spending time living in Atlanta Ga. She served many hospitality and coordination roles, most recently for the TJX corporation.

Always a lover of history, she spent her free time tracing family trees and researching Franklin’s history for the Historical Commission and the Cemetery Commission. She organized the speaker series, events and displays for the Franklin Museum, spending years as the Chair of the Historic Commission.

As the mother of 3 school age children at the time, she was a member of the Davis Thayer PCC, running school auctions to support the DT community. Seeing a need to be met, Mary founded “Harmony From The Heart,” an annual fundraiser which supported TTP research at UMass and Children’s Hospital. This research has resulted in life saving treatments.

Mary was a consummate collector; PEZ dispensers, tea pots, salt shakers for every occasion (or just because they were cute), and possibly most importantly to her, friends.

Making connections anywhere she went, Mary had friends in all parts of the world. Able to start a conversation with anyone, she made each person she met feel welcome. She would dive into their interests, connect them with others in her massive network with similar focuses. Beyond just connecting them, she loved to host her friends, porch parties, vacations, meals out, she delighted in playing the social conduit for us all.

This obituary is written by her three children, and there is no better example for how someone should live than our mom. She is a shining example of kindness, drive, and humility. She set us up for success and cared more deeply than anyone about our success, health and happiness. We will always miss her and never stop loving her.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral Monday Nov. 18th at 9:00 AM from the Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. followed by a funeral Mass in St. Mary's Church, Franklin at 10:00 AM.

Burial will take place at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Calling hours are Sunday Nov. 17th from 2:00 - 5:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking for donations to help cover the costs associated with Mary’s end of life care and funeral services. This will allow the Olssons, and rest of family to grieve without the added burden of financial stress.

gofund.me/8183eb65

Guestbook www.oterifuneralhome.com

Update: The Historical Museum will be closed on Sunday, Nov 17 to honor Mary

RIP: FHS Track Coach Latif Thomas - Dec 7, 2022

"Latif Cornel Thomas, 44, of North Attleboro, MA passed away suddenly on Wednesday, December 7, 2022.

Over the years, Latif served as a coach of the sprints, hurdles and jumps at North Attleboro High School, Bishop Feehan High School in Attleboro, MA and Franklin High School in Franklin, MA. Latif also served as co-director of the annual Complete Track and Field Clinic held at Harvard University. During his tenure he hosted over 1,300 high school sprinters, hurdlers and runners from all 50 states and 12 countries.

UNERAL HOME

Dyer-Lake Funeral Home and Cremation Services - N. Attleboro

161 Commonwealth Avenue

Attleboro Falls, MA

UPCOMING SERVICE

Visitation

Dec. 20, 2022

5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

"Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home

Please omit flowers. In lieu of flowers family and friends are welcome to contribute to Maya's college fund by going to Ugift529.com and entering the code X2V-P34.  https://www.ugift529.com/"

The full obituary can be found online ->

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/thesunchronicle/name/latif-thomas-obituary?id=38408445

FHS Panthers

Suzanne G. Wade - August 05, 2022

Suzanne G. (Emmons) Wade, 73, of Franklin, died peacefully on Friday, August 5, 2022 at the Milford Center, a nursing and rehabilitation facility.

Born in Brunswick, Maine on July 17, 1949, she was the daughter of the late Roger L. and Yvette M. (Blais) Emmons.

Suzanne was a resident of Franklin for the past ten years and had formerly resided in Attleboro and Mansfield. She grew up in Woonsocket and graduated from Woonsocket High School.
Suzanne worked as an LPN at many area hospitals over the past several years.

She was an active member of the Franklin Senior Center and especially enjoyed participating in the writing club. She also loved to paint.

She is survived by her three children, Shawn Wade and his wife Deborah of Bellingham, Alisa Wade of North Grafton and Scott Wade and his wife Danielle of Attleboro, and four grandchildren, Gwenevere, Zoey, Dakota and Dean.

She is also survived by her brother Dennis Emmons of Florida and her sister Carol Piscopo of Rhode Island.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, August 9 from 4 – 7 p.m. at Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin, 131 Main Street (www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com).

In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory to the Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill Street, Franklin, MA 02038.

Behind Sue (seated), L to R: Alice Clack, Sue Bliven,
Faith Flaherty, Carol Belcher, Pat Winiarski

Sue was the organizer of the Senior Center writer's group that got them on the radio as outlined in the item we shared a week ago.   https://www.franklinmatters.org/2022/07/franklin-tv-sue-wade-got-prayers.html

David M. Hamblen, 96

Sad news to share that Town Councilor Melanie Hamblen's father passed away last week. The obituary from Ginley's Funeral Home provides the details: 

"David M. Hamblen, of Franklin and Cotuit, formerly of Lexington, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, April 22 ,2022, at age 96. He was the beloved husband of the late Shirley (Tolman) Hamblen, and brother to the late Nancy (Hamblen) Holt. Devoted father to: Diane E. Campbell of Mashpee; Sally D. Hamblen and husband Richard P. Kosian of Lynnfield; David A. Hamblen and his wife Susan Hamblen of Cotuit; and Melanie J. Hamblen and husband Neal White of Franklin. Cherished grandfather to seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Patrick and Michael Campbell, Nicole, Kroehl, Noelle DiGregorio, Laura Chadwell, Thomas Coyle, and their spouses, as well as eight great-grandchildren. Also survived by nieces, nephews, extended family including George Ridley and Ruth Leiby, and many dear friends. U.S. Army veteran of W.W. II."

Link to obituary -> https://ginleyfuneralhomes.com/#prettyPhoto[iframes]/2/ 

Shared from the Franklin Observer -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/76116/david-m-hamblen-96

David M. Hamblen, 96

Updated: Andrew M Bissanti - Obituary link

Updated: to add obituary details/link

"Andrew Mario Bissanti, 64, of Franklin died peacefully January 7 at Milford Regional Medical Center. He was the husband of Christina M. (Lombardi) Bissanti.

Direct link to Ginley Funeral Homes page -> https://www.currentobituary.com/member/obit/262044?fbclid=IwAR1Cn8MLtbkxV9UCrhw8yN03_nZX9XNAs9457-MQRXtoyqzxyl_qnbYR9zQ

PDF Copy -> https://drive.google.com/file/d/11B5oansKbKq8mBZmEz-S3bQ1howYeuGV/view?usp=sharing

former Town Councilor Andy Bissanti at an EDC meeting in Feb 2021

Shared from the Franklin Observer -> https://franklinobserver.town.news/g/franklin-town-ma/n/59450/andrew-mario-bissanti-64

Karl E. Backlund Sr. - obituary

You may recall the request last week to connect relatives of Karl Backlund with Ed Beksha. The community responded quickly to make the connection. Karl's obituary is now posted and shared here.

"It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Karl E. Backlund Sr, who left this world for his next big adventure on April third at the age of 78.

Karl E. Backlund Sr

A native of West Wrentham, Karl led a storied life with strong connections to his local community. He was many things, a member of the American Legion, a Boy scout leader, a talented woodworker, a collector, a fisherman, but most importantly a husband, father, grandfather, and good friend. After graduating from King Philip High School, he served his country proudly as a member of the United States Army before marrying his wife Sandra and raising their three kids: Karl, Kirk and Kim.
 
Karl was a wealth of knowledge and was never afraid to speak his mind. He lived his life on his own terms, always stubbornly committed to making sure things were done the "right" way. Although his approach could be intense, those who worked with him and for him gained from the experience. A generous man, Karl welcomed all who came to his door and was always willing to help both friends and strangers."

Continue reading the obituary online

https://www.rjrossfuneralhomeinc.com/obituaries/Karl-E.-Backlund-Sr.?obId=20763342#/celebrationWall

Last week's post

https://www.franklinmatters.org/2021/04/hey-franklin-you-can-help-with-this.html