DIANNA SHUMSKY 1945 – 2025
Dianna Shumsky of Country Creek and Traverse City, Michigan passed away December 17 from a sudden illness.
Dianna was a friend of many. She was a kind soul who charmed all she met. The memory of her laughter and motto “keep smiling” will remain with us.
She was an avid gardener and an original member of the volunteer Deadheaders. She played golf and excelled at playing Euchre. She was a walker, sometimes walking seven miles at a stretch!
Dianna is survived by her beloved husband, John, who will miss her profoundly; her son, Scott (Joceyln Parris) Shumsky of Taos, NM; her daughter, Molly (Jason) Johnson of Traverse City, step-grandchildren, Brendan, Brianna and Kelsey; and her sisters, Nancy (Robert) Burns and Kandie (Lisa Mackey-Gillett) Cozart.
Services will be announced in the summer and held in the Gardens at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
She left her stamp on our hearts and will be greatly missed.
CORRECTION: Unfortunately, the December edition of the Villager had the photos reversed for Patricia Alves and Janet Waldo. The corrected articles follow.
PATRICIA L. ALVES
Patricia Louise (O’Shea) Alves, 75, of Mashpee, MA and Estero FL, formerly of Sandwich, MA, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. Born on November 29, 1949, in Boston, she was the beloved daughter of the late Mary (Roche) and Patrick O’Shea.
Affectionately known as “Patty,” she was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. An accomplished professional, she earned her MBA from Western New England College and spent her career teaching at LaSalle, Mount Ida, Northeastern University, Katherine Gibbs, and Massasoit Community College.
On September 11, 1971, Patty married the love of her life, Edward Alves, and shared more than five decades of love and laughter. Together they raised three children, moving across the country to Eddie’s various deployments before finally settling on Cape Cod.
Her friends knew her for her quick wit, strength, and passion for entertaining and cooking. She was social and loved having friends and family over, filling her home with laughter, good food, and lively conversation. She especially cherished the friendships she cultivated in her years living in Canterbury and Country Creek. An avid traveler, Patty loved visiting her children and grandchildren, making treasured memories during trips to London and Texas. She had a deep love for home decorating and gardening as well as playing golf, bocce, small-court tennis, and croquet.
She is survived by her husband, Eddie; her children: Kristen, Leslie and Ed and his wife Rachel; her beloved grandsons: Noah, Kenneth, and Zachary; her sister Leslie and family; and her brothers-in-law Larry and Jimmy and their families. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Patty’s memory to Doug Flutie, Jr. Foundation for Autism flutiefoundation.org
JANET WALDO
Janet Waldo passed away on November 7, 2025 at the age of 93. She was born in Lebanon, NH to Albert and Maryanne Tremblay on June 7, 1932. Janet grew up with 3 brothers and 2 sisters. She attended a one room school during her elementary years in East Plainfield and graduated from Lebanon High School.
After graduating from Keene State College, Janet married her classmate and the love of her life Richard Waldo in 1955. Janet and Dick moved to Claremont in 1957. In 1988 the Waldos retired from the Claremont School District, Janet the revered 4th grade teacher and Dick the Superintendent of Schools.
In 1992 Janet and Dick purchased a winter home in the Villages at Country Creek in Estero, Florida. Janet took up golf at age 62 and played until 85. She did not take practice swings and enjoyed five holes in one! Four more than her husband!
In 2005, after spending the summer in New Hampshire, Dick passed away the first day they returned to Florida while scrubbing their lanai. Janet was crushed but did say, at least I will no longer have to watch all those football games!
At age 75, after a fun round of golf with her son, Janet said I want two things. One more hole in one for an even six and I also do not want to live past 85 as that is when problems start!
At age 86 Janet left her beloved Country Creek, where she lived for 27 years, and moved to an assisted living facility in Connecticut due to dementia. At 92 a move to a nursing home took place.
Janet is survived by: son Rick and his wife Elaine (CT&FL); granddaughter Kristen Waldo Skulte and her husband Andris (CT); great grandson Eli Skulte (CT); sister Claire Pelletier and husband Leon (NH). She is also survived by her nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Janet.
Janet was cremated and buried next to her husband at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Boscawen, NH. Her husband was a highly decorated soldier who received the purple heart in Korea.
Newton-Bartlett Funeral Home in Newport, NH was in charge of the arrangements.
