The Winchendon Courier - Obituaries (2024)

Karen Dean Bailey, age 61, died unexpectedly Thursday at her home.

She was born in Winchendon, November 17, 1962, a daughter of Robert I. and Norma J. (Abare) Bailey and grew up in Billerica before moving to Port St. Lucie, FL for 10 years and more recently moved back to Billerica.

Karen was employed at Nova Biomedical in Billerica as an assembler making Glucose Monitors and Spectrum Analyzers.

Besides her parents she is survived by one sister, Marcy L. C. Bonney and her husband Curtis of Canton, ME; one brother, Mark Robert Bailey and his wife Kristen of Winchendon; one niece, Bailey L. Pratt and her husband Marcus of Gorham, ME; two nephews, Matthew Scott Collins and his wife Josie of Layton, UT and Michael A. R. Bailey and his wife Brielle of Winchendon, MA as well as great nieces and friends.

Services are being planned for a later date.

Steven Allen Vaillancourt, born on the 26th of April, 1962, in Winchendon, Massachusetts, passed away on the 28th of April, 2024. Steven was a proud and respected member of the community, known for his dedication and service to his country. He served honorably in the US Navy, including during Desert Storm, and after retiring from the Navy, he continued to contribute to his community through his work at the Harbor Restaurant and Millpore in Jaffrey, NH.

Steven had a love for the outdoors, often found skiing, hiking or on car trips exploring new places. He was also an active member of the American Legion Post 193 in Winchendon, and the Winchendon VFW. His dedication, service, and warm spirit will be remembered fondly by his surviving family; his mother Claudette Vaillancourt, his sister Joni Gorecki, his brother Bruce Vaillancourt, and brother-in-law William Gorecki, 3 nephews Eric Gorecki, Homer Vaillancourt III, and Ethan Gorecki, 4 nieces Elizabeth Findley, his God child Teri Davis, Elissa Berry, and Felicia Vaillancourt, and several great nieces and nephews He is predeceased by his father, Homer Sr., and his brother, Homer Jr.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 10:00 - 12noon a.m. with a funeral service at 12noon in the Stone-Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, Massachusetts. A burial service will follow at 1:00 p.m. at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Donations may be made in his memory to American Legion Post 193, or Montachusett Veteran Outreach.

We encourage those who knew and loved Steven to leave their memories and upload photos on his memorial page. His life was full of service, adventure, and love, and the sharing of these memories will continue to honor Steven's legacy. Please do so at www.stone-ladeau.com

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, and Melissa A. McQuaid

Murielle Jacoby, affectionately known by many as Lee, passed away on April 29, 2024, in Winchendon, Massachusetts. Born on March 14, 1942, in Swansea, MA, USA, she was a woman of loyalty, intelligence, empathy, and ambition. Her life was a testament to these qualities, as she achieved personal and professional successes that were underpinned by her commitment to education and family.

Murielle led a storied career in education as an English Teacher, a role she approached with unwavering dedication. She took great pride in her work, guiding countless students towards academic and professional success. She was recognized nationally when she was awarded by the National Honor Society, an accolade she held in high esteem. Muriel was a strong-willed woman, with a keen intellect that was complemented by her empathetic nature. She successfully managed to strike a balance between her career and family, a feat not easily achieved. Her smart and ambitious nature led her to be the first in her family to earn a college degree, a significant accomplishment considering her first-generation immigrant background.

Outside the classroom, Murielle had a passion for reading, gardening, and cooking. She was deeply involved in community activities, contributing to the local Senior Center and the Historical Society. Murielle's life revolved around her family and her career. She was a dedicated mother to her sons, Eric Jacoby and Brennan Jacoby, and a doting grandmother to Noah and Caden Jacoby. Her loyal nature was evident in her commitment to her friends and neighbors, always going above and beyond for them. Murielle was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Jeannette Courville, and her husband, William Jacoby. She is survived by her sons Eric and Brennan, their spouses Aaron Leiba and Shiela Blair-Jacoby, and her grandsons.

Murielle's legacy will continue to inspire all who knew her. Her dedication to education, her unwavering loyalty to her family and friends, and her empathetic nature will forever remain etched in their memories. We encourage you to share your memories and upload photos of Murielle on her memorial page, as we continue to celebrate her remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire Alzheimers Association 1 Bedford Farm Drive, Bedford, NH 03110.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024, from 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. in the Stone Ladeau Funeral Home, 343 Central Street, Winchendon, MA 01475. A funeral service will follow in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be at a later date.

Kevin J. Mack, Walter C. Taylor, and Melissa A. McQuaid, funeral directors