Melissa J. Maas, 51, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and in her dad’s arms, the same arms that first welcomed her into this world. Though her final years were marked by illness, her life was defined by love, family, laughter, and the countless lives she touched.

Melissa faced her last few years with extraordinary courage and a strength that never wavered. A phrase that resonated deeply with her was, “There is joy in the journey.” Melissa truly lived those words. She found joy wherever she went, and when she couldn’t find it, she created it. She had a gift for bringing light into even the darkest moments and reminding those around her that there was always something to be grateful for, something to laugh about, and something worth celebrating.

Melissa played many roles throughout her life. She was a dedicated employee of Concord Hospital, showing up even on the hard days. She was a valued member and longtime volunteer of First Congregational Church in Salem, NH. She also served as the “glue” of her family, creating and maintaining lifelong bonds between cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She continued to show up for her people even on the hardest days, when it took all that she had.

Melissa had a special love for music, especially the band INXS. She loved taking day trips throughout New England, spending time at the beach, going on road trips, and finding any excuse to turn an ordinary outing or occasion into a family event. She treasured experiences, adventures, and, most of all, time spent with the people she loved. For Melissa, the best memories were the ones made together.

Kate Weir was born on November 5, 1957, and passed away peacefully on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2025, at the age of 68, from a rare and very aggressive form of liver cancer – Cholangiocarcinoma.
Kate is survived by her husband, Bill Weir, her daughter Rena Silva, Bill’s children Bill Jr, Shelly, Michael, and Erin, and has 10 grandchildren from Rena, and 9 grandchildren across Bill’s children. Bill is a retired high tech executive, and also a bassist and vocalist for bay area bands TinMan (www.tinmanmusic.net), and BluesRockers (www.bluesrockersband.com)

Kate was born and raised in San Jose, CA, graduated from Branham High School in 1975, and attended Santa Clara University for business and music. Kate also joined the Marine’s JROTC program while in high school and completed basic training at Ft. Ord, Monterey County, CA.
Kate had a career in business, executive support, and in technical support roles, working at a number of companies in both California and Pennsylvania.

Kate loved music and was a vocalist, always singing to her favorite songs, and loved photography, becoming accomplished at nature scenes. Later she loved to garden, and established a very nice garden and greenhouse at her home in San Jose. Kate was also a very avid San Francisco 49’ers fan.
Kate’s family and friends were familiar with her warm heart and smile, her quiet personality, and her love of life. Her spirit will live on with all of us who knew her……………She is missed and loved by all in her family every day.

Margaret Ann (Newman) Hooper, known to all who loved her as Peggy, passed away at age 72 after a brave battle with cholangiocarcinoma on August 23, 2026 in Canton, Massachusetts, surrounded by the love of her twin children, Patricia Laura Hooper and Benjamin William Hooper, and their partners.

Peggy was born on October 4, 1953 in New York City to Patricia Lola Rosoff and Alvin Leonard Newman, and was raised with her three brothers in Great Neck, New York.

A lifelong learner, she graduated with an undergraduate degree from Boston University, and later obtained a Master’s of Arts in Spanish from Middlebury College and a Master’s of Business Administration from Northwestern University.

She worked as a self-employed Spanish teacher and tutor for more than 30 years, including at many major Boston hospitals to enable medical professionals to better care for their patients.

An avid traveller, she met her husband of 45 years, John William Hooper, while they were both studying, working, and living in Madrid, Spain. They enjoyed many trips back to the country where they both fell in love, along with visits to John’s family in England and France, and Peggy’s family across America. Until earlier this spring, they lived in their home in the West Roxbury neighborhood of Boston for 38 years, where they befriended many neighbors and started the tradition of an annual block party.

A passionate collector and appreciator of art, Peggy had a true zeal for glass, and served as President of the Founders Chapter of the National American Glass Club for decades, where she met many lifelong friends.

She was also a longtime member of the Boston JCC, where she enjoyed staying active in body and mind. Committed to serving her broader community and giving back to others, she also volunteered on the Patient Advisory & Ethics Committees at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, where she received her cancer treatment.

Peggy was known for her generosity of spirit and genuine curiosity. A true teacher at heart, she had a deep appreciation for language, with an unmatched mastery of the New York Times crossword puzzle and the game of Scrabble.

In addition to her husband and two children, she is survived by her two brothers Lloyd Newman and Seymour Newman and their spouses; dozens of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and by her two grand-dogs, who loved her gentle pets.

She was preceded in death by her parents and dear brother, Charles Newman, a fellow continuous learner and excellent conversationalist.

August 9, 1941 – October 11, 2020

Edward Anthony Howard was born on August 9th, 1941 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the son of Henry and Helen Howard. He graduated from Pratt Institute in 1964 with a degree in electrical engineering while also starting his 44-year long career with the U.S. Navy Lab working on naval communication systems. He earned his Masters degree in EE in 1969 and that same year married Anna Marie Marino. In June of 1970, Ed and his bride permanently moved to Del Mar, California when the Brooklyn Navy Yard closed, and he was officially transferred to the Naval Ocean Systems Center in Point Loma, presently called NAVWAR.

Together with his wife, Ed raised three children and devoted his time to planning Sunday outings and many memorable family vacations. He enjoyed playing the guitar, but by far his love of reading, especially non-fiction informative books, is evident by the floor to ceiling custom made library room in his home.
Ed was a true family man and devoted husband. While quiet and shy, his sense of humor was his most cherished character trait. He always had witty one liners or funny words to any given situation. Once retired, he truly enjoyed traveling with his wife, and being a grandfather to his five grandchildren.

Ed is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anna Marie, his sister Helen, his daughter Nicole and son-in-law John, his daughter Daniele and son-in-law Jason, and his son Rob and son-in-law Rafael. He also is survived by his granddaughters Savannah and Jillian, and his grandsons Ayden, Quinn, and Evan.

We are grateful for the work of The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation and honor Ed’s legacy with continued volunteer service in his memory.

Williams, Kenneth W. Age 60, passed away September 29, 2018 after a two year battle against Cholangiocarcinoma. Born and raised in Hopkins, Minnesota. Preceded by his father Roy. Survived by his mother, Lavern; children, Chris, Gabriela, and Anika; siblings, Tom (Laura), Judi (Tim), and Jimbo (Kelly); former wife and partner Jannina Aristy; first wife Katherine Kelly; many other relatives and friends. Kenneth was a remarkable father, role model, and friend. He is missed by all who knew him.

10-13-56 – 06-04-19
Kimble Kirk Babcock was born October 13, 1956. In his last days Kim spoke with great anticipation and obvious joy at the thought of being received by his daughter Keli Jean Babcock, who he sensed is awaiting his embrace in his next life. Since Keli passing in 2015, cardinals began to appear as a symbol of comfort that the Babcock’s believe were sent as a sign from Keli. Her way of touching them with peace. In her beloved Dad’s last days, Lindsey asked him “How will I know?”. He promised her with assuredness that she will know.
Today we celebrate what we will always know about Kim’s vivacious, full life that can be defined in many chapters. His family, his business, his friends, his service to others and his faith. As a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin, Kim will forever be known for his unwavering, unconditional commitment and love for his family. He was the reunion planner, grill master, firework lighter and tunes player. Kim began building his company, Tomoka Construction in 2001. He and his partner Gary White opened their doors with two shovels and a pickup truck. Today Tomoka Construction is a successful site contracting company that traded their pickup trucks and shovels for bulldozers and dump trucks.
Equally important to Kim’s full and vivacious life are the friends that he collected in the 62 years of living in Volusia County. These many friends who joined Kim in some of his most playful moments- long bike rides, breakfast pit stops on the beach, softball tournaments, and keeping fit at CrossFit. The Babcock family is forever grateful for your gift of friendship. Kim’s service to the community where he lived his entire life can be seen in the way he embraced raising money for cancer research in his last days. And unseen in his simple yet continuous acts of kindness- supporting youth sports teams, feeding families in need and befriending a special group of ladies at a road side vegetable stand.
The honor, commitment and love that defines Kim’s active life is a testimony to his deep rooted faith that believes sacrifice is a gift, hard work is an honor and that life is to be lived with unconditional love and embraced it to its fullest. Day after beautiful day.

Kari Lynn Stafford

November 9, 1963 – August 7, 2026

Kari Lynn Stafford, 62, of Hutto, Texas, passed away peacefully on August 7, 2026, surrounded by love.

Kari was born on November 9, 1963, in Alamogordo, to Bobby and Shirley Stafford. Throughout her life, she was known for her grace, her laughter, her compassion, and the love she had for her family.

Kari spent much of her professional life working as an administrative professional, but her greatest accomplishment and proudest legacy was the family she built. She was a loving mother and grandmother whose life became woven into the lives of the children and grandchildren she loved so deeply.

She is survived by her sisters Cathy, Lori and Becky. Her four children, Jesse, Kimberly, Krysta, and Leesa; their spouses; and her ten grandchildren, who will carry her memory, her stories, and her love with them for generations to come.

Kari was preceded in death by her parents, Shirley and Bob Stafford, and her brother, Bobby.

Those who knew Kari will remember her in their own special ways—the sound of her laughter, the conversations they shared, the moments that made them smile, and the countless memories created over a lifetime. While her absence leaves an immeasurable space in the lives of those who loved her, so does the legacy of a woman whose life touched so many.

Kari was deeply loved, and she will be deeply missed.

Her family would like to thank everyone who offered love, prayers, support, and kindness throughout her journey and to everyone who joins them in celebrating and remembering her life.

In loving memory of Kari Lynn Stafford.
A mother. A grandmother. A daughter. A sister.
A life loved. A life remembered.

A note from Kari was read at her funeral. She wrote this along with her daughters help before she passed.

“If I could leave one final message behind for all of you, it would simply be this:
My greatest legacy is my family.
I hope the people who knew me remember my loyalty to the ones I loved, my compassion for others, and my belief that there is always good to be found in people if you are willing to look for it.
When asked if I had regrets, my answer was no. Because every road I walked, every hardship, every blessing, and every lesson led me to my children and grandchildren. I would not change the outcome of my life if it meant losing even one moment with them.
My purpose in life was simple, to love my children and grandchildren and to help guide them into becoming good people. And every day, I saw that purpose fulfilled in who they became. That is the greatest gift God could have ever given me.
And to my sons-in-law and daughter-in-law: thank you for loving my children, standing beside them through life, and becoming part of my family not by obligation, but by heart. I loved you as my own, and I was proud of the lives and families you helped build together.
There was nowhere else I needed to go and nothing else I needed to see. My happiest moments were the ones spent with family, surrounded by the people I loved most. And now, I trust that the beauty of heaven will show me the rest.
If I could leave you with any wisdom, it would be this:
Always try to see the good in people. Remember that everyone is fighting battles and carrying burdens you may never fully understand. Before judging someone, consider their life, their pain, and their circumstances.
Make peace with yourself, because without peace within your own heart, it is hard to find peace with others.
Above all else, love deeply, forgive often, and give yourself to God.
Hold your family close. Be kind when you can. And never underestimate the impact of love, compassion, and understanding.
That is the life I tried to live.
And all of you were the best part of it.”

Robert “Bob” Hyle

Bob was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, writer, and lifelong sports enthusiast whose greatest joy was his family.

A longtime journalist and editor, Bob spent more than 30 years writing and being a part of a community he loved. He was a storyteller by profession and by nature, but his most meaningful stories were the ones created with the people he loved.

Bob was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma and, heartbreakingly, passed away just four months later on October 28, 2017. Although his time after diagnosis was far too short, the love, memories, and legacy he left behind continue to live on through his family.

Bob may be gone, but his stories continue—in the lives of his children and grandchildren, in the community he loved, and in the countless memories that remain.

Forever loved. Forever remembered.

In loving memory of Rafael Espinosa. November 9, 1977-March 11, 2026.

The most wonderful, vibrant woman to enter a room. She was beautiful inside and out and bigger than life. You couldn’t not love her. She truly loved life and I am lucky to have had her for a mom for 31 amazing years. I wish I could have had more, but it will never feel like she is gone. She is just on a far away trip like she always liked to do.

Lynn Gentry was an incredible father to five children and a devoted husband to his wife, Emily, for nearly 38 years. Of all the roles he held throughout his life, one of his greatest joys was being “Papa G.”

Lynn had many accomplishments throughout his career in corporate communications and public relations, but his greatest legacy will always be the people he loved and the lives he touched. He was a dear friend to so many.

Lynn lived with love, purpose, faith, and an unwavering sense of hope—even through the most difficult days. He will be deeply missed, endlessly loved, and never forgotten.

1959-2015. Mark fought a 3.5 year battle with Cholangiocarcinoma in 2015. He was 53 years young. Durning this 3.5 years he suffered various conditions and treatments, but he remained courageous and optimistic throughout his journey. I miss you Mark , every single day.