Obituaries

Anita Elizabeth Smith, 89, of Sudbury and formerly of Holliston, passed away Monday, September 22, 2014. Born in Holliston, she was the daughter of the late Edith (Collins) and Arthur Edward Jones. She was the wife of 68 years to Robert Smith of Hopkinton and formerly of Holliston.

Anita was a longtime member of the Congregational Church and a past matron of Myrtle Chapter order of the Eastern Star. She was an avid gardener and loved to travel.

Harold Edwin Tolstrup, 87, of Hopkinton, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2014 at the Kindred Nursing Home in Westborough. Born in Melrose, he was the son of the late Evelyn (Ryder) and Paul Tolstrup. He was the husband of 50 years to Lillian (Blanchard) Tolstrup of Hopkinton.
Harold had worked at Fenwall and Smiley Buick. He is predeceased by his brothers, Paul and Richard Tolstrup.

Jane Welzel, a five-time Olympic Marathon Trials participant, race director of the Mountain Avenue Mile and Bacon Strip Races and one of the pioneers of the women's running movement, died Sunday after a brief battle with cancer. She was 59.

Christine Louise (Peaslee) Nelson, 93, died August 15, 2014 at the Beaumont Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Center in Northborough after a brief illness. She was a longtime resident of Woodville (Hopkinton), and she had also recently lived in Hudson and Westborough.

Barbara May Raftery, 89, of Grafton, NH and formerly of Hopkinton,MA passed away peacefully at her home on August 10, 2014. She was born in Bridgewater, MA on December 18, 1924 to the late Margaret E. (Parnaby) and John W. Bassett. Barbara was married to the late Wilbur M. Raftery, Jr. on May 13, 1945, and resided for more than 50 years in Hopkinton MA. For many years she was a baker for the Hopkinton school lunch program. She enjoyed her family, friends, sewing, baking, reading and helping others.

Maureen R. Lavoie, 85, died Thursday, July 31, 2014 surrounded by her family. She was the daughter of the late Andrew and Mary (Rogers) Lavoie.

She was a life-long resident of Hopkinton, graduating from Hopkinton High School in 1947. She worked at Dennison Manufacturing as a payroll manager for 40 years until her retirement. She was an active member of the Hopkinton Senior Center and loved to travel. She was an avid Boston sports fan and loved playing bingo. Most of all, she was devoted to her garden and cherished the many hours spent working there.

Dr. John Melling, 66, of Hopkinton, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Born in Connecticut, he was the son of the late Frances and George Melling. He was the husband of Alicia Melling.

Dr. Melling ran a thriving orthodontic practice for several decades and truly enjoyed the communities and families that became such an important part of his life.

William J. McRobert, 74, died Monday, July 28, 2014 after a long illness. He was the husband of Mary M. (Kearnan) McRobert, to whom he was married for 50 years. Born in Natick, he was the son of the late Philip and Esther (Hoey) McRobert.

He was a 1958 graduate of Hopkinton High School.and served in the U.S. Air Force. In 1964 he became an officer for the Hopkinton Police Department and he remained there, retiring as Chief in January 1999.

Oscar Kamishlian, 77, of Hopkinton, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2014 in his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of Lois M. (Farrar) Kamishlian of 53 years. He was born in Watertown, son of the late Oscar and Martha (Mouradian) Kamishlian and lived in Watertown before moving to Hopkinton in 1955. He was educated in the Watertown schools. He was a U.S Army Veteran.

Mr. Kamishlian, owned and operated his plumbing and Heating Service for many years in the local area, retiring in 1985. He was a member of the Vineyard Church in Hopkinton.