PINE PLAINS — For the second year in a row, the Pine Plains Fire Department helped get the community into the Easter spirit despite the pandemic by giving the Easter Bunny a ride around town as part of its Easter Egg My House event on Saturday, April 3.
To give local families a heads up about the event, the fire department uploaded a poster for this year’s Easter Egg My House onto its Facebook page and encouraged families interested in receiving a visit from the Easter Bunny to reach out with their names, addresses and number of children.
With assistance from the Pine Plains Police Department, the fire department transported the Easter Bunny around town in a firetruck to 24 different homes, starting at 8 a.m. and finishing around 11 a.m.
Upon his arrival, the Easter Bunny laid eggs out on their lawn for children to collect and posed for photos with them.
“I thought it turned out pretty good,” said Pine Plains Fire Department President Brenda Jackson. “This is our second year that we did this and it’s great to see the smiles on the kids’ faces and their being all excited.”
— Kaitlin Lyle
FALLS VILLAGE — Barbara A. Palmer, 71, of 312 Music Mountain Road passed away on Nov. 8, 2025, in the company of her loving family, at the Village Green in Bristol Connecticut.She was born June 24, 1954 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, daughter of the late Martin F. and Hazel (Markham) Palmer Sr.
From her early years at Wassaic State School to her most personal commitment, Barbara dedicated her life to others. She didn’t just retire; she embraced the full time calling of nurturing her beloved nieces and nephew. Her defining characteristic was the unwavering, lifelong support she provided to all members of her family.
Barbara was a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Litchfield.
Barbara is survived by her sisters, Jane Martel and her husband John with whom she lived in Falls Village, Mary Ostrander of Massachusetts, and Cynthia Brown of Bristol; her brothers, Michael Palmer and his wife Susan of Falls Village, and Donald Palmer of Torrington.Barbara is also survived by her nieces, Lisa Lynch and her husband Harold of Falls Village, Tammy Martel of Canaan, Emily Downs and her husband Jeremy of Oakdale, Autumn Lynch of Falls Village, her nephew Matthew Lynch and Cassidy of Canaan and many other nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brother, Martin R. Palmer and two sisters, Carol Tubbs and Diane Briska and half brother Martin F. Palmer Jr.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at the Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, North Canaan, CT. 06018.Burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery, Sand Road, North Canaan, CT.Calling hours will be held at the funeral home from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:30 p.m.Flowers may be sent or memorial donations may be made to the Friendship Baptist Church, 441 Torrington Road, Litchfield, CT06759.
CANAAN – Jesse L. Cooper, “Coop,” 44, of 62 New Street, passed away Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2025. He was the longtime companion of Amy Labshere. Jesse and Amy shared almost 20 years together.
Born in Waterbury, Connecticut on Aug. 15, 1981, Jesse was the son of Lee A. and Beth (Maxwell) Cooper. A graduate of Oliver Wolcott Technical High School in Torrington, he was a skilled mechanic and welder who worked for Tru-Hitch in Torrington. Jesse was an automotive genius with a rare gift for seeing potential where others saw only scrap. He could breathe life back into any engine and took pride in restoring what others had given up on. Finding old cars in need of care and turning them into something remarkable was not just a hobby for him—it was his passion, craft, and calling.
He loved spending time with his daughter, Jasey Chevelle Cooper, his companion, Amy, and their dog, Precious. Metal detecting, watching scary movies with Jasey, and time spent with his family brought him the greatest happiness.
In addition to his mother and father and his companion, Amy, Jesse is survived by his loving daughter, Jasey Chevelle Cooper of Canaan; his stepson, Tristan Soule of Kent; his two sisters, Ann Cooper of Ellington and Trisha Cooper of Thomaston; his grandson, Clayton Soule of Kent; his niece, Morgan; and nephews, Aiden and Silas.
He is also survived by his father-in-law, Layne Labshere; his sister-in-law, Jessie Laine, and her husband, Kristopher Laine, and their children, Laynie, Reece, and Gunnar; and his brother-in-law, Joshua Labshere, and his wife, Julie Labshere, and their children, Callie and Cohen.
Jesse will be remembered for his strength, resilience, humor, and willingness to help his family with whatever they needed. He faced life’s challenges with courage and grace and found his greatest happiness in the love of his family. His memory will live on in all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Jesse’s life will be held on Sunday Nov. 16, 2025, at the Couch-Pipa VFW Post #6851 104 South Canaan Rd. Canaan, CT 06018 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. There are no calling hours. Memorial donations may be made in Jesse’s memory to the North Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 178, Canaan, CT 06018. Arrangements are under the care of Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT 06018.
WASSAIC — Muriel “Minnie” McEathron, 85, of Forest City, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the Forest City Nursing and Rehab Center.
Born on Aug. 30, 1940, in Washington, New York, Minnie was the beloved daughter of the late James Ferris and Winifred Somers. She dedicated much of her life to caring for others, first as an aide at the Wassaic Developmental Center and later as a babysitter from the late 1970’s through the mid-1990’s. Over the years, Minnie also opened her heart and home to many foster children, providing them with love, stability, and compassion.
In 2004, Minnie moved to Pennsylvania to be closer to her son, Stephen McEathron, and his family. She cherished her annual trips “out home” to visit relatives and friends, always enjoying the chance to reconnect with those she loved.
Minnie was an avid yard-saler and thrift shopper, known for her sharp eye for a good bargain and her delight in finding hidden treasures. Those who knew her will remember her for her caring nature, her fiery spirit, and her unwavering strength and independence.
She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. She is survived by a son Stephen McEathron and wife Kathy of Vandling, Pennsylvania; a sister, Lorraine Phillips of Millerton, New York; a brother, Irving “Bobby” Ferris of Millbrook, New York; foster daughter Michelle Brown of Florida; step sons, Larry and David Brill; grandchildren, Jordan, Kayci and Nolan McEathron and their mom Michelle Battle; Carson, Julia, Robert, Seth; Jamie Jaquish, Charles “Chucky” Jaquish, Melanie Toohey; Aaron, Robert and Lindsey Fowler.
She is preceded in death by her husband Robert W. McEathron and her companion of 15 years Robert Houman; daughter Teri Jaquish; brothers James “Snuffy” Ferris Jr., Leonard Ferris and Danny Ferris; sisters Ida McEathron, Catherine “Chink” Wendover, Diane Hall and Mildred “Tosh” Birdsall.
Visitation will be held on Friday Nov. 14, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Kevin M. Lesjack Funeral Home, 513 Main Street, Forest City, Pennsylvania.
Calling hours will take place on Saturday, Nov., 22, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, at the funeral home. Pastor Wm. Mayhew will officiate.Burial will take place in the spring at Garrison Cemetery, Pitcairn, St. Lawrence County, New York.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton, NY 12546. To send an online condolence to the family, flowers to the service or to plant a tree in Minnie’s honor, please visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
LAKEVILLE — Laura S. Wright, 77, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025, at her home with her devoted dog Huxley by her side. She was the beloved wife of the late David A. Wright.
Laura was born in Sharon on Jan. 21, 1948, daughter of the late Terrence and Armilla (Rossiter) Solan. She grew up in Lakeville and moved to Burlington, Vermont in 1966 to attend the Mary Fletcher School of Nursing.
In 1968, Laura met Dave, and they married in July 1970. Just a month later, the couple moved to Chicago where Laura became the head nurse of the neurosurgery department at the University of Chicago Hospital. After two years, they relocated to Canada where she continued her nursing career.
In 1979, Dave and Laura settled in Lakeville where they would spend the rest of their lives and raise their family. Laura continued her nursing work at Sharon Hospital and also served as a private home nurse. After retiring from nursing, Laura founded and managed her own home-based business called Northwinds Upholstery.
Laura had many talents and if you looked carefully in her home, you’d see that every drape, curtain, comforter, chair and sofa was hand-made or upholstered by her, and every ceiling and wall was painted or wallpapered by her skilled hand. She had an incredible talent for sewing and a knack for crafting and fixing anything in her home. She also enjoyed reading, baking and loved animals. Her children grew up in a household that was always bustling with any assortment of dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and even frogs. In her house there was always a homemade dessert ready to be enjoyed, and a home improvement project in progress. Her endless kindness, nurturing soul, compassionate nature, creative spirit, and homemade meals will be very deeply missed.
Survivors include three children; Jessica Wright (Chris Yerton) of Berlin, New York, Alison Le (Hong Le) of Severna Park, Maryland, and David Wright (Kira Costanza) of Lakeville. She also leaves behind three grandchildren, Michael, Harrison and Augusta; a brother, Terrence Solan (Helen) of Ocala, Florida; two sisters, Maureen Erickson and Natalie Solan, both of Salisbury; and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Wright was predeceased by two sisters, Christina Teixeira and Theresa Carlson.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Salisbury Cemetery, Undermountain Rd., Salisbury. Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville, is in care of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Laura’s honor to 13 Hands Equine Rescue, Inc. (https://13handsequine.org), 50 Tuscan Way, Clinton Corners, NY, 12514.
