BU Student Remembered As 'Bright, Intelligent, Beautiful'

Boston University student Lingzi Lu died in Monday's Boston Marathon bombings, but her family and her university are hopeful her memory can inspire others.

Lingzi Lu’s family remembers her as the “joy of [their] lives,” an ambitious young woman, full of dreams and hopes and love for her friends and family. An outpouring of comments on various articles remembers her as an "amazing girl," with a "beautiful smile." All that spirit, all that life, was cut tragically short Monday, April 15, when Lu, 23, was killed in the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, a terrorist act that also claimed the lives of 8-year-old Martin Richard of Dorchester, and 29-year-old Krystle ­Campbell, of Medford.  In an open letter, Lu’s family said Lu "was a bright and wonderful child." "We were thrilled to watch her grow into an intelligent and beautiful young woman," the letter reads. "She was a positive…

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Obituary: Anne M. Blanchett-Turcotte

Anne Marie (Blanchette) Turcotte, 50, originally of Salem, passed away March 18.

The following obituary was posted by the C.R. Lyons & Sons Funeral Home: Anne Marie (Blanchette) Turcotte, 50, of Danvers, passed away March 18, 2013 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family at Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers. Anne was born in Salem, Massachusetts, August 13, 1962. She was the loving wife of Gene “Mitch” Turcotte, with whom she shared nearly twenty years of marriage. She was the daughter of Gloria (Marchant) and George Lampropoulos, and the late Albert W. Blanchette. Anne was the daughter-in-law to Joan E. Turcotte and the late Gene J. Turcotte of Danvers. In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by four children: Desiree (Downie) Wynott and husband Brian of …

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Rex Trailer Dies at 84; Share Your Boomtown Memories, Photos

Boston TV icon hosted a children's show in the 1950s-1970s. Do you have any photos from back in the day?

Rex Trailer, a Boston TV icon who had been recovering from pneumonia recently, has died. Trailer hosted “Boomtown,” a children’s show with a Western theme on WBZ-TV from 1956-1974.  How did a Western cowboy make his mark in Boston? According to Wikipedia, his corporate overlords gave him a choice of Cleveland or Boston. But he's remembered for more than his cowboy get-up.The Boston Globe wrote in an editorial last year: Kids adored Trailer’s rodeo tricks. But mostly they adored him for his consistent kindness and competence. He also inspired a local cowpunk band to name itself "Tex Railer's Doomtown." Trailer was 84. A funeral is being planned, but no date has been set yet, according to his website.  Meantime, what are your memories of Rex…

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Obituary: Nicholina F. Hughes

Hughes was a member of the Salem community, a Red Cross volunteer and Girl Scouts member.

The following was submitted by Murphy Funeral Home. Nicholina F. Hughes, beloved wife of the late Charles J. Hughes (with whom she shared 70 years of marriage) passed peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House, surrounded by her family. Nicholina was active in the Salem Community.  She was a member of the League of Women Voters, a board member of the “Women’s Friends Society”, a 35 year Red Cross Volunteer and had worked over 20 years with the Girl Scouts Organization. She leaves her daughter Karen (Hughes) and her husband John Drislane; her granddaughters Jessica Drislane, and Samantha Drislane and her husband Kevin Markowski; and the great joys of her life, her great grandchildren, Arden and Gavin Markowski. Her funeral will be held …

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OBITUARY: James R. Hayes

The avid outdoorsman, car fanatic and family man is remembered in this obituary submitted by his family.

James “Jim” R. Hayes, age 67, of Seabrook, NH, died unexpectedly on July 3, 2012 following injuries sustained in an automobile accident in New Hampshire. Born in Salem, Mass., and also a long time resident, he was the son of Doris (LeTarte) Hayes and the late Robert Hayes, he attended local elementary schools, graduated from Bishop Fenwick High School and had attended Northeastern University. Mr. Hayes had a lifelong passion for baseball. As a young athlete he played in the Salem Little League for the Red Sox. During his adult years, he enjoyed his time being involved with the Shriners and the Local Teamsters Union. An avid outdoorsman, he loved the ocean, boating and fishing. He had a love for cars, gardening and working in his yard. Most…

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Obit: Carol A. (Hussey) Legault, Salem Native

Spent her final years as a National Park Service volunteer.

Carol Legault's life was one of a unique, free spirit. Her travels and adventures in various locations across the country would serve well as material for any small theater company. Her restless energies brought her from Massachusetts to Nebraska by way of Arizona, Florida, and California. In Massachusetts she raised four children. In Florida she watched from her backyard as space shuttles launched into the skies. San Francisco was where she enjoyed her first cable car ride. Carol loved dining in restaurants and much to the surprise of her son A. J.,  she actually liked sushi. An accomplished scratch cook, Carol was well known amongst friends and family for her cakes, pies, cretons, sun tea, and other traditional dishes. She passed on her …

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Obituary: David H. Gonet, 63

The following was provided by the David Gonet Funeral Home.

Ayube Services Scheduled for Saturday; Wife Remembers a Selfless Man

Ayube's wife encourages residents to honor her husband by being "as unselfish with your love as possible."

Sgt. James A. Ayube II, 25, will be laid to rest Saturday in Salem. He was killed in action by a suicide bomber on Dec. 8 while serving as an Army combat medic in Afghanistan. A funeral is scheduled for Dec. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. James Church. He will be buried at Harmony Grove Cemetery with Army Honors. Visiting hours are scheduled from 3 to 7 p.m. at Full-Spychalski Funeral Home. During a ceremony at visitation hours, he will be honored with numerous awards including the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Good Conduct Medal, NATO Medal and Combat Medical Badge. Sgt. Ayube was assigned to the Third Squadron, Second Stryker Cavalry Regiment based out of Vilseck, Germany. In a letter to Salem Patch, Sgt. Ayube's wife, Lauren Ayube, …

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James A. Ayube Jr. Killed in Action in Afghanistan

Veterans Agent Jean-Guy Martineau said services will be held in Salem next week.

Army Sgt. James A. Ayube Jr., 25, of Salem was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan Wednesday, Veterans Agent Jean-Guy Martineau confirmed Thursday. Ayube, a combat medic, was married. The veterans Web site Dragoon Base reported Ayube was "assigned to Company H, 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany." Ayube was killed while conducting combat operations near Chehel, Afghanistan, Dragoon Base reported. Martineau said Ayube's family is currently traveling to Dover, Del. to pick up his body. Martineau said services will be held for Ayube in Salem next week. Ayube's family will be assisted by a liason from the Department of Defense Casuality Unit, Martineau said. Martineau said Ayube's father is a U.S. Air …

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