Latest News
Ann Beizer
CANAAN — It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Ann Beizer, who died on Nov. 13, 2024, at the age of 80 after a courageous battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare and debilitating disease that took away her ability to move, see clearly, and swallow. Ann’s strength and resilience throughout her illness was an inspiration to all who knew her, even as the disease took its toll.
Born on Sept. 12, 1944, in Washington, DC, Ann was raised in Glasgow, West Virginia, where both of her parents were school teachers. She earned a Master’s degree in counseling from West Virginia University and went on to teach high school history. Later, she led a not-for-profit organization before becoming the Director of Academic Advising at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). At WPI, Ann also served as a Project Advisor, guiding students on international work projects in Italy and Puerto Rico. Her commitment to education and mentorship earned her a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to Germany, further advancing her career in academic advising.
Ann’s life was marked by an unwavering dedication to helping others. She retired from WPI to care for her then-husband, Robert Gillette, during his battle with cancer. After Robert’s passing in 2005, Ann met and subsequently married Lance Beizer. Ann and Lance lived in California for one year before relocating to Lance’s childhood hometown of Canaan. In their new community, Ann quickly became an active leader, joining the 21st-Century Fund of the Housatonic Valley Regional High School, where she was awarded emerita status. She also contributed to the Salisbury Rotary Club, serving as scholarship chair and president, and was deeply involved with St. John’s Episcopal Church in Salisbury, where she served on the altar guild and vestry, as well as an acolyte and chalice bearer. With Lance, Ann was recipient of the 2022 Donald T. Warner award for service to the communities served by Region 1 schools.
Ann is survived by her loving husband, Lance Beizer; her son, Mike Garvin (children Andrew and Leah), and his wife, Mary Amirault (children Sean and Matt); her daughter, Elizabeth Houlihan (children Craig, Evan, and Lauren) and Elizabeth’s fiancé, John Aherne.
The family extend their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers who supported Ann and Lance throughout the course of her illness, including the dedicated staff from Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association (SVNA), Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County, and Geer Nursing, where Ann spent her final months in hospice care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ann’s memory to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, Geer Nursing, or CurePSP, an organization dedicated to research into potential treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy.
Ann’s legacy of kindness, generosity, and intellectual curiosity will live on in the countless lives she touched.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21, 2024, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, 12 Main Street, Salisbury, CT with Rev. Paul “Chris” Christopherson officiating. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Newkirk-Palmer Funeral Home, 118 Main Street, Canaan, CT 06018.
Dr. Fred G. Kantrowitz
SHARON — Dr. Fred G. Kantrowitz, 78, of Medfield, Massachusetts, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts and Sharon passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. He was the loving husband of Anne Kirby, devoted father of Gregory and William, father-in-law of Katie and Brittanny, and proud grandfather of Jack, Ava and Jameson.
Fred was born Dec. 10, 1945 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Theo and Dinah (Kotick) Kantrowitz. His own health struggles as a child, intellectual curiosity and desire to help others led him to a career in medicine. Fred’s illustrious medical career was highlighted by nearly 50 years on the Beth Israel staff, more than 30 published works and a chapter as teamdoctor for the Boston Celtics. Later in his career, he developed a reputation for being the doctor to handle only the most complex cases, including long Covid.
Fred’s work also occasionally crossed with his personal interests, which were numerous. From interviewing Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford for his book on sports medicine to his passion forliterature, Fred’s intellectual curiosity meant he could hold a conversation with nearly anyone on any topic. His many hobbies and interests included model trains, stamps and coins, freshwater fishing, horseback riding, sports, and history.
Fred married Anne, the love of his life, on Dec. 5, 1981 during a blizzard in Boston. In addition to Anne and his immediate family, he is survived by his brother Marc (Marianne), sister Sue (Mark), and many loving nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service was held at the Kenny Funeral Home in Sharon, on Saturday Nov. 16, at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial at St. Bernard’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the following causes: Martha’s Vineyard (MV) Museum, 151 Lagoon Pond Road, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, Sharon Historical Society, 18 Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069 , Charles River School, 6 Old Meadow Road, Dover, MA 02030.
Rose Moskowitz
CANAAN — Rose Moskowitz, 98, of Geer Village in Canaan, passed away on Nov. 9, 2024. She was the loving wife of the late Bernard Moskowitz.
Rose was born Aug. 2, 1926, in New York City, the daughter of the late David and Regina (Shanker) Gunn.
Rose graduated from high school in the Bronx.
Her late husband served in the U.S. Army during WWII and survived D-Day on the beaches of France. Rose Moskowitz was a kind and sweet woman who deeply loved her family.
She is survived by a son, Larry Moskowitz (Nancy Moskowitz) of Sharon, a daughter, Arlene Greenspan (Harold Greenspan) of Boston, five grandchildren; Jesse, Melissa, Evan, Keith and Elena and two great grandchildren, Hazel and Simon. She was predeceased by her five siblings.
A private memorial service for the family will be held in the spring.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon Housing Trust, P.O. Box 1168, Sharon, CT. 06069 or on the website SHTCT.org. in memory of Rose Moskowitz.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Mary Markert Arnold
LAKEVILLE — Mary Markert Arnold, 84, died on Nov. 11, 2024. She was born on Feb. 19, 1940, in Shanghai, China. She grew up around the world, spending significant portions of her childhood in Mexico and Puerto Rico, two countries that left an indelible mark on her life. She moved back to the United States to attend high school at the Shipley School in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and soon after graduation she married her husband, the late John T. Arnold. They settled in Summit, New Jersey, where they lived for 28 years to raise their family. While raising her children, Mary studied nursing at Seton Hall University, received a master’s degree in nursing from New York University, and then became a Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LNP). She worked as an emergency room nurse and became the Patient Ombudsman at Overlook Hospital in Summit. She was also a member of the Summit Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Later in her career, she worked as a Specialist in Oncology at Memorial Sloane Kettering and Columbia Presbyterian Hospitals in New York City. She also completed the Post-Master’s Certificate Program at Ackerman Institute for the Family.
For the last 30 years, Mary called Lakeville her home spending the last two years at Brandywine Living in Litchfield. She was an active member of the local community, starting a family therapy practice and working closely with the local food pantry. She was an avid horsewoman and loved being at the barn with her beloved horses – first Bagan and then Quieto. She travelled extensively, often visiting Latin America, a region close to her heart since childhood. A fluent Spanish speaker, she loved the Spanish language, Latin American culture and Mexican music. She often used her professional expertise and language skills to volunteer with health and humanitarian groups across the region. Mary also enjoyed spending time outside with her dogs, tending to her gardens, reading, listening to music and doing handiwork. She was a master weaver and craftswoman – often combining her love of weaving and gardening by dying wool using hollyhocks from her garden. She often marveled at the behavior of the birds that took up residence in the kitchen gutter and the design of a spider web glistening in the morning dew.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, John T. Arnold, her daughter, Tina Arnold, and her parents, Philip and Maxine (Maxwell) Markert. Mary is survived by three children; Mark Arnold (Elaine) of Lakeville, Heidi Prins (Tom) of Tiverton, Rhode Island and Estero, Florida, and Matthew Arnold (Tama) of Lexington, Massachusetts. She is also survived by seven grandchildren; Suzanne (Soadad) and Jim (Madison) Arnold, John (Kennedy), Philip and Trescher Prins, and Naomi and Nina Arnold. Her brother, Philip Markert (Susan) of Washington Depot, also survives her, as do sisters-in-law Ellen Lloyd of Haverford, Pennsylvania and Judy Arnold of Willow Street, Pennsylvania and brother-in-law William Arnold (Margaret) of McKinney, Texas. She also leaves behind many adored nieces, nephews and cousins.
A celebration of Mary’s life will take place on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at the Salisbury Town Grove, 42 Ethan Allen Street, Lakeville, CT, 06039.
Arrangements are under the care of Ryan Funeral Home, 255 Main St., Lakeville.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Corner Food Pantry, PO Box 705 Lakeville, CT 06039 (thecornerfoodpantry.org/) or Salisbury Association, PO Box 553, Salisbury, CT 06068 (https://salisburyassociation.org/).
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com