Latest News
Stephen Michael Brandt
Lakeville Journal
Aug 25, 2026
LAKEVILLE — With heavy hearts we are saddened to report that Stephen passed away at Sharon Hospital after a long illness at age 62. He lived in Sharon early on and then resided in Lakeville later in life.
He was an accomplished and well-respected painting contractor. He had a huge heart, was a great friend to everyone (always there to help) and had the quickest wit and greatest sense of humor ever.
He was predeceased by his beloved grandparents, Katherine MacNeil Brandt, his parents Dolores and Robert Brandt, a stepmother Elizabeth (Peg) Brandt, sister Linda and brother David.
He leaves behind his sisters, Debbie Holtman (Dave), Barbara Brandt (Patrick Goff) and Dina Brandt.
He also leaves his two nephews, Jared Holtman (Renae) and Tyler Holtman (Ashley Ganon) as well as a long list of good friends and especially his best cat friend “Cupcake cat.”
In addition to always being the life of the party, he loved to fish, hunt, collect coins and antiques and play Bluegrass music with his musical friends.
He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge No. 13 in Lakeville.
Friends and family are welcome to join a Masonic service at the Montgomery Lodge #13, 41 Sharon Road, Lakeville, CT on FRIDAY AUGUST 28. Service at 6 PM with dinner and music and conversation to follow. Doors will be open at 5:30 PM. ALL WELCOME.
Donations in Stephens’ honor can be made, if you wish to: Salisbury Family Services, PO Box 379, Salisbury, CT 06068 or the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service, PO Box 582, Salisbury, CT 06068.
Keep ReadingShow less
Nedra Hope Guyette
Lakeville Journal
Aug 25, 2026
SHARON — Nedra Hope Guyette, age 95, of Sharon, Connecticut, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 12, 2026.
Nedra, also known to many as Mom and Grammy, was born on Feb. 25, 1931, in Stamford, Connecticut. Her family later moved to New Portland, Maine, in Somerset County, where she and her two brothers led an active, outdoor life she cherished and missed for the rest of her days.
In 1948, she married a handsome war veteran, Wallace Yahn, and the two settled nearby, building a painting and construction business that kept them on a snowbird’s schedule: six months in Maine, six months in Florida. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, they decided to put down permanent roots in Maine, where they raised their four children in a house that they built themselves in Wilton. In 1972, they purchased the Mount Blue Motel, a bustling year-round 19-room motel that served skiers and outdoorsmen and ran it as a thriving business until they sold it in 1984. They then bought a beautiful farm in New Vineyard, Maine, until Wally, her husband of 38 years, sadly passed away from cancer.
In 1987, Nedra married Joseph Guyette, a teamster and retired truck driver originally from Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Together they bought an 18-wheel Peterbilt and hauled fruits and vegetables from Maine to California and Florida. They eventually retired to Brooksville, Florida, where Nedra once again became a snowbird and remained under the loving care of her daughter, Janet, in Topsham, Maine, and her granddaughter, Missy while in Florida after the death of Joe in 2010. In Jan. 2026, Nedra moved to Sharon, to be near her son Walter.
Nedra was a tremendous athlete who was either watching sports or playing them herself. She was a member of the 1948 Maine state championship basketball team at Central High School, and in the 70’s Nedra went to the Nationals for her Maine bowling team, traveling to Las Vegas, Reno and Denver. She had a wide circle of friends and loved a good round of golf and playing games like cribbage and dominoes at her Florida clubhouse in the evenings.
Nedra was also a devoted sports mom. When her children were young, she traveled all over New England to competitive ski races, rising early each morning to check the weather and wax their skis. She could just as often be found on the sidelines of track meets and football games and was famously the carpool mom for whichever team needed one. That devotion carried into the next generation. She attended many soccer and baseball games for her grandchildren and was never shy about letting a referee or umpire know her opinion about a call.
She will be remembered as a hard worker, a loyal friend, a lover of all animals and a fiercely protective mother and grandmother.
Nedra is survived by her older brother, Robert Meade, and his wife, Avis Meade, of Woolwich, Maine. James and Pat Yahn of Rockwood, Maine, Janet Dyroff of Brunswick, Maine, Walter and Joanie Yahn of Sharon, Connecticut, Mary Jane Yahn-Hull and DD Yahn-Hull of Fort Collins, Colorado, and Roland and Cheryl Guyette of Millville, Massachusetts. Nedra is also survived by her grandchildren, Melissia Yahn of Brooksville, Florida. Rachel and Robert Nichols of New Sharon, Maine, Lindsay Dyroff and Jonathan Waite of Brunswick, Maine. Maggie and Hector Umana of West Hartford, Connecticut, Ellie Yahn of Denver, Colorado, Willy Yahn of Kent, Connecticut, Cody Brown of Fort Collins, Colorado, Chris Guyette of Webster, Massachusetts and Eric Guyette of Woonsocket, Rhode Island. She is also survived by many great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her brother, Donnie Meade; her husbands, Wallace Yahn and Joseph Guyette; and her son-in-law, Michael Dyroff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Somerset Humane Society, P.O. Box 453 Skowhegan, Maine 04976, or online at https://shsanimalshelter.com/
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Keep ReadingShow less
Celebration of Life - Lynne Killmer Stanton
Lakeville Journal
Aug 25, 2026
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
Barbara Hinkel-Azzara
Lakeville Journal
Aug 25, 2026
WEST CORNWALL — Barbara Mary Hinkle‑Azzara, long‑time resident of Princeton, New Jersey, completed her life journey on Aug. 15, 2026, and is now reunited with her beloved husband Joe. Barbara’s passing leaves a deep quiet, as she was one of those rare souls whose generosity, kindness, and instinctive thoughtfulness made life sweeter for everyone around her.
Born in Macedonia, Ohio, Barbara grew up in the Nordonia schools and received her sacraments at Our Lady of Guadalupe. She graduated from Nordonia High School in 1983 and earned her degree in Medical Records Management from Bowling Green State University in 1987. She soon moved to New York City, beginning a long and respected career in medical records at St. Vincent’s Hospital and other major institutions, where colleagues admired her expertise and her unfailing willingness to help.
In the mid‑1990s, while working at St. Luke’s–Roosevelt Hospital, Barbara met Joseph Azzara, the love of her life. They married in 2001 at a favorite Long Island vineyard and built a warm, welcoming home in Princeton. Joe’s sons, Michael and John, lived with them part‑time, and Barbara embraced them with wholehearted affection, creating a family life defined by support, humor, and shared experiences.
Barbara and Joe shared a deep love of travel, especially their many trips throughout Italy, where they delighted in food, wine, and the simple joy of exploring together. They also treasured visits to France to see her sister Julie, ski trips, and countless weekends spent cheering at the boys’ soccer games. Barbara approached every journey — near or far — with curiosity, gratitude, and her signature generosity of spirit.
Her faith was a steady anchor throughout her life. She was a devoted member of St. Paul’s in Princeton, where her spiritual life deepened over many years. After the loss of her father and later Joe, Barbara found profound comfort and support at the Chapel of All Saints in West Cornwall, Connecticut, where she spent meaningful time held in prayer, companionship, and quiet strength.
Barbara’s kindness was quiet but constant: thoughtful notes, small gestures, meals delivered, and an uncanny ability to sense when someone needed comfort. She lived by a line from her favorite band, Dave Matthews — “Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain.” And she truly did: celebrating others, celebrating love, celebrating the everyday moments that make a life full.
In 2025, Barbara faced her diagnosis of a rare, inoperable brain glioma with courage, hope, and unwavering faith. A new treatment brought brief encouragement, but she ultimately passed peacefully in Connecticut, surrounded by those who loved her.
Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Joseph and her father William. She leaves behind her step‑sons Michael Azzara of Charlotte, North Carolina, and John Azzara (Gina) of Asbury Park, New Jersey; her mother Mary Jean Hinkle of Hudson, Ohio; and her siblings Steve (Gloria), William (Nancy), Mary Ann (Peter), Mark (Joan), Kathryn (Jim), Peter (Evelyn), and Julie Saint-Jacques. She was a beloved aunt to many nieces and nephews across both families.
Barbara’s legacy is one of tenderness, generosity, faith, and radiant kindness. Those who knew her will carry her light forward, comforted by the belief that she rests in peace and is reunited with the loved ones who went before her.
There will be a memorial for Barbara with Chapel of All Saints @Trinity Retreat Center West Cornwall CT at a future date. Ryan Funeral Home, Lakeville, is in care of arrangements.
There will be a livestream Funeral Mass celebrated Saturday, August 29, 2026 @ 10:00 am St Paul Catholic Church, 218 Nassau St, Princeton, NJ 08542 (Live stream link/directions available at ryanfhct.com)
Donations can be made to National Brain Tumor Society: braintumor.org/donate
To offer an online condolence, please visit ryanfhct.com.
Keep ReadingShow less
Dr. Joseph Valentine Hajek
Lakeville Journal
Aug 25, 2026
SHARON — Dr. Joseph Valentine Hajek of Sharon, Connecticut, died in the early morning of Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026. He was 89.
Joe was born in New York City on Sept. 8, 1936, the son of Joseph Hajek, born in 1889 in Prague, Bohemia and Olga Weber Hajek. He attended Trinity School and Philips Exeter Academy, and he graduated from Harvard College in 1958. After his undergraduate years in the Harvard ROTC, he entered the Navy for three years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant JG.
After his honorable discharge, he married Cicily Warren in 1962 while attending Harvard Medical School. After an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, he took up an orthopedic residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. He also spent time abroad on a traveling fellowship, studying with John Charnley in England and Maurice Mueller in Bern, Switzerland. After a return to Brooklyn, New York, Joe and his family settled in Sharon in 1975, where he became the first orthopedic surgeon at Sharon Hospital. He retired in 2004 and spent the rest of his life in Sharon.
Joe led an active outdoor life, enjoying rowing, tending his apple orchard, making play equipment for his grandchildren, and caring for his dogs. He maintained his expansive property with his beloved tractors, chainsaws, log splitter, and other equipment perhaps less precise than his surgical tools, but which he used no less ably.
Joe is survived by his loving wife of 64 years and by his sister Barbara Ulman of Lake Oswego, Oregon. He was predeceased by his sister Olga Cassard.
He is also survived by his daughter Schenley Hall and husband Jeffrey of Tucson, Arizona and grandsons Jonathan, Benjamin, and Nicholas; son Luke and wife Janet of Denver, Colorado, and grandsons Ryan and Trevor; daughter Mathilde Ross and husband Rob of Brookline, Massachusetts; and grandchildren Calvert, Josephine, and Winthrop; and son Justin of Sharon and granddaughter Julia.
Funeral services will be held at Christ Church Episcopal in Sharon at 11:00 AM on Saturday, Aug. 29.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of three organizations near and dear to Joe’s heart: the Sharon Audubon Society, the Hotchkiss Library of Sharon, or Christ Church Episcopal.
The Kenny Funeral Home has care of arrangements.
Keep ReadingShow less
Former IMS coach, trainer arrested for alleged sexual contact with student
Aly Morrissey
Aug 22, 2026
A former Indian Mountain School (IMS) coach and trainer was arrested Aug. 18 for alleged sexual contact with a student.
LAKEVILLE — A former Indian Mountain School coach and athletic trainer was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 18, by state police on three felony charges related to alleged sexual conduct with a 15-year-old student while he was employed by the school.
Maxwell Abendroth, 32, was charged with fourth-degree sexual assault. The charge identifies the alleged victim as a student under 16 and Abendroth as a coach. He was also charged with illegal sexual contact with a minor and risk of injury to a child. State court records list Jan. 25, 2026, as the date of the alleged offenses. Abendroth was serving as the athletic director and athletic trainer at IMS at that time.
After police obtained a warrant for his arrest, Abendroth turned himself in to Troop B Headquarters in North Canaan on Tuesday, according to the police report. He was released on $50,000 bond and is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday, Aug. 27, in Torrington Superior Court.
The arrest comes nearly seven months after IMS leadership first learned that Abendroth allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior with a student.
In a letter sent to current parents and parents of alumni on Monday, June 22, Head of School Lisa Sun said the school first learned about Abendroth’s conduct on Tuesday, Jan. 27, and immediately placed him on administrative leave. He was fired shortly thereafter and the school initiated an internal investigation and reported the conduct to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families and law enforcement.
“We learned that Mr. Abendroth had engaged in behavior toward a student that violated our code of conduct,” Sun wrote in June. “We have worked hard to support the affected student and have been in regular contact with the student’s family.”
In a separate email on Friday, Aug. 21, Sun said the school’s own investigation did not turn up evidence of additional wrongdoing. “We do not believe that the inexcusable behavior extended to other members of our community,” she wrote, but encouraged anyone with information to contact the school or law enforcement.
“Under no uncertain terms, Mr. Abendroth’s conduct represents a profound breach of the trust that families place in our school, and it stands in direct opposition to our values and expectations for every adult who works with our students.”
Abendroth, who did not respond for comment, was employed by IMS from August 2016 to January 2026. He primarily worked in the school’s athletic department, serving as an athletic trainer and assistant athletic director before taking over the department as director in 2019.
According to Abendroth’s LinkedIn profile, as athletic trainer at IMS he worked with all student-athletes, “ensuring they receive appropriate medical care for acute and chronic injuries.” He also managed orthopedic rehabilitation, diagnosed concussions and oversaw return-to-play protocols.
Indian Mountain School is a private, co-educational day and junior boarding school located in Lakeville, Connecticut. Tuition ranges from $31,250 per year for students in pre-K through fourth grade to $95,840 per year for international boarding students.
Aly Morrissey worked at Indian Mountain School from 2017 to 2023.
Keep ReadingShow less
Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.
loading
