Lee S. (Brown) Tonet

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. – Mrs. Lee S. (Brown) Tonet passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022, after a brief illness (not Covid—she was vaxxed, boosted, and believed in science).

Born in Northampton, Mass., daughter of the late Leon and Mabel (Bartlett) Shumway, in 1939, Lee was educated in the Williamsburg, Mass. school system, graduating in 1956. She received a diploma in nursing education/registered nurse from the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing, 1959; an undergraduate degree in sociology from St. Joseph’s College, 1976; and a M.S. Ed in counselor education from the University of Southern Maine, 1985. She held national certifications in rehabilitation counseling (CRC) and case management (CCM).

Lee worked in a wide range of clinical nursing in acute care facilities in Hartford, Conn. and Portland, including operating room, intensive coronary care, emergency room and public health nursing. She finished her nursing career in the area of on-site case management for several insurance carriers in the Workers’ Compensation and Disability fields throughout New England, and as an in-house medical consultant for a Springfield TPA, Disability Management Services.

Lee enjoyed music as a participant and spectator. During the 25 years she lived in Maine and raised her children she performed in many community stage and chorus productions in the Portland area. Upon returning to the Northampton, Mass. area, she continued singing in local church choirs and community productions. Lee attended St. John’s Episcopal Church where she sang with their choir. She was a 12-year member of the Northampton Lions Club and was the primary writer and editor of the Club’s monthly bulletin for several years. She was recognized for her service in 2014 as the recipient of the Club’s Melvin Jones Fellow award.

Lee enjoyed traveling around the world with her husband, Earl. Their adventures included trips to Malaysia, France, and Northern Italy, as well as major and minor league baseball games across the United States and Canada.

Lee was predeceased by her loving and beloved husband, Earl, in October 2015. She was also predeceased by her brother, Peter Shumway, of Williamsburg 1990; sisters Doris Sebastian, of Preston, Conn. 1997 and Donna Bunyan, of West Lafayette, in 2010.

Lee is survived by her four wonderful, successful children, Susan Brown of New Haven, Vt., Sandra McCauley (partner Paul Stiles), Clear Brook, Va., Judith Franklin of Falmouth, and David (wife Caroline) Brown of Chesapeake, Va. She also leaves three granddaughters (and one grandson-in-law) and one grandson (and one granddaughter-in-law); two great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.

A Mass for Celebration of Life was celebrated at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Elm St., Northampton, Mass. on Feb. 28.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Lee to support cancer research and patient care at:

Dana-Farber

Cancer Institute

P.O. Box 849168

Boston, MA 02284

or via http://www.dana-farber

.org/gift