Our Staff

Thomas J. Paquette - Manager of Record - Licensed Type 3 Funeral Director - Licensed as a Funeral Director and Embalmer in both Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Tom is a 2004 graduate of FINE Mortuary College and a 1997 graduate of Cumberland High School in Cumberland, Rhode Island.

Tom has served families for more than twenty years in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, most recently as the Managing Partner for a busy Providence funeral home.

Tom has an innate and genuine passion for people with a unique penchant for putting people at ease, especially during their times of need and vulnerability. He truly listens to others, which enables him to provide personalized guidance and direction to the families he is privileged to serve. Tom takes great pride in his ability to translate the needs of others into meaningful funeral experiences. He has a strong desire and an ability to comfort people during their time of sorrow, compassionately assisting them throughout the bereavement proves with an unrivaled level of professionalism.

A well-respected funeral director, Tom previously served as a member of the Rhode Island Funeral Directors Board of Governors and the Board of Directors of the Woodlawn-North Purchase Cemeteries Association, as well as Treasurer of the DaVinci Center for Community Progress in Providence, Rhode Island.

He and his wife Sarah-Anne Paquette, a certified public accountant, reside in North Attleboro with their two children: Kendal and Camden. He is an active member of the community and in his time away, he enjoys volunteering and participating in a host of activities, including coaching several of his children’s sports teams. As a young man, Tom had the privilege of having been a Golden Gloves and Junior Olympic Champion.

Virginia A. Torti - Licensed Funeral Director - My name is Virginia or “Ginn” or “Ginny”and I graduated Mortuary School in 2002 and have been working full time as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in the Boston area since then.  I grew up in West Brookfield, graduating West Brookfield elementary and attending Quaboag Regional High School graduate of 1999.  I am very excited to be back home and working with the Varnum & Charbonneau Funeral Homes, serving my local community and being closer to my family.

As a funeral director, we recognize the importance of educating the community on cremation and funeral home laws, helping families plan burial, cremation, and memorial ceremonies.  I have been extremely lucky to be a part of a sacred industry and work alongside families while they navigate the stages of grief and be part of their healing after the loss of a loved one.  When I was 18 and fresh out of high school, I started working at a local funeral home in Southbridge and very quickly realized I had found my calling.  Now, it’s been over 27 years working full time and “They” say this chosen profession, along with so many healthcare professionals and social work is a calling and not a job…..”they” are correct. 

When I’m not working, I play in a rock band, I spend my time with my wonderful partner Chris, our families and friends and my adorable English Bulldog named Elvira.  As a person I always try to look forward and not dwell on the past, stay positive and I am always amazed at what the future holds. Life is full of surprises. We are part of a team here at Varnum & Charbonneau Funeral Homes and we never stop learning about what we can do better to help the families who choose us. 

Kristen Russell-May - Director of Advance Planning

Kristen was born and raised in Charlton, MA and graduated from Marianhill Central Catholic High School. After high school, she attended Mount Ida College, graduating in 1991 and started her career in funeral service. Kristen has worked for over 30 years at several funeral homes in Worcester County. She has dedicated her life to serving families in their time of need and has taken great pride in her work.

After over 30 years as a licensed funeral director and embalmer, Kristen decided to shift her focus to serving families before their time of need. As an advanced planning specialist, she enjoys going out to the community and educating people about the benefits of preplanning funerals. She is knowledgeable about the rules and laws that are associated with the preplanning process.

Kristen lives in Charlton with her husband James, two sons Luke & Joshua and German Shepard, Ginger. She loves attending her son’s hockey games, gardening and spending time with her family.

Sadie Saint - Administrative Assistant - Sadie Saint serves as an Administrative Assistant at Varnum & Charbonneau Funeral Home, where she brings more than 20 years of administrative experience and a strong commitment to providing exceptional service. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation for professionalism, organization, and compassionate client care, ensuring that every family she assists feels welcomed, supported, and respected.

A proud resident of North Brookfield, Sadie is deeply connected to her community and enjoys building meaningful relationships with those around her. In addition to her role at the funeral home, she is the owner and operator of a successful mobile barbershop, where she combines creativity, personal service, and genuine care to help her clients look and feel their best.

At Varnum & Charbonneau Funeral Home, Sadie understands that every family is navigating one of life's most difficult experiences. She is honored to provide thoughtful guidance, compassionate support, and attentive service throughout the funeral planning process. Her dedication to treating every family with kindness, dignity, and respect reflects her commitment to making a meaningful difference during a time when compassion matters most.

Halie Smith- Apprentice - Halie is an Apprentice Funeral Director currently enrolled at FINE Mortuary College, where she is pursuing her education and professional training in funeral service. She brings a unique combination of compassion, dedication, and diverse life experiences to her role, allowing her to provide exceptional care and support to the families she serves.

Before entering the funeral profession, Halie earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. Her background in the arts has cultivated a deep appreciation for creativity, attention to detail, and meaningful personal expression—qualities that help her thoughtfully honor the unique lives and legacies of those entrusted to her care.

Prior to beginning her career in funeral service, Halie proudly served as a full-time firefighter for the Town of Warren. Her experience as a first responder strengthened her commitment to serving others during times of crisis and reinforced the importance of compassion, professionalism, and calm leadership in life's most difficult moments.

Nicholas Bera - Apprentice - Nicholas is an Apprentice Funeral Director at Varnum and Charbonneau Funeral Homes, dedicated to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect during life’s most difficult moments. With a commitment to professionalism and attention to detail, he strives to ensure that every family is cared for with the highest level of consideration.

A graduate of Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, Class of 2022, and Holyoke Community College, Class of 2024, Nicholas served his community in a variety of roles before entering the funeral profession. He is currently enrolled in the funeral service program at Cape Cod Community College.

In his free time, Nicholas enjoys woodworking, tending to his yard, and traveling. Among his favorite places to visit are the Caribbean and Massachusetts’ North Shore. Nicholas lives in Ware with his German Shepherd, Lady Shiva.