Obituaries

Obituaries 10/12/09

Edward Abare

NORTH FERRISBURGH — Edward R. Abare, 83, died Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

He was born July 22, 1926, in North Ferrisburgh, the son of William and Anna Donor Abare.
He loved fishing, hunting and antique car shows. He owned his auto body shop in North Ferrisburgh.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Lucy; his two sons, Brian Abare of Charlotte, and Wayne Abare and his wife Pam of North Ferrisburgh; his brother Roger and his wife Marion of South Burlington; his sisters, Helen Little of South Burlington and Mrs. Ruth Pierce of Las Vegas, Nev.; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Friday, Oct. 9, at Resurrection Park Cemetery in South Burlington.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Fletcher Allen Health Care, Transplant Surgery, 1 South Prospect St. Burlington, VT 05401.

Allan Cremer

CORNWALL — Allan C. Cremer 79, died early Thursday evening Oct. 8, 2009, at his residence in Cornwall.

He was born March 11, 1930, in New York City, the son of the late Charles and Alfrieda (Mommson) Cremer. He was a graduate of Flushing High School and a 1951 graduate of Yale University.

He was an engineer and urban planner, having worked all over the world.

His family says he enjoyed model railroading, traveling, archaeology and being a history buff. He was a member of the Addison County Regional Planning Commission and the Society of Civil Engineers.

He is survived by his wife, Dung “Minh” (VuThi) Cremer, with whom he ran the Willow & Lotus Bed and Breakfast in Cornwall; his children, Dan Cremer of Horse Heads, N.Y., James Cremer of Boston, Mass., and Sarah Cremer of South Carolina; his sister, Mabel Silverstein of Tucson, Ariz.; and his six grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Nancy Graham.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 12, 2009, at noon at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Middlebury. The Rev. Terry Gleason will officiate.

Burial will be on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, at 1 p.m. in Mount Hope Cemetery, Hastings on the Hudson, N.Y.

Edmond Demers

ADDISON — Edmond J. Demers, 78, of Addison died peacefully at home Oct. 7, 2009, after a 9-year battle with renal cell carcinoma.

He was born in Manchester, N.H., to Ernest Portrie and M. Louise (Lambert).

He served 12 years in the Army, returned stateside to work at the Portsmouth Navy Yard, and then went to work for Simmonds Precision in the aerospace and aircraft programs for 29 years.

He is survived by wife of 42 years, Jane (White); a son, Joseph; a daughter Ellen (Christopher Trono); three grandchildren; and two brothers, Robert (Lorraine) Demers and Donald (Sharon) Demers and their families.

He was predeceased by his father, his stepfather (Alexis Demers), his mother, and his infant brother Ernest.

In accordance with his wishes there will be no visiting hours or funeral. A simple graveside service will take place on Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m. at the Grand View Cemetery on Route 22A in Addison.

Memorial donations may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Manon Murchie

WARWICK, R.I. — Manon Hodge Murchie, 83, of Warwick, R.I., died on Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2009, at home following a long illness. She was born in Bridgewater, Vt., on Sept. 10, 1926, to Bruce and Evelyn (Adams) Hodge. She graduated from Woodstock High School in 1944 and received her B.A. in elementary education from Castleton State Teachers College in 1947. She attended the Harvard Lexington Summer Program in teaching administration in 1963 and received her Fifth Year Certificate in Education from the University of Vermont in 1971.

On Dec. 27, 1946, she married Donald Murchie of Windsor, who also graduated from Castleton State Teachers College, with a B.A. in elementary and junior high school education. They resided in Castleton and Vergennes before moving to Middlebury in 1960 where they raised two children.

Her teaching career spanned 37 years beginning in 1947 in the Rutland public schools, where she taught for three years, and then at the Vergennes Elementary School for eight years and the Weeks School for one year. In 1960, she began teaching second grade at Mary Hogan Elementary School in Middlebury and remained there for 25 years until her retirement in 1985.

By all accounts, she was a gifted and dedicated teacher. She had an exceptional ability to help all of her students master basic reading skills, and she constantly used innovative methods to make her instruction dynamic. Throughout the years, she loved hearing from former students and took great pleasure in learning about their future accomplishments and endeavors.

She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, Otter Creek Chapter 74 (Vergennes) and was a member of the Congregational Church in Middlebury, and after the death of her husband in 1970 she became a long-time friend of Ilsley Memorial Baptist Church in Middlebury. She was also a friend of Spring Green Memorial Baptist Church in Warwick, R.I.

Following her retirement, she lived in Big Pine Key, Fla., for several years until she decided to make her home with her daughter Heather and son-in-law Richard Austin, first in Gurnee, Ill., and for the past 18 years in Warwick, R.I. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother.

Throughout her retirement, she remained active and involved in the profession that was her lifelong calling and passion — elementary education. She worked part time as a teacher aide and also as a classroom volunteer in elementary schools in Big Pine Key, Gurnee, and Warwick until her illness. She enjoyed serving as a Sunday school teacher and volunteering at senior centers in the communities where she lived, and made time to pursue new interests such as watercolor painting, writing and golf.

She is survived by her two children, Heather and her husband Richard Austin of Warwick, R.I., and Jayne and her husband Joseph Lumbley of Dallas, Texas; by three grandchildren, Meghan (Austin) and her husband Robert Martinez of Warwick, R.I., Thomas Austin of Warwick, R.I., and Katherine (Lumbley) and her husband Matthew Galloway of Atlanta, Ga.; and by one great-grandchild, Liam Galloway of Atlanta, Ga. She also leaves one sister, Challis (Hodge) and her husband Bruce Amendt of Garland, Texas; an uncle; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband, Donald Murchie, and a sister, Lota Smith.

A private committal service will take place at Ascutney Cemetery in Windsor at a later date.

For information and guestbook visit www.TheQuinnFuneralHome.com.

Lois Niles

FLORENCE — Lois Julia Niles, 73, died Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, at Clipper Harbor Nursing Home in Portsmouth, N.H.

She was born Sept. 6, 1936, in Leicester. She was the daughter of Nathan and Madeline (Reed) Ryder Sr. She received her early education in local Leicester schools.

In her earlier years she worked as a waitress at several various area restaurants. She later worked as a nurse’s aide at Pleasant Manor Nursing Home for several years. She cared for her mother until her death in October 2003. She also worked in a private-duty setting caring for several elderly patients. She and her husband moved to Rochester, N.H., to be near their son in 2006.

Surviving is her husband, Willis “Bill” Niles of Rochester, N.H., whom she married in Lebanon, N.Y., on Nov. 22, 1956; three sons, William Niles of Manchester, N.H., Brian Niles of Sully, Quebec, and Richard “Rick” Niles of Rochester, N.H.; one brother, Nathan Ryder Jr. of Florence; a sister, Van Robbins of Hamilton, N.Y.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

The funeral service was held Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon. The Rev. Richard White, pastor of the Brandon Congregational Church, officiated. The graveside committal service and burial will follow the service, in the family lot, at Forest Dale Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Association Vermont Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 120, Williston, VT 05495.

Obituaries 10/1/09

Mary Anna Bolduc

BRISTOL — Mary Anna (Cousino) Bolduc, 82, died Monday, Sept. 28, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington.

She was born May 14, 1927, in Middlebury, the daughter of Felix and Delia (Provoncha) Cousino.

She married Josaphat Bolduc on June 14, 1948, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol. She was a lifelong resident of Bristol and worked in the area at Van Raalte, Drake Smith, the Kountry Kupboard Restaurant and Bristol Elementary School. Her family says she enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 61 years, Josaphat of Bristol; two children, Claudette Nelson and her husband Steven of Bristol, and Philip Bolduc and his wife Marie of Bristol; six grandchildren; and two brothers, Paul Cousino of Burlington and Robert Cousino of Monkton.

She was predeceased by two brothers, Lawrence and Raymond, and two sisters, Edith and Belle. She was also predeceased by a son, Luke.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol. Interment will be in Mount St. Joseph Cemetery in Bristol. There will be no public calling hours. Memorial contributions maybe made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 11 School St., Bristol, VT 05443.

Eleanor Clark

BRISTOL — Eleanor Kazukynas Clark died at the age of 83 on Sept. 21 in Bristol. A remarkable woman, she touched the lives of so many during her 58-year career as a registered nurse.

Born on July 16, 1926, in Scranton, Pa., she was the second of four children of Victor and Adele (Klebauskas) Kazukynas. Always an excellent student, Eleanor graduated as salutatorian from John Fitch High School in 1943. She was among the first 17-year-olds to be admitted to St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, Conn., as a cadet in the “Cadet Nurse Corps” established by the U.S. government during WW II because of the shortage of nurses at home during the war.

She graduated in 1947, proud to be a registered nurse. Nursing was a profession she loved and to which she brought an enthusiasm, dedication and compassion admired by her colleagues and co-workers and appreciated by her many patients and their families.

She and her former husband, Charles S. Clark, moved with their three children to Cornwall in 1961. Eleanor continued her nursing career at Porter Hospital in Middlebury for more than 20 years. She returned to Connecticut in 1982 and continued her nursing career, mostly in geriatric nursing, which became her passion.

In 2005, at the age of 79, she reluctantly retired from nursing, leaving her supervisory position at Seabury Retirement Community in Bloomfield, Conn., and returned to Middlebury to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

Eleanor enjoyed many hobbies and was an excellent cook, baker, knitter and seamstress to the delight of family and friends. She entered her wonderful breads, pies and cakes at the Addison County Fair and Champlain Valley Exposition, winning top honors for her baking year after year.

She enthusiastically supported her children in their 4-H endeavors. Eleanor had her mother’s amazing knack for raising African violets. She was an avid fan of the Red Sox and UCONN women’s basketball and hated the Yankees! Most of all, she loved babies and the elderly, and they loved her. She was supportive of her family and friends, enthusiastic and funny, leaving a good legacy.

She was predeceased by her parents; her brother, Victor Kazukynas Jr.; her brother-in-law Philip Schneider; and many aunts and uncles.

She is survived by her three children: Elaine Clark and husband David Patterson of Limerick, Maine, Julie Vest and husband Paul Vest of Bristol, and Charles S. Clark Jr. of East Middlebury; and her former husband, Charles S. Clark and his wife Virginia Clark of Port Henry, N.Y.

Her surviving grandchildren are Michael Aberle, Matthew Aberle, Colin Duclos, Lea Duclos, Christopher Clark, Allison Clark and her great-grandchildren Amelia, Jack and Katharine Aberle. She is also survived by her sisters, Anne Schneider, widow of Philip, of Granby, Conn., and Theresa (Teri) Swift and husband John Swift of Center Harbor, N.H., and many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and cousins.

Calling hours will be on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009, at Carmon Funeral Home, 1816 Poquonock Ave., Route 75, Poquonock, Conn., from 4-7 p.m. At her request, Eleanor’s remains were cremated and inurnment will be at a private family ceremony.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 1747 Poquonock Ave., Poquonock, Conn., followed by a reception in the Fr. Doherty Hall in the lower level of the church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Eleanor faithfully donated to her parents’ favorite charities, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, and the Salvation Army. She also loved her time spent at Project Independence in Middlebury. Donations may be made in her memory.

A special thank you is made to Mary Bingham and her family of Bristol, who lovingly cared for Eleanor in their home for the past year, and brought peace of mind to her family knowing she was safe and happy.

John Masterson

BRISTOL — John “Jay” Masterson, 42, died Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009, at Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston.

He was born Aug. 14, 1967, in Burlington, the son of John and Susan (Adams) Masterson.
He graduated from Mount Abraham Union High School in 1985, where he played baseball and basketball, and he attended Vermont Technical College.

He owned and operated Masterson Excavating. His family says he enjoyed hunting, NASCAR, watching his son Josh play football, watching old Western movies, and old Western history.

He is survived by his wife, Paula Masterson of Bristol; two children, Josh and Bridget Masterson; two stepchildren, Jarad and Mason West; his parents, John and Susan Masterson; two sisters, Robin and husband David Huizenga and their children of Monkton, and Terry Masterson of Williston; his mother- and father-in-law, Bernadette and Claude “Pops” LaBerge of Vergennes; and several aunts, uncles and cousins; he was predeceased by twin sons, John and Joseph.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 2, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol. Interment will be in Maple Cemetery in Lincoln. Friends may call at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495-1460, or the Mount Abraham Football Association, 115 Airport Drive, Bristol, VT 05443.

Jacqueline Ouelette

WICKENSBURG, Ariz./NORTH FERRISBURGH — Jacqueline “Jackie” Ouellette, 83, died in Arizona on Aug. 9, 2009, with her loving family at her side.

She was born Jackie Griendon in Free Pond, Quebec, in 1926. She later married Gustave Ouellette and moved to Monkton. She attended St. Peter’s Church in Vergennes.

She worked for Simmonds Precision/B.F. Goodrich for many years.

Upon retirement, she and her husband lived in North Ferrisburgh, then Williston.

She was predeceased by her husband. In later years she moved to Arizona to be near her son Gary and his wife.

In addition to her son Gary and his wife, she is survived by six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 6, 2009, at 10 a.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Williston.

Shaun Steadman

BRISTOL — Shaun Allen Steadman, 31, died peacefully on Sept. 27, 2009, in his home with his wife by his side after a long battle with cancer.

He was born June 12, 1978, in Middlebury, the son of Allen and Norma Kimball.

He married Jessica Martell on March 15, 2003.

He was a dedicated member of Bristol Fire Department and was first vice commander for the Sons of the American Legion Post 19.

He developed many special friends during this time. His relatives say he was known for his generosity and dedication to his friends, family and community.

His family says he enjoyed yearly golf trips to South Carolina with his great friend Kirk. During deer season he could be found at Hillsboro Inn, where he had many special unforgettable times with his best friends Mike, Chris, Kelly and Dave.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his parents, Allen and Norma Kimball; his brothers, Ivan Steadman and wife Sue, Billy Steadman and wife Lisa, Kevin Steadman and wife Theresa, and Jeff Kimball; his sister, Julie Manning; his brother-in-law, Scott Manning; his father- and mother-in-law, Gregory and Rhonda Martell; his sister- and brother-in-law, Jamie and Scott Oberle; and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Bristol Federated Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol. Memorial donations may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Paul Valois

PANTON — Paul L. Valois, 57, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, in Hilltop Lakes, Texas, doing what he loved best, flying his Cessna 210 “Big Mo,” named after his late father, Maurice, a WW II pilot.

He was born in Manville, R.I., on Dec. 8, 1951, the son of the late Maurice and Armande (Armstrong) Valois.

He is survived by his wife, Judi Fisher of Panton, and two his daughters Jennifer Valois of Boston, Mass., and Kelly Valois of Essex Junction. He is also survived by his stepsons, Christopher and wife Jennifer Fisher, and Justin and wife Rachelle Fisher; his sisters, Louise Peloquin and her husband Cameron of South Carolina, and Rachel Rickson of Rhode Island; seven step-grandchildren; Sylvie Valois, the mother of his children; and his brother-in-law Robert and wife Patricia Keagle. He also has many cherished nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his extremely close-knit family of Contact Communications employees.

Paul was a born entrepreneur and started his first business in Rhode Island as Lincoln Communications at age 21. Even as a child he was always building and tinkering. While working for the Rhode Island Department of Parks and Recreation, he started assembling two-way radio systems on his mother’s dining room table.

He had the ability and expertise to build any communication system. He built Contact Communications and Answering Service from a start up company 20 years ago into Vermont/New York’s leading communication company.

Paul was fluent in both French and English. He loved a challenge, and encouraged everyone to live up to their full potential. Although he was simple and unpretentious, he accomplished a lot. He was a blue jeans sort of guy who was uncomfortable in a suit.

Paul could fix anything and everything. Despite not having a traditional college education, Paul had a brilliant engineer’s mind, and could figure out anything. His motto was “where there’s a will there’s a way,” and he didn’t take no for an answer.

Paul loved children, and was a very loving, supportive and patient father. He raised his daughters to be independent thinkers, and to never be afraid to ask questions. Paul did not believe in shortcuts. There was only one way to do things: the “right way.”

He loved helping neighbors and friends; no job was too big or too small. He built a tower for the residents of Hilltop Lakes so they could have better cell service, and assisted numerous fire departments and rescue responders throughout Chittenden County. He was well loved and respected by his employees.

Paul was an exceptionally sunny and upbeat person. He had a great love for flying, and for all things aviation. He died at the top of his game, doing what he loved to do. Paul and Judi were to have been “snowbirds” in the fly-in community of Hilltop Lakes, Texas, where they had a second home. Paul’s plane went down on the final approach.

Paul was truly a larger-than-life man who was an inspiration and hero to so many.

A prayer service was held to celebrate Paul’s life at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church, Vergennes. In Paul’s memory donations may be sent to the Hilltop Lakes Fire Department, 6 Spring Road, Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871. To send online condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com.

William White

EAST HAMPTON, Conn. — William Francis White, 69, of East Hampton, Conn., died Wednesday, Sept. 16, at Middlesex Hospital. He was the husband of 47 years of Pamela “Penny” (Rand) White.

Born in Waltham, Mass., July 28, 1940, a son of the late Paul R. and Rita Beattie White, he was raised in Ferrisburgh. He graduated from Vergennes High School.

He was a long-time resident of East Hampton. He was the proprietor of PBW Enterprizes and had served an enlistment in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Teamsters Local No. 671 and the Odd Fellows No. 56.

Besides his wife Penny, he is survived by his son, Brian White and his wife Dawn of Modesto, Calif.; his daughters, Rita Michaud and her husband Mitch, Rachel Farkas and her husband Lee, Rebecca Godwin and her husband Jeff, all of East Hampton, Phyllis Rodgers and her husband Gordon of Lebanon, and Polly White and her partner Bill Taylor of East Hampton.

Also, his sister, Bridget Leopold of Bristol; his brothers, Albert White of Ferrisburgh, Jack White of Vermont and Scott White of Essex; his stepmother, Marjorie White of Milton; his stepsisters, Patricia of Mallett’s Bay, Jill of Winooski and Helene of Oregon; stepbrothers, Richard of Essex, and Bruce, of Virginia; his sister- and brothers-in-law, Charlie Anderson of Middletown, Conn., Theodore and Lynn Rand of Pennsylvania, and James and Patricia Rand of Moosup, Conn.; 23 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brother, Paul R. White Jr.

Graveside funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 26, at the North Ferrisburgh Cemetery in North Ferrisburgh.

Obituaries 9/24/09

Earl Blackmer

RUTLAND — Earl Winslow Blackmer, 78, of Rutland, died Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at Rutland Health & Rehabilitation Center.

He was born in Brandon on Aug. 15, 1931. He was the son of Neil and Chloie (Moore) Blackmer.

He received his education in local Brandon schools.

He joined the U.S. Army in June 1952 and served in combat in Korea, where he received the Combat Infantryman’s Badge. Following his honorable discharge he returned home and began a career as a truck driver. He drove service trucks, logging trucks and delivery trucks all his life. He was forced to retire due to illness in 1989.

He was a resident of Rutland for over 50 years. His family says he was an avid hunter and fisherman. He belonged to American Legion Post 31 in Rutland.

He is survived by his wife Pearl (Wheeler) Blackmer of Rutland, whom he married June 12, 1954, in Brandon; one son, Richard Blackmer of Londonderry; two brothers, Neil Blackmer Jr. of Granville, N.Y., and John Blackmer of Wardsboro; three sisters, Ruth Stevens of Bellows Falls, Glendean Gould of West Rutland and Mary Proulx of Rutland; three grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousin.

He was predeceased by a brother, George Blackmer, and two sisters, Helen Aines and Casse Hesse.

A graveside committal service will take place on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 10 a.m. at the family lot in Pine Hill Cemetery in Brandon. The Rev. Margaret Fletcher, rector of St. Thomas & Grace Episcopal Churches, will officiate.

There are no public calling hours.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Earl Blackmer Memorial Fund, c/o Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home, 26 Franklin St., Brandon, VT 05733.

Robert Cole

ABILENE, Kan. — Robert P. Cole, 78, of Bennington, Kan., died Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, at the Village Manor in Abilene, Kan.

He was born July 10, 1931, in Middlebury, the son of Frank and Pauline (Preston) Cole.
He was a dairy farmer in Ottawa County, Kan., for many years. He also worked on a family farm in Saline County, Kan., until he went to the nursing home in Abilene, where he remained until his death.

He is survived by six children, Paul and Candy Cole of Bennington, Kan., Bill and Bea Cole of Maryville, Tenn., Keith and Pam Cole of Minneapolis, Kan., Frank and Sandra Cole of Bennington, Kan., James and Julie Cole of Clay Center, Kan., and Marilyn and Cory Connelly of Tescott, Kan.; a brother, Bill Cole of Middlebury; two sisters, Barbara Smith of Shelburne and Patricia Conner of Dalton Gardens, Idaho; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Virginia Edson and Jean Ann Carter; a grandson, Michael Cole; and a great-grandson, Ethin Cole.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Bennington Bible Church in Bennington, Kan., with the Rev. James Byers officiating.

Burial with military honors followed in the Bennington Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Village Manor or the Bennington Playground Fund and may be left in care of Wilson Shields Funeral Home, www.wilsonshields.com.

Elizabeth Collins

MIDDLEBURY — Elizabeth R. Collins, RN, 92, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at Porter Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

She was born May 25, 1917, in Waterbury, Conn., the daughter of the late Domenic and Agnes (Campbell) Rinaldi.

Elizabeth was chosen from her eighth-grade class as a state delegate to attend a nationwide conference of young people in Washington, D.C.

Elizabeth graduated from Crosby High School in Waterbury, Conn., and graduated from the Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing, Waterbury, Conn. When Elizabeth was a nursing student and Ray was an intern at Waterbury Hospital, their eyes met as she was descending the stairs and Ray was walking down the hallway. It was love at first sight. They were married on June 29, 1940, in Middlebury, Conn. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this June.

She loved caring and cooking for her family and writing to them bi-weekly. Her hobbies were tending to her flower and vegetable gardens, knitting, reading and listening to VPR and opera music. Her favorite pastime was listening to and watching the birds.

Elizabeth was a member of the Porter Hospital Auxiliary and the Middlebury Congregational Church where she was a Sunday school teacher for many years.

Elizabeth leaves behind her beloved husband, Ray W. Collins, MD; their daughters, Elizabeth “Betsy” Mack and husband Lewis Noble, of Granby, Conn., Louise Boutwell and husband “Reg” of Randolph, N.Y., and Nancy Collins, MD, and husband Brian Mahoney, MD, of North Oaks, Minn.; her sister, Isabel Simonds, RN, of Washington, Conn.; her grandchildren, Betsy Anne Vinton, PhD, and husband Griff of Rochester, N.Y., Katie Mahoney, MD, of Charlotte, N.C., Meredith Mahoney of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Dan Mahoney of Milwaukee, Wis.; her great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Audrey, and Natalie Vinton of Rochester, N.Y.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, Sidney Rinaldi.

There will be no services at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Porter Hospital Auxiliary, c/o Porter Hospital Development Office, 115 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753, or to the Vermont Association of the Blind at VABVI Development, 60 Kimball Ave., South Burlington, VT 05403, or to Addison County Home Health at PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Online condolences may be offered at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.

Kathleen Easton

MIDDLEBURY —Kathleen E. Easton of Middlebury died Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at Porter Hospital.

Born in Shoreham, she was the daughter of the late Russel J. and Florence (Fish) Easton.

She graduated from the University of Vermont and School of Retailing in Boston. In addition, she attended many summer sessions at New York University School of Retailing.

She taught home economics in Middlebury High School and retailing at Green Mountain College in Poultney. For several years she worked in Boston as director of personnel and training at Conrad and Chandler. When she returned to Vermont, she became executive housekeeper at Middlebury Inn.

Her family says she always enjoyed her work, wherever her career took her. She always felt fortunate to be in a position with good management, a good staff, good students, customers or guests.

She is survived by one sister, Jean McEdward of Middlebury; a cousin, Marjorie Douglas of Shoreham; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her brother, Glenn Easton, and two sisters, Pauline Bridges and Lorraine Bridges.

Graveside committal services will be held at the convenience of the family at Lakeview Cemetery in Shoreham.

Irene Berno

CORNWALL — Irene May Berno, 80, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at her home in Cornwall surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.

She was born Jan. 2, 1929, in Northfield, the daughter of Frederick and Fern (Spooner) Roux.
She grew up in Northfield and during her school years she won awards for her writing. She married Wendell G. Berno on Oct. 17, 1949. They lived in Northfield and Waterbury before moving to Cornwall in 1964. Together they raised seven children. Following their retirement, they traveled to visit friends and family in Arizona. Irene loved many different arts and crafts, especially painting, needlepoint and making dollhouses.

She was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her children, Lawrence of Ripton, Sandi of Cornwall, Paul of Middlebury, Vaughn and his wife Marie of Cornwall, Laura of Middlebury, David and his wife Dawn of Cornwall and Kevin and his wife Carla of Cornwall; 10 grandchildren, Jason Terk, Sarah Marcelle, Marci Terk, Casey Terk, Michelle Clark, and Tyler, Robyn, Adam, Brittany and Joshua Berno; and four great-grandchildren, Sadie and Kenny Marcelle and Kobe and Shae Terk. She is also survived by four brothers, Francis, Eugene, Andrew and Roger Roux, and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wendell; a brother, Robert; and a grandson, Matthew.
A Mass of Christian burial will was celebrated at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury, with the Rev. Brian O’Donnell as celebrant. Interment followed immediately at Evergreen Cemetery in Cornwall. There were no public calling hours.

Irene’s family offers sincerest thanks to Dr. Brad Armstrong and Addison County Home Health & Hospice for their loving care and support during this difficult time.

Memorial contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

Sarah Littlefield

GREENVILLE, R.I. — Sarah Peck “Sally” Littlefield died on Sept. 21, 2009, in Greenville, R.I.
She was born in 1927 in New Haven, the daughter of Earle H. Peck and Nita Osborne Peck. She graduated from Beeman Academy, and received a B.A. in English from Middlebury College and an M.S. in educational administration from the State University of New York at New Paltz.

She taught in a one-room rural school in Bennington and at North Bennington High School, and was a teacher in the English department in Goshen, N.Y., for 30 years, serving as chair for 10. During this time, she held leadership roles in multiple accreditation processes and played feature roles in numerous teacher musicals.

From 1982-1985, she wrote syllabi and texts for BOCES of Ulster and Orange Counties in New York. Among those texts, the fourth-grade “A Journey Through Time, a History of Orange County,” was published under the BOCES label.

Mrs. Littlefield was an active member of the Goshen (N.Y.) Methodist Church where she and her husband served in several different leadership capacities. Together they were instrumental in establishing the first day-care facility in town within the church facility.

Following a move to Shoreham in 1987, she served one year as interim principal at Shoreham Elementary School. Subsequent to her work in the Goshen and Shoreham schools, she served on their respective school boards.

She was a member of Pi State of Delta Kappa Gamma, having served as chapter president, and one of the first women invited to join the New Paltz chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary educational fraternity.

She and her husband Evan led very active post-retirement lives. The couple traveled extensively within the U.S. and abroad, touring Central America, Russia, Western Europe, South Africa, Canada and Asia. In both their retirement homes in Vermont and Florida, they volunteered at local courthouses, for favorite political causes, and at friends’ local businesses. She and her husband also participated at numerous Elderhostel events.

She was a staunch Vermonter, an environmentalist, a charter member of the Lake Champlain Restoration Association and a loving wife and mother.

Survivors are her husband of 61 years, Evan; daughter Gail and husband Terry Doeberl of West Redding, Conn.; and son Gary and wife Tina of Cumberland, R.I. Grandchildren include Kyle, Cassie and Tory Littlefield and Kristin Doeberl. Mrs. Littlefield also has a niece, Lee Sparks of Texas. Cousins Ramona Morse, Sadie Stowe and John Peck live in Vermont.

She was predeceased by a cousin, Carolyn Lord.

Lifelong friends include Claire Coon, Peg Rambo, David and Mary Lee Reese, Doris and Bob Weinberger, Bruce and Ginger Cullen, and Tom and Ella Johnson.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New Haven Congregational Church, Town Hill Rd., New Haven, VT 05472, or to Addison County Home Health & Hospice, PO Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753.

Walter Munzberg

BRANDON — Walter Charles Munzberg, 59, died Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

He was born in New York City on Dec. 10, 1949, the son of Conrad and Alexandria (Allen) Munzberg.

He received his education in local New York schools and attended Flushing (N.Y.) High School and Eastern Military Academy on Long Island.

He drove trucks for Kirsch Beverage and several other companies in New York and had also been a taxi driver in the city. He had also worked as a mate aboard several charter fishing boats out of Montauk, N.Y.

His family says he was an avid scuba diver and enjoyed street racing in his younger years. He loved animals and enjoyed working on old trucks. He lived in Brandon since 1986, moving there from Brooklyn.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Munzberg of Brandon, whom he married in Montauk, N.Y., on June 10, 1979; two daughters, Heather Munzberg of Brandon and Cheryl Munzberg of Rutland; and his mother, Alexandria Allen of Warrensburg, N.Y.

He was predeceased by his father, Conrad Munzberg, and a daughter, Kathryn Munzberg.
A memorial service in celebration of his life was held Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at 10 a.m., at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.

A private burial will take place at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733, or to the Rutland County Humane Society, 765 Stevens Rd., Pittsford, VT 05763.

Judson Severy

CORNWALL — Judson William Severy, 99, died Sept. 22, 2009, at his home in Cornwall.
He was born in Goshen to Ralph T. and Lena (Kinsman) Severy on Nov. 27, 1909.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1941, serving for four years in two campaigns in World War II in the Pacific Theater, where he was awarded the Bronze Star and other medals.

He married in 1951 Doris McNally and bought his beloved dairy farm, Everywind Farm in Cornwall, where they raised their children and farmed for 34 years. In his retirement, he served in various capacities in the town and church, amongst which he was a familiar character seen around town mowing and taking care of lawns until he was 97.

He was a frequent contestant in hand-mowing contests, served in town offices, and was an avid supporter of 4-H and FFA. He was a life member of 43rd Infantry Division Veterans Association, St. Paul’s Masonic Lodge in Brandon, VFW Post 7823 in Middlebury and the Cornwall Congregational Church. Relatives say he enjoyed traveling, gardening and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Doris; five children, Kendall and his wife Barbara of Middletown Springs, Robin and her husband John Sullivan of Orwell, Joseph and his wife Anne of Cornwall, Julia and her husband Wayne Reed of Cambridge, N.Y., and Matthew and his wife Donna of Cornwall; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five nieces; and one nephew.

He was predeceased by his younger brothers, Hugh in 1966 and Elmer “Curly” in 1996.

There will be no public calling hours. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Cornwall Congregational Church. A reception will follow at the Cornwall Town Hall.

Donations in his memory may be made to VFW Post 7823 in Middlebury, the Cornwall Volunteer Fire Department, St. Paul’s Lodge No. 25 of Brandon, Cornwall Congregational Church or the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Association.

Obituaries 09/17/09

Alma Davis
FERRISBURGH — Alma Ellen “Bou” Davis, 84, died Friday, Sept. 11, 2009, surrounded by family and friends at the home of her daughter, Pam Miner.

She was born May 16, 1925, in Burlington, the daughter of Henry and Marjorie (Shortsleeve) Bissonette.

Her relatives say she loved being outdoors, doing puzzles and helping family and friends. She especially enjoyed seeing her great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband, Vernon Roy Davis, whom she married Oct. 26, 1943; her brother, Richard Bissonette; and her grandson, Alan Davis.

She is survived by her sister, Margaret Chadwick of Wake Forest, N.C.; son Vernon “Micky” Davis of Elmer, N.J.; daughter Pam Miner and husband Larry of Ferrisburgh; daughter Lori Fulford and husband Daryll of Jacksonville, N.C.; and her grandchildren Loren L’Heureux, Peggy Nolan, Kellie Miner, Danielle Fulford, Samantha Fulford, Bethany Fulford, Eric Davis, Becky Spina, Sara Davis and Crystal Cartwright; as well as 16 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Lake View Cemetery in Addison on Friday, Sept. 18 at noon.

Contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

He was born in Rutland on Jan. 26, 1945. He was the son of James H. and Hilda (Green) Fredette. He grew up in Brandon, where he received his early education. He graduated from Otter Valley Union High School, class of 1963. Following graduation he joined the United States Army and served in Germany and Turkey.

Following his honorable discharge in 1968 he returned to Vermont and worked at General Electric in Rutland. He later joined the staff at Rutland Plywood for several years. He retired in 1998, due to illness, as a machine operator at Tucel Industries in Forest Dale.

He was a Shrewsbury resident since 2004. His family says he was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting. He was a member of Brandon American Legion Post 55 and a former member of Rutland American Legion Post 31.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Prescott Fredette of Shrewsbury, whom he married Feb. 5, 1965, in Brandon; three sons, Paul and his wife Ellen Fredette of White River Junction, Joseph and his wife Felicia Fredette of Rutland, and Zachary and his wife Nadine Fredette of Rutland; one daughter, Tammy and her husband John Knox of Rutland; two brothers, Charles and his wife Pam Fredette of White River Junction and Ronald and his wife Laura Fredette of Pownal; 12 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his mother, Hilda Fredette Brink, and a brother, Thomas Walter Fredette.

A private graveside committal service and burial with military honors will take place on Thursday, Sept. 17, in the family lot at Forest Dale Cemetery. The Rev. Margo Fletcher, rector of St. Thomas & Grace Episcopal churches, will officiate.

The family will receive friends at a reception at the Brandon American Legion Post 55 on Thursday, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

There are no public calling hours.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brandon American Legion Post 55, c/o Chuck Munger, Finance Officer, PO Box 55, Brandon, VT 05733.

BRISTOL — Velma May Morgan, 86, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury.

She was born May 31, 1923, in Lincoln, the daughter of Dayton and Abbie Gove Dwire.
She is survived by three daughters, Linda and Earl Stowe of Waterbury, Marlene and Donnie Robinson of Arkansas, and Judy and Richard Tatro of East Middlebury; three sons, Larry Morgan of Oklahoma, Dayton Morgan of Lincoln, and Michael Morgan of Middlebury; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Gladys Hunt of Colchester and Norma Miner of Middlebury; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. Interment will be in Maple Cemetery in Lincoln. Friends may call at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol on Thursday, Sept. 17, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehabilitation Center, 30 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753.

He was born in Middlebury on Dec. 9, 1938, the son of Burnham and Cleo (Delong) Bagley.
In 1962 he married his high-school sweetheart, Minda (Smith).

Harvey was drafted into the army in 1962. After his time in the service, he and Minda settled and raised their family in Salisbury. Harvey worked for Ralph Goodrich Construction for many years. In 1976 he and Minda purchased Taylor Rental, which they owned and operated for 25 years.

Harvey was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather. His grandchildren were his pride and joy and he found great happiness in being a big part of their lives. Harvey enjoyed serving his community as well and was a member of the Salisbury Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years and also shared his time and talents with the Salisbury Community School.

Harvey is survived by his wife Minda; his sons and their families, Rusty Bagley, his wife Wendy, children Laura and Heather and stepchildren Kylie, Lyndsie and Brooke; Kevin Bagley, his wife Joanne and children Mattea and Derek; Chris Bagley, his wife Nikki and son Ryan; and siblings Shirley Dwire, Keith Bagley, Roger Bagley and Debbie Bagley.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Anne.

There will be a graveside service at Holman Cemetery on Holman Road in Salisbury on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 1 p.m. Following the service there will be a gathering at the Salisbury Community School on Kelly Cross Road.

Memorial donations may be made to the Salisbury Community School Playground Fund, 286 Kelly Cross Rd., Salisbury, VT 05769.

He was born Aug. 29, 1922, in Tirns, Friesland, the Netherlands. He was the son of the late Anne and Fetje (Bakker) Dykstra.

He married Ann Vis on Nov. 2, 1944.

The family immigrated to the United States in 1959, where he farmed in Alburg, Vt., Phillipsburg, N.J., and New Haven, Vt., where he retired in 1988.

He was a member of the Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church, where he served many years of dedicated service as an elder. His family says in retirement he enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening and volunteering for Meals On Wheels.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Ann (Vis) of New Haven; five children, Andy and his wife Wieka of New Haven, Tom of New Haven, Clara deJong and her husband Dirk of Herkimer, N.Y., Fetje Brickey and her husband Peter of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Emily VanDeWeert of Panton; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Hilda Westerhoud and her husband Carl, and Jenny Hornema; two brothers, Riens Dykstra and Bob Dykstra and his wife Yvonne, all of Alberta, Canada; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by two sons-in-law, Frank Visser in 1976 and Donald VanDeWeert in 2006; one brother; and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 16, at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church in Vergennes, with interment in Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Champlain Valley Christian School, 2 Church St., Vergennes, VT 05491, or Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753.

The Rev. Brian O’Donnell, associate pastor, will be the celebrant.