Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Marion E. Bird, 84, of Jacksonville. Died Dec. 6 at Poet's Seat Nursing Home in Greenfield, Mass. Wife of the late Justin Carrier for 19 years, and Carroll “Babe” Bird for the past 42 years. Mother of Keith Carrier and wife, Colette, of Augusta, Ga.; Sherry Adams of Whitingham; Jon Carrier and his wife, Judy, of Jacksonville, and Michael and Lynn Carrier of Whitingham. Stepmother of David Bird of Woodbrook, Conn., and Alan Bird of Brattleboro. Predeceased by siblings Edson Tefft, Alfred Tefft, Merrill Tefft, Gerald Tefft, Lyman Tefft, Arlene Putnam, Elizabeth Hescock, Kathleen Russell, and Marjorie Beaudoin. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Walter and Minnie (Hescock) Tefft, she grew up in Whitingham and was a 1945 graduate of Whitingham High School. She had worked as a reporter for the North Adams Transcript, covering events and news in Whitingham. She also worked winters at Mount Snow, and had been employed at Gates House Restaurant, Readsboro Chair Shop, Coombs Maple Products and Sadawga Lake House. For many years, she had been the cook at the Whitingham School. She was a member of the Community Church of Whitingham, Ladies Benevolent Society, American Legion Auxiliary in Readsboro, Jacksonville-Whitingham Homemakers (of which she had served as president for many years), and was a Whitingham Library Trustee. She was an avid reader and enjoyed singing in the Whitingham Church Choir, dancing, country music, and going out to eat at area restaurants and at the Jacksonville senior meal site. She will be remembered as a people person who had the ability to relieve stress in people with her uplifting personality and good humor. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 9 at the Community Church of Whitingham, with a private burial in the Sadawga Cemetery. Donations to either the Ladies Benevolent Society or Whitingham Ambulance Service, in care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Frances G. Draper, 90, of Benson, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 2 at her home. Wife of the late Robert F. Draper for 48 years. Mother of Robert Draper Jr. of Benson and Lawrence Draper of Brattleboro. Sister of Elizabeth Morgan of Elyria, Ohio, and the late Glenna Cassell, Barbara DeMag, Edith Ball, and Charles George. Born in St Albans, the daughter of the late Edward and Lucinda (Robinson) George, she was raised and educated in Fletcher, and was a graduate of Bellows Free Academy, Class of 1940. She later attended a business school in Burlington and in 1974 earned her L.P.N. from the Thompson School for Practical Nursing in Brattleboro. She had been employed as a nurse at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital working on the med-surgical floor, retiring from BMH in 1983. On a part-time basis, she worked for Northeast Medical Co., performing physical exams for the agency. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro for 40 years. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, fishing, gardening, and reading. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 8 at St. Michael's Catholic Church with interment in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to the First Response Squad of Benson, P.O. Box 199, Benson, VT 05731. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert Everett, 85, of West Dennis, Mass. Died Nov. 28, in Naperville, Ill. Husband of Giuseppa “Josie” Cicioni for 45 years, Former husband of June Forsythe for 9 years. Father of Jerelyn Wilson of Dummerston, Clifton Everett of Columbia, Md., Stephanie Holland of Naperville, Ill., Lillian Dotolo of Virginia Beach, Va., Renata Valladares of Salvador, Brazil, and the late Nancy Everett Hight. Born in Watertown, Mass., he graduated from Tufts University in 1948 and embarked on a lifelong career with General Electric, taking a three-year leave in 1951 to serve in the Korean War. His career at GE was mostly spent as a financial manager and executive officer in the company's South American operations until his retirement in 1986. Throughout his life and travels, he was devoted to music, sailing, tennis, and large family gatherings on Cape Cod. He participated in Junior Achievement, was active with various organizations in South America, and played the clarinet in the Harwich Town Band after retiring. After suffering a stroke six years ago, he remained a powerful presence and family “magnet.” He was cared for by his wife and with the help of the large family whose bonds he had nourished over the decades. Memorial information: A memorial service will take place at his home on Cape Cod in July 2012.
• Rose Kampler Kagan Filler, 94, of Plantation, Fla. Died Dec. 5 at Westside Medical Center in Plantation. Wife of the late Harry Kagan for nearly 50 years and the late Harold Filler for 11 years. Mother of Joyce Marcel, and her husband Randolph T. Holhut, of Dummerston, and the late Bernard Kagan. Stepmother of Beth and Raymond Filler. Sister of the late Bernard Kampler. The daughter of the late Benjamin and Florence (Goodman) Kampler, she grew up in Far Rockaway, N.Y., where she began her theatrical career at the age of 14. Early on, she switched from acting to dance and studied professionally in New York at the avant-garde New Dancer's Studio, a studio based on the modern dance techniques of Doris Humphries and Charles Weiderman. After she married Harry, she began a long career teaching modern and ballroom dance in their finished basement, while she still spent every Wednesday in New York City studying dance at the New Dance Group and then catching one of her beloved Broadway musicals. When she and Harry moved to Lauderdale West, a senior housing community, in the early 1970s, she found a well-appointed theater and committed theater people. For the next 35 years she performed, danced in, choreographed, wrote and directed musical plays. She turned many of the new residents into stars, but no one was more of a star, or had more charisma on stage, than she did. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Dec. 6 at Levitt-Weinstein Memorial Chapel in Tamarac, Fla. Donations to Doctors Without Borders ([email protected]) or the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Martha J. Fox, 74, of Brattleboro, formerly of Jacksonville, Died Dec. 3 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Sister of Reginald and his wife, Julia, of Jacksonville. Born in Whitingham, daughter of the late Albert and Bessie (Reynolds) Fox, she graduated from Whitingham High School in 1955. In the fall of 1955, she became ill with polio, which led to disabilities, but it never did stop her from living a full life. She worked at Adams Mill and was a bookkeeper for various area businesses. In 1962, she went to work for Whitingham High School as a secretary, and continued until her retirement in June 2003. She loved reading, doing jigsaw puzzles, and playing Scrabble. Her main joy was visiting with her family and many friends. In 2003, she moved to Holton Home in Brattleboro. Memorial information: At her request, there will be no formal funeral services. She will be buried beside her parents in Jacksonville Cemetery. Donations to Holton Home, 158 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Allen S. Halberg, 78, of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 3 at McGirr Nursing Home in Bellows Falls. Husband of Judith (Hey) Halberg for 52 years. Father of Jonathan Halberg and his wife, Jill Fontaine, of New Hampshire; David Halberg and his wife, Kae Erickson, of California; and Deborah Halberg of Rockingham. Born in Waltham, Mass, the son of the late Dorothea (Anderson) and George Allen Halberg, he was a graduate of North Quincy High School and Eastern Nazarene College where he received a Bachelor of Theology degree, and from Keene State College with a Master of Education degree. He served as general secretary of the Middleboro (Mass.) YMCA, and the part-time pastor of the Scotland Trinitarian Congregational Church in Bridgewater, Mass. The Halbergs moved to Bellows Falls, where he became the executive director of the Fall Mountain YMCA, where he started the “Y” Day Camp and the Bellows Falls Area Senior Center. He became a science teacher at Bellows Falls Middle School, where he also coached winning boys' basketball teams. During those same years, Allen became the part-time director of the Rockingham Recreation Department and he re-opened the Bellows Falls Opera House. He was also an elected Justice of the Peace for many years, and served on the Rockingham Memorial Hospital's Endowment Board, the Council on Aging, and the Windham Youth Services Diversionary Board. He was a member of the Retired Educators Association, the town and county Republican Committees, and the United Church of Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 10 at the United Church of Bellows Falls, with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Rockingham Recreation Department, P.O. Box 370, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, attn. Kerry Bennett.
• Derwood Alonzo “Dut” Harris, 89, of Townshend. Died Dec. 5 at his home. Husband of Marion Faith Ballantine Harris for 67 years. Father of Nancy Savoy and her husband, Roy, of Oshkosh, Neb.; Beverly Harris and her husband, Guy, also of Oshkosh, Neb.; Janet Harris and her husband, Dale, of Tunbridge; Carol Harris Nilges of Townshend; Sally Harris and her husband, Bruce Cutts, of Brookline; and Katherine (Harris) Nau of Castle Rock, Colo. Brother of Thelma Neff of DeBarry, Fla., Bernice Bratton of Sutherlin, Ore., and Charlene Libby of Colorado Springs, Colo. Born in Townshend, the son of the late Guy Edward Harris and Ella May (Bratton) Harris, he was seventh of 13 children. He worked in the woods, logging with his father for Eastern Lumber before World War ll. During the war, he served in the Army's 2nd Armored Division and fought across Europe in 1944 and 1945. After the war, he worked as a logger, a farmer at the Benson Fuller Farm, and as a truck driver for Don Long, Fisher Oil, and Kearley Fuel. During retirement, he worked part time for the town of Townshend, operating the trash compactor for 15 years. He enjoyed working with horses and was known as an exceptional teamster. He was also a great harmonica player. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion, serving as Commander, and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars. Memorial information: A graveside service was held at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend on Dec. 12. Donations can be made to Athens Community Christian Church or the Wardsboro Friends of the Library.
• Roger S. Howes, 90, formerly of Readsboro. Died Dec. 7 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Wife of the late Alice Beecher. Father of Jason Howes and his wife, Jackie, of Jacksonville; Barry and his partner, Paula Houghton, of Readsboro; and Barbara Bird and her husband, Chick, of Wilmington. Born in Ashfield, Mass., the son of Arthur and Filixena (Dandeneau) Howes, he served in the Navy during World War II. After the war, he went to work for New England Power Co. as an electrician in Readsboro for many years. He loved to golf, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and following the Boston Red Sox, In his earlier years, he enjoyed bowling. He enjoyed his home and spending time with his family. Memorial information: At the request of the family, there will be no formal funeral service. Donations to the Vermont Veterans Home Activities Fund, in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Viola B. Morse, 102, formerly of Wilmington. Died Dec. 5 at Prospect Nursing Home in North Bennington, less than three hours from her 103rd birthday. Wife of the late Harry F. Morse for 26 years. Mother of Marilyn M. Howard, and her husband, Douglas, of Glen Mills, Pa.; Annette M. Waldo, and her husband, Dudley, of Titusville, Fla.; and the late Kendall and Charles Morse. Born in Wilmington, she was the daughter of the late Willie G. and Ada (Wheeler) Bishop. She was a 1926 graduate of Wilmington High School, and later graduated from a teachers' training program in Brattleboro. She taught in a one-room schoolhouse in Heartwellville and Whitingham until her marriage to Harry F. Morse of Whitingham in 1930. They purchased a farm a half-mile west of her parents and started farming. In 1949, the Morses became grain dealers for Blue Seal Feeds. For seven years after her husband's death in 1950, she continued to sell milk all the while raising her children. She then raised young heifers to be sold for milking cows for a few years. She continued working in the grain business with the assistance of her son, Kendall, until she was 93 years old and received many honors from Blue Seal Feeds. She was a widely respected businesswoman long before most women were accepted in the business world. She was an active member of the Vermont Farm Bureau and was chosen as Farm Woman of the year in 1985. She was a member of the Wilmington Baptist Church. She participated in and won awards for her family floats in Old Home Week parades. One of her great pleasures was picnicking with her family at the Somerset Reservoir. She enjoyed sledding in the snow and did so almost every year of her life. She was known and respected for her common sense and homespun wisdom. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 10 at Jacksonville Community Church, with a private interment at Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. Donations to the Pool Learning Center, P.O. Box 973, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Jeannine A, Rawson, 63, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 26 at her home. Mother of Jeannine Barnard and Joey Rawson, both of Brattleboro. Sister of Linda Torres of Northfield, Mass., Albert “Butch” Rawson of Manchester, N.H., and the late James Rawson. Born in Teaneck, N.J., the daughter of Albert and Isabelle (Tillman) Rawson. Raised and educated in Hackensack, N.J., she moved to Brattleboro approximately 30 years ago. For several years, she worked at the former BLT Market on lower South Main Street and for Valley Fund Raisers. She was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed travel, especially with her older sister. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 10 at First Baptist Church in Brattleboro. Donations to a charity of one's choice. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard S. Wrobel Sr., 79, of Spofford, N.H. Died Dec. 2 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. Husband of the late Ernestine “Puggy” (Moon) Wrobe. Father of Richard Wrobel Jr. and Douglas Wrobel, both of Spofford, Michael Wrobel of Keene, and Stephen Wrobel and his wife, Karen, of Hinsdale, N.H. Born in Dummerston, the son of the late Alexander and Charlotte Wrobel, he was an Army sergeant serving during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of VFW Post 1034 in Brattleboro. He owned and operated Forestview Farms on Route 9 in Spofford for 40 years. Memorial information: Funeral services will be private.
• Charlotte Ruth Young, 78, formerly of Marlboro. Died Dec. 6 at Thompson House. Wife of the late Robert D. Young for 41 years. Mother of Robert Young Jr of Hinsdale, N.H.; Alan Young and his wife, Barbara, of Marlboro; Theresa Powling and her husband, Robert, of Marlboro; and Juanita Young, also of Marlboro. Sister of Roger Mason of Keene, N.H., Shirley Leary of Brattleboro, and the late Stanley Mason. Born in Halifax, the daughter of the late Osmond and Ruth Dalrymple Mason. she was raised and educated in Halifax, where she attended public school. For many years, she had been employed as a welder for Kohler Manufacturing in Marlboro, Mass., retiring in 1996. Previously, she worked at the former American Optical Company in Brattleboro. She enjoyed playing Bingo, fishing, and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held Dec. 9 in the Young family lot in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, N.H. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
Births
• In Asheville, N.C., Dec. 3, 2011, a son, Marcel Aldrich Christie, to Matthew Aldrich Christie and Stephanie Lauren Hellert; grandson to Elizabeth Christie of Putney, the late John Aldrich Christie, and Bill Hellert and Faith Wheeler of Washington, D.C.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Nov. 27, 2011, a son, Landon William Gokey, to Kimberly Morse and Allen Gokey II of Brattleboro; grandson to Allen Gokey I and Sylvia Gokey, William F. Morse Sr., and Amanda Dryden; great-grandson to Ralph and Lucille Morse, Carol and Louie Dryden, and Susan Mason.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Nov. 1, 2011, a daughter, Melia Ellie Rose, to Amber (Webster) and Bill Rose of Dummerston; granddaughter to Donna Zolnoski, Reed Webster of Saxtons River, Autumn Wadsworth, and Morris Wadsworth of Salem, N.Y.
In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 25, 2011, a son, Gabe Landyn Walling, to Chris Walling and Nikki Howe of Whitingham; grandson to Lloyd and Sandy Walling of Woodstock, Conn., Chris and Skip Goodman of Swanton, and Mel Martin and Pat Howell of Newfane.
College news
• Hannah Greene, from Wilmington, is a first-year student this fall at Pace University's New York City campus.