Obituaries
• Celia M. Carley, 100, formerly of West Brattleboro. Died Nov. 10 at Vernon Hall, where she had been a resident for the past seven years. Wife of the late Marvin Carley for 38 years. Mother of Marvin F. Carley Jr. and his wife, Georgina, of Hinsdale, N.H.; and Mary C. Quinn and her husband, Gary, of Stafford Springs, Conn. Sister of Harry Morse of Vernon, Robert Morse of Guilford, Marion Bemis of Indiana, and the late Ralph, Harold, and Erlon Morse, Ruth Hamilton, Beatrice Brown, Mildred Clark, and Hazel Morse. Born in Canaan Center, N.H., the daughter of the late Clarence and Carrie (Humphrey) Morse, she moved to Brattleboro at an early age with her family. She graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1932. She was a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. For several years, she worked at the former J.E. Mann's store on Main Street, and in her earlier years had been employed by New England Telephone Co. as a telephone operator. A woman of faith, she was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro and also held membership in the Order of the Eastern Star, Bingham Chapter #30, in Brattleboro. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, and helping others. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in Morningside Cemetery will be private and will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to Vernon Hall Assisted Living, 13 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05345. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jacquelyn Rose Winter Costigan, 53, formerly of Jacksonville. Died Nov. 11 at her home in Old Lyme, Conn. Wife of John Costigan for 26 years. Mother of Mindy Winter and Kathryn Costigan. Sister of Sharon (Brett) Berry and the late Joe Winter. Born in Levittown, Pa., she was raised in Jacksonville. where her parents, Joseph and Shirley Winter, still reside. She met and married her husband in Amherst, Mass., in 1986, and she often spoke about how lucky they were to find each other. She loved being with him and they loved surprising one another. The Costigans moved to Old Lyme in 1994, where she almost immediately began some professional relationships that became close friendships and that have continued to the present day. She worked for many years at Checks and Balances. More recently, she worked behind the scenes at Coffee's Country Market. She also managed the office for Steve Hallahan, Housewright, for many many years. Although she was a busy professional, she made sure she was available for every major and minor school event for her kids. She liked to fix things and would do things for people “whether you liked it or not.” Memorial information: Services were held Nov. 17 at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home in Old Lyme. Donations to the Old Lyme Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 911, Old Lyme, CT 06371.
• Howard C. Dix , 84, of Wilmington. Died Nov. 11 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Former husband of Laura Dix of Wilmington. Father of Candace Dix and her fiance, Bruce Fuller; and Lorraine Saunders and her husband, Douglas, all of Wilmington; Charles “Skip” Dix and his wife, Terry, of Jacksonville; and the late Randall Dix. Brother of Eleanor Day of Rutland and the late Richard Dix. Born in Readsboro, the son of the late Charles H. and Edna (Bishop) Dix, he grew up in Wilmington and attended local schools. A lifelong carpenter, he first began work for Lincoln Haynes in 1943, leaving in 1950 for military service. He served in the Army during the Korean War as a carpenter and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant. Upon his return, he worked for John Willard and Philip Davis. He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved to hunt and snowmobile. He was the happiest when he was at his camp in the “Freezin' Hole,” and he liked it so much that he lived there for many years. Memorial information: A graveside service with military honors was held Nov. 17 at the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Vermont Veterans Home Activity Fund or any veterans organization, in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Glenn Jay Hade, 58, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Nov. 11 at his home that he built. Husband of Melissa White Hade for 34 years. Father of Shiloh LaMorder of Brattleboro and Adam Hade of Boston. Brother of George and Duane Hade. Born in Philadelphia, the son of the late John and Eva Hade. He served in Vietnam. The Hades lived in Enosburg Falls for 10 years before settling down in West Chesterfield for the last 25 years. He previously was employed at Bradley Labs, Pepsi-Cola, and Auto Mall, and also worked as a self-employed handy man for the last 15 years. He enjoyed carpentry and woodworking projects and took great pride his garden and lawn. He loved fishing and ocean trips with his family. He cherished his time and made many memories with his three grandsons Jacob, Mason and Lucas. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Nov. 17 at West Chesterfield Cemetery.
• James Holcomb, 53, of Guilford. Died Nov. 14 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from complications following a stroke. Longtime companion of Cindy Scione. Father of Sebastian Holcomb. Brother of Richard Holcomb, Emmy Bascom, Sheila Wood, Lynette Wood, and the late David Wood. The son of Doris (Potter) Bascom and the late William Holcomb, he attended Guilford Central School and Brattleboro Union High School, where he graduated in 1977. He enjoyed traveling, living for periods of time in New Mexico, Colorado, and Louisiana. He loved playing guitar, woodworking, camping, fishing, working on cars, rock music, and watching football on Sundays. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held at the Eagles Club in Brattleboro on Nov. 18.
• Rita J. Reyes, 91, of Londonderry. Died Nov. 9. Wife of the late Albert J. Reyes. Mother of Maria Reyes of Bennington, Christine and Rick Estey of Bristol, and Rita and Louie Masso and Barbara Hamel, all of South Burlington. Born in Harlem, N.Y., she exhibited a love of art from an early age. At Hunter College, she pursued her art talent. She met and married the love of her life and, soon after, they moved to Burlington to seek a better life for their family. She was instrumental in the formation and growth of the Al Reyes Insurance Agency, along with her husband. Together, they made a life of hard work, self pioneering, raising their family and giving to others, in particular the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill. She lived her life in an exemplary fashion, working hard, and with real concern and love for all members of her family. Memorial information: A memorial Mass was held Nov. 13 at St. Joseph's Chapel in Londonderry. Donations to your local humane society, in care of Brewster Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• John B. Sharkey, 65, of Westminster. Died Nov. 11. Father of Seth Sharkey of Flagstaff, Ariz., and Christine Edgerton of Alexandria, Va. Brother of Mary Sharkey of Westminster, Paul Sharkey of Ayer, Mass., Dennis Sharkey of Farmington, N.H., and the late Charles Sharkey. Born in Boston, the son of Ellen (Tracey) and the late John Sharkey. He attended school in Lexington, Mass., and earned a bachelor's degree from Suffolk University. With his brother, he was owner and operator of Business Resource Services in Woburn, Mass. John also created, with his mother and sister, the Clarendon Family Day Care, a nonprofit organization that helped feed 12,000 children. The Clarendon also provided child care for thousands of children from all communities across Massachusetts. The Clarendon was awarded the Victory Against Hunger award by the U.S. Congressional Hunger Center. He had a passion for learning, was an avid reader, and enjoyed all sports - especially skiing. He was also a great Patriots fan. He was an amazing father who loved his children dearly. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 17 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls.
• James D. Smith, 61, of Cambridgeport. Died Nov. 16 at his home. Husband of Dianne Fletcher) Smith for 40 years. Father of Tina Wyman of Grafton and Tara Taylor of Athens. Brother of Susan Hill of Pennsylvania. Born in Torrington, Conn., the son of the late Maynard and Irene (Fairbanks) Smith, he attended schools in Saxtons River and was a 1969 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. In his younger years, he worked for Bills' Farm and Wilson & Lawrence in Grafton. He worked for Unified Data and lastly for Grafton Village Cheese Co., where he retired because of his health. He loved hunting, camping, farming, and attending agricultural fairs. He also loved helping other people. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Nov. 20 at the Community Christian Church in Athens, with burial in Cambridgeport Cemetery. Donations to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or to Community Christian Church, P.O. Box 7, Cambridgeport, VT 05141.
• Paul Roswell Smith, 68, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 12 at his home. Husband of Raylene Smith for 31 years. Son of Mayolyn (Winter) and the late Norman Smith. Brother of Norman and Herbert Smith, Mary Perusse, Nancy Perusse, Norma Struthers, and the late Richard Smith. Born in Brattleboro, he had worked at the Brattleboro Retreat for many years, and most recently at Hannaford Supermarket in Brattleboro. He enjoyed the outdoors, and loved to hunt and fish. Memorial information: Graveside services were held Nov. 17 at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Irene Steffens, 86, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 19 at her home. Wife of the late Robert Steffens. Mother of Annie and the late Roberta Steffens. She had worked as a registered nurse for many years at different locations throughout her career. She loved music, watching public television, reading, Irish collections, and her Catholic faith. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 20 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with graveside services at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Marie H. Wurster, 92, formerly of Toms River, N.J. Died Nov. 9 at Thompson House, where she had been a resident for the past three years. Fiance of the late Jack Harrison. Aunt of Patricia Mangan and her husband, Ken, of Marlboro and Al Kircher and his wife, Diane, of Forty Fort, Pa. Sister of the late Frederick Wurster and Gerard Wurster. Born in Bronx, N.Y., the daughter of the late Frederick and Elizabeth (Kircher) Wurster, she was raised and educated in the Bronx, later attending commercial school in New York City. She spent her entire working career in banking where she was employed at Emigrant Savings Bank in New York City. She retired in 1985 as manager of the bank's 42nd Street branch following 40 faithful and dedicated years of service. She made her home with her beloved mother, brother and her Aunt Helen. She was very devoted to her family. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro and a former parishioner at St. Maximilian Kolbe Parish in Toms River. She was an accomplished artist and avid doll collector, and also enjoyed flower gardening. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 12 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial in the family lot in Calvary Cemetery in Woodside, N.Y. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Elaine Beam, Principal. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
Awards
• Julie Ball of Vernon received the Appreciation Pin at the annual meeting and awards ceremony of Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains on Nov. 3 at the Fireside Inn in West Lebanon, N.H. The Appreciation Pin is presented to individuals who have contributed to meeting one or more Council goals in membership growth and retention, fund development, or who have increased community visibility in a geographic area. She has served Girl Scouting in many roles over the years, from troop leader to leader of a Girl Scout community of troops, to staffer and trip director. Currently she's a District Learning Coordinator, which means that she oversees and supports all of the trainers in her district.
• The Vermont Historical Society recently honored several local historical societies for excellence. The Vernon Historians won an Award of Excellence in publications and oral history for their Guided Tour of Vernon. The award was presented to Barbara Moseley, who also won an Individual Award of Merit from the Vermont Historical Society for her contributions to the Vernon Historians. The Westminster Historical Society won an Award of Merit in publications and oral history for Westminster, Vermont 1735-2000: Township One.
Transitions
• Matthew Barone has been hired as Marlboro College's new director of marketing and communications. Barone, of North Smithfield, R.I., is an education communicator and administrator with more than 10 years' experience, most recently as the director of marketing and communications at Bancroft School in Worcester, Mass. He has also taught communications and public relations as an adjunct instructor at both University of Rhode Island and Salem State College.