Obituaries
• Barbara Jean Halpin Cain, 72, of Guilford. Died Nov. 17, 2018 at her home, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born in Barton on July 28, 1946, the oldest of 11 children of Kenneth and Pauline (Blais) LaBounty. She was raised and educated in Barton, attending St. Paul's Parochial School. She was a graduate of Sacred Heart High School in Newport, Class of 1964. She went on to graduate from Lyndon State College, where she received her bachelor's degree in education. Barbara was employed 35 years as a math teacher for Vermont Adult Learning in Brattleboro. Following her retirement, she continued to teach at the school on a voluntary basis. She was loved and respected by all her students and was known for her hands-on unique teaching style. Her first teaching assignments were at the Flood Brook School and the Brandon Training School. For several years, Barbara also worked at the former Grand Union Store and at the former Concel Company, both in Brattleboro. One of her greatest joys was reconnecting with her past students and seeing their success and achievements gained from their learning experience. Devout in her walk of faith, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She served on the parish Social Justice Committee, was an original board member of Brigid's Kitchen, and assisted with the annual Christmas Bazaar and St. Patrick's dinner. She also volunteered at St. Michael's School. She was a board member of CABA and volunteered at the Women's Freedom Center. In her leisure time, she enjoyed activities with her family, as well as reading, dancing, watching British television shows, as well as Perry Mason and Star Trek episodes, and was an avid conversationalist with a particular interest in politics. In 1967, she married James M. Halpin. They were married for seven years. She later married Michael J. Cain in 1993. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 25 years, she leaves a son, John D. Halpin (Katherine) of Mount Wolf, Pa.; a daughter, Kelly M. Young (Matthew) of Guilford; her siblings, James (Linda) LaBounty, Gloria (James) Pinkerton, Mary (Gerry) Petit, Linda (Armand) Pion, Joanne (Jerry) White, Dennis LaBounty, Brian LaBounty, and Richard LaBounty; two sisters-in-law, Arlean LaBounty and Kathleen Newton; four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by siblings, Patricia and Michael LaBounty. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 27 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen Renovation Fund or St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, Principal, or to Vermont Adult Learning, 90 Birge St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Judith M “Judie” Condon, 80, of Bellows Falls. Died Nov. 15, 2018. She was born on April 29, 1938, the daughter of Albert and Leila (Mooney) Freeman. She earned an associate's degree from Dean Junior College and worked as a seamstress. She was well-known in Bellows Falls for her skill with alterations and clothing repairs. She was a communicant of St. Charles Church. Judie loved her family and enjoyed spending time with them. She was a great cook and also enjoyed knitting and reading. In 1957, she married Laurence Condon, who predeceased her. Surviving are her children: Mary Hughes and her husband, Dan, of St. Johnsbury, Philip Condon of Boerne, Texas, David Condon and his wife, Tonia Erickson, of West Rutland, Brian Condon and his wife, Melanie, of Brattleboro, and Mark Condon and his wife, Dalila, of Bellows Falls; siblings Thomas Freeman and Kathleen Polizzi; and five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Nov. 24 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster.
• Jeanne Farr Semonite, 89, of Mebane, N.C., formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Nov. 20, 2018. She was born March 24, 1929 in Verona, N.J., the daughter of John and Marion (Hyer) Farr. At age 3, her parents moved to Vermont where she lived most of her life. She was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1947. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont in 1951 and taught school in West Hartford, Conn., and Middletown, N.J., before she was married. She met William “Bill” Semonite in college and they were married in 1953. They lived in Middletown until 1955, when they moved to Bellows Falls, built their own home on North Ridge Road, and raised their family. Bill entered his father-in-law's Studebaker automobile dealership, Farr's Garage. John Farr retired in 1962 and Bill and Jeanne took over the dealership, eventually becoming a Dodge and Chrysler dealer. He and Jeanne sold the business and retired in 1988. When her children were in school, she returned to teaching. She worked for the Rockingham School Department for 14 years as a reading teacher, and for Kurn Hattin Homes for five years. She also worked at Farr's Garage for several years as the secretary and treasurer of the business. She was one of the founders of the Bellows Falls Playschool, a member of the Bellows Falls Woman's Club, and a long-time member of the Women's Fellowship of the United Church of Bellows Falls. She had been on the planning and fundraising committees of the new church and later served on various boards. Her passion in life, besides her family, included her hobbies of gardening, knitting, pressed flower arrangements, traveling, reading, and working around her house. Family gatherings with her children and grandchildren were very special to her. Over the years, Bill and Jeanne took many trips to Germany and different parts of the United States to visit their son and grandchildren on various U.S. Army posts. They frequently spent winters on Hilton Head Island, S.C., and every summer traveled to their cottage and went sailing on Long Island, Maine. Jeanne especially enjoyed her retirement home in Mebane. She loved attending school and community events and was an active member of the Burlington Alamance Newcomers group. She is survived by a son, Todd, a Lieutenant General and Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers of Washington, D.C., and his wife, Connie; a daughter, Susan, Duke University Undergraduate Admissions, of Mebane, N.C.; and five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Jeanne was predeceased by her son, Scott, who was killed in a bicycle accident in 1965. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Nov. 25 at United Church of Bellows Falls, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Donations to United Church of Bellows Falls.
• Gordon “Buddy” Toussaint, 91, of Bellows Falls. Died November 15, 2018 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. He was born October 2, 1927, the son of Jennie (Hosmer) and Gideon Toussaint of Gageville. He was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1946. After graduation, he worked for his father's painting business, eventually purchasing it and expanding the business into Toussaint's Paint Center, a store in downtown Bellows Falls. He was proud to have worked in so many area homes. He was a member of the Benevolent Order of Elks #1619 for several years. He spent many hours volunteering for parties, and held different offices for the organization which he thoroughly enjoyed. In 1947 he married Irene Robbins, who survives. Also surviving are his sons Nelson and his wife, Kathye, Norman, Barry, Mark, and Tim and his wife, Robin; his daughters Virginia McGuire and her husband, Jerry, Margaret, Linda Straub and her husband, Ralph, and Maryann Brophy and her husband, Dan; 15 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by brother Ludger Toussaint, sister Helen Reed, granddaughter Billie-Jo McGuire, and grandson Bruce McGuire. Buddy's happiest moments were spending time with his family. He was a wonderful father to his nine children and a loving husband to his wife Irene for 71 years. His greatest hobbies were hunting, fishing and camping. He was also an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan. He will be missed by many, but will be forever in our hearts. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Dec. 15, at 11 a.m., at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls. Burial will follow in St. Charles Catholic Cemetery.
• Ruth E. Wells, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 17, 2018 at her home, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro on May 23, 1928, the daughter of Charles and Olga (Fredrickson) Holden, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1946. A devoted homemaker, she also worked in retail for Burrows Sport Shop and at the former Casual House, both on Main Street. Additionally, she had been employed for a short time at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She attended Trinity Lutheran Church for many years and served as a Sunday school teacher. In 1950, she was married to Winston K. “Brud” Wells, who predeceased her in 1984. Survivors include one son, Gary Wells of Chelmsford, Mass.; two daughters, Kimberly McKay and Linda Delano, both of Brattleboro; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Lynnette Holden, and four brothers, Stanley, Stuart, Herbert and Conrad Holden. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. Friends are invited to a celebration of her life to be held on Saturday, Dec. 1, at her home on Central Street, starting at 11 a.m. Donations to Bayada Hospice, P.B. Box 8081, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.