Obituaries
• Karen Eve Augusta, 70, of North Westminster. Died surrounded by family and friends on Oct. 26, 2019, in the home she loved, after her body lost its long battle with endometrial cancer. She was born Dec. 24, 1948, in Norwood, Mass., the first child of esteemed portrait artist George Augusta and fashion illustrator Gertrude “Minka” Minkevitch. She spent her childhood in Massachusetts and in Kennebunkport, Maine, where her father maintained his summer portrait studio. Her early immersion in the world of art developed into an innate appreciation of fashion and textiles that helped form her life and career. A vibrant and passionate soul, she had an eye for style, a love for flowers and colors and textures, and excellent taste in friends, who numbered in the hundreds. She also had a kind, tender heart and an infectious laugh. Karen was the co-owner of Augusta Auction Co., building the business into America's top specialty auction house for historic clothing and textiles. She ran this enterprise from a studio building along the river next to her rambling farmhouse, which she and her husband tirelessly restored. Her sales attracted worldwide attention from fashion connoisseurs, professional collectors and museums. Over her long career, Karen assisted more than 200 museums to identify, display and occasionally pare elements from their costume and textile collections. For 13 years, Karen was the costume appraiser for the hit PBS series, Antiques Roadshow, and was a featured expert on other PBS and network TV shows. She was a lifelong member of the Costume Society of America and served on many committees promoting the preservation of historic clothing. She also mentored many young people by providing internships for fashion and design majors, eager to share her knowledge with others. Through her efforts, tens of thousands of costume and textile treasures were saved and preserved during her long career. Karen was a 1971 graduate of Marlboro College and received a B.S. in biology and environmental issues. She also received a Doctorate in Experimental Higher Education from Nasson - New Division. Karen was involved in national and local preservation efforts and, with her husband, donated the riverfront parcel that enabled the protection of the Bald Hill/Pinnacle Association Preserve in Westminster. In 1998, along with a few other community members, Karen helped to create the independent Compass School in Westminster, an educational project very dear to her heart. She served as secretary and founding director on the Compass board for six years. The Compass School just celebrated its 20th year of educating area students. She is survived by her beloved husband, Robert Ross, and her adored son, Emery Ross, both of North Westminster. She is also survived by four siblings, Lauren of Oakland, Calif., Chris of Waldoboro, Maine, Philip of Kittery Point, Maine, and Marc of Fort Kent, Maine; a half-brother, Steve Onishi of Sharon, Mass., as well as numerous nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A celebration of Karen's life will be held in the spring of 2020 at her homestead, when the magnificent flower gardens she doted upon are in bloom. A time and date will be announced later. Donations to the Vermont Food Bank (www.vtfoodbank.org) or the Compass School in Westminster (802-463-2525).
• Steven Lee “Steve” Amsden, 72, of Windham, Died Oct. 24, 2019 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a brief illness. Steve was born in Springfield, Vt., on March 6, 1947, the son of Everett Leon and Doris Holman (Ferguson) Amsden. He was raised and educated in Windham and was a graduate of Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon. He worked as a truck driver most of his life, employed by Vermont Talc, the Town of Windham, and Larry Brown Excavating before eventually establishing his own business, Amsden Trucking, which he operated until retiring in December 2013. Steve was a devoted family man whose life centered around his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was a hard-working man and was considered a “jack of all trades.” He loved life and enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, maple sugaring every spring, and cooking. He will be remembered for his delicious recipes and “comfort food” dishes, as well as his famous baked beans. Steve was also known for his spirit of friendship, unique sense of humor, and being always willing to lend a helping hand for anyone in need. In 1968, he married Marcia Underwood, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 51 years he leaves two sons, Steven of Windham and Scott of Townshend; one daughter, Michele Amsden of Wilmington; three brothers, David of Burlington, Gerald of Windham, and Brian of Northfield, Vt.; and one sister, Christine Massey of Claremore, Okla. Additionally, he is survived by four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Michael. Memorial information: A memorial service in celebration of his life will be conducted at a future date. Donations to The Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 911, Londonderry, VT 05148 or to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Beulah Hazel “Bu” Bailey, 81, of East Dover. Died peacefully Oct. 26, 2019 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a brief illness. She was born in Concord, Mass., the daughter of Howard and Portia (Hardy) Tracy. Just prior to her senior year of high school, she moved to Suffield, Conn., with her family and was a graduate of Suffield High School, Class of 1956. While a resident in Suffield, she was a part-time bus driver for 10 years for The Mini Bus, which provided transportation for seniors and handicapped children and adults. She later moved to East Dover, where she had resided for the past 30 years. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother and grandmother whose life centered around her family. Steadfast in her lifelong walk of faith, she was a member of the South Newfane Baptist Church and a former member of the First Baptist Church of Agawam, Mass. She was very active within both churches and taught Sunday school for many years. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and hiking. She also enjoyed crafts and time shared with her family. In 1959, she married Kendall G. “Ken” Bailey, who survives. Besides her husband of 60 years, she leaves two sons, Scott Bailey and his wife, Deborah, of West Springfield, Mass., and Byron Bailey and his wife Beth of Suffield, Conn.; two sisters, Mary Reed of Raymond, N.H., and Ruthann Bailey of Townshend; four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Phyllis Hogan and Pauline “Pat” Jones; two brothers, Howard and Charles Tracy; and a step-brother, Alfred Tracy. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Nov. 2 at 1 p.m., at the South Newfane Baptist Church, with burial in South Newfane Cemetery. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT 05353. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lillie-Mae (Johnson) Blodgett, 93, of Vernon. Died peacefully on Nov. 3, 2019 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She was born in Brattleboro on June 7, 1926 to Oscar B. Johnson Sr. and Gertrude (Bailey) Johnson. She grew up in Brattleboro and Guilford, graduating eighth grade from Algiers School in Guilford in 1940. While four of her siblings served in World War II, she worked at the Spaulding factory on Birge Street, stitching baseballs and stringing tennis rackets. At 17, she became a telephone operator in Brattleboro, back when even a local call needed the operator for a connection. She married Earle T. Blodgett in 1946 and moved to Vernon where she became part of the R.E. Blodgett & Sons Dairy Farm. She worked alongside her husband, putting her hand to many aspects of farm work. Lillie-Mae was always a loving and loyal wife, and supportive mother and grandmother. She had been a much loved, spunky and spirited resident of Vernon Green Nursing Home. She will be greatly missed by all. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Earle in 1977, her siblings, Robert Johnson, Martha Johnson, Oscar Johnson Jr. and Beverly Skibniowski, and a great grandchild, Joshua. She is survived by her son Donald and his wife, Nancy, of Vernon; her daughter Jeanne Mears and her husband, Michael, of Hummelstown, Pa.; her brother Frederick Johnson of Bernardston, Mass., and six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, at 11 a.m., at Advent Christian Church in Vernon, with burial in Tyler Cemetery. A reception will follow at the church. There will be a calling hour from 10 a.m. until the time of the service at the church on Saturday. Donations to the Vernon Green Activity Fund, 61 Greenway Dr. Vernon, VT 05354. Kidder Funeral Home in Northfield, Mass., is in charge of arrangements.
• Sylvio L. “Shorty” Forrett, 92, of Dummerston. Died peacefully Oct. 24, 2019 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Shorty was born in Brattleboro on June 20, 1927, the son of Fred and Alice (Momaney) Forrett. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending St. Michael's Parochial School and St. Michael's High School. While attending high school, Shorty was very active with the Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping and summer vacations at Camp Plymouth as well as hiking Mount Wantastiquet and weekend camping at the Druke family farm in Newfane. As a young man, Shorty answered his nation's call and served his country in the Army Air Forces during World War II, completing radio school in Scott Field in Illinois. All five sons in the Forrett family followed in his footsteps and proudly served their country in the armed forces. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home and went to work as service manager at the former Montgomery Ward store for 22 years. When the Brattleboro store closed, he went on to work in the repair service department for Brown & Roberts Hardware, which he retired from following over 20 faithful and dedicated years with the Putnam family. Active civically, he served on the Selectboard for the town of Dummerston for 25 years, was on the Board of Trustees and served as treasurer for Rescue Inc., and was a Windham County Deputy Sheriff under the late William Graham. For many years, he planted and maintained the flowers at the West Dummerston War Memorial. In June 21, 1952, he married Mary Matteson, who survives. Besides his loving and faithful wife of 67 years, he leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews as well as a host of friends and his extended family at Vernon Green Nursing Home. He was predeceased by his parents, two sisters, Mary Ann Worden and Florence Blodgett, and four brothers, Frederick, Nelson, Gordon and Franklin Forrett. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites with full military honors were conducted Nov. 2 in the family lot in Taft Cemetery in West Dummerston. Donations to the West Dummerston War Memorial Fund, Town of Dummerston, 1523 Middle Road, Dummerston, VT 05346 or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Reginald T. “Reg” Lowe, 71, of Jamaica. Died peacefully on Oct. 26, 2019 at home, after a lengthy illness. The sixth child of Herman and Lila (Brooks) Lowe, he was born in Wardsboro at the Forester home on March 9, 1948. He attended Jamaica Village School. Reg served in the Army in the 82nd Airborne Division from December 1967 to July 1969, when he was honorably discharged after serving in Vietnam as a sergeant. In his time in the service, he acquired the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal and was rated as Expert in rifle marksmanship. Reg returned from Vietnam and married Sheila Bartlett in 1971. He also returned to work at Stratton Corporation, where he worked as a lift operator, snow maker, and a lift mechanic for 34 years. In addition to working at Stratton, he was also a logger and a caretaker. He was a lifelong resident of Jamaica, where he enjoyed hunting, the Red Sox, farming, his grandchildren, and sugaring. He enjoyed spending time at Camp Lowe with his family, playing cards, checkers, and occasionally seeing deer. He is survived by his wife of 47 years; sisters Phyllis and Wink Roberts, Barbara Lowe and Robert Arms; daughter Pam and Roy Coburn; son Chris and Julie Lowe; son Ben Lowe and Sara Bernard; and daughter Josie and Ronnie Betit; and six grandchildren. Reg was predeceased by his parents, and by brothers Herman Jr., Paul, David, and Wally Lowe. Memorial information: Per Reg's wishes, there might be a service…“unless something comes up”…and something always comes up. Translation: There will be no service. To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Irene Elizabeth Miller, 69, of Vernon. died Thursday, October 24, 2019 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., following an extended illness. She was born in Brattleboro on March 13, 1950, the daughter of Glenn Harold and Dorothy Minnie (Pierce) Chapman. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1968. She had been a resident of Vernon since 1974. She was employed by the U.S. Postal Service, working as a mail carrier and in the capacity of postmaster relief, working out of the Vernon Post Office and, previously, the Northfield, Mass., Post Office. Prior to joining the postal service, Irene worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro and in the town office in Vernon. Irene was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A woman of faith, she had attended the Windham Community Chapel in Dummerston. She enjoyed genealogy, quilting, working in her flower garden and time shared with her family. Irene was also an avid reader. In 1971, she married David A. Miller, who survives. She also leaves a son, John Miller of North Kingstown, R.I.; a daughter, Kerri Miller of Seattle, Wash; a sister, Betty Weatherhead of Guilford; a brother, Ronald Chapman of Greenville, S.C.; and two grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by four brothers, James, Roy, Robert and Russell Chapman, and two sisters, Marilyn Best and Kim Leiterman. Memorial information: In keeping with Irene's final wishes, there are no formal services scheduled. Donations to a charity of one's choice. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.