Obituaries
• Carolyn Joan Lamoureux Brooks, 82, of Cleveland, Georgia, formerly of Brattleboro and Dummerston. Died at her home on Oct. 18, 2022. Carolyn will be lovingly remembered by her partner Robert K. Davis; son Todd A. Brooks (his wife Kelly); daughter Kelly Brooks Wicker (her husband Mace); brother-in-law Stephen A. Brooks (his wife Holly); sister Shirley Lamoureux LeClair; brother Joseph Lamoureux Jr. (his wife Phyllis); five grandchildren, and two nieces and two nephews as well as her many friends, neighbors and colleagues both in Vermont and Georgia. Carolyn was predeceased by her parents Joseph Lamoureux and Mary Rose Benoit Taylor; in-laws Mortimer E. and Mary Clark Brooks; loving husband of 41 years David Merle Brooks; niece Mary Ward Flores; nephews John and Stanley Ward; and the many cats and dogs that were part of her family. Carolyn was born in Brattleboro in November 1939, where she lived throughout her early years. She was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1958. Carolyn and her husband, David, were married in February 1958 and made their home in West Dummerston village. After years of raising her family and painting houses with her father-in-law Mortimer, Carolyn graduated from the Thompson School for Practical Nursing in 1975. In 1985, Carolyn earned her A.S. from Southern Vermont College, graduating as a Registered Nurse. She worked for many years at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, covering shifts on many different floors and units. She also provided private duty nursing for those in need. Areas of interest Carolyn shared with her late husband included skiing at the former Maple Valley Ski Area in West Dummerston, where Carolyn was a ski instructor and, later, a member of the National Ski Patrol. She also served with the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department along with her husband, who was captain of the Rescue Squad. They both were active members of the West Dummerston Baptist Church, where Carolyn served on many different committees. After retiring from the hospital and moving to Georgia in 2003 with her partner Robert Davis, Carolyn lovingly volunteered her nursing skills at the Caring Hands free clinic in Cleveland. Continuing the desire to volunteer, Robert and Carolyn also donated their time at the Community Thrift Shop in town. Both were active in the First Presbyterian Church where Carolyn was a deaconess offering help to the parishioners given to her care. Regardless of where she resided, Carolyn deeply loved her neighbors and friends, their home that she made so beautiful with her green thumb and flair for decorative style, and the many wild and domestic pets that she took it upon herself to look after over the years. Her passing has been deeply felt. Memorial information: At the family's request, a private memorial service was held on Nov. 5.
• Olive H. Frost, 99, of Putney. Died peacefully Oct. 30, 2022 at Pine Heights nursing home in Brattleboro. Olive was born in East Putney on Sept. 26, 1923, the daughter of Bertie and Delphine Wright Phelps. On July 12, 1941 in Putney, she married Harold H. Frost, who predeceased her in 2001 shortly after celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary. Olive worked in many jobs prior to her retirement. She worked for Green Mountain Orchards, the Putney Converting Mill, and the town of Putney selling hunting licenses and working at the polls during elections. She also loved working at Santa's Land in the Pancake Igloo House. Lastly, she worked cleaning houses and working at the information booth at Exit 4 with her husband Harold. Olive was a member of Putney Federated Church, the VFW in Brattleboro, and was a founding member of the Putney Fire Department Auxiliary. Olive loved the outdoors and watching the birds. She loved watching the New England sports teams and watching her grandkids and great-grandkids play sports. Olive loved to color and send cards to her family and friends. She never missed a holiday, birthday, or anniversary. Survivors include her daughter Sharon Short of Putney, grandchildren Marcy Short and her partner Sara Moore of Brattleboro, Gregory Short of Gallivants Ferry, South Carolina, and Jennifer Short of Putney. Olive had five great-grandchildren: Sara and Kali Gauither, Laol Short, and Jacob and Marcus Short, plus many nephews, nieces, and loving family members. She also leaves a very close nephew, Eil Geer from Florida; a niece, Elizabeth (Betty) Gowen from New Hampshire; and dear friends Betty Hall from Dover and Marylin Loomis from Putney. She was predeceased by her son-in-law David “Stub” Short, grandson-in-law Chris Russell, nephews John Geer Sr. and Howard Vaine, and her eight siblings Lorenzo, Forrest, Richard, Kenneth, Evelyn, Sylvia, Mildred, and Ethel. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m., at American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. Donations to American Legion Post 5 Baseball, 32 Linden St, Brattleboro, VT 05301 (Attn: Steve Martin), or Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Gary A. Hines, 71, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 6, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following an extended period of declining health. Gary was born in Brattleboro on Aug. 28, 1951, the son of Arthur and Eva (Turgeon) Hines. He attended Saint Michael's Parochial School and High School and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont and later moved west where he attended the University of Idaho, receiving an M.S. in engineering. While in Idaho, he met his wife, Sandra Ragsdale, who always remained the love of his life. Gary later moved to Washington State where he worked as a system analyst for Boeing Computer Services in defense and space systems integration. After leaving Boeing, he became an independent contractor which took him to locations up and down the West Coast. He had to retire due to illness and moved back to Vermont in 2014. Gary enjoyed all spectator sports and was an avid fan of both Seattle and New England sports teams. He leaves behind his sister, Patricia Fitzgerald, and her husband, Martin, of Brattleboro and several cousins. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Nov. 12 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with burial and committal rites in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 (Attn.: Elaine Beam, principal). To share a memory or send condolences to his family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Janice L. Perkins, 80, of North Walpole, New Hampshire. Died Oct. 31, 2022, with family at her side, after a brief illness. The daughter of Floyd and Sylvia (LaFlamme) Grover, Janice was born at the dawn of World War II, and considered herself fortunate to grow up with many cousins in her French-Canadian grandparents' multi-family and generational farmhouse in Brattleboro. She often said it was like having her own squad of brothers and sisters who took care of each other while parents worked for the war effort. She was never alone. Later, she moved with her parents to Spofford, New Hampshire, but remained connected to her bonus siblings throughout her long life, often sharing summers with them in her new home. A sister and two brothers joined her, in rapid baby-boom fashion, and with her paternal grandmother added to the mix, was once again in the middle of many generations. Janice graduated from St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro, and enrolled in a course to become an airline stewardess. However, she changed her mind and soon after attempted to elope with her fiancé Charles Perkins - attempted only because her mother spotted her marriage intentions in the newspaper, so the cat was out of the bag, and a wedding reception was organized to celebrate the day, with rain supplying a blessing on the union, which would last just shy of 50 years at his death. After moving 13 times in just a few years, they settled in North Walpole, where they made their home with their three children, Charles, Eugene, and Tricia. She worked at many jobs over the years, including waitressing, factory work, and a favorite position for many years as a shipping clerk at Simmons Precision in Bellows Falls, where she was known for her sense of humor and little pranks that kept everyone laughing. She also went to Clown College and, in the persona of Jingles, she entertained at children's birthday parties for many years. Jan was always busy, and loved to keep learning. She even took a rigorous on-line vegan cooking course during the pandemic shut-down to help keep her mind and body active during the long days sheltering at home, and discovered she loved the food! But what she loved best was taking care of her family, whether cooking up a feast (vegan or not) or stretching her budget as far as possible by growing and canning her own fruit and vegetables when her children were younger. Children were always her priority, with each new generation delighting her anew. Whether playing dinosaurs with her great-grandson Legend, quilting with her grand-nephew Devin, or card games with her grand-niece Leola, she treasured every moment as special. She loved to cook, garden, read, discuss politics, and was passionate about quilting, word games, and her favorite soap operas. Mystery movies were among her favorites, but give her a good thriller to read and she was lost until it was finished. She enjoyed plays and concerts, and also loved to explore museums and art galleries, the Maine Coast, and to dine out, especially if fried whole belly clams or fresh oysters were on the menu, topped off with a freshly brewed cappuccino. If you knew Jan, you considered yourself lucky. She cherished her family and friendships, and enjoyed comforting and taking care of others throughout her life. Steady and loving, she was an inspiration in patience to all. Janice is survived by her three children: Charles (Sheryl) Perkins of Keene, New Hampshire; Eugene (Jennifer Szuch) Perkins of Charlestown, New Hampshire; and, Tricia Perkins of North Walpole; grandchildren Aaron Perkins (Lea) of Weare, New Hampshire, Bethany Perkins of North Walpole; Brandon Perkins and partner Gabby Anastasio of New Britain, Connecticut; and Andrea Perkins of Winchester, New Hampshire; great-grandchildren Legend, Teresa, Claire, and Avila Perkins; siblings Dorothy (Stewart) Grover-Read of Bellows Falls and Michael (Samantha) Grover of Newfane; half-sister Cassie Glendenning of Sanford, North Carolina; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Charles Perkins, parents Floyd and Sylvia (LaFlamme) Grover, brother Floyd Grover, Jr., grandson Devin Perkins, and half-brother Dennis Kerylow. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Nov. 12 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls, followed by a reception at Hastings Parish House of the Walpole Unitarian Church. Donations to Our Place Drop-In Center in Bellows Falls.