Obituaries
• Henry Bell, 92, of Gallatin, Tennessee, formerly of Guilford. Died on Nov. 12, 2023. He was born Oct. 8, 1931 in Guilford to the late Frank Bell and Ethel Aldrich Bell. He served his country in the Army during the Korean War. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers Howard Bell, Alden Bell, Benjamin Bell, and Frank Bell, and his sister, Eleanor Schoenert. He is survived by wife of 64 years, Helen Aldrich Bell of Gallatin; children Darlene Templeton (Fred) of Gallatin, Dennis Bell (Melinda) of Castalian Springs, Tennessee, Shayne Bolinger of Gallatin, Jennifer Crowder (Ronnie) of Gallatin, and Tim Bell (Angela) of Portland, Tennessee; a brother, David Bell (Donna) of Vermont; sisters Dorothy Hastings of Florida, Elizabeth Muench of Hendersonville, Tennessee, and Nancy Bobee of Vermont; grandchildren Alicia Robinson (Rob), Ashley Cox (Jeff), Alexis Johnson, Fred Templeton, Nathan Bell (Ashley), Nicholas Bell, Blake Bolinger, Lucas Bolinger, Meagan Crowder, Ryan Crowder, Katlin Hollis, Jordan Bell, and Tyler Bell (Alyson); and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A celebration of life was held on Nov. 26 at First Baptist Church in Gallatin. To send condolences, visit familyheritagefh.com.
• Alexandria "Sandy" Bosna, 84, of Winhall. Died Nov. 21, 2023 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. She was born in North Bergen Township, New Jersey on July 10, 1939 to Ernest and Margaret Bosna. Following her elementary and high school education, Sandy enrolled at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in New Jersey and graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. Following a year or two at public school teaching, she joined her parents, who were living in Italy at the time, and taught at a U.S. military base there. While there, she enjoyed connecting with her Italian family roots. On her return to the United States, she began a career with the Aging Services division of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, where she remained until retirement in 2002. Sandra and life partner George Rosenthal met in 1975 and made Winhall their second home in 1999. Here, they spent many years making friends; supporting the community as volunteers at the Bondville Fair and delivering Meals on Wheels; and exploring Vermont until George's death on March 14, 2018. Sandy was also predeceased by her parents. Survivors include her sister, Rose Marie Cassell; nephews Jeffrey, Clay, and Thomas Cassell; niece Laura Strueli; cousins Marie Bucco, Jean Buscema, Gloria Vena, and Lorraine Fiore; and special cousins Madeline Arms, Angela, and Sean and Edward Gulley. Memorial information: A Mass, dedicated to her, will be held at the Chapel of the Snows at Stratton Mountain Resort on Dec. 10 at 12:30 p.m. Burial in Winhall and a celebration of life will be held in the spring of 2024 where family and friends will have an opportunity to speak. Details will be shared in The Commons.
• Zoa Anne (Mitchell) Given, 77, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Oct. 29, 2023. Zoa was born in Morristown on May 19, 1946, the daughter of William and Marjorie Mitchell. Zoa grew up in Vermont and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1964. She worked at the Brattleboro Retreat for more than 50 years, including working part-time after her retirement in 2014. Among many interests, Zoa enjoyed dancing, karaoke, gardening, visits to York Beach in Maine, and time spent with friends and her companion, Frank. More than anything else, she loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Zoa is survived by her son Todd Given (spouse Laurie Given) of Brattleboro, daughters Tammy Given of Rockingham, Jennifer Given of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, Angela Given (spouse Dean Shippee) of Vernon, and Amanda Montgomery (spouse Jeremy Montgomery) of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire; grandchildren Erica, Dean, Aria, Andrea, Tia, Sarah, Logan, Kyle, Alexa, and Ayla; and great-grandchildren Andre, Layna, and Payton. Zoa was predeceased by her parents and siblings Frank, Janice, Virginia, Karen, Charles, George, and William. Memorial information: The family will hold a celebration of life at the Millstream Community Center in Hinsdale, New Hampshire on May 18, 2024 at 1 p.m.
• Charles F. Henderson, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 16, 2023 at Pine Heights nursing home. He was born on Feb. 10, 1930, in Houlton, Maine, the only child of Lewis F. and Daisy (Broad) Henderson. The family moved to Brattleboro in 1933, where Charles attended elementary school and graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1948. He completed a post-graduate year at Tilton (N.H.) School in 1949. He attended the University of Vermont and Marlboro College. Charles was drafted and served in the Army from 1953 to 1956, stationed primarily in Karlsruhe, Germany. After he returned to Brattleboro, he began employment with New England Telephone in 1958 starting as a lineman, then installer-repairman, then cable splicing technician, achieving the rating of journeyman. When he retired in 1991, fiber optics was just being introduced. He was a strong advocate of rights for workers and involved in the labor union that represented him and his colleagues. After Charles retired, he was a volunteer at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital until 2011. He began by installing Lifeline telephone service in people's homes, then transportation in the hospital, then assisting in the office of the volunteer coordinator. He was also a volunteer in the office at All Souls Church in West Brattleboro, where he was an active member. Charles fell in love with Mary Holden, proposed at the Green Door Restaurant, and they were married June 20, 1964 in Brattleboro. He was a friendly, outgoing individual with a mischievous sense of humor and an infectious laugh. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Charles is survived by his wife; a son, Michael Henderson and his wife Shannon of Johns Island, South Carolina; daughters Rebecca Streeter and her husband Jon of West Swanzey, New Hampshire, and Amy Henderson of South Burlington; and grandchildren Jackson and Charlie Streeter, and Olivia Prue. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service at All Souls Church in the spring. Donations to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Development Office, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or All Souls Church, P.O. Box 2297, West Brattleboro, VT 05303. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.
•Mark Lawrence Hoyt, 64, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly Nov. 8, 2023 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Mark was born in Brattleboro on August 2, 1959, the son of Harry Lawrence and Shirley Jean (Prouty) Hoyt. He attended local public schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1977. He had worked in the building material trade employed as an assembler for Foard Panel Company in Brattleboro. For several years, Mark resided out west where he worked in the food industry as well as on the railroad. Active civically, for several years he was an active volunteer and call fireman for the Brattleboro Fire Department. Mark loved the outdoors, going on fishing trips, liked music and playing the guitar as well as spending time with his family. Mark will be remembered for his pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. Survivors include his mother of Brattleboro and two sisters, Dawn Steinberg and her husband Bruce of Brattleboro and Debra Helin and husband Frank of Wilmington, North Carolina. Additionally, he leaves a cousin, Jolene Lane and her husband Scott and their son Ben; nephews, Josh and Kyle Wright and Ryan Dean, and a niece, Megan Manning. Memorial information: A memorial gathering to celebrate Mark's life will be held at a future date and time to be announced by the funeral home. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert E. "Bob" LaFantano, 61, of Brattleboro. Died on Nov. 18, 2023, with his loving family by his side, following a brief battle with cancer. Bob was born in Huntington, New York, on July 20, 1962. The son of Eugene and Pierrette (Raguillat) LaFantano, he graduated from Northport High School and went on to study business management at the University of Masssachusetts at Amherst. After moving his young family to the quieter life of Tinmouth, he began his career in the food service industry, a vocation for which he was a natural. His earlier work began in Rutland with Seward's Restaurant and then with several other local restaurants and pizza shops, bringing him to co-own Sunny's Deli here in Brattleboro with his lifelong friend and business partner Steve. When the opportunity arose, he became the lead cook for the Headstart Program with the Early Education Services through the Windham Southeast School District. For Bob, whether for his own family or for the many wonderful children in the Headstart program, cooking was a calling that he was extremely proud of, often attributing his secret to great cooking as "just keep it simple." His mantra has been proven time and again through his signature cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies. Bob's early years included many cycling trips with his friends from Long Island to Nova Scotia, and even to Great Britain and Ireland. His appreciation of music, from blues to alt rock, was only surpassed by his lifelong love of all things sports, a passion that he lovingly shared with his children. He was an avid reader who loved words and word puzzles, and always found a newspaper to read whenever he could. Bob was a kind and loving man whose love of his family shone through in everything he did. Always ready with his impeccable sense of humor, he never failed to rise to any challenge. He brought his considerable work ethic into every job he had and every task he undertook - whether stacking firewood in his backyard or running the register at Hannaford - and the void left by his passing will be felt by his family and this community for a long time to come. Bob loved his family, loved Vermont, and loved his life with Mary Lou in their cozy little home. Their best times were spent surrounded by family on the back porch watching the many birds and animals in the yard. His daily chit-chat with his children was the most important. He couldn't get enough of his sweet grandchildren and loved being Grampa Bob. Bob is survived by his wife Mary Lou of Brattleboro; his father Eugene of Vernon; son Justin (Abby) of Atlanta, Georgia; his daughters Heather (Coby) Greif of Stamford, Connecticut, Emily of Austin, Texas and Kylie of Dorchester, Massachusetts; three stepchildren: Matt Kapitan of Tinmouth, Ben (Annie) Kapitan of Fort Worth, Texas, and Katie (Jason) Cramer of Little Rock, Arkansas; and grandchildren Tristan, Sophia, and Jonathan Kapitan, and Nora Greif. He is also survived by his siblings Corinne of Pennsylvania, Pascal of Long Island, Michel (Rebekah) of Massachusetts, and Bruno Raquillat of France; as well as many cousins and extended family members, including Zachary Dodge. Bob was preceded in death by his infant son Tyler, his mother Pierrette (Annie) LaFantano, and his sister-in-law Beth LaFantano. Bob embodied what it meant to be a husband, a father, a brother, and a friend. His family was stunned by his sudden illness and at the speed at which it took him. The loss is incalculable and they will cherish their warm memories of him. Memorial information: Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Atamaniuk Funeral Home, 40 Terrace St., Brattleboro. Interment will follow at Cavalry Cemetery in Rutland in the spring. Donations to the American Red Cross or to one of the local youth organizations. To share a memory or offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• George P. Moser Jr., of South Newfane, died peacefully on Nov. 19, 2023. George grew up in Weehawken, New Jersey, and, as a youngster, he summered in South Newfane. He attended Vermont Academy, graduating in the Class of 1948, and was a graduate of Brown University and Rutgers University Law School. After completing his formal education, George went into practice with his father at the firm of Moser, Roveto, McGough, and Von Schaumberg in Union City, New Jersey. In 1987, he was appointed as a justice of the New Jersey Superior Court, presiding over a courtroom in Jersey City until his retirement in 2001. When George was not busy practicing law, he took great delight in spending time with his children and their cousins and friends, often towing them around Lake Winnipesaukee on water skis for hours, day after day. A favorite Saturday activity was taking his kids bowling. George loved deer hunting in Vermont, especially the annual hunting weekend with his law partners. Upon retiring, George moved onto the family farm in South Newfane, fulfilling his lifelong dream of retiring in Vermont. George met his future wife, Nancy Morse, at Brown. They married in 1954 and had four children, all of whom survive him: Charles Moser of Mason, New Hampshire, Susan Moser of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Robert Moser and his wife, Michelle, of Fogelsville, Pennsylvania, and Sarah Taylor and significant other, Phil Mann, of South Newfane. Nancy Moser died in 2002. George was also predeceased by his sister Jane Ryder, and his companion Roberta "Becky" Lincoln. He is survived by two nephews, Andrew Ryder and William Ryder, and also by grandchildren Natalie Moser, Shane Siebels, Kenneth Siebels, Maxwell Moser, Mason Moser, and Colby Taylor, and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside ceremony will be held on Dec. 1 at Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilford, New Hampshire. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353.
• Rhonda J. Nowell, 68, died peacefully on Nov. 13 2023 under the care of Bayada hospice with her fiance Kevin Knapp, her sister Robin and her cats Bindi and River at her bedside. Born on July 6, 1955, she had a helping hand for everyone and everyone was a friend. She loved animals and birds and doing puzzles. She leaves two sons, Benjamin and Matthew, and a daughter, Ashley. Memorial information: A celebration of her life and potluck will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 1 to 3 p.m., at First Baptist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share.
• Gail Helen (Evans) Peters, 75, died peacefully on Nov. 5, 2023 in Northbridge, Massachusetts. She was born on March 11, 1948 to the late William and Louise (Bohigian) Evans. She graduated from Classical High School in Worcester, Massachusetts, Class of 1966, and was a proud graduate of University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a B.A. in Women's Studies. She was also pursuing her graduate degree at University of Connecticut for her Masters in Social Work. She was the manager of Leyden Woods Properties from 1990 to 2000 before she retired. Gail deeply loved her family, her friends, and spending time in nature. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening, going to the beach, vacationing, and watching movies. She leaves a legacy of education for her family and her love of spirituality. In addition to her parents, Gail was predeceased by her brothers Robert and Jacob Bohigian. Gail's memory lives on with her beloved partner of 35 years, Stephen Haskins; her daughter Sasha (Michael) Stann and grandchildren Henry and Della. She was the eldest of nine children and those remaining are Mary (Richard) Morel, Paul Bohigian, Alfred (Michelle) Bohigian, Richard (Kanchana) Bohigian, Thomas (Annette) Bohigian, and Deborah (Paul) Maruca. Gail will be remembered for her wittiness and dry sense of humor; along with her generosity with loved ones and that she always made time to help others. She will be missed dearly. Memorial information: Services and a celebration of life will be held privately at the convenience of the family. Donations to the World Wildlife Fund (worldwildlife.org), a cause close to Gail's heart for wilderness preservation and reduction of human impact on the environment. To send condolences, visit www.phaneuf.net.
• Peter Solley, 75, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at his home on Nov 16, 2023, with the help of Vermont Act 39, after a short battle with oral cancer. His wife, Susan Tondreau, and his daughter, Hannah Solley from Dublin, Ireland, were present to witness the moment of passing. Peter was born in 1948 in London, England, to Leslie Solley, a Member of Parliament and an attorney, and his mother Jose Fisher, a journalist for the Daily Worker. Growing up in a Socialist household, Peter was surrounded by famous American figures from the McCarthy Era exodus in the 1950s, such as Paul Robeson and many freedom fighters from newly decolonized Africa. Peter took to music at a young age, learning piano and violin and winning a scholarship to Trinity School of Music in London at the age of 13. Around this time, Solley discovered jazz, from New Orleans to East Coast bebop and used the new formats into his writing and composing, moving from band to band, each time raising the bar to new heights and raising his own profile among the very senior group of musicians in London. When Solley joined Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, he had reached the upper echelon of session musicians and he next found Spanish rock band Los Bravos. After living in Spain for a year, Solley returned to London and joined the Crazy World of Arthur Brown enjoying a worldwide hit with the song Fire. After two tours of the USA with Cream and the Rolling Stones and all the madness that went along with those times, he returned to England with the newly acquired friendships of Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and many others. With his lifelong friend Keith Webb by his side, Peter joined world famous group Procol Harum and became one of the few keyboardists ever to play Whiter Shade of Pale on stage. When Procol Harum started to slow down their time on the road, Peter effortlessly slid into jingle writing, eventually earning the accounts for British Airways, Coca Cola, Kellogg's cereals, BMW cars, and many other top accounts. From there, Solley made the obvious move into record production, starting the New Wave phenomenon from London. His first big success was What I Like About You by the Detroit band the Romantics, still one of the most played singles ever since on the radio and TV. He followed that with lots of hits recorded in Australia and, in 1980, he moved his family over to Miami Beach to be closer to work and the music industry. After 20 years in the industry, playing and producing in South Florida, Solley and his wife Susan decided a change of scenery would be fitting so they set out to find a small summer house in Vermont. After much searching, they found the perfect house in Newfane and made the move permanent in the early 2000s. They never regretted the move and fell in love with Vermont, its people, politics, mountains and greenery. Peter went as far as opening a gelato manufacturing plant and built the business from a small artisan affair to a viable commercial business. In 2018, he sold the business and, this time, retired as planned. Peter Solley leaves his wife Susan; a daughter, Hannah, from his first marriage; two grandchildren; an elder brother, Stephen; a sister-in-law, Helen; eight nephews and a niece; and countless lifelong friends and a life well lived. Although life is never taken for granted, it is a lot easier if it has been well-lived as in this case. Memorial information: The Cremation Society of New Hampshire has been entrusted with arrangements. To leave a message of condolence, visit www.csnh.com.
• Jane A Southworth, 82, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 2, 2023 of complications from pneumonia at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport, Connecticut. A longtime, beloved, and hearty Brattleboro resident, lover of music, history, libraries and canines, Jane was born Jan. 29, 1941 in Lakewood, Ohio, near the town of Rocky River, where she grew up the dearly loved only child of parents Ross and Marguerite Ashbrook. Jane's heartfelt love of New England was sparked when she attended Mount Holyoke College, earning a B.A. in English history. Jane, who rarely met a book she didn't cherish, selected Mount Holyoke upon seeing its voluminous library for the first time. Her deep appreciation for libraries was lifelong; she served nine years on the Brooks Memorial Library Board of Trustees and at the time of her death was, according to Library Director Starr Latronica, "a pillar of the Buildings and Grounds Committee." Jane was a student of Medieval and English history, Celtic Mythology, and all things related to her Welsh heritage, an ancestral homeland she was able to memorably visit with her daughter later in her life. She received an M.A. from Columbia University and a Master of History degree from Boston College. During her teaching tenure, she served on the faculty of the University of Chicago Laboratory School, where she met her future husband, Bill Southworth, in the Graduate Education Department library. They were married in 1966. After returning to New England, Jane worked as a curriculum developer in Cambridge, Massachusetts until the birth of her daughter, Katie. In 1979, Jane moved to Weare, New Hampshire, where she homesteaded a 200-year-old farm and farmhouse with Bill and daughter Katie. She made Brattleboro her home in the early 1990s. Jane's lifelong love of music included singing in the Concert Choir, volunteering at the Marlboro Music Festival, and playing trumpet and cello with her Brattleboro friends. She adored animals from Morgan horses to English sheep dogs, especially her longtime four-legged companion, Bess, with whom she founded Goose Patrol. Professionally, she worked as an environmental researcher in a career that culminated as the recycling specialist for both Brattleboro and South Hadley, Massachusetts. She was a gardener and longtime co-op member who loved cooking both for friends and as a volunteer with Loaves and Fishes. She also volunteered in the book section of Experienced Goods and was a loved and appreciated member of weekly writing and tai chi groups. Jane served for years as a Brattleboro Town Meeting Representative and on several town committees. Jane was politically engaged and aware to the end, even asking for updates on world events in her final days in the hospital. In John O'Donohue's book Anam Cara, Jane underlined "Friendship needs a lot of nurturing," beside which she put a simple "Yep." Jane was a friend par excellence. Her many friends in Brattleboro and beyond will miss her honest and thoughtful, always welcoming, sometimes curmudgeonly, smiling presence. Jane is survived by many, many beloved friends and family members: her daughter Katie Southworth of Bellingham, Washington, son-in-law Dan Kostrzewski, and dear granddaughter Flora Grace to whom she was "oooma" (with three o's) and for whom Jane wrote two children's books, Flora and the Bunnies and Flora and the Baby Dragons. She is also survived by her former husband Bill Southworth and his wife Penny Welch of Portland, Oregon, as well as by former sister-in-law Ann Lango of Marathon, New York. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in Brattleboro in late spring. The time and location to be announced later in The Commons. Donations may be made in Jane's name to any of her favorite causes, including the Brattleboro Music Center, Brattleboro Area Hospice, the Windham County Humane Society, or Brooks Memorial Library, where her family is working to establish a reading bench in memoriam.
• Florence Lois "Fluff" Yates Storey, 90, formerly of Brattleboro. Died on Nov. 20, 2023 in Essex Junction, after a lingering illness. Fluff was born on July 13, 1933, in Winthrop, Massachusetts, to Margaret (Bordeaux) and Donald Earl Yates. She attended elementary school in Bellows Falls, and graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1951. She graduated from Castleton State Teacher's College in 1955. Fluff married Rodney Lee "Rod" Storey, whom she met at Castleton in her senior year of college in 1954. Their daughter Sue Carol Storey was born in Portsmouth, Virginia in 1956, where they were spending Rodney's last year in the Navy. After living in Virginia and Williamstown, Vermont in the late 1950s, Fluff and Rod moved to Brattleboro in 1960, where they both had teaching careers. She achieved her master's degree in teaching from the University of Massachusetts, and a second master's degree with combined graduate studies from the University of Vermont, Keene State College, and Norwich University. Fluff taught for 35 of her 38 years at Academy School in West Brattleboro, retiring in 1995. Fluff was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Eastern Star, the American Association of University Women, the American Legion Auxiliary, a charter member of the Emblem Club (Elks), the VFW, the Eagles, the Women's Evening Club, the "West Bees" Home Dem Club, the Shriners, the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, various teachers' organizations, and the Floral Arts and Garden Club, all of Brattleboro. She volunteered in church at various events, knitting many prayer shawls, as well as providing other community needs. She has been surrounded with great friends and has felt very fortunate to have them. She enjoyed crafts, travel, theater, painting, music, plants, cats, and literature. She even organized an opera appreciation group and was the keeper of the Opera DVDs and videos, of which there were hundreds. Fluff and her husband Rod once won the husband/wife golf club championship at the Brattleboro Country Club, which they were members of for many years. Fluff's daughter Sue and her husband, Tom Broido, and her beloved granddaughters Halle Broido and Galen Broido and Galen's partner Giacomo Zilli, survive her. She is also survived by two brothers, Fred and Ross Yates. She was predeceased by her husband in 1988, and by her siblings, Pauline Yates Brillant, and Donald Yates. Also, her special friend and companion Kasper Fulghum, whom she met on a senior's trip to Spain in 1996, sharing the best of the north and the south together, predeceased her in 2017. Memorial information: Fluff wanted her lifelong friends, as well as her new friends from Williston Place, to know how much they meant to her, and how much they all enriched her life. Her new friends were a pleasant surprise to her after her move from Brattleboro; they all helped each other navigate their new lives in a new community. There will be no visiting hours at Fluff's request, and no formal service. There will be an informal gathering of friends at a date to be determined.
• Ruth Eleanor Thomas, 91, of Brattleboro. Died on Nov. 14, 2023 at Thompson House, following an extended period of declining health. Ruth was born at home in Halifax on Nov. 28, 1931, the daughter of Warren and Martha (Griffin) Dalrymple. She was raised and educated in Halifax, later moving to Wilmington and then to Brattleboro. On Sept. 3, 1949, in Wilmington, she was married to Clarence D. "Sonny" Thomas Jr., who predeceased her in 2016. She had worked most of her career as a nurse's assistant, and was employed for many years at the former Linden Lodge nursing home. Previously, Ruth had worked for the Garfield family who operated Maple Rest Convalescent Home in Brattleboro. Steadfast in her walk of faith, Ruth was a longtime member of West Brattleboro Baptist Church. She was a woman of deep faith who read her Bible on a daily basis as well as keeping those in need of prayer in her daily devotions. Ruth enjoyed the simple things in life, completing word search puzzles and spending time with her family. She is remembered as a sweet, bubbly, and kind woman with a big heart, always ready to help someone in need. Survivors include two sons, Brent Thomas of Whitingham and Bruce Thomas of Brattleboro; a daughter, Bonnie Harvey of Port St. Lucie, Florida; 11 grandchildren; more than 30 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; as well as nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Ruth was predeceased by a daughter, Brenda Thomas, and siblings Ralph and Warren Dalrymple, Ada LaRock, Margaret Childs, Barbara Crosby, and Evelyn Maynard. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal services scheduled. Donations to West Brattleboro Baptist Church, 979 Western Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Virginia L. "Ginger" Thomas, 76, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully, with her family at her side, on Nov. 20, 2023 at the Jack Byrne Hospice Center in Lebanon, New Hamsphire, following a lengthy illness. For the past 16 months, she had been a patient at Pine Heights. Ginger was born in Brattleboro on June 18, 1947, the daughter of Arnold and Theresa (Burdo) McCauley. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale, New Hampshire and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School, Class of 1965. On April 15, 1967, at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale, she married Eugene Paul Thomas, who predeceased her in 2005. She held a deep love for children and, for 20 years, owned and operated her own children's daycare center, first in Hinsdale and later at her home in Brattleboro. More recently, she worked at Price Chopper (Market 32) on Upper Canal Street for five years, retiring early due to an injury. A devout Catholic, she was a former parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale where she was an active member of the Catholic Daughters. Following her move to Brattleboro, Ginger became a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Ginger was a faithful and devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She found great joy and loved to spoil her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also extremely proud of her Irish heritage. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed attending plays, music of all kinds, and dancing (the waltz was her favorite). She was also an avid reader. Survivors include her five children: Jeffrey Thomas (Beverly) of Brookline, Jon Thomas (Patricia) of Apache Junction, Arizona, Jeremy Thomas (Jennifer) of Hinsdale, June Forrett (Marty) of Dummerston, and Jaclyn Flagg (Robert) of Hinsdale; one brother, Robert McCauley of Salem, New York; sisters Jeanette McCauley and Donna Corriveau, both of Hinsdale, and Karen Kirkwood of Bellows Falls; and 11 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Ginger was predeceased by one brother, Bradford McCauley. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will held on Saturday, Dec. 2, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial in St. Joseph's Parish Cemetery in Hinsdale, where she will be laid to rest next to her parents. Donations to St Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, stjude.org. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.