Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Eleanor L. Abel, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 25 at Holton Home in Brattleboro. Wife of the late John H. Abel for 62 years. Mother of John Jr., and his wife, Karen, of Dummerston; and Richard Abel and his wife, Robin, of Westminster. Born in New York City and grew up in Rockville Center, N.Y. Lived in Oceanside, N.Y., with her husband until 1988, when they moved to Brattleboro to be closer to their growing extended family. One of her great loves was bowling in the Senior League at Brattleboro Bowl. Her team members were always thrilled when she threw the ball down the lane and “encouraged” the ball to go in the right direction by doing “a little dance and gesture.” Another passion was ballroom dancing. She was totally devoted to her husband and was a loving, compassionate Mom, “Nana,” and “Grand Nana.” Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held at Our Lady of Mercy in Putney at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5. Burial will be in the spring at Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to Holton Home, 158 Western Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301; or Our Lady of Mercy, Putney, VT 05346.
• T. Minola Bird “Nonie” Allen, 100, of Wilmington. Died Jan. 8 at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. Wife of the late Robert Noel Allen for 63 years. Mother of Iris and Hugh Bronson and Nancy and Donald Long, all of Brattleboro. Predeceased by brothers Francis, Carroll, Darrell, and William Bird, Jr., and Wilma Wheeler. Born in Readsboro and grew up in Jacksonville and Wilmington. An ardent lover of Mother Nature, she was a friend and defender of all creatures of the wild, vigilant observer of the night sky, devout protector of all children, and a holder of infinite compassion and bestower of unbridled kindness in word and deed, She was a longtime member of Jacksonville Community Church, where she served as superintendent and teacher of Sunday School. Throughout her life she related closely to children of all ages, in church activities, 4-H leadership, and especially with all her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was also a member of the Ladies Aid Society, Church Women United, Hill and Valley Council. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held in the spring at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro at a date to be announced. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, Windham County Humane Society or the Activities Dept. at Pine Heights, in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• David Ralph Barrows, 63, of Brunswick, Maine, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 15 at MidCoast Hospital in Brunswick following a brief illness. Husband of Bonnie J. Francis for 41 years. Father of Joella Barrows of Saxtons River and Jason Barrows of Brattleboro. Brother of Terri Barrows of Brattleboro; Joan Lake of White River Junction and West Palm Beach, Fla.; Thomas Barrows of Vernon; and Roland Barrows of Swanzey, N.H. Born in Brattleboro, son of the late Ralph and Elizabeth Cobb Barrows. Was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1966. Served in the Army from 1966 to 1968 and was stationed in Germany for most of his service time. A resident of Brunswick for the past three years, he had been employed by the Town of Topsham as custodian at the town library. While a resident of Brattleboro, he had been employed as custodian at St. Michael's School and previously, for 19 years worked at Georgia Pacific, formerly Erving Paper. With his wife, he had attended the Grace Evangelical Free Church in Spofford, N.H., and had been a fireman for the East Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department. Of his leisure time activities, David enjoyed metal detecting and trips to the beaches of Maine. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted in the springtime in Dummerston Center Cemetery at a date to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT. 05302. Condolence messages may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Roger Dartt, 70, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 9 at Ohio Hospice in Dayton, Ohio. Son of the late Donald and Doralys Dartt. Husband of Monika Horndasch Dartt in Dayton, Ohio. Stepfather of Darlene and Forrest Ewing. Brother of Donna Cole and husband, C.J., of Hinsdale, N.H., Ruth Blunt and her husband, Al, of Austin, Texas, Kathleen Macie and her husband, Ron, of Vernon, and Janet Curran and her fiance, Joseph Guliuzza, of Milford, Conn. Predeceased by a brother, Paul, who was killed in action in Vietnam in 1968. Spent seven years in the Navy and 14 years in the Army, which included a tour of duty in Vietnam. While in Germany for six years, he met and married his wife, Monika. Worked in and enjoyed various building and carpentry positions, and attended machinist school in Dayton, Ohio. He loved traveling, especially to his favorite spot on Mt. Pilatus in Lucerne, Switzerland, and felt it was the most peaceful spot in the world. It is here where he requested his ashes be spread. He was an avid reader and tremendously enjoyed photography, gardening, fishing and tapestry work. His tapestry and needlepoint were proudly showcased at his home. Memorial information: Private services will be held in Dayton, Ohio, for his immediate family. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at St. Michael's Church in Brattleboro at a future date for family and friends.
• Eleanor A. (Marynuk) Noga, 96, of Erving, Mass. Died Jan. 13 at the Buckley Healthcare Center in Greenfield, Mass. at the age of 96. Wife of the late Edward S. Noga for 49 years. Born in New York City, she moved to Guilford as a young child, and was known to her childhood friends as Nellie. Retired from the Millers Falls Tool Co., after many years of dedicated service. After retirement, she enjoyed traveling with her dear friend and cousin-by-marriage, Helen Marynuk of Guilford. She was an accomplished seamstress, enjoyed handiwork, and in later years, took up painting with fervor and success. The Nogas were also well known in the area for their impressive vegetable and flower gardens. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Jan. 15 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield, burial will follow in Our Lady of Czestochowa Cemetery in Turners Falls. Donations to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.
• Stanley J. Robare, 91, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Dec. 16 in Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of the late Mattie E. McDonald Robare. Father of Stanley A. Robare of Brentwood, N.H.; Emily Betit and her husband, Joseph, of Bennington; Rita Willette and her husband, Randy, of Sullivan, N.H.; and Anita Willette and her husband, Russell, of Hinsdale. Also survived by 16 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren. Born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., the son of Arthur and Alma Barcomb Robare, he was employed as a custodian at Hinsdale High School for several years. He was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in Hinsdale. He enjoyed watching old comedy shows on television, doing jigsaw puzzles, fishing, and spending time with his grandchildren and friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 14 at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. Burial will be at a later date.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan. 7, 2011, a daughter, Chelsey Lynn Merrill, to Glen and LeeAnn Merrill of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Richard and Susan Stromberg of Chester and Roy and Brenda Vandusen of Bellows Falls.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan. 6, 2011, a son, Maxx Joseph Gregory Butts, to Katie and Matt Butts of Brattleboro; grandson to Jane and Greg Smith, and Christine Gero and Dale Butts.
• In Burlington (Fletcher Allen Hospital), Jan. 5, 2011, a son, Samuel Howard Robinson, to Susan (Abel) and Drew Robinson of South Burlington; grandson to John and Karen Abel of Dummerston, Francis W. and Judy Robinson of South Burlington; great-grandson to Shirley Robinson of Bryn Mawr, Pa.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 17, 2010, a daughter, Madison Ann Rebaudo, to Arla (Bowen) and Matthew Rebaudo of Newfane; granddaughter to Richard and Karen Bowen of Putney, Anthony Rebaudo of Granby, Mass., and Cynthia Rebaudo of Hinsdale, N.H.