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.
• Martha Durell Anderberg, 61, of Newfane. Died April 20 at her home. Wife of Larry Anderberg. Mother of Jesse Anderberg, of Brattleboro; and Andrew Anderberg, of Boston. Sister of Stephen Durell of East Brookfield, Mass.; Michael Durell of Sharpsburg, Ga.; David Durell of West Brookfield, Mass.; Richard Anderberg of Newfane, and Jack Anderberg of Jacksonville, Fla. The daughter of the late Alfred and Virginia Durell, she grew up in East Brookfield, Mass., and was a graduate of Boston University, where she received her CDA. She later graduated from Greenfield Community College, where she received her nursing degree. She worked for many years at the Brattleboro Retreat. She treasured her family, friends, and time on Lake Lashaway, where she grew up. She was an avid reader, kayaker, and horticulturist. Her love of animals got her involved with several animal humane organizations. Memorial information: A private memorial service will be held, with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in Spencer, Mass. Donations to the American Breast Cancer Society or World Wildlife Fund.
• Paulina Ciapryna, 92, of Vernon. Died April 22 in London, England, surrounded by her family. Wife of the late Ivan Ciapryna. Mother of Bohdan Ciapryna and Olga Markiw. She was born in the Ukraine, and emigrated to the United States with her husband and son in 1949. They lived in Harford, Conn. for several years before settling in Vernon, where she and her husband built a home, raised a family, and became fruit growers. She loved gardening, cooking, needlecraft and spending time with her family. Memorial information: A memorial Service will be held on April 29 at 10:30 a.m. at the Descent of the Holy Spirit Ukrainian Catholic Church in South Deerfield, Mass. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Theodore “Ted” Frink, 46, of Brattleboro. Died April 12 at his home. Father of Tia Frink of Brattleboro. Brother of Timothy Frink, of Schodack, N.Y. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of Lyle and Joan Frink, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1982. Worked in auto parts at several local dealerships and in Boston before returning to Brattleboro to work at C&S Wholesale Grocers in 1992. After a short time as a selector, he began working in the trailer shop because of his extensive knowledge of parts service. Served as a volunteer EMT for Rescue Inc. for a short time. Loved sports and coached a girls softball team, played softball himself, and attended all of the BUHS girls ice hockey games that his daughter played in. He was a fan of the Red Sox, the New England Patriots, and NASCAR, and was an avid Boston Bruins fan, attending as many games as possible. He also enjoyed cooking and made great-tasting ribs. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at the Advent Christian Church in Vernon on April 21. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Donald R. “Pete” Hart Jr., 93, of New Britain, Conn. Died April 17. Husband of Elvira (Horvath) Hart. Father of Peter R. Hart and his wife, Andrea, of New Britain, Conn.; Christine H. Hart and her husband, William F. Morlock, of Brattleboro; and Philip D. Hart and his wife Carol Gauthier of Oakland, Maine. Brother of Mary Jane Clark of Kent, Conn., and Dr. David L. Hart of Oak Bluffs, Mass. The son of Donald R. Hart and Elise Russell Hart, ee was one of the first four graduates of Mooreland Hill School in Berlin, Conn., and then went on to graduate from Avon Old Farms School in Avon, Conn., and Amherst College. He also took courses at the Sorbonne in Paris. He was multilingual, speaking more than 13 languages, (nine of them fluently), and later taught French, German, Spanish, and Latin after his graduation from Amherst. At one point, he was head of the Language Department of Avon Old Farms School. He was one of 250 Americans asked to “volunteer” to start the O.S.S. (Office of Strategic Services, which later became the C.I.A.), and served with distinction, handling French sabotage operations in occupied France, running a spy “transit station,” and capturing Nazi collaborators in Paris after its liberation. He received the Legion of Honor medal from the French Government for his efforts, the highest award they bestow on a non-French citizen. After discharge, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve for a total service of 33 years, retiring as a Colonel, with a top secret clearance. He later served as a volunteer with the disaster relief program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and was also a member of the National Defense Executive Reserve, a government organization set up to help the nation survive a nuclear attack. Memorial information: A funeral service was held April 26 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Salisbury, Conn. Internment with full military honors took place on April 27 at the Bourne National Veterans Cemetery in, Bourne, Mass. Donations to Sheriffs Meadow Foundation, Wakeman Conservation Center, 57 David Ave., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, www.sheriffsmeadow.org or; The Family Council, Noble Horizons Retirement Community, 17 Cobble Rd. Salisbury, CT 06068, www.noblehorizons.org.
• Lotte M. Hoye, 82, of Guilford. Died April 16 at her home. Wife of the late Howard H. Hoye. Mother of Howard F. Hoye of Guilford. Brother of Horst Sammler of Plauen, Germany. Predeceased by her parents and a brother, Rudolph Sammler. Born in Plauen, the daughter of Freidrich and Marie M. Sammler, she was survivor of the atrocities of World War II. She received two college degrees; one in botany, the other in fashion design. She met her husband while working in Paris in 1954, and she moved to the United States shortly thereafter. She worked in retail sales and lived in New York City until 2006, when she retired and moved to Huckle Hill in Vernon. In 2008, after a period of declining health, she moved to Guilford to reside with her son Howard. She loved animals and nature, was a gifted artist, and had a beautiful, infectious smile. She enjoyed her loving family and friends, and living in the country. She liked taking walks with her 'grand-dog' Archer and taking scenic rides through the countryside. She will be remembered for her fortitude, sharp wit and kindness to all she met. Memorial information: A private service in New York will take place at a later time. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Marilee Beth Huntoon, 55, of Townshend. Died April 21 at Grace Cottage Hospital. Brother of Robert Huntoon and his wife, Pamela, of Winooski. Niece of Alma Koledo of Claremont, N.H. Longtime friend of Jane Thompson of Westminster. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Richard and Millie Lee (Cross) Huntoon, she graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Amherst College and a Masters in the Classics, Latin and Greek, from the University of Vermont. She continued her lifelong passion for teaching the classics at Bellows Falls Union High School, and served as an advisor for the National Honor Society. Memorial information: A funeral service was held April 26 at the United Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls. Donations to The Animal Rescue and Protection Society (TARPS), P.O. Box 274, Chester, VT 05143
• Bettie A. King, 71, of Bellows Falls. Died April 18 at Springfield Health & Rehab Center.Wife of the late Albert “Junie” King for 26 years. Mother of John Fiske of Bellows Falls and Lisa Muzzey of Rockingham. Stepmother of Carolyn Tinklepaugh of South Carolina. Sister of Donald Fisk of Lyme, N.H.; Richard Fisk of Pittsfield, Mass.; and Albert Fisk of Charlestown, N.H.; and Dorothy Kirby of North Adams, Mass. Predeceased by her parents, and her siblings John, Herbert, Connie, and Geri. Born in Gill, Mass., the daughter of Donald and Addie (Grant) Fisk, she attended schools in Massachusetts. Worked for Walpole Wire, Whitney Blake, Silver Forest of Vermont, and also was a care giver in the Bellows Falls area. She enjoyed spending time with her pets Foxie and Kitty. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on April 21 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with in the Immanuel Churchyard in Bellows Falls. Donations to David's House, P.O. Box 60, Lebanon, NH 03766, or a charity of choice.
• Ann Mansur-Lagro, 50, of Vernon. Died April 21 at her home. Wife of George B. Lagro for more than 11 years. Mother of Brent Mansur and Todd Carr, both of Vernon. Stepmother of Kevin Lagro of Worcester, Mass. Sister of Sandra Dec of Warren, Mass. Born in Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late Donald B. and Jeanne (Milton) Mansur, she was raised and educated in Springfield, Mass., and was a graduate of Technical High School, Class of 1979. She went on to receive her LPN degree from the Thompson School for Practical Nurses in 1989, and was pursuing her RN degree at Greenfield Community College. She had been employed at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, where she retired early due to her failing health. Previously worked at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Was a member of the Vernon Advent Christian Church and enjoyed craft painting and quality time shared with her family, especially her sons and grandchildren. Memorial information: Funeral services were held April 26 at the Vernon Advent Christian Church, burial in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to Vernon Advent Christian Church, 4554 Fort Bridgman Rd., Vernon, VT 05354 or to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard G. Lamprey, 89, of Brookline. Died April 18 at Grace Cottage Hospital. Husband of the late Barbara Lamprey. Father of Jo Ann Hartge and her husband, Keith, of Brooksville, Fla.; Joyce Meehl and her husband, Bruce, of Brookline; and Judy Hummel and her husband, Stuart, of North Kingston, R.I. Born in Fall River, Mass., the son of Francis and Marion Lamprey, he served in the Army during World War II. Worked as a banker for most of his life. His last place of employment was Pawtucket Savings and Trust in Rhode Island. He served as District Governor of the Lions Club. He enjoyed woodworking, and he will always be remembered for his good natured personality and his smile. Richard is survived by his three daughters: Memorial information: Funeral services will be private. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT., 05353, or www.gracecottage.org.
• Gloria J. Sprague, 65, of Brattleboro. Died April 20 at her home. Wife of Kenrick Sprague. Mother of Todd Sprague and his wife, Patti, of Millbury, Mass. Sister of Evelyn Fisher and her husband, Gordon, of Brattleboro; and Sandra Field and her husband, William, of El Paso, Texas. Predeceased by her parents and a son, Kyle Sprague. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Raymond and Helen Snow McIndoe, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. She held various jobs. but her favorite was as a homemaker and mother. Was a member of the Mountain View Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Women's Christian Temperance Union. She will be fondly remembered for her generosity of spirit, piety, and her love for the children in her family. : Memorial information: Funeral services will be held on April 28 at 11 a.m. at Ker Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro, with burial will follow in the West Brattleboro Cemetery next to her son. Donations to a charity of one's own choosing.
• Jean C. Steitz, 85, of Westminster West. Died April 6 at Thompson House. Wife of Robert A. Steitz for 62 years. Mother of Caitlin Adair of Westminster West; Suzan Franz of Worden, Ill.; and Nancy Tuttle of Little Rock, Ark. Born Jean Chimene in Galveston, Texas, she grew up by the bay eating seafood and roller skating on the famous Galveston sea wall. She met her husband at the Officers' Club during World War II, and were married in 1947 and moved to Northbrook, Ill., where they happily raised their family. In later years, The Steitzes moved to Asheville, N.C., and then to Edwardsville, Ill. She became a Vermonter in August 2010. She was a great cook and loved putting on parties for friends, often with costumes and always great fun. She was an active member of the Episcopal Church wherever she lived. She was a hospital volunteer, a bridge player, and a great person to have as a friend. A gentle and caring woman, she was always well-dressed, always gracious, always one classy lady. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30.
• Michael D. Tuller Sr., 75, of Brattleboro. Died April 21 at the VA Hospital in White River Junction. Husband of Barbara (Longueil) Tuller for 54 years. Father of Michael Tuller Jr. of Brookline, and Brenda Nutting of Dummerston. Brother of Doug Tuller of Sweet Home, Ore.; Dwight Tuller of Leyden, Mass.; and Roger Tuller of Spofford, N.H. Served in the Navy and later worked for the Boston & Maine Railroad. His greatest loves in life was his family, Dale Jr. 88, and his co-workers at Kenolie Campground in Newfane, Buster, John, Harry, and Dave. Memorial information: A funeral services will be held April 28 at noon at the Meetinghouse Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at Kenolie Campground on May 14 at 1 p.m. Donations to the VA Hospital, 215 North Main St., White River Junction, VT 05009.