Obituaries
• Dorothy Pacheco Bostwick, 88, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 3, 2020 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Dorothy was born in Falmouth, Mass. on May 18, 1932, the daughter of Peter and Rose (Almeida) Ray. She was raised and educated in Falmouth, eventually moving to Stowe, Vt. Because of her love for children, she owned and operated her own day care center in Brattleboro for more than 15 years. Dorothy also worked at Appropriate Technology and Sam's Army & Navy Store, both in Brattleboro, with her last place of employment at Allen Brothers in Westminster, which she retired from. Dorothy was born and raised Catholic and was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She had a strong work ethic but knew how to have fun, and was fun to be around. She had a great sense of humor and she enjoyed crafts, crocheting, gardening, riding back roads just to see where they went, and time spent with her family. Survivors include her four children - sons Steve Bostwick of Falmouth and William Bostwick of Manchester, Vt., and daughters, Pamela Bostwick of Brattleboro and Susan Hadden of Spofford, N.H.; one sister, Elsie Mendoza of Falmouth; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and a great-great-grandchild. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by daughters June Bostwick and Karen Ward; brothers William and Adelino Ray; and sisters Hilda Medeiros and Delores Ray. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 9 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in Meeting House Hill Cemetery. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354-9474. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• James R. “Jim” Leonard, 62, of West Brattleboro. Died Sept. 27, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from complications of diabetes. Born May 16, 1958 in Stamford, Conn., to James and Laura Wasicki Leonard, James graduated from J.M. Wright Technical School in 1976. He was a resident of Vermont for the past 30 years, living in Brattleboro, Bellows Falls, and West Brattleboro. Jim was a self-employed painter for many years, and also worked for VerMed in Rockingham. He is survived by his sons Scott and Jordan Leonard of Stamford, Conn., brother William (Barbara) Leonard of Wilmington, Del., and stepmother Nancy Dalzell of Westminster. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Linda Hawkins. Memorial information: Per his request, there will be no services.
• Victoria “Vicky” Irene Linn, 66, of Brattleboro. Died of brain cancer on Oct. 2, 2020 in her home, surrounded by her loved ones. Vicky was born on Dec. 16, 1953 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., to the late Irene (Martin) and Maurice “Buddy” Mulholland. She was the middle child of seven and loved being a part of such a big and crazy family in their small house on Lawrence Street. Vicky graduated from Saratoga Springs High School with the Class of 1971 and was crowned her graduating class's most outstanding athlete and homecoming queen. When her brother Mike deployed to Vietnam in 1968, she marked each day he was gone on a fabric calendar that she kept until her passing. She also filled her days working at the Friendly Corner Grocery Store, a neighborhood store that her parents bought in 1967, where she would meet her children's father. In 1980, she moved to Brattleboro with her then-husband, three young children in tow, and one on the way. The marriage ended in divorce in 1987 and Vicky spent the next decade raising her children. Although she was often working three jobs, Vicky made sure that their lives were filled with adventures to the West River with a gaggle of whatever neighborhood kids could cram into the family's station wagon. She took a job at Canal Street School in 1987 and soon became a staple in the community. When the school closed in 2002, she transferred to Academy School, where she stayed until what was supposed to be her retirement in June 2020. Over the 33 years that Vicky worked for the school district, she touched the lives of thousands of this community's children. In 1991, Vicky went through kidney failure, but her brother Mark's heroic donation of one of his kidneys ensured she survived. Mark spent Vicky's final week at her bedside, cracking her up, eating brownies, and supporting Curt and the family. Vicky met her partner, Curtis Drew “Hon” Rhodes, in 1992. After a few years of merciless hazing by Vicky's children, Curtis became the bedrock of the family. The lovebirds enjoyed going for drives, vacationing in Maine and in Lake George, where they ate cookies and ice cream by the pool with their eldest grandson, Waylon. She said, of Curt, that she loved that he always brought her wildflowers. Vicky was so happy when her three grandchildren - Grace, Jack and Lucy - and youngest daughter moved to Brattleboro in 2018, especially because she got to see them everyday at Academy School. Vicky loved to throw parties, particularly when they had a theme, and was known throughout the community as the go-to for party planning, costumes, and homemade games. She loved tag sales and collected vintage clothing and costumes for more than 30 years. Vicky attended her final tag sale, with her son Matt, the weekend before she passed. Vicky was also known for her competitive nature and could often be found in the company of her longtime friends Karen Kraham and Vicki Roach in the backyard, playing Scrabble and arguing over the legitimacy of a word. Vicky was a loving partner and mother and wanted Matt, Christine, Sarah and Kim, and Curt to know how proud she was of them. She expressed multiple times that she did not want to die - not because she was afraid but because she would miss them so much. Vicky spent her last months with her friends and family, trying to wrap their heads around the cruelty of a terminal diagnosis two weeks before retirement. Throughout her illness, Vicky kept her quick-wit and spent time sitting on the porch telling stories of her childhood and of raising her kids. She was predeceased by her sweet sister, Martha (Mulholland) Cleary and nephew Ian Mulholland. Vicky is survived by her long-time boyfriend, Curtis Drew Rhodes; her children Matthew Linn, Christine Linn, Sarah Linn and her wife, Becca Hamil, Kimberly Edgar [nee Linn]; her grandchildren Waylon Linn-Adams, Grace Edgar, Jack Edgar and Lucy Edgar; her brothers Michael Mulholland and his wife Jan, Mark Mulholland and his wife Denise, Paul Mulholland and life-partner Norman, James Mulholland and his wife Sharon, Joseph Mulholland and his wife Tammy. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Memorial information: The family will be holding a small, private celebration in the upcoming weeks and, due to the pandemic, will be postponing a community celebration until sometime next year. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate). To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nancy “Nan” Nall, 76, of Weston. Died peacefully on Sept. 27, 2020 at Springfield Hospital, with her devoted wife, Lise Messier, and a dear friend at her side. Nan was born in 1944 in Prince William County, Virginia to Betty Thompson and Albert Nall. The eldest of four children, she enjoyed a musical childhood where she began her early vocal career with her mother accompanying her at the piano. In South Bend, Ind., Nan attended Riley High School and quickly rose to child star status singing leading roles in high school musical productions. From there she attended the famed Indiana School of Music in Bloomington, and graduated with a double Masters in Vocal Performance and Stage Direction. In 1969, Nan's adventurous nature led her to accept a position in the Special Armed Forces Division, which took her to Vietnam during the war. There she sang the role of “Louisa” in the musical The Fantastiks, touring and performing at bases throughout South Vietnam. It was during this time that she met and began her longtime collaboration with stage director, Barbara Owens. Together Nan and Barbara produced and directed an opera production of Hansel and Gretel which they performed for the Vietnamese orphan children with a number of these children participating in the children's chorus. With Barbara at her side. they lived and performed in Southeast Asia for nearly three years. Nan went on to perform in Teheran, Bogota, Bombay, Auckland, and Salzburg gaining a reputation for her distinctive programming and pure radiant soprano singing. She was soprano soloist for the Marlboro Music Festival, the Winter Park Bach Festival, the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, the NYC Basically Bach Festival, the New England Bach Festival, the Masterwork and Dessoff Choruses; in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center with the St. Cecilia Chorus and Orchestra and with Musica Sacra. Of her debut recital at Carnegie Hall, The New York Times wrote that it was “one of the more impressive vocal debuts heard in New York City.” She also performed in Europe with Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Concentus Musicus. In 1984, Nan was the recipient of a Solo Recitalist Grant from the National Endowment of the Arts. She combined her active singing career with teaching voice at Middlebury College, the Brattleboro Music Center, and privately at her Weston and Rutland studios. Together with her new soprano partner, Lise Messier, their duo-soprano recital tours took them to New York City, Washington D.C., Boston, Chicago and throughout rural New England. In 1987, they formed the Brattleboro Opera Theatre presenting opera productions at the Latchis Theatre from 1988 to 1991. With their move to Putney in 1990 Nan and Lise enjoyed their country life with their horses, gardening, traveling, and the practice of tai chi with Cielle Tewksbury, while continuing their teaching. Their collaborative partner, accompanist and coach, Glenn Parker of Westminster Choir College, brought musical magic to southern Vermont with Glenn's incomparable vocal masterclasses featuring Nan and Lise's students. In 1996, as a tribute to Glenn's passing, an operatic production of Dido and Aeneas was presented in Gordon and Mary Hayward's renowned outdoor garden featuring not only singing, but a drill team of horses from Brattleboro's Southmowing Stables performing in the adjacent field to the music of Purcell. Their mission to introduce opera to children continued with their move to Weston in 1999, where they formed the Opera Theatre of Weston. From 2000 until 2015. they presented annual productions, primarily at the Weston Playhouse and at Rutland's Paramount Theatre, including the Vermont premiere of The Little Prince and the East Coast premiere of The Secret Garden. Nan and Lise's vocal studios continued to prosper with numerous vocal student recitals, masterclasses and workshops. In 2008, Nan was diagnosed with MS. For 12 years, she remained a spirited and musical force, inspiring and bringing her luminous joy and humor to all. She leaves behind her beloved wife and caregiver, Lise Messier of Weston, her brothers Greg Nall of Greeley, Colo., and Robert Nall of Zionsville, Ind., and her sister Carol Zimmerman of Tualatin, Ore. Memorial information: A memorial service and musical celebration will be held sometime in the next year. Donations may be made to My Community Nurse Project, P.O. Box 57, Weston, VT 05161 and/or Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 91, Londonderry, VT 05148.
• Joan “Kristina” (Fourgis) Olitski, 83. Died at her home in Islamorada, Florida on Oct. 2, 2020. Her daughter was with her when she died. She was born on Sept. 17, 1937, in Mount Pleasant, Pa. She was the daughter of Chris and Helen (Gorlis) Fourgis. Kristina learned to sew from her mother at a young age. She was incredibly gifted and moved to New York City to pursue her dream of designing and making clothing. She married artist Gregory Gorby with whom she was blessed with two children, Alex and Natasha. In the 1960s, she opened a clothing store in the East Village and formed the renowned clothing line, Kristina Gorby Apparel. A highlight of her career as a clothing designer was a series of looks for Janis Joplin, some of which she wore when performing at Woodstock in 1969. In 1975, Kristina met the artist Jules Olitski, and they married in 1980. They shared a beautiful and loving life together until Jules' death in 2007; Jules called her his one true love. Over their 32 years together, they continued to inspire each other creatively. After closing her dress company, Kristina continued to make clothes and quilts for her family and friends, often sending quilts to complete strangers if she'd learned of an illness or a loss. Over the years, she gifted her extraordinarily beautiful and unique quilts to just about everyone she ever met. Kristina was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, and grandmother; a strong, intelligent, compassionate woman whose presence and guidance will be greatly missed. She is predeceased by her husband Jules Olitski; and a son, Alexander Gorby. Kristina is survived by her loving daughter, Natasha Gorby Cebek, her grandchildren Chloe Cebek, Daphne Cebek Aitken, Ian Cebek, her great-grandchildren, Zoe and Cooper Smoke; Jules' daughter, Lauren Poster, grandchildren, Ariel Poster, Harry Poster; her brother George Fourgis, her sister Mary Dombalis née Fourgis, her nephews Chris Dombalis, Nick Dombalis, and Chris Fourgis. Memorial information: A graveside service took place at the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community Cemetery in Brattleboro on Oct. 9. Donations to Boston Children's Hospital, Attn.: Gift Services, 401 Park Drive, Suite 602, Boston, MA 02215.
• Anthony E. “Tony” Rumrill, 46, of Lyndonville. Died unexpectedly on Oct. 6, 2020. He was born in Keene, N.H. on Dec. 10, 1973 and was raised by his mother and step-father, Paul and Dorothy (Lanpher) Wood. Tony was a graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School, Class of 1992. He was a self-employed carpenter. Tony enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing, deep sea fishing, traveling, family gatherings, and carpentry. Above all, he loved his family and would do anything for them. Members of his family include two daughters, Kyja Rumriil and Xariya Rumrill, both of Lyndonville; Gidget Lyon, the mother of his children, three step children, Tyler Lyon, Jaidhe Lyon, Skye Boutah; his mother and stepfather, Paul and Dorothy Wood of Rockingham; a brother, Darek Alan Rumrill of Lyndonville; two sisters, Kalenda Rumrill and her partner, Westyn Wright, of Bellows Falls; Sandra Rumrill of Springfield, Vt.; and four nieces, two nephews, and a grandniece. Memorial information: Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, visit www.royfuneralhome.com.
• Christopher Jay Russell, 48, of West Brattleboro, Died peacefully in his home on Sept. 22, 2020, with his family by his side. Chris was born at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend on Jan. 12, 1972 with his twin brother, Todd. Chris loved baseball and played on Small Fry and Little League teams; also he enjoyed just playing baseball and football with his friends. Other pastimes that he enjoyed were camping, fishing, riding his ATV, and snowmobiling. Chris attended Brattleboro Union High School. In 1992 he move to Englewood, Fla., close to other family members. He began working as a landscaper for Pete Lee of Lee's Trees in Englewood. He enjoyed learning the many aspects of landscaping, design, operating the boom truck and tractor, planting large palm trees and the many other design plantings. In 2012, Chris left Lee's Trees and moved to Manasota Key in Englewood to begin his own landscape business. As his business grew, he included in his services, the design and installation of stone pavers for patios and stone block walls. In 2016, Chris began installing sand trap bags to prevent beach erosion for homeowners along the Gulf Coast on the Key. As his business grew, he hired a two-man crew to work for him. Chris enjoyed the many pleasures of living on Manasota Key, with the bay on one side and the beautiful ocean gulf waters on the other side. He spent many hours fishing in the bay with his brother, Scott and lots of beach time with Scott and family. Much time was spent with family boating in the Florida Intercoastal waterways as well. In early September 2017, Hurricane Irma threatened the Florida Gulf coast causing an evacuation order. Chris loaded his truck with as many tools and belongings as he could fit and headed north along with his two cats. He arrived home to Vermont, where he decided to remain. After doing some landscape maintenance for a short time, he joined his longtime friend, Terry St. John of TSJ Concrete, LLC as an employee. With the winter of 2018 approaching, Chris then joined another childhood friend, Jason Gardner as an employee at Green Mountain Tap Handles, LLC in Hinsdale, N.H. Where he remained working until his illness. During his three years back in Vermont, he enjoyed spending time with family, and his girlfriend Jennifer Short and her family. Chris enjoyed reuniting with old friends and making new ones. His family and friends were his world and he was very loyal to those he loved and cared about. One of Chris' favorite pastimes was gold panning the streams of Vermont with his twin brother Todd and other friends. Chris was also an animal lover and rescued many animals throughout his life; from injured birds, chipmunks and squirrels to stray cats. He leaves his two buddies, cats Bo and Ebony, whom he loved as his “kids”; his mother, Donna Russell of West Brattleboro; brothers Scott Russell (Barbara) of Englewood and his twin brother Todd Russell of Springfield, Vt; his girlfriend Jennifer Short of Putney, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Chris was predeceased by his father, James Russell; grandparents Clayton and Dorothy Russell and Robert and Loris Mundell. Memorial information: There will be no memorial services at this time. Donations to the American Cancer Society or the ASPCA.
• Charlotte “Chadie” (Welch) Scanlon, 85, of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 4, 2020 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H.. Born on March 18, 1935 in Bellows Falls, she was the daughter of the late Robert M. and Catherine N. (Gee) Welch. She was a “Gageville Girl” and attended grade school in North Westminster. She was a graduate of the Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1954, where Charlotte and her twin sister, Shirley, were designated “Class Gigglers” by their classmates. Her first job after graduation was at Gay's Express/Holmes Systems Clearing as receptionist/switchboard operator. She later worked for many years in the OS&D Department at St. Johnsbury Trucking in Bellows Falls, and then at ABF Freight Systems in Putney before her retirement in 2000. She married Walter Scanlon in 1968 and enjoyed 39 years of marriage until his death in 2007. She was an active member and volunteer at the Bellows Falls Senior Center and also a member of The Red Hat Society. She is survived by her six sisters, Barbara Stickney and husband Richard, Marion Hess and husband Roland, her twin sister, Shirley Scofield and husband Paul, Marjorie Jankiewicz and husband William, Eleanor Kay Stack and husband James, and Catherine Welch and husband Michael Davidson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held at St. Charles Church on Oct. 9, with burial immediately following in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to the Bellows Falls Senior Center.
• Frances Louise “Fran” Slavin Szmit, 81, of Spofford, N.H. Died peacefully Oct. 7, 2020 after a brief but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born Aug. 14, 1939 in Lowell, Mass., to John Slavin and Margaret (Carpenter) Slavin, Frances grew up in the Lowell-Chelmsford area and attended Notre Dame Academy in Tyngsboro, Mass. In 1960, she married Frederick Andrew Szmit, who predeceased her in 2018. The couple adopted two children, Kathleen Anne and Andrew Michael in 1968 and 1969, respectively, embarking on a life of much joy and laughter, centered around their home in Walpole, N.H. The family shared many adventures, including hiking trips to Mount Sunapee, annual vacations to Moody Beach, Maine, and many more destinations through the years, including California and a family cruise to the Bahamas in 2010 to celebrate Fran and Fred's 50th anniversary. Fran was a talented seamstress who sewed dozens of masterful Halloween costumes when her children were young, and also made clothing and dolls for each. Fran also painted and was a skilled crafter specializing in greeting cards. She did her best never to forget someone's birthday and kept a stack of cards on hand for that purpose. When grandchildren Ryan K. Wilder and Logan J. Szmit joined the family in 1993 and 2002, Fran and Fred doted on each, taking them on many boat rides around Spofford Lake where they moved in 1992. Ryan proved an excellent traveling companion for his Nana, venturing to Canada, Georgia, and various historical sites along the Eastern Seaboard. Logan enjoyed numerous visits to the Montshire Museum in Vermont with his Nana. Fran is survived by her children, grandchildren, and many longtime friends who enriched her life immensely. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 14 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with committal rites and burial in Friedsam Cemetery in Chesterfield, N.H. Donations to Joan's Pantry, P.O. Box 148, Chesterfield NH, 03443. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Barbara Ann Stevens, 81, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 29, 2020, surrounded by her loving family, at her daughter's home in Franklin N.H. She was born in Montague, Mass., on Dec. 14, 1938 to Michael and Stella (Kruzlic) Branka. She was the oldest of three daughters and was raised in the Fort Dummer neighborhood of Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School in 1956. Barbara met the love of her life after getting her automobile stuck while she and her mother were busy inspecting the new construction work being done on Interstate 91. She married that love, William H Stevens of Newport, Maine, in 1958. They eventually settled down to raise their family in Kingston, N.H., where they resided for the next 40 years. In 2010, they moved to West Swanzey, N.H., where she was known and beloved by the neighborhood dogs that she helped care for. Barbara worked as a nurse's aide, lunch lady, housewife, and loving mother, before working for over 20 years as a quality control specialist at Western Electric in Andover, Mass., after her kids had left for lives of their own. She was a renowned gardener, known for her flowers and landscaping skills. She loved Bingo, casinos, traveling, and spending time with her family. She is survived by her husband of West Swanzey; a son, Michael Stevens, of Bangor Maine; a daughter Shelly (Michele) Streeter and her husband Michael Hamel of Franklin, N.H.; her sisters Nancy Dixon and her husband Terry of Brattleboro and Debbie Dumas and her husband Phil of Greenfield, Mass.; and four grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Barbara requested to have no public services and will be laid to rest in West Swanzey. Donations to the Brain Injury Association of America (biausa.org/donate) or PAWS of Dale Hollow, P.O. Box 242, Byrdstown, TN 38549. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, go to www.csnh.com.
• Charlotte V. (Ernst) Thalin, 92, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Oct. 3, 2020 at Thompson House Nursing Center in Brattleboro, where she had been a resident for the last seven years. She was born on Nov. 13, 1927 in Worcester, Mass., the oldest child of Thomas S. Ernst and Edrie (Conant) Ernst. She had two brothers, Robert (who died in 2004) and Ronald, who currently lives in Southbridge, Mass. Charlotte graduated from Auburn (Mass.) High School in 1945. She joined the workforce soon after, where she met Richard E. Thalin, to whom she was married in 1949. After living in Worcester for 10 years, the couple moved to Paxton, Mass., where they raised their only child, Karen L. Thalin, who was born in 1959 and now lives in Saxtons River. Charlotte was Karen's steadfast champion and the two shared a deep love. Charlotte and Richard enjoyed a nearly 50-year loving marriage, until his death in 1997. Other surviving immediate family members include her cousin, Carlene (Conant) McKinstry of Northboro, Mass., her niece, Melinda (Ernst) Fournier of Nantucket, Mass., and nephews, Thomas, Michael, and Jeffrey Ernst, all of Connecticut. Charlotte was an unflinchingly loyal, caring, and generous woman. She was reverent and humble, finding comfort and strength in her Episcopal faith, and she found immense joy singing in the church choir. Her lovely alto voice was a gift to all who were fortunate enough to hear it. She forged many friendships throughout her years involved with church and singing activities, and her friendships withstood the test of time. She accepted a part-time job as the secretary of Park Congregational Church in Worcester when her daughter went to first grade, and held that position until her 80th year. Even though she did not attend the church, the pastor and his wife treasured her, and made that known at every turn. When she retired, they held a special service for her, attended by many. Charlotte adored cats, and she and Richard shared their home with many furry felines over the years. Purrs and paws were always there to greet visitors, and these adopted companions were always treated as beloved family members. In October 2013, Charlotte moved from Massachusetts to Thompson House. Over the years, she developed a very special bond with their Director of Nursing, whom she came to adore. The feelings were mutual. Whenever he appeared, she beamed, a smile stretching from ear to ear. He dressed the two of them up in crazy costumes for Halloween each year, which brought her tremendous joy. (and ensured they always won first prize!) Memorial information: Charlotte will be laid to rest in Paxton, Mass., alongside her loving husband. There are no services planned. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; windhamcountyhumane.org. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A Celebration of Life service for Paul Marshall Brown will be conducted via Zoom on Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. To join the service login at www.zoom.us or phone 802-275-4539. Password is 941116. Mr. Brown, of West Dummerston, died Sept. 11, 2020.