Obituaries
• Nathan B. “Nate” Darrow, 71, formerly of Putney. Died Sept. 20, 2022. An apple grower and owner-operator of Saratoga Apple orchard and farmstand in Schuylerville, N.Y., Nate was born in Brattleboro in 1951, the son of William H. Darrow Jr. and Idolene (Hegemann) Darrow. Nate grew up in Putney at Green Mountain Orchards, the apple orchard planted by his grandfather and operated by his parents. He attended Putney Central School, followed by the Putney School, graduating in 1968. In 1972, Nate graduated from Harvard College. He skied on the downhill racing teams at the Putney School and Harvard. After college, Nate returned to Putney and worked with his father for a decade at Green Mountain Orchards. During that time he and his father formed associations with European apple growers, studying their cultivation methods. They visited European growers, and those growers visited Green Mountain Orchards. While in discussions with European apple growers, Nate became fluent in French. In the summer of 1980, Marie-Christine Gaud from France visited Green Mountain Orchards while traveling in America with a sister. Nate and Marie-Christine married in 1983. In 1982, Nate took a job planting and managing Granny Smith Associates, the largest Granny Smith apple orchard on the East Coast, in Laurens, S.C. In Laurens, he and Marie Christine had five children: Carl, Sonia, Emily, Elsa, and Eric. Carl died in 1986 in Laurens. In 1994, Nate and Marie-Christine purchased an apple orchard in Schuylerville, and named it Saratoga Apple. Through Saratoga Apple, Nate shared his passion for apples and became a fixture of the agricultural and farm-to-table communities as Saratoga Apple grew into a beloved destination for cider, donuts, and apple picking, as well as music, culture, and local gatherings. In 2012, Nate's son Eric joined his father in running the orchard, launching a taproom and line of hard ciders. Nate is mourned by his wife Marie-Christine, his children Sonia, Emily, Elsa, and Eric, six grandchildren, and four brothers. Memorial information: None provided.
• Bernice Emily Deen, 100, of Keene, N.H. Died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. She was born April 25, 1922 in Abington, Pa., the daughter of Charles Delaplain and Emily Schweitzer. She received an associate's degree from Santa Barbara Community College. She had stellar careers as mother, an LPN during World War II in Abington, florist, real-estate agent and broker, computer science instructor, writer, and card player. She was a member of the League of Women Voters, an elected representative to town meeting in Greenwich, Conn., and a lifelong Democrat. Bernice taught computer sciences in Santa Barbara and, after relocating back to the East Coast, continued to teach at the Edward King Senior Center in Newport, R.I. into her 90s. She was an avid writer, excellent card player, and loved the complexity of Mahjong. Once, her grandson Sam and his buddies, Matt and Kevin, while feeling their teenager oats, challenged Bernice to a poker game. Grandma would only play for money (pennies) and she wiped them out of every last penny they had without any remorse whatsoever. Her granddaughter Hannah still claims she can beat anyone at Gin Rummy because of what she learned from her grandma. Bernice is survived by her son, and daughter-in-law, David and Allison Deen of Westminster, and her daughter and son-in-law, Dianne and Jim Metcalfe of Huntington, L.I. She was predeceased by her parents, husband David L. Deen Jr., son Charles William Deen, grandson David Scott Deen, and great-grandson, Spencer Scott Deen. Bernice was the proud matriarch of a Deen family that included three children, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and five great, great-grandchildren. Her granddaughter Deborah remembers when as teens she and her brother David went to California to visit Bernice and she picked them up at the airport. Here they were, two Vermont teenagers who had never even seen a six-lane highway driving with their grandmother weaving in and out of downtown Los Angeles traffic with ease. Bernice took them to a Lakers game (when the Lakers were at their best). Bernice held season tickets and Deborah has always wondered, “What grandmother has season tickets to the Lakers?” Her daughter Dianne remembers Bernice introducing her to opera when she was a teenager. It was magical to go with her to the old Metropolitan Opera House to see her first opera with her mom and has ever since been in love with the romantic operas. Bernice was prepared for her end, but with her lifelong reserve of courage and dignity and, with full consciousness, continued the final process of her life for four months and nine days beyond her 100th birthday. Her own recently expressed dreams found on her desk where she could see them every day said that Bernice wanted to parachute into Paris, dance with Robert Redford, drive across this country again (which she always did as a preference by herself), complete her Ph.D., and sponsor a charity. Memorial information: Donations can be made to Alzheimers Fund at Langdon Place of Keene (www.genesishcc.com/langdonplacekeene) or Edward King House Senior Center of Newport, R.I. (www.edwardkinghouse.org/donate).
• Shirley M. Denno, 93, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully at home on Sept. 17, 2022. Shirley was born on Jan. 27, 1929 in Keene N.H., the daughter of the late John J. Moore and Agnes (Driscoll) Moore. She was the last living sibling of five, predeceased by Margaret Welch, Helen Cryan, Catherine Davis, and John Moore Jr. While in high school, she worked at J.J. Newberry's. Shirley graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1946. On May 15, 1948, Shirley married Francis Denno, who predeceased Shirley in 2007. Shirley worked at the Holstein Association in Brattleboro and left there to work at the Robertson Paper Co. in Bellows Falls. She was the office manager there when they closed. Shirley then worked as a secretary for Blanchflower Lumber in Alstead, N.H., which she retired from. Shirley was a devout Catholic who also loved her Irish heritage. She liked to read and do puzzles. Shirley is survived by her three daughters: Suzanne Wirta of Bellows Falls, Catherine James of Bellows Falls and Kimberly Denno of Springfield, as well as eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Shirley was predeceased by her daughter Victoria Golec, who died in 2022, and grandchildren Alicia and Ashley. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 23 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery.
• Edwina Franklin, 59, of Cramerton, N.C. Died at her home on Sept. 14, 2022. She was born in Brattleboro, and grew up in both Guilford and Putney. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Champlain College in Burlington and, later, from Husson College in Maine, where she resided for many years. Edwina loved God and her family above all else. She is survived by her brothers and their wives: Stanley and Holly, David and Mary Ellen, and Donald; and her stepmother, Shirley. She also leaves behind a niece, Jennifer; nephews Warren, John and his wife, Taylor, Neil, and Paul and his wife, Ryan; as well as great-nieces Charlotte and Maeve, great-nephew Chandler; and aunts, uncles and many cousins. She was predeceased by her mother, Shirley, in 2004 and her father, Wilfred, in 2018. Memorial information: Graveside committal services under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home took place in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Sept. 23. Donations to Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept., 108 Guilford Center Rd., Guilford, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to Edwina's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jay Herbert Karpin, 98, of Brattleboro. Died September 12, 2022 at Bradley House in Brattleboro. Born on June 23, 1924 in Bronx, N.Y., Jay was the son and eldest child of David J. Karpin and Sophia B. (Weiner) Karpin. He was the husband of Florence Baker Karpin, whom he met by chance while on military leave, both out for celebratory dinners, each with their respective families. They were married on April 5, 1947 in Massapequa Park, N.Y., and enjoyed 67 years of marriage, up until Florence's death in 2014. Jay graduated from Hicksville (N.Y.) High School on his 18th birthday in 1942, the day before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. He served in World War II as a distinguished bombardier and navigator from 1944-45. He was assigned to the 493rd Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force and flew more than 35 combat missions, plus numerous sorties, 12 missions in the B-24 Liberator and 23 missions in the B-17 Flying Fortress, all with 100 percent bombing accuracy. At age 19, Jay's very first combat mission was aboard one of the first crews over Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 during the Normandy invasion. Jay achieved the rank of first lieutenant, and would go on to train new bombardiers on the B-29 Superfortress. For his war service, the U.S. Government awarded Jay the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 4 service stars, a Presidential Group Citation from Franklin D. Roosevelt, and a personal citation from General Jimmy Doolittle. In 2016, at the age of 91, Jay was awarded the French Legion of Honor, the highest award given to a non-citizen of France, for his part in its liberation, and he received a Resolution by the Vermont House of Representatives, congratulating him on his appointment as a Chevalier (Knight). He was honored to be featured in the U.S. Air Force's Veterans in Blue program at the Pentagon. In 2018, Jay also was bestowed with the Quilt of Valor by the program's Deerfield Valley Chapter. After the war, Jay briefly worked with his father in the cosmetics industry, worked for Singer Sewing Machines, and did some fashion modeling. He was then employed at Republic Aviation Corporation in Farmingdale, N.Y., starting as an apprentice machinist and working his way up to supervisor-foreman. There, he helped to develop groundbreaking in-flight refueling capabilities and vastly improved flying range for the F-84 Thunderjet and F-105 Thunderchief. On a family vacation in 1957, Jay and Florence fell in love with Vermont and they moved the family to Grafton in 1958. Jay was employed by several Springfield machine tool industry firms. He was especially proud of his co-invention of the computer disc memory drum at Bryant Grinder Company. In the mid-1960s, Jay started his own company in his barn, Vermont Precision Products, where he trained 60 young machinists right out of high school. Eventually the business expanded to a new building in Bartonsville. Jay later shifted gears and worked for Ludlow Blue Seal Feed and Grain, the Horizon Inn, Holiday Inn, and eventually founded and served as senior safety and environmental health consultant for Jay H. Karpin Associates. He was also the director of risk management for Merriam Graves, plant engineer at Vermont Tap and Die/Vermont American, and a founding member of Vermont Safety and Health Council. In recent years, he served as co-president of Brattleboro AARP. Jay felt a strong connection to the town of Grafton and he enjoyed being in leadership roles. Some of his many civic accomplishments included Boy Scout leader, Selectboard member, and Town Health Officer. He served on the Town Planning Commission. Jay loved Memorial Day and was honored to lead the Grafton Memorial Day Parade for several decades. Even after his move to Brattleboro in 2015, he returned to lead the Grafton parade, and did so as recently as May 2022. Passionate about many hobbies, Jay especially loved all things aviation and flying. He first became a pilot at age 15, and enjoyed his small private Cessna during the 1970s. He took more flying lessons and renewed his pilot's license when in his 90s. He was an avid book, magazine and newspaper reader, so much so that the family would have to hide all reading materials, at times, to get his full attention. He had a passion for horses and his vegetable gardens and liked to sing along to the tunes of Frank Sinatra. Jay was predeceased by his wife Florence, his brother Ivan Karpin and sister Audrey (Karpin) Fishkind Golub. He is survived by his daughters Janis Broom and Jennifer Karpin, both of Brattleboro, and his son Gary Karpin of Gilbert, Ariz.; grandchildren Jasmin Field Evans (Nate), Mischa Field (Lori), Gary Karpin II (Jessica), Emily Karpin, Priscilla Karpin-Crow (Nate); and great-grandchildren Paige, Elsa, Nathan, Piper, Nathaniel, Adrianna, and Parker; his special friend Barbara Spencer; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. Jay was dearly loved by family and his numerous friends - 1,897 Facebook friends, to be exact - and many more including fellow veterans at the VFW/Legion breakfasts. He was an affable man and was comfortable talking to anyone, be it a famous newscaster, a governor, or another Selectman or road crew member. He made friends in diners with passing strangers. And he was a real life World War II hero with enthralling stories. His family will never forget his bravery, his service to his country, his humor, tenacity, and spirit. As he was recently quoted in The Commons, while reflecting on his life, “It's been a fantastic ride.” Memorial information: A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Nov. 13 in Grafton, beginning at 12:30 p.m., with military honors and interment of cremains at the Burgess Cemetery on Burgess Cemetery Road, located off Route 35 north of Grafton. At 2 p.m., there will be a remembrance gathering at the Grafton Brick Meeting House Church, 2 Main St., with a chapel reception next door, to follow. All are welcome to attend. Please allow extra time for parking near Burgess Cemetery. Donations to Bradley House Assisted Living, 65 Harris Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Bayada Hospice Foundation Fund, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 107, Brattleboro VT 05301.
• Robert Samuel “Bob” Keller, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 10, 2022 at his home, passing peacefully to join his “darling Dee” in heaven. The last weeks of his life were spent at his home, surrounded by family. In death as in life, Bob was calm, steady, and courageous, expressing deep gratitude for all his many blessings and remaining a good and faithful servant. Bob was born at his family home in Darke County, Ohio, on June 18, 1930, the first of six sons to Fannye Jean (Hawbaker) and Raymond Theodore Keller. Like so many who grew up in rural, Depression-era America, Bob's childhood was filled with family, hard work, and diligent study. When not working on the family farm, Bob developed a curiosity for the lessons of his church and his classes at Gettysburg (Ohio) schools. He joined the church youth group and began to serve in leadership roles, a thread that would run throughout his whole life. Though he found meaning in the hard work on the farm (once remembering that he tolerated his quite unpleasant summer job delivering coal to homes in the county by keeping his mind's gaze on the warmth and comfort it would provide the families during the long, cold winter), his keen intellect, profound curiosity, and commitment to being a messenger of the Word, led him to further his study at Manchester College (Indiana), graduating with a degree in sociology in 1952. He then earned a master's degree in social and technical assistance from Haverford College in 1953, and later earned a master of social service degree from Bryn Mawr in 1960. As a devout follower of Christ's pacifist teachings of the New Testament, Bob's alternative service as a conscientious objector took him to Turkey, where he met Dorothy “Dee” Birge. Upon deciding to marry, Bob wrote to his mother about their commitment, saying “the richest fulfillment of our lives will be as we work together, sharing our love with the world” and praying that their union may help them “seek to create a greater wholeness.” Bob and Dee married Aug. 6, 1955, and built a life full of love, acceptance, and wonder through their more than 65 years together. Bob and Dee served the mission together in central Turkey, returning to the United States with their family of four children in 1964. Bob enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Michigan and completed his Ph.D. in sociology and social work in 1970. He taught and served as associate dean of the School of Social Work at Ohio State University until becoming the academic dean in 1978 at his alma mater, Manchester College. Bob was a gifted administrator, thoughtful in his focus on detail and honoring of institutional norms and procedures, yet without ever losing sight of the very humans these institutions were designed to serve. His profound impact on his students and the institutions he served mark a legacy of excellence and deep concern for helping others reach their God-given potential. After retiring in 1996, Bob and Dee directed college exchange programs in Sapporo, Japan; Dalian, China; and Cochin, India. In response to the devastating earthquake of 2000, Bob and Dee were called by Global Ministries to return to Turkey, where Bob served as the consultant executive liaison officer for SEV (Health and Education Foundation) of the Near East Mission. While there, they assisted with the transition of UCC Mission schools to local administration. Retiring from the mission in 2004, Bob and Dee settled in Brattleboro. They remained very active in local and regional ecumenical initiatives, including helping to spearhead the commitment of the town of Brattleboro to become a signatory community to the Charter for Compassion. As firm believers in the Oneness of God's Creation, Bob and Dee sought to forge connections with peoples of all faith traditions as they worked to do their part to help build God's Kingdom on Earth. Their generosity in providing of their money and time to the causes they felt so strongly about will continue to provide for the change they hoped to bring to this oftentimes broken world. Bob truly embodied the biblical message from Micah to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. Bob dedicated his professional life to education, often remarking how he began a new school year each year from 1936 until 1999, during which time he developed a deep passion for knowledge and exploration of ideas and living out the ideal of his beloved alma mater: Faith, Learning, and Service. Bob will be remembered for his calm yet resolute presence, his steadfast commitment to service of others, his disciplined health practices, his commitment to environmental and social justice causes, and his unwavering love for his family and all God's children. Bob's last words to his family, and to all, was to “keep the love flowing.” Bob is survived by his children and their spouses: Karen Horn (Don), Kate Butterfield (Jed), Lisa Keller (Jim Bedard), and John Keller (Kristin); grandchildren and their spouses: Kristen Butterfield-Ferrell (Lu), Rachael Hancock (Anthony), Megan Butterfield (fiancé George Sprague), Seth Marcil, Haley Marcil, Colin Horn, Ana Keller, and Jacob Keller; great-granddaughters Amelia and Adalyn Hancock; brothers John, Karl, and Kevin; cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and his brothers Teddy and Bill. Memorial information: A memorial service for Bob will be held at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 2 p.m. The Robert and Dorothy Keller Fund has been established in their name at Turkish Philanthropy Funds (TPF) to support the professional development of teachers at schools where Dee and Bob taught. Donations may be made at donate.tpfund.org/Dorothy-and-Robert-Keller or by mail at TPF, 1460 Broadway, New York, NY 10036 and indicating “Robert and Dorothy Keller Fund” on the check.
• William E. “Bill” Kirkwood Sr., 79, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died on Sept. 8, 2022, surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Brattleboro on April 16, 1943 to Samuel F. and Gladys V. (Hood) Kirkwood. He spent most of his life in the Hinsdale area, and attended primary and secondary school in Hinsdale before enlisting in the Army. After his honorable discharge in 1964, he began his professional career. Bill worked various manufacturing jobs over the years before finally settling in at Bridgeport Metal, where he worked for over 20 years. In his younger years, Bill loved the outdoors and could be found on his snowmobile or motorcycle, fishing and hunting, or playing horseshoes. As Bill aged, his love for the outdoors stayed the same, and he passed this love along to his family in the form of family gatherings and barbeques. In addition to the outdoors, Bill loved playing cards, especially pitch and cribbage, and was an active member of many card playing communities. Bill was especially fond of the friends he played with during his winter leagues and the Sunday league at the VFW. Bill's sense of humor kept everyone on their toes, and that is why the relationships he had with many lasted the test of time. From the friends who would gather in his garage to reminisce or to strangers around town who recognized Bill's beloved 1979 Ford Bronco, stopping him for pictures or laughing due to the nature of his “Makin' Bacon” tailgate, Bill surrounded himself with people who shared the same appreciation of humor and laughter he did. This was especially true in the relationships he held with his older sister Lorraine and his favorite brother-in-law Eli. Lorraine and Bill had a connection that was natural since they were siblings, but Lorraine was also Bill's best friend. They spoke on the phone every day, relaying countless stories and keeping each other updated on their daily activities and always growing family. Bill's other closest friend also happened to be Lorraine's husband. Bill and Eli had a relationship that many envied, as they were inseparable brothers when they were together. They had a connection that was indescribable and loved sharing many tales of adventures that had them both laughing for hours on end. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his widow Irene Kirkwood, his brother James Kirkwood, and an infant child. Bill is survived by his beloved companion Karen Kirkwood, his cherished sister Lorraine and her husband Eli Geer, his sons William E. Kirkwood, Jr. (Amy), and Shawn W. Roberts, his daughters Diana Brough (Christopher), and Zada D. Franklin (William). In addition, he will be deeply missed by five stepsons, nine grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will take place on Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, followed immediately by burial at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale. All are invited to attend. To view Bill's online tribute or send condolences to the family, visit phaneuf.net.
• Susan “Sue” Benedict Jacobs Laffond, 76, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 9, 2022 at Thompson House, where she had been a resident since June 2021 after a fall made it impossible for her to continue living alone. She was born in Northampton, Mass., on Jan. 22, 1946 to Ray Benedict and Elizabeth Turner Benedict Avery. She graduated in 1962 from Smith Vocational School in Northampton. In September 1964, Sue married William Jacobs; unfortunately this marriage ended in divorce. In her younger years Sue enjoyed being a stay at home mom. She loved to bake and was a great cook. She enjoyed canning and freezing vegetables from the garden and in the fall would be making batches of applesauce to freeze. Christmas would find her baking cookies or making homemade candy and popcorn balls. Sue was a very talented knitter and crocheter and loved to dance. The oldies and old country music were her favorites and it was to this music in the kitchen that she taught her daughters to dance. After her divorce, Sue discovered a love and talent for waitressing and was loved and respected by all of her patrons in return. While waitressing at the Lunch Box in Williamsburg, Mass., she met Robert (Bob) Laffond whom she married in 1996. Sue enjoyed taking trips to Maine with Bob; Perkins Cove was one of her favorite places to visit. Bob in 2010. Sue is survived by her daughters Cynthia Jacobs Forbes of Brattleboro and Wendy Jacobs of Swanzey, N.H.; granddaughters Katy Eastman of Brattleboro and Amy Forbes of Guilford; and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by stepdaughters Deborah (Art) LeBlanc of Palm Coast, Fla., Laura (Ed) Benkowski of Hinsdale, N.H., and Annette (Al) Herlihy of Palm Coast, Fla; sisters Jackie (Don) Lawton of Williamsburg, Mass. and Patty (Dicky) Schmidt of Southampton, Mass., and many step-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Sue was also predeceased by her parents, sisters Donna Uhlig and Laura Schmidt, and her beloved dog Pooh Bob. Memorial information: Services will be held for Sue on Thursday, Oct. 29, starting at 5 p.m., at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro. For more information, visit phaneuf.net.
• Frances Carmella Mish, 91, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 15, 2022 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, after a period of declining health. She was born in Danbury, Conn., on Nov. 15, 1930, the daughter of Francis and Rose (Deluccio) Anthony. She was raised and educated in Danbury and graduated from Danbury High School with the Class of 1949. She had worked as a keypunch operator for the Barden Corp., a large ball bearing manufacturer located in Danbury. She retired from her position in 1988, following 35 faithful years with the company. Following retirement, she relocated to the Brattleboro area and became a resident of Hinsdale. She was a member of the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 Auxiliary and was an active volunteer with the post's weekly Bingo program, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. Frances was loved by her friends and family. She was well known for her spirit of friendship, feistiness, and wonderful sense of humor. She was one who enjoyed a good laugh. She was gifted with a beautiful voice and sang opera in her younger years. She served as a soloist at church, weddings, and other special events. She was an avid bowler, loved watching wrestling and her afternoon soap operas, and liked taking an occasional trip to Foxwoods. She was predeceased by first husband Patrick Mastriani, and second husband Edward Mish, as well as two sisters, Mary Fusco and Gloria Peet. Survivors include a daughter, Diana Mitchell, and husband, James, of Hinsdale; a granddaughter, Jacqueline Fletcher, of Keene, N.H.; great grandchildren Gabriel and Isaac Fletcher; siblings Frank Anthony of Tennessee and Delores Gyurkovics of Danbury; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: In keeping with Frances's final wishes, there are no funeral services scheduled. Donations to Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, shrinerschildrens.org/en/giving. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A celebration of life for Wendy Kerlin of Marlboro will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, noon to 3 p.m., at The Marina Restaurant in Brattleboro. Come only if you are fully vaccinated against Covid, per Wendy's request. Ms. Kerlin, 68, died Feb. 5, 2022 at her home.
• A memorial meeting for J. Parker Huber will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 4, under the care of Putney Friends Meeting. The meeting for worship will begin at 3 p.m. at Scott Farm, 707 Kipling Rd., Dummerston. All are invited to share in gratitude and celebration of Parker's life and to reflect on how his life relates to us all. Mr. Huber, of Brattleboro, died July 8, 2022 at his home.