Milestones

Milestones

Obituaries

• Rita Blodgett, 74, of Springfield, Vermont. Died Nov. 6, 2022, at the Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born on Nov. 17, 1947 to Leo and Ida (Raymond) Fournier. Rita loved to play Bingo, listen to music, go for walks, and being with her friends. She was known for her famous popcorn. Rita is survived by her daughters Lynette (Chris) Silver and Michelle (Donald) Laurendeau, grandchildren Megan and Brittnay Laurendeau, and great-granddaughter Breille. She was predeceased by her parents. Rita also had many sisters, brothers, nieces, and nephews. Memorial information: Services will be held at a later date. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls is handling arrangements.

• Bernice Virginia “Jeannie” Leavitt, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 11, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, the results of complications from a recent accidental fall. Jeannie was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 18, 1947, the daughter of Daniel and Bernice (Brackett) Lyons. She attended St. Michael's Parochial School and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1965. She went on to graduate from the Thompson School for Practical Nursing, earning her LPN degree. She worked at the former Linden Lodge as head nurse for several years, later working as a special needs paraprofessional at the Winston Prouty Center, Early Education Services, and at BUHS. Her last position was as a private caregiver for two special needs adults. Jeannie will be remembered for her compassion, dedication, and caring personality in assisting those in need. She loved time spent at the beach, swimming, reading, and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was married in Brattleboro on April 20, 1992 to Robert A. Leavitt. The couple had been together for 40 wonderful years. Besides her faithful and devoted husband, she leaves three children, Timothy Pratt of Newfane, Karen Pratt of Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, and Mikki Lane of Brattleboro; one brother, James Lyons of Dover and Rockledge, Florida; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Margaret “Peggy” Adams and Christine Lyons. Memorial information: A celebration of life gathering will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street. All are invited to attend and share their memories of Jeannie. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or Winston Prouty Center, 209 Austine Drive, Thomas Hall, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.

• Teri A. Bryant McAllister, 57, of Westminster. Died unexpectedly at her home on Nov. 4, 2022. Teri was born Oct. 1, 1965, in Bellows Falls, the daughter of William and Bernadette (Pickul) Bryant. Teri grew up in Saxtons River and graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School with the Class of 1983. Teri was a spitfire, even when she was a little girl. As kids, there were many fights and hair pulling. She may have been small, but she was always the toughest and most likely to be the winner. Her love of animals grew the older she got, from watching her bird feeders to feeding the neighborhood strays. In her earlier years, Teri loved to spend time going sailing with her husband, Russell, and their children. She woke before the sun shone to load the van and head to the beach for the day. Spending time with her family meant so much to her. She would never let anyone leave the house without a big hug and kiss, and especially hearing the words “I love you” before walking out the door. She was a great crafter and learned to love to paint to distract her mind. She could sit down for hours at a time to work on a puzzle and would often finish it very quickly too. Relaxing with her book outside at the Westminster Pool, listening to the kids run around, was one of her favorite things to do. Teri loved kids, she was “Mama Teri” to many, always offering a shoulder to lean on or a listening ear. Teri was a great friend to many. Recently, Teri reconnected with old school friends Gail Frappiea, Dianna Bismore-Decicco, and Laura Hewitt, where many laughs were shared. Always running into friends everywhere she went and not realizing she was holding them up in the store parking lot by talking their ear off for 30 minutes. Teri always knew how she felt and was never afraid to hold it back. Teri loved the old Irish blessing: “May the road rise to meet you, May the wind always be at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rain fall soft upon your fields, and until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.” Teri will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Russell McAllister, whom she married April 13, 1997; their children Zachariah and Jacinta McAllister and her boyfriend, Quinton Ambrose; her stepchildren Danielle McAllister and Holly Brombly and her husband, Jason Brombly; her sister and brother Jill Bryant Johnson and Peter Bryant and his wife, Neely; her nieces and nephews, Spenser Johnson, Quincey Purcell, Bryant Johnson, Delaney, and Cohen Bryant; her grandchildren Spencer, Kadence, Remington, Tucker, Cameren, Sophia, Landen, and Mya; and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Teri was predeceased by her parents, William and Bernadette Bryant; her brothers Richard and Bill Bryant; and her son and daughters, Jacob McAllister and Lily McAllister and Tara Bryant. Memorial information: None provided.

• Janette Neubauer, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 15, 2022. Born Janette Joan DeWalt on June 30, 1937, she was the middle child of Depression-era parents in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Her rural upbringing by self-sufficient, non-nonsense parents instilled in her a love of nature, a can-do attitude, a fierce independence, resourcefulness, and a love of the outdoors. Here, she developed a work ethic and resilience that could rival any. In 1962 she left Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter married Bob Neubauer. They moved to Long Island, New York and, over the next 10 years, she gave birth to their children Lisa, Kara, and Paul. Janette was a devoted wife and mother. The years on Long Island involved a strong connection to St. James Lutheran Church, the beach, and family. Times were lean and busy, but social. The working-class neighborhoods she called home there were founded on a fairness and optimism that is tough to find these days. Making time to be with friends was a priority then, and would continue to be so throughout her life. In 1978 the family moved to Meetinghouse Lane in Brattleboro, where Janette would live out her life. Janette's life revolved around her kids, particularly after her divorce from Bob in 1982. Enabling them to pursue their interests and dreams drove her day-to-day life for the years to come. Doing so included instilling in them a love of the outdoors, animals and demonstrating her tremendous work ethic. Over the next 35 years, Janette would work for a wide collection of Brattleboro businesses, learning new skills and becoming invaluable to a multitude of organizations including Community College of Vermont, Follow Through, Brattleboro Subaru, Brattleboro Chrysler, Cersosimo Lumber, Basketville, and Cellular One. She also served as a mediator and Justice of the Peace. Janette was able to see all of her children happily married to people whom she came to love and whose company she enjoyed immensely. These unions gave her perhaps the greatest joy of her life: her grandkids. As much as she put into the lives of her children, she matched that love again for her grandkids. She made true and sustained efforts to know each of them as the individuals they are, and created unique and lasting memories and bonds with each of them. Though always up for adventure and quick to laugh, Janette had a strong moral compass and instilled in all of her children and grandkids a clear and unwavering commitment to loyalty, honesty, hard work, fair play, and generosity. Such concepts can be taught through words, but like most things, they are better exemplified through deeds, as she did. Janette demonstrated that communities are strong because of those who give. She dedicated many hours over many years to the Diversion Board, Welcome Baby, Sunrise Rotary, and Putney Road beautification, but also to her neighbors, friends, and any community cause that she could help to do good. This included weaving plastic sleeping mats for Brattleboro's homeless population. Her friendships were very important to her and she nurtured and protected them fiercely. She loved to laugh and had the ability to laugh at herself. She was a voracious reader, an avid gardener, storyteller, artist, greeting card maker, card shark, and game player who loved word games. She filled her home with art - pottery, famed Vermont artists' works, her grandchildren's artwork, and precious gifts from friends and family. She believed and demonstrated that true happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige - but rather on relationships with people you love and respect. She left this world with dignity and grace, telling us, “life is good” as she always looked for the silver lining. Her family and community were made better for the life that she lived. She will be sorely missed. Janette is survived by her daughters Lisa (Chris) Pratt of Groveland, Massachusetts and Kara (Kevin) Deir of Charlotte, North Carolina; son Paul Neubauer (Clarissa Werre) of Bozeman, Montana, and her beloved grandchildren Casey and Teagan Pratt, Connor and Caroline Deir, and Rory Neubauer. Memorial information: Her celebration of life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in the spring, Janette's favorite time of year. Donations can be made to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Trinity Lutheran Church, 161 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.

• Larry James Ruffins, 68, of Vernon. Died Nov. 5, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Brattleboro, VT after a brief illness. He was born in Cook County Hospital in Chicago on July 29, 1954, the son of James “JT” Nesbitt and Helen R. Ruffins. He attended Chicago schools, graduating from Lindblom Technical High School. Throughout school, Larry was active in JROTC and received a scholarship to New Mexico Military Institute. He continued studies at Louisiana State University and, while there, decided to join the United States Air Force. After Larry's military commitment, he worked as the MWR marketing and advertising director at Yokota Air Base in Japan. After returning to the States, he was first employed by the Curry County, New Mexico Corrections Department and then the Louisiana Department of Corrections, where he worked at Angola Penitentiary. After relocating to Vermont, Larry worked for the New Hampshire Department of Corrections in Cheshire County, and then in the Vermont Department of Corrections. He retired in 2017 after more than 20 years in the corrections field. In retirement, Larry worked for Hunter North Associates as a security supervisor at Greenfield Community College. Larry was a 33rd-degree Mason and Past Potentate of Asmi-Sam Temple 225. He was an excellent cook who enjoyed researching and trying new recipes. Larry was also an avid Chicago sports fan. Larry is survived by his wife Marylynn Scherlin; his mother Helen Brown of Louisiana, a son, Larry Jr., and his children, Nyzair and Amani; a daughter, Marla Ruffins and her children, Vernon and Leo, and their mother, Jeannette (Walsh) Ruffins, all of Waterbury, Connecticut. He is also survived by a stepson Jason Scherlin and his wife Gladys (Claybrooks) and their children, Michael and Alyssa of Vernon; and stepdaughter Andrea Scherlin and her husband Matthew Kosma of Charleston, South Carolina; his brother Kenneth Ruffins and wife Sharon of Queens Creek, Arizona, and their children Aaron and Sasha and families. He also leaves behind stepbrothers Junior Brown and family of Chicago, and Barrington Brown and stepsister Bridget Williams and their families, all of Jamaica. He was predeceased by his father and his stepfather Hendrick Brown. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Nov. 19 at the Kidder Funeral Home in Northfield, Massachusetts. Burial will take place at a later date. Donations to the Vernon Fire Department, 2842 Ft. Bridgman Rd., Vernon, VT 05354, or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

• William (Billy) Hiram Stevens, 89, of Swanzey, New Hampshire. Died peacefully on Nov. 10, 2022. He was born at home in Newport, Maine on Jan. 15, 1933. He came from a large family with four sisters and a brother. He graduated from the Robert William Traip Academy in Kittery, Maine in 1951. He was drafted in 1952 during the Korean War and served for two years, stationed in Germany. After his time in the service, he began working road construction all throughout New England. This is where he met the love of his life, Barbara Branka, while he assisted her after she had gotten stuck on the newly constructed Interstate 91 in Vermont. The two married in May 1958 and lived in various parts of Vermont and New Hampshire before finally settling in Kingston, New Hampshire, where they raised two children. He lived in Kingston for 40 years before living in Swanzey for the last 10 years of his life. He worked road construction for nearly 40 years before retiring in 1995. When he was not working, he enjoyed a variety of different hobbies such as gardening, bird watching, working on puzzles, visiting casinos, collecting guns and clocks, watching the Red Sox, and spending time with his grandchildren. He was predeceased by his beloved wife Barbara (Branka) Stevens, his parents Hazel (Buzzell) and William Stevens, and siblings Norman Stevens, Olive Emery, and Margaret Beane. He is survived by his son Michael Stevens of Bangor, Maine; his daughter Shelly Streeter and her husband Michael Hamel of Franklin, New Hampshire; sisters Doris Cutten of Kittery, Maine and Marilyn Smith of Durham, New Hampshire; grandchildren Paige Stevens of New York City, Travis and Steven Streeter of Brattleboro, and Eli Stevens of Dover, New Hampshire; and three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Services will be private. Donations to the Brain Trauma Foundation. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, visit www.csnh.com.

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