Obituaries
• Dorothy G. Creager, 93, of Lake Luzerne, N.Y. Died Aug. 13 at the Home of the Good Shepherd in Glens Falls, N.Y. Wife of the late Herbert Creager. Mother of Renee O'Brien and her husband, Tom; Arthur Creager and his wife, Mary Jean; and Wendy Creager. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., during World War II, she worked at Grumman Aircraft as a riveter. Later, she lived in Valley Stream, N.Y., with her devoted husband and three children. The family summered in their home in Fourth Lake in Lake Luzerne, finally settling in their upstate wonderland. She loved reading and swimming on Fourth Lake beach; she was an avid knitter and a volunteer in 4-H for many years. She recorded books-on-tape for the visually impaired, and always had a pot of coffee awaiting her friends and family. Her years in Lake Luzerne were rich with friends and activities at the Glens Falls Senior Center and Lake Luzerne Senior Center. Memorial information: A funeral was held at the Brewer Funeral Homein Lake Luzerne, N.Y., on Aug 15. Burial took place on Aug. 18. in Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y. Donations to the Glens Falls Senior Center or the Lake Luzerne Senior Center.
• Dr. Robert Person Darrow, 91, of Mendon. Died Aug. 10 in his home. Husband of the late Susan Ackerman Darrow. Longtime companion Gillian Gaines of Shrewsbury. Father of Alison, Pamela, Bruce, and Jeffrey. The son of the late William H. and Ellen (Person) Darrow, he grew up tending his father's apple orchard in Putney. A graduate of The Putney School and Middlebury College, he earned his M.D. from Yale Medical School and served as a lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps during World War II and the Korean conflict. After completing his residency at the hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, he moved his young family to Rutland. In 1956, he established his private practice in general surgery, seeing patients at his office at the old Proctor Hospital and in the operating rooms and emergency room of Rutland Hospital. Dr. Darrow was widely recognized as a physician of exceptional talent, empathy and practicality, and was beloved by his patients and the community at large. He served as president of the Northeast Medical Association, the Rutland County Medical Society, the Rocky Mountain Traumatological Society, and Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Vermont and was Chief of Surgery at Rutland Hospital. He was also a member of the American College of Surgeons, the American Board of Surgery, the New England Surgical Society, the Vermont State Medical Society, the Rutland County Medical Society, and the Rutland County division of the American Cancer Society and was active in the Rutland Chamber of Commerce and the Rutland Lions Club. A lifelong outdoorsman, he was a four-event skier for Middlebury and served as medical adviser for the Killington Ski Patrol and the National Ski Patrol; he was a NASTAR racer from 1993 to 2003, placed in the high jump in the Senior Olympics, and was a longtime member of both the Mendon Fish & Game Club and Weston's Wantastiquet Trout Club. Dr. Darrow established a family tree farm in Shrewsbury, served as president of the Vermont Woodlands Association, and sat on the Vermont Current Use Advisory Board. He traveled widely throughout his life, was a theater buff and emeritus member of the Killington Music Festival Board, and he lunched regularly with the Mendon Seniors and the RODEOs. Memorial information: A memorial service is planned at a time to be announced.
• Ralph A. Golec Sr., 89, of Contoocook, N.H. Died Aug. 6. Husband of Patricia (Sabins) Golec for 66 years. Father of Angela Carter of Concord, N.H., Michele Crathern of North Conway, N.H., “Alex” Golec of Henniker N.H., John S. Golec of Marco Island, Fla., and Michael L. Golec of Webster, N.H. Brother of the late Joseph, Peter, Bernard, Frank, and Lillian Golec, Agnes Zielinski, and Sophia McKenney. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of Polish immigrants Stanley and Mattie (Pietras) Golec, he served as a member of the Army's 12th Armored Infantry Division during World War II. He saw combat in France as a machine gunner, and later was an ambulance driver going to and from the front lines. He was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Vermont Distinguished Service medal among other service honors. He was an active member of American Legion Post 81 and VFW Post 11490 in Contoocook until illness curtailed his involvement. He was an union carpenter and an accomplished master craftsman. Like most Vermonters, he excelled at many other trades in the interest of making a living to support his wife and five children. His career was mainly spent working for the Army Corps of Engineers in Vermont and New Hampshire and he was the flood control dam operator at the Everett Reservoir in Hopkinton, N.H. Following his retirement, he remained occupied with many projects, but was greatly involved in the research and development of designs to better harness water power from rivers and streams to efficiently and inexpensively generate electricity. He had a well-deserved reputation for being firm and fair. In his later years, his loving kindness was greatly appreciated by all of his family, many nieces, nephews and close friends whose company he thoroughly enjoyed. Memorial information: A memorial service was held in the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Boscawen, N.H.
• Dorothy Howe, 93, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 6 at Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Wife of the late Jasper J. Howe for nearly 60 years. Mother of Leonard Howe and his wife, Betsy, and Nancy Aldrich and her husband, Earl, both of Wilmington, and the late Gerald Howe and Barbara Gouin. Sister of Lawrence Wright of Brattleboro, and the late Bill, Howard, Hollis, Chester, Buster, Edith, Myrtle, and Mildred Wright. Born at home in East Dover, the daughter of the late Harold and Leona (Powers) Wright, she attended the East Dover School in Goose City. She worked in many area lodges for many years, including the Novice Inn, Four Seasons. and the Iron Stone Lodge. She enjoyed square dancing with her husband and was active with area seniors, especially attending senior meals in Jacksonville. She enjoyed listening to country music and Lawrence Welk and enjoyed visits from her family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Aug. 11 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington, with interment in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to the Wilmington Fire Department or Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad.
• Max C. Jarvis, 79, of Wilmington. Died Aug. 12 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Wife of Dorothy (Harris) Jarvis for nearly 53 years. Father of Kyle Jarvis of Whately, Mass., and Kristin Jarvis of Plainfield, Conn. Brother of the late Treffley N. Jarvis, Jr., Marjorie Crawford, Mary Comai, and Jane Tunis.Born in Wilmington, the son of the late Treffley N. and Grace (Crawford) Jarvis, Sr., he graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1953. In his earlier years, he worked for Vermont National Bank and Taylor Insurance Company before owning and operating Barber and Jarvis Insurance Company. He also served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He was an antique dealer and repaired antique furniture, owning and operating The Etcetera Shop for many years. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, and was a former member of the Wilmington Lions Club. He enjoyed bowling and was on various teams at North Star Bowl for many years. He enjoyed fishing at Spofford Lake and was an avid Yankees fan. He enjoyed spending time with his family, especially his granddaughter Aimee. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Aug. 18 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington, with interment in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad.
• Lillian L. Lane, 85, formerly of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died July 16 in De Leon Springs, Fla. Wife of Harry Lane. Sister of Rodney Lane of Brattleboro, Bradley Lane of Hinsdale, N.H., and Barbara Lane of Troy, N.H. Also survived by four children, 10 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. She was member of the De Leon Springs United Methodist Church and Women of the Moose Deland Chapter. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Sunday, Aug. 31, at 2:30 p.m. at VFW Post 1034 on Black Mountain Road in Brattleboro.
• Tullio Marchegiani, 87, of Readsboro. Died Aug. 9 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. Husband of Esther (Scaia) Marchegiani for 60 years. Father of Dale Marchegiani of Readsboro and Kim McGowen, and her husband, Stan, of Maine. Brother of Ada Libardi and her husband, Eugene, of Readsboro, and the late Dirce Sanderson, and Joseph and Norman Marchegiani. Born in Readsboro, the son of the late Celso “Tony” and Teresa (Colo) Marchegiani, he attended local schools. He joined the Navy in March 1945 and was stationed on the Marshall Islands in the Pacific as World War II ended. After his honorable discharge in July 1946, he returned to Readsboro and worked many years at the Readsboro Chair Co./Vermont Hardwoods. He also worked several years at Deerfield Specialty Papers in Monroe Bridge. He retired in 1989 from Codogni & Son Plumbing. During his retirement, he enjoyed many hours and every deer season at Camp Zinfandel. In later years, he enjoyed company around his dining room table at home, sharing coffee royals with his friends, and telling stories. He loved to hunt, especially for rabbits and birds, and fishing for brook trout. He loved people and everyone he knew was a good friend. He loved music, dancing, and going to parties, but most of all, he loved his family. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 14 at St. Joachim's Church in Readsboro, with burial in Village Cemetery. Donations to the Vickey Marchegiani Scholarship Fund in care of Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals-Central Chapel, 74 Marshall St., North Adams, MA 01247.
• Thomas J. Moore Jr., 81, of Jamaica and Mesa, Ariz. Died Aug. 5 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Marion Moore. Father of Cynthia A. Sheets of Queen Creek, Ariz.; Thomas J. Moore III and his wife, Mary, of Chandler, Ariz., and Colleen M. St. Hilaire of Maple Shade, N.J. Stepfather of Cynthia A. Dewey and her husband, Bill, of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., and Donald W. Peters and his wife, Mary, of Anthem, Ariz. Brother of Jack Moore and his wife, Teri, of Sandy Hook, Conn. Born in Danbury, Conn., the son of the late Thomas J. and Anne (Leahy) Moore Sr., he was educated in the Danbury school system, graduating from Danbury High School, Class of 1953. He was employed as a sheet metal worker for Local 39, Sheet Metal Workers Union. He was a very talented master craftsman. He made tin ware, built his home in Jamaica, and could fix anything. He loved tinkering in the yard, was proud to be a union man, and was an avid NASCAR fan. He and his wife spent summers in Vermont and winters in Arizona. Memorial information: No service was held. Donations to Jamaica Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 285, Jamaica, VT 05343.
• Jamie R. Morton, 34, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 8 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Mother of Logan Morton, Joseph Gleason, and Landon Gleason. Sister of Michelle Kuert, and her husband, Dan. Daughter of Michael and Pamela Morton, she worked as a personal care attendant for many years, as well as employment with Linden Gardens, The Edge Company, Brattleboro Food Co-op, Wendy's, and many years working side by side with her dad in the family business. The most important part of her life was her family. Her three sons were her world. She put her family first, but was always willing to help others in need. She enjoyed crocheting, canning, cooking, cake decorating, hunting, shooting, and working with her dad. She will be remembered for her overwhelming generosity, her gift of friendship to many, and her love for her family. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Aug. 15 at the Brattleboro Church of Christ. A fund has been set up in her memory. Donations may be sent to Members 1st Credit Union with Jamie Morton's name in the memo, P.O. Box 8245, North Brattleboro, VT 05345.
• Joan E. Price, 83, of West Dover. Died Aug. 10 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Born in Waterbury, Conn., the daughter of the late Ford W. and Marion (Gill) Service. She is survived by two sons, Steven Marsh of Brattleboro, and Robert Marsh of W. Dover; a granddaughter, Carrie Ann Scott; as well as three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A private celebration of her life at a later date. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Mary Helen (St. Pierre) “Mémé” Randall, 81, of Williamsville. Died Aug. 7 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Wife of Leonard Randall for 63 years. Mother of Rosalee Martucci and her husband, Paul; Bud Randall and his wife, Denise; and Francaise Randall, and his partner, Patricia Reardon. Sister of Howard St. Pierre, Sally Ballau, and Deloris Ramundo and the late Francaise, George, Pasqual, and Fred St. Pierre, and June Keimer. Born in St. Albans, the daughter of the late Marie Chenette and Frank St. Pierre, she loved spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed bowling, cooking, baking, and canning, and made the best apple pie in the whole world. Over the years, she had a variety of jobs throughout all of Williamsville, Newfane, and South Newfane, some of which were keeping an eye over the neighborhood children. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, as well as the Marine Corps League Auxiliary. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Aug. 14 at the Williamsville Cemetery. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353, or the Marine Corps Auxiliary 798 Toys for Kids, P.O. Box 1942, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Virginia M. “Ginny” Rickard, 76, of Plainville, Mass. Died Aug. 7 in Sturdy Memorial Hospital in Attleboro, Mass. Wife of Brian Rickard for more than 36 years. Mother of Darrell Ward of Bellows Falls, Dale Ward of Saxtons River, Julie Kelley of Bellows Falls, Jane Rezzuti of Walpole, Mass., and Danny Ward of Plainville. Sister of Jane Putnam of Springfield, Vt., Mary Anne Wilkins of South Attleboro, and the late Jack Barber and Catherine Hughes. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Ralph O. and Julia M. (Slattery) Barber, she grew up in Bellows Falls, where she was a graduate of St. Charles School and Bellows Falls High School. She has been a resident of Plainville since 1978. She worked as a teacher's aide helping special needs children in the BICO Collaborative for many years before retiring. She loved traveling, particularly to Ireland, where she made numerous visits. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and was an avid fan of the Red Sox. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held in St. Mary's Church in North Attleboro on Aug. 14, with burial in St. Mary's Cemetery in Attleboro Falls.
• Modesta Lena “Moe” Vigneau, 90, of Vernon. Died Aug. 11 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health. Wife of the late William H. Vigneau for 62 years. Mother of Timothy Vigneau of Putney, Kathy Vigneau of Brattleboro, and the late William H. Vigneau, Jr. Sister of Annette E. Vigneau of Brattleboro, and the late Ferdinand Engerman, Jr. and Genevieve Legere. Born in Turners Falls, Mass., the daughter of the late Ferdinand and Lena (Gallant) Engerman, she was raised and educated in Turners Falls, graduating from Turners Falls High School with the Class of 1942. A resident of Vernon since 1953 and a former resident of Brattleboro, for 17 years she worked at the former Town Crier. She previously worked at the Vernon Elementary School. In her earlier years, she worked at the former Greenfield Tap & Die. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and friend to many. She was known for her quiet and gentle demeanor and enjoyed being at home and spending time with her family as well as her beloved cats, Ginger and George. She enjoyed gardening, her flowers, fishing, jigsaw and word search puzzles, and traveling. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro and a former parishioner of St. Mary's Parish in Turners Falls. Memorial information: A memorial gathering was held Aug. 19 at the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 in Brattleboro. Burial in the family lot in St. Mary's Parish Cemetery in Turners Falls will take place at a later date in October. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Marilyn J. “Lynne” Warrin, 82, of Northfield, Mass. Died Aug. 7 at Pine Heights Rehabilitation Center in Brattleboro. Sister of Virginia Backus of Melville, N.Y. Aunt of Babette Cento, and Peter and David Backus. Born in Manhattan, N.Y., the adopted daughter of George and Violet (Moseley) Warrin of Valley Stream, N.Y., since her retirement she had unsuccessfully searched for information about her birth parents. She received a B.S. in education from the State University of New York at Oswego, and a M.S. in education from Hofstra University She was foremost a teacher, a very talented sixth grade teacher. She taught in public schools in New York State before joining the faculty at Eaglebrook School in Deerfield, Mass. Her 27 years at Eaglebrook were as teacher, dormitory parent, and academic adviser. She also served for several years as Department Chairman of the Third Form. Her stories of those adventurous days ranged from the inspirational to the hilarious. In 2006, she traveled to Jordan with a group from Eaglebrook and Deerfield Academy at the invitation of King Abdullah II of Jordan, an alumnus of both schools. He was one of many young men with whom she worked her sixth grade magic. Music was a lifelong interest. As a young child, she was a soloist in the Valley Stream Presbyterian Church and later sang in churches in New York City. Her participation in and love of choral music continued throughout her life. Her sense of adventure was reflected when, nearing retirement from Eaglebook, she decided to learn to play the viola. She participated with friends in a string quartet for almost 20 years. She was also a member of the Four Seasons Orchestra in Greenfield, Mass. Her creative talents were also demonstrated when she co-authored a play which was produced by a local theater group. She was a prolific writer and participated in several writing groups in Northfield. She spent many enjoyable summers as an administrator and counselor at the historic girls' camp, Camp Kehonka, on Lake Winnipesaukee. Among other things she will be remembered for the fun campers had in participating in her productions of skits, musicals and plays. When Camp Kehonka closed, she spearheaded the transfer of Kehonka archives to the Schlesinger Library at Radcliffe. She leaves a large cadre of friends from her years at the camp. In the Northfield community, she was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church, the Friends of the Library, and a founding member of the committee which established the Northfield Food Pantry in 2013. She loved to travel and had wonderful stories to tell of trips to Cambodia, South America, England, and Jordan. She loved flowers, colors, dogs, and cats. She will be remembered as a gifted and dedicated teacher, sister, aunt, and loyal friend. Memorial information: She will be cremated and her ashes scattered. A memorial service will be held in the fall at a time and location to be announced later. Donations to the Northfield Food Pantry, P.O. Box 103, Northfield, MA 01360. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Joyce F. Wright, 73, of East Dover. Died Aug. 9 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Wife of Arthur William Wright Sr. for 56 years. Mother of Arthur William Wright, Jr. and his wife, Pamela K., of East Dover and Marcia Horrigan and her husband, Pat, of Brookline. Sister of Donald Wright of Hutchinson, Kan., Loris Mundell and her husband, Robert, of Brattleboro, and the late June Mundell. Born in East Dover, the daughter of the late Walter and Lillian (Bennozie) Wright, she attended schools in East Dover and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1958. She loved children and was very active with youth organizations. She was a 4-H leader and a Boy Scout camp cook. She was a member of the Stratton Mountain Scout Reservation for 16 years and was the owner-operator of the Maple Leaf Country Store in East Dover for over 16 years. She was extremely crafty and loved to make quilts for anyone. She enjoyed listening to country & western music and Box Car Willie. She loved playing bingo, square dancing, and traveling with her husband. She was an avid camper and loved camping at Kenolie Campground in Newfane. She cherished times spent with her family, especially her great-grandchildren, whom she absolutely loved. Memorial information: A celebration of life and potluck luncheon was held Aug. 17 at the Kenolie Campground in Newfane. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.