Milestones

Obituaries

• Carmelita “Cammie” Allen, 77, of Vernon. Died Jan. 23, 2020 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Cammie was born in Wilmington on March 19, 1942, the daughter of the late Lyle and Bertha Davis Willett. She attended Wilmington schools, graduating from Wilmington High School in 1960, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. In 1962, she graduated from Northampton (Mass.) Commercial College. Cammie worked as an administrative assistant for Aetna Life Insurance Company in Hartford, Conn., Arnold Ware Rogers Plastics, and Wilmington High School as Secretary to the Principal. With her husband, Dave, they owned and operated Dunn's Store in Dover. She retired from Price Chopper in Brattleboro. She was a member and Past High Priestess of the Ladies Shriners. Cammie was a member of the Jacksonville Community Church, enjoyed ceramics, was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling to all Shriners events. Her true passion was her family, especially her grandchildren. Cammie is survived by her children: Shawn Allen and his fiancee, Lisa, of Vernon, Mark Allen and his wife, Christina, of Claremont, N.H., and Jeanne Allen of California; sisters Suzanne Crawford and her husband, Alan, of Wilmington and Lorette Willett of Brattleboro, seven grandchildren and many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, David I. Allen, who died in 2017 and her brother, Emile Willett. Memorial information: Funeral services for Cammie will be held Saturday, Feb. 8, at 11 a.m., at Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. There are no visiting hours. Interment will be in the spring in Jacksonville Cemetery. Donation to the Shriner's Children's Hospital, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.

• Kenneth H. “Ken” Bond, 95, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 27, 2020 at Vernon Green Nursing Home with his family by his side. He was born in Brattleboro on July 13, 1924, the son of Carroll N. and Bessie (Copeland) Bond. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending Brattleboro High School. He proudly served his country during World War II in the Army in the European Theater of Operation as a medic with Company B, 95th Medical Gas Treatment Battalion. Following his honorable discharge from active service in 1945, he returned home to Brattleboro and went to work for the Spalding Company. That is where he met Edith Organek, whom he married in 1947. The couple resided a few years in Glens Falls, N.Y., where Ken played accordion and sang in country & western bands at various venues as well as on local radio programs. Following their return to Brattleboro, Ken was employed by American Optical and he continued playing and singing in his band, The Midnighters. After more than 35 years of service, he retired from American Optical when the Brattleboro plant closed in 1981. He also worked a few years at the former Appropriate Technology Company. Ken enjoyed a long retirement playing accordion, gardening, listening to country music and spending time with his beloved dogs, Wong and Lady. He was also an avid Red Sox fan. Survivors include one son, Philip Bond and his wife, Pamela, of Brattleboro; two daughters, Gloria Goyette and her husband Gerald of Monroe, N.Y., and Julie Morgan and her partner, Jack Hutchins, of Newfane. He also leaves seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 55 years, Edith Bond, his sister, Grace Peck, and his parents. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Feb. 3 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Burial with military honors will take place in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon later in the springtime.

• Martha Jeanne “Marty” Chamberlin, 69, of Dummerston. Died Jan. 28, 2020, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Martha was born in Brattleboro on Feb. 22, 1950 to Kenneth and Flora Kenney. She is the eldest daughter, and one of six children. Martha attended St. Michael's Catholic School and went on to graduate from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1968. Martha's early career began when she worked at The Book Press and met her first husband, Terry Howe. Martha and Terry were married for 23 years and raised three children. Martha was a skilled and passionate gardener and worked for many years at the Dutton Farm and the Scott Farm, where she met her husband Lee. Martha lived in Vermont all her life. She enjoyed spending her time caring for her grandchildren and camping with her husband throughout the summer and fall. She was an avid photographer of nature, enjoyed painting, and antiquing on the weekends. She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Leon Chamberlin; her three children: Aaron Howe, Emily Clark and her husband, Jamie, and Karena Richard and her husband, Randy; siblings Wayne Kenney and his wife, Jurelene, John Kenney, Debbie Thomas and her husband, Craig, Terry Kenney and his wife, Jackie, and Kathryn Bloom and her husband, Thomas; 10 grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; several nieces, nephews and cousins, beloved dog Summertime Chamberlin, and the dang cat, Skitter. Memorial information: No services are scheduled. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society. P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

• Thomas B. “Thom” Crowninshield, 71, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 8, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a lengthy illness. Born in Brattleboro on Feb. 24, 1948, the son of Bernard and Eliza Ann (Allbee) Crowninshield, he was raised and educated in Jamaica and was a graduate of Leland & Gray Seminary, Class of 1967. He had been employed as park greeter at Jamaica State Park and previously had worked for several years for the Mary Meyer Toy Company in Townshend. Thom was a 32nd degree Mason and a longtime member of Mt. Lebanon Lodge 46 in Jamaica. He was also a former member of the Jamaica Congregational Church. He enjoyed crafts, flower arranging and gardening. He will be remembered for his spirit of friendship and positive disposition. Thom is survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and great nieces and nephews. Additionally, he leaves his extended family at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, where he was a resident. He was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Janice Litchfield of Newfane. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted in Pleasant View Cemetery in Jamaica in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to the Pine Heights Nursing Home Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.

• Timothy Kent “Tim” Flynn, 70, of Newfane. Died unexpectedly Jan. 28, 2020 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Born in Plainfield, N.J., on May 28, 1949, the son of Richard T. and Joan (Kares) Flynn, he was raised and educated in Livingston, N.J. He graduated from Livingston High School with the Class of 1967. During his youth, Tim spent many weekends and summers with his family in Newfane. He went on to attend Paul Smith College where he majored in hotel management. He had been employed by the Army Corps of Engineers, working as a park ranger and flood control specialist at Townshend Lake and Ball Mountain Dam. He retired from his position at age 55 following over 25 years of service with the Corps. He enjoyed travel, especially vacation destinations in the Caribbean, deep-sea fishing expeditions, time spent at the family's camp on Lake Willoughby which he designed and built himself, and hunting and fishing. He was also an accomplished woodworker. In 1976, he married Barbara “Bobi” Festa, who survives. He also leaves one son, Michael Flynn and his wife, Jennifer, of Newfane; one daughter, Kristina Wright and her husband, Robert, of Townshend; one brother, Patrick Flynn and his wife, Joan, of Newfane; three grandchildren, Jax Flynn, and Ruthie and Grace Wright; and a brother-in-law, Thomas Russell, and his wife Cindy of Newfane. He was predeceased by one sister, Judy Russell and his parents. Memorial information: A service in celebration of his life will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 8, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Fraternal Order of Eagles on Chickering Drive. A reception will follow the services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or Newbrook Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345.

• David Richardson Gates, 56, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly Jan. 13, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Brattleboro on June 19, 1963, the son of Richard T. and Joy (Lawton) Gates, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1981. He went on to attend Wake Forest University in Winston Salem, N.C., where he received a B.S. in economics and business in 1985. Dave owned and operated Discount Beverage in West Brattleboro for many years, purchasing the business from Tom and Michele Glembocki. Previously he worked in banking, employed by Bank of Vermont on Main Street in Brattleboro as assistant vice president and later as an officer and assistant to the president at Green Mountain Bank in Bondville. He enjoyed golfing and was a member of the Brattleboro Country Club. Dave held membership in the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Brattleboro Lodge 1499, where he served as Exalted Ruler, (1992-1993), and member of the house committee. Additionally, he was a member of the American Legion Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 and held membership in the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie 2445. In 1994, he married Kathleen Barbara Kurz. His wife of 25 years recently predeceased him on Dec. 21, 2019. Survivors include one son, Christopher Gates of Brattleboro, who was the pride and joy of his life; his mother, of Brattleboro; one aunt, and several cousins. Memorial information: Services for both Dave and Kathy will be held at a later date in the springtime. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

• Jennie (La Rosa) Gutoski, 91, a longtime resident of Winchester, N.H., and a native of Brattleboro. died peacefully Friday evening, January 24, 2020, at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Jennie was born in Brattleboro on January 5, 1929, the daughter of Frank and Josephine (Pagano) La Rosa. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending Oak Grove School and graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1946. As a young woman, she worked at Pasquale's, her brother Charlie's downtown Brattleboro restaurant, and as an office clerk at the former Dunham's Shoe Store. Jennie married Francis Gutoski and they lived in Winchester. For many years, they owned and operated the Big S Convenience Store in Winchester. She continued to run the store following her husband's death in 1989, and she retired in 2016. She was known for being a hard worker with a steadfast work ethic, and was devoted to her extended family. Survivors include one brother, Alfred La Rosa of Keene, a sister, Mary Frances Rooney Coombs of Brattleboro, and many nieces, great-nieces, nephews, and great-nephews. Jennie was predeceased by her husband Francis, and by siblings Charles La Rosa and Catherine Juraszek. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites and burial will be conducted in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale, N.H., in the spring when the cemetery reopens. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.

• Barbara J. Howe, 89, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully Jan. 24, 2020 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. She was born in Northfield, Mass., on Dec. 28, 1930, the daughter of Erwin and Marion (Ainsworth) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Vernon and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School. In 1950, she married Louis Edward “Lou” Howe. Her devoted husband of 61 years predeceased her in 2011. She was primarily a devoted homemaker, but had been employed for several years at the former Bridgeport Metal Goods in Hinsdale and also worked in the Hinsdale High School cafeteria. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed wintering with her husband in Inverness, Fla., enjoyed gardening, socializing with friends, and attending special dinner functions with her husband. Barbara was a member of the F.O. Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, and American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary in Brattleboro. Survivors include two sons, Stephen Howe and his wife, Paula, of Hinsdale and Rodney Howe and his wife, Lynn, of Culloeka, Tenn., six grandchildren, six great- grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by siblings Nancy Kelly and Thomas Johnson. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in the family lot in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale will be conducted in the springtime when the cemetery reopens, to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to the Hinsdale Fire Dept., 13 Depot St., Hinsdale, NH 03451 or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

• Stella Katherine Nesbitt, 93, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully at home on Jan. 25, 2020, with her family by her side, following a period of declining health. She was born in Rutland on Aug. 25, 1926, the daughter of John and Anna (Kolodziey) Jagodzinski. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School, Class of 1944. In 1946, she married Robert Nesbitt, who predeceased her in 1978. She had been employed as office manager of the business office at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which she retired from in 1994 following more than 37 faithful and dedicated years. She was also a recipient of BMH's Employee of the Year award. Previously, she had worked at American Optical in Brattleboro. A devout Catholic, Mrs. Nesbitt was a longtime communicant of St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale and was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America. She also held membership in the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary. She enjoyed swimming and entertaining her many friends at her pool in Hinsdale. She also loved candlepin bowling at the former King's Bowling Center in Brattleboro. Survivors include three daughters, Sharon Anne Stevens and husband, Joe, of Mulberry, Fla., Donna Helen McLean and husband, Carl, of Griswold, Conn., and Mary Catherine Winslow and husband Dave of Hinsdale; six grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Walter and Stevie Kolodziey; two sisters, Mary Feinberg and Frances Blanchette; and a grandson, Christopher Winslow. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Feb. 1 at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. Committal rites and burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Dept., 13 Depot St., Hinsdale, N.H. 03451; or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

• Joan Marie Staib, 75, of Wardsboro, a lifelong resident of the West River Valley, died unexpectedly Jan. 22, 2020 at her home. Joan was born at home in Wardsboro on Sept. 3, 1944, the daughter of William C. and Alta F. (Benoit) Cole. She attended Wardsboro Elementary School and later graduated from Leland and Gray Seminary in Townshend. She was employed as a store clerk for several convenience stores in the West River Valley and also cleaned homes for families in the Stratton Mountain and Dover area. Primarily, Joan was a devoted homemaker whose interests centered around her family. Joan enjoyed time at her family's camp in Averill and also enjoyed traveling, especially day and weekend trips throughout New England. On Nov. 24, 1963, at the Wardsboro Methodist Church, she married Donald A. Staib, who predeceased her in 2016. Survivors include a son, Lonnie Staib and his wife, Laura of Baneberry, Tenn.; a brother, William Cole of Lyndonville; a sister, Ruth Slade of Hinsdale, N.H.; three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Joan was predeceased by three children, Kirby, who also died in 2016; and a son and daughter, Donald Staib, Jr. and Laurie Staib, who died during childhood from a tragic fire that destroyed their home. Additionally, she was predeceased by a brother, Robert Cole and two sisters, Frances Lucier and Roberta Gauthreaux. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in West Wardsboro Cemetery will be conducted later in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to Wardsboro Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 151, Wardsboro, VT 05355.

• Janet Elizabeth (Beattie) Stinchfield, 91, formerly of Bernardston and Northfield, Mass. Died peacefully Jan. 26, 2020. She was born on Feb. 29, 1928 to the late Esther Alice (Pottle) and Harold Vesper Beattie in Woburn, Mass., where she was educated through high school and where she met her future husband, Carleton Paul Stinchfield. During her teen years, Jan and her family would spend summers at “the cottage,” a former schoolhouse in Meredith, N.H., that would eventually be expanded into her parents' full-time residence, and a place where Jan and her family would enjoy visiting every summer for decades to come. After graduating from Woburn High School, Janet had planned to major in voice at Boston University but, after accepting Carleton's marriage proposal, her father encouraged her to follow a more practical path, so she enrolled in BU's two-year secretarial skills program. She went on to work for many years using this education at Johnson & Johnson Attorneys in Woburn prior to her marriage; Northfield Mount Hermon School in Gill and Northfield, Mass.; as Town Clerk of Bernardston, Mass.; and in service to the churches she attended. Jan and Carl were married in 1949 and first made their home in Worcester, Mass., during which time their first four children were born. In 1959, the family moved to the Mount Hermon campus in Gill, where Carl taught science and mathematics, and their family expanded with two more children. While at Mount Hermon, Jan cultivated a lovely raspberry patch and garden, and raised her six children. In 1970, the family moved to Bernardston, when Carl began his tenure at Greenfield Community College. There, Jan had a beautiful garden of roses, a gigantic vegetable garden, and a pool in which she would often skinny dip late at night. She also loved to take hot baths in the old claw foot tub in the bathroom above the barn during warmer months, playing the square grand piano in the adjoining room as the tub filled. In 1985, Jan and Carl moved from Center Street to the Bald Mountain Road Extension, to a home cradled by the woods where two streams joined into one and turkeys and deer often wandered by. Jan was widowed in 1992. In 2004, she relocated to Hinsdale, N.H., with her longtime friend Maureen Donahue. Jan had a life-long love of the outdoors. She loved to dig her hands into the dirt of her gardens, dive into the lakes of New Hampshire, tend brush fires on snowy days, and she wielded a feisty chainsaw when it was time to down a tree. She loved fostering fragrant blooms, picking baskets full of blueberries, digging potatoes, and never shying away from a hard day's work. She passed on her love of nature and her work ethic to her children, along with her love of animals. Janet was an active member of three churches during her time living in the area, Greenfield First Baptist, Bernardston First Baptist, and Brattleboro First Baptist. Singing as a soloist in church gave her great joy for many years, as well as serving as a deacon in Bernardston and Brattleboro. She is survived by her children, Jessamyn Stinchfield and her partner, Art Coates of Guilford, Cynthia Ryan and her husband Jim of Buckeye, Ariz., Beth Stinchfield and her partner, Jim Fitzgerald, of Bernardston, Miriam Stinchfield of Middleboro, Mass., Matthew Stinchfield, and Karen Stinchfield of Northfield, Mass.; six grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren; her sister Barbara Cogswell, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her brother Harold V. Beattie Jr., and her sister Miriam A. Downs. Memorial information: Burial will take place during the summer, followed by a celebration of her life. Donations to any charity that cares for animals, children, or the environment.

• Lewis Emmet “Lew” Young Jr., 83, of Springfield, Vt., a native of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 17, 2020 from complications of colon cancer at Springfield Health & Rehab Center. He was born in Brattleboro on April 27, 1936, the son of Lewis Emmet and Ellen (Anderson) Young. He attended elementary school in Milford, Conn., eventually returning to Brattleboro with his family. He was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1954. He proudly served his country in the Navy and attained the rank of petty officer, second-class serving during the Korean War Era. He enlisted in 1955 and was honorably discharged from active service in 1959. After his Navy service, he resided in Long Beach, Calif., attending Orange Coast College where he earned two associate's degrees in business management and marketing and real estate. He became a licensed real estate broker and owned and operated his own firm in Newport, Calif., during the 1970s. Previously he worked as a chef for the Balboa Yacht Club in Newport and for several other country clubs during the 1960s. Most recently, he assisted his wife with the day-to-day operation of Putney Road Market in Brattleboro until the business closed in 2018. He also was a substitute teacher for more than 20 years in the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union. For several years, he was employed as parts manager at the former Colonial Chrysler/Plymouth dealership in Brattleboro. He was an active longtime member of American Legion Brattleboro Post 5 and had served as vice commander and Windham County commander. Additionally, he served on several other committees that included the Blue Banner Salute, and was post legislative officer and judged the annual Oratorical Contest. He was also a trustee board member for Post 5. He was an accomplished writer and poet and was the recipient of several awards for his writings and poetry. He won first place for his essay, “A living document for all ages,” published in a special issue of the Brattleboro Reformer to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Constitution in September 1997. In conjunction with his love for writing short stories and poetry, he enjoyed painting with oils and water colors, enjoyed the theater, sailing, and following local, state and national politics. He was also known for his excellent cooking skills. In 1991, he married Roberta (Madden) Johnson, who survives. He also leaves one son, John Michael Young of Redwood Valley, Calif.; his wife's children, Mark Johnson of Florida, Leslee Koyzra of Hinsdale, Andrew Johnson of South Newfane, Lisa Weatherhead of Guilford, and Matthew Johnson of Brattleboro; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one son, Thomas Andrew Young; a brother, Allen Young; and a sister, Sylvia Champaine. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Feb. 2 at American Legion Post 5. Donations to American Legion Sports Programs, Brattleboro Post 5, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.