Obituaries
• Edna (Tracy) Bemis, 93, of Jacksonville. Died peacefully at her home on May 9, 2025. Edna was born at home on Boyd Hill Road in Wilmington on Sept. 15, 1931, to Edgar and Ruby (Green) Tracy. Edna walked cross-lots to the Dix Schoolhouse with her brothers, who would escort her through the pasture and past the cattle she dreaded. Her family moved to Shearer Hill Road and she went to Wilmington Central School for a short while before her family relocated to Whitingham. Edna was a Girl Scout and often attended the Green Mountain Girls Camp in Dummerston. She was a four-year Glee Club and Band member at Whitingham High School and graduated in 1950. Her classmates voted her Cutest, First to Get Married, and Best Dancer. She was surely all of those things! Her classmates were near and dear to her, and she reunited with them annually for over 50 years. While attending Whitingham Central School, Edna (aka "Tiny") was paired off with the much taller Howard "Bud" Murdock Bemis from the Number 1 School House for the annual one-act play. Edna had to sit on Bud's lap for her part. The rest is history. Their courtship included joyrides in Bud's "not so shiny" green Model A. Despite the car often ending up where it didn't belong, she went on to marry him on Aug. 1, 1951, in Wilmington. They lived in Whitingham, welcomed five children and then bought their home in the village of Jacksonville in 1968. As one could imagine, raising five spirited children was no small feat. Her children remember her as a strong swimmer who loved the lake, a 4-H Mother, a Sunday School teacher, and one particular incident when she crashed the family Corvair station wagon in a snowstorm while fetching the older kids. Edna never did care for driving. While raising her children Edna held various jobs. She worked at the Dairy Bar (which later became Dot's Restaurant, owned by daughter Patricia and son-in-law John). She did housekeeping and served as a school lunch lady. In 1981, she became the treasurer of Bemis Line Construction, the family business. Edna, with the help of her granddaughter Aimee, saw bookkeeping modernized, taking the business from hand-written ledgers and typewriters to computers and copying machines. Edna retired in 1994. Edna was involved in many community activities throughout her life. They brought her great friendships and joy, as well as to many interesting places. Edna loved the Lord and attended the Whitingham Church for over 70 years before transitioning to the Jacksonville Church. She was also a member of the North River Grange, Order of the Eastern Star (Treasurer), The Couples Club, the Home Demonstration Group, and the Breakfast Club. She prepared thousands of renown doughnuts during her tenure with the Couples Club. Her commitments with Eastern Star sent her to Mt. Hood in Washington and all around New England. She loved to travel with Bud, her family, and her friends (just not so much by train). All through her life, Edna had an ear for music and was a well-tuned tenor in the church choir. She enjoyed attending concerts with her sister-in-law Evelyn, loved a good polka on the radio, and dancing with Bud at any and all social gatherings. She spent early spring days at the sugarhouse making sure there was plenty of easy cheese and the kids all had dry mittens. As only a matriarch could, she saw to it that family traditions like making root beer and holiday gatherings were upheld for decades and was always up for hosting the family for an ever-polarizing midday "tuna pea wiggle" lunch. She loved doing puzzles. Edna leaves her family with numerous cherished handcrafted crocheted heirlooms including personalized Christmas stockings. Edna is survived by her husband of a remarkable 73 years, as well as her five children; Dana (Patsy) Bemis of East Dover, Rodney (Cheryl) Bemis of Naples, Florida, and Jacksonville, Randy (Jackie) Bemis of Jacksonville, Joanne (Daniel) Birch of Readsboro, and Patricia Reagan of West Wardsboro. She will be remembered by 11 grandchildren whose childhoods were all enriched by experiences running amok at Grandma's house, eating Schwann ice cream push-pops, playing dress-up, and watching and behaving like the Little Rascals. Edna leaves 17 great-grandchildren, many of whom have measured time by how long it took them to grow past their 4-foot-11 great grandma. All who were blessed to love Edna learned quickly that "Good things come in small packages." Edna was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Harold, Victor, Derwood, James, and Donald, her sister Goldie, sister-in-law Evelyn (Bemis) and her husband Orrin Kingsley, nephew Todd Kingsley, and son-in-Law John Reagan. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on May 15 at the Jacksonville Church, followed by interment in Jacksonville Cemetery. Donations to Whitingham Community Church, P.O. Box 558, Whitingham, VT 05361.
• Stephen Louis "Steve" Howe, 72, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died May 6, 2025, at Hospice House of Concord (N.H.), following an extended period of declining health. Steve was born in Brattleboro on June 12, 1952, the son of Louis and Barbara (Johnson) Howe. He attended Hinsdale public schools and graduated from Hinsdale High School with the Class of 1971. Steve had been employed as a custodian at Hinsdale High School, where he took an early retirement due to health issues. Previously, he worked for many years as an appliance repair technician for Cocoplum Appliances in Brattleboro. Prior to taking this position, he received special training at a refrigeration school in Tennessee. In his earlier years, Steve drove a cab for several taxi companies in Brattleboro that included T&C Taxi and Brattleboro Taxi Service. With his wife, Steve attended North Hinsdale Community Church and was a former member of the Brattleboro Jaycees. Steve enjoyed puttering around his home and was a "Jack of all Trades" who could fix or repair just about anything. He loved motorcycles and through the years was a proud owner of several bikes. Most of all, Steve cherished time spent with his family. On April 7, 1973, at St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale, he married Paula Wunsch, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 52 years, he leaves daughters Jennifer Wright (David) and Stephanie Taylor (Rashaun), all of Hinsdale; a brother, Rodney Howe (Lynn), of Florida; grandchildren Saletha, Destynee, and Trinity; and great-grandchildren, Harlequinn and Scott. Additionally, he is survived by several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: Graveside services in Wilder Cemetery in Dummerston will be conducted June 1, at 1 p.m. with a reception to follow at the Millstream Community Center in Hinsdale. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Geraldine A. "Geri" Nadeau, 82, of Brattleboro. Died on May 7, 2025, at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a courageous and short battle with cancer. Geraldine was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 23, 1943, the daughter of Fred Rabideau and Wilma (Mears) Rabideau. On June 11, 1960, she married Donald R. Nadeau, whom she was married to for 45 years until his death in 2005. Geri worked as a teacher's aide for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union for more than 40 years, retiring in 2009. She also worked part-time at Dunham's, Sam's, and Northeast Mountain Footwear throughout the years, all the while taking night courses to earn her degree from Castleton State College in elementary education in 1980. Geri loved shopping, going to the casino, cooking for her neighbors, and eating out, Most of all, she adored her family, and they were her greatest love. Geri is survived by her four children; Michael, Todd, Scott (Danita), and Michelle (fiancé Norman), and her sister Becky Vittum (Dale). Geri also leaves grandchildren Scott Jr., Makayla, Todd Jr., Christopher, Renee, Britney, and Alexander: step-grandchildren Jeremy, Tracy and Amber; and 10 great-grandchildren, and four step-great-grandchildren. She loved them all and adored seeing and visiting with them all. She was predeceased by her parents, her son Donald Jr., brother Fred Jr., sisters Donna and Bonnie, and daughters in-law Karen and Beth. Memorial information: Per her wishes, there will be no formal funeral but at some time in the near future, there will be a celebration of life. Donations can be made in her name to the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care, 154 Hitchcock Loop Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766-0001.
• Daniel Brian "Danny" Sullivan 64, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died, with his family at his side, on May 5, 2025 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire, after a sudden illness. He was born on Oct. 9, 1960, in Dover, New Hampshire, to Lawrence and Mabel Sullivan. Danny, who was born with Down syndrome, was raised lovingly at home with his five brothers and sisters. He was a joy to his family and leaves a lasting memory of love, gentleness, and a sense of humor to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed. Danny is survived by his mother; a brother, Lawrence Sullivan Jr. and his wife Patty; sisters Catherine Diduk and her husband Paul, Nancy Smart, Judy Cordell and her husband Greg, his loving home providers Ed and Sher Sleeper, and several nieces and nephews. Danny was predeceased by his father and a brother, Anthony Sullivan. Memorial information: A celebration of Danny's life will take place on Saturday, June 14, at 1 p.m., at All Souls Church, 29 South St., West Brattleboro. It was a place where Danny had so many happy memories throughout the years as a member of Theatre Adventure's Thursday Troupe. There will be light refreshments and a social hour immediately after. Donations to Theatre Adventure Inc., P.O. Box 2264, West Brattleboro, VT 05303 or online at theatreadventure.org.
• Louise Christine Wisell (McGaffigan), died peacefully at the age of 96. Born in Vernon in 1929 to John and Hester McGaffigan, Louise was a remarkable woman whose spirit touched five generations. She was preceded in death by her cherished parents and her beloved siblings - sisters Bertha Scherlin and Rose Holton, and brother Daniel McGaffigan. Their memories remained dear to her heart throughout her life. Louise was the loving wife of the late Maurice Wisell, with whom she shared a lifetime of memories, laughter, and love. Together, Maurice and Louise created a home filled with love-and always with pets. Before his passing, the two enjoyed many adventures together, from camping trips with their children and grandchildren to dancing the nights away as avid square dancers. Their joy in life was infectious and left a lasting impression on everyone who knew them. Though he passed before her, their bond remained unbreakable through the years. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy in her four devoted children - two daughters, Lois Dunham (Eugene Dunham) and Vivian Rinker (William Rinker), and two sons, Barry Wisell and Todd Wisell - who carry her strength, wit, and wisdom in their hearts. She was also the proud grandmother of four, great-grandmother of five, and great-great-grandmother of four. Each generation was graced by her love, guidance, and unmatched sense of humor. Louise was known for her sharp mind and even sharper wit. She brought laughter and sass wherever she went and wasn't afraid to tell it like it was. She had a love for the simple joys in life: reading a good book, solving word searches, sketching or writing in quiet moments, and humming a tune while knitting or crocheting something warm and wonderful for her family. Her creativity was endless, and her hands were rarely still. Whether she was bossing you around with a grin, singing an old favorite song, or quietly reflecting with pen and paper, Louise was the heartbeat of her family - steady, warm, and deeply loved. She will be profoundly missed, remembered with laughter and tenderness, and honored every day through the stories shared, the traditions continued, and the love that is passed on. Memorial information: Services were held on May 17 at Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro. A private burial will take place at a later date. To offer condolences, visit phaneuf.net.
Services
• A celebration of life to honor Jean Turner will be held at Kings Cemetery in Marlboro, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 24. There will be a luncheon following the service at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 54 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro. Mrs. Turner, 83, a lifelong resident of the area, died on April 30, 2024.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.