Obituaries
• Elaine Fiske Grant, 90, of West Brattleboro. Died peacefully, in the comfort of her home surrounded by her family, on Aug. 17, 2025. Elaine was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 26, 1935, the daughter of Arthur and Naomi (Hallquest) Fiske. She was raised and educated in Wethersfield, Connecticut, graduating from Wethersfield High School, Class of 1953. On May 26, 1969, at the Wethersfield Methodist Church, she married Frederick "Ted" Grant, who predeceased her in 2015. Elaine worked at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in the Admitting Office from 2002 until retiring from her position in 2018. Previously, Elaine worked in the offices of several Brattleboro physicians, including Dr. John Daly, Dr. Rote, and Dr. John Houpis. From 1970 to 1973 she and Ted ran the Village Fare Sandwich Shop in West Brattleboro. Previously, she had been employed at the Holstein Association and at Famolare Shoe Company, both in Brattleboro. Elaine loved flower gardening and was a member of the Brattleboro Floral Arts Club. Of her other pastimes and interests, she enjoyed knitting, traveling with Ted, cooking for family and friends, and quality time shared with her family. A woman of faith, Elaine was a longtime member of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Survivors include two sons, Paul Crandall (Sheila) of East Douglas, Massachusetts, and John Crandall (Joni) of Brattleboro; and five step-children, Stephen Grant of Virginia, William Grant of Florida, Jeff Grant of Maine, Tim Grant of North Carolina, and Patti, also of North Carolina. Additionally, she leaves 17 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Arthur Fiske Jr. and Warren Fiske, and a sister, Claire Felter. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church on Western Avenue. A reception will follow the services to be held in the church's fellowship hall. Interment will take place in the family lot in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to First Congregational Church, 880 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Diane Anselm Hill, 84, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully July 20, 2025, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., due to age related symptoms. Born on Staten Island, New York, in 1941 to her nurturing parents William and Eveyln Anselm, Diane began her education at Public School 29 and graduated from Curtis High School. She received her B.S. in education from Wagner College in 1962. Diane's focus on teaching marks a seminal point in her life when she began a lifelong career in early childhood education. She is fondly remembered by her students and fellow teachers as a kind presence in the classroom and a positive role model. Her first contracts were on Staten Island, teaching kindergarten and first grade. In 1967, she excitedly replied to an advertisement in The New York Times for a teaching position in Wilmington, Vermont. Diane and her college peers had been lured by the skiing in the Deerfield Valley and nearby Adirondacks. She rented a chalet in Wilmington and represented a new wave of skiers moving to Vermont with degrees, jobs, and ski passes. She met a local banker, Edmond Turgeon, and they married and moved to Brattleboro where she lived for 55 years in her charming Cape-style home. Here, Diane raised her family and excelled in homemaking. She worked for Windham Southeast Supervisory Union through retirement by teaching elementary grades at Academy, Canal, and Green Street schools. Her love of teaching and lifelong commitment to continuing education led her to the capstone of her career in 1990, when Diane completed an M.Ed. at Antioch University. Throughout her teaching career, she maintained deep close personal relationships with many of her coworkers. She enjoyed being "Nana" to her grandchildren, as they were her greatest joys in life. She made time for each grandchild individually to allow them to see and feel their own importance. She also took time to share updates and news about the grandkids with everyone she met. Nana was truly interested in their lives and kept detailed notes of each child's unique story. Diane's faith in the Lord was present every day. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro. It was her blessing to assist in the weekly preparations for the Divine Service. Church charity and outreach programs were dear and special to Diane, and she was excited to share the Eucharist remotely for members who could not attend service. Diane was an avid golfer and member of the Brattleboro Country Club. She played in the Twilight League and local tournaments. The BCC is where she met her life partner, Ken Hill. The couple married in 1988 and golf continued as the centerpiece of their social and physical enjoyment. In their retirement years, they became snowbirds wintering in Sebring, Florida, focused on family, friends, and golf. Nana enjoyed volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Sebring and her weekly shift at Experienced Goods in Brattleboro. It was part of her faith and essence to give to the community. Nana loved pets and would offer up her boarding services. She was thrilled to have a pet in the house and the loaner pets reciprocated her affection. She relished her memberships at B&K Aqua Club, the Colonial Pool's Morning Aerobics, and The Bone Builders. Nana held close personal bonds with her workout partners and cherished those relationships. She is dearly missed and will be forever present in the hearts, words, and actions of those who knew her. Diane is survived by her two cherished sons, Rod (Rickie) and Tad (Jodi) Turgeon; Ken's children, whom she adopted as her own: Jim (Linda), Joe (Linda), John - deceased (April), and Jay Hill, Mary (Jim) Herold, Martha (Rodney) Hunt. She is also survived by grandchildren Nathan, Jacob, Ruby, Ella, Courtney, Leslie, Tray, Whitney, Jamie, and Marin; her younger siblings Carolyn (Dale) Lauderdale and Bill (Nancy) Anselm; and many nieces and nephews for whom she cared deeply and held close relationships. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Oct. 11, at 10 a.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church. Behold a daisy to celebrate Diane's journey.
• Constance Ruth "Connie" Montemagni (Bultman), 77, of Stratton. Died peacefully at home on Aug. 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness. Connie was born on May 9, 1948, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Ottawa Hills High School and later attended Grand Rapids Junior College. Connie worked in many, varied positions in her life, including as a ski instructor at Mount Snow and as an office manager at Sotheby's Real Estate in Winhall. Connie was a graceful skier, a gifted Scrabble player, a world traveler, and a dedicated mother and grandmother. Connie loved to laugh and had an unparalleled ability to comfort the sick, to ease a troubled mind, or bring a smile to the face of anyone in need. She will be deeply missed by more people than we can count. Connie is survived by her devoted husband of 54 years, Tom; her children Molly Russo (and husband David Russo) and Casslyn Montemagni (and husband Tyler Haydon); and her grandchildren Luca Russo, Dante Russo, Matteo Russo, Samuele Russo, and Otis Haydon. She was predeceased by siblings Bill Bultman, Dan Bultman, Ken Bultman, Barbara Sattler, and Margot Woodstra. Memorial information: Donations to 22Mohawks (22mohawks.com/donate) or Mount Snow Adaptive Center (adaptiveatsnow.org).
• Linda Carol "Lin" Murray, 68, of Guilford. Died on June 26, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. Known for her fierce independence, generous heart, and unwavering loyalty, Lin touched the lives of all who knew her. Born to Corbin W. Clark and Virginia S. Wires, Lin was raised with a strong sense of family and hard work. She was predeceased by her beloved parents, her brother C. Herbert W. Clark, her brother-in-law Eugene Murray, and her parents-in-law, Ernest and Evelyn Murray. Though she now rests peacefully, her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she loved and who loved her. Lin is survived by her devoted husband and partner of many years, Paul Murray of Guilford. Their bond was one of deep love and adventure, built on shared experiences and a mutual love for the open road. Together, they spent countless hours riding their Harley-Davidsons, with cherished memories made at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and their legendary gatherings at "The Annual (AAAAA)" - a treasured tradition spanning over four decades where friends from across the country would reunite each year. She is also survived by her loving sister Susan S. Mitchell and brother-in-law William Mitchell Jr. of Essex, Massachusetts; her cherished niece Arianna S. Bjork, also of Essex; her brother-in-law Ernest Murray of Guilford; her nephew-in-law Jeremy Murray and his wife Becca of Brattleboro; nieces-in-law Denise King of Vernon and Tammy Gibson of Northfield Massachusetts; and her sister-in-law Susan Murray. Lin's extended family and wide circle of friends meant the world to her, and she took joy in every connection. Lin spent many years as a machinist at Eastern Broach in Connecticut, where she was known for her dedication, skill, and sharp wit. Prior to that, she managed restaurants for Woolworth's, where she made countless friendships and earned respect for her leadership and work ethic. Lin had a passion for life that was contagious. She had a sharp sense of humor, and a spirit that could not be tamed. She found joy in simple pleasures- riding beside Paul, gathering with friends, and dreaming about retirement adventures. One of her greatest hopes was for Paul to find the perfect bridge in the Florida Keys, where he had long imagined hanging a hammock. Lin looked forward to joining him there one day, swaying gently in the breeze with a good book in hand and peace in her heart. She was truly one of a kind-and she will be deeply missed. Memorial information: A celebration of Lin's life will be held at a later date to honor her love for laughter, motorcycles, music, and meaningful connection. The family invites friends to gather in her memory, share stories, and keep her free spirit alive in their hearts.
• Robert Paul "Bobb" Perrone, 75, of Whitingham. Died peacefully on July 12, 2025, at his home in Whitingham. He was born Aug. 23, 1949, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, to Joseph Guarda and Rita Harrison. After graduating from Pittsfield High School, he joined the Coast Guard and served two years before being honorably discharged for health reasons. Bobb moved to Vermont in the mid 1970s and, after several years, settled in Wilmington with his partner and future wife, Karen Pratt. He was part of the community for much of his adult life. As an extremely talented artist, he moved early from traditional painting and pen and ink drawings to wood burning. His vision and talent interpreted the fine grains of wood into the most minute detail revealing the mastery of his craft. His art hung in many local homes and was shown in galleries throughout the Northeast. As a master woodworker, he was thrilled to create both interior furnishings and outdoor garden features. To have been graced with a Perrone garden arch was your most precious addition to your garden landscape. Bobb was known in fine wine circles for his impeccable custom-designed wine cellars (although a good Italian red table wine was just fine with him!) After moving to Whitingham, much of his time was taken with nurturing his property, maintaining his lawn and gardens, planting and pruning various fruit trees and blueberry bushes and keeping it all well groomed. Throughout his life, Bobb enjoyed the outdoors - hunting, fishing, boating, sailing, hiking, dirt biking, archery, cross-country skiing, and cutting firewood for winter warmth. Bobb and Karen often rescued cats and kittens, socializing them and providing medical care before adoption. A visit to their home would often find Bobb comforting a kitten in the front pocket of his hoodie. Bobb Perrone's kindness, generosity, love, honesty, and sense of humor will forever remain with those fortunate enough to call him a friend. Memorial information: A celebration of Bobb and Karen's lives was held Aug. 24 at Wards Cove in Whitingham.
• Virginia Warwick Sprague, 87, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully in her sleep, with family by her side, on Aug. 2, 2025, at the age of 87. A lifelong resident of Brattleboro, she was born on June 21, 1938, the daughter of Edward W. and Mary (Dudley) Warwick; one of seven children. Shortly after her birth, the family moved to Brattleboro, and their arrival was met with the Great New England Hurricane of 1938. She attended Canal Street School in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1957. She was voted "Most Optimistic" by her classmates and carried that attitude her entire life. In 1957, she married Byron Sprague in Brattleboro. She worked various jobs while raising four children and shuttling them to countless sporting events, always with patience and good humor, all the while staying engaged in the community. Virginia was active in national and local elections and organized many of her high school class reunions. She was a dedicated wife and mother, and the importance of family was always evident. She was also an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, rarely missing a game. Virginia leaves behind four children: Mark Sprague (Sheryl) of Putney, Dana Sprague (Monica) of Brattleboro, Linda Griffin (Dennis) of Brattleboro, and William Sprague (Denise) of Milford, New Hampshire; eight grandchildren: Jennifer Sprague, Brandon Sprague, Amy Sprague, Neysa Sprague, Michelle Sprague, Adam Griffin, Nicole Sprague, and Ryan Griffin; one great-grandchild, Delynn Sprague; a brother, Harold Warwick of Poway, California; and a sister, Rosemary Warwick Smith of Quaker Town, Pennsylvania. She was predeceased by her husband in 1993, and her siblings, Marge Bartley, and Robert, Richard, and Ralph Warwick. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted Aug. 10 at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
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