Rachel M. Couture, 44, of Newport, died suddenly on December 20, 2011, at her home.
She was born November 16, 1967, in Newport, a daughter of Damien and Lucille (Guillette) Couture.
Ms. Couture was a cosmetologist at Hairlines by Tracey in Derby. She was an active member of the Mater Dei Parrish of Newport, as well as the Blessed Sacrament Church in Manchester, New Hampshire, where she was a member for 20 plus years. She assisted with the Adoration Chapel as well as being a reader, cleaning the church, and doing God’s work.
She loved her family, which includes her many aunts, uncles, and especially her cousins of which there are many, as well as many friends.
She enjoyed gardening, working in many different areas of crafts, and she was always willing to give a hand to anyone including just listening.
She is survived by her sister Michelle Longtin and by Ms. Longtin’s two children: Abigail and Benjamin Longtin of Manchester; and by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at a later date in Manchester.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 14 Elm Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, 03104. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
James Archie Cunningham
James Archie Cunningham, 78, of Orleans died on December 24, 2011.
He was born on April 3, 1933, in St. Johnsbury, to Rose and John Cunningham.
Mr. Cunningham enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was a kid at heart who knew how to joke around and put a smile on your face. He was a jack of all trades doing anything from road construction to farm work to working on trucks.
He is survived by two children: his son James Cunningham of Irasburg, and his daughter Tammy Cole and her husband, Terry, of Brownington; four loving grandchildren: Heather, Kassie, James and Amber Cunningham of Newport; four very special great-grandchildren: Jeremiah, Javan, Brooke, and Ella of Newport; his sister Viola Cunningham Parker, and her one son and three daughters, of New York; his ex-wife Phyllis McKinney of Orleans; and by many other friends and family members. He was predeceased by both parents: John Cunningham of Massachusetts and Rose Cunningham (Alma) of New York; and his siblings: Eddie Cunningham, Clara Cunningham, and Della Cunningham (Mitchell).
Services will be held at the convenience of the family some time in mid-spring. Cards to the family may be sent to P.O. Box 93, Newport Center, Vermont 05857. To make any other contributions in his memory, please call (802) 673-0313 to make arrangements.
Notes of condolence may also be sent to Phyllis McKinney at 25 Church Street, Apartment 2, Orleans, Vermont 05860.
Mary L. (Safford) Curtin
Mary L. (Safford) Curtin, 61, of Westerly, Rhode Island, died on December 20, 2011, in her home surrounded by her loving family.
Mrs. Curtin was born on July 16, 1950, in Hartford, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Madeline (Lake) and John D. Safford of Bloomfield, Connecticut. She was a graduate of Bloomfield High School.
For many years, Mrs. Curtin lived in East Charleston, before moving to Westerly over 20 years ago. She made friends everywhere she went and brightened lives with her kindness, compassion and constant understanding.
She especially loved sailing in the Virgin Islands with her husband, Geoff. And in the past couple years, nothing brought her more joy than spending time with her new grandson, Leo.
She leaves behind countless close friends in Vermont and Bloomfield, as well as in the Westerly area.
Mrs. Curtin was the beloved wife of Geoffrey Curtin of Westerly, a devoted mother to her daughter, Hannah Curtin, and a loving grandmother to her three-year-old grandson, Leonardo Paradise.
She is survived by her brothers: Duncan Safford of Derby Line, and Stewart Safford of Fort Myers, Florida; and by her stepdaughter Melanie Curtin of Washington, D.C.
A memorial service was held December 27, 2011, in Westerly. Burial took place December 28, 2011, at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bradford Jonnycake Center, Inc., P.O. Box 273, Westerly, Rhode Island 02891.
Laura E. Decker
Laura E. Decker, 88, of Orleans died on December 27, 2011, in Newport.
She was born on April 30, 1923, in Calais, a daughter of Vern and Minnie (Spraig) Wheeler. On August 29, 1942, she married Harry Decker who predeceased her on August 30, 2008.
Mrs. Decker was a member of the Orleans Federated Church and the Community Circle and she was also a Justice of the Peace for 36 years. Mr. and Mrs. Decker traveled a lot, after his retirement, with the Community Circle and enjoyed going to dances at the Elks Club. She made latch hook rugs for many of her family members. The most important events in Mrs. Decker’s life were family visits and gatherings which she thoroughly enjoyed, and secondly her many friends.
Mrs. Decker is survived by her two children: Terrence Decker of Newport and Lori Mayhew and her husband, Larry, of North Troy; six grandchildren: Christopher Decker and his wife, Deb, of South Carolina, Lance Decker of Newport, Daniel LaBarron and his fiancé, Stephanie Blouin, of Newport, Caitlyn LaBarron and her companion, Dennis Labbee, of North Troy, Megan Simpson and her husband, Devon, of North Troy, and Amanda Effrig and her husband, Mark, of Derby Line; by seven great-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Megan LaBarron, in 1987; by her sister Mildred Davidson; and by her daughter-in-law Madeleine Decker.
Funeral services were held December 31, 2011, in Orleans. Spring interment will be held at the Pleasantview Cemetery in Orleans.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division Inc., 55 Day Lane, Williston, Vermont 05495.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Lorraine R. Gaire
Lorraine R. Gaire, 71, died on December 23, 2011.
She was born in St. Albans on March 21, 1940, a daughter of Vincent and Irene Rushford. Ms. Gaire grew up in North Troy and Newport where she graduated from Sacred Heart High School. She moved to New York City to attend The College of Mount St. Vincent, and graduated with a B.S. in chemistry. She earned her master of arts in teaching degree at Montclair State College in New Jersey.
While raising her family, she served on the board of education in Hackettstown, New Jersey, and worked for the New Jersey State Board of Education. Prior to her retirement, Ms. Gaire worked for the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey, and developed some of their most creative and groundbreaking tools in education testing and program design.
After retirement, she moved to Strafford, New Hampshire, where she made many friends and enjoyed many activities including: the Strafford Garden Club, hiking, book club, bridge, crossword puzzles, travel, yoga, and watching her favorite sports teams. The Strafford Garden Club recently honored her with their “Citizen of the Year” award. She served as vice-president, as well as co-chair of the plant sale, and planner of the River Birch Garden. She was very passionate about the environment and worked diligently on various committees as secretary of the Managed Growth Group, and an active member of Bear Paw Regional Greenways.
Ms. Gaire’s intelligence and wit were always an inspiration to her many friends and family.
She is survived by her daughters and her sisters and will be sorely missed by her family and friends.
Donations may be made to Bear Paw Regional Greenways, www.bear-paw.org; or to the Salvation Army in Rochester, New Hampshire, www.salvationarmyusa.org.
Carolyn D. Gray
Carolyn D. Gray, 85, of Glover died on December 22, 2011, in Newport.
She was born April 21, 1926 in Barton, a daughter of John and Gertrude (Green) Baird. On May 15, 1946, she married Robert Gray who predeceased her on December 17, 2001.
She graduated from Heath Graded School in Barton.
Mrs. Gray’s first employment was with Progressive Furniture in Barton. Later in her life, she was a nurse’s aide at what is now Union House Nursing Home in Glover.
She was a member of the Glover Community Church and its Women’s Union. She was a member of the American Legion Post #76 Auxiliary and a longtime treasurer for the Perron Hill Home Dem Club in Glover. She was also a scorekeeper for the Glover Gustos women’s softball team. Her hobbies included embroidery, reading, playing bingo, and watching horse pulling.
She is survived by her sons: Donald Gray of Springfield and Ron Gray and his wife, Elaine, of Waterford; and by her grandchildren: Christopher and Meghan Gray; by her sister Cora Paquette of Bellows Falls; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three sisters: Dale Baird, Beverly Baird, and Barbara Gray; five half-sisters: Irene Brooks, Jenny Sanborn, Minnie Monier, Lena Hinton and Ila Davis; and by three brothers: Ray, Lyle, and Emery Baird.
Funeral services were held on December 28, 2011, in Glover. Spring interment will be in Westlook Cemetery in Glover.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be sent to the Union House Nursing Home Activities Fund, 3086 Glover Street, Glover, Vermont 05839. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Earlene Marie Ross
Earlene Marie Ross, 75, of Newport, died on December 26, 2011, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born October 4, 1936, in Port Jervis, New York, a daughter of Rutherford and Lillian (Rogers) Ross. She graduated from Matamoras High School in Matamoras, Pennsylvania.
During her lifetime, she was employed as a seamstress by Anmore Company Manufacturing and as a cashier at the Grand Union Supermarket in Port Jervis.
She enjoyed crocheting, making Christmas ornaments, and she held membership with the Veterans of Foreign Wars post #798 Auxiliary.
She is survived by her children: Florence May Robbins of Newport, Lawrence Calvin Robbins Jr. of Newport, Erin Earlene Robbins of Newport Center, and Shawn Michael Robbins of Newport; and by the following grandchildren: Shawn, Michael, Jessica, Tasha, Everett, Joshua, Christopher, Amber, Timothy, Katina, and Stacey; by her great-grandchildren: Brooke-lyn, Jayson, Logan, Alexander, Ashtin, Isabella, Benjamin, and Payton; by her brothers: Bill Ross and his wife, Linda, of Key West, Florida, Melvin Ross and his wife, June, of Rapid City, South Dakota, Clare Ross and his wife, Carol, of Chino Valley, Arizona, and Thomas Ross and his wife, Jennilyn, of the Philippines; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter Charlotte Louise Morgan; by her sister Lillian Ross; and by her brother Rutherford Eugene Ross.
Funeral services were held on Friday December 30, 2011, in Newport.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Joseph Albert Ryda
Joseph Albert Ryda, 66, of Lyndonville died on December 27, 2011, at his home.
He was born in Springfield, the son of Joseph and Adele (Kennedy) Ryda.
He was a veteran of the United States Air Force.
Mr. Ryda was a self-employed landscaper for many years. He also had worked at Joe’s Garage in Ludlow, Massachusetts, for a few years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and four-wheeling.
He is survived by his cousins: Thomas and Marlene Kennedy of Chicopee, Massachusetts, Brian and Deanna Kennedy of Jeffersonville, and Kimberly and Craig Kitovich of Longmeadow, Massachusetts.
Graveside funeral services with full military honors will be held at a later date at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Agawam, Massachusetts. There are no calling hours.
Marjorie Post Toombs
Marjorie Post Toombs, 86, of Monkton, and a summer resident of Island Pond, died on December 24, 2011.
Ms. Toombs was born on November 26, 1925, the daughter of William J. and Marjorie R. Post. She raised her family of four daughters in Massapequa, New York. Her life’s passions were dogs and Morgan horses.
Ms. Toombs leaves behind her daughters and their families: Leslie and James Bell of Saratoga Springs, New York, Patricia and Alan Cole of Westmore, and Joanne and Fred Doucette of Monkton; her brother W. Deane Post of Massapequa; and a son-in-law, Andrew Vessalico also of Massapequa.
She was predeceased by her husband Kenneth L. Toombs, and her daughter Nancy Parke Vessalico.
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