Jimmie C. Steelman
Jimmie C. Steelman, 88, of Albany, died on February 5, 2025. Born on June 4, 1936, in Gilmer, Texas, Jimmie dedicated his life to service, both in the military and law enforcement. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1959, during a period of significant global tensions. After his military service, Jimmie pursued a career in law enforcement, retiring in 1993 as a lieutenant in the Seymour, Connecticut, police department. He was also a founding member of the Seymour Ambulance Association, contributing to the community’s emergency medical services. Throughout his life, Jimmie was an avid golfer and belonged to the Orleans Vermont Country Club.
Jimmie held various positions in the defense industry in southern Connecticut, contributing to the nation’s security efforts. Following his retirement, he and his wife, Marlene, relocated to Albany, where he spent his final years. Jimmie was predeceased by his first wife, Carol Steelman, his daughter Susan M. Smith, and two grandsons.
Jimmie is survived by his wife, Marlene Steelman, his son Jimmie Steelman Jr., his stepchildren Regina Thielbar, Dawn Ericson, Eric Pedersen, Joel Pedersen, Benay Pastore, 18 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. His legacy of service, dedication to family, and commitment to his community will be remembered by all who knew him. Services will be held to celebrate Jimmie’s life and honor his memory at a later date. Visit awrfh.com to share your memories and condolences.
Ronald “Joe” Poirier
Ronald “Joe” Albert Poirier died and reunited with his beloved family and friends from yesteryear on February 28, 2025, in Newport. Joe was an amazing man with many titles throughout his lifetime — a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend.
Born on December 21, 1937, on a farm in Orleans to Ida and Henry Poirier, he first learned how precious a family was growing up with eight brothers and sisters. Gerard, Wilber, Marguerite Fournier, Lucien, Peter, and Edward helped to guide him to his heavenly home. David and Rita Heath will continue to share their memories, traditions, and life lessons about his family that are so valued and cherished for next generations. Music was always important to Joe — his father nicknamed him “The Whistler” at a very young age. The nickname that lasted throughout his lifetime, however, was given to him by his grandfather, who once told him that he could box like Joe Lewis. The name stuck, and moving forward, he was just “Joe” to those who knew him.
In 1956, Joe decided to be a true patriot and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country faithfully until 1958 and then entered the reserves until 1962. His pride in the military and patriotism for his country never diminished.
After his military career ended, and he no longer worked on the farms, Joe delivered grain for Bailey’s and Beacon Feeds for many years. This skill in driving trucks led him to shift in a different direction to help those in his community. He started working for the Vermont State Department of Transportation dedicating many hours to the upkeep of local roads and snow plowing. He worked there until he retired on January 1, 2000.
On August 25, 1962, Joe married the love of his life, Viola (Wright) Poirier. Their love story was one for the books. For those that had the pleasure of knowing them and have witnessed their love, it was a symbol of light and happiness that never waned. Their faith in God has forever been as strong as their love for each other. Joe was a member of the Knights of Columbus and earned his Fourth Degree. Members of this degree have the special honor of holding the title “Sir Knight,” participating in color and honor guards and organizing programs that promote Catholic citizenship.
Joe oftentimes would grab Viola when she was in their kitchen and waltz to country music. Viola’s laughter and delight in being in his arms would lead to a moment of their children watching their love shine through. When they were out with others, they were the envy of the entire dance floor. While their waltzes were a pleasure for everyone to watch, their eyes were always on each other basking in the glow of togetherness. They were always together taking care of each other, and Viola, through her adoration for Joe, continued to care for him through his last battle on this earth, and one of the hardest to witness: dementia. Their love has always been so simple, yet so profound. They were a couple, a unit, a team.
As is common for many couples in love, they created their own precious family. Their first child, Gail (Poirier) Fournier of Copake, New York, was born in 1963. She was the apple of Joe’s eye, and with his and Viola’s gentle guidance and love, grew up to be a daughter who was always dedicated to her parents. Joanne (Poirier) Rebelo, also known as “Pal” by her dad, was born in 1975, and was the needed addition to the triad. She brought additional laughter to the home, and shared her father’s love of silliness, jokes, and music.
Gail married Donald Fournier in 1987, and together, they had Joe’s first two grandchildren Ashley Jo (Fournier) Kristjansson and Michael Fournier. In 2013, Ashley Jo married Fridrik Kristjansson, and in 2015, Michael married Melissa (Jennings) Fournier. Joe’s three great-grandchildren were then born: Kaitlyn Fournier in 2015, Ellie Jo Kristjansson in 2018, and Rylie Fournier in 2019.
Joanne had Joe’s third grandchild, Kyle Arieta, in 1996, who is now engaged to Felicia Greco. In 2004, they met and welcomed Carlos Rebelo into their little family. In 2007, Joanne and Carlos were married, and Nicole Rebelo became grandchild number four. Joanne takes great pride in carrying on the tradition of singing the silliest songs loudly to anyone who will listen and laughing while doing it.
Joe treasured being a papa, grandpa, and great-grandpa, as well as his close relationships with his brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was a practical joker and absolutely adored the many nicknames and tricks that he came up with over the years. The deep chuckle and twinkle in his eyes that accompanied his antics is a lasting legacy and memory that those who knew him will hold close to their hearts forever.
If you would like to join the celebration of Joe’s life, his family will be having calling hours at Curtis Britch Funeral Home on 4670 Darling Hill Road in Derby on Friday, March 7, from 4-7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. with Reverend Robert Murphy officiating a Mass of Christian burial. Summer interment will be held at 10 a.m. on July 26, at St. Theresa’s cemetery in Orleans with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, Joe’s family has requested donations to a cause that he held dear to his heart. Consider donating to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Jack A. Philbrick
Lifelong Concord, New Hampshire, resident Jack Arthur Philbrick died peacefully on February 23, surrounded by his beloved family. Born in Concord on July 11, 1939, to Clara G. (Audet) and Lawrence H. Philbrick, Jack grew up in a boisterous and fun-loving household as the ninth of eleven siblings in Concord’s south end. As a teenager he ventured briefly away from Concord, working on a relative’s dairy farm in Ohio during the summers and living with his oldest brother in Florida where he began high school. After returning and graduating from Concord High School in 1957, Jack continued a proud family tradition of service, joining the United States Air Force and serving with the Strategic Air Command on bases in Texas, South Dakota, and Colorado.
Back in Concord, Jack made “the most significant small decision that had big consequences” when he agreed to a blind date with Sandra Lamere, a nursing student at Concord Hospital. He fell head over heels, and they married a year later during a blizzard in her northern Vermont hometown. Sandra was the love of his life, and their 62 years together were centered around raising their three children, participating in community sporting leagues, hours of healthy competition in the many games he loved, gatherings with family, and traveling near and far. Family was his pride and joy.
Jack also had a strong work ethic and was proud of his dedicated 40-year career with New Hampshire Distributors, starting as a part-time worker on the delivery trucks. His hard work, loyalty, and natural gift with people led him to sales and he retired as senior vice president of sales and marketing, and with lifelong friends made throughout his career.
In addition to family and career, Jack found time for community. He coached Concord National Little League and Concord Youth Hockey, was a lifetime member of the American Legion, longtime member of Third Thursday Investment Club, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and the Seymour Lake Association. He competed in the couples bowling league, Concord men’s dart league, and was a charter member of the Concord Budmen softball team.
Jack was an avid and skilled fisherman who had fond memories of time spent on the water (and ice) with his father and brothers, and who loved introducing his children and grandchildren to the hobby that gave him so much joy. After retiring, Jack spent summers with Sandra at Seymour Lake in Morgan, where he had more time to perfect his craft, as well as to create more memories of boating, horseshoes, cribbage, card games, and hosting epic campfires with his grandchildren and many friends.
Jack touched so many with his wit, generosity, and love, and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his cherished wife of 61 years, Sandra (Lamere) Philbrick; daughter Kim and her husband, Dave McCabe, of Sharon, Massachusetts; sons Todd and his wife, Marianne, of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, and Thomas and his wife, Aileen, of Concord; his nine grandchildren Elizabeth Philbrick (Dean Coville-Carney), Benjamin Philbrick (Isabella Czech Philbrick), Quinn McCabe, Rachel Philbrick, Samuel McCabe, Jack Philbrick, Ronan McCabe, Devin Philbrick, and Ryan Philbrick; one brother Gerard Philbrick and his wife, Deborah, of Gulfport, Mississippi; several cousins, nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers: Robert, Richard, Paul, Albert, Lawrence Jr., Edward, and Harry, and sisters Irene, who died in infancy, Barbara, and Dorothy.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jack’s memory to the Granite Visiting Nurse Association Hospice House in Concord, or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research.
A funeral Mass was held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 72 South Main Street, Concord, on Monday, March 3.
Marie McManus
Marie Therese (Poginy) McManus died in the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2025, after a remarkable 95 years. She was born on November 10, 1929, in Newport Center, to Edward and Arcelia Poginy. She was the youngest of six siblings and four additional children her parents fostered including Alfred, Rita, and Albert LeMay, along with Louise Bernard, who she was very close to. Her formative years were spent on the family’s farm on Poginy Hill Road in Newport Center.
Marie was a dedicated student of Sacred Heart High School and she began working for her room and board at several local residences starting in the seventh grade until her graduation in 1950. Her passion for music was evident, and she often credited Sister Edmond as her most significant musical influence, regarding her as her favorite teacher and conductor. Under Sister Edmond’s guidance, Marie participated in numerous musical endeavors that consistently achieved success in state competitions throughout her school years. She was an active member of the choir, played the cello in the school orchestra, and performed on the piano at various events throughout her life.
From a young age, Marie aspired to become a nurse, ultimately graduating as a registered nurse from the Fanny Allen School of Nursing in Colchester. She devoted 48 years to nursing and held supervisory roles at several prestigious medical institutions along the East Coast, including Beth Israel in Boston, Massachusetts, Massachusetts General Hospital, Connecticut Veterans Hospital, and various hospitals in Florida. Notably, she was a pioneering nurse present during some of the first kidney and heart transplants, and she worked on the front lines as a polio nurse in the Iron Lung ward. Marie often proudly declared, “I am a gypsy nurse.”
In 1963, she met Bernard McManus from Baltimore, Maryland, and they were united in marriage at St. Mary Star of the Sea Roman Catholic Church in Newport, on Columbus Day of that same year. Together they shared various interests including a passion for music and a love of the Catholic faith.
Marie was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to many. She is survived by her son Steven McManus, daughter Pauline Staples and her husband, Tony Staples, and daughter Monique Stewart; grandchildren: Ian, Rheanon, Rhomie, Kelby and her husband, Jose, Rory, Lacie, Ashlyn, and Ryland; great-grandchildren: Neveah, Nadea, Jamiee, and Josianna; along with numerous nieces and nephews. Marie was the youngest member of her family and the final one to walk with the Lord. Her departure to God’s eternal Kingdom was preceded by her husband, Bernard McManus, in 1994, her parents, Edward Poginy and Arcelia (Labonte) Poginy, and her siblings Leon, Adelard, Beatrice, Oliver, and Reginald.
Friends and family may call from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Curtis Britch Funeral Home located at 37 Lake Road in Newport. A funeral Mass will be offered at 2 p.m. on the same day at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport. A committal service will take place in the summer of 2025. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Bernard Manning
Bernard Joseph Manning, 66, of Fanning Springs, Florida, formally of Thetford Center, died on February 2, 2025, at home in Fanning Springs.
Bernie was born on May 23, 1958, to Arvin and Joyce Manning. He was a son, a brother, a father, and a friend to many.
Bernie worked as a mason for many years before following in his father’s footsteps. He started driving one of his father’s log trucks for a few years before starting his own business: Manning Pulpwood Sales. He had a dedicated work ethic and was always on the road, working long hours that took him all over Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and New York. Hauling a light load of logs was rare. He did haul a few exceptionally heavy loads that earned him some equally impressive overweight fines during his career. He spent many years of weekends building a beautiful house in Brownington with a beautiful view of Lake Willoughby.
His son Blake sadly predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his parents, Arvin and Joyce, as well as his brothers John, Gerald, and Don Eric Manning.
He leaves his son Curtis Manning and siblings: Bum Manning and wife, Nancy, Gregory Manning, and Marlene Jenks and husband, David, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.
Words that come to mind when thinking of Bernie are thoughtful, fair, loyal, compassionate, determined, stubborn, and a good friend. His family can’t forget the teasing that brought him such joy. He had a dry, clever wit. Texting and Facebook were his means to stay in touch with his family and friends.
The sudden passing of a loved one is always a profound shock for those left behind. Bernie had been battling COPD and congestive heart failure and had recently spent a few days in the hospital. He died peacefully at home. His family finds solace in believing that he is now at peace and reunited with his family.
Bernie is now hauling logs in the afterlife with his dad, Arvin. Bernie is loved and will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at the Evergreen Rest Cemetery in Thetford Center in the late spring. The date and time will be announced at a later time.
Conrad Lussier
Conrad Lussier, formerly a long-time resident of Newport, died peacefully with his children by his side on Friday, February 21, 2025, at the age of 93. He resided in Magog, Quebec, Canada, for the last 12 years. Mr. Lussier was born on June 6, 1931, in Racine, Quebec.
On July 29, 1950, he married his true love of 68 years, Jeanne D’Arc Robert, who predeceased him on April 19, 2018.
They lived in Magog before moving to Vermont. In Magog, he worked at the textile mill for many years. He owned a milk can route, so every morning he would head out to the farms to pick up their milk cans with one of the two trucks he had. With his other truck, he worked for the city of Magog paving asphalt. He delivered Christmas trees to New York City, New York, for quite a few years as a way to provide for his family of four children, at the time. In 1960, Conrad and his wife moved from Magog to Newport Center with the four children, plus one on the way, to start farming. While he was farming he worked for Poulin Grain in the winter. He also did some sugaring. After a few years of farming, he built additions to his barn. Later, he lost the barn to a fire. Having a lot more land on Airport Road, they decided to build a house and a new free stall barn and moved there in 1970. Conrad was a successful farmer with his wife and sons for 24-and-a-half years. In 1984, they sold the farm.
After they moved onto Lake Road, he enjoyed working in his garage he built, and he purchased a car lift so he could work on his vehicles. To keep himself busy, Conrad worked many years for John Campbell hauling gravel and other things.
They enjoyed spending their winter months in West Palm Beach, Florida, with friends going to French-Canadian music festivals, as well as enjoying line dancing, shuffleboard, playing cards and dominos, and bowling.
He enjoyed having his family over for corn roasts and sugar-on-snow, going on his boat, and going on family trips. The French and English language barrier was a little difficult, but he always managed to understand and communicated with all.
Conrad enjoyed helping his children, friends, and neighbors if they needed help with any projects — no matter how big or small.
They moved back to Magog 12 years ago, retired from many things, and made more friends and new adventures as they advanced in years.
He had changed in his last years to a calmer and more peaceful person. He sure did miss driving his car, and later, not being able to walk anymore. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which slowly caused him to be fully wheelchair bound, and took him away on his last days with his loved ones.
He was loved by all the people at the assisted living facility, where he lived for the past year and a half. He will be missed by all who knew him. There are many stories loved ones will never know about Conrad.
He is survived by his sister Gisele (Jacques) Juby of Magog, his brother-in-law Real (Micheline) Robert of Magog, children: Micheline (Maurice “Moe” Merrill) of Derby, Nicole Leblanc of New Hampshire, and Pierre “Peter” (Marianne Lussier) of Barton, his 12 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, other relatives, and friends.
He was predeceased by his son Jean Marc “John” Lussier in April 2002, his daughter Ginette Corriveau (Yves) of South Berwick, Maine, in November 2023, his sisters Constance Galipeau, Estelle Auclair (Leo) of Sherbrooke, Quebec, and his brother Real Lussier of Magog.
The family would like to thank the team from L’Hebergement Two on the fourth floor of the Memphremagog Hospital assisted living for all the very good care he received.
If those reading have elderly parents, Mr. Lussier’s family encourages them to visit as much as possible, for they will soon be gone.
Conrad is united in the arms of his Heavenly Father and with his loved ones.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the Charron and Lamoureux Funeral Complex, 1295 Rue Sherbrook, Magog, Quebec, on March 8, from 1-3 p.m. The funeral will follow immediately at 3 p.m. at the Memorial of the Complex. Interment will be at St. Mary Star of the Sea Cemetery, Newport, at a later date.
Barbara Higgins
It is with deep sadness that her family announces the death of Barbara (Bobbi) A. Higgins (née Kunz) on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at the age of 74. Surrounded by her family after a courageous and prolonged battle with Parkinson’s/Lewy body dementia, she leaves behind a legacy of love and strength. Bobbi was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother (fondly known as Bella), sister, aunt, and friend, and her absence will be profoundly felt by all who had the honor of knowing her.
Born on February 9, 1951, in New Jersey, Bobbi spent her early years in Montvale, New Jersey, before she eventually moved, making her home in Vermont. She was a devoted and loving wife to her husband, Patrick (her “Paddy”), and a nurturing mother to her six children: Scott, Jennifer, Lauren, Rebecca, Daniel, and Katie.
Bobbi’s life was one full of joy, creativity, and warmth. She had a passion for cooking, baking, and shopping, and her artistic spirit found expression in painting and other creative pursuits. Above all, Bobbi treasured time with her grandchildren, and her love for them was immeasurable.
Her kindness, generosity, and selflessness were unmatched. She always put the needs of others before her own, and her warm heart, infectious smile, and boundless compassion made a lasting impact on everyone she met.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated caregivers, medical team, Visiting Nurse Association hospice team and all those who supported Bobbi throughout her battle with Parkinson’s/Lewy body dementia. Their compassion, care, and unwavering support brought comfort and peace during difficult times. The kindness and love shown by friends, family, medical support team, Visiting Nurse Association hospice staff and caregivers will forever be appreciated and will never be forgotten. Thank you for standing by Bobbi and her family with such grace and devotion.
Predeceased by her son Scott, Bobbi is survived by her loving husband, Patrick, her brother Stephen and wife, Karen Kunz, her sister Nancy Jaeger, daughter-in-law Tawana, her children: Jennifer (husband, Bryan) Gruda, Lauren (husband, Travis) Dillon, Rebecca (husband, Travis) Marcelletti, Daniel (wife, Stephanie) Higgins, and Katie, as well as her 13 grandchildren: Kaden, Ellah, Blake, Khloe, Taylor, Jackson, Owen, Landon, Abbey, Brooklyn, Harper, Milo, and Raelyn, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her dearly.
A viewing will be held at Curtis-Britch and Bouffard Funeral Home, located at 37 Lake Road, Newport, on Saturday, March 8, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a service. A burial service will take place in May. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Bobbi’s memory to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at www.lbda.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation at https://give.michaeljfox.org. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Rest in peace, dear Bobbi — Mom — Bella. She will forever remain in her loved ones’ hearts and memories.
Roger Emerson
Roger Emerson died peacefully at the age of 90 on Friday, February 28, 2025, at Manor Village Retirement Home in London, Ontario, Canada.
Roger Lee Emerson was born to Arthur and Doris Emerson in Barton on March 26, 1934. He attended the Barton graded school and the seventh and eighth grades at the high school in Hanover, New Hampshire. He graduated from the Clark School for Boys in Hanover in 1952 and entered Dartmouth University that fall. Roger received his bachelor of arts “with high distinction in philosophy” in 1956. He went on to Brown University (master of arts, philosophy, 1958) and Brandeis University (master of arts, history of ideas, 1958) and there took a doctor of philosophy in the history of ideas in 1962. He taught social science and humanities for a year at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) and for two years taught in the humanities program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology before going to the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. There, he remained in the history department for the rest of his teaching career, becoming a professor in 1983 and also an honorary professor in the history of science (1989-1991). For 32 years, Roger kept alive an interdisciplinary seminar on the eighteenth century at Western.
He was the author of more than 60 articles, on many aspects of the European and Scottish Enlightenments, and of seven books: two dealt with Scottish universities circa 1690-circa 1805; another two were volumes of essays on eighteenth-century Scotland and its Enlightenment. The fifth was a biography of the third Duke of Argyll, one of the great politicians of eighteenth-century Britain. That book received the Saltire Society’s award for the “Best Book of the Year in Scottish History” for 2013. His last books dealt with Vermonters, circa 1800-1940. He was also an associate editor of the Oxford Encyclopedia of the Enlightenment and of the first two volumes (1980-’81) of the annual published by the Canadian Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies, a publication he initiated. He was active in that group from its founding in 1979 until circa 2005 and was its president from 1978-’80. For many years, he was also active in the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies. He sat on the editorial board of Hume Studies from 1984 to 1994 and was a long-time member of the Eighteenth-Century Scottish Studies Society, becoming its second president in 1984. In 2000, CSECS and ECSSS held a joint reception in his honor at the Robarts Library at the University of Toronto, where he was the recipient of a festschrift edited by Paul B. Wood, The Scottish Enlightenment: Essays in Reinterpretation. The ECSSS also presented Roger with a “lifetime achievement award” in 2008. His scholarly legacy was many-faceted. He was a good teacher for hard-working students and was diligent in promoting enlightenment studies in Canada. In Scottish history, he made contributions to the history of science and medicine, to its political history circa 1720-’60, and redefined the Scottish Enlightenment, basing it on notions of general improvement and including the religious. Not everyone agreed with him, but he was well respected as a scholar who knew the Scottish archives as well as most living in Scotland.
He married Jean Dalgleish of Rutherglen, Scotland, in 1976. They had no children, separated in 1994, and were divorced in 2013. Roger was still working until late in life — principally on an autobiography, on essays and books dealing with Vermonters, and on a volume of poems. He became a Canadian citizen but remained a Vermonter at heart. His and his family’s papers are now in the archive at Western University in London.
In the fall of 2022, Roger was hospitalized with COVID-19. His Parkinson’s disease had also progressed, necessitating a move to the Manor Village Retirement Home in 2023. Roger’s power of attorneys, Jerry Mulcahy and Mark Spencer, would like to thank the manor’s expert staff for providing him with such dedicated care during his final years.
Roger will be deeply missed by his cohort of local friends, by scholars of the eighteenth century from around the world, and especially by many once-young students for whom he always had time, sound advice, and affection. Cremation has taken place. There will be no funeral service, as was Roger’s wish.
Lucille S. Duckless
Lucille S. (Godin) Duckless, of Newport Center, was born on February 12, 1929, to Levi and Mabel Godin. She was the youngest of ten children and grew up in North Troy. She married her husband and soulmate, Harold V. Duckless, on July 3, 1954, and was a wonderful mother to Brian and Darlene Duckless.
In her amazing life, she was a devout Catholic and enjoyed going to weekly Mass. She owned and operated Duckless’ Store and gas station with her husband in Newport Center. On her days off (which were few), she enjoyed many activities with friends that included snowmobiling on Sundays, where apricot Brandy was always on hand to help keep warm, Thursday night card games, and watching her son play drums in a country/western band.
Once retired from the store in 1983, she traveled frequently to visit family members and explore many wonderful places in the U.S., and to some various islands, especially where there were casinos. There was also a yearly Godin family reunion held at her family home for many years, where her chicken pie was always on the menu. Family was always so important to her. She was loved by so many and will be deeply missed. In her last few years, before moving to the Bel-Aire Nursing home in 2023, she lived at home with her daughter Darlene who provided excellent care and allowed her the safety of living at home. Just this month, she turned 96, and was excited to have hit this milestone in her life.
She was predeceased by her husband, Harold, her son Brian, her daughter Darlene, her parents, and all nine of her siblings. Surviving family members include her daughter-in-law Gail Duckless, grandsons Jeffrey Duckless and his wife, Kimberly, Jason Duckless, Jonathan Duckless, Cody Duckless and his wife, Jessica, and her great-grandchildren Colin Duckless, Caleb Duckless, Aquilla Duckless, Calvin Duckless, and Brandon Greene. Also, a sister-in-law Louise Duckless, a brother in-law Robert Duckless, and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at Newport Center Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
Helena DeLaBruere
Helena A. DeLaBruere, 85, of Derby, died on February 28, 2025, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on December 24, 1939, in Frampton (La Beauce), Quebec, Canada, to the late Arsene and Adrienne (Giguere) Perron. On August 29, 1959, she married the love of her life, John (Jean) C. DeLaBruere, and they spent the next 67 years building a life together.
Helena attended graded school in Waterville, Quebec, and later from Lallier Bilingual Institute in Sherbrooke, Quebec. In her spare time, she enjoyed playing tennis, Rummikub, bowling, camping, boating on Lake Memphremagog in their boat called “Sea Wind,” snowmobiling, wintering in Florida for 30 years, cooking, attending family gatherings and her Canadian family reunions, spending time with all her grandchildren, but most of all she truly loved life itself.
She is survived by her husband, John DeLaBruere; children: Alain DeLaBruere of Derby, and his companion, France Prevost, of East Charleston, Bert DeLaBruere and his wife, Katrina, of Jericho, Louise Whipple and her husband, Don, of Derby, and Gaetan DeLaBruere who predeceased her on August 2, 2014; grandchildren: Alaina Paquette and her husband, Armand, of Montpelier, Olivia Mencimer and her husband, Kirk, of Littleton, Colorado, Donovan DeLaBruere and his partner, Andrea Hoang, of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, Kyle DeLaBruere and his wife, Jennifer, of Ripton, Lori DeLaBruere and her husband, Scott Orphan, of Austin, Texas, Collin DeLaBruere and his wife, Jennifer Law, of Boston, Massachusetts, Spencer DeLaBruere and his wife, Erin, of Ham Lake, Minnesota, Jonathan DeLaBruere and his wife, Lindsay, of Newport, and Sydney Whipple of Derby; great-grandchildren: Charlie, Hendrix, Ari, Silas, Carly, Wyatt, Emma, Noah, Oliver, and Caroline; and by numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is also survived by her brothers and sisters Dominique Perron of Compton, Quebec, Simon Perron and his wife, Nicole, of Alberta, Canada, Jean-Noel Perron of Montreal, Quebec, Denis Perron and his wife, Marthe, of Sherbrooke, Donald Perron and his wife, Lise, of Waterville, Jeanne d’Arc Perron of Compton, Carmen Perron of Coaticook, Quebec, and Bertrand Perron and his wife, Nicole, of Montreal. She is also survived by John’s family, Louise DeLaBruere Boutin and Noel of Sherbrooke, and sisters-in-law Maureen DeLaBruere of Newport Center, and Christine DeLaBruere of Virginia.
She was predeceased by her sister Isabelle Lemieux; brothers-in-law Hurbert Lemieux, Jean-Yves Ruel, Valmore Routhier, Rene, Roland, Roger, Maurice, Eugene, Gerard, and Gilles DeLaBruere; and sisters-in-law Theresa Bissonnette, Jeanne Harvey, and Helen Routhier.
Friends may call from 9-11 a.m. on Friday, March 7, at the Curtis-Britch and Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby. Funeral services will follow at noon at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line with Father Scott Gratton officiating the service.
Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Orleans-Essex VNA and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
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