Doris I. Andrews, 94, of Coventry, died on April 4, 2011, at the Bel-Aire Nursing Care Center in Newport.
She was born June 18, 1916, in Templeton, Massachusetts, a daughter of Clarence F. and Orila N. (Perry) Kendall.
She was a graduate of Gardner High School in Gardner, Massachusetts, and received her education to be a licensed practical nurse at Peter Bent Brigham in Boston, Massachusetts.
She was a wonderful homemaker, an excellent cook, and she enjoyed gardening. Her grandchildren remember her working in St. Albans as the last matron at the Warner Home for Little Wanderers, a home that cared for children of absentee parents. It provided for children prior to any foster care programs in Vermont.
She leaves her husband, Victor Andrews, whom she married in December of 2000; a son, Arthur (Pete) Roby Jr. of Douglasville, Georgia; daughter-in-law Kay Rundgren of Bremerton, Washington; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by husbands Joseph Rundgren, Arthur Roby Sr., Kenneth Atherton, and Adrian Lake; and by her sons John Rundgren, Ernest Rundgren, Conrad Rundgren, Ralph Rundgren, and Vernon Roby.
A memorial Mass was held April 8 at St. Theresa’s Church in Orleans. Her final resting place will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans in June.
Arrangements by the Malcolm R. Davis Funeral Home of Craftsbury Common.
Clarence “Junior” Ash
Clarence P. “Junior” Ash, 85, of Sheffield, died on April 7, 2011, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, with his children at his side.
He was born May 27, 1925, in Irasburg, a son of Clarence and Emma (Taylor) Ash.
He attended Bickford School in Sheffield and Lyndon Institute. He left school at the onset of World War II to help work the family farm in Sheffield.
Mr. Ash was a lister and fence viewer for the town of Sheffield. He had been a substitute mail carrier for Dean McDowell and drove the “stage” from Lyndonville, Lyndon Center, Wheelock, and Sheffield for several years. Later he worked for Laperle’s Construction in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a drill and dynamite operator. He had also worked as a roller operator for various contractors.
In 1963 he purchased Charlie Chesley’s propane gas business and ran that until he suffered a stroke in 1999 and sold his business to Twombly Plumbing.
A generous man, Mr. Ash donated bottled gas to the Sheffield Federated Church, the Sheffield Town Hall, and the Sheffield Field Day cook shack, which was dedicated to him. He enjoyed football, playing poker, fishing, and vegetable gardening.
Survivors include his three children: Sharon Hubbard and her husband, Bernie, of Lyndonville, Patty Weglarz and her husband, Reg, of Wells River, and Bernard Ash and his wife, Laurie, of Sheffield; two granddaughters, Jamie Lee and her husband, Ben, of Hartford, Connecticut, and Sarah Hubbard of Lyndonville; three sisters: Marvel Kittredge, Marlene Taylor and her husband, Don, and Muriel Nutter, all of St. Johnsbury; his former wife, Gladys Fisher, of Lyndonville; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on April 12 at the Sheffield Federated Church with John Sleeper officiating. Spring burial will be in William Dexter Cemetery in Sheffield.
Donations in his memory may be directed to the Sheffield-Wheelock Fire Department, P.O. Box 161, Sheffield, Vermont 05866.
Private online condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com.
Dorreen Devenger
Dorreen P. (Sanderson) Devenger, 84, longtime Sutton resident and town clerk, died suddenly early Tuesday morning on April 5, 2011, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury.
She was born September 13, 1926, in Lyndon, the daughter of Daniel and Queenie (Libbey) Sanderson. She was a 1944 graduate of Lyndon Institute.
On July 21, 1946, she married Willard “Stub” Devenger. He predeceased her on January 6, 1984.
Mrs. Devenger was serving the town of Sutton as town clerk and was in her fiftieth year. She was devoted to her town and the people of Sutton. She is remembered as having a good sense of humor, an amazing memory, and stood up for things that she believed in.
A loving mother and doting grandmother, she also rescued and loved her dogs and cats. She was an avid reader, a member of TOPS, and enjoyed jigsaw and crossword puzzles, feeding and watching wild birds, and gardening.
Survivors include four children: April Devenger Mast and her partner, Diane Jull, of St. Joseph, Missouri, Marlin “Chip” Devenger of Sutton and New York, Laurel Devenger Holmes and her husband, Reginald, of Sutton, and Jesse “Rusty” Devenger of St. Petersburg, Florida; two granddaughters, Jennifer Holmes Seymour and her husband, Alan, of Sutton, and Andrea Holmes Pariseau and her husband, Michael, of Richford; three great-grandchildren: Kyle, Tasha, and Patrick Seymour of Sutton; a brother, Richard Sanderson, and his wife, Lorraine, of Emporium, Pennsylvania; six nephews; five nieces; her feline and canine companions who she loved dearly; and her Sutton community. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Stub; two brothers, David Sanderson in 2010, and Daniel “Joe” Sanderson; two sisters, Darlene “Gay” Clark Davis, and infant Corrine Sanderson; and her niece Catherine Sanderson.
Funeral services were held in Sutton on April 9 at the Sutton Freewill Baptist Church with the Pastor David Colwell officiating. Spring burial will be in the Sutton Village Cemetery.
Donations made in Mrs. Devenger’s memory may be directed to either the Frontier Animal Society, 4473 Barton Orleans Road, Orleans, Vermont 05860, or to the Sutton Volunteer Fire Department, care of Dennis Parent, 79 Wheelock Road, Sutton, Vermont 05867.
Private online condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com.
Ruth Julia Durant
Ruth Julia Durant, 91, died on March 31, 2011, at her home in Westmore.
She was the widow of Harold Thomas Durant. They had four children: Lynda, Tom, Al, and another girl, also named Lynda, who died at the age of five.
They were dairy farmers and owned the Rainbow Farm and were also former owners of the Shell station in Barton.
Mrs. Durant was born to David and Julia Dukette on November 31, 1919, in North Adams, Massachusetts, and had four brothers and one sister, who are now deceased.
She leaves three children: Lynda, Tom, and Al; six grandchildren: Michelle, Wade, Tammy, Julia, Brannon, and Anthony; and five great-grandchildren: Rebecca, David, Alix, Vinny, and Cody; as well as many nieces and nephews who also mourn her passing.
Mrs. Durant was a life member of the Catholic Church and had been a member of the Daughters of Isabella. She was a steadfast friend to many and a devoted wife and mother. She enjoyed many pastimes including working in her garden and doing projects around her home. She got much pleasure looking at the beautiful flower garden each spring that her special friend Rodney Young designed especially for her.
She loved her two dogs, Chewy and Mabeline, and enjoyed giving them a special treat of toast each morning. She had fond memories of the many trips that she and her husband, Harold, took during their retirement years to visit all their friends and family.
Mrs. Durant was especially grateful to her daughter Lynda Young, who loved and cared for her around the clock and made it possible to remain in her home during the last years of her life. The home health care nurses that came to give her medical care throughout the years also became her very close friends.
Services will be held in early summer at St. Paul’s Cemetery and there will be a gathering afterwards.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Gloria F. Geoffroy
Gloria F. Geoffroy, 80, of Lowell died on April 7, 2011, at the Bel-Aire Nursing Center in Newport.
She was born on January 15, 1931, in Lowell, a daughter of Asa and Gladys (Swett) Morse.
On July 22, 1946, she married Philip Geoffroy who predeceased her in 1983.
Mrs. Geoffroy was the treasurer for the town of Lowell for many years. Among her hobbies, she loved bowling and was a very active member in the St. Ignatius Church.
She is survived by her three children: Rachel Wright of Lowell, Raymond Geoffroy and his wife, Elaine, of Lowell, and Susan Geoffroy of Williston; ten grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; six sisters: Anita Cornish of Connecticut, Charlotte Fontaine and her husband, Leo, of Lowell, Eleanor Desrocher of New Hampshire, Shirley Clifford of Tennessee, Barbara McAllister of Newport Center, and Salley McAllister and her husband, Ronald, of Newport; her brother Robert Morse of Derby; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Philip Geoffroy; a son Philip Geoffroy Jr.; two brothers; and three sisters.
Funeral services were held on April 11 at the St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Lowell with the Reverend Henry Mlinganisa celebrating a Mass. Spring interment will be at the St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Lowell Historical Society, care of Daphne Christiansen, Route 100, Lowell, Vermont 05847.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Betty Joyce Gordon
Betty Joyce Gordon, 74, of Sutton, died on March 27, 2011, at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, surrounded by her family.
She was born July 27, 1936, in Albany, a daughter of Percy and Doris (Ducklass) Griggs.
She was a 1954 graduate of Orleans High School.
On January 1, 1957, she married Carl “Joe” Gordon who followed her in death on April 3, 2011.
After high school Mrs. Gordon worked at The Caledonian Record where she met her husband-to-be. She was then Mr. Gordon’s secretary at Northeastern Vermont Development Association. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon spent most of their married life working together. They purchased antiques and had auctions in Burke, eventually opening Poke and Tote which was an antique shop. They moved the business to Sutton and eventually switched it to a gift shop. During this period they managed and operated the ski rental and clothing shop for Peter Glenn Shops at Burke Mountain. After closing the business, Mrs. Gordon went to work for Reed Insurance Agency in St. Johnsbury, becoming an insurance agent. When the Reeds retired Mrs. Gordon returned home and joined the last family business, Red Doors Kennels and Companion Green Pet Cemetery as co-owner, operator, and pet groomer.
Mrs. Gordon was a member of the United Methodist Church in West Burke and a past member of the Vermont Business and Professional Women in St. Johnsbury.
She enjoyed traveling and camping with her husband, spending time with her family, working in her flower gardens, “her” New England Patriots, “her” Boston Red Sox, and reading — especially James Patterson.
Survivors include her daughter Carol Jay Ruggles and her husband, Kevin, of Sutton (P.O. Box 143, West Burke, Vermont 05871); two grandchildren: Jamie Crooks of Lyndon Center and Jessica Crooks Williams and her husband, Justin, of Sutton; twin great-grandchildren Kain and Kara Crooks; sister Jane Rollins of Barton; brother Richard Griggs of Arizona; goddaughter Andrea Mathers of Wyoming; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; sisters Persis Towne and her husband, Everest “Stub,” and Pearline Brita and her husband, John; brother Terry Griggs; sisters-in-law Norma Austin and her husband, Lawrence, Beverly Gordon, and Edna Mills; and brother-in-law William Rollins.
There will be no funeral services or calling hours per Mrs. Gordon’s request. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon will be buried in Companion Green in a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Gordon’s memory may be directed to Lyndon Dog Pound, P.O. Box 167, Lyndonville, Vermont 05851, or Companion Green Pet Cemetery, care of Carol Ruggles, P.O. Box 143, West Burke, Vermont 05871 to maintain the flower gardens that she loved so much.
Carl “Joe” Freeman Gordon
Carl “Joe” Freeman Gordon, 83, of Sutton, died on April 3, 2011, at The Pines Rehabilitation and Health in Lyndonville where he had been a resident since March 9, 2011, surrounded by his family.
He was born August 11, 1927, in Sutton, a son of Carroll and Eva (LaClair) Gordon.
He was a 1946 graduate of Lyndon Institute.
On January 1, 1957, he married Betty Joyce Griggs who predeceased him on March 27, 2011.
Mr. Gordon worked at Russell’s Men’s Shops in Lyndonville, in the fire tower on Mt. Monadnock, and for the New Hampshire and Vermont Extension services. He was a reporter with The Caledonian Record where he met Betty. Mr. Gordon was executive director for the Northeastern Vermont Development Association where Mrs. Gordon was his secretary. She and Joe spent most of their married life working together. They purchased antiques and had auctions in Burke, eventually opening Poke and Tote which was an antique shop. They moved the business to Sutton and eventually switched the business to a gift shop. During this period they managed and operated the ski rental and clothing shop for Peter Glenn Shops at Burke Mountain. After closing the business, Mr. Gordon went to work for Modern Woodmen of America as a life insurance agent. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon opened their last family business, Red Doors Kennels and Companion Green Pet Cemetery, where Mr. Gordon spent his final 35 years. He was happiest when working with dogs.
Mr. Gordon enjoyed spending time with his family and loved bragging about his grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his wife, working in her flower gardens, and keeping his lawns looking perfect. He spent a lot of time reading and especially loved his Old Farmers Almanac, referring to it daily.
Survivors include his daughter Carol Jay Ruggles and her husband, Kevin, of Sutton; two grandchildren, Jamie Crooks of Lyndon Center and Jessica Crooks Williams and her husband, Justin, of Sutton; twin great-grandchildren Kain and Kara Crooks; sister-in-law Jane Rollins of Barton; brother-in-law Richard Griggs of Arizona; goddaughter Andrea Mathers of Wyoming; godson Todd Crocker of New Hampshire; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; by his sisters Norma Austin and her husband Lawrence, Beverly Gordon, and Edna Mills; sisters-in-law Persis and her husband, Everest “Stub” Towne, and Pearline and her husband, John Brita; and brothers-in-laws Terry Griggs and William Rollins.
There will be no funeral services or calling hours per Mr. Gordon’s request. Mr. and Mrs. Gordon will be buried in Companion Green in a private burial.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Gordon’s memory may be directed to Lyndon Dog Pound, P.O. Box 167, Lyndonville, Vermont 05851, or Companion Green Pet Cemetery, care of Carol Ruggles, P.O. Box 143, West Burke, Vermont 05871 to maintain the flower gardens that Mrs. Gordon loved so much.
Algena “Jean” (Davis) Jordan
Algena “Jean” (Davis) Jordan, 72, of South Woodstock and Essex Junction left to go skiing on April 6, 2011, and find new adventures.
She was born on August 18, 1938.
Jean, as her friends knew her, lived for many years in South Woodstock, a place she loved dearly. She managed the Christmas Loft, creating beautiful trees, and making wonderful friends. She was an amazingly creative person who was never far from her camera, a writing pen or her “doodle” pad. She wrote wonderful stories from the point of view of the many pets that inhabited her life. A motley crew but smart enough to know how good they had it. She found beauty in the world around her, and captured much of it on film.
Ms. Jordan was a fiercely independent and strong woman who took on Mr. C, as she called it, with humor, and sometimes indifference. She made sure that Mr. C knew he was not in command of her life. She didn’t have cancer with a life on the side; she had a life with cancer on the side. She could be heard to say many times: “You might as well laugh.”
She takes with her pieces of the hearts of her great-grandson Kieran Coolidge; grandson Bradford Coolidge and his wife, Melissa; and daughter Cheri Robinson; along with her many dear friends.
As her adventures will leave no time for funerals and such, she has asked that her family and friends get together at a later date for a party to celebrate life.
We would love to include you and ask that you leave your contact information on the website www.awrichfuneralhomes.com.
Agnes (Aiken) Judd
Agnes (Aiken) Judd, 97, of North Troy died in Newport on April 9, 2011.
She was born in Mansonville, Quebec, on July 14, 1913, a daughter of Ernest Aiken and Anna Mary McKeon.
On September 4, 1930, she married Leland J. Judd who predeceased her on April 24, 1982.
She is survived by the following nieces: Caroline Brey, Sharon Zeros, Jeannine Judd, and Annette Ducharme; by nephew Richard Moulton, and by special friends Durward and Marjorie Cole, Denise Pigeon, Eric and Carleen Starr, and Bobby and Anita Starr. She was predeceased by sisters Hazel Moulton and Gladys McKellar, and by two nephews Kenneth and Ronald McKellar.
Mr. and Mrs. Judd moved to Vermont to work for the Belair Veneer Mill in North Troy. In the mid-fifties they purchased a dairy farm on the West Road in North Troy and enjoyed farming until their retirement.
Mrs. Judd was active in the United Church and a member of the Friendly Class. She loved listening to country music and playing the piano. She always looked forward to going to bingo with her neighbor Helen Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport with Rick Shover officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the hour of the funeral service. Interment will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 13 at the North Troy Village Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Ronald “Ronnie” Joseph Peter LaCourse
Ronald “Ronnie” Joseph Peter LaCourse, 55, of Barton died unexpectedly on April 8, 2011, in Burlington.
He was born December 3, 1955, in Newport, a son of Evelyn (LaCourse) McMahon and the late Camille Plante. He graduated from Lake Region Union High School in 1973.
Mr. LaCourse was a truck driver for IBM in Colchester, Blanchard Oil in Orleans, Burkewitz Trucking, and Orleans Candy Co.
He spent a lot of time with his grandmother Catherine LaCourse who he adored.
He enjoyed anything to do with automotives, and he was a fan of the Chicago Black Hawks and New York Yankees.
He is survived by his daughter Katie Vezina of Barton; his stepchildren: Thomas Cloney of Irasburg, Karl Cloney of Newport, and Jessica Myotte of Evansville; by his mother, Evelyn McMahon, of Orleans; his stepgranddaughter Chelsea Lynn Cloney; his stepmother, Beverly Plante, of Bristol, Connecticut; and by his sisters and brothers: Patrick LaCourse and his wife, Marlene, of Lyndon, Amy Girard of Orleans, Debbie Wojewoda and her husband, Eric, of Terryville, Connecticut, and Real Plante and his wife, Tracey, of Forestville, Connecticut; by his nieces Amanda Girard, Victoria Wojewoda, and Kristen Plante; by nephew Benjamin Girard; and by extraordinary friend Kim Whipple of Evansville. He was predeceased by his father, Camille Plante, on July 31, 1967.
A celebration of his life will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Friends may call at the funeral home on April 14 from 2 p.m. until the hour of the funeral.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the family in care of Katie Vezina, P.O. Box 290, Barton, Vermont 05822.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Allen P. Lucas
Allen P. Lucas, 92, of Newport died peacefully on April 6, 2011, surrounded by his loving family. He was born January 8, 1919, in North Troy, a son of John and and Katherine (Jimmo) Lucas.
On January 25, 1941, he married Etta Horskins who survives him.
Mr. Lucas was employed as a dairy farmer for 15 years for the Harold Norris farm, and he then worked for 15 years at Ethan Allen Manufacturing where he retired.
Among his hobbies he enjoyed repairing and collecting clocks, and working with wood.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Etta Lucas, of Newport; his three children: Sandra Jean Lucas of Bradenton, Florida, Michael Lucas and his wife, Suzanne, of Coventry, and Anthony Lucas and his wife, Diane, of North Troy; by three grandchildren: Curt Lucas and his wife, Amie, of Derby, Amy Brasseur and her husband, Robert, of Newport, and Laura Lucas of Westford; by his great-grandchildren Angel Lucas, Olivia Lucas, Skyler Lizotte, Caleb Brasseur, and Zade Royce; by two sisters: Doris Gray of Long Island, New York, and Anna Tice of Derby Line; by his sister-in-law Wyona Horskins of North Troy; and by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by the following siblings: Helen Patrick, Betty Theberge, Sally Pepin, Lillian Labounty, Roberta Lundy, Mary Harvey, Kenneth, Raymond, Harold, John Jr., and Robert Lucas.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at the Derby Center Cemetery with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the oncology department at North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Claire R. (Prue) Riel
Claire R. (Prue) Riel, 81, of Palmer, Massachusetts, died peacefully on April 9, 2011, at Life Care Center of Wilbraham, Massachusetts, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in Newport on July 25, 1929, a daughter of David and Idea (Landry) Prue and lived in Palmer since 1954.
She worked as a telephone operator for many years, at the Palmer Nursing Home, and then for Jarvis and Jarvis before retiring. She had a strong religious faith and was a communicant of St. Thomas Church, and formerly the organist there. She was also a member of the Daughters of Isabella.
Among the many things Mrs. Riel enjoyed in her leisure were singalong songs with the piano, crocheting, and trying her luck with bingo and scratch tickets. Her main love was her family.
She will be deeply missed by her five children: Denise Coburn of Newport, Andrew and Robert II of Palmer, Michael and his wife, Darlene, of Chicopee, Massachusetts, and Jay and his wife, Cindy, of Thorndike, Massachussetts; by her ten grandchildren to whom she was lovingly referred to as “Memere”: Melissa, Michael, Carrin, Bennett, Rachel, Kayla, Nicole, Jaymelee, Jake, and Jayce; two great-grandchildren, Jeffrey and Jayda; her in-laws, Roland Richer of Palmer and Sylvia Prue of Newport; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, her husband, Robert, preceded her in death in 2003, along with six sisters: Sister Mary David, Irene, Blanche, Fedo, Yvonne, and Agnes; and her two brothers, David and Wilbrod.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 13, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 14, at 9 a.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas Church. Burial will follow in St. Anne Cemetery in Palmer.
The family requests that donations be made in her memory to Baystate Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Box 9058, Springfield Massachusetts, 01102, or Blinded American Veterans Foundation, P.O. Box 65900, Washington D.C. 20035, or Family Council at Life Care Center of Wilbraham, 2399 Boston Road, Wilbraham, Massachusetts 01095.
Jean-Claude “Johnny” Sicotte, 78, of Derby died on April 8, 2011.
He was born in Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec, on June 8, 1932, a son of the late Auguste and Florina (Tetreault) Sicotte.
He moved to Westfield in 1940 where, along with family members, he operated a dairy farm. The farm was sold in 1958, and he moved to Newport and worked for Barton Cleaners for many years.
He attended Sacred Heart High School while farming and later graduated with his G.E.D.
Mr. Sicotte with family members and friends started a band called “The Blue Stars” in the early 1950s and played at many functions. In 1960 he started a new group called the “Downbeat Trio Plus One.” He and his band members entertained audiences for many years. Big Band music became his greatest love. Mr. Sicard became a great entertainer and played at places in Vermont as well as the Canadian border.
In 1985 he bought the Pierre Motel in Barre. He operated the motel with his brother Lionel Sicotte of South Burlington. The motel was sold in 2000 and he moved to Derby and worked at the Newport Country Club for eight years.
He was a devoted brother and uncle to his family, nieces and nephews, and an honorary member of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus Council #2285 of Newport. He enjoyed boating, fishing and camping at the lake.
Mr. Sicard is survived by his sister Jeannine Sicotte of Newport; his brother Lionel Sicotte of Derby; his nephews Richard Sicotte and his wife, Linda, of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Raymond Sicotte of Colchester, Reynold Sicotte and his wife, Francine, of Newport, Marc Sicotte and his wife, Gail, of Lowell, and Sylvain Sicotte and his wife, Sandi, of Colchester; by 17 great-nieces and great-nephews; and by special friend Rose Marie Macie. He was predeceased by his parents; his sister Suzanne Sicotte, his brothers and sisters-in law Albert and Helene Sicotte and Guy and Marie Jeanne Sicotte.
Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday April 14, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport. Members of the Third Degree Knights of Columbus #2285 Gibbons Council of Newport are requested to meet for prayers for brother Johnny at the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening. Spring interment will be held at the St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory can be made to St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855, or to the Oncology Department at North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Valeta A. Veto
Valeta A. Veto, 89, of Derby Line died on April 5, 2011, in Newport.
She was born December 15, 1921, in Rock Island, Quebec, a daughter of Moise and Albertine (Boulanger) Joyal.
She married Ralph Veto who predeceased her on December 4, 1974.
Mrs. Veto was a cake decorator in Fort Richie, Florida. Upon retiring she moved back to Vermont to be closer to family. She enjoyed tending to her nephews, great nephews and nieces. She had a great love for Schnauzer dogs, and she enjoyed watching professional hockey, and loved a game of cards.
She is survived by her sister Florence Joyal of Rock Island, and by her sister-in-law Florence Joyal of Derby Line. She was predeceased by the following siblings: Bernadette Young, Marie Holmes, Albert, George, Andrew, Robert, Louis, and Leon Joyal.
Funeral services were held on April 9 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line. Spring interment will be in the St. Edward’s Catholic Cemetery in Derby Line.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Area Agency on Aging, 59 Waterfront Plaza #14, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Memorial Service
A memorial service for James C. Walton, of South Albany, who died January 15, 2011, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 23, at his chapel in the woods in South Albany.
Friends are requested to omit flowers. Donations in his memory may be made to the Craftsbury Community Care Center, 1784 East Craftsbury Road, Craftsbury, Vermont 05826.
Arrangements by the Malcom R. Davis Funeral Home of Craftsbury Common.
Tribute to Caroline Smith
by Elise A. Roessler
Carolyn Smith, my dear friend and colleague, was in the last few of her 29 years of teaching as I was just starting my teaching career in the seventies. She taught art at Barton Graded School, and I was a teacher’s aide there while I went back to college to complete my teaching degree.
We actually met each other through Scouting in 1974. We both joined the Barton Cub Scout Pack #66, as leaders. I remember when the Cub Scouts had to march in our local parades, she’d made sure that every Cub Scout looked spiffy or else! We were in scouting together for over 34 years. Mrs. Smith earned the District Award of Merit, Den Leader Coach Award, and the Silver Beaver award, which is the highest award any adult can earn in a council, which in our case is the whole state of Vermont.
Mrs. Smith was a Sunday School superintendent for over ten years and she was also a church council member for many years, so in 1995 she was awarded the God and Country Award through Scouting and the Barton United Church. One year for our Cub Pack #66, we made a large papier måché eagle with a Cub Scout hat on its head for a float; this was for a parade in Orleans. We were driving the float down Route 5 to the parade in Orleans when all of a sudden the eagle took flight off of the float. We finally used Cub Scouts to anchor down the eagle as we crept ever so slowly through the parade. I believe we even won a Parade Creativity Award.
She volunteered for over 15 years with the Orleans County Fair Association. Since 1974, Mrs. Smith worked diligently as the vice-president of the Barton Ladies Improvement Committee helping to beautify Barton; she belonged to the Crystal Lake Grange #411; and was an officer and a board member of the Barton Chamber Apartments, Inc. She and Phil LaFontaine ran the Barton Youth Program at the Memorial Building Theater from 1974-1986, where twice on both Friday and Saturday nights, they’d show our kids wholesome G-rated movies. She always made the popcorn, and was in charge of the concession stand. Then between each movie show she’d supervise the cleaning of the theater. Mrs. Smith was a stickler as she’d have us all get every piece of popcorn off the theater floor.
From 1980 she belonged to the Four Seasons Garden Club where she loved displaying centerpieces. She had a passion for butterflies and would collect and reproduce them as pins, magnets, bookmarks, in floral arrangements, and also for Delta Kappa Gamma decorations. In the 1970s while teaching art, Mrs. Smith ran a two-week exhibit of conservation through art at the State House, where over 1,000 students displayed their own art presentations on conservation. Mrs. Smith was commissioned to paint Governor Emerson’s portrait for the Vermont State House, which she felt was one of her greatest achievements. This portrait is now housed at the Crystal Lake Falls Historical Society Museum in Barton.
On May 1, 1969, Mrs. Smith was presented for membership to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International by Epsilon Charter member Irene Dudley; this was just the second group initiated into the Epsilon Chapter. She was on the chapter legislative committee, the budget and finance committee from 1978-1991, chairman of the nominating committee, and the world fellowship committee, our chapter recording secretary from 1974-1976; and she served on the Alpha Lambda State Nominating Committee from 1986-1988. We all enjoyed her artistic talents as she created beautiful favors for numerous Epsilon meetings; many of us still cherish her butterfly magnets which are displayed on our refrigerators at home.
Through her retirement years, Mrs. Smith loved reading her many daily newspapers, including completing the crossword puzzles; she was always knitting sweaters, mittens, and hats for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren along with items for military servicemen and needy children in the local schools.
Her family meant so much to her. Her husband was a Barton postal worker until his sudden death in 1970.
She is survived by their daughter Melanie; two grandchildren, Andrew and Kerri, and their four children.
She would have been 97 years old on April 17. She wouldn’t want any of us to shed any tears for her, because she was always thankful for being able to enjoy life to its fullest. Mrs. Smith will be buried this summer at the family plot in Barton. It has most assuredly been an honor and privilege to have been a close friend, Epsilon sister and a devoted member of Scouting with Carolyn Smith. Thanks for the memories, Carolyn.
Mrs. Smith was born on April 17, 1914. She died on February 25, 2011.
She married E. Elwood Smith on December 25, 1941. She started teaching in a one-room schoolhouse in Sherburn in 1936, then moved to Barton where she taught grade five from 1939 to 1946. She taught art from 1960 to 1979 in the Orleans Central district.
Whatever she attempted she carried through responsibly. She searched constantly to enrich the lives of those she taught and with whom she worked. Intellectual and professional growth was her constant goal.
0 shares
