Rita Collins
Rita Collins, 88, of Westfield died at her home on Friday, July 17, 2009, after a long illness.
Mrs. Collins was born April 5, 1921, in Troy, a daughter of Peter and Orpha (Millett) Breault.
She and her husband, Durward, spent most of their lives in the Northeast Kingdom.
After attending school and earning her teaching certificate she taught in several towns including Lowell, Troy, and Newport at Sacred Heart Elementary School.
She liked to read, tend to her flower garden, and go for walks and rides around the area. When she was younger, she and her husband enjoyed going to dances and listening to country music.
She is survived by her husband, Durward; by her children: Carolyn Lesperance and her husband, Gordon, of Westfield, William Collins of Westfield, Paul Collins and his wife, Ann, of Newport, Susan Pion and her husband, Gerard, of Lowell and Pamila Niles and her husband, Stuart, of Shirley, Massachusetts; by 15 grandchildren; by 23 great-grandchildren; by her sister Beatrice Jones of St. Johnsbury; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her grandchildren “Little” Gerard Pion and Lisa Collins; by five brothers; and by four sisters.
Funeral services were held at St. Ignatius Catholic Church in Lowell July 21 with the Reverend Henry Mlinganisa celebrating at Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed at the St. Ignatius Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Collins’ memory may be made to the oncology department at North Country Hospital, Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Rio A. Desmarais
Rio A. Desmarais, 89, beloved husband of Rose, died in Newport on Friday, July 17, 2009.
Mr. Desmarais was born April 21, 1920, in Barton, a son of Willie and Parmelie (Perron) Desmarais.
He and his wife were married in 1943 and farmed in Irasburg and West Glover for more than 15 years.
He worked for Hank Sanders, Puss Royer, and Andy Bonneau as a farm equipment salesman. He opened his own business, Desmarais Farm Equipment in Orleans, and operated it until he sold it to his sons. He continued to help his sons.
He and his wife enjoyed traveling where they spent winters in Florida. He loved his family and delighted in having conversations with them and his friends. He was a man who enjoyed life and always had a smile on his face.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his sons Roger Desmarais and his wife, Maureen, and Rene Desmarais and his wife, Kathy; by grandchildren: Andre Desmarais and and his wife, Kim, of Barton, Cynthia Kelley and her husband, John, of Palm Coast, Florida, Jacqueline Desmarais of Waltham, Massachusetts, and Jennifer Bashar and her husband, Greg, of Trumble, Connecticut; by eight great-grandchildren; and by his sister Juliette Leduc of Lyndonville. He was predeceased by two brothers, Roland and O’Neil Desmarais; and by two sisters, Simone and Corrine.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22, at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans with the Reverend Sixmund Nyabenda celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will follow in St. Theresa’s Cemetery in Orleans.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Desmarais’ memory may be made to the Orleans Ambulance Service, in care of Dot Collier, treasurer, 1327 Dry Pond Road, Glover, Vermont 05839.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Marie Rose (Champigny) Gaboriault
Marie Rose (Champigny) Gaboriault, 86, of St. Johnsbury died July 18, 2009, at St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Center.
Mrs. Gaboriault was born April 23, 1923, in Kingsbury, Quebec, to Andre and Corrine (Lussier) Champigny.
She was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the Golden Age Club. She enjoyed sewing for family and friends and was known as “Memere” by her many friends and neighbors.
She was predeceased by her husband, Jean Louis Gaboriault, on January 12, 1999.
She leaves four sons and one daughter: Jean Claude Gaboriault and his wife, Cecile, of Barton, Solange “Sally” George and her husband, Ken, of Cicero, New York, Joseph R. Gaboriault of St. Johnsbury, Laurent G. Gaboriault and his wife, Valerie, of Sheffield, and David Gaboriault of East Haven; nine grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; her brother George Champigny and his wife, Carmen, of Richmond, Quebec; her brother-in-law Paul Gaboriault and his wife, Martine; and sisters-in-law: Madeline Gaboriault, Cecile Brouillette, Madeline Leroux, Gaby Rehaume and her husband, Andre, and Therese Bourbonnais and her husband, Andre.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, July 22, at 11 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church in St. Johnsbury. Burial will be at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in St. Johnsbury.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Good Shepherd Foundation, P.O. Box 146, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.
Sayles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frances A. Griggs
Frances A. Griggs, 62, of Eden died unexpectedly and peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 18, 2009.
Mrs. Griggs was born June 21, 1947, in Morrisville, a daughter of the late Morten H. and Doris (Lamphere) Moffatt.
She married Harold Griggs, and they made their home in Eden.
She worked many years for the House of Troy, Concord Manufacturing, and Quality Control Stitching.
She enjoyed her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, reading, and cooking for the family.
She leaves her husband, Harold, of Eden; her son Michael and his wife, Angela; her daughter Carolyn McLean and her husband, Eddie; six grandchildren: Kamee, Michael Jr. and Chelsea Griggs and Tyler, Kyle and Heather McLean, all of Eden; her sister Donna Waterhouse and her husband, James, of Craftsbury; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by two brothers, Gaylord and Wayne Moffatt; and by her sister Jean Emerson.
A graveside memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 23, at the Eden Cemetery with the Reverend Alden Launer officiating.
Contributions in Mrs. Griggs’ memory may be made to the Arthritis Foundation, Northern New England Office, 6 Chenell Drive, Suite 260, Concord, New Hampshire 03301.
The Malcolm R. Davis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Frank R. Horton
Frank R. Horton, 87, of Newport died unexpectedly but peacefully on July 14, 2009, in Burlington.
Mr. Horton was born April 11, 1922, in Winooski, a son of George and Frances (Matt) Horton.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
On December 15, 1945, he married Marguerite Gale, who survives him.
He was employed by the federal government as a U.S. Customs officer and port director, retiring in 1978.
He was a great supporter of the Wednesday Night Supper Club. He was a lover of golf, being a lifetime member of the Newport Country Club.
He was past president and a very devoted member of the Newport Rotary Club, a charter member of Newport Elks Club 2155, a member of American Legion Post 21 of Newport, and a former board member and supporter of Indoor Recreation of Orleans County (IROC).
He is survived by his wife, Marguerite Horton, of Newport; by three 3 sons: John Horton and his wife, Sarah Drown, of Georgia, Vermont, Robert Horton and his wife, Jane, of Orleans, and Jim Horton of Newport; by four grandchildren: Maura Hemingway and her husband, Christopher, of St. Albans, Travis Horton and his wife, Michelle, of Brownington, Kevin Horton of Westmore, and Bria J. Horton of Derby; by five great-grandchildren: Christa, Cameryne, and Carly Hemingway, Molly Horton, and Samantha Parenteau; and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his son Frank Horton Jr.; and by two brothers, George and Edward Horton.
Funeral services were held in Newport on July 17 with the Reverend Michael Reardon officiating. Interment will take place at a later date at the St. Albans Bay Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Horton’s memory may be made to the Junior Golf Program, in care of Newport Country Club, P.O. Box 434, Pine Hill Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to IROC, P.O. Box 558, Derby, Vermont 05829.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Oleta Thelma Britch Piette
Oleta Thelma Britch Piette, 89, died of age-related causes and joined the Lord on June 27, 2009, in Oakland, California.
Mrs. Piette was born to William Britch and Bertha McKinney Britch on June 25, 1920.
She married Gilbert “Gilly” A. Piette in April 29, 1939, in Newport.
She and her husband moved from Newport to Walnut Creek, California, with their children in July 1954 and later settled in Hayward, California.
She is survived by her four children: Louis G. Piette of Waldport, Oregon, Jean M. Piette McCormick and her husband, Dan, of Santa Cruz, California, Pamela T. Piette of Suisun, California, and Lea G. Piette Turner of Tracy, California; by 12 grandchildren; and by 17 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brothers: Stanford “Kit,” William, Frank, Roland “Hun,” and Jack Britch; and by her sister Christine Britch Armstrong.
She was cremated in Oakland, and it was her wish to have her remains placed next to her husband, Gilbert A. Piette, who died October 28, 1983, in her home state of Vermont at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.
Both she and her husband always said, “You can take the Vermonter out of Vermont, but never take Vermont out of the Vermonter.”
Final interment will be in the loving hands of her nephew Roland N. Britch Jr. and staff of Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Donations in her name may be placed in any children’s charity.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Warren Lee Stevens
Warren Lee Stevens, 85, of Rutland died July 14, 2009, at Rutland Regional Medical Center after a short illness.
Mr. Stevens was born August 11, 1923, in Newport, a son of James A. and Gladys (Pinkham) Stevens. Shortly thereafter the family moved to Derby Line.
He graduated from Derby Academy and Burditt Business College in Boston, after which he entered the U.S. Army Air Force, serving in the southwest Pacific during World War II. His outfit, the 421st Night Fighter Squadron, operated out of many bases in New Guinea, the Philippines, and le Shima.
After graduation from Boston University in 1949, he joined Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. At the time of his retirement in 1985 he was assistant treasurer.
He was a member of the First Universalist Parish of Derby Line.
Survivors include three nephews: Lynn W. Stevens of Newport, Barry J. Stevens of Deerfield, New Hampshire, and Timothy J. Stevens of West Brattleboro; and great-nephew Jeffrey A. Stevens of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his parents in 1980 and 1981 and by his brother James E. Stevens in 1989.
Interment of his ashes will be private.
Donations in memory of Mr. Stevens may be made to the Rutland Free Library development fund, 10 Court Street, Rutland, Vermont 05701.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Howard A. Tenney
Howard A. Tenney, 70, of East Charleston died July 19, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Tenney was born September 6, 1938, in Tunbridge, a son of George and Elgie (Sleeper) Tenney.
He worked many years as a logger and carpenter; he owned a grocery store.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and playing cards. He did his own mechanic work and could fix mostly anything.
He was very thoughtful and caring to his family, friends, and customers and was always ready to give a helping hand to anyone in need.
He is survived by his lifelong companion, Linda Harlow, of East Charleston; by his children: Luann Therrien and her husband, Steve, of Sheffield, Terry Royston and her husband, Dale, of Brownington Center, Kenneth Leighton and his companion, Lynn Worth, of East Charleston, Leslie Humphrey and her husband, Bubba, of Island Pond, and Richard Leighton and his companion, Amy Glover; grandchildren: Laurie and Joe Royston, Jeramie Gray, Amanda and Josh Narwid, Leann Worth Leighton, Blake Leighton, Jeramy, Michael, and Elizabeth Weber, Tanya and Mic Taylor, and Eric Gray; by great-grandchildren: Tory Mason, Christian Royston, and Rachel and Sadie Mooney; by his brother Harold and his wife, Amy, of Pennsylvania; by two sisters, Phyllis Mudgett and her husband, Merle, of Florida and Gail Kingsbury and her husband, Bob, of Fair Haven; by several nieces and nephews; and by his former wife, Marjorie Phillips.
Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Tenney’s memory may be made to Linda Harlow, P.O. Box 83, East Charleston, Vermont 05833.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes.
Memorial
W. David Usher
A memorial service for W. David Usher, who died April 26, 2009, in Arizona, will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 2, at the Stoddard Farm at the top of Morey Hill in Craftsbury.
The Malcolm R. Davis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Celebration of life
Reva Schneps
The family of Reva Schneps and the trustees of the Barton Public Library invite the public to a celebration of Ms. Schnep’s life. The gathering will be held at the library on Sunday, August 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. Please think of anecdotes or remembrances to share. Light refreshments will be served. — from the Barton Public Library.
0 shares
