Obituaries

June 13, 2012 Obituaries

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Jean Poppy Day

Jean Poppy Day, 92, died peacefully on December 4, 2011, with her daughter, step-daughter and close friends by her side, in her home on Lake Eligo in Craftsbury.
She was born Jean Poppy Spice in Sydney, Australia, on January 14, 1919, to Irene Raymond and William Spice.
Mr. Spice was a circus artist and vaudeville performer and would occasionally run away to the circus with his beloved daughter.  Thus her talent and love for performing became evident at a young age.
Ms. Day’s outlook on life was positive.  Her artistry masked an intensely private person, a realist who deeply loved her family and took a “long view” in all matters of life.  A disciplined artist, she rose early each day to do her dance exercises, a practice that she sustained until her very last days.  She performed well into her 80s.  Until a few months before her death, she was choreographing, teaching and taking young dancers under her wing.
Her career in dance under the name of Jean Raymond began in earnest when the formidable Austrian dancer and choreographer Gertrud Bodenwieser welcomed her into her company in Sydney.  Madame, as Ms. Day called her, was a pioneer of the new “modern” dance.  Madame Bodenwieser was the foremost exponent of “Ausdrucks Tanz” or “expression dance.”  Ms. Day easily moved into her new and dramatic form of storytelling, imaginative costumes, fully theatrical expression and innovative movements and she quickly became beloved to Madame Bodenwieser and to their audiences across the globe.  Ms. Day was possessed of a special radiant energy and adorned with enormous green eyes, which seemed to her fellow dancers “to hold mysteries,” but also suited her unexpected gift for comedy and mime.  When Madame Bodenwieser took the company “on tour,” the world opened to her dancers as they traveled to Australian cities, New Zealand, India, South America, and South Africa.  Ms. Day assisted Madame with public relations, and advertising.  She was also always ready to help and comfort anyone who needed it with a deep knowledge of herbs and healing energy that she had learned from her mother.
After nine years with Madame Bodenwieser’s company, Ms. Day went on to dance the leads in classical ballets in Shanghai.  Later, she moved to New York, New York, where she trained with Martha Graham and other greats of the day.
Dedicating her life to the performing arts remained important, and all prospective husbands lost out — until she met the painter Lucien Day, her “renaissance man” of the SoHo art movement.  She and Mr. Day were married in 1959, when they had a glorious honeymoon “round the world.”  In 1961, they welcomed their daughter Margot.  And from that time, Ms. Day succeeded in combining a stellar career with a rich and loving family life.
When the couple moved into a farmhouse in Craftsbury, Ms. Day resumed her interest in dance, teaching children at the Craftsbury Academy, and reviving the then empty Hardwick Town House for their recitals.  Later, she taught adult dance and fitness.  Mr. Day, an accomplished pianist, played for all of his wife’s classes and sometimes painted scenes of Ms. Day’s dancing children.
Overjoyed by the return of her family to Craftsbury, Ms. Day instilled in her granddaughters the highest ideals of breath, line, stage presence and feeling for the dance, thus realizing the true aspirations of early modern dance.  For many years, the Lake Eligo farmhouse was a center of artistic nurture for everyone who had the good fortune to cross its threshold.  Together, old and young thrived in a rich life of stories, painting, dance, bridge, music and magical formal teas in costume.
Ms. Day’s legacy continues in her daughter Margot Day Mellett’s music, poetry, and performing; her granddaughter Julifer Day Mellett’s prodigious talent for acting; and in her granddaughter and protégé Morgana Rose Mellett, who currently dances in New York City as a member of the Isadora Duncan Dance Company.
She is survived by her daughter Margot and her husband, Kurtis; her two granddaughters:  Julifer and Morgana; her younger sister Betty; her stepchildren:  Sarah and Felicity; and by her cousins in Australia.  She was predeceased by her husband Lucien Day; her stepson Chris; her brother Alan; and her sister May.
She is dearly missed.
Everyone is welcome to the memorial service for Ms. Day at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 in the Greensboro United Church in Greensboro.  There will be a private reception by invitation only for family and close friends.

Polly A. Gibeault

Polly A. Gibeault, 92, of Westfield died on Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Newport.
She was born on November 20, 1919, in Troy, a daughter of Glenis and Augusta (Wright) Goulding.  On November 2, 1935, she married Adrien Gibeault who predeceased her on May 21, 1989.
Mrs. Gibeault joined her husband in the daily chores of their farm in Westfield, which she loved.  Among her hobbies, she enjoyed gardening, watching birds, and attending family gatherings.  She was a former school bus driver in Westfield.
She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #28 of North Troy.
She is survived by her children:  Pauline Crete and her husband, Leander, of Higganum, Connecticut, Roger Gibeault and his wife, Beverly, of Westfield, Rollande Amyot and her husband, Andre Jr., of Westfield, Rachel Carr and her husband, Thomas, of Newport Center, Shirley Amyot and her husband, Bob, of Southington, Connecticut, and Dianne Starr and her husband, Jack Jr., of Bristol, Connecticut; her sister Bessie Brown of Derby; her daughter-in-law Jan Gibeault of Phelan, California; her sister-in-law Irene Goulding of New Hampshire; and by many loved grand, great-grand, and great-great-grandchildren, and by numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by two sons:  Paul Gibeault in 1962, and Ernest Gibeault in 2012; a brother, John Goulding; and by a sister, Gertrude Place.
Funeral services were held on June 12 in Newport.  Interment followed in Westfield Cemetery.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Bel-Aire Activities Fund, 35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Doris Isabel Grimm

Doris Isabel Grimm, 91, of Newport died peacefully on June 4, 2012, in Newport.
She was born in East Orange, New Jersey, the daughter of the late William and Ruth Bowman Pryce.
She was married to Walter J. Grimm of East Orange, New York, who predeceased her.  They spent many years living in Europe and in the U.S. while Mr. Grimm served in the U.S. Air Force.
Mrs. Grimm loved to be around people, most especially her family with whom she had lived for the past six years.  She had an infectious smile that endeared her to all she met.  She was an active member of Newport Baptist Church, the Newport Senior Center and Forever Young Club and attended The Meeting Place Adult Day Program offered by Northeast Kingdom Homecare.  Prior to moving to Newport in 2006, she lived in Barre, where she was a member of The Christian Alliance Church and Resurrection Baptist Church.  She lived in the Brick, New Jersey, area for many years before moving to Vermont to be near her family.
She is survived by her son Brian W. Grimm and his wife, Laurie, of Newport; and her grandchildren:  Brianna and Nathan Grimm.  She was predeceased by her daughter Lynnea Grimm Bingham.
Funeral services were held on June 10 in Newport.  Interment will be held at the Hollywood Memorial Park in Union, New Jersey, alongside her husband, parents and daughter, on Thursday, June 14 at 10 a.m.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Newport Baptist Church, 306 East Main Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Bernard R. “Bernie” Henault

Bernard R. “Bernie” Henault, 69, of Island Pond died on Monday, June 4, 2012, at his home, after a long battle with cancer.
He was born on July 30, 1942, in Boston, Massachusetts, a son of Charles and Marion (Conroy) Henault.  On July 17, 1976, he married Sharon Ryan who survives him.
Mr. Henault enjoyed politics and was an advocate for the poor.  Through the years he was involved with NEKCA and The Mini Olympics.  He was a member of many organizations and he served for years on the board of North Country Union High School.  He was one of the founding members of the Northern Community Investment Corporation, which developed a grant for the Newport Call Center.
Family was very important to Mr. Henault.  In his last few months he especially enjoyed his time with Jaelyn, his great-granddaughter, and Peter, his brother.  Mr. and Mrs. Henault had the joy of raising their granddaughters, Samantha and Calista.
He is survived by his wife Sharon Henault of Island Pond; his mother Marion M. Conroy of Norfork, Virginia; his children:  Donna Marie Sanville and her husband, Adam, of Coventry, and David R. Henault of Barre; his grandchildren:  Samantha Henault and Calista Dunnings, both of Island Pond, Justice Savole of Vergennes, Taiya and Stormie Sanville, and David Henault Jr. of Barre; his great-grandchild Jaelyn Ryan Henault; his brothers and sisters:  David Henault of Norfolk, Tom Sprague and his wife, Becky, of Suffolk, Virginia, Mike Sprague and his wife, Kathy, of Suffolk, Jeannie Conn of Texas, Peter Sprague and his wife, Liliane, of Island Pond; his brothers- and sisters-in-law:  Nelle and Neil Knapp of Arlington, Michelanne and Bill Sylvester of Arlington, and Patrick Ryan and his wife, Karen, of Keene, New Hampshire; and by many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held on June 8 in Island Pond.
Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Verna M. Moore

Verna M. Moore, 102, of Glover died on Saturday, June 9, 2012, in Glover.
She was born on August 31, 1909, in Contoocook, New Hampshire, a daughter of Ernest and Emma (Cookson) Morrill.  In 1927, she married Ralph Moore who predeceased her in 1985.
Mrs. Moore was a bookkeeper for Barton Motors where she worked from 1941 until her retirement in 1978.
Among her hobbies, she loved playing the piano and teaching piano lessons.  She also enjoyed playing cards, knitting, and seeing her great-great-granddaughters Kaylee and Desteny.  She also sang in the church choir.  Her other interests were being with her family, teaching Sunday school, golfing, playing bingo, and bowling in the women’s league in Barton.
She held membership with the Order of the Eastern Star, and the Barton United Church and Ladies Society.
She is survived by her grandchildren:  Karen Fontaine and her husband, Marcel, Kristi Curtis and her husband, David, Sandy Smith and her husband, Barry, Steve Rollins and his wife, Laura, and Tim Rollins and his wife, Stephanie; her great-grandchildren:  Robby and Melanie Fontaine, Chad and Catherine Fontaine, Justin and Taylor Curtis, Brett Smith and his family, Jason Smith and his family, David Rollins and his family, Derrick Rollins and his family, and Christopher Rollins; and by her great-great-grandchildren:  Kaylee and Desteny Fontaine, Olivia Carpenter, Ethan Carpenter, Michaela Clark, and Tyler Lamere.  She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by two children:  Marilyn Gates and Dorothy Rollins; two brothers:  Wayne and Sheldon; and by five sisters:  Dot, Ruth, Audrey, Annie, and Lois.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 16 at the Welcome O. Brown Cemetery in Barton with the Reverend Evelyn Coupe officiating.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Barton United Church, P.O. Box 306, Barton, Vermont 05822; or to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Union House Nursing Home Activity Fund, 3086 Glover Street, Glover, Vermont 05839.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Eleanor Marcella Sparks

Eleanor Marcella Sparks, 84, died on Tuesday, June 5, 2012, in Newport, with her son Robert by her side.
She was born on October 7, 1927 in Cincinnati, Ohio, daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Lyon) Dietz.
She was an active member of the Newport branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
She worked as a cook and waitress for many years in California and Vermont, having moved here in 1990 with her husband Floyd who predeceased her in 1996, and her sister Catherine Crosswaite who predeceased her in 2010.
She always worked but found time to give to her children, going for rides, amusement parks and going to Las Vegas, Nevada, with her husband and children.
She is survived by her son Robert and his wife, Joan, of Cambridge; her daughter Tammy Sparks and her companion, Miguel Cazares, of Newport; her grandchildren:  Robert F. Sparks and Brianna Buck of Oregon, and Ryan F. Cazares of Oregon; her great-grandchildren:  Madison, Lilyanna and Ariella Buck of Oregon; and by her sister Gloria Correll and her husband, Ernest, of California.  She was predeceased by three brothers, and by her sister Dorothy Dietz.
Funeral services were held on June 12 in Newport.  Interment followed in Pine Grove Cemetery in Newport.
Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, in care of Winston Dowland, 1461 Whittier Road, Derby Line, Vermont 05830.
Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Death notices

Cecil E. Benway

Cecil E. Benway, 84, of Glover, beloved husband of Bonnie Benway, died on Sunday, June 10, 2012, in Newport.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 at the Newport Center Cemetery with Pastor David Dizazzo officiating.

Merrill Alphis Sheltra

Merrill Alphis Sheltra, 90, of Brattleboro died suddenly on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at his home.
A complete obituary will follow.

Frieda Neubauer Gibbs

Frieda Neubauer Gibbs, 95, of Island Pond died on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Arrangements are pending.

Maurice Hugh Phillips

Maurice Hugh Phillips, 90, of North Troy and Newport died on Sunday, June 10, 2012, at Starr Farm Nursing Center in Burlington.
Calling hours will be held at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport, from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 14.  A celebration of his life will be held at the First Congregational Church in North Troy at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 15.

Services

Paul “Cubby” Goulet

Funeral services for Paul “Cubby” Goulet will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, June 14 at St. James Catholic Church in Island Pond.  Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond with full military honors.  A reception will follow the burial at the American Legion Post #80 in Island Pond.

Alice Gillis

Committal services for Alice Gillis will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 15 at the Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond.

Franz Smith

Committal services for Franz Smith will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 16 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport with full military honors.

Royce Wilson

Funeral services for Royce Wilson will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 16 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, in Newport, with the Reverend Fred Barker officiating.  Friends may call at the funeral home on June 16 from 10 a.m. until the hour of the funeral.  Interment will follow in Derby Line Cemetery.

Audrey Kendel Betz

A memorial service for Audrey K. Betz will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 22 at the Davis Funeral Home in Craftsbury Common with Reverend Alan Parker officiating.  Interment will follow in the Craftsbury Village Cemetery.

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