Julian Alexander Yaffe
On October 6, 2024, Julian Alexander Yaffe died from severe seizures. Despite having Lennox-Gastaut, a devastating form of uncontrolled epilepsy, Julian was renowned for his gentleness, affection, humor, amazing jumps, love of music, kindness, snuggles, sensitivity, patience, respect for others, cool dance moves, depth of soul, bravery, and intelligence.
Julian was beautiful in body and soul. He loved all genres of music (especially Mozart, Beethoven, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Pink Floyd, Thelonious Monk, country, hip hop, and phonics songs); ancient and medieval history; mythology; literature; art (especially van Gogh); historical and nature crafts; weaving, beading, and spinning; climbing, swinging, swimming, horses, and walks in the woods; baking and cooking; stim and sensory toys; jumping on trampolines; costumes, Halloween, Yo Gabba Gabba; Arthurian legends, Robin Hood, Vikings, and Harry Potter; theology; polar bears and snow leopards; thorns and burrs; guitars, chimes, bells, rhythm sticks, drums; his birthday; mathematics, calendars, clocks, and currency; and above all, nature and loved ones. He made beautiful paintings and music.
For a long time, he valiantly fought daily seizures with unremitting bravery, humor, strength, and grace. Julian’s death will leave his family and friends forever bereft and grieving, but he would have been pleased to know that the Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) research gained from his profile will be used to help save other children with epilepsy.
Julian is survived by his parents: Amy Leal and David Yaffe; his grandparents: Joanne and Stephen Campbell; George and Pam Leal; Martin and Connie Yaffe; aunt Jill Campbell and uncle Bobby Bousquet; uncle Shaun Campbell; uncle George and aunt Jenn Leal; uncle Michael Yaffe and his children; his cousins: Benjamin, Matthew, Christopher, Tatiana, and Bowden; as well as second cousins and extended family: the Blaus; Garret and Kathy Keizer; the Dunns and DiFolcos; former caretakers, including Katey, China, and Noah; his beloved aide Luisa Hislop; dedicated school staff at the New School of Montpelier and Concord Road Elementary; and innumerable friends and fans honoring him from the USA all the way to Iceland.
We are grateful to Dr. Orrin Devinsky at NYU Langone; Dr. Eric H. Kossoff of Johns Hopkins; Dartmouth Hospital; the team at Boston Children’s Hospital; Dr. Shefner; Dr. Bannock; and the Glover Ambulance Squad for their good care of Julian.
There will be a celebration of life at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 12 Elm Street Barton. Calling hours will be from 1 to 2 p.m. A service will follow at 2 p.m. and will also be Zoomed (link offered on request). Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the SUDEP program: https://give.epilepsy.com/page/33651/donate/1.
Hope Borland Seddon
Hope (Borland) Seddon died in Hanover, New Hampshire, on October 2, 2024.
Hope was born in Lake Forest, Illinois, in 1949. After attending Lake Forest Country Day School, St. Timothy’s School, and Sarah Lawrence College, Hope’s trajectory took her through time in Boston, where she met her future husband: Bruce Seddon. The two moved to Westfield in the early 1970s, and Hope later moved to Jay, where she spent much of her life until her last years in New Hampshire.
Hope was characterized by roving intellectual curiosity, an irreverent sense of humor, and a complex sense of empathy that made her a friend and confidante to many — humans and animals — throughout her life.
Hope’s empathy, intellect, and gift for finding common threads lent itself to many pursuits. She excelled on various boards, including that of North Country Hospital and Northeast Kingdom Community Action. She was an active parent in reading groups, the library, and ultimately, the school board of Sacred Heart School, where she built many bridges through her humor and gift for collaboration. For years she served in Orleans County’s Guardian ad Litem Program, supporting both families and children with care, purpose, and respect. She later worked with the Vermont Department of Children and Families as a caseworker, advocating for children and families and providing a foundation in difficult times.
Hope observed nature and connected with animals; calling everyone outside to hear the first peepers, surrounding all with flowers and color in the summer, and nurturing generations of family pets across the years. Hope was a creative, compassionate, and immensely giving parent. Through her own voracious reading, her hilarious enactment of voices in books she read aloud, and the vivid letters she wrote to her children at camp, she taught us to love books, ideas, and the possibilities of language. She loved food, cooked well, and left traditions from chicken enchiladas and pear pie on Christmas to a love of the chocolate chip cookie at lunch. She came to every soccer, field hockey, track, and tennis match over the years, and travelled to every single place that her family lived: Peru, India, California, Minneapolis, and more. For years, before cell phones made calling home from anywhere easy, she maintained a family 1-800 number and even picked up the phone late at night when anyone called “just to say hi.”
As her family writes this remembrance and look back over the years, they are still discovering the full beauty and complexity of her gifts. Their mother was courageous and independent, with a strength that only the lens of adulthood can truly reveal. As a young parent, she surmounted her own alcoholism. Her sobriety and commitment to accountability in life remained an integral facet of her personality. Her fluency with addiction and the roots behind it also lent her empathy — allowing her to see and support others without judgment. Hope supported many, both family and friends, through and beyond addiction.
Hope is survived by her daughters: Jessica Seddon of Morrisville; Margaret Mason (Jesse) of Traverse City; and Polly Allen (Kasey) of Craftsbury; as well as her grandchildren: Grace, Elliot, Lila, Cyrus, Ada, and Hollis. She is also survived by her brother: John Jay (Jack) Borland of Chicago; and sister-in-law, Suzanne Borland. She is predeceased by her parents: Barbara Hutchins Borland, and John Jay Borland, as well as her siblings: Bruce Borland, and Barbara Borland Hunt. She is also predeceased by her husband: Bruce Seddon, formerly of Westfield. While they were separated for much of their married life, the two remained strong partners and close friends, raising children and sharing a distinct breed of humor and wit that found them laughing at the same things and marveling at the same situations. Her family trusts they are continuing to do the same.
The family is holding a private service. Memorial contributions can be made to Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter (frontieranimalsociety.com) or — in Hope’s memory — read a book to a loved one, share a story, or pet a dog, and celebrate the good and small things of life.
Lucius Provencher
Newport City lost a hero, a friend, a brother, and an awesome cook. Lucius “Butch” Provencher, 69, died peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, with his loving wife Diane by his side.
Butch was born in Newport on Tuesday, August 23, 1955. He loved helping others and serving his community in various ways. He graduated in 1973 from North Country Union High School.
Butch served in the Vermont Army National Guard for over 20 years as a combat medic. He served in Iraq as well as stateside while enlisted. He was also a firefighter with the Newport City Fire Department for over 40 years.
On August 15, 2015, Butch married Diane Graham in Newport. The two of them enjoyed each other’s company as they went on several trips together, including Florida and Hawaii vacations. The two of them also enjoyed camping together at Char-Bo Campground, where Butch enjoyed a “high stakes” game of washers.
He was an avid outdoorsman and he loved to travel, ride his side-by-side, and family was precious to him. He could never go anywhere that he was not recognized and known by someone. Butch never met a stranger.
Butch was a member of VFW Post 798. He was also a member of American Legion Post 21 as well as the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Butch loved to ride with the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, and he was a member of the Jay Peak ski patrol as well.
He held several jobs, including taxi driver, bus driver, and manager at Ames. He was also a correctional officer at Northern State Correctional Facility for 13 years. He worked at Columbia Forest Products as well. Butch’s final job was at Wright’s Sporting Goods.
Everyone who knew Butch had a fond memory with him, from cooking together with the Elks or the fire department to going out on the lake, boating, and tubing. He is also remembered as a founding member of the Consumer Brothers Softball Team and a creamee connoisseur.
Butch is survived by his loving wife, Diane, his children: Chris Provencher (Valarie); Tina Snyder (Clay); Jon Provencher (Jaime); Tyler Graham (Casarra); Connor Graham (Lauren); uncle Roland Kelly (Carmen); father-in-law Normand Moreau; sister-in-law Lois Perry (John); and brother-in-law Norm Moreau. His grandchildren include: Ashley Snyder, Brysian Provencher, Alex Wells, Matthew Snyder, Lillian Provencher, Bryer Provencher, Voilet Provencher, Annika Provencher, Jaxon Provencher, Azleigh Hall, Alivia Graham, Ashtyn Graham, Andy Graham, and Abel Graham.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother: Philip and Rosanna Provencher, as well as his sisters: Janice Sheltra and Gladys Provencher.
Butch will always be remembered as a selfless individual who loved his family, his community, and his country.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association or to Newport City Fire Department. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Cameron Lee Bowen
Cameron Lee Bowen, 30, of Island Pond, died on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. He was born in Newport on October 18, 1993, to Gary Bowen and Tammi Hedges.
Cameron graduated from North Country Union High School in 2011. He worked various jobs helping in the community doing construction and mechanical work throughout his life. Cameron enjoyed the simple things in life. He could bring anything back to life, whether rebuilding or fixing cars and trucks or tinkering on anything mechanical. His greatest joy was spending time with friends and family.
He was taken too soon from everyone he met and everyone who loved him. He was filled with joy and love, and so full of life. Cameron had a huge heart and fun personality with lots of friends who would all agree his laugh was contagious. He could light up every room he walked into. He was generous to anyone he met. He had a wonderful soul and always rooted and stood up for the underdog. Cameron was his father’s son and his mama’s baby boy.
Cameron is survived by his children: Hazel and Clyde Bowen; his mother: Tammi Hedges, and her husband, Brett Hedges; his father: Gary Bowen, and partner, Danielle Glasson; his stepmother: Rosalie Gauvin, and her husband, Dan Gauvin; his siblings: Courtney Rivers, and her partner, Michael Lane; Desiree Harmon, and husband, Brandyn Harmon; Natasha Bowen, and her partner, Nicolas Pokora; Zack Letourneau, and his partner, Catherine Currier; Madison Letourneau, and her partner, Colby Martin; and Garrett Letourneau; his grandmothers: Pamela Rivers, Janet Duquette, and Leona Glover; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Cameron was predeceased by his grandfathers: Gerald Bowen, Maynard Rivers, Alfred Duquette, and William Glover.
A memorial service will be held on October 20 at 11 a.m., followed by a celebration of life. Both will take place across from the intersection of Hudson Road and 5A in West Charleston.
DEATH NOTICE
Gwendolyn E. Maynard
Gwendolyn E. Maynard, 91, of Glover died on October 12, at her home with family by her side. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 21, 2024, at the Glover Community Church. Interment will follow at Westlook Cemetery in Glover. A full obituary will follow. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
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