Mark Willey
Mark Willey died at home on October 6, 2024, following a long illness. Mark loved the outdoors, hunting, camping, and especially riding his Viper at Mach speed. He built Wilderness Fence Company and was very proud to have his boys and his friends work for and with him. He was always ready and willing to lend a helping hand. He played hard and loved even harder.
He was predeceased by his father: Harold Willey; his brother: John Willey; and very special aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his children: Krystal Mead; Jason Willey; Scott Lamonda Jr.; Adam Lamonda; and Jonathan Letourneau; his mother: Avis Billadeau; his sisters: Shirleen Willey and Joan Aither; and his brother: Jeff Willey. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, including his niece Beth Smith who helped care for him. Mark had a large loving family and so many friends. He would want all to remember him when he was strong and full of life. A celebration of his life will be held on November 2 at 2 p.m. at the Irasburg Town Hall.
William Edward Tennyson
William Edward Tennyson, a longtime resident of Island Pond, peacefully died on October 9, 2024 at the age of 93.
William was born in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, on April 8, 1931, son of the late Bernard and Mildred (Riley) Tennyson. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1953 to work in the hospitality industry. After several years, he migrated back to Rhode Island to marry his high school sweetheart, Barbara Schofield. Together they settled in Wrentham, Massachusetts, and raised a family of three children. William graduated from Cumberland High School in 1950 where he studied business management subjects and sung with Barbara in the glee club. Barbara, a pianist by training, taught William how to read music and subsequently supported him in learning to play the organ. After many years of practice and refining his musical skills, William became a volunteer church organist at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wrentham, later at St. James Catholic Church in Island Pond, where William and Barbara spent their retirement years.
In addition to his parents, William was predeceased by his wife: Barbara (Schofield) Tennyson; and his three siblings: John Tennyson, Rosemary Reilly and Dolores Hone.
William’s family includes his three children: Susan (Tennyson) Holske and her husband, Herbert R. Holske; and sons Mark Tennyson, James Tennyson, and James’ partner, Karen Webb. Also, he is survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be held on Monday, October 28, at 11 a.m., at St. James Church in Island Pond followed by a burial in Lakeside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please honor William’s affinity for his various feline friends by donating to a local cat shelter. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Patricia Ann Poutre
On October 5, 2024, Patricia “Patty” Poutre, 78, died surrounded by her family. Patty was born on March 24, 1946, in Newport to Bernadette and Philip Royer Sr. She grew up in Irasburg with her brothers and graduated from Orleans High School in 1964. On August 31, 1968, she married Alfred “Fred” Poutre, who predeceased her on December 20, 2023.
Patty played many roles in her life. For years, people knew her as Pat from Fred and Pat’s Mini Mart. She kept the coolers stocked, pumped gas in all temperatures, and sorted bottle returns. Once she heard a grandchild was on the way, she decided to close the store and watch her grandchild. That quickly turned into a new business: Memere’s Daycare.
Patty’s favorite name was Memere. She loved her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She shared a close and unique bond with each of them and cherished time with them. Patty was known as Memere to several, not just family. Anyone who came to her daycare called her Memere and were treated like family.
Once the daycare children were grown, Patty became Tuesday Patty. She took on the role of delivering her baked goods to her friends at Blanchard Oil, Colton’s, Thibault’s Market, and the Orleans Electric Department. She was even known to bring her treats to her doctor’s appointments.
The last six months of Patty’s life showed her incredible strength and power. Her cardiologist had told her that he would think of her the next time he was ready to give up on a patient on the operating table. She was in the process of getting a prosthetic leg, even though the doctors originally did not think she would ever be strong enough to have one. She adapted to her new life and was proving how amazing her spirit and strength was. Her sudden illness and death has not diminished that experience.
Patty is survived by her four daughters: Penny Poutre, and her partner, Norma; Tammy Beaton, and her husband, Robin; Candy Palmer; and Jackie Young, and her husband, Merle. She is survived by her grandchildren: Taylor Patno; William Mercier; Evan Mercier; Autumn Beaton; Shaylyn Locke, and her husband Joshua; Isiah Palmer; Bryanna Palmer; Mackenzie Young; and Brock Young. She is survived by her great-grandchildren: Karson Bates; Braxton Palmer; Adler McDonald; and Dayna Palmer; and a great-grandson due in November 2024. Patty is also survived by her brother: Richard Royer, and his wife, Valerie; her brothers-in-law: Denis Poutre, and his wife, Carol; Andre Poutre, and his wife, Gail; and Gary Guillette; her sisters-in-law Lori Royer; Doris Royer; Nancy Baker; and Paulette Poutre. Patty is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and “adopted” grandchildren from her daycare.
Patty was predeceased by many loving family members. She was predeceased by her husband: Fred, by her parents: Bernadette and Philip Royer Sr.; and by her mother-in-law: Lucille Poutre, and father-in-law: Maurice Poutre. She was also predeceased by her brothers: Philip Royer Jr.; and Denis Royer Sr.; as well as brothers-in-law: Henry Poutre; Donald Poutre; Philip Poutre, and his wife, Sandy; and sister-in-law: Evelyn Guillette.
Funeral services will be held for Patty and Fred on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Noon at St. Theresa’s Church in Orleans. A luncheon will follow at the Orleans American Legion.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jack Byrnes Center for Palliative and Hospice Care Dartmouth-Hitchcock. Donations can be made online at www.DH.org/JackByrneCenter, or by mailing a check made out to “Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health” with “Jack Byrne Center” in the memo line to the following: Office of Development Dartmouth-Hitchcock, One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756.
The family of Patty wants to extend a special thank-you to the staff at North Country Hospital, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Hospital, Mount Ascutney Rehabilitation Center, the Visiting Nurses Association, and the Jack Byrnes Center for Palliative and Hospice Care. The family appreciated the great care from everyone these past several months. It brought great comfort that in her final hours, Patty was able to be surrounded by the sound of birds and in nature at the Jack Byrnes Center.
Marion Effie (Willis) Myott
Marion Effie (Willis) Myott died on October 15, 2024, at her home in Westfield. She was born in Troy on December 22, 1929, the daughter of Ray and Helen (Taylor) Willis. She married Romeo Leon Myott, who predeceased her in 2011.
Marion graduated from Newport Center High School, and Community College of Vermont with an associate degree in early childhood education. She enjoyed working with preschool children. She was a member of the Congregational Church in Westfield, serving as treasurer for many years. She enjoyed going to the area senior meals and playing bingo. Marion was always happy to see her North Carolina family when they visited her. She loved Vermont and lived in her Westfield home for almost 70 years.
She is survived by her son: Steven Myott, of Westfield; her grandchildren: Caleb Myott (Jennifer) of Wilmington, North Carolina; Lia Myott Gilleski (Daniel) of New Bern, North Carolina; and Michael Luke Myott (Candace) of Wilmington; her great-grandchildren: Juna Mikayla Myott; Macy Myott; Mia Myott; Evan Gilleski; Adam Gilleski; Ambrose Myott; and Cecil Myott; her brother: Milton Willis (Annette); her sisters: Hilda Daigle, and Beverly Hisman (Everett) of Westfield; as well as nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by a brother: Harold Willis; a sister: Shirley Collins; and brothers-in-law: Elroy Collins, and Yves Daigle.
There will be a graveside service at the family lot in the Westfield Cemetery at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 26. In lieu of flowers, gifts in her name may be made to Westfield Senior Meals Program, Attn: Denny Lyster, 1552 North Hill Road, Westfield, Vermont 05874. Online condolences at curtis-britch.com
Gwendolyn E. Maynard
Gwendolyn E. Maynard, 91, of Glover, died on October 12, 2024, at her home with family by her side. She was born on November 17, 1932, in Sheffield to the late Alden and Velma (Ashe) Eastman.
Gwendolyn owned and operated her own hair salon for many years. In her spare time, she enjoyed acrylic painting, attending church, and was always helping people in her community with anything that they needed. She was a member of the Glover Community Church.
She is survived by her children: Pamela Clark, and her husband, Donald, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Paula Chamberlin and her husband, Bill, of Lecanto, Florida; and Patricia Gage and her husband, Glenn, of Glover; grandchildren: Michael (Shannon); Tracy Clark; Kevin; Billy and Timmy (Lauren) Chamberlin; Dana (Tonya) Caron; many foster grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was predeceased by her husband; grandson: Matthew Caron; and sister Virginia.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 21 at the Glover Community Church, with Reverend Evelyn Coupe and Reverend Joan Vincent officiating. Interment will follow for immediate family at Westlook Cemetery in Glover. If friends desire, memorial contributions in Gwendolyn’s name may be made to the Glover Community Church, 3074 Glover Street, Glover, Vermont 05839. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Fielda Calderwood
Fielda Althea Tarbell (Dick) Calderwood died peacefully with family by her side on October 16, 2024, after 102 years of a well spent and fulfilling life. She was born in Mapleton, Maine, on January 18, 1922, to Maurice and Elva Tarbell. Her parents moved to southern New Hampshire, eventually buying a dairy farm in Windham where Fielda grew up well-versed in farming skills. She attended Plymouth State College, but paused her studies to marry Leon Dick in December 1942 (during World War II and gas rationing which made a challenge for her Navy brother Wilbur to get leave from his submarine and a ride to the wedding).
They also ran a dairy farm in Windham while raising six children, two of whom died prematurely. Fielda was left to run the farm and raise the youngest two children when Leon passed away. She obtained her teaching degree at Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire, and taught at Pinkerton High School.
Church friends introduced her to a dairy farmer from Vermont, Martin Calderwood, and they married in 1966. She and her young twins moved to Craftsbury where she worked alongside Martin on their farm and maple sugaring operation. She taught math at Craftsbury Academy for 15 years and at Lake Region High School for five. Her care for her students extended beyond their time in her classroom and many kept in touch and visited through the years.
She was active in leadership roles at East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, the Orleans Northern Essex Retired Teachers Association, on the Craftsbury Planning Commission, and on the board of the Craftsbury Community Care Center (where she would enjoy living for her last seven years). She and Martin bought a retirement home in Fort Myers, Florida, to spend their winters, but they always had to be back in Vermont in time for sugaring season.
She was well known for her homemade doughnuts she sold along with Echo Hill Farm maple syrup at the Craftsbury Farmers’ Market. Fielda loved playing board and card games with friends and seemed to always have a jigsaw puzzle in progress. She liked to travel, touring the states (including Alaska) with Martin in their camper, as well as taking several trips to Europe. She and Martin were active square dancers with the Lamoille County Swingers, with whom they traveled and performed dance demonstrations in Ireland and Europe. At 91 years old, she toured Italy with Randi’s family. She loved to be active and declared that she wasn’t going to spend her later years in a rocking chair!
Family was very important to Fielda and they loved her back. She loved to be surrounded by family and enjoyed interacting and laughing with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a strong woman of faith who lived out her beliefs through caring actions, praying for others, and leading and teaching in the church. Her calm, peaceful faith carried her through many trials and sorrows while her close fellowship with Him allowed her to enjoy the many blessings she saw around her.
She was predeceased by her brother Wilbur Tarbell (missing in action); her first husband, Leon Dick; their children, David, Barbara, and Randi; and by her second husband, Martin Calderwood. She is survived by her daughter, Earlo Pelletier of Windham, and her children, Charleen (Michael) Michaud, Bob (Brenda) Pelletier, and their children; her son, Donald (Cindy) Dick of LaGrange, Texas and their children, Dawn Stone, Heather and Michael Dick; her son Randi’s wife Louise Calderwood of Craftsbury and their sons, Doug (Taylor) Calderwood, Andrew (Maddie) Calderwood and their children; and son, Ricki (Lynn) Calderwood of East Highgate and their daughters, Charlotte (Steve) Martin, and Rebekah (Bryan) Just, and their children.
Visiting hours will be at the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church on October 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. The memorial service will also be at the church at 10 a.m. on October 26 with burial at the East Craftsbury cemetery following the service.
Donations in her memory may be given to the East Craftsbury Presbyterian Church, 1773 East Craftsbury Road, Craftsbury, Vermont 05826, or the Craftsbury Community Care Center, 1784 East Craftsbury Road, Craftsbury, Vermont 05826. Messages to family may be sent through www.curtis-britch.com.
Irene Ames
Irene Marie Marcil Ames was born on July 7, 1943, in the old North Country hospital on Highland Avenue in Newport. She died on October 15, 2024, after suffering many years with Alzheimer’s.
Irene and her mother had to stay in the hospital for two weeks when she was born. Her husband-to-be, Rod Ames, was born in the same hospital three days before. When Rod’s mother, Nita Ames, went home with baby Rod, she went into the maternity ward to say goodbye to the other mothers, including Irene’s mother, Germaine. Irene’s mother remembers Mrs. Ames coming in and showing off her little guy and a blue blanket as they were leaving.
Irene grew up on the family farm on Lowell Mountain and attended the school at the bottom of the hill. Her family spoke French at home, so Irene had to learn English when she was in the first grade. As she grew up with a hard-working farming family, she learned a good work ethic. When she was big enough, she helped her father on the farm doing chores, haying, and working the farm with a team of horses that were much taller than she was. One time, when the horses needed to be geared up to go to work, even though she was short of stature, she harnessed the team of horses for her dad. She attended her first year of high school at Orleans High before the family sold the farm and moved to Newport. She attended Sacred Heart High School for three years and graduated in 1961. She made many lifelong friends while at Sacred Heart. During high school, she worked at Derby Port Drive-in in the kitchen. Also, she worked at A&W serving as a carhop until she graduated from high school.
She worked at the Grand Union grocery store, located where Pick and Shovel is now. In 1961, she went on a double date with some guys from Derby Academy. She met her husband-to-be, Rod Ames, on that double date. Less than a year later, Rod and Irene were married. They were still 18 years old. Both Rod and Irene wanted to go to college, so they set out for Michigan, where Irene enrolled in cosmetology school and Rod enrolled in an electrical apprenticeship course.
They bought their first home in Michigan and within two years adopted their first baby: Eric. Irene was a wonderful mother and loved her new baby very much. After two more years, Jacqueline came into the family and added to the household. They bought several houses, living in them and remodeling them when they weren’t working at their jobs. After seven years living in Michigan, the family decided to explore this great country and traveled over 10,000 miles living in a camper. During that time, Rod worked on construction sites doing electrical work.
Irene and Rod were Vermonters at heart and ended back in Vermont building their lifetime home in Morgan together. Irene was a hard worker and she worked with Rod while they did most of the work on the home where they have lived for 52 years. Adam was adopted soon after and became such a blessing to their growing family. When Irene was 39 years old, she found out that there was going to be another addition to the family. Alicia was born and the family was complete.
In 1971, Irene and Rod founded Ames Electric, which continued for 43 years. Irene served as homemaker and mother to four children while helping Rod operate the business. She served as office manager, keeping the work schedules and bookkeeping.
While the family was on vacation in the White Mountains, they attended a craft show at the Mount Washington Hotel. Irene had always been interested in baskets and was attracted immediately to a maker who told her about making them. She told Irene about a master basket maker who lived in the next town. His name was Newt Washburn, and he had come from a family of basket makers going back over 100 years. Newt’s grandmother was an Abenaki Indian and made baskets for a living. The family would make baskets all winter and then would sell them to families and farmers to be used as utensils. Irene and Newt hit it off, and Irene began an apprenticeship learning how to make brown ash baskets in the family Sweetser tradition, which featured a star bottom that made the baskets very strong and long-lasting. She would find a brown ash tree, cut it down, bring it home, and pound and get weaving materials for the baskets. She would then split and shave it to weave into many types of baskets, ranging from a bushel basket to a tiny thimble sized one. She became a master basket maker in her own right, went to many craft shows, gave classes to other people, and made over 900 baskets during her career. She did all of this while still doing her job in the business and raising her four children. Irene loved making baskets for her friends and for members of the family, which were gifts on special occasions. Irene had the privilege of having two baskets placed in the Smithsonian Art Museum along with several other handcrafters using all American materials. The Smithsonian published a book called The Measure of the Earth, in which Irene’s baskets were featured along with many others from all over the country.
Faith in the Lord was always of utmost importance in Irene‘s life. She would get up early in the morning before any of the family and have a quiet time in prayer and studying the Bible. Irene would quietly practice her faith, including the verse from the Bible which says, “Don’t be selfish, don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.”
Irene attended Derby Community Church along with the family for several years, was actively involved in the Christian women’s club After Five, participated in the Ladies Home Dem club, along with her involvement in Vermont Hand Crafters.
Irene is survived by her husband of 62 years, Roderick Ames; by her children: Jacqueline Patenaude, and her husband, Richard; Adam Ames; and Alicia Parenteau. She is survived by her grandchildren: Michael Johnson, Kylee (Parenteau) Ibica, Makenzie and Jaxson Parenteau; her great-grandchildren: Olivia and Nolan Johnson, and Camilo Ibica; as well as many nieces and nephews who she loved very much. She is also survived by her sister Pauline Smith and her husband, Bruce, and by her brother-in-law Roger Geoffroy.
Irene was predeceased by her parents, Jules and Germaine Marcil; by her son Eric Ames; and by her sisters: Alice Faust and Rachel Geoffroy.
Friends may call from 6-8 p.m., on Thursday, October 24, at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., on Friday, October 25, at the Derby Community Church in Derby with Reverend Michael Haddad officiating. Interment will follow in Mead Hill Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the United Christian Academy Scholarship Fund, 65 School Street, Newport, Vermont 05855 or to the Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont, 75 Talcott Road, Suite 40, Williston, Vermont 05495. Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.
William (Bill) Roya
It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Roya announce his death on October 10, 2024. Arrangements are incomplete at this time. A complete obituary will appear at a later date on the Stephen C. Gregory and Son Cremation website: www.gregorycremation.com.
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