Obituaries 2.12.2025

Garth Allen

 

Garth Desmond Allen, 89, died on Friday January 31, 2025, in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Born in Island Pond on November 16, 1935, Keeper (the nickname his first-born grandson gave him) was a man who loved Corvettes, Peterbilt trucks, and pretty girls. He served honorably in the United States Army, was a devout Catholic, and could operate anything with a motor. He spent the majority of his life as a long-haul trucker and loved the nomad life. He spent every penny he ever earned on flirty waitresses, bloody rare steaks, and top shelf cocktails. There was no tomorrow for him, as he would only worry about tomorrow when it became today. He was unrelentingly boastful about his family, even stretching the truth a time or two telling tales about them to anyone who would listen. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was prone to the sniffles during life’s happy moments, or routinely during his favorite soap: The Young and the Restless.

He was predeceased by his father, Wilber B. (Webb) Allen, mother, Alice Farrell Allen, stepmother, Leona Waters Allen, and his brother Lauren Eugene Allen.

He is survived by his brother Wilber B. Allen Jr., sisters Sally Siggins and Lana Gilcris, step-sisters Brinda Daggett and Linda Nadeau, along with his three children Kelly Clookey of Plattsburgh, New York, Kevin Allen of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Kirk Allen of Port Huron, Michigan, and a host of nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

The family held a private celebration of his life at McGill Click Funerals & Cremations on February 3. The family will gather to place him at rest in new St. James/Lakeside cemetery in Island Pond near his parents and brother Lauren in June.

 

Anne Allen

 Anne Allen of West Charleston, beloved wife of Sherman D. Allen Jr. and mother to Daniel A. Allen and Jeffrey P. Allen, died on February 6, 2025, in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

She was born Edith Anne Donahue at the Fanny Allen Hospital in Colchester on December 2, 1950, to Harry and Edith (Finlay) Donahue. In their family of six, Anne was the only daughter. Anne greatly loved her three brothers and would often tell her own sons many stories about her brothers that may have been more myth than truth. Anne attended Essex Junction High School prior to graduating in 1969 from St. Mary’s in the Mountains in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. Following high school, Anne attended the University of Vermont before attending the School of Fashion Design in Boston, Massachusetts.

In 1972, Anne and her newly acquired yellow Volkswagen Beetle arrived in northern Vermont. Her life in the Northeast Kingdom started with employment at Slalom Skiwear as a stitcher and designer’s assistant, then at the adult learning center as a tutor, then at Community College of Vermont as a sewing instructor. Anne enjoyed all her work experience but found her true professional calling at Samii Clothes in 1985, where she was an assistant to the designer. Samii Clothes allowed Anne to showcase her patternmaking, research and development, production cutting, and leadership skills while being home with her growing family.

In 1973 Anne met Sherman Allen at the East Charleston Church of the Nazarene. It was at this church where Sherm and Anne would ultimately be married on October 12, 1974. Anne wore a wedding dress of her own making with Sherm and the groomsmen also wearing shirts she had sewn. It was then that Anne lovingly took on the last name Allen, while also legally changing her first name to the initial E, much to the confusion of future telemarketers. Anne and Sherm moved into the house Sherm built for her in 1979 where they raised their family. This house overlooking the Clyde River was truly a home for their sons and later for their visiting grandchildren. Anne and Sherm’s long and blessed marriage was celebrated in October 2024 at a surprise fiftieth anniversary party among many friends and family.

Anne had a heart for leadership and volunteerism. Anne spent many years giving her time and talents to the local arts and crafts fair, numerous churches, Clara Barton Camp, and various community groups. Anne always sought to improve herself and others, which led her to complete the New England Rural Leadership Program as well as engage in years of involvement with the University of Vermont Extension and Regional Advisory Council. As a devout Christian, her Nazarene church and the United Christian Academy were her favorite places to give her time. Anne spent time on committees and boards while also using her sewing abilities to the benefit of the church and school. Many Christmas pageant shepherds wore her creations.

After a stroke in 2006, Anne’s strong spirit and deep faith aided her in beating many odds by relearning to move, speak, and live life. Anne blessed her family with almost 19 more years of memories as she saw her sons reach milestones, along with meeting all of her grandchildren and her great-grandson. Anne loved Sherm’s newfound love of cooking, visits from her grandchildren, and playing Scrabble. Frequent highlights were her daily trips with many amazing Rural Community Transportation drivers so that she may attend The Meeting Place in Newport. It was at The Meeting Place where she would continue to make wonderful friends and terrible puns. Anne’s affinity for wordplay and puns along with her quick wit was ever present her entire life and was only outmatched by her ability to create with fabric.

Anne was preceded in death by her mother, Edith Donahue, father, Harry Donahue, and sister-in-law Ann Allen. Anne is survived by her husband, Sherman D. Allen Jr. of West Charleston; son Daniel Allen and wife, Jennifer, of Derby, and son Jeffrey Allen and wife, Jan, of Bridgewater, New Jersey; grandchildren Haley, Anthony, Riley, Molly, and Finley; and great-grandchild Henry. She is also survived by her brother Peter Donahue and his wife, Sylvia, her brother Dennis Donahue, her brother Paul Donahue and his wife, Deb, and her brother-in-law, Jack Allen, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Her surviving family will never forget the strength that she exuded and the love she brought to their lives.

Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, with a funeral immediately following at 2 p.m. at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Derby, with Pastor Mike Desena officiating.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the United Christian Academy, 65 School Street, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.

 

Yolande Bean

Yolande E. Bean, 87, of North Troy, died peacefully on February 4, 2025, in Newport. She was born on December 26, 1937, in North Troy to the late Ephram and Florence (Vincent) Roberts. On October 13, 1956, she married Niles “Sonny” Bean who predeceased her on July 20, 2014.

Yolande enjoyed knitting, crocheting, doing crafts with her great-grandchildren, reading, and tending to her vegetable garden. She was also a former member of the Ladies of St. Anne and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 28 in North Troy.

She is survived by her children: Robin Hamill, Tina Pare and her husband, Michael, and Julie Healy and her husband, Michael; grandchildren: Joshua Bean, Travis Bean and his companion, Emily Andrews, Michael Pare Jr. and wife, Lacey, DeAnna Chavez, Brian Pare, Courtney Healy and companion, Jesse Popkowski, Justin Healy and his companion, Alyssa Lawson, and Tabitha Cole and her companion, Dylan Lahar; 12 great-grandchildren, sisters Rachel Willey and her husband, Leo, and Claire Laramee and her husband, Ernest, as well as several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, siblings Flora, Raymond, Alcide, and Richard, and daughter Kim Cole.

A graveside service will be held at North Troy Village Cemetery in the spring. If friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Wright Halo Foundation, 1073 Upper Quarry Road, Newport, Vermont 05855. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.

 

Peter Conover

The Conover family is saddened to announce the death of their beloved patriarch, Peter Sterling Conover, who died on February 5, 2025, in Edgewater, Florida, at the age of 94. In his final days, Peter was surrounded by the love of his devoted wife of 42 years, Paula Conover, and their seven children, who cherished the time they were able to share with him in his final days.

Peter was born on January 4, 1931, to Charles and Helena (Weil) Conover in Orange, New Jersey. Peter and his sister Jaye grew up in New Jersey and New York City, New York. He graduated from the Kent School in Connecticut in 1949 and received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Cornell University in 1953. He worked as an ocean lifeguard at the Jersey Shore during the summer in his college years.

After his graduation from Cornell, Peter joined the United States Air Force as second lieutenant. After Air Base Defense School in California, he began his service at Osan Air Base in South Korea, serving as security officer for the 502 Tactical Control Group. His next post was at Komaki Air Base near Nagoya, Japan, where he ran a military prison. In 1956, he transferred to the forty-eighth Fighter Bomber Wing in Chaumont, France. Peter was the commander of the forty-eighth Air Police Squadron and provost marshal for most of his three year stay there, where he received the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service. In 1959, he was promoted to captain and served at Vance Air Force Base (AFB), Sheppard AFB, and Vandenberg AFB in the United States. At Vandenberg AFB, he served as the combat crew commander, where he trained other crews. He was also chosen to take part in the first military launch of the Titan II missile.

After resigning from the Air Force in 1964, he worked as a manager at Pfizer in San Diego, California, and Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick, New Jersey. At Johnson & Johnson, he worked as a sales promotion manager and later as a product marketing manager in the Permacel division. Peter was instrumental in bringing sales training to wholesale personnel around the nation via the Permacel Express. He did so by acquiring and renovating three railroad cars, hiring personnel to travel across the country and providing administration for the project.

In 1973, having had enough with the business world, Peter moved to Jay to own and operate a small ski lodge, the Woodshed Lodge. There he met and married his third wife and the love of his life, Paula Jane Austin. They ran the lodge together for ten years.

In 1993, Paula and Peter sold the lodge and designed and built a home by the Jay Branch brook in Jay. In 1994, they started spending winters in Edgewater, Florida, and summers in Vermont, where they were both employed part-time to support their retirement lifestyle. They moved from Jay into a summer cottage overlooking Lake Memphremagog in Newport in 2001.

In retirement, Peter was an active volunteer for the AARP tax preparation program. He also volunteered for the Edgewater Police Department where he provided direct police assistance. He also ran a program to pre-place identification information in readily available form so that those with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and autism could be quickly and safely returned to their loved ones should they become lost or confused. Peter received a special citation from the city of Edgewater for his work in this program.

Peter’s greatest joy in life was his love for his wife, Paula, who selflessly cared for him as he advanced in years. He was very proud of his military service. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with family, researching his genealogy, walking daily, and the companionship of his dogs, especially his golden retriever Mandy.

Peter is survived by his wife, Paula Jane Conover, of Edgewater, Florida, and Newport, his seven surviving children Kirsten Conover, Bruce Conover (Nancy Leung), Stacy Conover, Sharon Morin, Tracey Stibolt (Richard Stibolt), Lori Parenteau (Scott Parenteau), and Rachel Conover Loreto (Jim Loreto). Peter leaves behind his niece Shelley Haas; 15 grandchildren: Danielle, D’Andre, Phillip, Devin, Donovan, Misha, Chantal, Ashley, Melissa, Chris, Todd, Jaden, Nicholas, Mary, and Peter; and 13 great-grandchildren. Peter was predeceased by his father and mother, sister Jaye Haas and her husband, Herb, his daughter Jennifer Roy, nephew Peter Haas, grandchild Cody Skinner and sons-in-law Terry Burdick, Rene Cote, David Walker, and Michael Morin.

A memorial service and burial will be held in Newport in summer 2025. Date and time still to be determined.

 

Russell Hinton

Russell Quinn Hinton of Newport died quietly surrounded by his family on Monday, February 3, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

Russell was born on July 29, 1958, the eldest son of Stanley Way and Mona Rita Bean in Great Falls, Montana, while his father was stationed there in the Air Force. Later, the family moved back home to Lancaster, New Hampshire, where Russell lived for the next decade. Fleeing an abusive marriage, his mother took refuge at the farm of childhood sweetheart, Ellie Eugene Hinton, in Westmore. Mona and Ellie were married in 1969 and had three more boys. Ellie adopted Russell and his two siblings, giving them the love and stability they so desperately needed.

Russell learned many valuable lessons and skills working on the farm, but never developed a love for it. At age 19, he enlisted in the Navy and was trained as a machinist’s mate, generating power for the four ships he was to serve on in the next 11 years. His first assignment was the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Midway (CV-41), and he spent the next two years sailing out of Yokosuka, Japan. He grew up quickly, becoming a valuable member of the huge crew required to staff such a mighty vessel. He found he loved the sea and the comradery of the other sailors, making special friendships that would last a lifetime. He also embraced the lifestyle associated with sailors. Alcohol and drug addictions would haunt him for years. He served on three other ships, U.S.S. Connole (FF-1056), U.S.S. McKean (DD-784), and U.S.S. Harry E. Yarnell (DLG/CG-17), and also did a ‘tour’ as a Navy recruiter in Boston, Massachusetts, to appease his first wife. When he failed a drug test, it was feared his Navy career would be over, but his stellar work performance otherwise saved him. He was given another chance and finished his career with an honorable discharge, and his first divorce, several years later.

Returning to Westmore, he found work generating power for a paper mill in Groveton New Hampshire, where he met and married his second wife. His Navy lifestyle was still a factor, and they divorced a few years later.

Single again and tired of the bar scene, he reconnected with his childhood friend and asked for help — what was there to do that’s enjoyable that doesn’t include drinking? His friend told him about learning Western-style square dancing. Russell joined the North Country Swingers in Newport, and there met the love of his life, Noreen Carter Russell. They became square dance partners and then life partners, marrying on September 25, 1992. Because of this partnership, he was able to overcome the alcohol addiction for good.

Russell found a new job at the Ryegate Power Station in Ryegate just months before the wedding, helping to build and then run the woodchip burning power plant as equipment operator and then shift supervisor for the next 30 years.

All was not roses, however, as his abusive childhood experiences and military service resulted in PTSD that was not diagnosed or treated for many years. Despite the mental anguish and struggles this caused, Russell was a hard worker and capable of creating and fixing almost everything. When his daughter Sonya was born, their small house wasn’t quite big enough. With his own hands and help from Noreen and her two boys, they added on to the house, essentially doubling the living space. A few years later, they built a two-story two-car garage. Russell was the designer, carpenter, electrician, plumber, and roofer. He could do almost anything. He was his own mechanic and learned how to build and operate computers.

When his son Skyler was old enough to join the Boy Scouts, he threw himself wholeheartedly into helping with the troop, taking several leadership trainings and positions in the troop, including a term as Scoutmaster. During his tenure he helped a record number of five boys earn their Eagle Badges, including his son Skyler. He was proud of the boys and the program and did all he could to help it succeed.

Russell was a dedicated family man. It was nothing for Russell to work all night on a vehicle so that he could get to work the next day, as he placed a high value on providing for his family.  He also believed in giving his children experiences, taking family vacations with them to different parts of the country — an interest he learned while traveling in the Navy. Two years ago, he fulfilled a lifelong dream of circumnavigating the United States in a seven-week car trip which took them to see relatives and friends from Washington to California and Texas, to visit his birthplace in Great Falls, Montana, and his first ship, the U.S.S. Miday (CV-41), now a floating museum in San Diego.

Russell was devoted to his community and making a positive difference, especially in the lives of children. After his retirement in 2020, he volunteered his time as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL), advocating for children involved in the court system. Russell cared deeply about each child he served, seeing his own childhood experiences mirrored in theirs, and taking on extra cases so that no child would be left without an advocate. He approached the GAL work with compassion, dedication, kindness, and strength, earning both the respect and affection of judges and professionals alike, and the love of the children he worked with. Upon learning of Russell’s passing, one judge stated, “He showed such compassion and caring for the children he worked with — it was a comfort to see him assigned to a case.” He will be sorely missed.

His outspoken passionate nature was also evident in his involvement in the community through local groups such as the Masons and more recently the VFW and Quilts of Valor. He would also speak out about problems he saw in the local government through newspaper articles. He loved nothing better than to engage in lively discussions with those of differing opinions.

Russell was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Newport-Memphremagog Lodge number 65 Free and Accepted Masons. He was an integral part of the monthly breakfasts, perfecting his sausage and gravy, baking homemade buttermilk biscuits, and cooking his special recipes of pancakes and French toast. He was always ready to jump in and help wherever and whenever he was needed.

Recently, he discovered there were Navy reunions for Asia sailors and for the individual ships he had served on. For the past three years, he eagerly attended these reunions and veterans’ week in Branson, Missouri. He found comfort being with veterans who understood what it was like to serve their country, and made real progress towards healing and managing his PTSD.

Russell was a deeply sensitive man who wore his heart on his sleeve for the world to see. Perhaps his greatest gift was his desire to be available. Whether it was going to a band concert for one of his brothers or a 24-hour road trip, Russell was good to go. He was quick with a smile and had a laugh that filled the room.  His absence will be sorely felt.

Russell is survived by his wife of 33 years, Noreen, and their children. Alex Russell, Jesse Russell and his wife, Julia, Sonya Hinton and her partner, Matt Vreeland, and Skyler Hinton. Grandchildren Liberty and Ivy, and their mother Christine Russell of Newport, and Althea and Emmett Russell of Berlin. He leaves behind his sister Teresa Potvin and husband, David, of Belfast, Maine, and brothers Mark Hinton and wife, Lisa, of Brownington, Errol Hinton and wife, Renee, of Chelsea, Burton Hinton and partner, Kellie, of Burke, Cory Hinton and wife, Lauri, of Greenwich, New York, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Russell was predeceased by his parents, Ellie and Mona Hinton of Westmore, and infant twin siblings.

There will be no services as Russell requested a big party and to be buried at sea. The United States Navy will be escorting him to his final resting place on a commissioned vessel out of Norfolk, Virginia, where he was stationed for many years. The party will be located at his home on 137 Hill Street on the summer solstice, June 21, at 10 a.m. He will be honored by the U.S. Navy and the Masonic brothers and by as many as can attend. Come and celebrate Russell’s life with his friends and family.

Donations to the Memphremagog Lodge number 65 Free and Accepted Masons, 41 Masonic Lane, Newport, Vermont; The VFW Post number 798, 141 Central Street, Newport, Vermont; or the Quilts of Valor Foundation, care of [email protected], may be given in remembrance of him. The ultimate honor would be to consider becoming a Guardian ad Litem and carrying on the work he was so passionate about. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.

 

Helen Niemira

Helen Niemira, formerly of Bloomfield, New Jersey, died on Saturday, February 8, at Bel-Aire Nursing Home in Newport.  She was 102 years old. Helen and her husband, Alfred, who died in 2015, first visited Vermont in the late 1970s when they began exploring the Northeast Kingdom with their daughter, Denise, and their three grandchildren Antigone Andersen, and Cedar and Champ Bolton. While they loved Vermont, they had three other children, sons Jan (Michelle), Paul (Nancy), and David, and five other grandchildren Jeffrey, Kevin, Jan, Jeanine, and Jonathan who shared their time and attention and took them on adventures in other parts of the country. For holidays, Helen gathered them all in New Jersey where family, food, and tradition reigned supreme.

As the years ensued, Helen and Al welcomed two great-grandchildren Rihanna Bolton and Benjamin Niemira into their lives before Al died. They were joined by three little girls, Leah, Anna, and Victoria, who loved their “Babci” (Polish for grandma) but never knew “Dziadziu.”

Helen moved to Vermont to live with her daughter during the pandemic.  While she loved nature and the countryside, her heart always remained tied to New Jersey and the Karnas family homestead, in what was once a Polish enclave in Bloomfield. She came from a large family of nine children, but only two sisters, Lillian Tvedt and Julie Hungerford, survive her.  There are many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and -nephews scattered throughout the country who will miss their “Cioci Helen.”

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Valentine’s Church in Bloomfield and she will be laid to rest with her husband of greater than 65 years. Helen was always practical and said on more than one occasion that she wanted flowers and visits when she was alive. She said when she was dead she could not appreciate them, and felt that the money was better spent on donations to charity or one’s church.

 

Regina Troiano

Regina M. Troiano of Stannard died on January 29, 2025, at the age of 77. Regina was born in Staten Island, New York, where she was educated in local school.

She attended college in New York and took a job working for a high-powered stock brokerage house in New York City. She was asked to go to San Francisco, California, to rescue its West coast branch. Then, she returned to Staten Island where she worked as business manager for a car sales and rental business. In 1971, she married her husband of 53 years, Chip Troiano. In 1972, they purchased their farm on Stannard Mountain, where they have lived ever since.

Early years in Stannard were homesteading years, raising all their own meat, hand-milking a couple of cows, and making butter and cheese from the whole milk. Regina took a job as bookkeeper with the Greensboro Garage where she worked for over 20 years. Most recently, she was working as business manager for the Buffalo Mountain Co-op. Regina worked hard to make the co-op’s move to Mill Street happen. She loved working there and having contact with all of the local people who shopped there. She was loved by many for her sometimes-snarky wit and her friendly greetings. Regina retired from the co-op after her stroke in March. In spite of some of the limitations that presented, she still fulfilled her obligation to go to the office and help out any way she could.

Regina was an incredible gardener for many years, growing and putting up most of the vegetables for the year. In later years, she turned her attention to her beloved flower gardens. She took great pleasure spending hours working in her gardens and enjoyed the pleasure it gave to all who traveled by their house on Hutchins Farm Road.

Regina served the town of Stannard for many years, on the select board and then for many years as town treasurer. Regina was also active in surrounding communities, serving on the board of the Hardwick Food Pantry and volunteering as their bookkeeper. Regina is survived by her husband of 53 years, Chip Troiano, her loving daughter Amy Clover Troiano of New York City, her brother-in-law and sister-in-law Matt and Sarah Troiano of Ryegate, and her sister- and brother-in-law Lorraine and Tim Parker of Sparta, New Jersey. Regina was loved by all in her communities for her loving and friendly nature. She will be missed.

 

Vercil Warner 

Vercil Warren Warner, an amazing carpenter, artist, and life-long resident of Lowell, died on January 24, 2025, at the age of 55. He was at his home in Lowell after a battle with cancer, COPD, and heart issues.

On July 8, 1969, he was born to Vernon Damon Warner and Rachel Agnes Stevens. He is survived by his mother; his sister Melissa Grace Archer; his aunts Suzanne (Suzie) Arel, Connie LaPlume, and Margaret Kennison; his uncles Roy Warner and Gary Warner; and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Vernon Warner; his grandfathers Warren W. Archer and Vercil W. Warner; and grandmothers Lena G. Archer and Barbara R. Souther; as well as his aunt Jacqueline Gosselin and uncle Austin Warner.

Vercil attended school in Lowell, was a member of the Vermont Army National Guard for ten years, and learned how to be a jack of all trades. His dog Mutley was his loyal sidekick, and always took great care in guarding Vercil.

Vercil was devoted to family and friends. He was an avid builder and craftsman and incredible at it. He was also a problem-solver who often took on difficult unwanted projects for family and friends. Truly a talented man who had a heart of gold that was soft and giving. He was known for his hilarious, funny-natured jokes and hearty laugh. Vercil was a man who lived life on his terms and loved his home and land. He found much serenity with being tucked in the woods and lived his best years there. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.

A very heartfelt thank-you goes to Alden Warner and Danny Gosselin for looking out for Vercil and being there for him always.

A celebration of life service will be scheduled for May 2025 in Lowell at the Mountain View Cemetery. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.