Joan Austin
Joan Raftery Austin, 72, of Orleans, died after a valiant battle with cancer on February 17, 2025, in Newport. She was born on October 10, 1952, in Oakridge, Tennessee, to the late Bob and Kitty Bennett.
Joanie was a well-renowned figure within the Orleans County school system, where she was known as “Nurse Joanie” to the countless students she helped over 26 years. Joanie began her nursing career with a bachelor of science in nursing from Villanova University where she enlisted in the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program during her academic nursing program. Joanie was a Navy nurse during the Vietnam War, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander before her discharge.
In her free time, she enjoyed gardening, quilting, jewelry making, skiing, reading, camping at Long Pond and in the RV with Toyota camper groups, and vacationing with friends in Mexico. She also enjoyed spending time with her local friends, her “game dames,” and the friends she made in the military. She was a member of the Vermont School Nurse Association and the American Legion Post #23 in Orleans.
Joanie is survived by her husband and best friend, Larry Austin; her daughter Kathryn Raftery and Kathryn’s children Olivia and Ansel; her daughter Chesley Austin and her partner, James Peverill; and her son Derek Austin and his wife, Jenn, and their children Chessa, Riley, Lyla, and Grace. Joanie is also survived by her sister Karen Bennett, her niece Amelia Woodard, and by many extended family members.
Joanie was predeceased by her children James Raftery III, Robert Raftery, and Molly Raftery.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family and if desired, memorial contributions in Joanie’s honor may be made to the Nature Conservancy at nature.org, an organization that Joanie and her family have directly benefited from through protection of land and trails around Long Pond in Westmore. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Lillian F. Brown
Lillian F. (Cyr) Brown died peacefully on December 6, 2024. She was born on September 1, 1961, daughter of Mary Jane (Gosselin) Cyr and Ludger Cyr, who predeceased her.
She was the wife of Willy Brown, who survives her. Lillian always had a smile on her face and had a heart of gold. She loved spending time with her two cats Chester and Goldie.
She is survived by her sisters Pauline Laplume and husband, Paul, Louise Provoncha, and Rose Lyon, brothers Pierre Cyr, Henri Cyr, and Albert Cyr, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her two brothers-in-law Wayne Provoncha and Robert Lyon. She was also predeceased by her niece Diana Laplume.
A special thank-you is extended to niece Brandy Robillard.
Albert Cole
It is with broken hearts that the family shares the death of their loved one, Albert Cole, on February 13, 2025, at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. Albert was born in Newport on August 19, 1969.
He had an extraordinary spirit and fought hard for his loved ones to remain on this earth. He was a hard worker and held various jobs including in Black Mountain, North Carolina. He loved nature and grew up hunting and fishing. He had an affinity for animals — wild and tame — and he had a keen eye for spotting unusual things which others missed while walking through the woods. His cats and dog will miss his loving presence.
He is survived by his mother, Donna White, and stepfather, Earl White, sister- and brother-in-law Samantha and Paul Hadley, children Josh, Julianna, and Heidi Cole, nephew Dylan Hadley and companion, Rhonda Cole.
He was predeceased by his father, David Cole, and his daughter Brooke Cole.
Per Albert’s wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral. A memorial service for the family will be held in the spring.
Alberta Fournier
Alberta Fournier was born on June 25,1929, and died at Michaud Manor in Derby Line on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at 95 years young. She was the daughter of the late Rose and Joseph Labbe of the Stanstead area of Quebec, Canada. She was the widow of Paul Fournier.
They resided for many years in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to Newport in 1975. She was employed at North Country Hospital as a dietician’s aide until she left her position to provide care full-time for her husband during his long illness and death in 1998. A resident of Newport Place, she was involved in activities with the other residents who became close friends. In 2020, she moved to Michaud Manor, a residential care home in Derby Line, where she became a part of a family of the heart making many new friends amongst the staff and residents. She had a sharp mind, an excellent sense of humor, loved to laugh and dance, and was a very generous soul. Her sense of fashion and love of the color pink earned her the nickname “Pinkie.”
She was also predeceased by her brother Valere Labbe, sister Irene Laroche, niece Louise Gosselin, and grandnephew John Gosselin.
She is survived by her nieces Denise Miller, Diane Beique, Therese Ouellette, and Manon Williamson of Manchester, New Hampshire, grandnieces Nancy Gosselin Stone of Irasburg, Tina Campbell of Newport, Susan Fauteux, nephew Denis Labbe of Manchester, and grandnephew Marc Gosselin. She is also survived by her godchild, Donna Mercier of Manchester, Connecticut, whom she regarded as a daughter, dear friends Estelle LeBlanc of Newport, who was her special angel, Cheryl Davio of Newport, Florence Fontaine and Barbara Jones of Derby Line, Ward Nolan of Newport, Jack Rosa of Vernon, Connecticut, her many friends from Newport Place and Michaud Manor, and the wonderful administrators and staff and former staff (who returned to visit with her) of Michaud Manor who provided a comfortable and loving environment, especially during the last few weeks of her life.
Alberta will be celebrated in a funeral Mass and reception at Michaud Manor on Thursday, May 1. Family and friends are invited to attend at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Valisa “Pat” Roberts
Valisa “Pat” Roberts, 93, died on January 25, 2025, after a long illness at Evergreen House Health Center in East Providence, Rhode Island. Born August 8, 1931, she moved to Fairlee, where she lived most of her adult life and married Maurice “Sonny” Roberts. A remembrance service will be held in Fairlee on Saturday, May 24, at 2 p.m.
She was a strong personality, undeterred by childhood polio. She spent her career serving food to the Upper Valley community through the restaurants she owned and operated and the Meals on Wheels program. When she finished that career, she spent her time with the Upper Valley Visiting Nurse Association helping seniors to stay at home. During both careers, she selflessly greeted her customers and clients with empathy and compassion.
Over the years, Pat was active with the Parent Teacher Association, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Fairlee Community Church.
Predeceased by her parents, Mildred Jewett Rhodes and Vernon Jewett, her husband, Maurice Arthur Roberts Sr., her siblings Vernon Jewett and Valeda Colby, and her nephew Gregory Jewett. She is survived by her children Maurice “Butch” Roberts, Marsha Roberts Blake, and Michelle Roberts McIlree, seven grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and six nieces and nephews.
To continue her legacy of feeding the Fairlee community, a donation in her name to the Fairlee/Orford Food Shelf, P.O. Box 95, Fairlee, Vermont 05045 would be appreciated.
The family wishes to thank the Hope Health Hospice team for their wonderful, dedicated caregivers, who offered incredible guidance and loving care during this long difficult time.
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