Rose A. (Girouard) Desmarais
Rose A. (Girouard) Desmarais, 98, of Orleans died on Tuesday, June 23, 2020, in Newport.
She was one of 12 children born to Hulderic and Dorilla (Hebert) Girouard in St. Helene, Quebec, Canada, on August 27, 1921.
Rose was three months old when the family moved to the farm in Irasburg. She attended the Irasburg school, completing eighth grade. Upon completion of school, she moved to Orleans to assist her older sisters along with taking employment at Braywood Heel Manufacturing in town.
She met and married Rio Desmarais of Glover, and they operated the Desmarais farm in Glover a few years before moving back to her childhood home and purchasing the Girouard family farm in Irasburg. They would operate the farm until retiring from farming and moving to Orleans where they built their new home. Soon after, they would start a family farm equipment business known as Desmarais Equipment.
She is survived by her two sons: Roger Desmarais and his wife, Maureen, of Orleans and Rene Desmarais and his wife, Kathy, of Irasburg; her four grandchildren: Andre Desmarais and his wife, Kim, of Irasburg, Cindy Kelley and her husband, John, of Palm Coast, Florida, Jackie Desmarais and her husband, Terri, of Auburndale, Massachusetts, and Jennifer Bashar and her husband, Gregg, of Trumbull, Connecticut; her several great-grandchildren; and her many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Rio, in 2009 after 66 years of marriage; as well as the following brothers and sisters: Lorenzo, Roland, Moise, Phil, Aaron, Marcel, and Louis Girouard, Rita Lussier, Lucille Poutre, Oda Fortin, and Anita (Babe) Guillette.
Family was very important to her. She was always expressing her great love, and was always delighted to hear from each one, very attentive in following each of their lives. She was a marvelous cook and shared many of her inherited recipes from her French-Canadian upbringing. Her hobbies were many, including cooking, homemaking, crocheting, sewing, and always finding a purpose for unused items, referred to as, “recycling” in today’s world. Her memory was certainly to be admired, as she often shared her recollection of days, events, and individuals she met along her life’s journey.
She was very fluent in both the French and English languages. The village of Orleans found her to certainly be an asset in assisting with their general elections.
A lifelong devoted Catholic, she was a member of the ladies guild and assisted in church functions such as bingos, rummage sales, and dinners. She was a faithful listener to Mass on television when she was no longer able to attend church.
Rose lived a long, full life and was able to remain living in her own home even with conflicting health issues. She will certainly be missed by all of those who knew and loved her.
A Mass was celebrated on June 29 at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans, with the Reverend Curtis Miller officiating; interment was at St. Theresa’s Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made at curtis-britch.com.
Richard R. Del Favero
Richard R. Del Favero, 85, husband of Barbara J. (Michalowski) Del Favero for 61 years, went to be with the Lord when he died on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
He was born October 4, 1934, in Meriden, Connecticut, the son of the late Victor M. Del Favero and Julia Hyde Del Favero.
He is survived by his four sisters: Dolores Leary (Jack) of Meriden, Mary Ann Maselli (Pete) of Clinton, Sheila Leighton (Dick) of Guilford, and Jean Serey (Pat) of Prospect, Kentucky; and his one brother Robert (Sheila) of Clermont, Florida.
He was predeceased by his brother Victor (Dee).
He is the father of five children: Jeffrey Del Favero (Denise), Linda Morasutti (Robert Lee), Robbin Cabelus, Joyce Gomez (Tony), Laureen Seoane (Carlos). He leaves behind 12 grandchildren; his recently born great-granddaughter; his many dear friends; and his faithful black lab Kobi.
Richard graduated from Meriden High School in 1952 and from early childhood was an active member of 4-H. He went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in ’56 with a degree in agricultural engineering and in ’58 with a master’s degree in agricultural economics. He was a founding brother and former president of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity at UCONN.
He started his career with Rexnord Corporation and in 1964 returned to Meriden to join his father in the family building business, DelFavero Builders, Inc. He constructed more than 400 condominiums in central Connecticut and built several commercial developments.
Although he had a successful career in the construction industry, his heart always remained in agriculture. He often referred to himself as a “farmer without a farm.” In 1988, he began his second career after he and Barbara purchased Hayward Farm, a 500-acre farm in Derby where he raised beef cattle for over 30 years. He was a member and former trustee of the Vermont Beef Producers Association.
Richard was a trustee of Saint Mary’s Church in Meriden, Connecticut, served on the board at St. Edward’s Church in Derby, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve, and also was a member and chair of several local commissions and boards in both Connecticut and Vermont.
Richard was a strong proponent of education and he often said that he attributed his success in life to his education at UCONN. He generously supported many funds and scholarships at the University of Connecticut, including the funding of the first endowed chair in agricultural resource economics. He was a lifetime member of the UCONN Alumni Association and a member of the Founder’s Society of the UCONN Foundation. He was a lifetime member and recipient of the distinguished alumni award from the University of Connecticut College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and was a 2011 recipient of the college’s highest honor, “The Charles and Augustus Storrs Award.”
Richard was a generous man who offered support as a mentor and father figure to many. He will be greatly missed.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24, at St. Edward the Confessor Church at 59 Elm Street in Derby. Mass will be streamed via Zoom for those who are unable to be present. The Zoom invitation link for Mass can be found under Richard’s obituary on jferryfh.com. Calling hours and burial will be private.
The family would like to thank the many caregivers at Pond Ridge North and Masonicare Home and Hospice for the love, support and compassion shown to Richard and his family during these past months.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mater Dei Parish, attention St. Edward the Confessor Church, 191 Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855.
Sandra J. Bowen
Sandra J. Bowen, 74, died peacefully at The Manor on Saturday, June 27, 2020.
She was born April 26, 1946, in Burlington, the daughter of Hilary Rooney and Madeline Trapps Fletcher Rooney.
Sandy worked as a housekeeper at the Trapp Family Lodge and owned and operated a store in Albany. She was also very involved with the Lanpher Memorial Library in Hyde Park.
She is survived by her grandchildren: Scott Nelson and other half, Danielle Plante, of Morrisville, Hilary Braun and other half, Kyle Johnson, of Morrisville, and Jason Herman and other half, Melissa Herman, of Brownington; her daughter Penny Herman and other half, Michael Herman, of Brownington; her siblings: Barbara Warren and other half, Marty Warren, of Morrisville, Lee Hubbard and other half, Richard Hubbard, of Fairfax, and Alberta Harrington of Manchester; her great-grandchildren: Eva, Mason, Nora, Brianna, and Kailee; and her several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her daughter Michalla”Micki” Bowen; her grandson Cory Nelson; her brother Mick Rooney; and her sister Betty Nolan.
A graveside service will be held Friday, July 17, at 1 p.m. at Jedediah Hyde Cemetery in Hyde Park.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Lamoille Area Cancer Network, 198 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, Vermont 05661.
Faith Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at visiting faithfh.net.
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