Obituaries

Obituaries July 5, 2012

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Grace Taylor Curtis

Grace Taylor Curtis, 92, of Morgan died on Sunday, June 24, 2012.

She was born on December 15, 1919, in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, to Leonidas E. and Edith (Grew) Taylor.  In 1936, she married Samuel D. Curtis Sr., who predeceased her in 1986.

With four small children in tow, Mrs. and Mr. Curtis pulled up stakes in Hartford, Connecticut, and headed north, eventually finding their way to Derby in the Northeast Kingdom in 1945.  After falling in love with this area, they settled in to raise their family.

Mrs. Curtis was especially fond of her flowers and her gardens, canning most everything she could harvest.  She always watched her cooking shows and was famous for trying out this new recipe or that new dessert, then exclaiming, “I don’t know if it’s any good, but I wanted to try it.”  Whatever she made was always the best.  Every December she would get out her gingerbread recipe and make one or two gingerbread houses, decorating not only the houses, but setting them into a wonderful winter holiday scene.  For the last five years the houses were donated to the Derby Elementary School for fund-raising, and she always received cards and letters from the children at the school thanking their “Grammy Curtis.”

She was also very proud of the fact that she, along with Helena Hicks and Flora Fountain, was one of the first policewomen in the state of Vermont, working out of the Newport City Police Department.  If anyone asked her, she was always up for going for rides, as she considered these to be new adventures.  She was always the first to spot the deer, or the turkey, or the bald eagle.

Foxwoods was one of her favorite places, even though she more often than not would come home empty handed.  How she loved to play the one-armed bandits!  Raising five sons, it was very easy for her to be involved in sports and hunting.  Hunting she did with her husband and sons, bagging her fair share of game; sports she did, following her son David and grandson James in their Little League years, and then her grandsons Justin and Taylor in their football playing years.  Any given Sunday would find her glued to the television, rooting on her favorite Patriots; then came the Bruins, and finally her beloved Red Sox.

She will be greatly missed and is survived by the following children:  Samuel D. Curtis Jr. and his wife, Helen, of Harlingen, Texas, Carol McMullen of Morgan, Paul Curtis and his wife, Joan, of Newport, Phillip Curtis and his wife, Susan, of Webster, Massachusetts, Nancy Green and her husband, Delwyn, of Derby, Craig Curtis and his friend, Laura Greenwood, of Holland, and David Curtis and his wife, Kristi, of Derby; the following grandchildren:  Douglas Curtis, Kathy Kross, Samuel D. Curtis III, James Millett, Cam Green, Robin Scott, Bud McMullen, Annie Christoni, Paul Curtis II, Phillip M. Curtis, Jon Curtis, Todd Curtis, Sarah Romanowski, Carolyn Curtis, Justin Curtis and Taylor Curtis; her 19 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; one brother, Richard Taylor; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by three sons:  Bruce and twins Richard and Robert who died in infancy; three sisters:  Natalie, Maude and Lucretia; and by three brothers:  Leonidas, Charles and Joseph.

In accordance with her wishes, there will be no calling hours.  A graveside ceremony will be held on July 21, at 1 p.m. at the Cargill Cemetery in Morgan.

Should friends desire, contributions may be sent to the Derby Line Ambulance Service, care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 105, Derby Line, Vermont 05830.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Charleen Ida (Wood) Bronson

Charleen Ida (Wood) Bronson, 63, of Morgan died peacefully on June 24, 2012, with her husband and family close by.

Her death was caused by complications related to cancer.

She was born on May 18, 1949, in Derby, daughter of the late Wilfred and Goldie Wood.  She married Arnold (Pete) Bronson in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1969.

For several years she worked for the U.S. Postal Service in many areas of Vermont.  She loved many things — biking, snowshoeing, hiking, gardening, all animals, bird watching, country music, and her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren.  She was an active member of the Northeast Kingdom Rug Hookers.  But above all, she loved her family.

Mrs. Bronson was a quiet, caring woman, a wonderful mother and grandmother, a supportive wife, and loyal friend, a gentle soul that touched many lives.

She will be dearly missed by everyone.

She is survived by her husband Pete; her son Steve and his wife Christina (Dean) of Plattsburgh, New York, and their children:  Dillon and Steven; her daughter Jenny and her wife Kristen (Welch) of Chester, New Hampshire; her sisters- and brothers-in-law:  Joan Wood of Goffstown, New Hampshire, Bob Bronson of Rodgers, Arkansas, Tim Bronson and his wife Yolande (Morin), of Derby, Valerie Davis and her husband, Randy, of Stanstead, Quebec, Kimberly Martin and her husband, Michel, of Stanstead, Quebec, and Paul Bronson of St. Albans, Vermont; her special close friends:  Sue Maple and Janice Nichols; and by numerous nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by two brothers:  Colbert and Laurier Wood; her sister-in-law Beverly Leitch (Bronson); and by two brothers-in-law:  Ross Leitch and Steve Rickard.

A private memorial service will be held at a future date.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, 4473 Barton Orleans Road, Orleans, Vermont 05860.

Carol Anne Christy

Carol Anne Christy, 68, a resident of Kendal at Granville in Granville, Ohio, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 13, 2012, after a six-year battle with Multiple System Atrophy.

She suffered her disease with remarkable serenity.

She was born the oldest child of R. Neil Christy and Doris Clevenger Christy on February 6, 1944, in North Hollywood, California.  She grew up in Marietta, Ohio.

Prior to her senior year at Marietta High School, she spent a summer in Denmark under the auspices of the American Field Service.  She graduated from Marietta High School in 1962 and enrolled at Duke University from which she graduated magna cum laude with an election to Phi Beta Kappa.  Her junior year at Duke was spent with the Smith College International Studies program in Geneva, Switzerland.  She also participated in a Duke summer program to live among and assist residents of Bluefields, Nicaragua.  She was rewarded a three-year fellowship at Ohio State University from which she received a master’s of science in 1972, and doctorate of philosophy in political science in 1980.

Her professional career of 30-some years was spent teaching political science at Ohio University — Lancaster where she attained the rank of full professor in 1988 and became emeritus professor in 2001.  She authored a book and a number of scholarly articles in her specialty field of women’s participation in politics around the world.  She was a dedicated and enthusiastic teacher who thrived among her students.  She attempted to involve students in local and statewide politics and campaigns, drawing on her own volunteer experiences in politics.  She would take students on tours of the Ohio State Legislature and the state headquarters of the two main political parties.

She had an enormous zest for life, a great determination, a wealth of interests, and an extraordinary sense of humor often hinted at by the sparkle in her eyes.  She loved to travel and visited all continents (but “alas,” not the poles).  Her favorite mode of transportation was the bicycle on which she toured parts of Ohio, Vermont, France, the Netherlands, and Australia, including Tasmania.  She also walked the Milford Sound track (“The finest walk in the world,”) in New Zealand.

She loved gardening, especially the challenge of changing a wilderness into a thing of beauty; her Granville garden was on display twice as part of charity events.  Her great love was opera; for years, during spring break, she would spend a week in New York, New York, and attend as many performances of the Metropolitan Opera as she could.

She volunteered her participation in nature or environmental projects wherever she lived.  In Ohio she volunteered at Dawes Arboretum and the Granville Recycling Center; in Vermont she checked for invasive plant species and counted loons in Lake Seymour; and in Florida (where she was a certified master naturalist) she volunteered as an interpreter for the Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge.  She also was an English tutor for the Indian River Literacy Council.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 25 years Adriaan “Arie” Janssens; and by her sister Janet and her husband, Terry Silvester, and their children:  Scott and his wife, Rebecca Manning, Christy and her husband, Joseph Patt, and Cynthia and her husband, VJ Stockdale.  A brother, Richard Neil Christy II, died at age 25 in the air over Cambodia during the Vietnam conflict.

Those who wish may contribute in her name to St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 18 South Main Street, Granville, Ohio 43023; or to the NorthWoods Stewardship Center, P.O. Box 220, East Charleston, Vermont 05833; or to the Pelican Island Preservation Society, P.O. Box 781903, Sebastian, Florida 32978-1903.

Rita J. Maloney

Rita J. Maloney, 82, of Newport died peacefully on Saturday, June 30, 2012, surrounded by dear family and friends.

She was born on December 9, 1929, in Sherbrooke, Quebec, to Yvonne and Alphee Gosselin.

She was a graduate of Derby Academy in the Class of 1948, and attended Fanny Allen Memorial Hospital in Winooski for the study of hospital medical library procedures.  She worked for many years in the Newport area as a medical secretary, bookkeeper and high school secretary.

Throughout her life, she was active in the Newport Women’s Club, the Ladies of St. Anne, St. Mary’s Parish, and the North Country Hospital Auxiliary.  She was also a member of the Memphremagog Historical Society and a Justice of the Peace.  She was a dedicated volunteer for the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter and worked for many years to enrich the program.

She married Donnal Maloney on November 4, 1950.  They were married for 62 years.

Mrs. Maloney lived life to the fullest.  She was a constant comfort to her family and friends and always cheerful.  She will be greatly missed by all.

She is survived by her husband Donnal; her daughter Darin “Dari” and her husband, Norm; her grandchildren:  Seth, Hiata and her husband, Steffan, and Maia and her husband, Jess; her brother Andrew Gosselin and his wife, Wanda; her sister-in-law Pat Collins; and by a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews in New England, Florida and Quebec.  She also leaves behind many dear friends from all walks of life.  She was predeceased by her son Don in 2011; her brother Bob Gosselin in 2010; and by her grandson Ben in 1985.

A graveside memorial service will be held at St. Edward’s Catholic Cemetery in Derby Line on Friday, July 6, at 11 a.m. Friends and family are invited at 12:30 p.m. at the East Side Restaurant in Newport, following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, if so desired, contributions may be made to the Pope Memorial Frontier Animal Shelter, care of Betsy Hampton, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Madeline Eleanor Hill Newton

Madeline Eleanor Hill Newton, 90, of Newport died peacefully on Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Newport.

She was born on August 23, 1921, in Newport, a daughter of Charles (Ed) and Stella (Dane) Hill.  She was married to Clifton Newton who predeceased her in 1993.  She graduated from Newport High School in the Class of 1939.

Mrs. Newton was co-owner, with her late husband, of Hilton Metered Gas until April of 1972.

She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star #27 and she was past matron.  She was also a member of the United Church of Newport, and she ran the Eastern Star Home in Randolph until 1979.

She is survived by her children:  Edwin Newton and his wife, Nancy, of Newport, and Beverly Newton of Plymouth, New Hampshire; and by two grandchildren:  Charles and Amanda Newton.  She was predeceased by a sister, Norma Smith.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport.  Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 6, at the United Church of Newport with the Reverend Tim Wilcox and Susan MaGinness officiating.  Members of the Order of the Eastern Star will meet at 7:30 p.m. on July 5, at the funeral home for an Eastern Star Service.  Interment will follow in Derby Center Cemetery.

Should friend desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Bel-Aire Activities Fund, 35 Bel-Aire Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the United Church of Newport music fund, 63 Third Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Cecile C. Parenteau

Cecile C. Parenteau, 90, of Derby Line died peacefully on Saturday, June 23, 2012, with her family at her side at Derby Green Nursing Home in Derby.

She was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on April 13, 1922, the eldest daughter of Gedeon and Zelia (Dodier) Fortier.  She graduated from Valleyfield Normal College in Valleyfield, Quebec, in 1941.  She then started her teaching career in Sawyerville, Quebec, where she taught all elementary grades.  It was during that time that she met the love of her life, Theotime Parenteau, and they married on October 20, 1945.

Mrs. Parenteau left teaching after marriage to become a homemaker and made raising their family a priority.  She sewed all her children’s clothes, she loved to cook, and did canning, freezing and pickling from their large garden.  She liked to play cards with her friends.

She was a member and past president of St. Edward’s Altar Society, working on their activities, funeral meals and also involved with RSVP senior meals.

She is survived by her children:  Diane of Derby Line, Yvan and his wife, Linda (Carter), of Newport, and Helene Sykes and her husband, Richard, of Newport; her grandchildren:  Yvan Parenteau Jr. and his wife, Alicia (Ames), of Newport, Heather Parenteau of San Angelo, Texas, Daryk Sykes and his friend, Krista Perkins, of Newport, and Leslie Dunn and her husband, Greg, of Troy; her great-grandchildren:  Michelle Parenteau and her friend, Doug Runne, of Newport, Taylor Parenteau of Newport, Emma Parenteau of San Angelo, Texas, Kylee (Ames) Parenteau, Makenzie Parenteau, Jaxson Parenteau, and Ava and Logan Perkins all of Newport, and Abigail Dunn and Owen Dunn of Troy; a great-great-granddaughter, Paige Runne of Newport; her sister Pauline Bastonnais and her husband, Bertrand, of Ascot Corner, Quebec; her brother-in-law Lucien Parenteau and his wife, Simone, of Meriden, Connecticut; her sisters-in-law:  Pierrette Parenteau, Jeanette Parenteau, Therese Fortier, and Ghislaine Fortier, all of Quebec; and by several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband Theotime in 2002; her eldest son Michel in 1995; her brothers:  Emile, Raymond, Maurice, Robert and Armand Fortier; her sisters:  Denise and Francine Fortier and Isabelle Roy; and by her sister- and brother-in-law Renee Parenteau and Odila Gaudreau.

Funeral services were held on June 28 in Derby Line.  Interment followed in St. Edward’s Cemetery in Derby Line.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Derby Line Ambulance, in care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 105, Derby Line, Vermont 05830; or to Derby Green Nursing Home, activities fund, 2853 U.S. Route 5, Derby, Vermont 05829.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com.

Marc Anthony Provencher

Marc Anthony Provencher, 48, died on Wednesday, June 27, 2012, in Derby Line.

He was born on May 27, 1964, in Newport, the son of Raymond and Genia (O’Brien) Provencher, who both have predeceased him.

Mr. Provencher was born with Down syndrome, but it never held him back.  He was so proud that he graduated from North Country Union High School.  He loved helping his brother Michael in the woods.  He had other jobs at Jimmy Kwik, North Country Union High School, working on farms, and he loved being at Al’s Snowmobiles.

Among his hobbies, he enjoyed snowmobiling, four-wheeling, fishing, listening to music, and he was a Red Sox and Bruins fan.  He also enjoyed the company of his dog, Pongo.

Mr. Provencher loved people and they loved him.  He loved to go to the “back 40” where he could ride his ATV with his extended family.

He lived with his family in Barton until the age of 27.  He later moved to Derby Line, where he lived with the Patenaude family who became his extended family.

He is survived by his sisters:  Mary Ella of Marlborough, Massachusetts, Peggy Fairbrother and her husband, Raymond, of Orleans, and Denise Kimball of Temple, Texas; his brothers:  Terry Provencher and his wife, Judi “Cookie,” of Derby Line, and Michael Provencher and his wife, Dottie, of Irasburg; his extended family:  Mark Patenaude Sr. of Derby Line, and Jeannette Patenaude, his loving caregiver and best friend; his sisters:  Lynn Patenaude of Elmore, and Marie Patenaude and her friend, Ryan Greenwood, of West Glover; his brothers:  Mark Patenaude Jr. and his wife, Sonja, of Morrisville, and Derrick Patenaude and his wife, Megan, of Morrisville; and by many nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held on July 3 in Derby.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Special Olympics of Vermont, 16 Gregory Drive, Suite 2, South Burlington, Vermont 05403.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Mark A. Sylvester

Mark A. Sylvester, 37, of Newport died suddenly on Monday, June 25, 2012, in Newport.

He was born on March 22, 1975, in Newport, a son of Mary (Hodgdon) Sylvester and the late Irving Sylvester Sr.

Mr. Sylvester enjoyed watching football and also his children playing with his nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his children:  Amber Sylvester of Bethel, Natasha Sylvester of Bethel, Danielle Sylvester of Northfield, Bucky Dennett of Lowell, Louise Dennett of Derby, Brandon Dennett of Newport, and Samuel Pitts of Newport; his mother Mary Sylvester; his brothers and sisters:  Rick Sylvester and his wife, Jeanne, of Texas, Irving Sylvester and his wife, Jessica, of Newport, Keith Sylvester and his wife, Heather, of Coventry, Tammy Simpson and her husband, Joe, of Newport, and Crystal and her husband, Henry Leclerc, of Coventry; his caregivers:  Robert Staples, Timothy Shearer, and Tanis Rich; and by nieces, nephews, many friends, and his soul mate, Martha Sylvester.

Calling hours were held on June 29 in Newport.

Should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the NEKCA Food Shelf, 273 Main Street, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch.com.

Service

Era Lou Barney Chapman

A graveside service for Era Lou Barney Chapman will be held on Monday, July 9, at 2 p.m., at Pleasantview Cemetery in Orleans.

Death notice

 Dale Thomas Crews Sr.

Dale Thomas Crews Sr., 50, of Newport died on Sunday, July 1, 2012, in Newport.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 9 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 37 Lake Road in Newport, with the Reverend Danny Prue officiating.  Friends may call at the funeral home on July 9 from 1 p.m. until the hour of the funeral.

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