Obituaries

Obituaries May 13, 2015

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Fernand Denis Joseph Alix

Fernand Denis Joseph Alix, 73, of Glencliff, New Hampshire, formerly of Newport, died suddenly of cardiac arrest at the Glencliff Home for the Elderly on May 3, 2015, on Sunday evening, where he was residing.

His daughter Sherry lived near him in Bethlehem, New Hampshire.

He was born on October 24, 1941, in Newport Center, to Antonio and Rose Marie (Cardin) Alix.

He was employed by Kraft Foods in Troy for many years.

He enjoyed fishing, listening to music, walking, and hearing about his grandchildren and loved ones’ lives.

He is survived by his children: Jody Alix of Morgan, and Sherry Alix of Bethlehem; his grandchildren: Kortney Alix of New Britain, Connecticut, and Zachary Alix of Morgan; his siblings: Laurier Alix of Villages of Florida, Pauline Dagesse of Newport, and Gerard Alix of Lady Lake, Florida, and Newport Center; the following nieces and nephews: Gail, Mark, Linda, Todd, Trudy, and Corey; and by his former spouse, Priscilla Platt, of Whitefield, New Hampshire.

He was predeceased by his parents; and by his niece Susan.

A graveside service was held on May 9, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.

Should friends desire, any contributions in his memory may be made to the Glencliff Home for the Elderly, 393 High Street, Glencliff, New Hampshire 03238.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit AustinLois Drew Austin

Lois Drew Austin, 89, of Orleans, died peacefully at home, in the company of her family, on May 6, 2015.

She was born on October 29, 1925, in Ayers Cliff, Quebec, to Blanche and Roland Drew, the oldest of five children.

She enjoyed golfing, playing bridge, knitting, cross-stitch, sewing, and going on cruises. When she was unable to carry on those pastimes she loved watching golf, the Red Sox, the Celtics, the Bruins, and old movies on television. She also loved listening and dancing to big band music and playing cribbage with her husband.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Warren Austin; her son Richard Austin and his wife, Carol, of Delta Junction, Alaska; her son Larry Austin and his wife, Joanie, of Orleans; her daughter Ann Austin of Orleans; her grandchildren: Jenny, Kim, Chesley, Derek, Bob, Kathryn, and Jessica; her six great-grandchildren; and by her sister Marilyn Farr and her husband, Robert, of Leesburg, Florida.

She was predeceased by her siblings: Jacquelyn, Helen, and Robert; and by her grandchildren: James Raftery, Molly Raftery, and Rachel Dunlap.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the Orleans Federated Church on Saturday, May 16.

For those wishing, donations may be made in her honor to the Orleans Ambulance Service; or to the Orleans Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, Inc., 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit DionNorman Francis Dion

Norman Francis Dion, 92, of Irasburg died peacefully on May 8, 2015, in Barton.

He was born in Irasburg on August 25, 1922, son of Frank and Sophronia (LaBounty) Dion.

On November 3, 1941, he married Marion Lacoss, who predeceased him on March 16, 2005.

He was a self-employed dairy farmer for many years, taking the farm over from his father at age 19. He was a foreman in road construction using his own water and dump trucks back when farming years were lean on the pocket book. He also served as postmaster in the Irasburg Post Office for one year. He retired from farming in 1973. Shortly after, he started a used furniture business and Dion’s Barn Sale was born. The barn sale became famous across the New England area and beyond.

Mr. Dion loved working outdoors, gardening, selling vegetables, selling firewood, maple sugaring, and he loved going to auctions throughout New England. He loved being with his large family on picnics, gatherings, and trips. His stories, practical jokes, and generous heart will be missed by family and all who knew him.

He is survived by his children: Ronald Dion and his wife, Martha, of Huntsville, Alabama, Dennis Dion and his wife, Denise, of Sheffield and Ellenton, Florida, Wayne Dion and his wife, Jennie, of Irasburg, Clarice Dion Boutin and her husband, Roland, of Tucson, Arizona, Linda Dion Chagnon and her husband, Pete, of Burlington, Alan Dion and his wife, Catherine, of Albany, David Dion and his wife, Anita, of Irasburg, and Charles Dion of Coventry. He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

He was predeceased by his son Clare of North Concord; and by his sisters: Eleanor Smith, Doris King, and Veda Nichols.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral home located at 4670 Darling Hill Road in Newport. The funeral will be held on Friday, May 15, at 11 a.m. at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Orleans with Father Timothy Naples officiating. Interment will follow in the Irasburg Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, should friends desire, contributions in his memory may be made to the Maple Lane Activity Fund, 60 Maple Lane, Barton, Vermont 05822; or to Care Net Pregnancy Center of Burlington, 56 Colchester Avenue, Burlington, Vermont 05401, or through tab at the top right of the homepage at CareNetBurlington.org.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit DufourGeraldine A. Dufour

Geraldine A. Dufour, 86, of Island Pond died peacefully on April 16, 2015, in Marietta, Georgia.

She was born on August 28, 1928, in Island Pond to Clifton and Sylvia (Cross) Powers.

On May 3, 1950, she married John Dufour, who predeceased her on September 1, 1982.

In 1946, she graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in Island Pond.

She worked at the Community National Bank in Island Pond for over 26 years from 1962 to 1988, when she retired.

She was a life member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post #80, where she was president for one year and treasurer for 33 years. She was also a life member of both the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary #2309 and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary. She was treasurer for the Essex County American Cancer Society for 20 years.

She is survived by her children: Mark and his wife, Kelly Dufour, of Watertown, Massachusetts, Eric Dufour and his partner, Andrew Sawyer, of Asbury Park, New Jersey, Christian and his wife, Marlys Dufour, of Westminster, Colorado, and Susan and her husband, Jonathan Steele, of Kennesaw, Georgia; her grandchildren: Marquelle Dufour of Watertown, Nicholette Davis of Leadville, Colorado, Andrew Dufour of Lawrence, Kansas, Erica Duckwall of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Cameron Steele of Vicenza, Italy, who is a specialist in the Army; her siblings: Marion Deslandes of Island Pond, Clifton Powers of Zephyrhills, Florida, Carol Dodge of Island Pond, and Duane Powers of Island Pond; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister Nathleen Fortin.

Friends may call on Friday, May 22, at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, at 1199 Railroad Street in Island Pond, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., followed by funeral services at 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Island Pond, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond.

Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to American Legion Auxiliary Post #80, Children and Youth Fund, P.O. Box 170, Island Pond, Vermont 05846.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit foleyEdith Jean Foley

Edith Jean (Swanekamp) Foley, 80, died on March 16, 2015, in Gastonia, North Carolina.

She was born on November 15, 1934, in Cranford, New Jersey, to Frederick and Edith (Mainhart) Swanekamp. As a child, “Jeanie” loved to be outdoors and enjoyed summer vacations as well as working in many capacities at Camp Skyland on Lake Champlain, South Hero Island in Vermont. She was a graduate of Cranford High School and then attended Averett College in Danville, Virginia, in 1952, where she studied secretarial sciences. Upon graduation, she worked for a period of time at Federated Inc. in Springfield, New Jersey, where she met John Foley in 1956.

She married Mr. Foley on September 7, 1957. They raised eight children in Scotch Plains, New Jersey.

She was active in the community for several years and was a member of the Junior Women’s Club, Republicans’ Club, and served as the president of the local Little League Association. She also went back to work in a part-time capacity. Then, in 1977, the family moved to Barton, where they owned and operated the Country Corner Store. She worked hard to make the store a success and helped where she could in the local community. In 1979 and 1980, she took a job working for the Northeast Kingdom Community Action in Newport. Later she would accept a job with the state social services of Vermont, where she would embark on a career as a secretary. She would work there until her retirement in 2003. Throughout this time she was a fixture on the Diversion Board for the city of Newport, where she diligently helped many of the youth in the city.

She was an avid gardener and her green thumb transformed many a property. She enjoyed cooking, especially her mother’s recipes from childhood, and was known for her clam dip. She was a voracious reader of mysteries and detective novels, and enjoyed puzzles later in life. Her favorite color was yellow, or gold as we referred to it, and she enjoyed incorporating it into her décor. She had also what we liked to call the “clean Jean” which some of us possess and some don’t. She also was an avid sports fan — she taught most of her children how to play baseball and appreciate all sports. She was very happy that the Patriots won the Super Bowl.

She loved singing, and fondly reminisced about her own mother’s lovely soprano voice.

She was very proud of her German heritage and often had to remind some of her children that we were half German as well!

Our mother was a formidable force when it came to work and family and always led by example, having overcome many adversities in life that affected her health, and other aspects, to which she took pride in overcoming. The very definition of mother was truly written in every sense of the word when describing her. Many called her a saint, queen, friend, colleague, neighbor, and Nana, but we were blessed in having been able to call her our mother.

She leaves behind a large family that will miss her dearly, including her children: Sharon Ader and her husband, Bruce, of Lowell, North Carolina, John J. Foley III of Jeffersonville, Greg Foley of Newport, Jennifer Foley and her husband, Uwe Hartmann, of Nashua, New Hampshire, Maryellen Foley of Jeffersonville, Michael Foley of Penacook, New Hampshire, and Steven Foley and his wife, Jennifer, of South Burlington; a brother, John Bernard Swanekamp, and his wife, Patricia, of Sunset Beach, North Carolina; her sister in-law Yolanda Swanekamp of West Palm Beach, Florida; her sister-in-law Margaret and her husband, Fred Gayder, of Bayville, New Jersey, her brother-in-law Thomas and his wife, Betty Foley, of Apex, North Carolina, her sister-in-law Virginia Giordano of Wrightstown, New Jersey, her brother-in-law Raymond and his wife, Jacklyn Foley, of Spring Lake, New Jersey; and by several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews. There are 21 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by her husband of 50 years, John J. Foley Jr., in 2008; a daughter, Laura Jean Foley, in 2012; and by her brother Frederick Swanekamp in 2001.

There will be a memorial service and celebration of her life on May 17, in Jeffersonville, at the 158 Main Restaurant and Bakery at 4 p.m. Donations may be made in her memory to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Cards of condolence may also be sent to 158 Main Restaurant and Bakery, 158 Main Street, Jeffersonville, Vermont 05464.

obit MorinAgathe J. Morin

Agathe J. Morin, 87, of Holland died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on May 6, 2015, in Burlington.

She was born in Frampton, Quebec, on November 8, 1927, a daughter of Wilfred and Beatrice (Patoine) Audet.

On August 27, 1949, she married Leonard Morin, who predeceased her in 1999. She was also predeceased by her son Normand in 1978.

She enjoyed the family reunions, playing cards and checkers with her family, gardening, and cooking for her children.

She lived for her children: Claude Morin and his fiancée, Johanne, of Holland, Donald Morin and his wife, Bonnie, of Richmond, Gilles Morin of Holland, Richard Morin and his wife, Helen, of Morgan, Yolande Bronson and her husband, Tim, of Derby, Rene Morin of Holland, Marc Morin of Derby, Celine Rathe and her husband, Eddie, of Colchester, Gerald Morin and his wife, Carolyn, of Merrimack, New Hampshire, Andre Morin and John Morin, both of Holland; 19 grandchildren: Whitney, Matthew, Danielle, Justin, Emily, Jennifer, Jonathan, Nathan, Christine, Anita, Jacqueline, and Chase Morin, Tim Bronson II, Tara, Gregory, and Christopher Bronson, and Anne, Ellen, and Benjamin Rathe; two great-grandchildren: Gillion Schutt and Xavier Mayhew; her siblings: Gregoire Audet of Framtpton, Richard Audet of Frampton, Celine Audet and her husband, Edgar, of Frampton, Denis Audet and his wife, Yvette, of Querillion, Quebec, Raynald Audet and Daniel Audet, both of Frampton; and by her sisters-in-law: Simone Menard and Carmen Morin.

She was predeceased by her parents; her sisters: Patricia and Francoise; and by her brother Normand.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Derby Line, where a Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated. Interment will follow in St. Edward’s Cemetery.

Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Ronald Holland Dialysis Center, in care of North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

Online condolences at curtis-britch.com.

obit WoodMarion Alice Wood

Marion Alice Wood, 68, died after failing health on November 29, 2014, in Newport, where she had resided for many years. Previously she resided in Rutland and Montpelier.

She was born on April 8, 1946, in Barton, to the late F. Herbert Wood Jr. and Irene (LaCourse) Wood. She was a twin to her sister, Marilyn.

She was most recently a resident of Newport Health Care for the past few years. Prior to her failing health, she lived independently while being a kind and generous person to many. She endured many challenges in her life but was strong throughout all of them.

She loved to play cards, visit with friends, and watch Western movies.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Marilyn and Douglas Maxwell; her sisters: Marjorie Douglas of McKinney, Texas, and Ruby Cook of Fort Myers, Florida; and by her brother Carl Wood of British Columbia, Canada. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sisters: Elizabeth Wilmot, Ruth Martin, and Dorothy Rundle; and by her brother Alton “Bud” Wood.

A graveside service will be held at Hillside Cemetery in East Charleston on Saturday, May 16, at 12:30 p.m. with Muriel O’Gorman officiating.

Services

Janice Anderson

Committal services for Janice Anderson will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 18, at the Craftsbury Common Cemetery.

Junnie Peck

Committal services for Junnie Peck will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at the Westlook Cemetery in Glover.

Beverly Harbec

Committal services for Beverly Harbec will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Pleasantview Cemetery in Orleans.

Barbara Boutin

Committal services for Barbara Boutin will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, at Derby Center Cemetery.

Maria Buck

Committal services for Maria Buck will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at the Newport Center Cemetery.

Dorothy Prue

Committal services for Dorothy Prue will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.

Hilda Pion

Committal services for Hilda Pion will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

Gertrude Sanville

Committal services for Gertrude Sanville will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 15, at St. Ignatius Cemetery in Lowell.

John Hunter

Committal services for John Hunter will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at West Village Cemetery in West Charleston.

Marcel Therrien

Committal services for Marcel Therrien will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Derby Center Cemetery.

Gilbert Turgeon

Committal services for Gilbert Turgeon will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.

Alice Cook

Committal services for Alice Cook will be held on Friday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at the Irasburg Cemetery.

Mathild “Tillie” Fugere

Committal services for Mathild “Tillie” Fugere will be held on Monday, May 18, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Newport.

Helen Seube

Committal services for Helen Seube will be on Saturday, May 23, at 1 p.m., at Lakeview Cemetery in Westmore. A brief coffee and cake get-together will follow at the Westmore Community Center.

Audrie Wright

Committal services for Audrie Wright will be held on Friday, May 22, at 11 a.m., at the North Monroe, New Hampshire, cemetery on Route 135.

Ms. Wright’s children invite all who knew her and family friends to the service and a potluck to follow, to be held at the home of Leonard and Lanette Wright in Danville. For more information, contact the Wrights at 748-1125, or Amy and Scott Brill at 467-1176.

Death notice 

Gerry Hunt

Gerry Hunt, 62, of Morgan died on May 5, 2015, at Columbia Medical Center in New York City, from pancreatic cancer discovered just two weeks earlier while he was traveling in Spain and Portugal.

Services were held in Morgan on May 11. Full obituary to follow.

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