Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Florence Gould Cowan, 94, of Holton Home in Brattleboro. Died Aug. 20 of complications from a fall. Husband of the late Harold Gould and the late Thomas Cowan. Mother of Peter Gould and his wife, Molly S. Burke, of Brattleboro, and Margot Wizansky, and her husband, David, of Brookline, Mass. Sister of Perry Ottenberg, and his wife, June, of Philadelphia. Born in Philadelphia, she met her first husband, Harold, at a life-drawing class. They were married in 1937. She left the University of Pennsylvania to support the family while Harold finished law school. In 1955, she took a job as a fashion buyer for the famed Hess Brothers Department Store in Allentown, Pa. As the long-time manager of the haute couture “French Room” at Hess's, Florence traveled to New York, Paris, London, and Rome, meeting the likes of Balenciaga, Nina Ricci, and Christian Dior, to purchase fashions direct from the runways. After Harold's death at 54, she gave up her couture career to marry her second husband, Thomas, a retired ophthamologist and amateur furniture maker extraordinaire. They traveled and lived in Europe and loved their visits to Packer Corners Farm in Guilford. After Tom's death in 2003, she moved to Cathedral Village in Philadelphia, before moving to Brattleboro in 2010 to be near her family. She became a regular at the New England Youth Theatre, and an avid audience member for classical music. She made herself an integral part of the Holton Home community, showing up for all events and every field trip. She soon became known for her unfailing generosity and her constant, sincere expressions of gratitude and appreciation. She was a lover of art and fashion. Well into her 94th year, she produced paintings and pastels which reflected her perceptive eye and dynamic sense of color. Memorial information: The family is planning an open house at a later date for close friends. Contributions to the Holton Home, 158 Western Ave., Brattleboro VT 05301, and the Brattleboro Farmers' Market, now rebuilding from its recent inundation.
• Barbara F. Cutler, 81, of Vernon. Died Aug. 31 at her home. Sister of Sadie Shippee and her husband, Robert, of Northfield, Mass.; Shirley Cutler of Newfane; Robert Cutler and his wife, Lois, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; and Richard Cutler and his wife, Janice, of Vernon. Born in Ware, Mass., the daughter of the late Leroy and Doris Goldsmith Cutler, she graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1947. She attended the New England School of Theology in Boston, graduating in 1951. She worked early in life for Dunham Brothers in Brattleboro. She was loved by many residents of the Vernon Green Nursing Home in Vernon, where she worked for many years as a nurse's aide. She was a loyal member of the Vernon Advent Christian Church, and was the Youth Group Choir Director for many years. She shared many happy memories with the local teenagers and was well respected by them. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Sept. 3 at the Vernon Advent Christian Church, with burial in West Northfield (Mass.) Cemetery. Donation to the Advent Christian Homes, 13 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354, or the Advent Christian Church, 4554 Fort Bridgman Rd. Vernon, VT 05364. Condolences may be sent to Kidder Funeral Home at kidderfuneralhorne.com.
• Raymond Charles Folsom, 82, of Kennebunkport, Maine, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Aug. 30 at his residence. Husband of the late Sali (Burns) Folsom. Father of Joyce Caouette and her husband, Jules, of Lyman, Maine; and Steven Folsom of Washington, Vt.; Brother of Margeri Hurd of Bellows Falls. He was born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Charles Henry Folsom and Bertha (Smith) Folsom. He grew up in Bellows Falls, graduating from Bellows Falls High School. He continued on to college, graduating from the University of Miami. At the onset of the Korean War, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served aboard submarines. After his discharge from active duty, he was a traveling salesman of scientific products for many years. Following his sales career, he was a lab technician, first at Trull Nursing, followed by the former Webber Hospital, and finally at The Osteopathic Hospital of Maine, from which he retired in 1994. He played piano, clarinet, and was an accomplished jazz trumpeter. He would play at the old Nautilus Hotel in Kennebunk Lower Village. He thoroughly enjoyed crossword puzzles and spending time at his daughter's house on Kennebunk Pond. In earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was predeceased by his wife, in 2001. Survivors include his daughter, J and his two grandchildren, Kaitlin and Justin. Memorial information: No services scheduled. Burial will be in the Maine Veteran's Cemetery in Springvale. Donations to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 225, Arlington, VA 22203.
• Frances Ann Booth Lincoln, 78, of Simi Valley, Calif., formerly of Brattleboro. Died July 28 at her home. Husband of George Douglas Lincoln for nearly 60 years. Mother of Gary Lincoln and his wife, Andrea, of Lihue, Hawaii; Leanne Lundgren, and her husband, Dave, of Moorpark, Calif., and the late Lynda Wilkins. Brother of Richard Booth, and his wife, Cathy, of Simi Valley. She was born at the Mutual Aid facility in Brattleboro, and was raised by her father, Percy Milan Booth Jr., a traveling musician, and her mother, Frances Dunlevy Booth. She graduated in 1951 from Brattleboro High School, where she met her husband. Worked with the Simi Valley School District for six years, then became the food service manager at Thousand Oaks High School for 17 years. She enjoyed her work schedule and loved spending summer and winter holidays at the family condominium in Mammoth Lakes, where she and her husband taught the children to ski. She was a strong, independent, financially savvy woman with a kind heart and a way about her that spoke elegance. She was considered a trusted friend and welcomed bridge partner. Her unwavering determination enabled her to fight and triumph over cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and general ill health for many years. Memorial information: Burial took place at Oakwood Memorial Park in Chatsworth, Calif., next to her beloved daughter Lynda.
• Ruby P. Lucier, 91, a resident at Vernon Green Assisted Living. Died Aug. 30 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Robert W. Lucier for 72 years. Mother of Paula Girard and husband, Donald, of Turners Falls, Mass.; Judy Barnes and husband Richard of Hinsdale, N.H.; and Linda Enright and husband, Larry, also of Hinsdale. Predeceased by siblings Robert “Bud” Ebbighausen, Ella Parenchuck, and Evelyn Smith. She was born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Charles and Ruby Streeter Ebbighausen. She was raised in Hinsdale, attending Brattleboro schools. She had been employed as a retail sales associate for many years at the former Michaelman's Store on Main Street in Brattleboro. She was also a devoted homemaker and a member of the Brattleboro Women's Evening Club and Brattleboro Country Club. For 35 years, she and her husband she lived in Pompano Beach, Fla. They moved back to the Brattleboro area in 2007. She enjoyed golf, swimming, knitting, and time shared with her family. Memorial information: There will be no formal funeral services. Donations to a charity of one's choice. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Bertie E. Sprague Sr., 96, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 26 at Thompson House. Husband of Myrtle LaValley Sprague for 69 years. Father of Bertie Jr. and wife, Christine (Flynn), of Brattleboro; Stewart and his wife, Donna (Ebbighausen), of Fuquay-Varina, N.C.; Cheryl Rocheleau and husband, Karl, of St. Albans; and Darlene Leonard and husband Paul of Hinsdale, N.H. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Born in Readsboro to the late Alfred and Bertha Sprague. He was the 12th of 17 children and the last surviving member of his family. When he was 12, the family moved to Brattleboro, where he attended Green Street School and Brattleboro High School, graduating with the class of 1935. As a young man during the Great Depression, he worked at many odd jobs to assist his family. Later, he worked at Hopkins Florist, which became Taylor for Flowers. This relationship continued on a part-time basis after he went to work at American Optical as a glass molder and later a machinist. He retired from American Optical in 1979 but continued to work part time at Taylor for Flowers until the age of 90, having worked for all five owners of that business. He was best known for his handmade Christmas wreaths, roping, and table decorations, and continued to make these items for family and friends and the St. Michael's Christmas Bazaar for many more years. He was also well known for his beautiful flower and vegetable gardens at the corner of South Main Street and Oak Grove Avenue. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America for more than 60 years as a scout, scoutmaster, and district commissioner. He was honored by the Boy Scouts of America on many occasions. Served as a District 2 Town Meeting Representative for over 25 years, and also served on the Community Chest. He was especially active at St. Michael's Church and School, where he was a Parish Council Member and Bingo volunteer. He was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus and strongly supported their numerous activities and charities. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 31 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial at St. Michael's Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, Principal. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard Merrill Sprague, 101, formerly of St. Johnsbury. Died Aug. 27 at the Fairmount Health Center at Breckenridge Village in Willoughby, Ohio. Husband of Anna Marjorie Ausen for 69 years. Father of Charles Sprague and his wife, Rosanna, of Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Predeceased by his siblings Arthur, William and Margaret. Graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, Tabor Academy, Bowdoin College and Trinity College. Was a cherished teacher and coach for 40 years to high school students from Albany, N.Y., to Bellows Falls, finally ending his teaching career after 20 years at Brattleboro Union High School. He was selected as Grand Marshall of the annual Brattleboro High School Alumni Parade in 2002. He was a kind and gentle man who was a hero to so many, and whose trademark was an ever-present smile and quick wit. He loved discussing history and politics and had many special “sayings” that his students, now in their 70s and 80s, still easily recall from days in his classroom. He was able to recall many of his past students just as easily. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service at a later date in St. Johnsbury. Donations to the BUHS Scholarship Fund, ATTN: Bill Holiday, 131 Fairground Rd., Brattleboro VT 05301.
• Beverly M. Wood, 80, of Dummerston. Died Aug. 27 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late Harold A. Wood for 59 years. Mother of Harold, Jr., Robert, Donald, and Bernard Wood, Ann Knapp, Shirley Renaud, and Leslie Wood. Brother of John Cote of Ashuelot, N.H. Also survived by 14 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Born in Hinsdale, N.H., the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth (St. John) Cote, she was raised and educated in Hinsdale and had attended Hinsdale High School. She had been employed at the Holstein-Friesian Association in Brattleboro, retiring after many faithful years with the company. Previously, she graded apples for Dwight Miller Orchards in Dummerston. She was also a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family and she especially enjoyed family gatherings. She enjoyed Bingo, working in her flower gardens, knitting, crocheting and, most recently, time spent at the Gathering Place. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 1 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery where she was laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to the Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.