Obituaries
• Glenn B. “Chick” Chickering, 82, of Spofford, N.H.. Died Dec. 1. Husband of Stella Chickering for more than 50 years. Father of Frances M. Chickering and her husband, Peter Dobroski, of Dover, N.H.; Cheryl A. Brigham and her husband, Ronald, of Hampton, N.H.; Glenda G. Stoddard and her husband, David, of Ludlow, Mass.; and the late John “Jack” Chickering. Sister of Joyce Jernberg. The baby boy of the late Agnes (Balfour) and Clifford “Crib” Chickering, he was born at home on the family farm in West Chesterfield, N.H. Blessed with a nearly photographic memory, he could tell you every minute detail of his life from that moment on. In 1950, he graduated from Brattleboro High School as Senior Class President. He remained active with the alumni association and participated in parades (showing off his car, of course) and class reunions. He enlisted in the Navy and served as a submarine radioman on the U.S.S. Cobia. He then worked for New England Telephone for 33 years before retiring in 1988. He was a cable splicer and later became the a real estate and property manager for the company. He never met a stranger, for he could quickly uncover a connection that turned a new acquaintance into an instant friend. Always a storyteller, he did not smoke or drink, occasionally bought a lottery ticket, and loved the simple things - four cords of wood perfectly stacked (his way!), a shiny new (or new to him) car, a well-mowed lawn. Quick witted and self-deprecating, he enjoyed making people laugh. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in the spring at a time to be announced. If “Chick” touched your life in any way, the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness in his honor. If you owed him money or borrowed a tool that you did not return, do two random acts of kindness. Donations to the Spofford Fire Department, P.O. Box 138, Spofford, NH 03462; American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Joan's Pantry, in care of Audrey Ericson, 557 Route 63, Chesterfield, NH 03443.
• Marilyn E. Crawford, 73, of Rockingham. Died Dec. 10 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a battle with leukemia and COPD. Wife of the late Francis E. Crawford. Mother of Cindy Allison of Gulfport, Miss., Randy Crawford and his wife, Kathy, of Bellows Falls, Eric Crawford and his wife, Lori of Westminster, and Travis Crawford and his wife, Clara, of Chester. Sister of Joan Niles and husband, Colby. of DeFuniak Springs, Fla. Born in Rutland, the daughter of Gerald and Mary (Archer) Raymond, she attended schools in Fair Haven and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. She worked at McGirr's Nursing Home for many years and was active in the Ladies Aid at the First Baptist Church in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 13 at the First Baptist Church in Bellows Falls. Burial will take place in the spring at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. Donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, 9 Church St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Sheila Friedli, 85, of Windham. Died Dec. 4 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Wife of Ernest Friedli for 62 years. Mother of Kipp and his wife, Helen, of Wilmette, Ill., and Brett and his wife, Laurie, of Staatsburg, N.Y. Sister of the late Alfred Bell. Born in New York City, the daughter of the late Alfred and Catherine Bell, she attended school in New York City at the Friends of New York City High School and, later, Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pa. Having initially met as childhood friends, the Friedlis' love for travel and adventure took them to the far reaches of the globe, including living in Japan during the 1970s. Through the years, she gave of herself as a volunteer to many organizations serving underprivileged children, including the Head Start program. She was a very active member of the Windham Congregational Church, the Windham Community Organization, and served as auditor for the town of Windham. She lived by the mantra, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” She was an excellent cook and baker and loved cooking and baking for others. She enjoyed gardening, and flowers (especially nasturtiums), skiing, and playing tennis. After her sons went off to college, she worked for the Ethan Allen Furniture company in office administration. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 13 at the Windham Congregational Church. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353, or to the Alzheimer's Association National Office, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.
• Thomas Paul “Tom” Frizzell, 70, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 4 at his home. Husband of Carole (Dascomb) Frizzell for 28 years. Father of Jeffrey and Tatiana Frizzell, both of Brattleboro. Stepfather of Michael Hurd of Brattleboro. Brother of Stuart Frizzell of Bedford, N.H., and Inder “Pauline” Khalsa and Martha Doyle, both of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Paul and Stephanie (Juscen) Frizzell, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962. He later attended Northampton (Mass.) Commercial College from 1962-1964 and Plymouth State College from 1964 to 1967, where he earned a B.S. in Education. He later received his CPA certification and taught business courses at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington for two years. He then enlisted in the Army during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in Thailand. Upon returning home following his honorable discharge from active service in March 1975, he worked as an IRS agent for the Treasury Department for 41 years. While with the IRS, he worked out of the Montpelier, Rutland and Brattleboro offices. A devout Catholic, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. He was also a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. A devoted family man, he enjoyed following his children's academic and sports endeavors as well as time shared with his family. For many years, he served as a Boy Scout leader for Troop 405 and Pack 433 in Brattleboro. A quiet, unassuming man, he was known for his spirit of friendship. He also loved his beloved Golden Retrievers. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 12 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites with full military honors in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Stuart W. Hunt Sr., 87, of Guilford. Died Dec. 9 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of Barbara (Malcolm) Hunt for 61 years. Father of Stuart Hunt II and his fiance, Jill, of Dummerston, Douglas and his wife, Cathy, of Guilford, Thomas and his wife, Emmie, of Manchester, N.H., and Jane (Hunt) DeCosmo and husband, Bill, of Brattleboro. Brother of Glenice Ingalls of Westfield, Mass., and the late Norman E. Hunt. Born at home on Myrtle Street in Brattleboro, the son of the late Dewey W. and Ione (Pearson) Hunt, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro High School (BHS), Class of 1945. While at BHS, he excelled in athletics and was the recipient of the Stolte Memorial Cup honoring the best all-around athlete. He later enlisted in the Air Force, and attended Arnold College in Bridgeport, Conn, graduating in 1952 with a B.A. in Education. From 1952 to 1959, he was employed as a physical education teacher and coach at Brattleboro Union High School. He was a line coach, serving under then-head football coach Andy Natowich, and was the freshman basketball coach. In addition to coaching, he was instrumental in starting the Auto Mechanics Training Program at the Vocational Center at the high school and was one of the founders of the Brattleboro Little League program. For 38 years, he was an agent for Nationwide Insurance and a licensed real estate broker. He retired in 1982. He was a resident of Guilford for 59 years. Over the years, he was very active in town and state government serving as a Selectboard member, a trustee of the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department, trustee of the Guilford Fair Association, Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Board of Civil Authority. From 1975 to 1984, and again from 1989-1990, he served in the Vermont House of Representatives. He also served as a Windham County Senator and as legislative liasion under Gov. Richard Snelling. Throughout his life, he loved animals including his teams of work horses but most especially his many German Shepards. He shared his love of the outdoors and fishing and hunting with his three sons and enjoyed many good times with family and friends at his hunting camp in Jamaica. Of his many hobbies, he loved and appreciated collecting and rebuilding antique cars. He was a voracious reader, always having many good books going at once. He loved books on U.S. history and politics, especially the Civil War and World War II eras. He was extremely proud of being a native Vermonter and an old-time Conservative Republican and considered it an honor to have represented his constituency over the years. He was a 68-year member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro and a lifetime member of the Brattleboro Elks #1499. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 15 at American Legion Post 5. Donations to the Andy Natowich Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of Kathy Rouleau, BUHS, 131 Fairground Rd,, Brattleboro, VT 05301, the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department, in care of Jared Bristol, 223 Lowry Rd., Guilford, VT 05301, or Brattleboro Little League, in care of David Cyr, American Legion Post 5, Linden St. Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Marc Fenton Loso, 55, of Bellows Falls, formerly of Burlington, Vt., and Manchester, Conn. Died Dec. 6. Husband of Kelly Grady. Father of Eric Loso of Burlington, and Alysia, Chelsea, and Rachel Loso of Manchester, Conn. Sister of Dona Loso, of South Hero and Karen Redmond of Essex Junction. Stepson of the late Bette Loso. Born in Hartford, Conn., son of Wendall Loso and the late Betty J. Loso, he graduated from Manchester High School. He had a great sense of humor and a raspy, happy laugh. He was a master tradesman and worked as a machinist for many proud years, but his heart was in construction. He loved to renovate homes, build homes, and worked up to the day he died. He loved to fish, and was always willing to help out a friend. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, at the Unitarian Church at the top of Church Street in Burlington at 1 p.m. Condolences can be shared with the family and friends at www.awrfh.com. Donations can be made to Maple Leaf Farm at www.mapleleaf.org/make-donation.
• Norman Steven Lott, 60, of Townshend. Died Nov. 18 at the home he loved along with his son, Jamis. Former husband of Susan Lott of Newfane. Father of Kailen and Brenton Lott of Townshend. Brother of Randi Lott of Solola, Guatemala, Junellen Lott of Montague, Prince Edward Island, and the late Howard Lott. Born in Montclair, N.J., the son of Norman and Junellen Lott, he spent all his summer vacations at his grandparent's farm on what is now Lost Mile Road near Sunset Lake in Newfane. He and his family moved to Vermont in 1969 and he graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School. An accomplished woodworker, he and Susan ran the family business, Townshend Furniture, for over 20 years. A great lover of adventure, he was up for most anything, sailing from Maine to the Florida Keys with his son Kailen and family friends, pressing cider, and fishing with his boys in the Keys. As a pilot, he loved flying through the West River Valley. He had an extensive garden, starting his seedlings in the late winter and canning hundreds of jars of various vegetables, including the best pickles in Vermont. He was a fantastic cook and especially loved making meals with his sons, and relished spending time with them, his friends and family. Steve was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons in Townshend, Blazing Star Lodge #23. He will be missed driving around in his World War II Army Jeep.
• Jamis Joseph Lott, 28, formerly of Townshend. Died Nov. 18, along with his father, Steven, at his father's home in Townshend. Born at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, he attended Townshend schools, graduating from Leland & Gray Union High School and Castelton State College, where he majored in Fine Art and minored in Writing and Philosophy. He was planning on pursuing an MFA at Champlain College. An accomplished artist, he thought that any sort of act can be an act of art: the way we treat our bodies, how we have an argument, the way we wait for a bus, the style of reaction we apply to situations when people ask us personal questions, and all other expressions of ourselves. He made his art accessible, from puppeteering in Tennessee, Vermont, and Prague, to his hand-painted shirts; art shows, murals, cartoons, album covers and masks; to kind gestures and sincere words. He was a great lover of life and the world around him. Whether traveling to India, winter backpacking or splitting firewood, he was a mindful soul, humble, helpful and courteous and genuine in his care for others. He was a fantastic comic, with a quiet, wry yet vibrant sense of humor who attended countless comedy and music shows and festivals with his brothers and their steady entourage of family and friends. He is survived by his mother, Susan Lott of Newfane, brothers Kailen Lott and Brenton Lott of Townshend, his grandparents Norman and Junellen Lott of Marathon, Fla., and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces and many friends including his life-long art mentor, Margaret Stearns. Memorial information: A celebration of Steve and Jamis's lives and religious services have already been held. The family requests that donations be made to River Valley Art School in Brattleboro and OnTheGround Music Performances, “The Barn,” 2710 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353.
• Patricia Ann “Pat” McAllister, 73, of Brattleboro, formerly of Vernon. Died Dec. 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late Everett McAllister for 50 years. Mother of Michael McAllister and his wife, Susan; Jeffrey McAllister and his wife, Lori; and Angela McAllister, all of Brattleboro, and Vicki Washburn and her husband, Craig, of Putney. Sister of Leon Paquette of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and Sandra Shover of Myrtle Beach, S.C. Predeceased by four sisters and four brothers. Born in Enosburg Falls, the daughter of the late Leon and Dorothy (Young) Paquette, she was raised and educated in Enosburg Falls. She had been employed at Amp Keyboards and Chromerics Inc. working as a product inspector retiring in the early 1980's. Following her retirement, she worked part-time operating her own daycare center in Vernon. She was an avid Bingo player and a huge New England Patriots fan. She enjoyed going out to breakfast (her favorite meal time) and loved time shared with her family. Memorial information: A memorial gathering was held Dec. 14 at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge. Burial in North Cemetery in Vernon will take place in the springtime. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• John R. Penfield, 72, of North Fort Myers, Fla. and Brattleboro. Died Dec. 3, in North Fort Myers, Fla. Wife of Mary Jane (Murdock) Penfield. Father of Stacey Reed and husband, David, of Shaker Heights, Ohio, and Jennifer Penfield, of Melbourne, Fla. Stepfather of Colby Hescock of Brattleboro. Brother of Robert Penfield of Buffalo, N.Y. Born in Corinth, N.Y., the son of Allen and Georgena (Williams) Penfield, he graduated from Ballston Spa (N.Y.) High School in 1960. He served in the Navy from 1960 to 1963 on destroyers USS English and USS Strong, in and around the Cuban Missile Crisis. After leaving the Navy in 1963, he went on to work for Firestone Tire Company as a clerk and rose to District Manager in 1970, supervising 18 Firestone company-owned stores before moving to Brattleboro in 1976 and becoming co-owner and then owner of Brattleboro Tire Service (at one time with locations in Vermont, Massachusetts, and New York). He was a Board Member and past President of the Brattleboro Country Club. He was a Charter Member and founding President of Brattleboro Sunrise Rotary Club and he was honored by Rotary International as a Paul Harris Fellow in 1995-2005. He will be remembered for his quick wit, generosity to his friends and family, and for his commitment to helping those in need in his community. He enjoyed playing golf, bocce, and socializing with friends. He also enjoyed spending time with his family, especially sunset cocktail hours after a full day of boating at summer camp with his wife, children and grandchildren on Lake Champlain. He was a longtime pet lover and his two “boys,” Tonto and Cooper, will miss him. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or Morningside Shelter, P.O. Box 370, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Joyce A. “Jody” Tenney, 72, of Athens. Died Dec. 6. Mother of Bruce Tenney Jr. of Athens and Joyce Walker of Westminster. Sister of Leon Bushway of Alabama, Ida Morris of Sullivan, N.H., and Dolores Haberstroh of Keene, N.H. Born in Keene, N.H., the daughter of Albert and Florence (Webster) Bushway, she attended schools in Keene and Walpole, N.H., and worked as an LNA at Maplewood Nursing Home for 23 years, retiring seven years ago. She was devoted to her family. She found her joy in life through large gatherings with her family and especially her two sisters and brothers-in-law. In later years, her joy came in her first great-granddaughter (Lexi Gibbs) whom she was very close to and loved dearly. She loved to learn new things, and attended community college in pursuit of a counseling degree. She loved to take drives to the ocean. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 13 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.