Obituaries
• John L. Amidon, 79, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 30 at his home following a brief illness. Husband of Joy (Westover) Amidon for 56 years. Father of Mark Amidon and his wife, Tamar, of Littleton, Mass., and Brad Amidon and his wife, Michelle Markus, of Arlington, Mass. Brother of the late Coralyn James. Born in Morgantown, W.Va., the son of the late Lee L. and Ruth (Braden) Amidon, he was raised in Brookings, S.D. He graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings, where he received a B.S. in mechanical engineering, and later earned his M.S. from the University of Vermont in 1974. He worked in a variety of design engineering and engineering management positions during his 38 years with General Electric. He held membership in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and locally was a member of Friends of Music at Guilford, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, and the Estey Organ Museum. He and his wife are members of Guilford Community Church. He played French horn and trumpet, performed as a tenor soloist, and sang in choruses locally, nationally, and internationally. He and his wife enjoyed traveling, visiting far off places including Europe, Australia, Alaska and Hawaii, and driving their VW camper van through all 48 contiguous states. Memorial information: A memorial service in celebration of his life will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 17, at 11 a.m., at Guilford Community Church. A lunch reception will follow the services at the church. Donations to Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Drive, Guilford, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert Joseph “Bob” Cotè, 79, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 30 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following complications associated with his battle with cancer. Husband of Lorraine Houk for 25 years. Former husband of Freda St. Pier. Father of Joseph A. Cotè and his wife, Vickey Derouchia Cotè, of Raymondville, N.Y.; Kathleen Allison Cotè and his wife, Anne Allison Cotè, of Knoxville, Tenn.; Michelle Cotè and her lifelong partner, Regina Bessette of Canton, N.Y.; and Elizabeth Dihrberg and her partner, J.R. Murdock, of West Parishville, N.Y. Brother of Rosanne Barstow of Massena, N.Y., and the late , John Cotè. Also survived by four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Born in Tupper Lake, N.Y., the son of Benoit and Florence (Pharo) Cotè, he grew up and was educated in the Catholic orphanage in Ogdensburg, N.Y. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and served from 1954 until his honorable discharge in 1958. He later served in the Merchant Marines. He held many jobs over his lifetime, including transporting handicapped children to school, running a taxi business, being a sales associate in a men's clothing store and, later in life, working as a chef. He retired from Omega Optical in Brattleboro. He enjoyed fishing and antiquing. Bob also enjoyed time shared with his wife, Lorraine, as well as with his family and friends. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Dec. 3 at VFW Post 1034 in Brattleboro, Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Grace M. Decker, 86, of Walpole, N.H. Died Nov. 28. Mother of Sharon Bruno and her husband, David, of Stratham, N.H. Sister of the late William Mitchell, Frances Mitchell, Isabelle Aldrich, and Marguerite “Mitch” Banks. Also survived by several nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews. Born in Walpole, the daughter of the late Frank and Maggie (Robertson) Mitchell, she attended school in Walpole and worked at Hick's Machine, the Keene Clinic, and spent 25 years working at the State Liquor Store in Walpole. She was a member of the Walpole Senior Citizens and former member of the Walpole Unitarian Church. She was a lifelong resident of Walpole and enjoyed her work at the liquor store and her senior trips. She enjoyed watching the Highland Games and visited Scotland, England, Germany, and traveled the Eastern Seaboard. She also traveled to San Diego with her daughter and son-in-law. Memorial information: Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Donations to the San Diego Zoo, Development Department, P.O. Box 120551, San Diego, CA 92112-0551 (www.sandiegozoo.org) or to the NHSPCA, P.O. Box 196, Stratham, NH 03885 (www.nhspca.org). Arrangements are being handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Helen Scherlin Dickinson, 95, of Hampden, Mass., formerly of Vernon. Died Nov. 27. Born and raised in Vernon, she was the last of her generation, being predeceased by her sister, Marguerite, and her brothers, George and Walfred, as well as her husband, Leonard Dickinson, whom she had married in the Anchorage Territory of Alaska in 1954. She leaves behind a son, Russel Kemp and daughter-in-law, Barbara, two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren as well as 19 nieces and nephews. She taught elementary school around New England for 39 years, retiring from the Hampden Public Schools in 1981. Helen was a member of the Hampden Federated Church and was an active member of the Historical Society and the Friends of the Seniors. She enjoyed travel, reading, gardening and berry picking, and was a legendary asset to many local bake sales for decades. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Hampden Federated Church at a later date. Burial will be held privately.
• Rita Delia Dowd, 89, of Burlington. Died on Nov. 29. Wife of the late Paul Dowd for 64 years. Mother of Pamela Dowd Drolet and her husband, David, of Palm Coast, Fla.; Paula Dowd Coletti and her husband, Larry, of Palm Coast, Fla.; Ernest Paul Dowd and his wife, Katherine, of Brattleboro; Linda Dowd Lambert of Amherst, Mass.; Ellen Dowd Sweet and her husband, Leigh, of South Burlington; Celeste Dowd O'Malley of Brattleboro; and Susan Dowd Ellingwood (Mark) of Hancock, N.H. Also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. Predeceased by granddaughter Molly McNeil Dowd. Born in Easthampton, Mass., the daughter of the late Pamela Facteau Meyer, she graduated from Malden High School with the Class of 1944. She met her future husband while roller skating, and they were married in 1950. The Dowds started their life in Woburn, Mass., and moved to Bennington in 1965 to raise their seven children. In 1993, the Dowds retired to Burlington, to make a home with their daughter, Ellen, and her family. She had her own hairdressing shop when her children were young. Later, she worked as a department manager for W.T. Grant and Greenberg's Hardware Store. Patrons sought her out for her knowledge and friendly help. A loving mother and grandmother, she was also an avid bird lover and enjoyed working in her vegetable and flower gardens. She enjoyed cooking, baking, sewing, and knitting. She was a reserved, no-nonsense kind of woman whose soft heart was most visible in the company of babies, children, cats, and songbirds. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 4 at St. Patrick Church in Jaffrey, N.H. Donations to Kids In Coats (formerly the Reformer Christmas Stocking) in care of United Way of Windham County at www.unitedwaywindham.org.
• Diane Nardino Fredrickson, 62, of Brattleboro. Died at her home after a long battle with cancer. Wife of Arthur Fredrickson. Mother of Shane Franklin and his wife, Kim, and Shannon Davidson and her husband, Dan. Sister of Anthony and his wife, Carol; William Jr. and his wife, Betty; and Denise and her husband, Chris Campbell. Also survived by three grandchildren as well as her in-laws, uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by her parents Anita Jenna Harris and William Nardino Sr., and her sister, Andra. She had a love for wildlife, especially birds. Memorial information: A service of prayer and reflection was held Dec. 5 at the Canal House Highrise in Bellows Falls. Donations can be made to your local Hospice.
• Olga Gandia of Williamsville died on Nov. 29 beside her husband of 35 years, Clark Todd. In her final days, she was surrounded by loving care-givers and family members in the home she and Clark created. She was a historian, social activist, teacher, epicurean, surrogate parent, voracious reader, profound listener, and life artist. Many will miss her and remember her for her compassionate, unending sense of humor and healing presence. Memorial information: No services are immediately planned. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05346.
• Sybil Space Gibson, 92, of Sunriver, Ore. Died Nov. 22. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late Mildred Knowlton and Victor Applegate Space, she grew up in the New Jersey community of Glen Rock, graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1940. She enrolled at the New Jersey College for Women, part of Rutgers University, and ultimately joined the Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in home economics in 1944, she was commissioned as a lieutenant junior grade. One of her more interesting wartime duties was decoding enemy communications, a task that earned her the National Defense Service Medal. While an instructor at the Navy War College in Newport, R.I., she met the love of her life, Navy Commander Robert C. Gibson, whom she married in 1955. At that time, a woman's military career ended when she married. For the next phase of her life, she became a wonderful life partner to Bob and mother to her three children. Navy life moved them to Washington D.C., San Diego, back to Newport, Honolulu (where she caught the “aloha” spirit and Hawaii became her second home), the Philippines, and Virginia Beach and McLean, Va. Mr. Gibson retired as captain in the Navy in 1973, and the family moved to the fledgling resort community of Sunriver, population 67. This is where she shone, helping incubate organizations that are now integral for making Sunriver the vibrant community it is. She was a founding member of the Sunriver Music Festival and served as its president three years. Her Christian faith being paramount, she helped start not one but two churches - in the 1970s, the Sunriver Community Church (now the Community Bible Fellowship) and the Sunriver Christian Fellowship. She served in leadership positions in both, and enjoying singing soprano in the choir. Sunriver was her beloved home and she watched the small isolated community become a world class resort. She is survived by her children, John Gibson and his wife, Gail of Sunriver; Craig Gibson and his wife, Sarah, of Portland, Ore.; and daughter Catherine of Clinton Township, N.J.; and two brothers, David of Blaine, Minn. and Stephen of East Dummerston. She was predeceased by her husband, and sister Pamela. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service will be held Dec. 21, at 11 a.m., at Pilot Butte Cemetery. Donations to the Sunriver Music Festival and the Sunriver Christian Fellowship.
• Andrew N. Lemnah, 37, of Westmoreland, N.H. Died Nov. 27. Husband of Melissa (Price) Lemnah for 18 years. Father of Alyson and Kaitlyn Lemnah. Sister of Katie Gauthier of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Bruce and Michele (Gauthier) Lemnah, he grew up in West Chesterfield, N.H., and was a 1996 graduate of Keene High School. Following graduation, he fulfilled his dream, enlisting in the Marine Corps and serving for four years, and marrying his high school sweetheart. He was an avid hunter and had a passion for nature. He studied martial arts, earning a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 2013. He was a devoted friend to many and a great man to more. Memorial information: A gathering was held Dec. 4 at the Westmoreland Town Hall, with a remembrance service and military honors. To honor his memory, the Andrew Lemnah Memorial Fund has been set up to support Rouleau's Tae Kwon Do. Checks made payable to the fund may be sent to Savings Bank of Walpole, P.O. Box 744, Keene NH 03431.
• Allan O. Randall, 90, of Saxtons River. Died Dec. 1, 2015. Born in Saxtons River, the son of the late Allan G. and Mable D. (Pitkin) Randall, he was a lifelong resident. He was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School and Coyne Electrical School. He served in the Army during World War II. Both a master plumber and master electrician, he worked for American Optical Company in Brattleboro, for Richard Stevens wiring three-phase motors, Bellows Falls Union High School, and Moore & Company. He also served as a volunteer at the Saxtons River Fire Department and was an avid ham radio operator with call letters WIZJL. He is survived by his siblings Shirley R. Kelton, William Randall, and M. Drusilla Kuschka; his special niece and friend, Leslie Wells; and several other nieces and nephews and their children to whom he was affectionately known as Uncle Buddy. A funeral service was Dec. 5 at the Church on the Hill in Acworth, N.H., with burial in the Acworth Cemetery. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Timothy Michael Relihan, 52, of Stowe. Died Nov. 29 at his home after a long battle with cancer. Husband of Gail (Miele) Relihan. Sister of Alicia Roberts of Walpole, N.H., and Heather Nicholson of Lebanon, N.H. Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of Catherine (Konesko) and the late Maurice Relihan, he graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1981 and Johnson and Wales University Culinary Arts in Providence, R.I. He worked with a passion in the restaurant industry as a general manager and chef in the Boston and Cincinnati, Ohio, areas, as well as back in his home state. Memorial information: He will be brought back to Cincinnati, where he lived for 17 years.
• Marjorie Ann (Farrands) Crowell-Murphy, 89, of Middletown, Conn. Died Nov. 27. Wife of the late Richard J. Crowell and Joseph Murphy. Mother of Loreen Miller and her husband, George, of Cromwell, Conn., and the late James Richard Crowell and Lynn E. Barnes. Sister of Maureen Romano. Born in Rockville, Conn., the daughter of the late Richard H. and Margaret A. (Tobin) Farrands, she was an avid singer. She sang with the minstrels at St. Francis and St. Sebastian churches in the 1940s. In the early 1970s, she was heavily involved with the Cromwell Grenadiers Fife and Drum Corps. Prior to her retirement, she was a banker with Hartford National Bank in Middletown, and First Vermont Bank in Brattleboro. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary, and an Auxiliary Past-President for the American Legion Southern District of Vermont. She also sang the National Anthem at numerous American Legion baseball games in Vermont and was a member of the Middletuners Choir of Middletown. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 3 at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Middletown, with burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in Middletown. Donations to American Legion Post 75 Baseball Program, 58 Bernie O'Rourke Drive, Middletown, CT 06457, and/or to CATALES, Inc., P.O. Box 901, Middletown, CT 06457.
• Betty Wolf, 88, of Wilmington, Died Nov. 26 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Born in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of the late Ralph and Thelma (Gardner) Davidson, she attended the Cook County School of Nursing in Chicago, where she met her future husband, Mickey Wolf. Together, they moved to Wilmington in 1950 to start practicing medicine and later established the Deerfield Valley Health Center, dedicated in 1963. She worked alongside her husband both in Wilmington and at Mount Snow, where they started an office in 1955, the year the mountain opened. Over the 65 years that she lived in Wilmington, she grew to personify the Yankee spirit of independence and determination. She was proud to live in Vermont, and enjoyed all the beauty it has to offer. Several noted figures crossed paths with the Wolfs during their tenure as medical providers (their practice encompassed about a 50-mile radius). That care included quite a wide range of characters - including U.S. Sen. George Aiken in Putney, conductors Pablo Casals and Rudolf Serkin in Marlboro, and author Robert Penn Warren, who always preferred house calls to an office visit. Since her husband had delivered most of the babies for 30 years, she knew most everyone in town and then some. A strong advocate for education, she served on the Wilmington School Board for many years. She was instrumental in the construction of the Deerfield Valley Elementary School. After she retired from nursing, she served as a trustee at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center for 18 years. She was a visionary, who foresaw the need to provide care for seniors. Betty will be remembered for her dedication to rural medicine, her willingness to help others and her smiling face. She was always thankful that she lived in Wilmington and spent the entire time living on Whitney Lane. After selling the family house at the end of the street, she moved into a great apartment at the other end. She loved her garden there and being able to watch nature from her window. The occasional sightings of bear were not welcome, but deer, blue jays, cardinals, and hummingbirds were favorites. She was predeceased by her husband in 1983, and her daughter Susan, who died of cancer in 2008. She is survived by her children, Michael Wolf of Nashua, N.H., Dr. Holly J. Wolf of Denver, Judy Wolf of North Ferrisburgh, and Lisa G. Wolf of Plant City, Fla. Memorial information: At the request of the family, there will be no formal funeral services. Contributions can be made to the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.