Obituaries
• Lori C. Amidon, 57, of Brookline. Died March 19 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Wife of Donald A. “Sam” Amidon. Born in Brattleboro Aug. 26, 1958, the daughter of Ronald and Doris (Wagner) Clark. Following her 1976 graduation from Brattleboro Union High School, she joined Hoffman & Clay Insurance Agency. She worked as an assistant supervisor at the Richards Group Insurance for more than 35 years. “Lori had a deep love for animals, especially horses, and was known as one of the finer horse trainers in the Tri-State area. Throughout the years she owned several of her own horses. Additionally, Lori enjoyed camping and time shared with her family. She was a devoted homemaker and excellent cook,” her family writes. Stepmother to Lisa Marie Mussoni (husband Jim) of Montague, Mass. and Spring Marie Amidon (fiancée Kendra Plank) of Omaha, Neb.; a sister, Shelley Sparks (husband Jim) of Brattleboro; one brother, Timothy Clark and wife Susan of Ringwood, NJ; three nephews, and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Preceded in death by stepson Chad Amidon, who died in 2009. Memorial information: Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home, 40 Terrace St, Brattleboro, with Rev. Lise Sparrow, pastor of Guilford Community Church, officiating. Calling hours 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial gathering/reception to be announced. Memorial contributions: Gerda's Animal Aid, Inc., P.O. Box 1352, West Townshend, VT 05359 attn: Gerda Silver. Send condolences via www.atamaniuk.com.
• Rosa Gomez “Rose” Anderson, 92, of Brattleboro. Died March 8 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of the late John A. Anderson for 53 years. Mother of Judith Abascal of Brattleboro, John Michael Anderson of Randolph and Orlando, Fl., and Barbara Chaloux of Hilton Head, S.C. Sister of the late Julian and Louis (Scotty) Gomez. Also survived by six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. A devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was born in Barre, the daughter of the late Julian Olegario and Josefa Abascal Gomez. She attended schools in Barre and graduated from Northfield High School. She got married in 1945 and worked as a teller at the Granite Savings Bank in Barre for 30 years. Because she spoke Spanish and some Italian, many elderly Spanish and Italian widows would come to her with their banking. When she and her husband retired, they became “snowbirds,” spending the fall and winter in Florida and the spring and summer in South Hero. Memorial information: A funeral Mass is planned for June at St. Monica's Church in Barre, followed by interment in Hope Cemetery. Donations to Thompson House Nursing Home, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Ernest C. Carlson, 85, of Brattleboro. Died March 15, following a period of declining health. He was born in Brattleboro, the second of six children born to Walfrid and Elsa (Johnson) Carlson, who lived on Chestnut Street. Walfrid's parents, Anton Karlsson and Kajsa Petterrson, had met in Sweden. They emigrated to the United States in 1898, married, and settled in Brattleboro. Walfrid Carlson was honored several times for his support of Little League baseball and Brattleboro High School's baseball and football teams. When he died, in 1974, he was eulogized in the Brattleboro Reformer by sports columnist Ken Campbell. Ernie Carlson graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1950, where he excelled in sports. He was catcher on the baseball team and center on the football team (once winning an Honorable Mention as a Vermont All-Star), both teams coached by Andy Natowich, for whom the school's football field is now named. In 1948, Ernie and two of his brothers, Bob and John, were all on the BHS baseball team and, at least once, they all played in the same game. At graduation, Ernie received the Stolte Memorial Cup, which honors the best all-around athlete in the class. He served his country in the Marines from 1951-1954, primarily in the Mediterranean. A family photograph taken in 1951 shows three Carlson brothers in uniform – Bob in the Army, John in the Navy and Ernie in the Marines. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home and worked for American Optical in Brattleboro for more than 30 years, grinding and polishing lenses. In 1964, he married Constance (Connie) Savard,of Milton. Generous with his time, Ernie was a tireless supporter of youth and high school sports in Brattleboro. He helped dig Little League dugouts and served for years in Little League baseball. He helped with field maintenance and fundraising and was an umpire and league president. He regularly attended Little League, Babe Ruth, American Legion and high school games of all kinds for many years. In 1985, Ernie received the Al Sowerby Memorial Award. In 1989, Ernie and Andy Natowich collaborated to help raise funds to install lights at the high school's football field. In 1998, he was honored for volunteering for 30 years on the “chain gang,” the officials who move the yard-markers, for every Colonels home football game over that period. The BUHS Board issued a resolution expressing the community's gratitude for his years of service. “Any call for help has never gone unanswered,” the resolution said. He was always willing to help out, whether for sports, neighbors, friends, or to host family functions. Longtime neighbors on Laurel Street recall the many times he cleared snow from their driveways with a snow blower. He enjoyed fall “hunting” with friends, and established his own camp in Westminster. His wife used to tell friends that “the deer are safe.” He was a member of American Legion Post 5, VFW Carl Dessaint Post #1034, B.P.O. Elks Lodge #1499, and the Marine Corps League, Brattleboro Detachment #798. He is survived by Connie, his wife of 52 years; his sister, Dorothy Greenwood, of Boise, Idaho; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers and a sister, Helen DeWitt. Memorial information: A funeral service was held March 19 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro. Burial will be in St. Michael's Cemetery in Brattleboro when the cemetery reopens. Donations to the Brattleboro Little League or the Windham County Humane Society. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Elsie Chapman, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died March 14 at Vernon Green nursing home, where she spent the last seven years of her life struggling with Alzheimer's disease. Born in Woodsville, N.H., daughter of the late Thomas Arthur and Martha Mills, in the early 1930s, her family moved to Bellows Falls and then to Westminster. She attended the public grammar schools and graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1947. She sang in the Congregational Church Choir in Westminster. She married Edward Rathbun of Westminster in 1951. They raised their two sons in Westminster while she worked as an evening operator for New England Telephone. She worked around the farm until 1963, at which time she went to work at Windham College as secretary to Nat Hendricks, Treasurer. She married Philip B. Chapman in 1970 in Elkton, Md., the same year retired from Windham College. During her retirement years, she attended and graduated from Keene Beauty Academy and worked occasionally as a beautician. She and her husband returned to Brattleboro to be closer to their children. One of her pleasures in life was shopping at various malls in Southern New Hampshire and Maine. She enjoyed walking around their summer home and the village of Ogunquit, Maine. While in Maine, she was active in the Kennebunk Unitarian Church. She thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Philip on many business trips, including a trip to Europe. She is survived by her two sons, James Rathbun and his wife, Renee, of Sevierville, Tenn., and Michael Rathbun and his wife, Joyce, of Brattleboro; a brother, Robert Mills and his wife, Cindy, of Dover, N.H., and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by her siblings Francis Mills, Thomas Mills, and Barbara Greenwood. Memorial information: A graveside service was held March 19 at the New Westminster Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc, 541 Canal St., P.O.Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or a charity of your choice.
• Jose Cordero, 64, of Brattleboro, Died March 15, after a period of declining health which was complicated by Muscular Dystrophy and Diabetes. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the eldest son of the late Jose and Antonia Cordero, he attended school in New York City, graduating in 1969 and then studied at City College. He is survived by brothers Raymond, of Waco, Texas, and George of the Bronx, N.Y., as well as an extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and half siblings in New York, Texas, and Florida. He was predeceased by siblings Maria Cordero and David Cordero. He arrived in Brattleboro in 1977 and made his home here ever since, though he remained a stalwart Yankees fan. He had been employed at The Brattleboro Retreat and later, Walker's Restaurant, until no longer able, and for a while volunteered for The AIDS Project of Southern Vermont. A gregarious fellow with the sharpest of wits that could have you holding your sides, he had friends in many circles and was known by many versions of his name – Joseph, Joey, Joe, or Jose. Whatever the moniker used, all knew they were talking to a true friend. He will be especially missed by his dear friends and caregivers Raam Keith Smith, Kate Therieau, and Darryl Warwick. Many more will remember Jose for his generosity and thoughtfulness, always there to lend a hand. Although he never had children of his own, he helped his mother raise his nephews after his sister's death and has been an important person in many young lives. Children absolutely adored him, and there always seemed to be at least one in his life enjoying his special spark, not to mention several adolescents who have looked to him for mentorship over the years. Jose's home was his castle which he adorned with plants, art, and curios. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro has assisted, although there will be no calling hours. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, March 31, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at The Marina Restaurant on Putney Road. Bring your stories, pictures, and what-have-yous.
• Gary L. French, 59, of Westminster, Died March 16. He was the son of Robert and Luella (McQuaide) French. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: There will be a memorial service on Saturday, April 2, at 5 p.m., at the Community Christian Church in Athens.
• Alonzo Weston Neff Sr., 81, of Keene, N.H. Died March 4 at his home, following a period of declining health. Husband of the late Lorraine May (Dompier) Neff for more than 58 years. Father of Carleen Ashley and her husband, Chuck, of Waterbury; Alonzo W. Neff Jr. and his wife, Carol, of Chester; Cheryl Sellner and her husband, Kent, of Niskayuna, N.Y.; Laurie Neff of Keene; Lisa Harmon and her husband, William Sr., of Saxtons River, Linnea Davis of Swanzey, N.H.; Mary Schemm and her husband, Robert, of Whitehall, Md.; and the late Catherine Neff. Brother of Patricia Bosclair and her husband Norman of Tennessee, Margie Fogarty of Georgia, Edna O'Connell of Florida, and the late Leon G. Neff Jr. and Robert E. Neff Sr. Also survived by 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Born in Thetford, the son of the late Leon G. and Carlie M. (Bean) Neff, he served for four years in the Navy aboard the USS Pocono, an ice breaker, up in the North Pole that kept the travel and shipping lanes opened during the Korean War. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Vermont. He worked for Tip Top Baking Co. and, later, for J.J. Nissen Baking Co. as a regional salesman, He was a member of American Legion, Post 37 in Bellows Falls. He enjoyed refinishing furniture and working in his gardens. He and his wife enjoyed their time together going on long rides and exploring new areas around the region. They were a fixture at every game his children participated in during their school years, and they were seen at many of their grandchildren's games. He was one of the founders of the Saxtons River Little League. He loved to volunteer at the Saxtons River Historical Society, and St. Edmunds and St. Charles Catholic churches as well as in Bradenton, Fla., at Spring Training for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 16 at St. Bernard's Church in Keene, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to the Saxtons River Historical Society, P.O. Box 18, Saxtons River, VT 05154, or to the St. Bernard Church Restoration Fund, 161 Main St., Keene, NH 03431. Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Keene was in charge of arrangements.
• Antonio Parada, 92, of Vernon. Died March 15 at his home. Husband of Ana (Rodriguez) Parada for 66 years. Father of Ana Rawson of Vernon and the late Antonio Parada Jr., who died in childhood. Predecased by three brothers and two sisters. Also survived by two grandchildren, two great grandchildren, Antonio Thomas Gannon Parada and Julio Gannon-Parada, and many nieces and nephews. Born in Camaguey, Cuba, the son of the late Josè and Isabella (Caruncho) Parada, he was raised and educated in Cuba. Later, he moved to the United States, where he became a U.S. citizen. While in Cuba, he went to work at 15 and established his own grocery store at age 18. With his family he settled in the Bronx, N.Y., and owned and operated several grocery stores and delis which he established and successfully ran with his family. He later moved to Santa Monica, Calif., and was employed by the Rand Corporation, where he retired from in 1988. He had also resided in Port St. Lucie, Florida before moving to Vernon to be close to his family. A devout Catholic, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. He enjoyed gardening, taking long walks, dining out with his wife and time shared with his family especially his grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral Mass was held on March 23 at St.Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to VT/NH Visiting Nurse and Hospice, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Rachel Josefowitz Siegel, 92, of Ithaca, N.Y.. Died Feb. 21 in Ithaca, N.Y. A social worker and a foremother in the field of feminist therapy, she was born in Berlin, Germany in 1924. As anti-Semitism rose, the family fled in 1930 to Switzerland and again to the United States in 1939. Her ties to Brattleboro include her son, Hyam Siegel, as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren. Never having attended high school, she was admitted to Simmons College and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in 1944. That year, she married Benjamin Siegel, who was completing a doctoral degree in physical chemistry at M.I.T. When Ben became a professor at Cornell University in 1949, they moved to Ithaca, where they lived for the rest of their lives. They spent sabbaticals in Paris, Jerusalem, Cambridge, U.K., and La Jolla. In Ithaca, she volunteered as a tutor, served on the boards of several social service agencies, and was active in Hadassah and the Temple Beth-El community. After 25 years raising two sons and a daughter, she started her professional career. She earned a Master's Degree in Social Work from Syracuse University, worked as a social worker for local agencies and was a founding member and consultant to the Ithaca Task Force for Battered Women. She volunteered at Suicide Prevention as a support group leader and a Board member, and led a Hospice bereavement group. She entered private practice in 1976. Among many awards, she received the National Association of Social Workers/New York State Chapter's Social Worker of the Year award in 1992 and the Laura Holmberg Award for Community Service in Ithaca in 2005. She maintained memberships in Hadassah, The National Association of Social Workers, and The Feminist Therapy Institute, of which she was a founding member. She was active in the Association for Women in Psychology. A frequent presenter at their conferences, a 1995 issue of the journal Women in Therapy was dedicated to her. She received the Association's award for distinguished scholarship in 1994 and 2000, and the Doris Howard Lifetime Achievement award in 2005. She travelled widely and often. An active feminist, her commitment to equity for women is reflected in the many books and articles she published. She was co-editor of Women Changing Therapy: New Assessments, Values, and Strategies in Feminist Therapy (1983), Jewish Women in Therapy: Seen but Not Heard (1991), and Jewish Mothers Tell Their Stories: Acts of Love and Courage (2000). In 2012, she wrote a personal memoir My Songs of Then and Now. Rachel conducted seminars and workshops on aging, Jewish women, and sexuality. In addition to Hyam, she is survived by her other children, Charles (Vancouver, BC) and Ruth (Chicago), five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by parents, Frieda and Zachar Josefowitz, husband, Benjamin Siegel, and siblings Rose Choron, Samuel and David Josefowitz and Fenia Oren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: None provided.
• Barbara J. Spain Strong, 62, of South Londonderry. Died March 15 at her home. A loving wife, sister, aunt, and friend to many, she resided in Ewing and Mantoloking, N.J., before retiring to Saco, Maine, and South Londonderry. She graduated from Ewing High School in 1972 and was employed as the Judicial Administrative Assistant in the Mercer County Court House for more than 25 years, retiring in 2004. She was the daughter of the late Thomas J. and Joan A. Spain, and sister of the late Mary A. Miller. She is survived by her husband, James H. Strong; her siblings, Thomas J. Spain Jr. (Janet), Susan L. Leonard (Michael), Maureen Margiotti (Guy), William W. Spain (Ellen), Eileen D. Spain (Michael), and Judith E. Williams (Raymond); and several nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial mass was held March 21 at Church of St. Paul in Princeton, N.J.
• Shirley A. Woodcock, 80, of Brattleboro. Died March 12 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, where she had been a resident since March 2014. Born in Haverhill, Mass., the daughter of George and Elizabeth (Murphy) Dudley, she attended the St. James Grammar School and graduated from St. James High School, Class of 1953. Following graduation, she was employed in the credit department at Sears, Roebuck until 1956, when she married Donald C. Woodcock, who had been serving in the Army. The Woodcocks and their first child moved to Davenport, Iowa, where he enrolled at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Like she did wherever she was, she made friends with the wives of the other students and was very active in many school activities. After graduation, the Woodcocks moved to Geneseo, Ill., where Don opened his first practice. After being there for five years and missing their family, they decided to move back to New England. They settled in Brattleboro where Don and his brother Robert opened the Woodcock Chiropractic Clinic in Guilford. During this time, she was employed at the former Richards Insurance Company. After 30 years of practice, Don was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. He and Shirley relocated to Florida where the climate was better for Don's health. The children visited often and were always a source of comfort, especially after Don's death in 2007. At this time, she joined the Winter Haven Christian Church. She became a member of the choir and was part of the Sunday School as well as the church's Women's Group. She made several good friends while in Florida, many of whom maintained a lifetime friendship with her. Her health began to fail and living alone was getting more difficult, so the decision was made to bring her back to Brattleboro. In 2014, she entered Pine Heights and often spoke of the wonderful care she received while living there. Survivors include four sons, Mark and his wife, Anita, of Putney, Daniel of Barre, Andrew of Seattle, and Bruce of South Newfane; two daughters, Ruth of Brattleboro and Marnie Siemasko of Newburyport, Mass.; and a daughter-in-law, Gayle of South Newfane, who was like a third daughter to her. She also leaves eight grandchildren and two great-grandsons. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 20 at First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. Donations to First United Methodist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Atamaniuk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Kathleen D. Kerber Wright, 49, of Danville. Died March 10 at home. Born in Huntington, N.Y., daughter of Peter and Beverly (DeJesu) Kerber, she attended public schools in Guilford and Brattleboro, Dean Junior College in Franklin, Mass., and the Fashion Institute of New York City. Before marriage, she modeled; she was runner-up and Miss Photogenic at the Miss Vermont pageant. She started the Falls River Inn in Bernardston, Mass. She then went to get her LPN license and worked at Corner Medical and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital. She loved being with her family, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, and gardening. She is survived by her husband, Alex Wright; their two children, Griffin and Aliza; her parents, formerly of Guilford, and now of Munsonville, N.H.; two brothers: Peter Kerber and his wife, Sheri, of Bernardston; Clinton Kerber and his wife, Trista, of Guilford. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at a later time. The family is planning to establish a scholarship in her memory at both the Danville School and the Craftsbury Outdoor Center. Memorial contributions could be directed to either “The Danville School” (c/o Sonja Bedard, 148 Peacham Road, Danville VT 05828), or the “Craftsbury Outdoor Center” (535 Lost Nation Road, Craftsbury Common, VT 05827). Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.saylesfh.com.