Obituaries
• Chris Neal Bengtson, 65, of Ruskin, Fla., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 25 in Florida. Chris was born in South Bend, Ind., on Dec. 18, 1951, the son of William and Willeda (Hupp) Bengtson. He attended elementary and junior high school in Indiana before moving to Brattleboro with his family in 1966. A graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1970, he excelled in varsity sports and, following graduation, he went on to attend the University of Vermont. He worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro for many years and also was a bartender at American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He relocated to Florida in 2000, where he met his partner, Debbie Roush. He was a member of the Palmetto American Legion, Post 325 and also held membership in the Ruskin Moose Lodge 813. Additionally, he was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, serving as an officer and was known as an excellent, hardworking volunteer with the club. He enjoyed golfing and fishing, and was an avid New England Patriots fan. He was known for his spirit of friendship and was loved by everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed by all. Survivors include his two children, Joel and Trista; his former wife, Carol Bengtson; and his brother, Craig Bengtson, all of Brattleboro; and his beloved partner, Debbie Roush of Ruskin. Memorial information: A memorial gathering in celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, March 19, from 1 to 3 p.m.,. at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street. Those who plan on attending are encouraged to dress casual and bring a fond memory to share of Chris. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lyda B. Brown, 67, of Walpole, N.H. Died Feb. 26, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Weston on June 16, 1949, the daughter of Hugh and Rachel (Gardner) Foster, he attended elementary school in Weston and was a 1967 graduate of Chester High School. She worked as business manager at The Putney School, retiring after 17 years. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a great cook and enjoyed her home and RV camping. She was a caring and compassionate person, always willing to listen and take care of others. She is survived by her son, Steven Brown and his wife, Lee, of South Londonderry; her fiancé, Paul Guido, of Westminster; her brothers, Jerry Foster and his wife, Lois, and Ernie Foster and his wife, Rani, all of Weston; her sisters, Ruth Rawson and her husband, Alfred, of Springfield, and Jane Williams, of Londonderry; and three grandchildren. She was predeceased by her parents; her sister, Lilla; and brother-in-law David Williams. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry on Saturday, March 11, at 2 p.m. Donations to Home Health Care and Hospice, 312 Marlboro St., P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.
• Miriam H. Childs, 86, of Brattleboro. Died March 1 at her residence. Born in Brattleboro on Oct. 31, 1930, the daughter of the late Matt W. and Edith (Ingalls) Huntley, she was a lifelong Brattleboro resident. She attended the local school system, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1949. She was employed at Wagner's Shoe Store, Robertson Motors, and Molly Stark Nursery. She was a longtime member of the Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. She enjoyed making crafts, gardening, the beach, and cooking. She was predeceased by her husband, Laurence R. Childs, and a sister, Ethel Mills. She is survived by three children, Wanda L. Benoit and her husband, Douglas, of Turners Falls, Mass., Wendy L. Parker and her husband, James, of Vernon; and Jeffrey R. Childs of Brattleboro; two brothers, Frederick W. Huntley and Robert A. Huntley, both of Brattleboro; three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on March 4 at Centre Congregational Church. Burial will be in the spring. Donations to the American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Barbara “Babs” Dunn, who came to Brattleboro late in life before moving on to Albuquerque, N.M. Died Feb. 22. After graduating from Muskingum University, she entered Hartford Seminary where she met and married Larry Dunn, her lifetime partner. While raising three children, she obtained her teacher's certification, then a master's in special education, followed by a master's in library science, then a master's in education administration. After retiring from a lifetime of working in public education, she returned to school and obtained her associate's degree in nursing so that she could become a field nurse for Head Start in rural upstate New York. After several years, she left Head Start to relocate near her youngest daughter in order to help raise her five granddaughters. She moved to Brattleboro after her husband died, and she continued her lifetime of volunteering, including working at the Brattleboro Museum of Art, Winston Prouty, and Center Congregational and All Souls Churches. Her greatest joy was working with the Theater Adventure Program (TAP) at New England Youth Theatre. She is survived by a grateful family of three children, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren and a world she made better and happier every day of her life. Memorial information: Those wishing to celebrate her memory are invited to either make a donation to TAP, in care of NEYT, 100 Flat St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or attend one of TAP's performances.
• Ann D. Hamel, 85, of Springfield, Vt., formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Feb. 25 at Springfield Health and Rehab Center. Born April 18, 1931 in Bellows Falls, the daughter of Nicholas and Jovenina (Estrimonte) Romano, she attended school in Bellows Falls and worked at the Duck Inn, the Windham Hotel Coffee Shop, Springfield Dry Cleaners, and McGirr's Nursing Home. In 1961, she married Charles E. Hamel, who survives. Also surviving are their three daughters Victoria of Bellows Falls, Jennie of Perkinsville and Valarie of Springfield. Ann has seven grandchildren Felicia, Michael, Melanie, Mark, Jamie, Desiree and Anne. She also has seven great grandchildren. She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 2 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, followed by burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center, 105 Chester Rd., Springfield, VT 05156. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls handled arrangements.
• Florence Elizabeth Favreau Howe, 93, of Dummerston. Died Jan. 29. Born on Aug. 20, 1923 in Waterbury, Conn. The family moved to Townshend when she was a little girl. She often spoke of the one-room schoolhouse where she attended elementary school. She later attended Leland & Gray Seminary in Townshend, and went the University of Vermont to study for a year. She also spoke of working 12-hour shifts at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield during World War II. She left UVM and married Wales Raymond Howe in 1945. Children followed: Robert in 1946, Allyson in 1949, Marilyn in 1953, and Melissa in 1963. She was a dairy farmer's wife, and became heavily involved in the Vermont Farm Bureau, even serving as president. She was always on the go between helping in the barn and going to meetings. The Howes first farmed at the Howland Farm and, in 1953, moved down to their homestead on Old Ferry Road. They gave up dairy farming in the 1970s, and she started work at Agway, where she became an institution. Dedicated to her job and her customers, she would even walk to work if the driving was bad. She was very proud of working into her 90s, and woe to anyone who suggested retirement. She was a stalwart pie-maker, always taking her vacation in October to prepare for the Dummerston Apple Pie Festival, trekking up to the church twice a day, rolling pin in hand. At 89, she no longer felt able to help; it was tough to convince her that it was OK to stay home. Always active, she always planted a huge vegetable garden, giving away most of her harvest. What bothered her most about getting older was not being able to go out and tend to her flower beds. She loved to jog, running 4 or 5 miles a day well into her 70s. She was very proud to carry the Olympic torch when the relay for the Atlanta Olympics came through Vermont in 1996. Her husband died in 1984, and she lived alone on the farm with her family nearby. She prided herself on her good health and was strong and independent until a couple years ago, when a minor car accident set her back. Last June she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Still independent, she recently took a fall and broke her pelvis; a stint in rehab did not restore her usual vigor. Hers was a life well-lived, with many lives touched. Memorial information: She did not want an obituary, or any fuss made about her passing. No formal services are planned.
• Donna Taylor Jones, 86, of Dorset and Bradenton, Fla., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 23. Born in 1930 to Algernon and Violet Taylor, homesteaders in Rapid City, S.D., the Taylor family moved East to Bellows Falls in 1939 to escape the Dust Bowl and begin a new life. After high school, she followed her sister Malisse's lead into the medical field attending Burbank School of Nursing in Fitchberg, Mass. She had many cherished lifelong friendships from those years. In 1950, she met and married Edward F. Jones in Brattleboro. They had two children, Steven E. Jones and Malisse J. Warner. She stayed home to raise her children and later became an administrative assistant at Brattleboro Union High School. In 1976, the Joneses moved to Dorset to help their son, Steve, create Mettowee Mill Nursery. Her husband died in 1987. Flowers and gardening were her passion; she was a knowledgeable, talented gardener who enjoyed sharing this love with Mettowee's staff and customers in those early years. She was a capable and spirited woman who enjoyed sewing, the beautiful mountains of Vermont, trips to Maine and Nubble Lighthouse, and watching her beloved Red Sox and Patriots. She was sure that had Tom Brady met her first, he never would have married Giselle. More than anything else, she was a pied piper of people. People gravitated to her sharp wit, sunny personality and her interest in all whom she met. She left an impact on everyone with her grace, kindness and compassion. After retiring in 1995, Donna and her companion, Robert Webbe, spent many years wintering in Florida and traveling. They had a loving and supportive relationship until Bob's death in 2012. She was predeceased by her brother, Jack Taylor of Grafton, and leaves her sister Malisse Mahlum of Wolf Point, Mont.; brother David Taylor of Sundance, Wyo.; her children, Steven Jones and his wife, Leslie, of Dorset and Malisse J. Warner and husband, Daryl, of Tucson, Ariz.; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Services will be held at the United Church of Dorset on Saturday, March 25, at 10 a.m.
• William Joseph “Bill” Kelly, 75, of Brattleboro. Died Feb 24 at home. He was born Aug.28, 1941, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and moved to Vermont in 1970, where he and his wife, Marty, raised three wonderful children, Sarah, Benjamin, and Adam. As a young man, he was about to start graduate school when he was drafted by the Army and assigned to the National Security Agency. In the NSA, he was stationed in Ethiopia where he served as a code-breaker. After the Army, he taught English for a number of years in East Harlem, N.Y.. It was there he met his wife. He had a knack for keeping his students well behaved. Marty did not. While Bill reined in Marty's unruly charges, a romance was born. They were married on July 4, 1970. When he first came to Vermont, he worked as a carpenter. He later taught English at Leland & Gray Union High School and was a guidance counselor there before opening his own psychotherapy practice. He never forgave the Dodgers for leaving Brooklyn, but did have fun coaching Small Fry Baseball when his children were young. He enjoyed his work as a psychotherapist, and he always looked forward to his Tuesday mornings at the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen. Above all he loved his time with his grandchildren, Sonia, Bea, Emmett and Henry, and was looking forward to the arrival of another grandson in April. In addition to his wife and children, he leaves his son-in-law, Brent Reynolds; his daughters-in-law, Corey Kelly and Haegi Kwon; his sister Jill and brother Jeff. A brother, Peter, died in 2007. Memorial information: At his request, no service is planned. Those wishing to honor his memory may donate to a charity of their choice or to the Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen in care of Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Roy Everett Lanphear Sr., 77, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 24 after a brief battle with cancer. Born in Eden, Vt., on Sept. 16, 1939 to Mildred and Lynn Lanphear, he served in the Army for three years of active duty. During that time, he spent two years in France and one year in Germany. He lived for three years in Merrimack, N.H., where he met Shirley Rose Schaefer. who became his wife. They were married in 1964 and settled in Putney. He worked at many places along the way, but was proud of the fact he had a hand in building eight four-lane bridges on Interstate 91, worked on three wastewater treatment plants, and spent three years working on the Northfield Mountain hydroelectric project. He also spent 30 years as a self-employed carpenter until his retirement. He leaves his wife, his children, Roy Jr. and his wife, Kim, and Angie and her husband, Randy Reynolds. He also leaves four grandchildren. He was well known for his guitar playing and singing, his friendly smile, the famous wood piles at his home on Route 5, and loving with his whole heart all those he cared about. He will be missed by many and kept close in all our hearts. Memorial information: A graveside service at Mount Pleasant Cemetary in Putney was held March 4.
• Irene L. Pollica, 80, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 27 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, following an extended illness. Born in Burlington on October 2, 1936, the daughter of Antonio and Diana (Dionne) Leclaire, she came to Brattleboro with her family when she was three and was raised and educated in town, attending St. Michael's Parochial School. At 14, she went to work at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates and later for the Brattleboro Reformer. Her last position was at the Colonial Motel, where she worked as a desk clerk. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She was a faithful and devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother whose life centered around her family. She was first married to Donald R. Pollica in Brattleboro in 1954. Her husband of 45 years predeceased her in 2000. She later married William E. Kirkwood, Sr. on December 15, 2001 in Bradenton, Fla., who survives. Besides her husband of 15 years, survivors include her five sons, Donald Jr, Dennis, Mark, Rick, and Darryl Pollica; one brother, Marcel Leclaire; two sisters, Marie Rabideau and Jeanne Lyons; nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by five brothers: Henry, Norman, Leo, Rene, and Richard Leclaire; four sisters: Gertrude Raymond, Anita Doucette Stacy, Mary Castine, and Jeanine Smith, and two half-sisters, Annette Marchant and Yvette Brouillard. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 3 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery will be in the springtime. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, principal. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Clyde Richard Prouty, 85, of South Londonderry. Died Feb. 24 at his home. Born October 13, 1931, to Benjamin and Etta (Jefts) Prouty, he was the ninth of their 10 children, including Theodore, Raymond, Norman, Ralph, Harold, Donald, Howard, Edna, and Mildred. Early on, the Prouty family lived in Manchester, Vt., and then later moved over the mountain to Rawsonville. He attended Pikes Falls Elementary School, where he first met Clara Kuusela, who would later become his lifelong partner. In 1950, Clyde and Clara married and made their home in South Londonderry, where they raised their four children: Steven, Gary, Douglas, and Susan. He supported the family by maple sugaring with Scott and Helen Nearing, logging with his brothers, and driving a truck for Wally Roberts' Logging Company. He established Clyde Prouty & Sons Excavating business in 1955. For years, he worked long and hard building a fleet of equipment, training and managing a talented crew of operators (including his sons), and tackling all sorts of jobs all over southern Vermont, while relying on Clara for bookkeeping, scheduling, communications, and care and feeding of their family. When he decided to retire from the excavation business, his son Steve took over the family business and Clyde took a position as substitute mail carrier for the South Londonderry post office. In 1976, he accepted and held the job of full-time mail carrier. For 18 years, he drove 62 miles a day, six days a week, delivering mail in his hometown, until he finally celebrated official retirement in 1994. During his “retirement,” he also worked tirelessly for his neighbors and community as Road Commissioner and Selectman. In 2011, he was honored by the town for 47 years of service and presented with a Proclamation from the Vermont Legislature for his dedication and accomplishments. As part of their busy and happy life together, Clyde and Clara made time to listen and dance to country & western and bluegrass music, following their favorite singers and musicians from Vermont to Nashville and back several times. They traveled to many NASCAR races and thoroughly enjoyed camping and good times with lifelong friends and relatives. He enjoyed deer hunting with the boys and never missed an opportunity to get in the woods or ride around looking for deer. Over the years, their family grew to include their eight grandchildren and their 15 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his three sons, Steven, Gary, and Douglas, and son-in-law, Peter VanAlstyne. Clara, his wife of 67 years, still lives at their homestead on Melendy Hill in South Londonderry with family and close friends, their daughter Susan VanAlstyne lives nearby. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held March 2 at the Town Hall. Donations may be made to the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• Margaret (Porter) Webster, 94, of Salem, N.H., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 25 at St. Teresa Nursing Center in Salem. Born on March 1, 1922 in Brattleboro, to the late Perley and Mary Ellen (Larkin) Porter, she graduated from St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro and worked for the Latchis Company, a local corporation where she was office manager and personal assistant to the company owner. She later worked part time in the office at Central Vermont Public Service, also in Brattleboro. She married Harold Webster in 1944, and she eventually gave up her career to be a full-time mother. She and her husband were active in the Brattleboro Elks and in other civic organizations. A devout Catholic, she was very involved at St. Michael's Church and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella. In 1968 they moved to Salem, where she lived for almost 50 years. She was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph church and was an active volunteer at St. Joseph School. Her greatest joy was her family, and her beloved home was the gathering place for countless family dinners, holidays, and other celebrations. Family and friends were always welcome and their visits brought her much happiness. During her stay at St. Teresa's, she enjoyed the company of her roommate and the entire staff, who welcomed her with compassion and love. She had fun playing BINGO and attending the weekly musical entertainment, and always enjoyed the holiday and special event parties. She is survived by her son, Robert and his wife, Patricia; her daughter, Kelly McIntire and her. husband Scott; three grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, sisters Gladys Webster, Doris Guiheen, and Irma Shaw; and brothers John Porter and Jimmy Porter. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 2 at St. Joseph Church in Salem. Donations to the St. Joseph Food Pantry, 40 Main St., Salem, NH 03079, or to the activity fund at St. Teresa Nursing Center, 519 Bridge St., Manchester, NH 03104.
• Anna R. Winter, 89, of Brattleboro. Died March 3 at Pine Heights of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro on Oct. 15, 1927, the daughter of the late Sherman G. and Lydia (Grant) Slocum, she was a lifelong area resident and was educated in the local school system. She worked for W.T. Grant, Margolin's, and finally as a waitress at the Putney Restaurant before her retirement. She also did housekeeping. She was passionate about bowling, which she did for many years, until her legs would not allow it anymore. She enjoyed gardening and loved ice cream. She was predeceased by her husband, Cleon J. Winter, whom she married in 1947; a daughter, Barbara Kogut and son-in-law, Richard Kogut, as well as two grandchildren and other siblings. She is survived by three sons, John Winter and his wife, Doris, of Dummerston, Jimmy Winter and his wife, Tina, of Putney, and Jerry Winter and his wife, Susan, of Putney; two daughters, Beverly J. Melburn of Florida, and Shirley Sprague and her husband Brian of South Carolina; three sisters, Harriet Guerin of Springfield, Mass., Mary Conklin of Connecticut, and Betty Rowell and her husband Dale of Virginia; a brother, Sonny Slocum of Vermont; 16 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends. Memorial information: A funeral Service was held March 8 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, with burial in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to Pine Heights of Brattleboro, 187 Oak Grove Ave, Brattleboro, VT 05301.