Obituaries
• Shirley Mae Pearson Clark, 94, of Brattleboro. Died March 31. Born in Brattleboro on July 4, 1922, the daughter of the late Robert E. and Hazel (Brooks) Pearson, she graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1940. In 1941, she married Francis Joseph Clark, and together they had three daughters. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed outdoor activities such as biking, swimming, picnicking, and hiking with family and friends. She dedicated her life to helping people and always put the needs of others first. She was a devoted 4-H Leader and very active with UVM Extension. Later in life, she served as a volunteer Ombudsman in nursing homes throughout the state of Vermont. She is survived by her three daughters, Linda (Eugene) Bourns, Karen Clark Stevens, and Loren (Robert) Clews; 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis; and a sister, Charlena Pearson Kneeland. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held this summer at the convenience of the family. Donations to Guilford Cares, P.O. Box 2517, West Brattleboro, VT 05303. This organization provides support and friendship during her last years, and made it possible for her to maintain her independent living, which was so important to her. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlundfuneralhome.com.
• Robert Thayer Deyo, 78, of Springfield, Vt. Died March 31. Born in West Brattleboro on Jan. 23, 1939, the son of Wilfred and Belle (Thayer) Deyo. He attended schools in Brattleboro and served in the Army. He worked as a cobbler at Bob's Shoe Repair and was a 45-year member and past commander of the American Legion in Springfield. He loved trains, going out to eat, and NASCAR. In 1999 he married Carolyn Blake, who survives. Also surviving are his sons Roger Deyo of Springfield and Samuel Colby of Hardwick; his daughter Susannah Colby of Sharon; and his two grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m., at the Assembly of God Church in Springfield. Burial will take place in the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph at the convenience of the family. Condolences may be sent to the family in care of Assembly of God Church, 269 River St., Springfield, VT 05156.
• Arden Leonard Domina, 92, formerly of East Dummerston. Died March 31 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He had been a resident at Vernon Green Nursing Home since September 2014. He was born in Montgomery Center on July 19, 1924, the son of Gordon and Alice (Purrier) Domina. He attended schools in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1943. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, proudly serving his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater of Operations. In 1945, he married Rose Crowell. His faithful and devoted wife of 70 years predeceased him in 2015. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he re-enlisted in the Army Reserve. He worked most of his career as a licensed electrician with A.L. Tyler & Son in Brattleboro, joining Tyler's in 1962. Previously, he worked at the former Allen Oil Co. in Brattleboro. Mr. Domina was a member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, for 56 years. He enjoyed hunting, summer vacations at Lake Dunmore, traveling, and taking day trips with his wife. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Lorraine Burdo of Hinsdale, N.H.; brother-in-law, Hubert Crowell and his wife Linda of Ashuelot, N.H.; a special close friend, Ann Lilly of Ashfield, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. Memorial information: Graveside committal services for Mr. and Mrs. Domina will be held in Dummerston Center Cemetery later in the springtime at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Disabled American Veterans, Transportation Department, 215 N. Main St., White River Junction VT 05009, Attn: Jeff Snow. Messages of condolences may be sent to www.atamaniuk.com.
• Rosalee S. Fitzgerald, 92, of Brattleboro. Died March 30 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend after a brief illness. Born in Quincy, Mass., on Feb. 8, 1925, she was the daughter of Arthur and May Smith. She moved to Springfield, Vt., early in her youth and stayed there through her high school years graduating from Springfield High School in 1943. She worked locally for a short time at the Fellows Gear Shaper Company supporting the war effort, but soon enrolled in college at Rutgers University. She later transferred to Wilson School of Nursing in Boston to earn her degree with honors. After earning her degree, she moved to Brattleboro to work at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital as a lab technician. After getting married in 1947 to John F. Fitzgerald and raising a family, she returned to BMH many years later to work in the Emergency Room for 20 years before retiring. She enjoyed cooking, reading, and excelled at many crafts, including sewing, rug braiding, furniture restoration, and many other diverse activities. In addition, she enjoyed the company of her family, her beloved dogs, and had a passionate interest in gardening and music, especially opera. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, John; her children: Sharon and her husband, Peter Leavens, of Newark, Del., Janet and her husband Peter Stern of Garberville, Calif., and Dennis and his wife, Maria, of Brattleboro; four grandchildren, five nieces, and a nephew. She was predeceased by her brothers, Robert and Leroy Smith, and a son, Kevin. Memorial information: Burial will be private at a later date.
• Linda Lou (McQuaide) Fletcher, 70, of Saxtons River. Died April 2 at Hillcrest Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Pittsfield, Mass., after a prolonged illness. Born in Bellows Falls on Sept. 30, 1946 to Donald J. McQuaide and Olive R. (Martin) McQuaide, both of whom predeceased her, as well as her sister, Donna. She spent her life in Saxtons River and graduated from Bellows Falls High School. She worked as a dispatcher at the Windham County Sheriff's Department in Newfane for 28 years, and retired in 2013. She was an avid gardener, as her neighbors could attest from the zucchini or other random veggies that she would leave for them. She was also a huge fan of NASCAR, baseball, football, and cooking. She enjoyed spending time with her friends and family, as well as her yearly trips to Maine. In 1964, she married Francis E. Fletcher, who survives her. She is also survived by her children: Jessie and Dale Temple of Putney, Gordon (Spike) Fletcher of Saxtons River, June and Cole Streeter of Westminster, and Amy-Sue Fletcher and her fiance, Matthew Mabe, of Saxtons River.; her sister, Debra Albro, of Westminster; and 13 grandchildren. Memorial information: There will be no calling hours and a private celebration will be held at a later date at the family's discretion. Donations to Saxtons River Volunteer Fire & Rescue, in care of Arthur Smith, P.O. Box 81, Saxtons River, VT 05154.
• Jason Robert Hallock, 39, of Brattleboro. Died April 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Brattleboro on Nov. 4, 1977, the son of Leon and Diane (Mattson) Hallock, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating with the Class of 1995 at Brattleboro Union High School. A licensed master plumber, he had been employed as a pipefitter for Southern Vermont Sprinkler Services, Inc. He also owned and operated his own business for several years, High Water Plumbing & Heating Company of Brattleboro. Previously he had worked for Fleming/Huestis Plumbing & Heating. He enjoyed antique and classic cars, target shooting, playing video games, and time shared with his family, especially his children. Survivors include one son, Robert A. Hallock of Wardsboro; two daughters, Shyanna Hallock of Holyoke, Mass., and Jordyn Hallock of Brattleboro; his mother and step-father, Fred and Diane Zuverino of West Dover; one brother, Douglas McPherson of Wilmington; a sister, Kassandra Dor of Perkinsville; stepbrother Fritz Zuverino of Charlestown, N.H.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father. Memorial information: A memorial gathering in celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 54 Chickering Dr., Brattleboro. The gathering will include a reception. Donations to Rescue Inc., PO Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Patricia A. Jacobson, 81, of Wilmington. Died March 22 at Thompson House Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Born in Hartford, Conn., on Jan. 15, 1936, the daughter of Angelo Pinto and Louise Guglielmetti, she attended East Hartford High School. In her earlier years, she worked as an administrative assistant for Hartford Mutual Insurance Company, a front desk assistant at The Inn at Sawmill Farm in West Dover and, later, as a real estate agent for Berkley & Veller. She loved dogs and was an avid skier and tennis player. She also enjoyed flying and had worked towards her private pilot's license. She is survived by her sisters Rosemary Pierce of Manchester, Conn., Mary Lou Lombardi of Simsbury, Conn., and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Donna Pinto. Memorial information: At the request of the family, there will be no formal funeral service. Donations to Vermont Dog Rescue, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Todd Erik Kingsley, 59, of Halifax. Died March 30, after a long battle with cancer. Born in Brattleboro on July 7, 1957, son of the late Evelyn B. and Orrin M. Kingsley, he was a 1975 graduate of Whitingham High School. In 1980, he married Patricia M. Corey of Halifax, and they were blessed with two children, Jared and Leslie. He was extremely proud of both of his children and instilled many valuable traits in them, especially his extraordinary work ethic. His life was focused around his family. He enjoyed puttering around the house, camping when the kids were younger, working in his vegetable garden, cutting bushes (which he said was a never ending job) and, most importantly, he enjoyed talking with family and friends about current events, family genealogy, and local happenings. He especially enjoyed spending time with his two granddaughters talking to them about his garden, flowers, birds, animals, and the outdoors in the hope of providing them with the knowledge and importance of nature. He spent much of his younger years working on a local farm, logging, and at sawmills. His true love was the lumber industry. In 1988, he began working at Cersosimo Lumber Company in Brattleboro as an equipment operator and later transitioned to a log scaler. When asked by his granddaughter what he did for a job, he would tell her that “he counted logs.” He was also well-known for the family cider business. Many long and cold hours were spent pressing the cider so that it was fresh each day for their customers. In 1975, he started out as a one-man operation, but realized that his quick success would require the help of other family members. The operation came to an end in 1996 when his mother died and could no longer deliver cider to their customers. He was a member of Unity Lodge 89 F. & A.M. in Jacksonville and was one of its past masters. He is survived by his wife of 36 years; his son Jared and his wife, Lia, of Jacksonville; his daughter Leslie and her husband, Noah Blakney, of Lebanon, N.H., his uncle Howard (Bud) and Aunt Edna Bemis of Jacksonville, his mother-in-law Lavern Corey of Halifax, and several in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A memorial service was held April 8 at Jacksonville Community Church. Donations to Unity Lodge #89, in care of David Allen, P.O. Box 21, Jacksonville, VT 05342, or the Oncology Unit, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Lynnette Cora Saulnier Latham, 54, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 30 at home after a long battle with cancer. Born in Turners Falls, Mass., on July 21, 1962, to the late Lorraine Demers and Raymond Saulnier. She was a loving wife, mom, and passionate animal lover. She enjoyed Bingo with friends and loved her job with Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was predeceased by two brothers, William Bastarache and Marc Bastarache. She leaves her husband, Neal Latham; her son, Joshua Saulnier; sister FayJean Collis and her husband, Edgar, of Westfield, Mass.; and half-brother Corey Saulnier of Amherst, Mass. She also leaves many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and three step-grandchildren, as well as many caring co-workers and friends who all will miss her dearly because she was a thoughtful; loving and caring person with a heart of gold. Memorial information: There will be no calling hours. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
• Cecilia Martyn, 86, of Leeds, Mass. Died March 30 at her home. She was a woman of great intellect and generosity and took to heart W. B. Yeats' advice to cherish “moments of glad grace.” Born at home on March 8, 1931 in Greenfield, Mass., to Rozalia and Ignace Machaiek, Polish immigrants who left their homeland in the early 20th century, she attended the University of Massachusetts and earned a master's degree from Yale University in 1954, where she met her future husband, Howell C. Martyn. The Martyns raised their children in West Hartford, Conn. She had a long career teaching English, first at the University of Hartford and then at Montclair (N.J.) State University. A serious music lover, Celia studied and played piano most of her life. She sang with the Hartford Chorale and then the New York Choral Society for many years, delighting in the glamour of New York and singing at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. After she moved to Northampton, Mass., in 2002, she sang with the Hampshire Choral Society. She loved gardening, especially growing pink roses. She loved to play bridge, and played a mean game of Scrabble until the very end of her life. She was predeceased by her former husband and is survived by her children: Tom Martyn and partner Kelli Warriner of Newfane; daughter-in-law Ellen Martyn, of Brattleboro; Amy Martyn and partner Amy Waldman of Florence, Mass.; Anne Alexander and spouse Susan Gabriel of Pisgah Forest, N.C.; and grandchildren, Kamini Martyn Waldman of Florence, Mass., Peter Martyn and spouse Jackie Billings of Guilford, and Emily Martyn of Brattleboro, as well as beloved nieces, grandnieces and nephews and devoted friends. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at the Garden House at Look Park in Florence, Mass., on April, 30, at 3 p.m. Donations to Northampton Education Foundation, P.O. Box 44, Northampton, MA 01061.
• A memorial service for George G. Prior, who died Dec. 11, 2016, will be held Saturday, April 29, at noon, in St. Michael's Cemetery in Brattleboro. Mr. Prior was born on May 30, 1947 in Manchester, Conn., the youngest of 10 children born to Henry and Edith (Sargent) Prior. He graduated from Rockville (Conn.) Vocational Agriculture School. He worked on several farms in South Windsor, Conn., while in school. After graduation, he joined the Coast Guard. He later worked for Coca-Cola and The Book Press in Brattleboro as a computer specialist. He recently worked for his good friend, Don Smead, at Smead Woodcraft in Putney. He leaves his brother, Charles, and his wife Gloria, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters Barbara, Ruth, and Judith; his brothers Frank, Douglas, David, Bruce, and Richard: and his good friend, Darlene Gould, with whom he made his home in Putney for 11 years. Friends may gather at the cemetery for a memorial service at noon. Fellowship will continue at St. Michael's School in Brattleboro after the service.
• Pablo C. Rivera, 76, of Brattleboro. Died March 24 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was born in Coamo, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 8, 1941, the son of the late Nicasio Rivera Ortiz and Cornelia Colon Flores. He worked as a machinist at Georgia-Pacific. He was a very kind man, always willing to help people with rides or errands. He is predeceased by his wife, Viola (Bonnell) Rivera. He is survived by a daughter, Cornelia Rivera of Brattleboro; a sister, Olga Rivera of Puerto Rico, a grandson, Eric Hurlbert of Brattleboro, as well as many friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15, from 2 to 4 p.m., at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Waldemar P. Sherwin Jr., 81, of Bellows Falls. Died March 30 at Springfield Hospital. Born June 14, 1935 in Greenwich, N.Y., the son of Waldemar P. Sr. and Ruth (Heald) Sherwin, he attended schools in New York and served in the Air Force from 1957 to 1961. In 1977, he married Kathleen Slicer. He was employed as a forklift operator, working in the paper industry as well as for American Optical in Brattleboro. He was later employed with the Brattleboro Reformer for more than 10 years. He enjoyed 10-pin bowling, computer games and spending time with his grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen Sherwin, sons Scott Sherwin, Randy Sherwin, and Wayne Sherwin; daughters Kendra Sherwin-Williams and Beth Blake; stepchildren Kimberly Scott and Brian Greathouse-LaFlam; a sister, Joyce Ballantine; 23 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Glenn Sherwin, and two sisters, Alice Basso and Barbara Davis. Memorial information: Donations to the American Cancer Society - Vermont Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495.
• Clara M. Prouty, 86, of South Londonderry. Died March 31 at her home. She was born in the Pikes Falls section of Jamaica on Dec. 1, 1930 the daughter of the late Merrill Stark and Lillian Kuusela. She attended local schools and graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary. In her earlier years, she worked as a housekeeper at Lowell Lake Lodge in Londonderry and as an operator for the phone company. She later owned and operated the family business, Clyde R. Prouty & Sons Excavating, with her husband, Clyde. She enjoyed traveling and following bluegrass music and NASCAR with Clyde. She enjoyed playing cards and working on crossword puzzles, but her greatest joy in life was spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter Susan Pare' Van Alstyne of South Londonderry, brother George Kuusela, sister Helen Peck, and eight grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years; sons Steven G. Prouty, Gary L. Prouty, and Douglas C. Prouty; son-in-law Pete Van Alstyne; and siblings Lenny Kuusela, Lillian Abbott, and Ruth Lauren. Memorial information: A memorial services will be held Saturday April 29, at 11 a.m., at the Londonderry Town Hall. Interment will be private. There are no visiting hours. Donations to the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad or the Clyde & Clara Prouty Community Service Scholarship Fund in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• Robert W. Rondeau of Brattleboro. Died April 3 after a prolonged illness. A full obituary will appear in a future edition. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at a future date to be announced. Donations to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611-33201, or to The Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Joanne Mary Struthers, 72, formerly of Guilford. Died March 17 in Port St Lucie, Fla. Born Aug. 31, 1944 in Keene, N.H., to Wilmer and Margaret Croteau, she worked at First National Supermarket, Margolin's Pocketbook Factory, and G.S. Precision. She is survived by her husband, Russell of Port St Lucie; daughters Vieno Labelle and her husband, Michael, of Brattleboro, Wendy Ebbighausen of Maryland, and Suzy Deyo and her husband, Dan, of Hinsdale, N.H.; a son, Rusty Struthers and his wife, Cheryl, of Putney; 10 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and a brother, Bobby Murdy. She was predeceased by her grandson, Dana Ebbighausen. Memorial information: Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial service and reception that will be held on Saturday April 15, at 11 a.m., at the Eagles Club at 54 Chickering Drive, Brattleboro.
• There will be a memorial service for John MacArthur at the family home in Marlboro on Sunday, May 7, at 3 p.m. In honor of John's sweet tooth, we will be serving cookies. If you are inspired to do so, feel free to bring a small homemade batch to add to the table.