Obituaries
• Erica Lesley (Witherell) Bray, 43. Died Sept. 28 in Boston of alcoholic cirrhosis. Born Sept, 17, 1974, on Nantucket, Mass., she was the daughter of Mia Hull and David Witherell. She grew up in Attleboro Falls, Mass., and Keene, N.H., and was a 1992 graduate of Keene High School. In 1993, Erica moved to Boston where she attended Simmons College to study graphic design. She worked as a well-loved waitress and bartender for many years at The Marshall House Restaurant. She later earned a real estate broker license. Her interest in baking led her to her most recent work at an artisan bread company. She was an artist. She created empathetic stylized and gestural drawings. Her subjects consisted of portraits and landscapes. She was proficient with ink, watercolor, and oils. She loved to help people. Her interest in, and care for others, was the defining characteristic of her relationships with friends, patrons, and fellow colleagues. Her smile, her warmth, and her genuine sweetness opened the hearts of all those that she met. She will be greatly missed by her husband, Jason Bray, of East Boston.; her mother, Mia Hull and stepfather, Paul Campus, of Putney; her father, David Witherell and stepmother Mary Cheryl Cedrone, of Carver, Mass.; her sisters, Ingrid Witherell, of Chapel Hill, N.C., and Jennifer Witherell and her partner, Pavel Pepeliaev, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; her stepsister, Nina Campus, of Tyringham, Maas.; her stepbrother, Anthony Ruggiero, of Mansfield, Mass.; her mother-in-law and father-in-law, Karen and Everett “Buzz” Bray, of Pelham, Mass.; many other nieces and nephews, of Nantucket, MA; and the countless friends and soulmates she left behind. Memorial information: Services will be held on Sunday Oct. 29, at noon, at the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston. Donations to Phoenix House Intensive Treatment Services, 43 Old Colony Ave, Quincy, MA 02170, or these other nonprofit organizations: Derek Witherell Scholarship, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, 37 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-4005; Step Into Art, Inc, P.O. Box 590675, Newton, MA 02459.
• Herbert R. “Herb” Burchstead Jr., 88, of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 4. Born in Ayer, Mass., on May 31, 1929, the only son of the late Herbert and Annie (Carkin) Burchstead, he attended schools in Groton, Mass., Saxtons River Elementary School, was a 1947 graduate of Vermont Academy, and attended the University of Vermont. He served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. He worked for Whitney Blake for 22 years. He also proudly drove a school bus for the Rockingham School District, only reluctantly turning in his keys after 31 years transporting generations of students. He was married to Irene (Duffy) Burchstead for nearly 60 years until her death in 2008. Together, they raised two sons and a daughter; Herbert Burchstead III, Peter Burchstead, and Bonnie (Burchstead) Miller. Herb and Irene were often seen strolling the neighborhoods of Bellows Falls and driving the back roads of their beloved Vermont. He is survived by his wife, Susan Allen, his children and their spouses, three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. Memorial information: Per his wishes, services will be private. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Dorothy “Dot” Helen Wright Bush, 96, of Townshend. Died Oct. 6 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She was born in Townshend on Jan. 31, 1921 to Arthur and Emma (Parker) Wright. She was raised in Grafton and graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary in 1938. She went on to attend Vermont College, graduating in 1940 with a degree in hotel management and hospitality. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Bradford “Brad” D. Bush. They resided in Brookline and started their family. In the early 1950s, the family moved to Saxtons River and then to Grafton and Townshend where Mrs. Bush was an active volunteer in church and town activities. She joined the Blazing Star Chapter (now merged with the Mt. Lebanon Chapter) of The Order of the Eastern Star in 1942. She continued to be an active member for nearly 75 years including being named as the Grand Representative of West Virginia and Vermont. Mrs. Bush was widely known as an accomplished seamstress, having created many custom outfits, including wedding and bridal party dresses, as well as expert alterations. Her locally-famous quilt made from former Grafton resident Robert Barrett's neckties hangs in the Grafton Historical Society. Her hobbies included gardening, cooking, crafting, and cheering on the Boston sports teams, especially the Red Sox and Celtics. Her love of family, friends, flowers, food, and fun was ever-present and contagious. Her smiles and hugs could chase away the darkest day. She is survived by three sons, Robert Bush of Tallahassee, Fla,, Delmar Bush of Bellows Falls, and Barry Bush of Canadensis, Pa.; a daughter, Marilyn (Bush) Beaudoin of Simsbury, Conn.; 11 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband in 2006, after nearly 66 years of marriage, and a son, Donald Bush, in 2000. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 14 at the Newfane Congregational Church. A private family burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery in Brookline. Donations may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital and/or Valley Cares, 185 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Steven Bement “Steve” Dix, 52, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 8 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Born in Brattleboro on March 10, 1965, the son of Donald and Nancy (Bement) Dix, he attended Brattleboro public schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1983. He went on to attend Bryant University, graduating with a B.A. in business/accounting in 1987. A certified public accountant, he had been employed at A.R. Sandri in Greenfield, Mass., Pieciak & Company, P.C. in Brattleboro. and KPMG Peat Marwick of Hartford, Conn. He was very active in the Brattleboro community, serving Windham County Safe Kids and the Girls On The Run program. He had previously volunteered with Rescue Inc., Brattleboro Winter Carnival, Brattleboro Busy B's, Brattleboro Recreation Soccer Program and Small Fry Baseball. He held membership in the Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, and the Blazing Star Masonic Lodge. A humble and unassuming man, Steve was known for his spirit of friendship and generosity, always willing to help anyone in need. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved hiking, camping, and the beach in Maine. His pride and joy was his family and friends who he enjoyed spending time with. He also loved watching the Red Sox, telling jokes, and walking his grand-dog Boris. In 1987, he married Jacqueline Greenwood, who survives. Besides his wife of 30 years, he leaves one son, Steven G. Dix; a daughter, Kayla Dix Langenheim and husband Jeffrey and their infant son Malcolm, his mother, Nancy Dix, one sister, Lisa Hamilton (Jay), two sisters-in-law, JoAnna Albright (Eric) and Jennifer Miner (Kyle), a brother-in-law, Travis Douglass, a father-in-law, John Greenwood and mother-in-law, Elaine Greenwood. Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father and a nephew, Nathan Chapman. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 15 in the family lot in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302 or to the Brattleboro Winter Carnival, in care of Carol Lolatte, Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Dept., 207 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Steven A. “Steve” Glabach, 65, of Dummerston, Died Oct. 6 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital after being stricken ill at his home. Born in Brattleboro on April 12, 1952, the son of Theodore and Marie (Amidon) Glabach, he was a lifelong resident of Dummerston. He attended Dummerston public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1970. He went on to attend Vermont Technical College, earning an associate's degree in agricultural business. At the time of his death, he owned and operated Glabach Contractors, an excavation business he established in 1988. Previously, he managed the small engine department at Brattleboro Agway for more than 20 years. He was the Vice-Chair of the Dummerston Selectboard, and was very proud of the community he loved and served so well. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing ,and snowmobiling and was an active member of the Black Mountain Snowmobile Club. Steve also enjoyed gardening and sugaring every spring. He was a devoted family man and was known for being a hard worker. In 1988, he married Maria Forrett, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 29 years, he leaves one son, Theodore Glabach, and a daughter, Theresa Glabach, both of Dummerston; one brother, David Glabach of Bondville and a sister, Nancy Ellis of Dummerston. Additionally, he is survived by aunts, uncles and cousins and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 14 at Dummerston Congregational Church. Donations to the Black Mountain Snowmobile Club, in care of Michael Chamberlin, 370 Dutton Farm Road, Dummerston, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Steve Lazelle, 71, of Wilmington. Died Oct. 12, after an extended illness. He was born Dec. 15, 1945 in Bennington, the son of Ray and Nellie (Parsons) Lazelle Sr. In September 1968, he married the love of his life, Mary (Nutting) Lazelle; the couple recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially his many morning coffee visits. He worked for the Town of Wilmington for more than 30 years, retiring in 2003. He loved driving the back roads looking for wildlife, especially black bears. He enjoyed hunting and walking the woods of Vermont and always had a memory to share about his adventures. In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons John and his wife, Rachel (Sage), Edward and his wife, Jennifer (Comai), and daughter Jennifer Luczynski and her husband, Kuhrt, all of Wilmington; brother Ray Jr, and his wife, Emma, of Halifax; sister Judy Brown and her husband, Ted, of Marlboro; eight grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. Special in his heart was his beloved pug, Toby. Memorial information: Services will be private. Donations to the American Diabetes Association or Grace Cottage Hospital, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Linda J. (Anthony) Maitland, 61, of Guilford. Died Oct. 2, after a sudden and tough fight with cancer. She was born in Wakefield, Mass., to the late Richard and Phyllis Anthony, and graduated from Westfield (Mass.) State College in 1978. She had a long career in the hotel and restaurant business, including locally at the former Steak Out in Brattleboro and the Keene (N.H.) Country Club. She met her husband, Dub Maitland, in Brattleboro in 1987, and they shared a love for travel and adventure. They prided themselves on living in places that other people only dreamed of vacationing, and often took RV trips with their dogs to national parks, with Yellowstone being their favorite. After 25 years of living out West, Linda and Dub decided to move back to Vermont to be closer with their family and friends, most importantly, their niece and nephew, Julia and Charlie. She lived a fulfilling life, and made it her top priority that everyone around her feel loved. She is survived by her husband of 29 years; her sister Carol Slaughter and her husband, Doug; a nephew, Charlie Turner, and a niece, Julia Slaughter, all of Amherst, Mass. She is also survived by her many cousins and dear friends, all of whom she adored and loved to spend time and laugh with. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Oct. 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge, 75 Putney Rd. Donations to either the Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101 or St. Joseph's Indian School, 1301 North Main St., Chamberlain, SD 57325, supporting her love for animals and children.
• Mark Momaney, 52, of Canyon Lake, Calif., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 22. Born Jan. 31, 1965, the son of Mildred (Gero) Momaney and Richard Momaney, he was loved by many, but none more than his wife, Kathy (Croxford) Momaney. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Oct. 14 at St. Michael Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro.
• Jane Nam, 87, formerly of Bourne, Mass. Died Oct. 5 in Brattleboro. She was the daughter of Harold and Hazel (Bassett) MacDonald, born on Dec. 27, 1929 in New Bedford, Mass. She lived much of her life in Bourne, and graduated from the Bourne Schools in 1947. After attending art school in Boston for one year, she went on to nursing school and later earned a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in 1967. During her 40-year nursing career, Jane worked at New England Medical Center, Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, International Grenfell Hospital in Newfoundland, Victoria General in Nova Scotia, and Children's Hospital in Boston. She also practiced as a nurse anesthetist for 5 years. She ended her nursing career at the Barnstable County Hospital in Pocasset, Mass. She was a concerned and involved member of the town of Bourne. In her retirement, she became active in the Bourne Society for Historic Preservation, where she designed exhibits, planned programs, and created the scenic trolley rides in Bourne. As her father had been, she was a trustee of the Jonathan Bourne Public Library. She was an accomplished watercolor painter, an honorary member of the Painted Ladies of Bourne, and a supporter of the arts in Bourne. At Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School, she taught future nurses. She was a friend to all and beloved for her curiosity, her wry sense of humor, her eye for beauty, her love of adventure and travel, as well as her calming presence and her sympathetic ear. After retiring from nursing, she continued to care for the people in her community by driving them to medical appointments, collecting and distributing food and clothing, and volunteering at the free clinic. She was nominated for the prestigious Mercy Otis Warren award, given to an outstanding woman of the Cape that exemplifies community service, She is survived by her friend and former husband, Koon Woo Nam; their beloved daughter, Ellen Nam, of Dummerston; her son-in-law Bill Gallagher and her grandchildren, Sarah and Owen Gallagher; and her brother, Donald MacDonald, of Shelburne, Vt. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Nov. 18 at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Mass, at 10 a.m. Donations may be made to the Bourne Society for Historic Preservation or the Jonathan Bourne Public Library.
• Dorothy Oshlag Olson, 99, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 27 in Tucson, Ariz., following major surgery. Born April 12, 1918 in New York City, the daughter of Joseph Oshlag and Bessie (Brause) Oshlag, she and her family soon moved to New Rochelle, N.Y., where she grew up. Her father, who emigrated from Poland as a youth with his siblings and widowed mother, was a dentist. Her mother was a talented seamstress who stayed at home to raise Dorothy and her brother. Interviewed when she was 94, Dorothy described her childhood as “idyllic.” She attended New Rochelle High School and found her niche on the high school newspaper. She thrived at Oberlin College, where she majored in philosophy with a minor in art history and graduated with the Class of 1939. There, she also worked on the college newspaper all four years. Her first job after graduation was for a weekly newspaper in Bronxville, N.Y. She joined the magazine, Architectural Forum, in 1941 as production manager, getting to know the contemporary architects of the era, including Frank Lloyd Wright. Then, she went “uptown” to Time, Inc., where her job as production supervisor included producing the “pony editions” of the magazine for the troops serving abroad during World War II. Time Inc. sent her to post-war Europe to find a place to print Time and Life magazines. She recommended Paris. In Paris, she had to locate supplies, work with the unions, and organize the circulation of the publications, all with only one year of college French. This was a time that brought out all of her ingenuity and became the topic of memorable stories. After returning from Paris in 1947, she started work with broadcaster, author, and teacher Erik Barnouw at the Columbia University Center for Mass Communications. They produced public service films, radio programs, and articles for nonprofit organizations. Their short films won many awards, and she stayed there for 17 years. She had met Frances Flaherty, wife of famed documentary filmmaker Robert J. Flaherty. Mrs. Flaherty was organizing the board for what was then the International Film Seminars, based in Vermont. Dorothy joined the board and met Flaherty's attorney, Paul N. Olson, a bachelor who lived in West Brattleboro. They married in 1963, requiring an adjustment to country life and to two Springer spaniels. The home they shared for 40 years on Barrows Road included Dorothy's pottery studio, her flower gardens, Paul's meticulous vegetable garden, and the pond where they would take morning swims in the summer with the dogs. The Olsons were both deeply involved in the support of arts and education in Vermont, especially the Marlboro Music School and Festival, Marlboro College, the Brattleboro Music Center, and The Putney School. Dorothy's cooking and entertaining were legendary. She relished having a houseful of musicians. She and Paul formed lasting friendships with many of the talented musicians, scholars and artists associated with these organizations. An active potter and film maker, Mrs. Olson was a committed supporter of the arts and artists. She was elected to the Board of the Vermont Arts Council in 1977-81 and 1993-96 and served as the first female chair of its board. She was appointed to the National Crafts Council, a task force that traveled the nation to interview craftsmen about the state of their art, and reported to the National Endowment for the Arts. Dorothy and Marlboro filmmaker Alan Dater co-produced Bridge of Fire, a documentary about two potters, which was shown at the Museum of Modern Art and the Louvre and earned a C.I.N.E. Golden Eagle Award and the Best Media Work at the Festival International du Film sur l'Art in Montreal. When Paul retired from his law practice, he and Dorothy moved to a retirement community in Tucson, Ariz., where she plunged into local activities. She made pottery, took courses at the University of Arizona, attended and supported the Arizona Friends of Chamber Music, tutored area youth in reading, attended lectures and, of course, gave and attended dinner parties. She participated in residents' committees at the community, and was particularly proud of the ceramic markers identifying the flora in the gardens she caused to be placed there. Mrs. Olson was predeceased by her husband, her parents and brother, and is survived by her first cousins, Phyllis Kisloff of Riverdale, N.Y., and Elliot Brause of New Haven, Conn., nieces, Elizabeth W. Olson of Dorset, Vt., and Jean Olson Langway of Atlanta, second cousins and many devoted friends. She will be remembered for her constant curiosity, sense of humor, and capacity for friendship. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in Tucson on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m., in the Community Room at Brookdale Santa Catalina Villas. A memorial service will be held in Marlboro at a later time. Memorial gifts in her honor may be given to the Dorothy O. Olson and Paul N. Olson Music Fund at Marlboro College, Literacy Connects of Tucson, or another charity of your choice.
• Karson “Corky” L. Weaver, 70 ,of Dummerston. Died Oct. 3 at her residence. Born in Toledo, Ohio on April 17, 1947, the daughter of the late Cleon and Matilda (Carson) Cady, she previously resided in Sarasota, Fla., and relocated to Vermont 2 ½ years ago to be with her daughter. There, she was employed as a real estate agent. She enjoyed listening to Elvis, spending time with her dogs, taking trips to the local Humane Society with her grandson, Levi, and watching “Judge Judy.” In her younger years, she was quite good at playing squash, winning several trophies at the local club in Toledo, Ohio. She was known for her spectacular potato salad and her love of Thanksgiving; she enjoyed cooking dinners and spending time with family. She was also quite a seamstress and was the family's Halloween costume maker. The proudest and greatest achievement in her life was her family. She had a special place in her heart for her grandchildren; whom she always helped out in a pinch, especially when it came to satisfying their chocolate needs. She will best be remembered by her family as a truly good person, and a loving and caring, sister, mother, grandmother and friend. She was predeceased by a sister and brother-in-law, Pamela and John Baker. She is survived by a daughter, Laura Tabachnick and her husband, Scotty, of Dummerston; a sister, Debbie Cady and her husband. Walt Opaczewski, of Toledo, Ohio; four grandchildren and a nephew. Memorial information: There will be a private gathering for immediate family over the Thanksgiving holiday. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. The Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
Card of thanks
• The family of Rosalee Bills would like to thank friends and family who provided refreshments after their mother's graveside service in August. The thoughtfulness and support were greatly appreciated during a very difficult time.