Obituaries
• Alfred S. Childs, 88, of Westmoreland, N.H. Died Oct. 11, 2019 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. He was born in Guilford on June 25, 1931, the son of the late Bernard S. and Esther (Howe) Childs. Alfred graduated from Brattleboro High School and served his country in the Army from 1952 to 1954. He married Marjorie Hall in 1970. Alfred worked for many years at both Brown & Roberts and G.S. Precision in Brattleboro. He is survived by his daughter Diane Hall of Westmoreland, N.H.; brothers Wilfred Childs of Holy Hill, Fla., Robert Childs of Border Town, N.J., and Justin Childs of Bremerton, Wash.; and grandchildren Jeremiah Alfano, and Sirena and Kaelyn Willette. He was predeceased by brothers Lawrence, Harold, and Norman Childs and sisters Nancy Landry, Bernadine Sanderson, and Elizabeth Childs, who died in infancy. Memorial information: Per his wishes, he will be cremated with a small service to celebrate his life at his daughter's home at a later date.
• Jean Marie Ellis, 66, of Jacksonville. Died Oct. 9, 2019 in an auto accident. She was born in Peckville, Pa., on Aug. 23, 1953, the daughter of the late George and Mary Pasick Sanko. She attended schools in Paramus, N.J., graduating from Paramus High School with the Class of 1971. Jean will be remembered for her fierce loyalty to her pets, the New York Yankees, her beliefs, and her family. There is nothing she wouldn't have given up to make the lives of those around her better. Dry and sarcastic, nosey and sharp, she was never too much of any one thing. She was difficult to make laugh, passing that on to her kids, and while they thought she was annoying at times, she fought back by saying they were weird. A forever mother to those in her life, whether with two legs or four, a style daredevil with pink painted throughout her silver/white hair, a sublime home cook, an editor of social media posts, a hidden artist, and a reminder that the littlest of things could bring the most amount of joy. Jean will be remembered fondly, and missed dearly, by those who knew her. Her legacy living on through the kindness she taught, affecting everyone who loved her and those who have yet to learn of her. Jean is survived by her husband, Peter A. Ellis of Jacksonville, whom she married in 1979; her sons Kevin Ellis of Wilmington and Kenny Ellis of Jacksonville, her daughter Stacey Ellis of Wilmington, and her brother George Pasick of Haskell, N.J. Memorial information: At the request of the family, there are no funeral services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Ruby (Grimes) Lowe, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 10, 2019 at Thompson House nursing home. Ruby was born on Sept. 1, 1926 in Pike, N.H., the daughter of Gladys and William Grimes. She married Howard B. Lowe in 1952. They were married 36 years before her husband died in 1988. Ruby enjoyed the simple joys in life - spending time with family and friends, walking, watching the squirrels and birds at her feeder, and sitting in the sun on her deck. She is survived by two daughters, Kathleen Lowe-Whiton and her husband, Jim, of Walpole, N.H., and Melissa Lamoureux and her husband, Edward, of Brattleboro; grandsons Ethan Whiton and his wife, Megan, of Langdon, N.H., Mathew Whiton of Walpole, N.H. and two great-grandchildren Peyton and Waylon Whiton. Memorial information: There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private at the family lot at Meetinghouse Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Jacqueline J. “Jackie” Myers, 78, of West Dover. Died peacefully with her family by her side on Oct. 9, 2019 at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. Born on July 3, 1941 in New Haven, Conn., to Rose and Aldo Battista, Jackie grew up in New Haven and graduated from St. Mary's High School. After graduation, she worked in the banking industry for three years. Many did not know that Jackie was an accomplished pianist. In her teens, she was accepted into The Juilliard School of Music in New York, but did not attend. In 1962, she married the love of her life, William. Together they established a home and family in East Haven, Conn., for 54 years. For years, Jackie dedicated herself to raising her three beloved children and caring for her mother, Rose, and mother-in-law, Leona. In 1991, they purchased a vacation home in West Dover. Over the years, they have enjoyed many activities, favorite places and memorable friends there. In May 2016, Jackie and Bill moved permanently to West Dover. Jackie loved the serenity of Vermont and spending all her time with the love of her life. She would give daily nature reports to Bill and her girls. One of her favorite things was the daily visits from the local hummingbirds. Another one of her favorite things was to give her grandkids tons of kisses. Jackie was a kind, generous and gracious woman. She was the most loving mom and wife a family could ask for. She will be dearly missed and will be forever in our hearts. Jackie is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her daughters, Maria Snow (Brad Glazer) and Elisa Myers, and all that called her “Nonnie” - her grandchildren William Myers, III, Leah Rose Gobany, Andrew Gobany and Jadi Glazer; and her great-granddaughters Hailey, Lillian and Daisy Myers. She was preceded in death by her son, William Myers, Jr. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m., at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilmington. A reception will follow in the Church Hall. Donations to Shriners Children's Hospital in care of Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Scott D. Podwin, 57, of Walpole, N.H. Died October 16, 2019. Born in Keene, N.H. on March 22, 1962, he attended Bellows Falls Union High School and worked the last 30 years as a property caretaker. He enjoyed racing dirt bikes, and loved his jeep and his Harley Davidson motorcycle. His favorite thing was camping with family and friends. Anyone who knew Scott knew he had the biggest heart, was easy going, and a hard worker. He loved his family more then anything and will be deeply missed. He is survived by his partner Jackie Spinelli and her daughters Amy Sawyer of Rockingham, Dana Carver of Malletts Bay, Vt., and Mallori Balla of Walpole; his daughter Brittany Podwin of Bellows Falls and her daughter Brenna Podwin; and his sons Branden Foster of Claremont, N.H., and Ryan Johnson of Bellows Falls. Memorial information: Services will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Lucinda Dale Reynolds, 76, of Whitingham. Died peacefully on Oct. 13, 2019 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, where she had recently become a resident. The daughter of George and Nancy (Bly) Hoyt Sr. , she was born at home in Wilmington on Nov. 26, 1942. She grew up in Wilmington, where she attended local schools. For many years, she was the cook at the Whitingham School cafeteria. A true homemaker, she was dedicated to her home and her husband, Daniel J. Reynolds, whom she married in 1958. He died in 2012. She loved to cook and bake and tend to her plants. She was also an animal lover, especially her many pets she had over the years. She leaves her daughters, Andrea Jimenez of Clovis, N.M, Melissa Reynolds of Hamilton, N.Y., and Holly Meyer of Brookline; a sister, Vivian Dubiel; grandchildren Ashley Meyer, Jessica Young, Kevin Young, Joshua Young, Ted Bausch, Charlotte Bausch, and Rachael Jimenez; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her siblings George Hoyt Jr., Judith Kickery, and Marjorie Dix. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held Oct. 19 at the family lot in Sadawaga Cemetery. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in care of Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• James Allen Serviss, 67, of Vernon. Died peacefully, in the arms of his wife, in the comfort of his home on Oct. 10, 2019, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada, on Jan. 5, 1952, the son of the late Francis Charles and Betty (Canning) Serviss, he was raised and educated in Gouverneur, N.Y. He later moved to the Brattleboro area with his family and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1970. He worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro and as a truck driver for several trucking firms, including JCT Trucking and JPNoonan. He retired in 2014. Of his leisure time activities, he enjoyed riding his Honda GoldWing motorcycle and quality time shared with his family. He was an avid fan of the Red Sox and the Patriots. More recently, he took up oil painting, a hidden talent that was discovered during his illness. In 1988, he married Donna Perkins, who survives Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 31 years he leaves his four children: Michelle Stephens of Hinsdale, Melissa Fernette of Bernardston, Mass., Erin Martin of Brattleboro, and Corey Serviss of Vernon; two brothers, Gordon Serviss of Brattleboro and Scott Serviss of Florida; two sisters, Jan Whittle of West Brattleboro and Debbie Savage of Vernon; seven grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. 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.