College news
• Ruby Powers of Dummerston has enrolled at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., for the fall 2021 semester. Powers's selected major is marketing.
Obituaries
• Robert Wayne “Bob” Birch, 83, of Readsboro. Died peacefully at his daughter's home, in the company of his loving family, on Sept. 28, 2021. The son of John and Stella (Day) Birch and the last of nine children, he was born in Clarksburg, Mass., on Nov. 30, 1938. He married Betty Baldwin in 1957. For 40 years, he worked for the Readsboro Public Works Department and also was a driver for many area trucking businesses. He performed electrical, water, and sewer work for the town and was a very active member of the Readsboro community. Bob was a member of the Readsboro Fire Department for more than 50 years and an active member of the area snowmobile clubs. He was a member of the Springfield Beagle Club, where he ran his dogs for sport. In later years, he enjoyed bringing his granddaughter to horse shows. In addition to his wife of 64 years; he leaves his son Robert P. Birch, daughter Kim (George) Bills, both of Readsboro, and son Mark (Wendy) Birch of Whitingham, along with seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his grandson, George J Bills Jr., in 2016. Memorial information: At Bob's request there will be no services. Donations to The Berkshire Beagle Club or Windham County Humane Society in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. Condolence cards may be sent to the Birch Family, P.O. Box 86, Readsboro, VT 05252.
• Richard A. “Louie” Boucher, 68, of Bellows Falls. Died unexpectedly on Oct. 5, 2021 at home. Born Aug. 1, 1953 in Malden, Mass., to the late Jean (Barratt) and Albert Boucher, he graduated from Malden High School in 1971 and then served in the Army. While living in Malden, he worked for Harcourt News and the Malden Emergency Center. Louie later moved to Bellows Falls and raised his family there. Louie started his career with the Brattleboro Police Department, retiring as the department's chief dispatcher. He also was a dispatcher for the Vermont State Police, and the Bellows Falls and Windsor police departments. He was a member of American Legion Pierce-Lawton Post 37, the Polish Club, Knights of Columbus, the Elks and Moose. as well as St. Charles Roman Catholic Church. He helped with many charitable golf tournaments and gave generously of his time and resources. Louie is survived by his wife Lee (White) Boucher of Bellows Falls, sons (Rev.) Richard O'Donnell of Essex Junction, Joseph O'Donnell of New Hampshire, Casey Paige of Athens, and Eric Paige of Bellows Falls, and grandchildren Max Paige of Florida and Naudia Paige of Athens. Louie is also survived by siblings Jean Ann Grifone, Gail Gregory, Donna Boucher, and Robert Boucher, as well as many cousins and several nieces and nephews. Louie leaves countless friends whom he cherished as family. He was predeceased by his parents, and his son, Roderick. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Oct. 9, 2021, with a private burial in the family lot in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Bellows Falls. Donations to the Make a Wish Foundation or to St. Michael's School in Brattleboro.
• JoAnn Elizabeth Del Colliano, 90, of Asheville, N.C., formerly of Brattleboro. Died August 20, 2021 in her home at the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community. JoAnn was born in Brattleboro on March 12, 1931 to Alphonse and Elizabeth Ratté, the fourth of six children. JoAnn married John F. Del Colliano in 1955. He was a career Army officer, and they lived in and traveled to many wonderful places during his time in the military, including two tours in Germany and one in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. They had two daughters, Theresa and Deborah. JoAnn loved being a wife, mother, and homemaker. She was faithful in serving her church, delighted in knitting beautiful blankets for babies, and thoroughly enjoyed playing bridge and reading/listening to books. After retirement, John and JoAnn resided in San Diego, Calif., for 17 years and then in Tucson, Ariz., for 18 years. After John's death in 2003, JoAnn eventually moved to Asheville to be closer to her daughters. Her years at Deerfield were filled with rich experiences and lovely friends. Besides her loving parents and devoted husband, JoAnn was predeceased by her brothers, Eddie, Charles, Foss, and Richard, and sister, Dorothy. She is survived by her daughters, Terri (Gary) Frink of Asheville and Debbie (John) Stadnik of Greensboro, N.C.; her grandchildren Stepheni (Vince), Brock (Megan), Clayton Stadnik, and Amy (Luke) Stout; a new great-grandson, Jett; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Sept. 11 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden, N.C. She was interred with her husband in the Southern Arizona Veterans' Memorial Cemetery.
• Marjorie A. Johnson, 94, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died at her home on Oct. 1, 2021. She was born in Hanover, N.H., on June 1, 1927 to Allen J. Anderson and Ruth G. Anderson. Marjorie graduated from Hanover High School in 1945, attended Keene State Teachers College for one year, and spent the following two years working at Dartmouth College's Baker Library. She then attended the University of New Hampshire, where she met her husband, Richard. Marjorie later returned to KSC, graduating in 1971. Marjorie and Richard were married in 1950 and moved into Richard's family home on Snow Avenue in Hinsdale, where they lived for 25 years and raised their five children. They then moved to Pleasant Street in Hinsdale. Marjorie was a member of the First Congregational church of Hinsdale for 71 years and can be considered one of the original church ladies. Marjorie was an accomplished seamstress. She enjoyed knitting for many years and her sweaters continue to warm those who received them as gifts. Marjorie found joy in quilting. She was a prolific and talented quilter and enjoyed giving her quilts to family and friends. She continued creating quilts until recently. Marjorie was an avid reader and enjoyed genealogy and history. She was a member of Hinsdale Historical Society and worked at Hinsdale's Public Library and Cheshire National Bank. Marjorie was predeceased by Richard in 2011 after 61 years of marriage, and by her brother, Robert (Joan) Anderson, and their son, Jay. She is survived by her children, David (Mary) Johnson of Northfield, Mass., Susan (Peter) Dejnak of East Swanzey, N.H., Richard Jr. (Cathy) Johnson of Hinsdale, Robert (Karen) Johnson of Hinsdale, and Nancy Wright of Keene. She also leaves 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and several nephews and cousins. Memorial information: Marjorie chose to donate her body to Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine. In so doing, she returned to her birthplace. It was her wish to contribute to medical education, research, and the advancement of science. A memorial service will be held at a future date. Donations to the Hinsdale Historical Society, 609 Brattleboro Rd., Hinsdale, NH 03451, or Hinsdale Public Library, 122 Brattleboro Rd., Hinsdale, NH 03451.
• Patricia Toomey, 74, of Brattleboro. Died suddenly on Sept. 2, 2021. Patricia was born in Westfield, Mass., on March 30, 1947, to Clarence and Hazel (Fox) Ewens Sr. She was predeceased by her parents, four sisters, and two brothers. She leaves behind three sisters, Diane Colon, Sandra Abarca, and Linda Vanderkok; four brothers, Gary, Jimmy, John, and Richard Ewens; as well as her life partner of 18 years, Gary Krowski of Brattleboro, and many nieces and nephews. Patricia was a dedicated daughter, sister, wife, and a very special aunt to all. She will be greatly missed by all her family members and friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Oct. 24 at Ker-Phaneuf Funeral Homes & Crematorium located at 57 High St., Brattleboro, from 10 a.m. to noon, with a graveside service to follow at Morningside Cemetery. A reception will follow at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street.
• Ronald Arthur “Ron” Worden Sr., 89, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 4, 2021 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, following a period of declining health. Ron was born at home in Dummerston on Sept. 25, 1932, the son of Henry and Beatrice (Duby) Worden. He was raised and educated locally and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1951. He went on to serve his country in the Army, and then served in the Navy. Upon his honorable discharge for medical reasons, he returned home to Brattleboro. He had been employed for many years for Maple Farms Dairy (later Weeks Dairy), which he retired from as division manager following more than 50 years of faithful service with the company. Ron later became Day Steward of the B.P.O. Elks, Lodge #1499, and also served as a part-time bartender for both the Elks and the F.O. Eagles Brattleboro Aerie #2445, He was a longtime member of both clubs. Additionally, Ron held membership in American Legion Post 5. He loved children and, for many holiday seasons, he played “Santa” at the clubs he was involved in. Active civically, he was a member of the Brattleboro Fire Department's call force for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family on their houseboat docked on the Connecticut River. In 1954, he married Alice Cunningham. His loving and devoted wife of 64 years predeceased him on June 21, 2019. Survivors include one son, Lawrence “Larry” Worden and his wife, Kim, of Hinsdale, N.H.; two daughters, Mary Underwood of Brattleboro and Patricia “Padi” Blum of Townsend; one brother, Richard Smith of Brattleboro; a sister, Jeannette Felton of Erving, MA; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by one son, Ronald A. Worden, Jr., in 2008, one brother, Henry Worden, and a sister, Patricia Powers. Memorial information: A service in celebration of his life will be conducted at the F.O. Eagles on Chickering Drive on Saturday, Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the Worden family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.