Obituaries
• Vera M. Deyo, 99, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 17, 2022 at Bradley House in Brattleboro, where she had been a resident for the past nine years. Mrs. Deyo was born in Burlington on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, 1922, the daughter of Eleoda and Mary (Buffum) Maynard. She was raised and educated in Wilmington, graduating from Wilmington High School with the Class of 1940. For 37 years, she served as secretary for First Baptist Church in Brattleboro. Prior to becoming secretary at First Baptist, she was a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. Vera enjoyed golf and was a longtime member of the Brattleboro Country Club. An active volunteer for many years, she served on several area organization boards that included The Gathering Place, Brattleboro Area Hospice, Bradley House, and the Brattleboro Pastoral Counseling Center. In conjunction with her administrative duties at First Baptist Church, Vera also served as a deacon and a member of several church related committees and boards. On May 20, 1946, Vera was married to Harold E. Deyo, Jr. who predeceased her in 1980. Survivors include sons James Deyo and his wife, Susan, of Rochester, N.H., and David Deyo and his wife, Sherri, of Guilford; daughter Jeanne Deyo of Brattleboro; daughter-in-law, Jaclyn Deyo (Steven's wife); and nine grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Vera was predeceased by a son, Steven Deyo, in 2008; brothers Roger, Allison, Reginald and Peter Maynard; and a sister, Jacquelyn Bradley. Memorial information: Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday Dec. 28, 2022, at 1 p.m., at First Baptist Church on Town Crier Drive with Pastor Suzanne Andrews officiating. Vera was interred next to her beloved husband in Locust Ridge Cemetery. Donations to First Baptist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Bradley House, 65 Harris Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Alice Irene LaFortune, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 24, 2022 at Pine Heights nursing home, following an extended illness. Alice was born on Sept. 20, 1932 in Winchendon, Mass., the daughter of Joseph and Yvonne (Desmarais) LaFortune. She attended school in Gilbertville, Mass., moving to Brattleboro with her family in 1952. She worked as a purchasing agent for the Holstein Association in Brattleboro, retiring in 1991 following 30 faithful years of service. A devout Catholic, Alice was a communicant of Sr. Michael's Catholic Church, sang in the church choir, and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Ave Maria Circle #128. Alice enjoyed taking day trips, bus excursions, knitting, ceramics, and time with her family. Survivors include sisters, Rita Passeneau of Durham, N.H., Doris LaFortune of Brattleboro, and Jeanne Morgan and her husband, Leslie, of Hinsdale, N.H.; and sister-in-law Linda LaFortune of Melbourne, Fla. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great nieces,and great nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, Maurice, Arthur, and Ernest LaFortune. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Sept. 28 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in the LaFortune family plot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's Catholic Church, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Rescue, Inc., PO Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lawrence Raymond “Ray” Massucco, 75, of Bellows Falls. Died suddenly at home on Sept. 27, 2022. He was born in 1947 in Waterbury, Conn., and grew up in Bellows Falls, the son of Dr. Lawrence and Marion (Bigelow) Massucco. Ray is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ginny; their three children Neil Massucco, Julie (Mike) Kleiner, and Kate (Matt Slocum) Massucco of Seattle; two sisters, Mary Lou Massucco of Saxtons River and Sarah Jane (Stephen Chipman) Massucco of Bartonsville; his grandson Ben Kleiner; four nieces; two nephews and two grandnephews; many cousins; and his law office partners and employees. He is predeceased by his parents and a brother, Johnny Massucco. Ray graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1965, the University of Vermont in 1970, and Suffolk Law School in 1973. Following graduation from law school, he returned to Bellows Falls to practice law with Tony Kissell and began a career he genuinely loved, which spanned 50 years. Ray enjoyed gathering with his colleagues of the Windham County Bar Association, and rarely missed the annual meeting. He was also active in the Vermont Bar Association, served on the Vermont Board of Bar Examiners, and the National Board of Bar Examiners. Ray loved his hometown and its history, promoting it enthusiastically at every opportunity while also working to bolster its future. He volunteered and served on many boards and committees throughout his life; the Downtown Townscape project, the YMCA board, the Connecticut River Watershed Council, and Rockingham's 250th anniversary celebration. He was active with class of '65 BFHS alumni, acted as Village & Town Moderator, served on the Rockingham Free Public Library Board, and the Greater Area Rockingham Services Board. Ray was a prolific blood donor, and recently gave his 183rd pint. He and his office looked forward to the Windham County Big Brothers and Big Sisters “Bowl for Kids' Sake” fundraiser each year, and raised thousands of dollars for that organization. As a lifelong music lover, Ray was never happier than when bringing the next live music event to Bellows Falls. The Roots on the River festival was a passion for him. He worked tirelessly and joyfully for nearly 20 years to make it happen. In 2006, he founded Vermont Festivals. He presented the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, folk musicians, comedians, and drew visitors from all over New England and beyond. Ray's gift of gab allowed him to form lasting bonds of friendship with these musicians, artist, and fans. Of all his many passions and commitments, Ray most loved his family and creating special memories to spin into tales he could share with everyone he met. Memorial information: A funeral Mass took place on Oct. 4 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to Our Place Drop-In Center in Bellows Falls, or a charitable organization of one's choosing. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Bettina Whitney Hawkinson “Tina” Pratt, 94. Died peacefully in Boston on Sept 20, 2022. A lepidopterist, naturalist, pianist, artist, lover of Cuban and Russian culture, activist, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she leaves behind her loving family, friends, and devoted caregivers. She was born on April 16, 1928 in Hartford, Conn. Tina was extremely close to her mother and father, John and Laura Hawkinson, and to her brother John. Her childhood was filled with music, art, books and nature. She spent many happy years at her beloved “studio” where she learned the names of flowers and butterflies at her parents' knees. At the age of 9, Tina became a lepidopterist; avidly trying to catch each butterfly of North America. Tina framed her butterflies and derived great joy in sharing them with others. Tina attended Garrison Forest School and Bennett Junior College where she continued her love of learning. She learned piano composition from her beloved teacher, Mr. Whitmer. Whether in Cohasset, Mass., Florida, or in Boston, playing the piano was a daily joy well into her 94th year. During World War II, Tina was a Red Cross volunteer at Hartford Hospital. Her memories of the first day include the deadly Hartford Circus Fire on July 6, 1944. She remembered this as a traumatic and terribly sad day, as more than 170 people lost their lives. Tina was particularly proud that she taught the first course in music at the American School for the Deaf in Hartford. As she played the piano, the children experienced the music through their feet and their hands. Tina spent many summers at Eaton Ranch with her cousin Joan and was thrilled to be part of a cattle drive on horseback. In 1950, she married Marsom Pratt. In the ensuing years, her children (whom she called her “treasures” - Laura, young Marsom, and Drusilla) were born. She filled her children's lives with the love of reading and also filled her home with music. Her children remember time spent crouched under the piano to scary music and stories, and dancing to the happier tunes. They also spent many happy hours in the countryside being taught at her knee about the marvels of nature. As a young mother, Tina took Russian lessons and she and her nusband traveled often to Mexico. She continued to draw and paint and play the piano. Her mother and father received many illustrated letters of the antics of her new family. Every year there was a family Christmas card where we were all featured. At night, Tina could be seen in the kitchen singing along passionately to opera. Tina was fervently involved in politics. Several of her illustrated recipes were published in Gourmet magazine. She attended the Unitarian Church in Cohasset, where she formed a lifelong friendship with Reverend Trueblood. Tina also attended the Vedanta Centre, where she met her dear teacher, Bapu. Tina traveled several times to Cuba and Russia and made lifelong friends along the way. Tina met Peter “Colombo” Falk on Boston Common and was once kissed by Robert Mitchum. She was known to hide chocolate from her son-in-law. Tina had a full-page picture of John Hamm hanging on the refrigerator. Her grandchildren visited her often throughout her life and she had a very special place in her heart for each of them. On her 93rd birthday, her great-grandsons taught her how to lick frosting off the candles. All who knew her were enriched by Tina's joy of all things beautiful, as well as her curiosity, gratitude, strength, and her unfailingly positive and gracious manner. Tina is survived by her three children and their spouses/significant others: Laura Pratt and James Woodberry of Brattleboro, Drusilla and Stephen Pratt-Otto, Marsom Pratt and Perry Lickfield; her four grandchildren and one spouse; Sam Pratt-Otto, Lang Pratt-Otto, Kathleen Whitney Pratt and Jenny and Curtis Kahn; and her two great-grandsons; Charles and George Kahn. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.
• Vanda N. Warner, 81, of Whitingham. Died peacefully, in the company of her family, on Sept. 19, 2022. Born on Dec. 26, 1940 in Bryn Mawr, Pa., Vanda was the daughter of Frank Dreby Warner and Lillian Campbell Warner. Vanda is predeceased by her husband, Leon Peters, the love of her life. They married on February 14, 1980 and made their home in Whitingham. She is survived by her daughters, V. Tacy Lincoln and her husband, Howard, and Dana Carolyn Homer; stepdaughter, Olga Elizabeth Peters; grandchildren Maximilian Campbell Coombs, Addison Warner Coombs, Carter Grant Lincoln and his wife, Kaila (Maguire), Lucy Hallowell Lincoln and her fiance, Alex Godin; and great-grandson, Theodore Lincoln. Vanda graduated summa cum laude from North Adams State College in 1979, where she earned a bachelor's degree with majors in psychology and philosophy. She was a lifelong learner and a dedicated educator. Her most rewarding position was being the career counselor at Whitingham and Wilmington high schools until her retirement in 2002. She was a devoted community member who served on various local boards including the Whitingham Board of Civil Authority, Justice of the Peace, Chair of Whitingham Democratic Party Committee; Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce; and coordinator of Whitingham High School's Grants for Grads Program. Vanda was fortunate to have her wit and humor with her until the end. She was actively engaged in current events and would eagerly discuss politics and world affairs with friends and family. Many of her former students stayed in touch with her and she delighted in having conversations with them to learn about their professional and personal accomplishments since their graduation. In addition, she was honored to have been asked by several of her former students to be the officiant of their weddings as she was highly regarded for the personal and meaningful marriage ceremonies she performed. Memorial information: A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Oct. 9, at 2 p.m., at the Charlemont (Mass.) Federated Church, with a reception to follow. A private interment ceremony will be held at a later date. Donations to Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, Whitingham Ladies Benevolent Society, or the Vermont Foodbank in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.