Obituaries
• Sonia (Lannie) Alexander, 81, of Wilmington. Died peacefully, with her daughter, Janna DeLury, and son-in-law, Gilbert Seaman, at her side, on Nov. 14, 2022, from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Born on Dec. 17, 1940, in Mobile, Alabama, Sonia was the beloved daughter of Ordie and Mary Lannie. She attended Alba High School in Bayou La Batre, Alabama, where she was voted Homecoming Queen by her classmates. After graduation, she worked at First Federal Bank in Mobile. She later married Michael DeLury in 1962 and they had two children, Michael and Janna. During their marriage, the family lived in Florida, California, Japan, Nevada, Colorado, and New Jersey before settling in Wilmington in 1971. Sonia's love for Wilmington was immediate and she made it her permanent home. Sonia was selected as the Town Manager in 1976, a position she would hold for nearly 30 years. Sonia loved her work and felt it was a privilege to serve her community. The state and town recognized her accomplishments on numerous occasions, most notably when she became Vermont's Town Manager of the Year. Sonia's first retirement was short-lived. The Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) requested she consider serving as the interim Town Manager for Stowe. As expected, she agreed, and served for six months, before retiring again. Then in 2007, the town of Westminster called, and she agreed, again, to be an interim Manager. She promised herself, the town, her family, and friends, that it was for one year only. However, in 2008, she assumed the full-time position as Westminster's Town Manager. In 2011, Sonia retired for good and moved back to her favorite place, Wilmington. Unfortunately, due to Alzheimer's disease, her retirement in Wilmington was cut short and she relocated to New Iberia, Louisiana, to be with Janna and Gilbert. Sonia loved her family dearly and enjoyed spending as much time with them as possible, especially her grandchildren, Meagan and Seth, who called her “Mamsie.” Being a grandmother meant the world to her and wherever Michael and his wife, Christine, were stationed, Sonia would visit often. Sonia loved to travel, meet people, and experience other cultures. She traveled all over, including memorable trips to the Netherlands. She was also blessed with two great-granddaughters, Sonia and Lanna Spinelli. Sonia was a quick study and lifelong learner who was passionate about personal and professional growth. This was helped by her voracious appetite for reading and new experiences. She had a passionate appreciation for all the arts, which inspired her to take up painting in her 40s. She was also known for her prowess as a poker player, her love of gardening, cooking, and her mastery of The New York Times Sunday crossword. Some say she was also obsessed with rearranging furniture (her own and others). She was a true “Bohemian” at heart and was kind, generous, and had a wonderful sense of humor. Although Alzheimer's took her memories, the best of her personality prevailed to the end. Sonia is survived by her children Michael (Christine) DeLury of Wilmington, North Carolina; Janna (Gilbert Seaman) DeLury of New Iberia; granddaughter Meagan (Paul) Spinelli of Boston; grandson Seth DeLury of Boston; and sisters Penny Fickling of Charlotte, North Carolina and Peggy Seaman of Bayou la Batre, Alabama. She was predeceased by her parents and her brothers David and Dennis Lannie. Memorial information: Sonia's inurnment and celebration of life will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington during the spring of 2023 at a date to be announced.
• Mary (Conroy) Hall, 61, of Fairfax, Vermont. Died at her home on Nov. 14, 2022, due to complications from leiomyosarcoma. Mary was born on July 8, 1961, in Brattleboro. Her younger years were spent in various Vermont towns until she moved to Engelwood, N.J., in 1970. After graduating from high school, Mary completed her undergraduate degree in economics from Rutgers University. She followed this with a graduate degree in international affairs from Columbia University. After a brief career in banking and nonprofit organizations in New York City, Mary moved to Austin, Texas, in 1990. She would go on to earn an MBA and JD from the University of Texas at Austin. Mary was admitted to the bar in Texas and Vermont. While in Austin, Mary focused her law practice on family law. Mary moved back to Vermont with her husband, Steve, in 2017. Mary had a wide variety of jobs over the years, but nothing was more important to her than her daughter, Emily. Mary's graduate work at Columbia took her to Europe, Asia, and Africa. Through her extensive travels abroad with Emily, Mary instilled in her a love for culture and languages. They also shared a love for thrift stores and The New York Times crossword puzzle. In addition to Emily, Mary is survived by her husband, Steve; mother, Joy Hayes of Guilford, and father, James, of New Jersey; sisters Katy Morgan of Dummerston, Victoria James of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, and Jennifer and Paula of New Jersey; stepchildren Melissa and Carrie; and Carrie's son, Caleb. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 11 a.m., at Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Drive. Anyone with a connection to Mary is invited to stop by, share a story, and meet family. Donations to either Mercy Connections, 255 South Champlain St., Burlington, VT 05401 or to Casa Marianella, 821 Gunter St., Austin, TX 78702. Both organizations meant a lot to Mary.
• George A. Hickey, 72, of West Dover. Died peacefully at his home on Nov. 22, 2022. The son of Francis X. and Mary (McDermott) Hickey, he was born in Yonkers, New York on Nov. 5, 1950. George grew up in Yonkers graduating from Mt. Saint Michael Academy High School. George moved to Vermont in the summer of 1978 where he got a job painting lift towers at Mount Snow Ski Resort. He became a chef and for many years worked at several area restaurants and inns, the last being a chef at The Grand Summit Lodge at Mount Snow. George loved music and played bass guitar; he played with local bands including Stormwatch and Gorgeous George. In later years, he started the local chapter of Narcotics Anonymous and his own recovery group called Routes to Recovery. He leaves his wife of 28 years Leona Linney, daughter Jessika Hickey, sister-in-law Darlene Hickey, nieces Holly Petrush and Heather Murphy, nephew Sean Hickey, and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: A service to celebrate George's life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 11 a.m. at the Valley Town Church on South Main Street in Wilmington. A reception will follow the service at North Star Bowl Restaurant. Memorial gifts may be made to Serenity House Inc. in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send personal condolences to his family, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Marjorie (Judd) Madore-Carlson, 90, of Bellows Falls. Died Nov. 16, 2022 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. She was born Sept. 24, 1932 in Franklin, Vermont to Walter and Alma Judd, one of 13 children. She was Catholic and belonged to St. Edmond's Church in Saxtons River and St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters. She enjoyed playing cards, fishing, square dancing, Bingo and spending time with all her family. She is survived by her children: Claudia Zombeck, Walter Madore and his wife Peggy, Dennis Madore and his wife Gretchen, Joseph Madore, Arthur Madore, Jr., and Theresa Woolbert and her husband Kevin; daughter-in-law Linda Madore; son-in-law Paul Kane; stepson Gary Carlson and his wife Mary; and 21 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, and two brothers. She was predeceased by Arthur Madore Sr. (first husband), Ray Carlson (second husband), sons-in-law Emil Zombeck and Roy Stowell, daughter Marie Kane, son Leo Madore, and grandchildren Richard Madore and Amanda Woolbert. Memorial information: Visiting hours will take place on Friday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Fenton & Hennessy Funeral Home, 55 Westminster St., Bellows Falls. A funeral Mass will be held Dec. 3, at 10 a.m., at St. Charles Church, 31 Cherry St., Bellows Falls. Burial will follow the Mass in Saxtons River Cemetery.
• Marilyn Lucia (Castine) Momaney, 87, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 20, 2022 in Loudon, New Hampshire. Marilyn was born on Nov. 25, 1934 in Brattleboro to Fred and Elizabeth (Eddy) Castine. She attended Brattleboro elementary schools and was in the first class to graduate in the “new” high school on Fairground Road, today's Brattleboro Union High School. On Sept. 25, 1954, she married the love of her life, Walter Momaney Sr. at St. Michael's Catholic Church. They honeymooned in Quebec City, Canada and, many years later, they enjoyed a return visit with their daughter, Dawn and son-in-law, Howard. They were married for nearly 60 years before Walt died in 2014. Marilyn lived in Brattleboro for most of her life and later lived in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, Saxtons River, Newfane, and Windsor. After her husband's death, she stayed with Dawn and Howard in Loudon. Marilyn worked for New England Telephone in her early years and later worked at Brattleboro Cable and all its succeeding incarnations - Warner Cable, Adelphia Cable, and Comcast - for nearly 45 years. She retired when she was 70. Many memories were made with family and friends at their camp on Lake Champlain. She also enjoyed vacationing on the coast of Maine. Marilyn liked to knit and made many sweaters for her children throughout the years and her grandchildren when they were babies. She also enjoyed doing any kind of puzzle - jigsaws, crosswords, word searches, sudoku. She always had her camera nearby to capture all the moments in life. Nearing retirement age, Walt and Marilyn bought a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and would go to car cruises with their son. Most of all, Marilyn enjoyed spending time with her family. She loved the big gatherings when they would get together for all the holidays. Besides her husband, Marilyn was predeceased by her son Walter Momaney Jr. in 2021. She was also predeceased by her parents and siblings Robert Castine, Herbert (Bud) Castine, Hubert (Ted) Castine, Rita Howe, Maurice Castine, and Frederick Castine. She is survived by her daughters, Debra Powers and her husband Stanley of Dummerston, Dawn Sheldrick and her husband Howard of Loudon, and Tammi Quinn and her husband Bevan of Guilford. She is also survived by her sister, Karen Roberts, and daughter-in-law, Donna Momaney of Brattleboro, 12 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Funeral services will be private. Donations to Brattleboro Senior Meals (Meals on Wheels), 207 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Charles C. “Charlie” Shepard, 70, of Guilford. Died unexpectedly Nov. 19, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was born in St. Albans on Jan. 24, 1952, the son of Clifton and Mary Ann (Bonnette) Shepard. Charlie was raised and educated in Orleans, later moving to Brattleboro where he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1970. He worked many years as a machinist employed by HCP Packaging in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, which he retired from in 2010. Previously, Charlie worked at GS Precision in Brattleboro, was service manager at the former Brattleboro Ford, and had worked at the former Boise Cascade, also in Brattleboro. Involved in fire service for many years, he was a member and call fireman for the Brattleboro Fire Department and volunteered with the Hinsdale and Guilford fire departments. He coached pee wee baseball in Hinsdale and was instrumental in the construction of the new ball fields near the Hinsdale schools off Brattleboro Road. Charlie enjoyed stock car racing at Monadnock Speedway, serving as crew chief for his family's racing team. He was especially proud of taking part in the races at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. He also liked the outdoors, which included hunting and camping, as well as time shared with his family. On July 7, 2014 in Guilford, at a small wedding ceremony for family and close friends, he was married to Diana Leclaire, who survives. Besides his devoted and faithful wife, he leaves three sons, Dana of Putney, Nicholas of Easthampton, Massachusetts, and Timothy of Brattleboro; two daughters, Ginger Parent of Bakersville, Vermont and Heidi LaFlam of Vernon; three stepchildren, Philip Thomas of Virginia, Patrick Thomas of South Carolina, and Millissa Cole of Hinsdale; and two brothers, Wayne and Gary, both of Vernon. Additionally, he is survived by 20 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Graveside services for the immediate family were held at Morningside Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Edward Sylvester, 78, of Walpole, New Hampshire. Died Nov. 11, 2022 at his home with his family with him. Edward was born on Oct. 27, 1944 in Bellows Falls to the late Joseph and Elizabeth Sylvester. Ed graduated from Bellows Falls High School with the Class of 1963 and then proudly served for four years in the Navy. Ed worked for Hubbard Farms for over 35 years. He was an avid fan of the Red Sox and Patriots and a longtime member of The American Legion. He enjoyed a good game of solitaire, had an affection for nice pens, was an immaculate bookkeeper, and loved to watch old Westerns and game shows. Ed is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Joan A. (Rogers) Sylvester; son Brad Sylvester and his wife, Linda of Strafford, New Hampshire; daughter Vicky Riggio and her husband Drew of Walpole; son Lance Sylvester of Walpole; daughter Sarah Bast and her husband, Steven, of Littleton, Mass.; grandchildren Nicholas Sylvester, Griffin, and Macie Bast; sisters-in-law Joyce Sylvester and Juanita Sylvester; and brother-in-law Richard Brown. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers William and David Sylvester and sister Anne Brown. Memorial information: A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Watkins Inn & Tavern, located at Hooper Golf Course in Walpole. Donations to Walpole Fire-EMS, P.O. Box 162, Walpole, NH 03608.
Services
• A celebration of life service for Bernice “Jeannie” Leavitt will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4, from 1 to 3 p.m., at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street in Brattleboro. Mrs. Leavitt, 75, of Brattleboro, died on Nov. 11, 2022. To view her full obituary or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.