Obituaries
• Nancy Elizabeth (Chickering) Cherrier, 85, formerly of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire and Bradford, Vermont. Died peacefully on Nov. 27, 2022 at her residence in Simpsonville, South Carolina. She was born May 5, 1937 in Nashua, New Hampshire, the daughter of Richard Goodell Chickering and Mary Virginia (Flather) Chickering. She grew up on her parents' farm in West Chesterfield and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1955. In 1958, she received her R.N. degree from Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing in Hanover, New Hampshire and later received a B.S. in psych/soc from New England College and her B.S.N. from Colby-Sawyer College. She was employed by what is now Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center from her graduation from nursing school until her early retirement in 1993. She continued to work part-time for the hospital until 1999. She enjoyed reading, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and the outdoors. Nancy was very knowledgeable about her family's history and enjoyed sharing stories with family and friends. She enjoyed square dancing and volunteering at the Orange East Senior Center in Bradford, where she led senior strength training for 20 years. She is survived by her two sons David L. Cherrier and his wife Valerie of Fountain Inn, South Carolina and Dale A. Cherrier of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren Heather, Taylor, Casey, Akayla, Lauren, and Ryan; and four great-grandchildren. Memorial information: There will be no funeral services. A small family gathering at the West Chesterfield Cemetery will be planned for Spring 2023. Donations to Upper Valley Humane Society, 300 Old Route 10, Enfield, NH 03748.
• John H. Deitz, 74, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died Nov. 23, 2022 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a lengthy illness. J.D., as he was affectionately known, was born in Fairfield, Connecticut on June 13, 1948, the son of Howard Walter and Mary (Towler) Deitz. He was raised and educated in Fairfield, graduating from Andrew Ward High School, Class of 1966. He worked most of his career in the propane gas business, retiring in 2010 as service manager of AmeriGas in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Previously, he had been employed at Synergy in Brattleboro and for several other propane gas companies that included All Star Propane of North Carolina. J.D. loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, riding all terrain vehicles and motorcycles, and time spent with his family. He was especially proud of his Harley-Davidson. On July 15, 1999 in Peterborough, New Hampshire, he was married to Rose Struthers who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 23 years he leaves five children, Maryjane Fleischer of Trumbull, Connecticut, Kara Bowen of Florida, Drew Leno of Winchester, New Hampshire, and Evan “Brodie” Leno and Carleton “Buddy” Leno, both of Warwick, Massachusetts; brothers Howard “Butch” Deitz, Albert “Billy” Deitz, Charles “Chaz” Deitz, and Wayne Deitz; and sisters Doris Wirtemburg and Eleanor Orosz-Smith-Fossaluzza. Additionally, he is survived by six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and several cousins. He was predeceased by a daughter, Louanne Deitz; a sister, Jean Accettullo; and a granddaughter, Cheyenne Seymour. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted Nov. 30 in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donation to 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.
• David Whitney Elliott, 64, of Marlboro. Died peacefully at his home, in the company of his loving family, on Nov. 27, 2022. David was born in Brattleboro on Feb. 18, 1958, the son of Robert Elliott III and the late Volitia (Whitney) Elliott. His ancestors had settled in Marlboro in 1770. David grew up on Higley Hill where he spent much of his time on the Whitney family farm. He attended Marlboro Elementary School and, later, Wilmington High School, where graduated with the Class of 1977. He also attended the Career Center at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington where he learned lifelong skills in the machine shop classes. During his youth, he worked at the Whitney Farm and then in the family business, Elliott Trucking Corp. In 1992, he began working for the town of Marlboro Highway Department and was promoted to Road Foreman in 1994, a position he kept until recently retiring due to his declining health. David not only served his town on the highway department but as Chief of the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company from 1994 until 2019. He had joined the department in his early teens. The people of Marlboro would recognize his contributions each year to the town with a standing ovation at the annual Town Meeting. David was a trusting, hard-working man who would help anyone who was in need of assistance. Coming from a family of hunters, he especially enjoyed spending time at camp in Norton and raising beagles. He loved his special hunting dog Misty. He also enjoyed fishing and watching his three grandchildren grow up. He leaves his father, Robert Elliott III of Marlboro; his wife, Lisa (Shapiro) Hecht of Marlboro; a son, Daniel Elliott and his girlfriend Stephanie Staib of Marlboro; a daughter, Billie Jo Hall and her husband Charles of East Dover; siblings Melinda Coombs and her husband Bill of Jacksonville, and Robbie Elliott and wife Mary Anne of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren Lucas, Chelsey and Elliot; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to his mother, he was predeceased by a son, David W. Elliott Jr., and a sister, Kathy Dix. Memorial information: David will be laid to rest privately next to his son in the Clark Warren Cemetery. A public celebration of life will take place and be announced at a later date. Memorial gifts may be made to the Marlboro Volunteer Fire Company in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send condolences to the family, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Zada Daryl Franklin, 54, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 18, 2022 at The Hospital of Central Connecticut after a ten-year fight with chronic kidney disease. She was born in Brattleboro on July 15, 1968, the daughter of William and Karen (McCauley) Kirkwood. Zada was predeceased by her maternal grandmother and grandfather and her father. She leaves behind her loving husband of 36 years, William Franklin II; her three wonderful children: William Franklin III and his partner, Krysten Cammarata, of the South; Samantha Winter and her husband, Travis, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire; and Theresa Waters and her husband, Jordan, also of Hinsdale; and five grandchildren. In addition to her immediate family, she also leaves behind her mother, Karen; her sister, Diana; her brother, William; eight nieces and nephews, and 19 great-nieces and great-nephews. Zada had many interests, but nothing could top spending time with her grandchildren. She was well known and loved in town. Any time you saw her out and about, she would love to stop and chit-chat for what seemed like hours. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, including being a member of the Brattleboro Union High School Booster Club while her children played sports. She was outspoken and always very blunt, but it's what was most loved about her. She was a fierce mother, wife, and “grammy,” and will be missed dearly by those she loved. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the Mass to be held at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street. Donation to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Judith (Judy) Jones, 88, of East Dover. Died unexpectedly at her residence on Nov. 25, 2022. Judy was born on Aug. 26, 1934 in New York City, daughter of the late John and Mary (Borelli) Morse. Judy graduated from Cornell University and later obtained a master's degree in science which led her to become a scientist in the pharmaceutical industry. One of Judy's greatest achievements was being a part of the team that created one of the first full-spectrum antibiotics. Her love of education expanded as she changed the lives of children, teaching science to students at Leland & Gray High School and Mount Snow Academy. Judy loved cats as well as horses. She was often found at horse shows supporting her daughter and cheering her on. In her later years, she enjoyed reading magazines, supporting her community, Revolutionary War reenactments, and Queen Elizabeth. Judy was also a member of the LKG of the West Dover Congregational Church where she would enjoy her time. Judy is survived by her daughter Mary Beth McGovern of Vermont; stepdaughters Cheryl Rickards of New Jersey and Felice Atkinson of Georgia; grandchildren Jordan, Wesley, Gabriel, Kathryne, Elizabeth, Christina, Kimberly, and Patrick; and great grandchildren Sophia and Jonah. Judy was predeceased by her spouse Harry Jones, brother John, and sister Sheila. Memorial information: Per Judith's request, no services will be held at this time. She will be greatly missed as she touched the lives of so many. To send personal condolences to the family, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Cecil Warren McLaury, 62, of Guilford. Died Nov. 29, 2022 after a two-week battle with post-cardiac trauma. He was born on Jan. 16, 1960 in Wichita County, Texas, but he called Guilford home. He leaves several nieces, nephews, and cousins as well as his wife, Bobbie Jo McLaury, of Guilford, four stepchildren, and a plethora of friends and family of choice. Cecil touched all who knew him and will be missed by many. Memorial information: There will be no services, as per his wishes, and all who wish to honor his memory can donate to a Recovery Center of their choice because Cecil was passionate about recovery, having recently celebrated 38 years. Arrangements are with Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont, New Hampshire. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit stringerfh.com.
• Stephen Albert Seitz, 65, of Springfield, Vermont. Died suddenly at home on Nov. 18, 2022 of congestive heart failure. As a journalist, he cared about fairness and impartiality in reporting. During his six years as a correspondent at the New Hampshire Union Leader, people from across the social and political spectrum would call to thank him for sharing their views accurately. Longtime readers of the Brattleboro Reformer may recall his film reviews and the April Fool's article in which he wrote that the parking garage was going to be designed by “I.M. Paid” and would have an aquarium on top, and got a real, but joking, quote from one local official promising a skateboard ramp from the top of the building down to the rail station. Steve loved being a reporter, especially when it allowed him to interview prominent figures from history (such as Tuskegee Airmen), politicians, and celebrities. Some highlights for him were when longtime White House reporter Helen Thomas complimented him on his questioning technique, when Jerry Lewis used him as a straight man during a press conference, and when he got private interviews with actors at science fiction conventions. Steve's first novel, Sherlock Holmes and the Plague of Dracula, has fans around the world and has been translated into Italian. His most recent Sherlock Holmes pastiche, Sherlock Holmes and the House of Pain, was ranked 39th on Mystery Tribune's 106 Best Sherlock Holmes Books For Avid Fans: 2022 Edition. His Ace Herron novels about a Vermont-based crime reporter have gotten good reviews. Stephen was born on Dec. 1, 1956 in Providence, Rhode Island and attended schools in Chester and Brattleboro before getting his B.A. in communications with a focus on film from the University of Vermont. After graduation, he worked briefly as deejay Maxwell Edison at WKVT before moving to Washington D.C., where he worked a variety of government and private sector jobs, writing the nation's coal report while at the Department of Energy and working with Watergate special prosecutor Archibald Cox at Common Cause. Steve was a lifelong fan of comics, Sherlock Holmes, James Bond, Star Trek, and film. He loved listening to film soundtracks and novelty albums. He was a favorite with small children, dogs, and his wife of 25 years. Steve was predeceased by his father John Seitz and his brother James Seitz. He is survived by his wife Susan Austin; son Daniel Seitz and his wife, Alaina; his mother Sylvia Adams Seitz; sisters Susan Seitz (Ed Cohen) and Sharon Annis (Eric); sister-in-law Brenda Seitz, extended families on both sides and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: No services are planned at this time.
• Patricia A. Slade, 85, of South Londonderry. Died Nov. 30, 2022 in Concord (N.H.) Hospital. She was born March 16, 1937 in Mount Holly, Vermont, the daughter of Harry A. and Cecile (Houle) Colburn. A graduate of Mount St. Joseph High School in Rutland, she then went on to receive her nursing degree at Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing. In 1958, she married Kenneth Slade. Pat worked as a registered nurse in the cardiac care unit in St. Peter's Hospital in Albany, New York. She was an active member of St. Joseph The Worker Church in Chester. During her 23 years of retirement, she enjoyed tending to her gardens, volunteering at the Thrifty Attic and church suppers, caring for her neighbors when needed, and caring for her family, always. Survivors include her children, Diann Dawson (Bill) of Slingerlands, New York, Franklin Slade (Christina) of Middle Grove, New York, and grandchildren Daniel Dawson and Connor Slade. She was predeceased by her husband and siblings Michael and Claudette Colburn. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 7 at St. Joseph The Worker Church in Chester. Donations to local charities of one's choice.
• George Francis Smith, 75, of Newfane. Died Nov. 23, 2022. He was born in Freeport, New York on May 12, 1947, the son of George and Rita Smith. George was the youngest of three, and adored his sisters; he told stories of how he would bring home designer outfits for them from a summer job at a fashion house. As a child, he raised pigeons with his father and when on road trips, the pigeons would regularly beat them home. George was a peaceful man, and was a proud conscientious objector during the Vietnam War. This decision led him to choose a career, so he went on to Boston College, where he was one of the first two students with long hair (another fact of which he was very proud). While there, George studied respiratory therapy and biology (a love stemming from a childhood of having various pets from lizards and snakes to guinea pigs and fish). George chose his alternate service to help children and started his career at the Boston Floating Hospital for Children before moving north and settling in Vermont. There he met Wendy Kerlin while working at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He and Wendy traveled across the country and relocated to Oregon, before George suffered an aneurysm and underwent brain surgery. They relocated back to Vermont to be with their extensive network of friends who are family. George and Wendy were married in 1981, and their first daughter Leah was born in September of that year. George and Wendy wanted to grow their family, and were able to do so by adoption, adding six more children from both Vermont and Ethiopia. George and Wendy spent many years in their house on the hill, with gardens and big yard filled with laughter, friends, music, and great food. It was a place where so many would call home. George was a man of many interests and hobbies. George loved to play guitar and bass and through the 1960s, and in the early 2000s he played with Morningsun and White Noise. George had a wealth of obscure music trivia, and passed his love of music on to his entire family (as well as his love of Cheez-Its). An avid bird watcher, George also enjoyed fishing in the streams of rural Vermont where he loved catching trout. He spent many years at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital as a well loved and respected respiratory therapist. After retiring from BMH, he spent many more years at the Brattleboro Food Co-op as the well-known “Cheese Guy,'' making customers laugh with quite possibly the original “Dad Jokes.” George spent his remaining days in the good company of his close friends and former bandmate Gary and his wife Melanie swapping memories, playing guitar, watching shows together, eating Cheez-Its and, most of all, smiling with every day. George is survived by his children, Leah Lydon (Chris), Jesse Kerlin-Smith (Silvana), Joseph Kerlin-Smith (Sarita), Helen Kerlin-Smith, Elizabeth Kerlin-Smith, Anna Kerlin-Smith, and Taylor Kerlin-Smith; grandchildren Lucas, Connor, Lucy, Romeo, Romello, Jaxon, and Charlotte; his loving sisters, Rita and Susan; as well as countless nieces and nephews, and an extraordinary network of longtime friends. He will be missed by the many people whose lives that he touched. Memorial information: At the request of the family, services for George will be private. Donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• John E. Wood, 60, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly Nov. 25, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. John, a.k.a. “Woody ” or “Coach” to those who knew him, was born in Brattleboro, on Jan. 31, 1962, the son of Donald and Mary Ann (Wheelden) Wood. Younger brother to Susan (Wood) Mitchell and Donald Wood Jr., John was raised and educated in Brattleboro, where he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1980, and then went on to graduate with dual bachelor's degrees in English and history at Lyndon State College in 1991. Early in his life he worked for the Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department, Kerry's Kwik Stop in Burlington, and the Guilford Country Store, where he made friends and enjoyed the community in each of those places. It was once he decided to go to Lyndon State that he found his calling in life to be of service to others through working in residential life. He was active in their robust intramural program as athletics were always a key part of his life. In 1992, he started his life's work at Landmark College as a resident dean, coach, and teacher. He loved those early years of teaching one-on-one tutorials to students to help them build their skills and realize their academic potential. He carried on teaching over the years and loved teaching every summer in the summer high school program at the college. The majority of his work was in the residence halls and on the athletic playing grounds, coaching multiple sports, but he dedicated his time to the two sports he loved most - baseball and basketball - and was honored with being inducted into the Landmark College Athletic Hall of Fame for his coaching skills. For John, the core of the work he did with all students in all the areas was to build up their confidence and give them the tools - whether athletic, academic, or social - so that they could not only reach their dreams but learn to dream bigger dreams and surpass those ones, too. He embodied what it means to be grateful for what you have and to show respect for all at all times. He loved being helpful to others, even if it was to just have a simple conversation about the Red Sox, UCLA athletics, any of the sports he loved to play and watch, cooking, collecting menus and lanyards from students who traveled, writing (he was a prolific writer), or really any topic at all. He was both gregarious and quite shy, but committed to staying connected with his friends, family, and former students. John always said he was lucky to meet his wife Ellen when they were both students at LSC. They were married in 1992 and shared the love of raising their three children, Caitlyn, Elizabeth, and James, as well as three dogs who meant the world to him; Nigel, Jessie-Anne, and Clyde. His children were his proudest achievement as he loved being a dad. He was predeceased by his parents and leaves behind a large family including his wife and children, siblings, nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins. Memorial information: A private celebration of life will be held at the college. Donations to Landmark College, 19 River Rd. South, Putney, VT 05346 for their athletic department to continue his legacy of encouraging all students to be active. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A celebration of life for Jane Scott Reed will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m., at Centre Congregational Church on Main Street in Brattleboro. A reception will follow in the church parlor. Ms. Reed, 94, died July 4, 2022 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. To view her full obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.