Obituaries
• Susan Marie Briggs, 64, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died March 24, 2023 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a courageous third battle with cancer. Susan was born in Greenfield, Massachusetts on Jan. 29, 1959, the daughter of Herbert and Theresa (Pratt) Day. She was raised and educated in Greenfield public schools, graduating from Greenfield High School with the Class of 1977. She went on to attend the Thompson School for Practical Nursing in Brattleboro, where she received her LPN diploma and license. She was a dedicated and compassionate caregiver and took great pride in her patients' care while she was employed at Cheshire Medical Center/Dartmouth-Hitchcock in Keene, New Hampshire. Previously, Susan was employed at Eden Park Nursing Home in Brattleboro and at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She enjoyed fishing, including deep sea fishing, as well as crafting, painting with water colors, crocheting, and vacations spent at one of her favorite destinations, Universal Studios in Orlando. On April 1, 2000, in Brattleboro, she married Randy Briggs, who survives her. Besides her devoted husband of almost 23 years, she leaves a stepson, Kyle Briggs of Claremont, New Hampshire; a stepdaughter, Lindsay Weld of Cornish, New Hampshire; one brother, David Day of Greenfield, and three grandchildren and four nephews. Additionally, she leaves her best friend Carlene Momaney of Hinsdale, and her beloved cat, “Buster.” She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Linda Day McCarthy and Lori Phelps. Memorial information: In keeping with Susan's final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. A celebration of her life will be held at VFW Post 4234 in Hinsdale on April 29 from noon to 3 p.m. She will later be laid to rest in the family lot in Green River Cemetery in Greenfield. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to her family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Marguerite L. (LeComte) Madonna, 91, formerly of Fall River, Massachusetts. Died February 26, 2023. Born in Fall River, she was the daughter of the late George and Rose (Bougie) LeComte, and wife of the late Andrew C. Madonna for 59 years. Marguerite worked at Shelbourne Shirt for 41 years, retiring as a floor supervisor. She spent the last eight years experiencing life in Vermont with her daughter Diane and her husband Eugene. Marguerite was always open for a road trip and was a true foodie at heart who also enjoyed playing bingo. She is survived by her children: Catherine A. Augustine (husband Robert), Jo-Ann M. Preble (husband Kenneth), Diane Wrinn (husband Eugene), and Eric D. Madonna (wife Janice); daughter-in-law Carissa Madonna; seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews. She was also the mother of the late David B. Madonna and sister of the late Arthur and Leo LeComte, Lydia St. Yves, Sister Mary Theresa Madonna, Irene Casey, Germane Fortier, Elizabeth Bougie, and Georgette Quintin. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held March 1 at St. Mary's Cathedral in Fall River, with burial in St. Patrick's Cemetery. To express condolences to the family, visit www.hathawayfunerals.com.
• Marjorie D. “Marj” Paquette, 87, of West Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly at her home on March 28, 2023. Marjorie was born in Richford on Aug. 21, 1935, the daughter of Leslie and Beatrice (Ryea) McAllister. She was raised and educated in Richford where she attended public schools. She was the wife of Duyane John Paquette, who predeceased her on July 23, 1980. She worked several jobs throughout the years, but considered herself a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family which meant the world to her. Marjorie was a member of the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary and the VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 Auxiliary. A woman of faith, she attended First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro, where she was baptized into the faith. Of her pastimes and interests, she enjoyed gardening, traveling, crocheting, playing Bingo, and time spent with her family. Survivors include her four children David and his wife Cathy of Vernon, Steven of West Brattleboro, Rose Paquette Ashworth and her husband David of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and Pamela Gleason of Brattleboro; one brother, Norman McAllister of Derby; and 12 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Robert Paquette; brothers Maynard, Garnold, Morton and Everett McAllister; and a sister, Virginia McAllister. Memorial information: A service in celebration of her life will be held at a future date and time to be announced. Marjorie will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in the family lot in North Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Clarice King Short, 89, of East Dummerston. Died peacefully, in the comfort of her home with her family by her side, on March 24, 2023. Clarice was born in Meriden, New Hampshire on Oct. 29, 1933, the daughter of Ronald and Martha (Chowanec) King. Clarice was one of fourteen children. She graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1952. She attended Green Mountain Chapel in Brattleboro and that is where she met the love of her life, Howard Short. Clarice and Howard were married on Oct. 2, 1954. They had a very full life together of more than 66 years. Clarice was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend. Clarice and her husband made a great team. They were very active in church their entire lives together. Her personal relationship with Jesus was most important to her. Clarice attended Windham Community Chapel in Dummerston for the last 34 years, as well as Venice Bible Church during their winters in Venice, Florida. Clarice was the bookkeeper for her husband's plumbing and heating business for about 20 years. She worked alongside her husband as they bought and sold property and, in the late 1980s, built Hidden Acres Campground and managed that together. Clarice enjoyed working in the office of the campground and building relationships with the campers. Clarice loved serving her family, she was always making a delicious meal or baking some homemade goodies. She was known for her quick wit and efficiency. Spending time with her family brought her the greatest joy. She is survived by her four children: Sandy Mowrey and her husband Kevin of Williamsville, Terry Short of Dummerston, Keith Short and his wife Tammy of Dummerston, and Karen Gilbert and her husband William of Vernon; siblings Frances Brochu of Connecticut, Norma Ives of Vernon, Alton King of Putney, Dolores Sylvester and her husband Reginald of Dummerston, Cheryl Aplin of Brattleboro, Randall King and his wife Diana of Vernon, and many nieces and nephews. Clarice was blessed with 14 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, her son Bradley Steven Short, her granddaughter Leah Short, her grandson Lincoln Short, her brothers Reginald, Raymond, Fred, and Dennis King, and her sisters Joyce Keeler, Darlene Hutchins, and Sheila Lawrence. Memorial information: A memorial service was held April 2 at Grace Community Church in Spofford, New Hampshire. Donations to Windham Community Chapel, 850 US Route 5, Dummerston, VT 05301, or Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew St, Springfield, MA 01104. To share a memory or send condolences to Clarice's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.