Obituaries
• Mary Elsie Aiken, 94, of Putney. Died peacefully with her family by her side on May 9, 2023, following a brief period of declining health. Mrs. Aiken was born at home in the family homestead on July 2, 1928, the daughter of Ruben and Elsie (Fuller) Blood. She was raised and educated in Putney graduating from Brattleboro High School. She was employed as a machine operator at the former American Optical Co. in Brattleboro for many years until the company closed in 1981. She later worked at Basketville in Putney, and her last job was with Vermont Apple in Westminster. Upon her retirement, she devoted much of her time to taking care of her grandchildren. In her earlier years, Mary attended Putney Federated Church. She enjoyed gardening, loved horses, and followed thoroughbred racing, including the Kentucky Derby. Mostly, her life revolved around her family. On June 15, 1952, during a joint wedding ceremony with her sister Dorothy Conklin (Ted), at Putney Federated Church, she was married to William M. Aiken. Her devoted husband of 65 years predeceased her on Dec. 26, 2017. Survivors include four sons, Leonard and his wife Jeri of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, Roger and wife Linda of Putney, and Bruce and William, also of Putney; her sister, Dorothy Conklin of California; and four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Elizabeth Sargent, and a brother, Kenneth Blood. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted Saturday, May 20, at 1 p.m., in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to the Putney Volunteer Fire Dept., 21 Carl Snyder Drive, Putney, VT 05346. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Florina Therese Bokum, 91, of Brattleboro. Died May 7, 2023 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a brief period of declining health. Florina was born in Brattleboro on July 8, 1931, the daughter of Henry and Lena (Burdo) Rabideau. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending St. Michael's Parochial School and graduating from St. Michael's High School with the Class of 1950. She had been employed as a medical records clerk at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which she retired from in 1998 following many years of faithful service. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed crocheting, making quilts, reading, and time shared with her family. On Sept. 8, 1951, at Saint Michael's Catholic Church, she was married to Fred Bokum, who predeceased her on May 31, 2016. Survivors include her three children: daughter Kathy Dunham and her husband Jim of Putney, and sons Rick Bokum and his wife Karen of Brattleboro and Randy Bokum and his wife Bridget of Dummerston; as well as five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Freda Kingsbury, Shirley Squires, Veleda Kozyra, and Ann Morgan; brothers Homer, Howard, Fred, Raymond, and Moran “Sonny” Rabideau; a grandson, Aaron Clough; and a great-grandson, Brady Mayotte. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted Friday, May 19, at 11 a.m., in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 24, from noon to 4 p.m., at VFW Post 1034 on Black Mountain Road. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Bruce Alan Bryant, 67, of Friendswood, Texas, formerly of Putney. Died on May 9, 2023. He was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 22, 1956 to Lawrence and Carol Bryant. He was raised and educated in Putney, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1974. He also graduated from State University of New York at Cobleskill and attended Dupage University in Illinois. Bruce started his career at the Putney Nursery before turning to real estate investment, first in Florida and then Houston, Texas, where he moved permanently in 1986. His Bryant Management Company was soon recognized as one of Inc. magazine's 500 fastest growing companies in the U.S. After focusing on ownership in the RV park sector, he owned and operated 14 parks in 11 states under the Legacy RV Resorts name. He became widely known throughout the industry for his exceptional financial and leadership abilities and received many awards and accolades throughout his long career. Bruce was well known for his integrity, generosity, creative thinking, sense of humor, love of both animals and baseball, boundless energy and exuberance for all of life, and deep devotion to family and friends, with whom he prioritized his time. Travel was a lifelong passion of his and he spent many years exploring as much of the world as possible, enjoying good food and wine. As a wine connoisseur, he also created his own wine under the label “6 North.” Loved by all who knew him, the loss of Bruce is enormous. He is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Andrea Baum; his mother, Carol Bryant; his sisters, Susan (Rudy) Rudolph and Pat Paduano; sister-in-law, Rosemary Bryant; three nieces and nephews, Kathleen Bryant, Christopher (Alie) Paduano, and Ashley Paduano; and innumerable close friends. He was predeceased by his father, Larry; brother, Bob; and his nephews, Ian Bryant and Ryan Paduano. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted May 15 in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Wilfred J. Colburn, Jr., 82, of Brattleboro. Died May 7, 2023 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. He was born in Springfield, Vermont on Nov. 11, 1940 to the late Wilfred and Elizabeth (Forman) Colburn. He was a lifelong resident of the area. He was the husband of the late Patricia (Macie) Colburn. Wilfred was a machine operator for many years at G.S. Precision in Brattleboro. When not working, he enjoyed NASCAR racing and restoring old cars. He was an enthusiastic member of the Kingsbury Bowling League in Keene, New Hampshire. Wilfred leaves behind his four sisters, Esther Mae Colburn of Maryland, Alice Reanaude of Rockingham, Jackie Hazelton of West Brattleboro, and Sylvia Colburn of Claremont, New Hampshire, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with funeral services beginning at 1 p.m. at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro. Cemetery committal will follow at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to a charity of your choosing.
• Steven Gay, 45, died suddenly on April 24, 2023 in Brattleboro. Steven was born on May 13, 1977 in Danbury, Connecticut to the late Alice and Gary Gay Sr. Steve attended schools in Bellows Falls and grew up in Saxtons River. Steven loved music and had a kind heart. Steve is survived by his stepfather, Ray White of Athens; his brothers Gary Gay Jr. of Athens and Joshua Gay of Vernon; sisters Theresa Gay of Brattleboro and Carrie Riendeau of Brattleboro; as well as many nephews, nieces, great-nephews, a great-niece, and many friends. Memorial information: A celebration of life is to be held at a later date.
• Adelaide “Addie” Warner Minott, 91, of Guilford. Died peacefully in her home on May 2, 2023. Adelaide was born Jan. 13, 1932 in Greenwich, Connecticut, the youngest daughter of Norman Gilbert Warner and Adelaide Stocking Milne Warner. Addie attended the Stoneleigh Prospect Hill School (now the Stoneleigh Burnham School) in Greenfield, Massachusetts. She graduated in 1950 and then attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, graduating in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in physical education. Adelaide married Addison Dean Minott of Brattleboro on Sept. 5, 1953. They first met at a square dance at the Broad Brook Grange in Guilford Center and they would have celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary this September. Adelaide was very active in her community, especially her beloved village of Green River. Addie and her sister, Mary Francis, arrived in Green River in 1944 to live with her Aunt “Cele” and Uncle “Sib.” Addie knew the history of the village well and frequently gave history tours and presentations during village celebrations. She and Addison helped in the formation of the Green River Village Preservation Trust for the ongoing maintenance and preservation of the village, including the historic crib dam and the Green River Church. She and Addison earned the Preservation Trust of Vermont Recognition Award in 1999. Addie was very active in the Guilford Historical Society; she served as President and as co-chair of Guilford's 250th celebration in 2011. She and Addison helped organize and manage the Vermont History Expo in Tunbridge for the Vermont Historical Society for over 10 years. Addie represented the Guilford Historical Society at the Vermont History Expo, designing the booth and the costumes. Addie was a pioneer in the development of women's sports. She played field hockey in her youth, and was an accomplished ice skater, swimmer, and synchronized swimmer. She served as an aquatics instructor and lifeguard for the Brattleboro Recreation Department. She was an accomplished sailor having spent many summers on her father's boat on Long Island Sound. Eventually, Addie took her love of sport and became an educator teaching physical education in Weathersfield, Vernon, and Brattleboro Union High School, where she also coached field hockey and gymnastics. She represented Vermont for the National Association of Girls & Women in Sport, (NAWGS), and as president of the NAWGS State Presidents just as Title IX passed to protect equity for generations of young women to come. Addie was active in supporting education, serving on the Brattleboro Union High School Board of Directors and the Guilford School Board. She served as a Trustee of the Stoneleigh Prospect School, and was active in the Windham County Retired Teachers Association and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), of which she was president of the Brattleboro Branch as well as book sale chairman for 10 years. Addie was a member of the Vermont Girl Scout Council for many years, serving as a trainer, troop leader and day camp director in North Springfield. Adelaide was a member of the Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro since 1958 where she taught Sunday School, serving on the Education Committee and Building and Grounds Committee. Addie loved to sew, sewing her own wedding dress, wedding dresses for her daughters, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, prom dresses, and clothes for children and grandchildren. She loved needlework, knitting, quilting, and making teddy bears. She and Addison maintained a large garden at their farm in Green River. They sugared, preserved, and froze from their garden and she made many jars of strawberry rhubarb jam and mint jelly for friends and family. She made the most amazing pies for holidays and loved hosting large family Thanksgivings in Green River. Adelaide was very proud of her Scottish Heritage from her grandfather Milne's family. She was a Mayflower descendant and a member of The Society of Middletown (Conn.), First Settlers Descendents for the Stocking Family. Adelaide is survived by her husband; daughters Celia Adelaide Minott Slason and her husband Lawrence of Keene, New Hampshire and Priscilla Hunt Minott Demovellan and her husband Lorenzo of Westwood, Massachusetts; sons Addison Dean Minott Jr. and his wife Marcia (Murray) of North Andover, Massachusetts and Christopher Milne Minott and his wife Karrin (Hoesing) of Washington, D.C.; grandchildren Jonathan Slason and his wife Sara Lovitz, Laura Dobens and her husband Brett, Jennifer Sestito and her husband Nick, John Eric Demovellan and his partner Kayla Ochoa, Christa Bentley and her husband Austin, Katelynn Minott and her husband Rodolfo Sanchez, Meagan Kobierski and her husband Kyle, Addison Paul Minott and his wife Christine, Angela Minott, Calvin and Adelaide Minott; and great-grandchildren Ezekiel and Gabriel Lovitz-Slason, Fletcher and Marguerite Dobens, Lyla Sestito, Nicolas, Ana Sofia, and Olivia Sanchez-Minott, Emma, Ellie, Annabel, and Isla Kobierski, and Pearl, Addison Basil, and Chauncey Minott. Adelaide is also survived by her sister Mary Francis Warner Whitney of West Yarmouth, Massachusetts, sister-in-law Joanne Minott Hayward of Keene, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Adelaide was predeceased by her parents; her aunt and uncle, Celia and Otis Sibley; her sister Barbara Cruickshank Warner Maslen; brothers-in-law Edward Whitney, Jack Maslen, and Donald Hayward; and Addison's parents, Chauncey and Dorothy Badger Minott. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at the Green River Church in Green River Village in Guilford on June 17 at 11 a.m. A graveside service will be scheduled for a later date for the family. Donations to the Green River Village Preservation Trust, in care of Lynn Pancake, 1082 Green River Rd., Guilford, VT 05301; Guilford Historical Society, in care of Scott Knickerbocker, School Road, Guilford, VT 05301; or Guilford Cares Inc., P.O. Box 2517, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Laura Pluto Murphy, 71, of Burlington. Died on May 5, 2023 of pancreatic cancer. She was born on April 24, 1952 at Walter Reed Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland. Her dad was a Navy captain, and each sibling was born in a different state. Growing up, she lived in at least 6 states and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, during the Revolution. As a teenager, she traveled throughout Europe taking care of the children of a diplomat. After Fort Hunt High School, she first went to Boston University but transferred to the University of Virginia, graduating in 1974. She completed course work for a Master of Public Administration degree at George Washington University. She worked as a consultant in welfare policy, first at Moshman Associates and then as one of the original staff at Maximus. When Laura met Liam, her husband-to-be for 40 years, on their first date in June 1978 at Bamiyan in the Georgetown section of Washington, D.C., she figured out how, between them, they could order everything on the menu. She was a foodie who loved to cook and try different foods. She read recipes and cookbooks as novels that would carry her away to a world of flavors and textures. She remembered the taste and smells of dishes eaten decades ago. She and Liam began traveling almost immediately after they met. Together, they visited 49 countries and all seven continents. She was always ready to pack a single suitcase for a week or three, even with just a few clues as to where she would be traveling on the “surprise” trips Liam arranged for them. Laura was a great mother and sibling. Daniel was born when she was 40, and Brendan when she was 42. She was loving, dedicated, and caring, providing the support and time each child needed. She was most proud of raising two fine men. She remained close to her Pluto family and became another sister in the Murphy family. In Vermont, Laura worked at Champlain Valley Agency on Aging from 1988 to 2016, initially as an outreach social worker and then in a variety of roles including the Senior Helpline, Caregiver Respite Grant coordinator, and Transportation Services manager. She created a volunteer driver program, providing rides for seniors and people with disabilities. Laura was always willing to engage in a new adventure or challenge, whether it was buying and remodeling an old house on Capitol Hill, moving to Vermont to start a bed and breakfast, or building a house on an island in Lake Champlain. She was strong, and she always worked hard. No fuss, no drama, just get it done. Even when facing the worst, Laura always kept her good humor. She never complained about the unfairness of the cancer. She stayed optimistic. She always said, “you just have to laugh about it.” Instead of having her family and friends have a remembrance of her life after she passed, she wanted a party beforehand, where she could attend, visit, and share memories. Laura is survived by her husband Liam Murphy of Burlington, (a 1972 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School); their children Daniel Murphy and daughter-in-law Lindsay Jones and their son, Brennan, of Louisville, Kentucky and Brendan Murphy of Charlestown, Massachusetts; her siblings and their families, Dianna and Bill Green and Donna Johnson of Bethlehem, New Hampshire, Valerie and Jonathan Sobel of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Michael and Carin Pluto of Boise, Idaho, and Patrick Pluto of Leesburg, Virginia; and by her more than “in-law” Murphy family, including Liam's siblings and their families: John Murphy, Sylvester and Colleen Murphy, and Kathleen Wellington, all of Brattleboro; Bridget and Michael Leclair of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and James Murphy of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by Mary and James McAlister and Dinah Dromgoole. Memorial information: In memory of Laura, consider a contribution to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network at support.pancan.org/goto/LauraMurphy.
Services
• A memorial gathering and pot luck will be held for Douglas Lawton “Joe” March on Wednesday, May 24, at 5 p.m., at the Guilford Fairgrounds. Mr. March, 79, a member of the Brattleboro Union High School Class of 1962, died on March 27, 2023 at his home in Warren, Maine.
• A celebration of life for Paul R. Lyman will be on Saturday, May 20, at 1 p.m., at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington, under the Pavillion by the Trout Pond. Paul's favorite dessert will be served after the celebration - Apple Barn cider donuts and maple ice cream. Come share your memories as his family shares theirs.