Obituaries
• Dorothy M. Boudrieau, 73, was born Dec. 31, 1949 in Plattsburg, New York, daughter of Maurice and Marie (Golden) Monette. She attended schools in the Bellows Falls area and married Anson Boudrieau Sr. on Aug. 20, 1966 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Dorothy worked at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire since 1983 as an LNA, activity aide, and unit assistant before retiring in 2014. She loved her grandchildren very much and enjoyed taking them camping. She also enjoyed scrapbooking, sewing, and many crafts. She really loved her family and friends. Dorothy and her husband were members of the North American Family Campers Association (NAFCA), Springfield Chapter #1 and Mantowa Chapter #40. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, her husband, her sister Shirley Plummer, and her son Anson Jr. Dorothy is survived by a son, James Boudrieau (Jane) of Tollesboro, Kentucky; a daughter, Zandrea Lockerby (Samuel) of Charlestown, New Hampshire; and six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Survivors also include sisters, Verda Raymond of Bellows Falls, Theresa Naucedar of Rockingham, and Edith Weilder of Bellows Falls, as well as 20 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: A service was held on Dec. 7 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Lyndon Ernest Corriveau, 73, of Windham. Died on Dec. 3, 2023. He was born on March 10, 1950 in Brattleboro to Olive (Amsden) and Joseph Corriveau. Lyndon is survived by his brother, Warren; his daughter Linda Ewens and her husband Gary Jr.; his son James and his wife Crystal; and his son David. He also leaves behind seven cherished grandchildren. Lyndon was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Sandra (Perry); his second wife, Christine (Forbes); and his granddaughter Tressa McKinney. Lyndon attended Brattleboro Union High School and went on to spend many years at the Brattleboro Reformer. He also worked at Stratton Mountain in the housekeeping department. Lyndon was a member of Valley Bible Church in Windham. His faith was important to him, and he cherished his time spent worshiping with fellow congregants. He will be remembered for his love, dedication, and the impact he had on the lives of those around him. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him. Memorial information: Services to honor and celebrate Lyndon's life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Valley Bible Church in Windham. Donations to Valley Bible Church, 3264 Windham Hill Rd., Windham, VT 05359.
• Eugene "Gino" Joseph Descoteaux, Jr., 83, of Spofford, New Hampshire. Died on Oct. 25, 2023, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. Anyone who met Gino would call him a character. He was stern and steadfast, yet chivalrous and polite. He reserved his laughter until he was with his closest of companions. To know him was to love him. Not just for the wildest of tales he told of his time spent as a master welder and master electrician with IBEW Local 490. Not just for his golf game and beautiful carpentry, or his pristine lawn. Not just for the favors he was always apt to hand out to those in need. Even when he was upset, you could still see the happiness in his eyes. They were soft and filled with pride and joy. Joy for his beautiful wife, Karin Descoteaux, with whom he spent 43 beautiful and love-filled years. Joy for his four daughters and their families: Leeann Descoteaux of Keene, New Hampshire; Sue and Steve Brabec of Old Lyme, Connecticut; Terra Descoteaux and Todd Craig of North Walpole, New Hampshire; and Jessica and Seth Pichette of Brattleboro. They all share a piece of his charm and wit. Joy for his grandchildren: Megan Brabec, Amanda Driscoll, Becca Brabec, Madeline Wilson, and Neve and Noland Pichette. Joy which spread across the greens of a golf course, and pride for the house he poured his heart and soul into making a home. The kind of pride so infectious it followed the gifts he made by hand - cutting boards, bird houses, cat trees, and dog feeders, just to name a few. People loved him for his soft eyes and warm smile, and for the respect he showed others. While he may no longer be physically here, so much of him will live on. Memorial information: None provided.
• Jerome J. "Jerry" Driscoll, 87, of Bondville. Died on Dec. 7, 2023. Jerry was born May 31, 1936 in Philadelphia and grew up in its suburbs. After high school, he served briefly in the Navy. He married Sue Ann Jones and they were blessed with five children. He worked for several companies, including Havertown Printing and American Fiber-Velope (AFV). He became plant manager of a new location of AFV, and moved the family to Illinois. In 1982, Jerry and Sue moved to Sue's hometown of Bondville. In Vermont, Jerry worked with Sue in her cleaning service and also with a local logging and firewood business. He served on the Rescue Squad of the Winhall Volunteer Fire Department and was the department's treasurer. He was a valued member of the town's Planning Commission and was appointed Zoning Administrator. As a life-long Catholic, he was active in several lay ministries and organizations, including Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Marriage Encounter, and Cursillo. He was ordained into the Deaconate at the age of 70 and appointed to serve the parishes in the West River Mission. He was a compassionate and generous man who supported numerous charities, especially those concerning the well-being of children. In addition to his devotion to church, family, and community, Jerry enjoyed bowling, model railroading, playing chess, and watching football. He was predeceased by his wife, a son, his sister, and a niece. Jerry is survived by his children: Kathleen (Daniel) Lord of Bondville, Julia (Joseph) Bjorn of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Robert (Stella) Driscoll of Bristol, Wisconsin, and Virginia (Bruce) Swan of Salisbury; and seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, three nieces, and a nephew. Memorial information: A funeral mass was held Dec. 13 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Burial and committal rites will be held at a later date. Donations to Covenant House, P.O. Box 758636, Topeka, KS 66675-9986 (covenanthouse.org). To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nancy W. Eckhardt, 94, of Townshend. Died Dec, 4, 2023 at Valley Cares in Townshend, where she was a resident for nine years. Nancy was born on July 28, 1929, in Greenwich, Connecticut to Hawley G. and Lorraine H. (Finch) Willson. She was blessed three years later with a brother, Jay Green Willson. Though he was her little brother, it was not long before he literally became her "big" brother, as in later life she stood about 5-foot-2 and Jay was 6-foot-5. During her early years she lived with her family in Southbury, Connecticut on a farm owned by her grandparents, Edna and Gilbert Finch. The family eventually moved to Greenwich, where she attended Greenwich High School, graduating with the Class of 1948. She participated in basketball, softball, Contemporary Affairs, Girl's Glee Club, Student Council, and she was a varsity Cheerleader. Her yearbook picture caption read, "Her character is sweet, charm is her forte." After graduating high school, Nancy attended Mary Washington College at the University of Virginia in Fredericksburg from 1948 to 1950. Quotes from "The Battlefield" yearbook from college included "Hotshot!", the "girl with the wonderful personality," the "best big sister a girl could have,"and "your ready wit and crazy antics made us laugh." After graduating with an associate's degree, she enrolled in the Ward School of Airline Training in Worcester, Massachusetts, and successfully completed the training to become a TWA Stewardess-Hostess. She generally flew routes from Boston to Kansas City, Missouri. One memorable passenger of hers was Ol' Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. During her senior year of high school, Nancy began dating a classmate from Old Greenwich, David B. Carlson Jr. As can happen, this relationship grew stronger until, on July 28, 1951, they were married. Their first child, Jennifer, was born in 1952. Two boys followed- Christopher in 1954, and Peter in 1956. Nancy excelled as a mother and a housewife as the children grew. In 1964, The family moved from Greenwich to Washington, D.C., where David began working for Housing and Urban Development. While in Washington, Nancy volunteered as a "candy-striper" at Sibley Memorial Hospital, where she assisted the nursing staff. Two years later, David and Nancy decided to part ways, and Nancy, along with the three children, returned to Greenwich. She found employment with the Putnam Trust Co., working as a travel agent in the Riverside office. In 1968, Nancy met and began dating William E. Eckhardt. The two eventually married on Oct. 10, 1970, at Christ Episcopal Church in Greenwich. They first settled in Old Greenwich, until finding a home of their own in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1974, Nancy and Bill moved to Top Notch Farm in Townshend and spent the next 42 years there, becoming deeply involved in the local community. Nancy became a member of the Eastern Star, and joined the West River Valley Chorus, singing and bell-ringing with them for many years. Nancy also worked at the medical office of Drs. Bresnahan, Tortolani, and Sinusas in Brattleboro as a receptionist for many years, retiring in 1991. She enjoyed gardening, becoming quite proficient at growing beautiful flowers during the warmer months. She loved the birds that visited her feeders, especially the hummingbirds. Cats, dogs, chickens, horses, cows, and even the neighbors' bison, were all welcomed to her yard (well, maybe not the bison!) She was an avid Boston Red Sox fan, as well as a New England Patriots fan (though she was secretly a long-time New York Giants fan). She excelled at needlepoint, embroidery, and quilting, and was known far and wide for her baking skills, especially her pumpkin bread. Her greatest love, though, was reserved for her family, especially her 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. She would always ask, "How is the family?" Nancy had a deep faith in God, which kept her steady through the hills and valleys of life. She and Bill joined the Jamaica Community Church and served in several different capacities there for many years. The Eckhardts were very outgoing, and made numerous lifelong friends over the years. She will always be remembered as a caring and thoughtful person, who had a smile ready for all those whom she greeted. She will be sorely missed here, but we are sure she is smiling in heaven. Nancy was predeceased by her parents, as well as her husband of 52 years, William E. Eckhardt; a granddaughter, Rebecca Harris; her brother, Jay G. Willson; her son, Christopher Carlson; and a niece, Sandra McMurray. She is survived by her daughter, Jennifer Harris; her son, Peter (Roxane) Carlson; nephew Gary (Beverly) Willson and niece Lauren (Tom) Johnston; and sister-in-law Carol Willson. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Todd (Kathryn) Einig, Tracey (Travis) Farrell, Kristin Grossbach, Amy Carlson, Jaclyn (Michael) Kruse, Rachel Carlson, Sarah (Justin) Adams, Jared Carlson (Clarissa Taylor-Wesley) and Jason (Kayla) Carlson; and 13 great-grandchildren, Ava Einig, Madelyn and Freya Adams, Alan and Joshua Grossbach, Shayla and Sharice Dennis, Brayden, Grayson, and Emersyn Kruse, Evangeline and Oaklen Carlson, and Wesley Carlson. Memorial information: A celebration of life service was held at Jamaica Community Church on Dec. 9. Donations to Jamaica Community Church, P. O. Box 54, Jamaica, VT 05343, or Grace Cottage Hospital, 185 Townshend Rd., Townshend, VT 05353. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
•Teresa "Terry" Gray, 66, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully with her family at her side on Dec. 7, 2023 at Pine Heights nursing home following an extended period of declining health. Terry was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on Oct. 26, 1957, the daughter of Wilfred and Yvette (Houle) Laliberte. Along with her four brothers and family, she was raised and educated in Auburn, Massachusetts, graduating from Auburn High School with the Class of 1975. Following graduation in June 1975, Terry became employed with C&S Wholesale Grocers, then located in Worcester, Mass. In 1981, the company relocated her and her daughter to Brattleboro. C&S became more than just a job for Terry. She devoted the next 48 ½ years of her life to her work and cherished all of the friends and family that she met along the way. Terry enjoyed sewing, taking cruises, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and her two pugs which brought her much joy. In August 1992, Terry met her soulmate. She married Douglas Gray III on Aug. 18, 2012 at the Crosby House in Brattleboro. The couple had been together for a total of 30 wonderful years. Besides her loving and devoted husband, she leaves a daughter, Danielle Laliberte and Travis Carpenter of Dummerston; grandchildren Rachael White and Gavin Carpenter; a step-son, Ethan Gray and his daughter, Persephone; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents and brothers Richard, Paul, and Gerald Laliberte. Memorial information: Friends are invited to call at Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. until noon. A reception will follow the calling hours to be held at American Legion Post 5 on Linden Street. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Whitney "Whit" Hartshorne, 95, of Townshend. Died Nov. 20, 2023 at Grace Cottage Hospital. He was born on Feb. 8, 1928 in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He later moved to South Newfane with his parents, the late William Bibb Hartshorne and Marion (Ford) Hartshorne and his brother Gaywood (Woody) Hartshorne. He was a graduate of Yale University with a degree in finance. He married Patricia Heath on Sept. 19, 1953. They lived in Brattleboro and Naperville, Illinois prior to moving to Springfield, Vermont in 1964. Whit started his career at the Newfane Bank and then went to work at Vermont Research as their comptroller. After leaving Vermont Research, he started his own business, selling electric tuners. One of his clients was Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead. He met his second wife, Rosmarie van den Burgh, after his first wife passed away in 2002 and they moved to Rutland, then to Brandon, and ultimately Townshend. Whit was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be remembered playing all types of card games, crossword puzzles, and going for walks/hikes in his spare time. He loved his family very much and will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife, of Townshend; his daughter Carol Funk and husband Steven Funk of Scarborough, Maine; grandchildren Catherine and Eric Funk, and stepdaughter Margaret van den Bergh. He was predeceased by his first wife, Patricia, in 2002 and his son, Bill, in 1971. Memorial information: A private burial and celebration of life will take place at the Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro at a later date. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or the Alzheimer's Association, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871.
• Patricia R. Wilder, 80, of Jamaica. Died on Dec. 3, 2023. Patricia was born on Sept. 28, 1943, in Norwalk, Connecticut to the late Claude and Rose (Emond) Violette. Patricia attended high school in Ridgefield, Connecticut. She attended Johnson State College, where she pursued legal studies, accounting, and child psychology. Many will fondly remember Patricia from her days working at Stratton Mountain and the Weston Village Store. Patricia was a parishioner of Church of Christ in Brattleboro. She also volunteered her time as a social worker liaison for the Jamaica Volunteer Fire Department. When not working or volunteering she was known as a "YouTube crafter," making many a trip to the Dollar Tree for DIY craft supplies and inspirations. She was also a very talented painter. In addition to her parents, Patricia was predeceased by her son Peter Kramer, her sister Susie Hartson, and her daughter-in-law Rose Kramer. Patricia is survived by her children: her son Wayne Kramer of Kingston, New York; her daughters Dawn Smith and her husband Steve of Rutland, and Sonya Kramer of North Springfield; her sons Claude Kramer of Cleveland, Tennessee and Otto Kramer of Jamaica; sisters Diana Mills of Greensboro, North Carolina, Linda Violette of South Yarmouth, Massachusetts, Dorothy Violette of Danbury, Connecticut, and Claudia Keller of Concord, New Hampshire. Patricia also leaves behind 15 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 9 at the Church of Christ in Brattleboro. Donations to the Neighbor's Pantry, in care of Second Congregational Church, 2051 North Main St., Londonderry, VT 05148. To leave a message of condolence, visit www.phaneuf.net.
Services
• A memorial service celebrating the life of Thomas B. Ragle will be held at Guilford Community Church on Monday Dec. 18, at 1:30 p.m. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XA8cnkQ9Uc. Mr. Ragle, 96, of Guilford, died on Nov. 26, 2023. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.