Mildred L. Park, 80, of Springfield, died Monday, Nov. 27, 2017, at Springfield Hospital, after a short illness.
She was born Nov. 6, 1937, in Manchester, the daughter of Earl Sr. and Unice Mary (Burdick) Reynolds.
She attended school in the Manchester area.
She was first married to Francis Allen, who predeceased her, then to Gene Park and they later divorced.
Mrs. Park worked in several woolen mills, tanneries and machine shops over the years, as a clerk in several grocery stores and as a mother of seven children.
She enjoyed traveling, camping, fishing, playing bingo and Whitcomb Building activities. She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting hats and mittens for the needy.
Survivors include five children John and Dan Allen, Gene Park Jr., Laura Lupien and Heather Park; two brothers Earl and George Reynolds; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by two children, Preston and Mary Allen.
The graveside service will be at a later date in Factory Point Cemetery in Manchester.
Memorial contributions may be made to Springfield Meals on Wheels, 8 Southridge St., Springfield, VT 05156; or Springfield Family Center Food Bank, 365 Summer St., Springfield, VT 05156.
Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.
Sylvia M. Carpenter, 79, died Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, at Keene Center in Keene, New Hampshire.
She was born Dec. 11, 1937, in Danby, the daughter of Francis J. "Frank" and Mabel (Griffith) Mandigo.
She graduated in 1955 from Springfield High School.
Mrs. Carpenter worked at New England Telephone in Bellows Falls, Byrant Grinder Co., Ames Department Store, both in Springfield, and The Book Press in Brattleboro.
She enjoyed fishing, rides in the country, trips to the White Mountains and the beach.
Survivors include her son, Glenn Carpenter, of Marlboro; a brother, Francis Mandigo, of Springfield; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by five siblings, Edmund Mandigo, Annie Simms, Marjorie Rogers, Janice Dressell and Barbara Barrows.
The graveside service will be at a later date in Plain Cemetery in Perkinsville.
Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.
Marion Whitcomb Stearns of Springfield passed away Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, at the Springfield Hospital, after a brief illness. Born on June 10, 1924, in Rochester, NH, the daughter of Harold and Marion (Corbett) Sheahan, she grew up in Somersworth, NH, spending summers at the family cottage on Moody Beach, ME. She loved the ocean. Valedictorian of her high school class, she continued her education at the University of New Hampshire, graduating in 1945, cum laude, with a BA in Music Education.
Marion moved to Springfield, VT, where she obtained a music teaching position with the public schools there in September 1945.
Marion married Merrill "Deak" Whitcomb in 1947, sharing a life with him and their two daughters, Hallie Jean and Cherry, on the scenic Mount Ararat farm, which has been in the family since the late-1700s. Her work ethic and energy were evident as she balanced a life of teaching, raising children and meeting the many demands of farm life. Merrill passed away in 1978 after a long illness through which Marion tended him lovingly.
After many satisfying years teaching mainly vocal music with some instrumental, covering most of the Springfield schools, she retired in 1980.
Robert Stearns, whom Marion had met while at UNH, reconnected with her on a trip east from California flying in his home-built airplane. They were married at a private ceremony on the Whitcomb farm a year later, September 1982.
Marion and Bob lived in Livermore, CA, where Marion soon became a vital part of the community and made many dear friends. She was active in the UU Church, the Livermore-Amador Symphony Orchestra and Guild, the community exercise group, and contributed to many groups through her musical talents of singing, piano and violin. Bob joined her in the church and LAS activities when he retired from Bechtel Corp. Marion and Bob enjoyed flying to many places in his plane for over 20 years, including two trips to New England. Due to the limitations of the lightweight plane, which could not carry two people plus luggage over the Rockies, Marion would fly commercially to Michigan, where daughter Cherry lived, and Bob would pick her up there so the two could continue on to see friends in New England.
Alzheimer's disease caught up with Bob, and he passed in November 2011. With no relatives in California, Marion moved back to Vermont in November 2013 to live with her daughter, Hallie. She happily renewed friendships from her prior years in Springfield and became active in the local UU Church. Marion's greatest joy was putting a smile on the faces of others. She did this often by making creative cards, telling jokes and singing songs to strangers and friends alike, playing piano for others everywhere she could.
Video from September 2016: Marion sings the simple little song she would always teach to new first graders in their first class together.
Marion learned how to fold origami cranes, pinwheels, boats and hats from her Japanese daughter, Yuko. People will see these treasures all over town as she gave them away to youth and adults alike as thanks or just to brighten their days. This made her smile, as well.
Marion is survived by daughters Hallie Whitcomb, of Springfield, and Cherry (Ken) Westerman, of Ann Arbor, MI; grandchildren Erica Westerman, of Fayetteville, AR, and Michael (Brittany) Westerman, of Bloomfield Hills, MI; step-grandchild Katrina (Stearns) Slater, of Santa Cruz, CA; three special nieces and many cousins.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 21 Fairground Road, Springfield, VT.
Marion has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to The Unitarian Universalist Church in Springfield, 21 Fairground Road, Springfield, VT 05156; The Vermont Land Trust, 8 Bailey Ave., Montpelier, VT 05602; Springfield School District Music Department, 60 Park St., Springfield, VT 05156; or the Livermore-Amador Symphony, P.O. Box 1049, Livermore, CA 94551-1049.
Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements.
Last June, Marion enjoyed being part of the North School Preservation Society's first ever Alumni parade entry.
Scala Choir video: 'Wake me up when September ends'
Kirstie K. Greer 26, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday November 14, 2017. She was born March 19, 1991 in Springfield, Vermont the daughter of Kimberly Pierce and Alexander Greer III.
She attended Springfield Schools.
Kirstie loved to cook and bake and was employed in the Food Service Industry for many years, most recently baking at the Green Mountain Sugar House in Ludlow, Vt.
She loved spending time with friends and family, loved to fish, loved animals, especially her cats, liked horses and loved baking and cooking.
She is survived by her mother Kimberly Hains of Springfield, her father Alexander Greer III of North Springfield, sister Kyndra Hains of Springfield, Maternal grandmother Brenda Pierce, maternal grandfather Keith Pierce, Paternal grandmother Bonnie Reynolds, Aunt & Uncle Tamara and Don Thomas, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was predeceased by her Paternal grandfather Alex Greer.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 PM on Tuesday evening November 21, 2017 at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. Erin Hunter will officiate.
Contributions may be made in her memory to Turning Point Recovery Center 7 Morgan Street Springfield, Vermont 05156.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont.
Lois M. Severance passed away Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, a week shy of her 89th birthday, after a long battle with cancer. Born in 1928 in Windham, Vermont, to Leonard and Ruth Call Stowell, she went to school in Chester and trained as a nurse at Gifford Memorial hospital. She began her nursing career in Washington, D.C. but returned to Vermont where she married Dean Severance. Lois and Dean lived for a few years in Lubbock, Texas, but her path led her back to New England, where she continued her nursing career at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin and, subsequently, in Keene, New Hampshire.
Lois retired in Springfield, Vermont, where she embraced a new role as an RSVP volunteer — driving seniors and others to appointments, reading to the blind, and helping Meals on Wheels. Her most treasured volunteer role was as a leader of the Bone Builders Exercise Program. She was a fierce promoter of exercise, and walked nearly every day until only a few weeks before her death.
After moved to the Marion Phillips Housing complex in Claremont in 2014, Lois became an active member of the Tenant’s Association. She greatly enjoyed her time there — especially the opportunity to grow bumper crops of tomatoes and swap gardening tips with the other gardeners, right up through this past summer.
Lois lived her life with pizazz — in addition to being a loving mother and compassionate nurse, she was a talented painter, a terrific cook and baker, and a passionate advocate for women’s rights and other social issues. She spoke her mind and wrote letters to the editor, and loved travel, opera, and a good bargain. With her deep love of nature, she saw us all as children of Mother Earth.
She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Stephen Roylance, of New York City; a son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Ann Severance of Barre, Vermont; and five siblings: Mildred Horn, Joyce Mattson, Beverly Parker, Norman Stowell, Virginia Stowell, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by Dean Severance, and sisters Marilyn Schuster, Sharon Geary, Phyllis Amsden, Helen Farrar and Doris Raitenan.
A celebration of Lois’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25, at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 21 Fairground Road in Springfield, Vermont. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to organizations that support nature, green space, and the environment.
Francis E. Nieves “Skeeter” 26, of Springfield, passed away at his home on Friday Morning November 10, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.
He was born November 6, 1991 in Springfield, Vermont the son of Francis S. and Winnie (Parker) Nieves. He attended schools in Bellows Falls, and graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School.
He enjoyed movie nights with popcorn, loved food his favorite being barbeque chicken pizza, enjoyed car trips, Wal-mart trips, walks in his wheel chair, sitting on the porch and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his mother Winnie Parker of Springfield, Vt. , his father Francis S. Nieves of Springfield, MA. Sister Katarina Young, brother John Michael Haley, step-brother Eric Gaboury, uncle Aden Schillinger, Aunt Penny Pearce, and uncle Jonathan Turner, and many friends.
Services will be held at a later date and announced at that time.
Janet L. Greenlees 90, of Chester, born on July 10, 1927 passed away November 12, 2017 at The Meadows Home in Rutland Vermont.
She was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey where she attended grade school. After grade school she went to college in Wisconsin, where she played basketball. After college she taught seventh and eighth grade science.
Janet love to travel with her friends in Europe and Africa. In 1978 she moved to Chester, Vermont where she cared for her father. She volunteered at the Springfield library and was a certified tax preparer, doing tax returns for seniors free of charge. She love music and the arts and play the viola. Janet was also a volunteer ski instructor for children at Okemo Mountain ski resort.
Janet never married and always loved having a dog as a companion. She was a free spirit and her own quiet way. She loved to spend her summers at her cottage in Kingston Ontario. Janet was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chester and was an active member in her community. She will be greatly missed by those who knew her.
The celebration of her life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Chester in the spring.
Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont is assisting with arrangements.
Robert (Bob) Ernest Gibson 69, passed away on Saturday morning, November 4, 2017 after a brief but courageous battle with lung cancer, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
Bob was born on April 17, 1948 at the Elizabeth Lund Home in Burlington, Vermont. On August 29, 1948, his parents, Robert E. Gibson and Dorothy M. (Archer) Gibson, adopted Bob.
He attended Springfield schools, graduating from Springfield High School in the Class of 1966. He later attended both Vermont Technical College and East Coast Aerotech for several semesters, until the passing of his father when he returned to Springfield. In 1986, he completed his Associates Degree with the Community College of Vermont.
In the 1970’s, Bob lived and worked in Massachusetts where he met Geraldine (Jeri) Gibson. The two were married on July 15, 1979 at the Martha Mary Chapel in Subury, Massachusetts. She predeceased him on January 13, 2017.
Bob was employed as a Thread Grinder with the Bryant Grinder Corporation in Springfield, Vermont, where we worked for more than 20 years. He was an active member of the shops union, U.E. Local 218, during time. Both during, and after his employment at Bryant’s, Bob worked at Springfield Hospital, primarily as a Switchboard Operator.
Bob was an avid follower of golf, and had been a very active player in his younger years, from working as a caddy at the local country club in his youth, to playing on school golf teams. He recently had begun to play again, and greatly enjoyed doing so. Bob enjoyed vacationing to Short Sands at York Beach, Maine. He enjoyed spending time in nature; taking the foliage, enjoying the clouds, enjoying walking trails. He was a skier for much of his life, and fondly recounted the first time he was ever on skis, going down the Chief at Okemo Mountain, in Ludlow Vermont - another town where he spent a lot of time in his youth. Other activities that Bob enjoyed was doing crossword puzzles, watching jeopardy, and being around dogs. He loved rock n’ roll.
Bob is survived by his daughter Stephanie (Gibson) Thompson and her husband Kyle Thompson, of Springfield, Vermont. He also leaves behind a sister, Joan (Gibson) Baker and her husband David, of Wells, Vermont. He also leaves behind five nieces and nephews, and nine great nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday November 18th, 2017 at the Cavendish Village Cemetery in Cavendish, VT.
Contributions in Bob’s memory may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, Vermont 05156.
Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting with arrangements.
Bob's family has opted to postpone his memorial service from November 18th until the Spring to allow for better planning and better weather. We apologize for any inconvenience. For questions or more information, please contact his daughter, Stephanie Thompson.
Roger A. Neal 89, passed away on Friday November 3, 2017 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. He was born January 1, 1928 in South Berwick, Maine the son of Arthur H. and Etta A. (Boston) Neal.
He attended schools in Berwick, and graduated from Berwick Academy. He served in the United States Army during WW II.
Roger was married to Madeline Tucker, they divorced and he later married Eileen (Morrison) Austin on August 29, 1987 in Springfield, Vermont. Eileen predeceased him on February 15, 2006.
Roger worked as a Farmer in Maine and Vermont, and as a Welder in Vermont for many years with East Hill Equipment in Ludlow, and also at Okemo Mountain in Ludlow.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, reading and traveling and with his wife Eileen traveled most of the United States and ventured to Alaska.
He is survived by one daughter Beth Ann Joseph of Ludlow, Vt. grandson and caregiver Tanner Neal of Springfield, Vt. 3 more grandchildren, 1 brother Charles L. Neal, 1 sister Jean Neal Moreno, 2 step-sons Robert Austin of Springfield, Vt. and Richard Austin of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, 2 step-daughters Roberta Hause of Ypsilanti, Michigan, and Rebecca Cozzens of Huntington, Vt. Also by many nieces, nephews and cousins, and several great grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son Kenneth A. Neal on October 22, 2015.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday November 10, 2017 at the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont. Reverend Malcolm Fowler Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Springfield will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Springfield, Vermont.
Contributions may be made in his memory to the Eileen Austin Neal RN Nursing Scholarship c/o Springfield Hospital Foundation P.O. Box 2003 Springfield, Vermont 05156.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont.
Chris Baptie, age 36, formerly of Springfield, Vt. Passed away on Friday November 3. 2017 at his home in Clayton, NC. due to an aortic aneurysm.
Chris was born in Springfield to Asa "Bill" Baptie and Charlene Kelley Baptie on March 20, 1981.
Chris attended schools in Springfield, Norwich University in Northfield, Vt. And AMI in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Chris has been employed by Bel-Ray Performance Lubricants as a market development manager for the past eight years.
Chris is survived by his patents, his wife Tara Olney Baptie and his beloved step daughter Brianna Lachapelle, his brother Nicholas and his wife Ginger along with their children Sydney and Andrew of Greenwich, NY.
Chris leaves is paternal grandparents Asa and Rose Baptie of Springfield and his maternal grandmother Marilyn Kelley of Rutland; several aunts, uncles, cousins and Chris' close friends in North Carolina and Vermont as well as his wonderful Bel-Ray family.
Services for Chris will be on Saturday November 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM at St Mary's Catholic Church in Springfield followed by burial at St. Mary's cemetery.
A reception will follow at the Moose club in Springfield at 1:00pm.
Donations should be made to the Springfield booster club in lieu of flowers at P.O. Box 666 Springfield, Vermont 05156.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont.
