Mabel T. Barlow

Mabel T. Barlow 89, passed away on Wednesday morning November 14, 2018 at Cedar Hill Health Care Center in Windsor, Vermont. She was born on November 21, 1928 in Chester, Vt. the daughter of Guy and Gladys ( Mowry ) Trombley. She graduated from Springfield High School.

On April 30, 1949 she married Robert J. Barlow in Springfield, Vermont, her predeceased her on July 13, 2014. With her husband she owned and operated Barlow’s Look Away Farm in Springfield, Vt. which included dairy cows, beef cattle and a large maple sugaring operation.

She enjoyed flower gardening and vegetable gardening. She resided in Springfield most of her life, for the past several years she resided at Cedar Hill in Windsor, Vt. and truly considered Cedar Hill her home. She was a member of the First Congregational Church in Springfield and volunteered making mittens every year for the Church Bazaar, one year making over 100 pairs.

She is survived by: one son Scott Barlow and his wife Joanne of Springfield, two daughters – Jane Waysville and her husband John of Springfield, and Twyla Sweetmoon of Marathon Shores, Fl. 3 grandchildren : Cristina Price and her husband Jeff, Jason Waysville and his wife Erin, and Nicholas Barlow and his wife Cailin. 4 great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by one brother and five sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday November 21, 2018 at the First Congregational Church in Springfield, Vt. Reverend Gerry Piper will officiate. Friends may call at the Church on Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:00 AM Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Springfield. A reception will follow at the Church.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the Springfield Humane Society 401 Skitchewaug Trail Springfield, Vt. 05156 or to Cedar Hill Activities Fund 49 Cedar Hill Drive Windsor, Vt. 05089.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Elizabeth J. Augustinovich

Elizabeth Josephine Augustinovich 92 died Sunday January 7, 2018 at Springfield Health & Rehab. Center in Springfield, Vt. She was born December 1, 1925 in Weathersfield, Vt. the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth S. Kamel. She attended Springfield Schools and graduated from Springfield High School.

On June 14, 1947 she was married to John P. Augustinovich, He predeceased her on June 2, 2014.

John and Elizabeth owned and operated a second generation dairy farm well into their eighties on Elm Hill in Springfield.

In addition to working the farm she enjoyed gardening and raised 7 children.

She is survived by her 6 daughters – Sandy Miller and her husband Robert of Walpole, N.H. , Nancy Salo of Frederica, Delaware, Sherry Brosseau of Clifton Park, N.Y., Patty Augustinovich of Bethel, Vt., Joanne Greene of Springfield and Susan Ballard of Springfield. 1 son Peter Augustinovich of Springfield, 8 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, 5 brothers – John, Mike, Floyd, Frank and Joe Kamel, and by 4 sisters – Helen Kamel, Ida Lavoie, Lee Lavoie and Mary Wilson.

Per her wishes there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Elm Hill Farm.

Contributions may be made in her memory to the Springfield Health & Rehab. Center 105 Chester Road Springfield, Vt. 05156.

Davis Memorial Chapel is assisting with arrangements.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Margaret E. Behsmann

Margaret Ellen Behsmann, 82, died Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Springfield Hospital.

She was born July 1, 1934, in Biddeford, Maine, the daughter of William and Helen (Knight) Wheeler.

She graduated from high school in California and later, earned an associate's degree.

On May 25, 1972, she married Lawrence Behsmann in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He died Aug. 20, 2010.

Mrs. Behsmann worked as an accountant and bookkeeper for Schlage Lock Co. for many years. She cared for handicapped children for many years and raised miniature horses on her farm, Trinity Farm, of Springfield.

She was a painter, an artist, and won blue ribbons with her show horses.

Survivors include three sons, Roger Stone, of Springfield, Bill Stone, of Colorado, and Tim Behsmann, of Maryland; a sister, Becky Lowe, of North Carolina; 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

She was also predeceased by a daughter, Kathy Anderson.

The memorial service will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Richard D. Rommer, 67, noted wheatgrass grower

Richard D. Rommer of Chester, Vt., died suddenly in his home on Friday, March 25, 2016. Rich was born in Nyack, N.Y., on March 12, 1949, to Lenore McCaffery Rommer and Richard J. Rommer. He graduated from Pearl River High School in Pearl River, N.Y. in 1967. He played varsity basketball and football, and was the president and vice president of his junior and senior class, respectively.

Rich was the owner of Gourmet Greens in Chester, formerly Gourmet Produce Co., which he founded in 1986. He grew and sold fresh wheatgrass and greens to customers throughout the Northeast. He had an extensive knowledge of health and nutrition, and was a talented grower, likely one of the most respected wheatgrass growers in the country.

Rich was also an avid contra dancer and lover of traditional and classical music and dance. He enjoyed attending contra dances and singing with Village Harmony, the River Singers, and at Star Island retreats. Rich brought his love of photography to the performing arts, and documented countless performances of dance, music and theater around the region.

He is survived by a twin brother, Robert Rommer of Elijay, Ga., and three sisters, Judith Poultney of Normal, Ill, Patricia Rommer of Schroon Lake, N.Y., and Carol Battey of Vancouver, Wash. He also leaves three children and four grandchildren: Joshua Rommer of Alpharetta, Ga., his wife Stephanie and their children Samuel and Madeline; Elizabeth Cook of Beverly, Mass, her husband Philip and their children Aaron and Isla; and Hannah Rommer of Lebanon, N.H.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at 2 p.m., at the Andover Community Church, 928 Andover Rd, Andover, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Monadnock Folklore Society, www.monadnockfolk.org or the Northeast Organic Farming Association, www.nofavt.org

  (Click on photo to enlarge)

Read More »

Medrick B. Nelson, 96

Medrick B. Nelson, 96, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 in Unity, N.H. where he had been cared for by the loving and compassionate staff at Sullivan County Healthcare. He was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Lona Alice (Westney) in 2013.

A lifelong farmer, Medrick was born into a family of 14 siblings in Unity. He attended school until grade 9, when it was necessary to leave and earn a living to assist his family. He began working as a logger and road construction worker with family members before becoming a machinist at J & L Machine in Springfield, Vermont, where he worked for 35 years until his retirement.

Medrick raised Brown Swiss show cattle, replacement heifers and horses, and could be seen in the hills of Acworth making hay or collecting sap until very late in his life. He met his wife at the machine shop, where she also worked during World War II. They married and lived in Acworth village before building their house on top of Derry Hill in Acworth, where they raised two sons and enjoyed magnificent views of the Green Mountains in Vermont on farmland once owned by Lona’s parents.

Happiest when working, Medrick spent his retirement farming and restoring antique tractors. He could repair almost anything, and was creative and talented in making innovative machinery and parts for mechanical repairs. A longtime member of the New Hampshire Antique Tractor Club, Medrick enjoyed providing hauling services with his tractors in area parades, and showing and pulling tractors at the Cornish Fair. He gave his tractors to his son and grandson, who are now enjoying the hobby. He loved horses and owned draft ponies until the very latter years of his life. He always worked hard, but would relish moments when he could talk with neighbors, dance at a party or reception, share a story with visitors at a fair where he was showing cattle, assist with a mechanical or building project, enjoy lunches at his son’s farm after tapping maple trees, hold a grandchild atop a horse, pony or tractor, or pick a bouquet of dahlias that he planted for his beloved wife.

Medrick was a member of the Sullivan County Farm Bureau, Claremont Moose Lodge 1201 and was a former member of the Acworth Fire Department. He was predeceased by his parents, Rose (Therrien) and Asher Nelson and his 14 siblings: Edward Nelson, Robert Nelson, Frank Nelson, Arthur Nelson, Henry Nelson, Roy Nelson, Thomas Nelson, Nancy Sullivan, Mary Davis, Florence McElreavy, Eva “Nettie” Butterfield, Alice Patch, Bert Nelson and Asher Nelson.

Medrick is survived by his son, Bennie Nelson and his wife Becky (McDonough) of Newport; son Lindsey Nelson of Claremont and his longtime companion Rose Rouillard of Unity; granddaughter Kathryn Nelson and her fiancé Andrew Boutin of Amherst, New Hampshire; grandson Samuel Nelson of Newport; and many nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to attend calling hours to be held at Stringer Funeral Home in Claremont from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 28 followed by a funeral to be held Friday, Jan. 29 at 11 a.m. at the Acworth Congregational Church in Acworth village. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.

Read More »