Edward W. Fitzgibbons Jr.

Edward W. Fitzgibbons Jr., 97, passed away on Monday afternoon, May 7, 2018, at the Gill Odd Fellows Home in Ludlow, Vermont. He was born in Worcester City Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts, on July 6, 1920, the son of Edward W. Sr. and Etta (Johnson) Fitzgibbons. When Eddie was a few months old, he and his parents moved to Cavendish, Vermont. He attended school in Cavendish.

He worked for Don Belknap cutting wood and logs, driving truck and then became a sawyer. Eddie worked for Kenwood Mills in Cavendish and later worked as a machinist at the Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, retiring after 25 years of service. During World War II, Eddie, with others, volunteered at a look-out tower to report plane sightings.

He married Mildred Gleason on April 13, 1948. Eddie and his wife had a ministry of sending cards, visiting people, transporting people to doctor's appointments, etc., giving food to those in need and weekly shopping for the elderly.

He belonged to the Cavendish Baptist Church where he was, for many years, an usher, janitor, Sunday school teacher and bell ringer. He was also a member of the church prayer group.

With his brother, Russell, they cut wood for their winter fuel. Eddie mowed the fields at the Sanders-Gleason Farm, which he and his wife later owned.

His sister, Mary, died in 2000 and his brother, Russell, in 2014.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mildred, and nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2018, in the Cavendish Village Cemetery in Cavendish. Reverend Abraham Gross will officiate. A time of fellowship will follow at the Cavendish Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cavendish Baptist Church, P.O. Box 425, Cavendish, VT 05142.

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

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Wayne C. Ranney

Wayne C. Ranney, 88, of Cavendish, died Dec. 5, 2016, at Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center. He was born Sept. 2, 1928, in Mount Holly, the son of Nathan W. and Lucy (Hinkley) Ranney. He attended school in Fair Haven.

Mr. Ranney served in the U.S. Army in Korea and received the Purple Heart.

On June 21, 2007, he married Joanne Pelkey in Cavendish.

He was employed with General Electric in Rutland for 25 years, and Honeywell in Phoenix, Arizona, for several years. Mr. Ranney enjoyed fishing, vegetable and flower gardening, caring for his property, and was a Red Sox fan.

Survivors include his wife of Cavendish; two sons John Ranney of Chester and Mark Ranney of Oregon; six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; one brother, Irving Ranney of Rutland; nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by one daughter, Jeanne Ranney.

A graveside service will be held at the Cavendish Cemetery in the spring. The Rev. Abraham Gross, pastor of the Cavendish Baptist Church, will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495. Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Joan M. Carlisle

Joan Marie (Gilson) Carlisle, 82, of Cavendish, died suddenly September 12 after a short illness.

Joan was born April 22, 1934, in Cavendish, Vermont, daughter of Jesse and Clarinda (Briggs) Gilson. She attended school in Cavendish, and graduated from Chester High School, Class of 1952. She married Leonard Carlisle February 7, 1953, in Proctorsville, Vermont. They resided in Cavendish.

She was employed in banking and health care, working many years at the Black River Health Center as a bookkeeper for Dr. Eugene Bont, and at Springfield Pediatrics for Drs. Clattenberg and Owen, until she retired.

She enjoyed knitting puppet mittens and baby sweaters, word puzzles, crosswords, cryptoquotes and playing cards. She and Leonard traveled to California, Tennessee, Florida and Maine. She loved all her family and the time spent with them. Everyone was family if she loved you, whether you really were or not. She loved to giggle with her daughters and her girlfriends. She was a great listener and had great compassion for others. She and Leonard thoroughly enjoyed lunch every day at daughter Sheryl’s, and Sharon Godfrey’s, restaurant, the Café at deLight, Ludlow, where they visited with everyone and made many friends. She attended Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church and was a member of the Altar Society.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Leonard; they have four daughters Roxanne and Michael Mackey of Nashville, TN; Theresa and Peter Southworth of Ludlow, VT; Sheryl Guica and Howard Paul of Ludlow, VT; and Lisa and Scott Spooner of N. Chittenden, VT; 5 grandchildren Desiree Guica, Adrienne Guica, Bradley and Kim Southworth, Aaron Southworth and fiancé Ashley Adamcik, and Cole Spooner; 3 great-grandchildren Alessia Guica, Cadence Paul and Connor Southworth; one sister Patte and Vern Mossey, Rutland, VT; many treasured nieces and nephews, and other relatives. She is predeceased by her parents; one brother, Ronald Gilson; sister, Janet Pikkarainen; and infant sister, Marilyn Gilson.

The wake will be held Thursday, September 15, from 5-7 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, 12 Meadow St. Ludlow. The funeral will be Friday, September 16, at 1:00 p.m. at the Annunciation (Catholic) Church, in Ludlow. Private Burial will follow at the Cavendish Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Annunciation Church, where family will greet everyone following the burial. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Vermont Division, 77 Hegeman Avenue, Colchester, VT 05446.

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Eleanor M. French

Eleanor M. French, 81, of Springfield, died Friday, July 29, 2016, at her home.

She was born Aug. 4, 1934, in Charlestown, N.H., the daughter of Earle and Iverna (Spencer) French.

She was a graduate of Woodstock High School and Lyndon State College.

Ms. French taught at Cavendish Town Elementary School in for 34 years.

She enjoyed knitting, reading, collecting cookbooks, as well as angels, and vacationing on Lake Champlain.

Survivors include a brother, David French; a niece and caregiver, Michele Sargent; a grandniece and caregiver Brandie Sargent; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a brother, Delmar, and three sisters, Ethel, Ann and Harriet.

The memorial service will be held at a later date and announced at that time. Memorial contributions may be made to Lyndon State College Annual Giving Program, PO Box 919, 1001 College Road, Lyndonville, VT 05851; or Cavendish Town Elementary School, PO Box 236, Proctorsville, VT 05153. Arrangements are under the direction of the Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Diana B. Leonard

Diana B. Leonard, 89, passed away peacefully March 28, 2016 at Atria Assisted Living in Lakewood, Colorado.

She was a sweet lady, remembered for her cheerful smiles, kind words and sense of humor.

Diana was born in Glenridge, N.J. She grew up in Montclair, N.J., and attended Montclair High School. She had a love for art and music. She played the cello and violin, and sang in numerous church choirs over the years.

After high school she was accepted to the prestigious Cooper Union, a school of art and engineering in New York City. While at Cooper Union, she was introduced to the handsome engineering student, Al. She often said, “Al was the best thing I got from Cooper Union!”

They married at the Unitarian Universalist in Cavendish, Vermont, and their love for each other lasted through 66 years of marriage. Diana and Al lived in New Jersey for about 22 years, then moved to Connecticut for a few years. When Al retired they moved to the family house in Cavendish, Vermont.

In addition to being a loving mother and homemaker, she was active in many community service activities. Over the years, she played many roles in the churches that she attended, from singing in the choir, and teaching Sunday School, to leading the youth group. She was a representative in the American Field Service — AFS (a foreign student exchange program), even housing a number of exchange students for varying lengths of time. One student from Thailand lived with the family for an entire school year. In addition to hosting exchange students, she and Al also hosted international speakers in Vermont from the Heiffer organization. Diana was Girl Scout leader, and a board member at the local library. She painted signs, painted theater sets, did calligraphy and wrote newspaper articles for a number of different organizations. Two and a half years ago, Al and Diana moved to Colorado to be near their daughter, Susan.

Diana is survived by her three children Susan Lange, Alfred Leonard and Diana Pelzer; and her nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed by friends, family and all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 16th at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Congregational Church of Springfield, VT. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your favorite charity.

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Stewart R. Fuller, 54

Stewart R. Fuller, 54, died unexpectedly Friday afternoon, March 25, 2016, at his home in Cavendish. He was born Aug. 8, 1961, in Windsor, the son of Roy Fuller and Laura J. Woodley. Stewart grew up in Windsor and graduated from Springfield High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force for a time before returning to the Windsor area. He married Helen L. Allen on Dec. 22, 1994. Stewart worked for many years as a farmer at several different local dairy farms. For the past 10 years, he had worked as a computer technician and operated his own computer repair business.

Stewart had several interests but will be remembered mostly for his love of horses and all animals in general. For a few years along with his farming, Stewart was a successful paralegal.

He was predeceased by a sister, Donna, who died in 1982; two nieces; and his stepmother, Shirley Fuller, who died in 2007.

Survivors include his wife, Helen Fuller of Cavendish; his father, Roy E. Fuller of Brownsville; his mother, Laura J. Woodley of Charlestown; a brother, Frank Fuller of Charlestown; several aunts, uncles and nephews as well as one grandnephew.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 1, at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the funeral home. Pastor Sally Ann Silfies will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lucy MacKenzie Humane Society, P.O. Box 702, Brownsville, VT 05037; or to a local humane society of one’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to his family in an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

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Caroline W. Nowak, 95

Caroline W. Nowak, 95, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family, on Tuesday March 15, 2106. She was born in Springfield, VT, on Nov. 8, 1920, to Anthony and Alice (Stankiewicz) Walasewicz. She attended Duttonsvile Grammar School and graduated from Black River Academy in 1938.

She was married to Theodore Nowak on August 2, 1947, at the Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Proctorsville, VT. Caroline was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Secretary of the Polish Relief Committee during WWII, member of the Ambulance Corp. during WWII, Co-Chairman of the Cavendish WWII Memorial, Member of the Bi-Centennial Committee for the Town of Cavendish, Director of the Fletcher Town Farm Library, Chairman of the Fletcher Town Library Building Committee, Member of the Holy Name of Mary Church and Parish Council and Member and officer of Holy Name of Mary Altar Society.

She had worked at Gay Brothers Co. Kenwood Mills and retired as a Supervisor at Mack Molding. She was an avid birdwatcher and she and her husband enjoyed dancing. Caroline loved her family and her church more than anything. Caroline is survived by her son Gary Theodore Nowak of Williston, VT; her daughter Carol Palmer and her husband Steven Palmer; two grandsons, Ryan Theodore Palmer and Eric Thomas Palmer of Hinesburg, VT; her brother Stanley Walasewicz and his wife Carol of Cavendish; her sister, Mary Krasofski and her husband Frank of Ashburnham, MA.; her Nephews, a Niece, Great Nieces and Nephews and Great-Great Nieces and Cousins.

Besides her parents, she was pre-deceased by her husband Theodore on April 8, 2002; her brother Felix Walasewicz; and her sisters Josephine Woodell and Olympia and Blanche Walasewicz.

Caroline's family wishes to thank L&M Family Caregivers for the compassionate loving care they provided their mother, and Bayada Hospice for their support.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday March 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Name Of Mary Catholic Church, Proctorsville, VT. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Adams Funeral Home, 12 Meadow Street, Ludlow VT. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Holy Name of Mary Altar Society, 7 Depot St., Ludlow VT 05149.

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Nancy C. Durand, 83

Nancy C. Durand, 83, died Monday, March 14, 2016, at home in Lebanon, N.H. She was born March 18, 1932, a daughter of Gordon and Emily (Crague) Cota in Springfield, Vt., where she grew up and graduated from Springfield High School Class of 1950. Nancy met Gordon Durand, Jr. of Cavendish when he was logging her family’s land. They were married Feb. 3, 1951, and made their home in Cavendish where she worked as the assistant town clerk. In 1972 they moved to Lebanon and she began working at Honey Gardens Health Foods and later at Home Improvement, both in Lebanon. Nancy finished her career at Dartmouth College retiring in 1995. She and Gordon always had horses and enjoyed going to pulls and fairs together. They were very active in the New England Draft Pony Association. Nancy also enjoyed bowling and was a member of a league for many years.

She was predeceased by her husband, Gordon, in 2014; daughter Penny Woodell; granddaughter, Ashley; two brothers Ed and Robert Cota; and a sister Mary Ellen Walker. She is survived by two sons, James Durand and his wife Kathleen of Taftsville, Vt., and Jeffery Durand and his wife Tammy of Wilder; son-in-law Curt Woodell of Cavendish; five grandchildren Jeremy, Tia, Rene, Jonathan, and Andy as well as several nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Saturday, March 19 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction, immediately followed by a funeral service at 4 p.m. Burial will be at a later date in the Village Cemetery in Cavendish. Condolences may be expressed to Nancy’s family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions may be made to: Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital Office of Philanthropy, 10 Alice Peck Day Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766 or Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of VT & NH, PO Box 976, White River Jct., VT 05001

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