Doris Farnham

Doris Nellie (McPherson) Farnham, 81, died peacefully Aug. 17, 2018. Doris was born in St. Francis, Maine, the daughter of Hanford and Marguerite (Dubois) McPherson.

Doris loved to travel, read, do crafts, and spend time with her family. She spent years working in retail and banking; her outgoing and warm personality made her work more than a profession – she truly enjoyed making others’ lives better. Her greatest joy was in spending time with her family and extended family.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Mary Ann and Stewart LaRocque; her son Donald Lagasse Jr.; her son and daughter-in-law Scott and Teresa Lagasse; and her son and daughter-in-law Rodney and Allison Eno Lagasse. She also leaves six grandchildren Shannon Holl, Amanda Bateman, Ashley Graham, Echo Granger, Colt Lagasse, Wade Lagasse; her brothers and sister Raymond, Roy, Neal, Herb, and Irene; and great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is predeceased by her parents Hanford and Marguerite (Dubois) McPherson; brothers Melvin, Robert, Lesley, Peter; sister Linda; her husbands Donald Lagasse Sr. and James Farnham; and her grandson Hal J. Buntele Jr.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at the VFW on River Street in Springfield, Vt., Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018 from 2–6 p.m. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011,
Washington, DC 20090-6011.

Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vt. is assisting with arrangements.

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Suzanne J. Foster

Suzanne J. Foster, 76, passed away Sunday morning. July 30, 2017. at her home in Baltimore, Vermont. She was born Aug. 3, 1940, in West Rutland, Vermont, the daughter of Marvin and Delia (Pelkey) Noyes.

She was employed at Price Chopper, and NewsBank in Chester, Vermont.

She enjoyed yard sales, crocheting, looking up recipes and watching cooking shows. She loved to spend time with her family and was very proud of her four granddaughters. She also loved and enjoyed her cats.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Delbert E. Foster Sr.; her son, George Bargfrede Jr. and his wife Lorraine of Baltimore, Vermont; granddaughters Janel Palmeri and her husband Travis of Perkinsville, Larissa Bargfrede of Springfield, Candace Bargfrede of Springfield, and Marcia Herman of North Carolina; one brother,Wendall Noyes of Enterprise, Alabama, one sister, Betty Klein and her husband John of Baltimore, Vermont; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her parents; brother Robert Noyes; sisters Reba Hearne and Barbara Smith; and her daughter, Pamela Herman.

Services will be at the convenience of the family. Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield, Vermont, is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Kathleen Crary

Kathleen Crary, 93, died Tuesday March 21, 2017, at Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center, after a short illness.

She was born Aug. 27, 1923, in Rutland, the daughter of Marvin and Rose (LaDuke) Sanders.

She graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in St. Albans.

On Dec. 3, 1943, she married Melvin R. Crary in Springfield. He died March 31, 2000.

Mrs. Crary was employed at Britt's Department Store for many years, Barlow's Hardware Store and later, Bushway's Hardware Store, all in Springfield.

She enjoyed crafts and ceramics at Springfield Senior Center and was known for baking cookies, doughnuts and pies to share.

Survivors include two sons, David Crary, of Essex Junction, and Lauren Crary, of Palm Coast, Florida; two daughters, Dianne Favreau, of North Springfield, and Carla Buxton, of Clinton, South Carolina; her twin sister, Aileen Farr, of South Burlington; six grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by seven siblings.

Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Beverly J. Barbour, 80

Beverly J. Barbour 80, died Monday, May 23, 2016, surrounded by her family at Springfield Hospital.

She was born Dec. 20, 1935, in Providence, R.I., the daughter of George E. and Lucy R. (Tunicliffe) Denton. She attended school and graduated from high school in Rhode Island. On May 20, 1955, she married George M. Barbour in North Kingstown, R.I. He predeceased her in 1992.

She was employed at the W.T. Grant department store and worked as an licenced nursing assistant in nursing homes and home health care for many years. She traveled overseas with her husband, who was in the milityary.

She was a member of Quidnessett Baptist Church in Rhode Island and First Baptist Church in Chester. She enjoyed traveling, puzzles, playing cards, especially cribbage, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her two daughters Patricia Lowden of Springfield and Barbara Duquette of Chester, nine grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, brother Ronald Denton, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her sons George M. Barbour Jr. and Johnny L. Barbour Sr., grandson, Joshua Lowden and brother George Denton Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 27, 2016, at First Baptist Church in Chester. The Rev. Thomas Charlton, pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Quidnessett Cemetery in North Kingstown, R.I. Memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Chester Memorial Fund, PO Box 187 Chester, VT 05143. Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel.

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James W. B. Parry, 62

James W.B. Parry, 62, died Saturday, April 9, 2016, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

He was born Aug. 5, 1953, in Springfield, a son of Byron and Rosie (Griswold) Parry. James graduated from Springfield High School and began serving full-time with the Vermont National Guard in Springfield. He received his honorable discharge from the National Guard after 17 years of service and then started Parry’s Sporting Goods in Perkinsville, and worked for a time as a painter and lead man at Power Ray in Claremont. Later Jim operated JP Overhead Door, installing garage doors throughout Vermont and New Hampshire.

Jim was married to Shirley Melendy on May 23, 1987, and together they raised their family. He loved spending time with his family, especially time spent in the outdoors, fishing, hunting, camping or time at their land and camp in Sheffield, Vermont. He was particularly close with his mother and father and could often be found puttering on small engine repairs with his dad. When he wasn’t with his family, he enjoyed auctions and riding motorcycles. Jim served his community as a volunteer firefighter with the West Weathersfield Fire Department.

He was predeceased by his mother, Rosie; and his twin sister, Jane Parry. Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley of Perkinsville; his father, Byron, also of Perkinsville; daughters Lynn Towne of Windsor, Jody Freeman of White River Junction, Vermont, Virginia Cutting of Claremont and Frances Short of Westminster; sons Shayne Trombley of White River Junction, Vermont and Jeffrey Parry of California; eight grandchildren; a great-grandchild; sister Elizabeth Landon of Tennessee; and two nephews.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at Martin Hall in Ascutney. Condolences may be expressed to Jim’s family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

 

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Phillip R. Raney Sr., 78

Phillip Richard Raney Sr., 78, of Newport, died Sunday, April 3, 2016, at the VAMC in White River Junction, Vermont. He was born July 14, 1937, in Keene, the son of Clarence T. and Lena (Dutilley) Raney. He was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School.

He was a former member of the Moose Lodge of Claremont and was an avid fisherman. Phillip worked for First National Store in Claremont for 23 years as the produce manager and clerk and later worked for Grand Union, which became Shaw’s, in Springfield for 16 years and retiring in 2002.

The family includes three children, Phillip R. Raney Jr. of Hartland, Jody Lynn Raney of Claremont and Dana A. Raney of Claremont; many grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clarence T. Raney and Albert Raney; and three sisters, Pauline Mack, Mardaret Skullettey and Mildred Raney.

A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9, at St. Mary Cemetery with Father George Majka officiating. Arrangements are with the Stringer Funeral Home & Crematorium, 146 Broad St., in Claremont. To view an online memorial or send a private message of condolence, visit www.stringerfh.com.

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Barbara S. Gammon, 81

Barbara S. Gammon 81, died Saturday, April 2, 2016, at Springfield Hospital. She was born July 11, 1934, in Newfane, the daughter of Archer and Violet (Harris) Sawtelle. She graduated from Chester High School, class of 1952, and attended the University of Vermont. On Feb. 12, 1955, in Proctorsville, she married Robert K. Gammon. He predeceased her April 21, 1995. Barbara was employed at Chester Drug in Chester for 50 years, retiring in 1997.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Springfield, a member of the R.S.V.P. in Springfield and enjoyed cooking and crocheting blankets and other items for several charities over the years. She also enjoyed playing cribbage at the Springfield Senior Center and taking trips with the Senior Center.

She is survived by one son, Robert W. Gammon, of Grafton, N.H.; two daughters, Beth Gammon of Springfield, and Dawn Wright of Westminster Station; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother, Alva Sawtelle of Del Rio, Texas; one sister, Jackie Plumb of Andover; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by one daughter, Amy Horton; and one brother, Lyle Sawtelle.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, April 11, at United Methodist Church in Springfield. The Rev. Gerry Piper, pastor, will officiate. A private family burial will take place in Hillcrest Cemetery in Proctorsville later in the day. Contributions may be made in her memory to United Methodist Church, 10 Valley St., Springfield, VT 05156, or to the Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice of Vt. & N.H., PO Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Elizabeth Anne Dube, 73

Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Dube, 73, died Tuesday evening, March 22, 2016, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, after a short battle with cancer. She was born July 16, 1942, in Providence, Rhode Island, the daughter of George M. and Elizabeth Anne (Laurendeau) Porter. Betty graduated from Providence High School and then studied to receive her license as a real estate broker in Rhode Island. She married Albert S. Dube Jr. on May 4, 1963, in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Albert was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. They lived in North Carolina, South Carolina and California.

When he was stationed overseas, Betty returned to Johnston, Rhode Island, to live with her parents. After the service they lived for a short time in Exeter, Rhode Island, before purchasing their first home in Pascoag, Rhode Island. During this time she worked in sales at the New York Department Store in Pascoag, Rhode Island and then later at the Sears Store in Warwick, Rhode Island. They moved to Maine in 1975 and then two years later moved to Perkinsville, where they have made their home ever since.

Betty worked as a machinist at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield for 15 years. Later she and her husband purchased and operated the Sears Department Store in Claremont for the next 12 years. Betty served as a volunteer EMT for the Weatherfield Volunteer Ambulance Service for many years. She was also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary in Windsor.

She is survived by her husband, Albert S. Dube Jr.; two sons, Albert S. Dube III and his wife, Diane, of Coopersville, Michigan, and Matthew J. Dube and his wife, Barbara, of Perkinsville; grandchildren, Jenna, Cheryl, Cathy, Cory, Elysia, Billy and Daniella; two great-grandchildren, Victoria and Wesley; two sisters, Marilyn Soucy and her husband, Bob of Blackstone, Massachusetts, and Patricia Morgan and her husband, Edward, of Foster, Rhode Island; and also nieces and nephews. A private memorial gathering will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be expressed to Betty’s family in an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com. The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor has been entrusted with arrangements.

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Barbara A. Piletz, 100

Barbara A. Piletz, 100, of Charlestown, died Sunday, Feb. 21, at her home. The daughter of George H. Adams and Etta A. Linfield, she was born in Randolph, Vermont in 1916 and lived in Braintree, Vermont, a place close to her heart. She also lived in Mascoma, Claremont and Cornish Flat and attended Kimball Union Academy, of which she was proud. She married Walter A. Piletz Sr., in 1937, and they moved to Charlestown in 1938 — her home ever since.

She was a member of the Braintree Hill Meeting House Historical Society and the Congregational Church in Charlestown. She loved meeting new people with whom she would always make immediate conversation. She regularly shared stories and poems. She loved her family and her countless special friends, including those she would meet with regularly at McDonald's in Springfield. She worked at Montgomery Ward and the Queen Shop in Claremont and Connecticut River Bank in Charlestown. She was a caregiver to many and for years, along with her husband, kept a skating rink for use by town children.

She is survived by her daughter, Carole A. Curtis of Charlestown; her son and daughter-in-law, Walter A. Piletz Jr., and Debra Piletz of Charlestown; four grandchildren, Monty J. Curtis of Boston, Massachusetts, Jessica L. Hagland (Scott) of Charlestown, Meredith B. McAllister of Charlestown and Damon M. Piletz (Angel) of Bergen, New York; 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her mother and father, her husband of 66 years, four brothers, two sisters, nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made in memory of Barbara A. Piletz to the Charlestown Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 369, Charlestown, NH 03603; or to the Charlestown Police Association, P.O. Box 1313, Charlestown, NH 03603. Special thanks to Dr. Caloras for his kindness over the years, his staff and Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire. A May graveside service and memorial gathering will be announced at a later date.

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Ian Bernard McGrath, 52

Ian Bernard McGrath, 52, of Potash Brook Road in Chester, Vermont, died suddenly Friday, Jan. 15, 2016, at his home,

Ian was born Sept. 1, 1963, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the son of Bernard and Mary Donaldson McGrath. He was a 1981 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School and worked for the Vermont Country Store. He served for six years in the United States Marines during the first Gulf War. Ian was a member of the American Legion in Chester and the VFW in Chester.

Ian is survived by three sons, Callum, Ewan and Graeme McGrath all of Chester; one daughter, Caitlyn McGrath of Chester; his mother, Mary McGrath of Ludlow, Vermont; his brother, Barton McGrath of Saxtons River; and his girlfriend, Holly Clayton. Ian was predeceased by his father in 2015.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at the Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls. Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.

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Marjorie R. Raymond

Marjorie (Peggy) Russell Raymond, 68, of Addison, Vermont, passed away on January 4, 2016. Peggy was born in Springfield, VT, to David and Marjorie Russell on July 1, 1947. For 47 years, she was married to Lloyd (Skip) Bennett Raymond also of Springfield. They resided in Springfield, MA, New Britain, CT, Southington, CT, Farmington, CT, and 38 years in Munson/Chardon OH. She spent the last 4 years in Addison, VT.

She is survived by her husband, Lloyd, and their daughters Lisa Draye and Tanis Howe; as well as her brother, David Russell Jr.; her sister, Patricia Saylor; brothers-/sisters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was a 4-H and Pony Club member, winning Vermont State Equestrian championships and a 4-H leader. She was also a successful entrepreneur, the owner of All Gussied Up bridal salon in Chardon. She found joy throughout her life as an equestrian/instructor/trainer, through her painting and crafts, working outdoors on various projects, logging hundreds of miles trail riding in OH and VT, and observing sunrises while fishing on Lake Champlain. She possessed an exceptional fighting spirit, immeasurable talent, and she was a great partner and friend. She will be remembered with love and she touched so many lives. Per Peggy’s request, there were no calling hours and burial will be private, at the convenience of her family. Peggy’s only wish is that everyone remember the good times.

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