Archive - Oct 2008 - Obituaries

Lillian Noyes Mulcahy

LEICESTER — Lillian Noyes Mulcahy, 82, passed away peacefully at home recently, surrounded by family members. Daughter of the late Richard G. and Pearl (Begor) Noyes, Lillian was born in Salisbury. After graduating from Brandon High School in 1944, Lillian was employed as a secretary at the Brandon Training School and was soon promoted to psychiatric secretary to Dr. Francis Kelly. In 1950, she and Raymond Michael Mulcahy met, fell deeply in love, and were married in just three months. They raised seven children.

Lillian is survived by Raymond, her best friend and true love for 58 years.

Lillian is missed by her surviving five children, Daniel and his wife Sandi of Glendora, Calif.; Peggy and her husband Bob Conley and their children Meghan, Robert and Kevin of Longmeadow, Mass.; Eileen and her son Tyler Ferland of Montpelier; Barry and his wife Mari and their children Padraic and Jillian of Leicester; and Kathleen (Kay) of Meredith, N.H.

Lillian was predeceased by two sons, Kevin Paul in 1975 and Brendan Sean in 2002. Rey Pamela (Brendan’s daughter) lives in Graniteville. Lillian will be missed by the surviving two of her 10 siblings: Maj. Ralph Lee Noyes of Alexandria, Va., and Salisbury and Margaret N. Twelves of Wilmington, Del., and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Besides being a cherished wife and loving mother, Lillian was active in St. Mary’s Church as a lector, altar server and Grand Regent for the Catholic Daughters of America. In addition to being a hands-on homemaker, she was accountant for the properties that she and Ray owned and rented. For several years, she was secretary and then librarian at the elementary school in Forest Dale. Lillian and Ray retired in South Carolina, but returned to Vermont in 2006 to be close to family members.

John Wesley MacNary

BRANDON — John Wesley MacNary, 53, of Brandon died Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008, at his home.

He was born in Newburgh, N.Y., on Aug. 12, 1955. He was the adopted son of Robert and Muriel (Johnson) MacNary. He received his early education in local Newburgh, N.Y., schools and was graduated from Newburgh Free Academy, class of 1973. Following graduation he joined the U.S. Army and served a three-year hitch. Following his honorable discharge he returned to civilian life and work in construction as a heavy equipment operator. He had worked in many states including Pennsylvania, South Carolina and California. In 2000 he moved to Vermont and for the past two years had made his home in Brandon.

Family members report that he enjoyed the arts, was a talented musician and artist, was a born-again Christian, and had a big heart.

Surviving is his mother Muriel MacNary of New Windsor, N.Y.; three brothers, Robert MacNary of Denver, David MacNary of Gardiner, N.Y., Alan MacNary of Williamstown, N.C.; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service in celebration of his life will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, at 11:30 a.m. at Cornwall Baptist Church, Main St., in Cornwall, N.Y. The Rev. Stephen Recite will officiate.

A private burial will take place, at a later date.

Contributions may be made, in his memory to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.

Leonard S. Holbrook Sr.

WALTHAM — Leonard S. Holbrook Sr., 81, of Waltham died on Sunday, Oct. 19, at his home.

He was born Aug. 6, 1927, in Monkton.

Jeffrey Paul Titus

CHARLOTTE — Jeffrey Paul Titus, 42, died peacefully on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008, at his home in the presence of his family following a long battle with leukemia. He was born on Aug. 16, 1966, in Aberdeen, S.D., the son of Robert and Bernice (Leicht) Titus, of Charlotte.

Jeff graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School in 1984. Jeff spent his life doing what he loved most, farming together with his father Robert Titus on the family farm in Charlotte. He married Lorraine K. Irish on April 30, 1994, in Fletcher. Jeffrey enjoyed NASCAR racing, biking, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, hiking, and teaching his son Ryan how to drive tractors. One of his favorite annual events was the Charlotte Tractor Parade where he showcased his favorite Massey Ferguson Tractors.

Jeff is survived by his wife Lorraine and son Ryan of New Haven; his parents Robert and Bernice Titus of Charlotte; his sister Laurie and husband Peter Curler, and their children Bobby and Bradley of Charlotte; his in-laws Ike and Brenda Irish of Fairfax, and Polly and Ann Irish-Lodge and their son Samson of Seattle, Wash.; his brother-in-law Howard Irish and wife Kristine and their children, Kelsie, Connor, Madison, and Alison of Fletcher; sister-in-law Dorene Whitley and her husband Robert and their children Jasmine and Emma of Seattle, Wash.; and brother-in-law Austin Irish of Fairfax. Jeffrey is also survived by many other loving family members and friends.

Jeffrey was predeceased by his infant sister Diane.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008, at the Middlebury Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Special thanks to Fletcher Allen Hematology, Oncology division; Addison County Home Health and Hospice; and our many family and friends that have supported us through this journey.

CHARLOTTE FISK

MIDDLEBURY — Charlotte Fisk, 72, of Middlebury, died peacefully on Oct. 13, 2008.  Daughter of Earl Ellsworth Fisk and Florence Leavitt Fisk, she was born and raised in Green Bay, Wis.  She attended Northwestern University where she studied drama, and then transferred to Rollins College.  She moved to New Vernon, N.J., with her family where she raised her children and ran her own business.  In 1976 her family relocated to Vermont where they owned a farm in Cornwall.  In more recent years, she was a resident of Middlebury.

 Charlotte was an amazing quilter and handcrafter, and shared this gift with many people over the years.  Owner of Charlotte’s Web in Bernardsville, N.J., and later Charlotte’s Collections in Middlebury, Vt., she was also selected during the Clinton Administration to hang an ornament she created on the While House Christmas tree. Charlotte was active in the Milk and Honey Quilter’s Guild of Middlebury, and played many key roles in that group.  In recent years she took the lead in coordinating volunteers to make quilts for soldiers injured in the war in Iraq.  She will also be remembered for her service on the Middlebury Volunteer Ambulance Squad, as someone with strong political convictions who served as a role model to many in advocating for women’s rights, her love for the dogs she adopted from the Humane Society over the years, and her passion for football as demonstrated by her support of the Green Bay Packers and the Middlebury Tigers.  Charlotte fought many health battles over the years and amazed everyone with her ability to defy the medical odds, continuing to live independently, engaged in her local community and spending time with her family and her many wonderful friends.   She will be remembered for her creative talents, compassion, sense of humor, and her positive attitude in even the most difficult of times. 

Florence E. Pool

MIDDLEBURY — Florence E. Pool, 79, of Rogers Road in Middlebury, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, at Porter Hospital.

Born July 3, 1929, in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Isaac and Cecelia (Gotchall) Block. 

Florence was a homemaker and a resident of Middlebury since 1954.

She is survived by one son, Gary S. Pool and his wife, Tracy, of Hyde Park; two daughters, Debra A. Pool-Hahn and her husband, Edward, of Reston, Va., and Amy S. Pool of St. Louis, Mo.; two grandchildren, Erin L. Cram and her companion, Samuel Demmons, of Gorham, N.H., and Kara E. Pool and her companion, Patrick Krock-Horton, of Northampton, Mass.; two great-grandchildren, Aria M. Day and Sadie N. Demmons; and many good friends and neighbors.

Florence was predeceased by her husband Edwin L. Pool and a brother, Henry D. Block.

Services will be at the convenience of the family.  Those wishing to make memorial donations may make them to HOPE, (formerly ACCAG) P.O. Box 165, Middlebury, VT 05753, or to the charity of one’s choice. 

Online condolences may be made at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.

M. Perry Ketcham

SUDBURY ­— M. Perry Ketcham, 88, of Sudbury died Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 at Rutland Health Care Center.

He was born July 8, 1920, in Sudbury, the son of Robert Perry and Lena (Churchill) Ketcham. He received his early education in a Sudbury one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1937.  On Oct. 15, 1949, he married Frances Prediger in the Stephen A. Douglas House in Brandon. They made their home in Sudbury. 

Arthur B. Penney

ORWELL — Arthur B. Penney, 85, of Penney Farms, Fla., formerly of Scotchtown, N.Y., died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, in Montgomery, N.Y. He was born June 24, 1923, in Moriches, N.Y., to Clarence and Edith (Ross) Penney.

He graduated from Center Moriches High School in 1939 and Brown University in 1944 with a B.S. in civil engineering. He served in the U.S. Army’s Cadre of 656 Engineer Topographic Battalion during World War II.

He was an engineer for American Express from 1946-1966. He was a teacher/business manager for the Chester School District from 1967-1977. He retired from the USDA Formers Home Administration as a housing inspector in 1989.

He was a charter member of Harmony Baptist Church, where he served in many positions, including deacon, trustee, Sunday school superintendent, Christian Service Brigade leader and board member of Harmony Christian School. He was also involved with C.S.B.’s Northern Frontier camp and Gideons International.

He and his wife, Audrey, enjoyed 10 years of traveling across the country in their motor home before moving in 2000 to Penney Retirement Community, where he was actively involved in volunteer work. They summered in Orwell, Vt., and he enjoyed gardening, bird watching, and sitting by the lake watching the sunsets on Lake Champlain.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Audrey (Stiefel) Penney; a son, Merritt Cash Penney II of Montgomery; three daughters, Darby Penney and husband Ken Denberg of Albany, N.Y., Darcy and husband Fred Litt of Allendale, N.J., and Melissa Penney of Montgomery; a grandson; a granddaughter; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers, Lloyd and wife Gladys, Lawrence and wife Ave, and Robert.

Bernice Irwina Milton

BRANDON — Bernice Irwina Milton, 91, died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at the home of her daughter in Brandon.

She was born in Waterbury, Conn., on March 22, 1917, the daughter of Ernest and Ruby (Westervelt) Barker.

She was a retired hairdresser and a member of Prospect (Conn.) Congregational Church Women’s Association, of the “17ers” and a charter member of Cheshire (Conn.) Cats Square Dance Club and the National Family Campers and RVers. She was also a member of the Prospect Congregational Church.

She is survived by a daughter, Janice Jones, of Brandon, with whom she had made her home; a son, Bradley Milton of Prospect, Conn.; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

She was predeceased by her husband, Alton Milton, on Sept. 7, 2004.

A funeral service was held on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, at Buckmiller Brothers Funeral Home in Prospect with a graveside committal service and burial in the Cheshire (Conn.) Cemetery.

Donations may be made to The Rutland Area Visiting Nurse and Hospice, 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT 05701.

Samuel Maxwell Raven Laframboise

BURLINGTON — Samuel Maxwell Raven Laframboise, 18, of Burlington died as the result of a car crash on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington. The former Bristol resident was born May 4, 1990, in Middlebury, the son of Philip Laframboise and Roxanne Williams.

A lover of skateboarding, family said he had a love for life and a big heart, and he was always there for friends and family.

He is survived by his parents, mother Roxanne Williams of Bridport and father and step-mother, Philip and Cherie Laframboise of Hinesburg; three sisters, Heather Jackson, Katie Jackson and Tana; a brother, Timothy Joseph Williams; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and a niece.

Edward S. Jacobson

WHITING — A reception in memory of Edward S. Jacobson, 94, who died Aug. 23, 2008, will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Whiting Town Hall. Friends are invited to visit with the family and share remembrances.

Richard “Dick” G. Heitman

VERGENNES — Richard “Dick” G. Heitman, 78, of Vergennes died Sept. 25, 2008. He was born on March 9, 1930, in Shoreham, the son of Grandey and Kathryn (Johnson) Heitman.

He attended the New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H., and the Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston, Mass., where he studied steam and diesel engineering and industrial electricity.

After completing his education he enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and served as an Air Force police officer from 1949 to 1953, first in Fairbanks, Alaska, as a patrolman and then at Mitchell Field, Long Island, N.Y., as the Air Force police sergeant of the guard.

He and his wife, whom he met at age 14 in the apple orchards of Shoreham, were married on June 14, 1955, and resided on Cream Hill in Shoreham. They operated the Heitman Supply Company in Middlebury, selling appliances and dairy equipment and conducting plumbing, heating, and refrigeration service.

He moved his family to Rhinebeck, N.Y., in 1967 upon accepting a position with the Delaval Separator Company in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

He began his tenure as a dairy equipment field engineer and moved up through the DeLaval ranks; product engineer, product engineer and supervisor of farm system planning, manager of engineering — farm division, manager of field services, and regional product manager.