Archive - 2009 - Obituaries

SHOREHAM — Peter James Coe, 43, died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2009, while helping a stranger by the side of an icy road.

A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m. at the Shoreham Congregational Church, the Rev. Gary O’Gorman officiating. Following the ceremony the family will receive friends at the Shoreham Fire Station, for a time of fellowship and remembrance.

Memorial gifts may be made to The Peter Coe Memorial Fund, for the benefit of his children, c/o Mark Young, First National Bank of Orwell, P.O. Box 38, Orwell, VT 05760.

ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Thomas Stephen Healey, 90, of North Attleboro, formerly of Attleboro and East Middlebury, Vt., died peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2009, at the Madonna Manor Nursing Home in North Attleboro, where he had made his home since earlier this year.

Memorial donations may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation Inc., 161 Commonwealth Ave., North Attleboro, MA 02760, to benefit the Madonna Manor Resident Activities Fund and/or the Christopher Heights Recreational Fund to benefit residents.

VERGENNES — Born Blanche Farnsworth in Springfield, Mass., on Nov. 20, 1928, Blanche Rheaume La France passed away peacefully at age 81 in her home in Vergennes on Dec. 22, 2009.

Blanche lived most of her life in the Vergennes area. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, and cherished time spent with over 100 pen pals.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Brown-McClay Funeral Home at 48 South Maple St. in Vergennes.

BRANDON — Martha E. Munger, 87, died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2009, at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

The funeral service was held Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon. The Rev. Richard White, pastor of the Brandon Congregational Church, officiated. A private graveside committal service and burial followed in the family lot at Pine Hill Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.

She was born in Brandon on April 29, 1922. She was the daughter of Carl and Martha (Welch) Munger.

MIDDLEBURY — Charles Novak’s life journey ended on Dec. 22, 2009. Charles was born to Elmer and Elizabeth Kenmore Novak on July 26, 1921, in Middlebury. He was the grandson of Joseph and Anna Novak, originally from Budapest, Hungary.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at Sanderson Funeral Home, 117 South Main St. Middlebury at a time to be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that contributions be made to the Helen Porter Nursing Home and/or Addison County Home Health and Hospice.

MIDDLEBURY — Christine (Chrysi) Linda Rathan died peacefully at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury on Dec. 23, 2009, of a rare neurological disorder, spino-cerebellar ataxia, type 2.

A memorial service celebrating her life was held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on Wednesday, Dec. 30. Memorial donations made be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753, or Hospice Volunteer Services, 73 Maple St., Middlebury, VT 05753.

ORWELL — Helen Helenski Simmons, 90, died Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009, at her home in Orwell.

The memorial service “In Celebration of Her Life” will take place May 15, 2010, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Orwell. The Rev. Richard Esty, pastor, will officiate. The graveside committal service and burial will follow in Mountain View Cemetery in Orwell.

Memorial gifts may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 765, Middlebury, VT 05753, or the Orwell First Response Squad, c/o Robert LaDuc, Treasurer, 32 Royce Hill Road, Orwell, VT 05760.

MIDDLEBURY — Hilda N. Spaulding, 90, died Monday, Dec. 28, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare in Middlebury following a period of failing health.

Friends may call Wednesday, Dec. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, 117 South Main St., Middlebury. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31, at St. Mary’s Church, with the Rev. Brian O’Donnell, parochial vicar, as celebrant. Spring burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Middlebury.