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Doris Ferguson Regan
PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Doris Ferguson Regan, 87, born Feb. 2, 1922, died peacefully with her family at her side at Concord Hospital on April 5, 2009. She led a rich and rewarding life and became intimate friends immediately with every person she met.
Born in West Thornton, N.H., Doris moved to the Atlantic Heights neighborhood in Portsmouth when she was in grammar school. She was president of her 1940 class of Portsmouth High School. Doris received her bachelor of science degree from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) in 1944 and her R.N. from Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H. Shortly after college graduation she married her high school sweetheart, football captain Cornelius Jeremiah Regan.
Doris worked as a nurse all her life, taking care of people by using a blend of physiology and psychology. She was a pediatric and industrial nurse. However, her greatest legacy was being the head nurse for Portsmouth High School for 26 years. In counseling teenagers she earned a place in the hearts of almost every family in the seacoast area.
A lifelong learner, Doris continued her education with courses from Yale University, UNH and Dartmouth. She was the first educator in New England to introduce a sex curriculum to high schools. Elements of this curriculum are still in use. When she retired the city of Portsmouth held a ticker tape parade, plastering the town with signs that read TD (“Thanks, Doris”). She was Portsmouth’s Citizen of the Year in 1985.
She sat on several local and statewide boards. Her deep and abiding love for humanity was shown in every act she ever did. After retiring, Doris rejoiced in grandchildren, traveling and friendships. Doris was predeceased by her husband Cornelius “Brud” Regan; her mother, Amy Louise Ferguson; and her beloved sister, Mae Ferguson Ripley. She leaves her brother, Thomas Ferguson of Bow Lake, N.H., and her children and their spouses: Thomas and Edith Regan of Seabrook, N.H., Frank and Candace Burkle of Weybridge, and John and Marcia Regan of Concord, N.H. She leaves her grandchildren, Caleb and Jocelyn “Scout” Burkle, Sarah Regan, and Katherine and Michael Regan. She also leaves many treasured nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 19, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Farrell Funeral Home at 684 State Street in Portsmouth. The funeral service will be held on Monday, April 20, at 1 p.m. at the North Church Parish House at 355 Spinney Rd. in Portsmouth. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Alfred Arley Cram
FLORENCE — Alfred Arley Cram, 60, of Florence died Tuesday, April 7, 2009, at the Rutland Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Middlebury on July 21, 1948. He was the son of Edward and Maleita (Stone) Cram. He grew up in Leicester and Brandon where he received his early education. He graduated from Rutland High School.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1968 and served in Korea. Following his honorable discharge he returned to Vermont and worked at Omya in Florence. He later worked at Rutland Plywood and Polymers Plastics in East Middlebury. He worked as a machine operator at General Electric for over 10 years. He was employed as a machine operator at New England Woodcraft for the last 10 years.
Family says he enjoyed woodworking and fishing and was an avid automobile enthusiast. He was a former member of the American Legion.
He is survived by his mother, Maleita Cram of Brandon; his son, Alfred “A.J.” Cram of Seattle, Wash.; his daughter, Jerilyn Langsdon of Forest Dale; his fiancée, Gladys Warner of Florence and her daughter, BaDawna Warner of Rutland; two brothers, John Cram of Brandon and Edwin Cram of Salisbury; six sisters, Jane Hutchins of Forestdale, Janet Bombard and Judy Martin, both of Brandon, Kathy Clark of Proctor, Nora Rochon of Brandon and Diane Gee of Proctor; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father, Edward; and two sisters, Sheryl Thomas and Wilma Euber.
The funeral service was held Friday, April 10, at the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon. The Rev. John McDonald, pastor of the Forest Dale Wesleyan Church, officiated. A private committal service and burial will take place, at a later date.
Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Community Cancer Center at Rutland Hospital, 160 Allen St., Rutland, VT 05701.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon.
Nanni Mayer
RIVERDALE, N.Y. — Nanni Mayer, 91, of Riverdale (Bronx), N.Y., died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
Mrs. Mayer was born in Mainz, Germany, and came to the United States in 1938 after fleeing the Nazis.
She graduated from the Ort Nursing School in Frankfurt, Germany; taught at the U.S. Cadet Nursing Corps in Alliance, Neb., during WWII; was a nurse at Columbia Presbyterian and Babies Hospital in New York City; was head nurse of the girls’ infirmary at Cejwin Camp in Port Jervis, N.Y., for 25 years; and was school nurse/teacher at the Ryeneck High School in Mamaroneck, N.Y.
She was a Big Apple Greeter in New York City.
Mrs. Mayer was also a docent at the Judaica Museum of the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale.
Mrs. Mayer was married to Harvey Mayer until his passing in 2000. She is survived by her sons, Dr. Dan Mayer and his wife Julia Eddy of Niskayuna, N.Y. and Dr. Jack Mayer and his wife Chip of Middlebury; cherished grandchildren, Memphis (Daniel) Montag of Los Angeles, Calif., Gilah (Dr. Eric) Moses of Niskayuna; Noah Mayer (Tao Nye) of Los Angeles; and Alex Mayer of Cranston, R.I.; and adoring great-grandchildren, Meira, Chaim, Ayelet, and Avigial Talia Montag and Eliana and Rina Moses.
Services will be held Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at 11:30 a.m. at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 180 West 76th Street at Amsterdam Ave. in New York City. Interment will follow in the Beth El cemetery in Paramus, N.J. Shiva will take place at the Mayer Residence, at 1848 Union Street in Niskayuna on Monday and Tuesday evening commencing at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Judaica Museum of the Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, 5961 Palisade Ave., Bronx, NY 10471, or Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, Riverdale, NY 10463.
Myron P. “Ron” Farnsworth
OAK HILL, Fla./ VERGENNES — Myron P. “Ron” Farnsworth, 83, died Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2009, at his home in Oak Hill, Fla.
He was born August 9, 1925, in Oxford, Mass., the son of Ira and Emily Farnsworth.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and earned a Purple Heart. He spent 26 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired in 1974. He built and raced his own racecars, was an avid NASCAR fan and collected Jaguars.
He is survived by his longtime friend and companion Phyllis Smotherman of Oak Hill, Fla.; two daughters, Linda Hololund of Winooski and Toni Whitney of Wiscasset, Maine; two sons, Myron “Butch” Farnsworth Jr. of Burlington and Jerry D. Farnsworth of San Antonio, Texas; a stepdaughter, Bonnie Primm of Burlington; a brother, Ira Farnsworth of Vergennes; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home, 48 South Maple St., Vergennes. Interment will be in Prospect cemetery in Vergennes.
Thomas E. Wisell
RIPTON — Thomas E. Wisell, 70, of Ripton, died Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington after a brief illness.
He was born Jan. 18, 1939, in Middlebury, the son of the late Leo and Helen (Kilbride) Wisell.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman and he enjoyed the company of his dog Flo. He was a self-employed logger for many years. He was an adherent of the Catholic faith.
He is survived by his sister, Helen Anne Riley of Middlebury; sister-in-law Shirley Wisell of Middlebury; his very good friends Lee Herring Shaw and Annette Larock; and many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Jane Thulin; and a brother, James Wisell.
At his request there will be no calling hours or funeral service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Addison County Humane Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.
Robert Moody Thompson
LINCOLN — Robert Moody Thompson, 88, a lifelong resident of Starksboro and Lincoln, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare in Middlebury.
He was born Oct. 23, 1920, in Starksboro, the son of Vesper C. and Kate Belle (Moody) Thompson. He was the fourth of 11 children.
He graduated from Bristol High School in 1941. He went to work in an aircraft plant during WWII as a sheet metal worker. Later he returned to Starksboro and ran a logging and sawmill business with his brother Rudolph during the 1950s. He was proud to serve Starksboro as a representative in the state Legislature and as road commissioner. He ended his career working for the Vermont Highway Department. Upon retirement, he and his wife moved to Lincoln to care for his uncle, James Moody.
He is survived by his wife, Arlene (Blair) Thompson of Bristol; four daughters, Jeanette Adams and her husband James of Lincoln, Nilene Farnsworth of Bristol, Carol Taggart of Charlotte and Mary Thompson of Hyde Park, N.Y.; one son, Robert Thompson and his wife Tai of Dayton, Ohio; two sisters, Oletha Bickford of Middlebury and Leona Fawaz of California; one brother, Elwyn Thompson and his wife Vivian of Maryland; and six grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two sisters, Celia Clime of Maryland and Theda Moran of Massachusetts, and four brothers, Warren Thompson of Bristol, Kenneth Thompson of White River Junction, and Rudolph Thompson and Vesper Thompson Jr., both of Starksboro.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. Friends may call at the funeral home on Saturday from noon until 1 p.m. Interment will be at Maple cemetery in Lincoln. All are invited for the reception at the United Church of Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln Historical Society, Lincoln, VT 05443.
Joseph J. Sinkew
MIDDLEBURY — Joseph J. Sinkew, 82, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Middlebury.
He was born October 2, 1926, in Elmira, N.Y., the son of the late Charles and Stella (Gush) Sinkew.
He was retired from the United States Postal Service. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.
He was an avid downhill skier and bow hunter and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. Family says he loved Vermont and the rural outdoor lifestyle it offered.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Burlington.
He is survived by a daughter, Natalie Sinkew of Burlington; a son, Michael Sinkew of North Bergen, N.J.; two foster sons, David Matot and David Vieira of Burlington; two sisters, Mary Garcia of Belen, N.M., and Pauline Pazzaglia of Columbia Cross Roads, Penn.; and several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his wife, Veronica (Sekella) Sinkew, in 2002 and by his brother, Elias “John” Sinkew.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 4, at the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home in Middlebury, with the Rev. William R. Beaudin, pastor of St. Mary’s Church, officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Vermont, 172 North Main St., Barre, VT 05641-4124, or the ALS Association of Northern New England, Champlain Mill #13, Winooski, VT 05404.
Audrey Carole Reed
VERGENNES — Audrey Carole Reed, 66, of Vergennes died peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009.
She was born July 24, 1942, in Addison, the daughter of Charles Edward and Audrey (Wells) Reed.
She graduated from Vergennes Union High School and worked for many years at Porter Hospital in the laundry department. She was a volunteer at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes as well as the Bixby Library. Family says she was a member of the Vergennes Congregational Church and enjoyed her church family, annual dinners and outings. She was an avid VUHS sports fan and rarely missed a sporting event.
She is survived by two brothers, Walter and his wife Peg of Addison and Robert and his wife Christine of Orleans; two nephews; three great-nephews; and a great-niece.
She was predeceased by her parents and a niece.
The family wishes to thank the Rev. Gary Lewis for his compassion and support given to Carole during her illness.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Vergennes Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Booster Club at Vergennes Union High School, 50 Monkton Road, Vergennes, VT 05491.
Virginia Mildred (Newman) Lawton
BRIDPORT — Virginia Mildred (Newman) Lawton, 86, of Bridport, died peacefully Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009, at the Kathleen, Fla., home of her daughter, Lynda VL Hamilton, with her family at her side.
She was born in Providence, R.I., on Feb. 23, 1922, the daughter of George Newman and Mildred (Cole) Newman Pray.
She was the wife of the late Henry A. Lawton III.
She was a 1940 graduate of Coventry (R.I.) High School. She was the first Farm Family Insurance agent in Rhode Island and later earned her certified underwriter degree. She was a member of St. Andrew’s and St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church while she resided in Rhode Island.
She and her husband owned and operated the Lawton Dairy Farm in Cranston, R.I., until moving to Bridport in 1973. There they owned and operated Champlain Acres with their son. In 1989 they gave a portion of their farm in Scituate, R.I., to the town. Now known as the Lawton Farm, it offers a quiet place for all to enjoy nature as they did.
She is survived by two daughters, Lynda VL Hamilton and husband Ronald of Kathleen, Fla.; Lauren L. Mountford and husband Gordon of Foster, R.I.; her son and partner, Henry A. Lawton IV and wife Donna of Bridport; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She is survived by two brothers, George Newman of Foster, R.I., and Burke Pray of Willingboro, N.J.; and four sisters, Shirley St. Germain of Jamestown. R.I., Jean Sheldon of Putnam, Conn., Patricia Coyle of Elfrida, Ariz.; and Lee Carol Niles of Foster, R.I.
She was predeceased by her husband and a sister, Jo-an Pray.
She was active in the town of Bridport with the historical society, the Congregational church, the Grange, the school and the government, where she held several positions.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, Feb. 7, at 2 p.m. at the Bridport Congregational Church. Interment will be in Rhode Island at a later date.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Cancer Patients Support Program, P.O. Box 64700, Burlington, VT 05406; Bridport Historical Society, Bridport, VT 05734; or Hope Hospice, 9470 Health Park Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908.
June P. LaFountain
MIDDLEBURY — June P. LaFountain, 78, of Middlebury, died Jan. 29, 2009, of medical complications.
She was born June 3, 1930, in East Middlebury, the daughter of Grace (Sampson) Brown and Alvin Peck and stepdaughter of Edward “Buster” Brown.
Much of her childhood was spent at the East Middlebury home of the grandfather she called “Pa” Peck. She married Clifford R. LaFountain on April 23, 1948, and they settled in Weybridge at first.
She worked at many Middlebury businesses, including Van Raalte Manufacturing, Lockwood’s Diner, the Middlebury Inn, Middlebury College and Beau Ties Ltd.
She was an expert seamstress and quilter and enjoyed crocheting and knitting, doing puzzles and raising African violets.
In the past, she attended the Methodist church, held office in the Middlebury American Legion and VFW auxiliaries and was very involved in volunteer work, most recently making lap robes for veterans, nursing homes and hospitals.
She is survived by two daughters, Lois LaFountain and partner Bruce Brown of New Haven and Joy LaFountain and husband David Blongy of Leicester; a sister, Elizabeth Denney of Chittenango, N.Y.; a brother, John Sampson of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren; and many friends and neighbors at the Meadows.
She was predeceased by her husband in 1979 and by her son, Robert, in 2002.
According to her wishes, there will be no calling hours. A memorial will be held Sunday, Feb. 8, at 11:30 a.m. at the Middlebury American Legion. Burial will be in the spring at West Salisbury cemetery.
Helen Marian (Barnum) Kendall
GRANVILLE, N.Y. — Helen Marian (Barnum) Kendall, 96, a native of Monkton, died Jan. 31, 2009, at Orchard Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Granville, N.Y. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of the Addison Independent.
