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Gertrude Ethel Schunk
VERGENNES — Gertrude Ethel Schunk, 72, of Vergennes died Oct. 9, 2007, at the Vermont Respite House in Williston after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Nov. 15, 1934, in Scranton, Pa., the daughter of Nick and Gertrude Campanella.
She was raised in Bound Brook, N.J., and attended Saint Joseph’s Catholic School as well as Bound Brook High School. At 17 years old she married Louis Schunk Sr. from South Bound Brook, N.J., and together they had three children.
According to family, in her younger years she enjoyed going to the movies with her father and being with her friends. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband who was in the U.S. Air Force, and spending time with her children.
She worked as a waitress and housewife also helping to raise five of her grandchildren. Her later years were spent gardening, knitting, crocheting, taking walks, and playing with her cat Bootsie.
She was a member of The Third Order of St. Benedict, Confraternity of the Precious Blood, Confraternity of Mary Queen of All Hearts, Confraternity of the Holy Rosary, The Universal Living Rosary, and the Third Order of St. Pius X.
She is survived by two sons, Louis Schunk Jr. of Sacramento, Calif., and Edward Schunk and his wife Robin of Marshfield; a daughter, Beverly Adams and her husband Mark of Panton; two sisters, Lee Wurzbach and Carol Gala of New Jersey; two brothers, Mike Campanella and Louis Barile of New Jersey; fourteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by two sisters, Margaret and Blanche, and two brothers, Frank and Nick.
Friends may call at Brown McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Friday, Oct. 12, from 5 to 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Vergennes. Interment will be in St Peter’s cemetery in Vergennes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Fatima, 17000 State Route 30, Constable, NY 12926.
Ronald L. Schroeder
VERGENNES — Ronald L. Schroeder, 71, died Oct. 5, 2007. He was born in Vergennes on Feb. 19, 1936, the son of Leigh and Merle Schroeder.
His family reports that he had a great sense of humor and was devoted to his family.
He is survived by his wife, Helen (Perkins) Schroeder; his daughters, Pamela Tucker and her husband Foster, and Shelly Eriksen and her husband Tom; his sons, Kipp Sorrell and his wife Marlene, and Leigh Schroeder; his sisters, Carla and her husband Byron, and Anne Hodgdon and her husband Tom; grandchildren; a great-grandson; and many brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and -nephews.
He was predeceased by his brother, Jerry Schroeder.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 8, at Brown McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. Interment will be at North Ferrisburgh cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vergennes Area Rescue Squad, PO Box 11, Vergennes, VT 05491, or Vergennes Fire Department, Vergennes, VT 05491.
Frances Barbara Ketcham
SUDBURY — Frances Barbara Ketcham, 82, died Monday, Oct. 8, 2007, at Porter Hospital in Middlebury. She was born in Burlington on June 17, 1925, the daughter of Harry and Lillian (Qua) Prediger.
She was a graduate of Brandon High School, class of 1943. She attended New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston, where she received her R.N. Following graduation from nursing school she continued working at New England Baptist Hospital, where she tended John F. Kennedy when he was recovering from a back operation.
On Oct. 15, 1949, she married Perry Ketcham at the Stephen A. Douglas House in Brandon. They made their home in Sudbury. She worked in private duty nursing in the Brandon area for many years. She also assisted her husband on the family farm.
She is survived by her husband, Perry Ketcham of Sudbury; a son, Oliver Ketcham and his wife Mary Ellen of Sudbury; three granddaughters; a grandson; and seven great-grandchildren.
Friends may call at The Miller & Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon on Thursday, Oct. 11, from 5-7 p.m.
The graveside committal service and burial will take place on Friday, Oct. 12, at 11 a.m. at the family lot in Willow Brook cemetery in Sudbury. The Rev. Albert “Skip” Baltz, pastor of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brandon will officiate.
Memorial gifts may be made to The Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.
Mary Agnes Blackmer
BRANDON — Mary Agnes Blackmer, 69, died Tuesday, Oct. 09, 2007, at her home in Brandon. She was born in Brandon on Jan. 20, 1938, the daughter of the Rev. James and Mary (Frappier) Blackmer Sr.
She WAS a Brandon resident all her life. She received her early education in local Brandon schools and graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1956. In her earlier years she assisted her father at the Auction Barn on Rossiter St. in Brandon, at the old milk plant. Following graduation she began working at the Old Brandon Training School as an aide and later became involved with the recreation department. She retired as recreation chief in 1993 following 37 years of service.
She was a member of The National Recreation & Park Association as well as the Vermont Recreation & Park Association. She belonged to the Daughters of Union Veterans Auxiliary. She worked as a volunteer at the Brandon Free Public Library book sale, and she was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Brandon.
She is survived by her sister, Clara Sears of Brandon. a brother, James Blackmer Jr. of Pittsford; a nephew; and several cousins.
The funeral service was held on Thursday, Oct. 11, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Brandon. The Rev. Lee Ferry, interim pastor, will officiate. The graveside committal service and burial will follow in the family lot at Pine Hill cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to The Brandon Free Public Library, 2 Franklin St., Brandon, VT 05733.
Rose Evelyn Williams
MIDDLEBURY — Rose Evelyn Williams, 79, died Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2007, at Vermont Respite House in Williston. She was born Nov. 2, 1928, in St. Johnsbury, the daughter of Charles and Josephine Emery.
She did volunteer work at Addison County Community Action Group in Middlebury.
She is survived by six children, Anthony Pidgeon of Cornwall, Deborah Wildasin and husband Phil of Addison, Maureen Pidgeon and fiancé Bret Benner of South Burlington, Jody Pidgeon of Rutland, Tina Wildasin and husband Paul Jr. of Waltham, and Scott Pidgeon of Middlebury; thirteen grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Clayton Emery of New Hampshire; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by a daughter, Ellie Mae Pidgeon, in 1968; and two sisters, Arlene Emery and Isabelle Emery.
Friends may call at Vergennes Congregational Church on Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov 20, at Vergennes Congregational Church. Interment will be in South Hero cemetery Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Vermont Respite House, 89 Allen Brook Lane, Williston, VT 05495, or Addison County Community Action Group, 282 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.
Vincent “Vince” Russo
LEICESTER — Vincent “Vince” Russo, 81, died Wednesday, Nov. 14, at his home in Leicester. He was born in East Haven, Conn., on May 6, 1926, the son of Maurizio and Lena (Biardino) Russo.
He received his education in East Haven schools. He was a veteran of World War II, having served in the United States Army with the 11th Army Air Force. Following his honorable discharge he returned home. He was a former resident of Wantaugh, N.Y., where he was a member of the Wantaugh Volunteer Fire Department.
He moved his family to Leicester in 1960, where he owned and operated Gaumont Motor Court. He returned to Wallingford, Conn., in 1964 to work for Consolidated Freightways as a driver and dock worker. He retired in 1988 and moved back to Leicester in 1989.
He was a communicant at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brandon, where he served as a Eucharistic minister. He was a life member of Middlebury American Legion Post 27 and a life member of V.F.W. Post 7823.
He is survived by his wife, Almerinda “Rita” Russo of Leicester, whom he married in Hempstead, N.Y., on Nov. 20, 1948; two daughters, Judith Hanley of Middlebury, and Michele Lee of Leicester; three sons, Jon Russo of Branford, Conn., James Russo Sr. of Wallingford, Conn., and Maurice Russo of Windham, Conn; 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday morning, Nov. 19, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brandon. The Rev. Albert “Skip” Baltz, Pastor was the celebrant. The graveside committal service and burial, with military honors, will follow in St. Mary’s cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Restoration Fund, 36 Carver St., Brandon, VT 05733.
Eugene A. Rougier
VERGENNES — Eugene A. Rougier, 42, died Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007, at Fletcher Allen Healthcare in Burlington. He was born May 21, 1965, in Burlington, the son of Clarence Clifton and Janice (Flanders) Ryan.
Eugene is survived by his mother, Janice Ryan of Brandon; four sisters, Sandra Appelgate of Eagle Bridge, N.Y., Nancy Stearns of Brandon, Joanne Zeno of Vergennes, and Rose Zeno of Monkton; three brothers, Michael Rougier of Rockingham, Mark Rougier of Monkton, and Gregory Rougier of Shoreham; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes. Interment will be in Monkton Boro cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society, 121 Connor Way, Williston, VT 05495.
Peveril F. Peake
BRISTOL — Peveril F. Peake, 79, died on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007, in Rutland after a brief illness. He was born Dec. 3, 1927, the son of Royal Whitman Peake and Kate Gardener Field.
He graduated from Bristol High School in 1945 and attended Manulis Military Academy. He worked for many years at G.E. Lakeside in Burlington as a quality control expert.
He was a life-long Bristol resident and well known in all the antique-classic car clubs and events. By his account he had owned over 1,200 cars of antique vintage during his lifetime. He was a founding member of the Vermont Automobile Enthusiasts (VAE) and many other car clubs worldwide. He was often called on to inspect the “original condition” of an antique vehicle.
A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, at Bristol Baptist Church.
Memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army, Northern New England Division, 64 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401.
Ellen Noonan
ADDISON — Ellen Noonan, daughter of Lois C. Noonan, long-time librarian at the Bixby Library in Vergennes, and the late Frederick Noonan of Addison, died of emphysema, aged 64, at her home in London, England, on October 23, 2007. She was a pioneer in the field of psychodynamic student counselling, creating a whole department at the University of London, and she brought psychoanalytic theory into the workplace by working with international companies in their recruitment practices to ensure the mutual happiness of both employer and employee. Dry, spare, industrious, funny, she influenced countless numbers, professionally by putting student counselling on the map, and, personally, by her unparalleled capacity to listen and shed light on the problems people brought her.
Born in Middlebury, Vermont, in 1943, Ellen attended Vergennes Union High School, Northfield School for Girls, in Northfield, Mass., and Smith College. She moved to London in 1965 and realized instantly that she would never live anywhere else, though at heart she always remained a Vermonter. She earned a second B.A. at the University of London and was privileged to join the Tavistock Clinic in its heyday when John Bowlby and Donald Winnicott were there, and when David Malan was developing his theory of Brief Therapy. Following the international furor created by R. D. Laing, the “Tavi” was a center for new ideas in mental health and ways of delivering services usefully.
The Tavistock was the great intellectual adventure for Ellen. Everything that followed was the practical implementation of ideas she developed there. She served as the student counsellor at City University and in one visionary step she persuaded the Extramural Department at Birkbeck College at the University of London to create a new degree with an entirely different approach to teaching personal and professional counselling. With Dr. Gerald Wooster and Jean Thomson she devised a course whose pioneering format — involving theory and experiential groups — has been the model for such courses internationally ever since.
Ellen wrote and published widely. Her chief book, “Counselling Young People,” (1983) remains a standard text. Her work, on subjects as diverse as “The Ends of Education,” “The Art of Mutual Grumbling” and “Why do People call their Dog That?” are great examples of her thinking at its best, as well as most whimsical.
A founder of the journal Pyschodynamic Practice, Ellen’s drive was to apply psychodynamic thinking to the everyday. Since work occupies nearly half of one’s waking hours, she channeled psychodynamic thinking into the workplace, counselling not only individuals, but public and private sector organizations as well. With Victor Hood she established a formidable international reputation by creating the Bridge Partnership, which specifically helps organizations, such as Unilever and Arthur Andersen, to use psychoanalytic methods to identify future leadership potential and improve employee satisfaction.
A voracious reader, she volunteered as a docent at Dr. Samuel Johnson’s House. She relaxed with the harpsichord and needlepoint. She was an inveterate traveler, visiting 40 countries in the last 25 years with her mother and brother. Ellen was a cat lover, par excellence. Her home in North London contained an impressive collection of cat images and she seriously contemplated establishing a cat museum. Instead, to the bemusement of friends, she bought Lora Verner Designs, a company specializing in Edwardian cat greeting cards.
Vermont and her early years on the Addison farm deeply informed Ellen’s life and work. She saw animals as having a direct and uncomplicated connection to life and felt that people could ground their own lives by drawing on the fundamental qualities of animals and the landscape they lived in. She wrote often on the importance of pets and was a standard interview source on the topic for such magazines as the National Geographic.
Ellen refused to be slowed by the emphysema that dogged her last few years. In January this year she traveled with her family in arduous South India and she continued to live each day to the full, pushing herself, with oxygen tanks, to attend a university forum on the day before she slipped peacefully away in her sleep. Ellen was most passionate about the joy of hard work and influenced generations of students because of her particular affinity with young people. Her role as a wise friend extended to her professional life and she viewed herself as in the business of making people happy. An old saying claims that the greatest wisdom is kindness, and Ellen had that deeply engrained.
Ellen refused to be slowed by the emphysema that dogged her last few years, even traveling with her family to South India this year. The shock at her death comes as much from the fact that friends and colleagues cannot envisage their lives without her, as from the fact that Ellen continued to live each day to the full, pushing herself, with oxygen tanks, to attend a university forum on the day before her death.
She is survived by her mother, Lois of Addison; her brother, Frederick William of New York City; three aunts, Mary Noonan of Brookeville, Md., Nancy Noonan of York, Penn., and Anita Ray of Baldwinville, Mass.; plus several cherished cousins.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Congregational Church in Vergennes. The family will receive friends at their home at 2956 Route 22A in Addison after the service.
Donations in her memory may be sent to the Bixby Memorial Free Library, 258 Main St., Vergennes, VT 05491.
Lucien Joseph Laframboise
BRIDPORT — Lucien Joseph Laframboise, 81, died at his home in Bridport on Nov. 13, 2007. He was born Dec. 15, 1925, in Bridport, the son of Wilfred Laframboise and Marie Faubert Laframboise.
After attending Crane School, he purchased the family dairy farm, which he operated until 1968. He then began working for the highway department in the town of Bridport until he retired in 1988 after 20 years of service.
He was involved with the Civil Defense program, and was instrumental in aiding farmers pump water out of Lake Champlain during the 1965 drought. He was also a member of the Bridport Volunteer Fire Department for 29 years, and served as assistant fire chief for 20 years.
According to family, he was always an inventor; whether it was a unique piece of furniture, wooden lawn ornaments or fun gag gifts, he was always at work with a smirk on his face. He also loved camping and snowmobiling with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Carol, of 20 years; six children and three step-children, Pete and his wife Bonnie, Ernest and his wife Sally, Jerry and his wife Theresa, George and his wife Deborah, Joanne Domme and her husband Bill, Phil and his wife Cheri, Lana Gingras and her husband John, Chris Lewis and his wife Shelley, and Danny Lewis and his companion Heather.
In addition, he is survived by four sisters, Aline Lafountain, Cecile Gevry, Marcelle Bolduc and Noella Dubois, as well as 21 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Cyr Laframboise; his brother, Guy Laframboise; and two sisters, Pauline Shakett and Claire Hallock.
Calling hours will be held at the Sanderson Funeral Home at 117 South Main St. in Middlebury on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m.
A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at St. Bernadette’s Church in Bridport, with the Rev. Justin Baker, pastor, as celebrant. Interment will follow in Bridport Central cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice at P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 or the Bridport Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 125, Bridport, VT 05734.
