Transitions
• West River Valley Thrives, a substance abuse prevention coalition serving youth in Newfane, Townshend, Jamaica, Marlboro, Brookline, Wardsboro, and Windham, welcomes Kristin Cox as its new program director. Cox has a master's degree in health-care administration and has experience working in the developmental services field.
Obituaries
• Dorothy “Dot” May Chabot (neé Barrows), 79, of Brookline. Died Dec. 8 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend after a short battle with congestive heart failure. Wife of the late Roger Chabot for 34 years. Mother of Liz Parker and her husband, Mark; Stephen Chabot and his wife, Lisa; Cindy Chabot and her husband, Martin Fowler; David Chabot and his wife, Paula; Chris Chabot and his wife, Robin; and Sue Gibeault and her husband, George. Born at home in Pascoag, R.I., daughter of the late William and Florence (Whitaker) Barrows, the youngest of three children. She completed her nurse's training in Milford, Mass., and worked for many years as a nurse, finishing her career at Medway Country Manor in 2001. She moved from Massachusetts to Brookline when she retired and made many new friends. She traveled with her children frequently, visiting England, Scotland, Germany, Alaska, New Orleans, the Bahamas, Maryland, Florida, Texas, and Las Vegas. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her six children, their spouses, and her seven grandchildren. She loved eating, particularly Chinese food, and was often heard to ask “what's for suppah?” when eating breakfast! She also enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing Scrabble, attending senior meals with her friends, and singing in the choir at the Congregational Church in Newfane. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 12 at the Newfane Congregational Church. Committal services and burial were held Dec. 13 in the Chabot family lot in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Medway, Mass. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, in care of Dr. Robert Backus, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353; or the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Scott M. Fitts, 53, of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 7. Born in Brattleboro, he attended schools in Dummerston and Brattleboro. As a young man, he served in the Vermont National Guard. He was a strong, loving father and his sense of humor never wavered. He was a jack of all trades and worked for many in the area, doing construction and mechanical work. He most worked recently at Sonnax and as a truck driver. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles, cars, country music, and spending time with family and friends. He volunteered at the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center and also shared his knowledge and struggle with alcoholism to help others in the same situation. He is survived by many family members and friends. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service was held Dec. 13 at First Baptist Church in Bellows Falls. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353; or to Parks Place Children's Fund.
• Carl E. “Charlie” Kelton, 91, of Westmister. Died Dec. 4. Husband of Shirley Randall for 72 years. Father of Alfred M. Kelton and his wife, Carol, of Wilder; Leslie J. (Kelton) Wells and her husband, Timothy of Westminster; Carl E. “Bodie” Kelton, Jr. and wife, Kimberly, of White River Jct., and Vernon C. Kelton and Doreen E. Kelton of Westminster. Brother of Joan K. Lake of Grafton and the late Hollon “Pete” Alfred Kelton and Merle Wilfred Kelton. Also survived by eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Born in Saxtons River, son of the late Alfred Merle Kelton and Winifred “Winnie” Willena (Sweet) Kelton, he grew up with his brothers and sister on the Sleepy Valley Farm in Athens. He attended the one-room school in Athens, Leland & Gray in Townshend, and the Vermont Agriculture School in Randolph. He met his future wife in Saxtons River, and they were married in 1943. He served in the Navy during World War II as a radioman, fighting in the South Pacific with Admiral Halsey, on the USS Higbee. He came back to Athens with his young family and joined the family business, hauling and shipping milk in and out of the Brookside Creamery in Bellows Falls. In 1951, he moved his family and business to White River Junction, establishing Kelton Motors, Inc. on Tafts Flat. He hauled liquor, mail, and freight, as well as furniture for North American Van Lines. In the early 1960s, he moved his family and a number of franchises including farm equipment, trucks, and cars, to Route 14 in White River Junction. He served as chairman of the Hartford School Board during construction of the “new” high school, served as state enator from Windsor County and ran for Lieutenant Governor. He was appointed to the Vermont State Highway Board, overseeing the construction of the Interstate Highway System in Vermont, and served many years as member and trustee of the Vermont State Agricultural Society in Rutland. In the late 1980s, after exhilarating gains and devastating personal and business losses, Charlie and Shirley retired to Westminster. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A private graveside service was held Dec. 12 at Houghtonville Cemetery in Grafton. Donations may be made to the Vermont State Agricultural Society, for the Vermont State Fair, in care of his best friend, George Kuusela, 504 Saxtons River Rd., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• June Ann Narkiewicz, 80, of South Acworth, N.H. Died Dec. 10. Former wife of John Narkiewicz. Mother of James Narkiewicz of Keene, N.H., Jean Bergen and her husband, Dave, of Burlington, Conn., and Janet Bergquist and her husband, Ernie, of Clarksville, Tenn. Sister of Rose Knight and Ella Brown and her husband, Dick, all of South Acworth. Also survived by three grandsons and two great-grandchildren. Born in East Acworth, the daughter of the late Everett and Mary (Sylvia) Knight, she attended school in Acworth and was a graduate of Vilas High School. She worked as a waitress at area restaurants and for Genesis Nursing Home in Keene. She was a member of the United Church of Acworth and the Women's Fellowship. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 14 at the Church on the Hill in Acworth, with burial in the Acworth Cemetery. Donations to the United Church of Acworth, P.O. Box 2010, Acworth, NH 03601. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Harry B. Scott, 88, of North Walpole, N.H. Died Dec. 8. Husband of Frances Griffin Scott for 51 years. Father of Debbie Batts of Brattleboro, Kathy Smith of Brattleboro, Bruce Scott of Tennessee, Eric Scott of Maine, Dennis Scott of Springfield, Mass., and Brian Scott of Keene, N.H. Also survived by nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Born in Barton, the son of the late Albert and Caroline (Bishop) Scott, he attended schools in Barton and Brattleboro, served in the Navy during World War II, and spent two years at Marlboro College. He loved to play golf. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Per his request, there will be no services. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Shirley Severance, 90, of Vernon. Died Dec. 6 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a brief illness. Wife of the late Richard “Dick” Severance for 36 years. Mother of the late James W. Severance. Sister of the late Virginia Pratt, and a brother, Donald Gregory who died in infancy. Survived by her granddaughter Lynn Sage and her husband, Frederick, of Vernon, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born in Vernon, the daughter of the late Alfred and Irene (Johnson) Gregory, she attended local public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1943. She worked at the former American Optical for several years and later attended the former Windham College in Putney, where she earned her B.A. in education, a career accomplishment she was extremely proud of. She later earned her master's in education from Keene State College. She taught both math and science at Brattleboro Union High School and was a member of the faculty for 22 years. She was a gifted teacher who was loved and respected by her students. Following her retirement, she worked part-time at the former Whistle Stop in Vernon. She enjoyed working in her flower garden, bird watching, travel, and time shared with her family and her beloved pet cats. Memorial information: In accordance with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the family lot in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Brattleboro Fire Department Dive Team, 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 Attn: Chief Michael Bucossi, or a charity of one's choice. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.