Obituaries
• Deanna May (Quelch) Alexander, 51, of Londonderry. Died May 1, 2020 at her home, surrounded by family and friends. Deanna was born on April 11, 1969, in Springfield, Vt., to the late Gordon and Viola (Paul) Quelch; she was one of eight daughters. She attended schools in Springfield and graduated in 1987. She graduated from New England School of Hair Design in 1988. Deanna married John Alexander in 2000 but they had been partners in life for 25 years. Deanna resided in Londonderry, where she was a much-loved and respected member of her community. She owned and operated Main Street Hare Salon for many years. She took care of so many in the community, not only as their hairdresser, but as a friend. She made house calls for sick and elderly clients and genuinely cared and made time for everyone. Deanna will be remembered by all who knew her as generous, loving, and nurturing. She loved paddle boarding, kayaking, biking, hiking, and running. She adored her grandson, Jack, from the moment he was born and spent endless hours playing, reading, baking, and snuggling, engrossed in adventures with him. She so looked forward to the birth of her new granddaughter, Quinn. She was there for her birth and spent her last precious few months snuggling and cuddling her. She is survived by her husband; stepson Justin Alexander, daughter-in-law Leanne (Gurney) Alexander; sisters Tammy (Randy) Gould, Sheila Quelch, Sharon (Douglas) Snide, Robin Stankevich, Doreen Aldrich, Kimberly (Eugene) Lamoureaux, Melinda (Keith) Cyr; and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: There will be a private burial and remembrance of life at a later date. Donations to the American Cancer Society, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Services, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255. To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Margaret Irene Bartlett, 88, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully May 1, 2020 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, where she had been briefly a patient. Margaret was born in Heath, Mass., on July 2, 1931, the daughter of Francis and Nora (Lively) Galipo. She was raised and educated in Heath, attending the Branch School. She had worked at Clear Solutions in Brattleboro for 15 years, retiring in 2000. Previously, she worked for 20 years as a stitcher at the former Book Press on Putney Road. Margaret was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, doing crafts, flowers, and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In 1952, she married Stuart James Bartlett, who predeceased her in 1995. Survivors include a daughter, Lisa Deming and her husband, Chuck, of Hinsdale, N.H.; three sisters, Anna Mae Coombs of Hinsdale, Theresa Peters of Heath, Mass., and Yvonne Allen of California; two brothers, Arthur Galipo of Arizona and Raymond Galipo of Whitingham; two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two daughters, Brenda Hoskeer and Karlene Bartlett; one son, Wesley Bartlett; two brothers, Gerald Galipo and Lester Galipo; four sisters, Annette Galipo, Geneva Galipo, Rita Galipo, and Ezelda Streeter; and a granddaughter, Katelyn Sylvester. Memorial information: Due to social distancing restrictions, graveside services in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street will be for the immediate family only. Margaret will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Belanger, 60, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died peacefully at home on May 3, 2020 with family at his side. He was born in Manchester, N.H., the son of Marcel and Dorothy Belanger, both of whom predeceased him. David is survived by one daughter, Danielle Burke of New York state; four sisters, Mary Thomas (Archie) of Kings Mountain, N.C.; Cheryl Jacques (Gordon) of Clearwater, Fla.; Kathy Urick (Richard Rausch) of Paris, Tenn.; Dianne Burgess (Adam) of Selinsgrove, Pa.; paternal aunt Murielle Vachon of Gilford, N.H.; a special young lady who was raised like a daughter to him, Courtney Stanclift; several nieces and nephews; a wonderful friend, Zach Brownell; and many dear friends in the Hinsdale/Brattleboro area. David graduated from Hinsdale High School, Class of 1978. He was retired after being employed by National Grid (formerly Public Service of New Hampshire) for 39 years as a journeyman electrician. He was a union member and a member of the Brattleboro Elks. David loved the outdoors, especially fishing and bicycling. He could often be seen ice fishing at the Retreat Meadows or trail riding his bicycles even during winter months. He was also known for his meticulously maintained home property. His kind heart was often noted by his warm smile and sparkling eyes and he was always willing to help those in need. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Memorial information: At this time, due to social distancing restrictions, no services will be held. In the future, a service in remembrance of David will be held at the Elks Lodge in Brattleboro. Donations to New Hampshire Fish and Game, attn. Business Division, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH 03301. Please specify: N.H. Fish and Game Fund. To send messages of condolence to David's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Colleen Mary Carleton, 62, of West Brattleboro. Died peacefully April 26, 2020 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, where she had been a resident since March. Colleen was born in Brattleboro on March 19, 1958, the daughter of Robert and Eleanor (Dalrymple) Johnson. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1976. She had worked several small jobs in Brattleboro throughout the years, but was primarily a devoted homemaker. Of her leisure time activities, Colleen enjoyed crafts of all kinds and taking afternoon and evening rides with her dog, “Mac.” A quiet unassuming woman, Colleen was known for her pleasant personality and positive outlook on life. She always looked for the good side of those she came to meet. In 1976, she married Kimerlee R. Carleton, who predeceased her in 2010. Survivors include special relatives, Ardell, Tina, and Becky LaFarr; nephew Teddy Carlton, and dearest friends Tink and June Severance. Additionally, she leaves a host of friends at Glen Trailer Park and her beloved “Mac.” Memorial information: Due to social distancing restrictions, graveside services in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street will be for the immediate family only. Colleen will be laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to a charity of one's choice. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Dorothy “Dot” Aplin Cassidy Cousins, 89, formerly of East Putney. Died peacefully on May 2, 2020 at the home of her daughter Ann in Sharon, Conn. Born in East Putney on Aug. 2, 1930, to Donald and Leone Aplin, on the same farm the family had first settled in 1791. She was the third of eight children. She attended grammar school in Putney and Brattleboro High School. In 1948, she married Robert “Bud” Watson Cassidy, Jr. and moved to the Cassidy Farm on Cassidy Hill in East Putney, where they farmed and sugared until the mid-1960s. Dot later worked in various capacities, including at the Putney Paper Mill, Harlow's and Allen's apple orchards, The Putney School, and Scott and Grant's flowers. Dot and Bud raised five children. For many years, they spent April in Florida, and eventually the winters in Venice, Fla., and the rest of the year in Vermont. Dot loved music and loved dance. Like her father, she was a great walker. She also loved to do arts and crafts, from ceramics, to painting, to crocheting and other needlework. She crafted and left her family with many of her creations, from afghans and throws to needlework and holiday decorations. She was a loving caregiver, and she sat with and nursed many friends and family over the years who were sick and dying. Dot was a devoted wife, mother, and friend who never met a stranger. Above all else, Dot much loved and was much loved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She will be greatly missed. She was predeceased by her husband Bud in 1988 and, in 2001, by her second husband of 10 years, James Cousins. She is survived by her three daughters and two sons and their spouses: Julia and Robert Ranney of Crossville, Tenn., Ann and Joe Trotta of Sharon, Conn., Cathy Jacobs of Sharon, Conn., Robert Cassidy III and his wife, Jonna Zimmerman of Northborough, Mass., and Michael Cassidy and his wife, Karen Bates, of Colchester. She leaves 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren, as well as numerous extended family and her lifelong friends from Putney, Marilyn Loomis and Olive Frost. She leaves one surviving sibling, Betty Jean Spicer and her husband, Gerald, of Utica, N.Y., and her sister-in-law and dear friend Cheryl Aplin of Brattleboro. Memorial information: A memorial service will be celebrated at a later date to be determined.
• Carman Louise Dawson, 72, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 28, 2019 at the Crescent Manor Care Center in Bennington. Carman was born Dec. 25, 1946 to the late Claire and Clarman Dawson, and lived much of her life on Chestnut Street in Brattleboro. Many will remember Carman as a classmate who stood taller than most of her friends. She had an engaging smile and a laugh-out-loud good sense of humor. Memories of her years at Brattleboro Union High School include her participation in a variety of activities including playing intramural sports as well as being a four-year member of the color guard for the BUHS Band. Following graduation from BUHS in 1964, Carman enrolled as a first-year student at Endicott College in Boston, transferring the following school year to the University of Vermont choosing to major in psychology. After college, Carman left New England for parts west including San Diego, Calif., where she was employed by Raytheon. She was keen on environmental issues and enjoyed writing, expressing her thoughts and viewpoints for publication. While at Raytheon, she experienced workplace violence, including the loss of a friend and co-worker who took his own life on the premises. This experience ultimately drew her to be engaged as a consultant helping others understand workplace violence prevention. In 2012, she developed an interest in online teaching, returning to Brattleboro where she was briefly employed by the University of Phoenix. Unexpected medical challenges prevented her from continuing this near-to-her-heart work. She remained in her family home on Chestnut Street until 2019, when she developed dementia and moved locally to the Bradley House in Brattleboro, where she received assisted nursing care until her move to Crescent Manor. Carman is survived by her brother, Carl Dawson of Massachusetts. Memorial information: A committal service, where she will be buried next to her father, will be held at a date to be announced at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery.
• Ethan Nicholas Matthews, 25, of Rockingham. Died unexpectedly on May 5, 2020. Ethan was born in Brattleboro on October 13, 1994, the son of Robin and Melissa (Perry) Matthews. He attended school in Saxtons River, was a 2012 graduate of Keene (N.H.) High School, and worked for Best Septic. Ethan enjoyed kayaking and fishing. Surviving is his wife Amy Rae Rawling; his parents; his brother, Spencer Matthews; his grandmothers, Margaret Perry and Janis Frakes; his cousins, Courtney (Mark) Lambert, Emily Perry, Kaija and Scott Martin, Jasmine, Erin, Jason, Shane, and Emma Perry-Ives, Calleigh and Zoey Perry, and Jaxson Ruggiero; his aunts and uncles Michael Matthews, Theresa Perry, Bethany and Leslie Perry-Ives, and Betsy and Doug Perry. He was predeceased by his grandfathers, David Matthews and Dale Houston. Memorial information: Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, 733 Third Ave., Suite 510, New York, NY 10017. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.
• Stanley Gartenstein, 87, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y. Died peacefully on April 30, 2020 at the home of his daughter, Dena Moses, in Putney. Stanley was born on July 13, 1932. He graduated from Brooklyn College and Brooklyn Law School and received rabbinic ordination from Torah Vodaas. After working for the Anti Defamation League in Denver he opened a private law practice in Brooklyn, while also serving as Rabbi for congregations in Bushwick and Woodbridge, N.J., and as a New York State Bingo Control Investigator. In 1970, Stanley was appointed by Mayor John Lindsay as a judge on the New York Family Court, and was reappointed by Mayor Abe Beame to a second term. During his 15 years on the bench, Stanley presided in Family and Criminal Courts in the five boroughs. He left the bench in the mid-1980s, returned to private law practice, and then served as a Judicial Hearing Officer in New York City and Nassau and Suffolk counties into his mid-80s. Stanley is survived by his five loving children, David, Devra, Daniel, Dena, and Basya, and seven devoted grandchildren, Benjamin, Samuel, Jacob, Madeline, Arielle, Sophia, and Avi. He was married to Frimit Sitzman in 1956, Eileen Polsky in 1989, Jane Klemes in 1997, and Myrna Cooper in 2004. Stanley was pious, and a devoted student of Jewish law and scripture. He was happiest when surrounded by his family, whom he adored. Memorial information: He was buried next to his mother in a private ceremony at New Montefiore Cemetery in West Babylon, N.Y., on May 3.
• Natalie C. Rancourt, 85, of Brattleboro. Died May 3, 2020 at Thompson House, where she was a resident for the past 10 years. Natalie was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 29, 1935, the daughter of Natt Codding and Beulah (Stone) Beals. She attended Brattleboro public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1952. She had been employed at the Holstein-Frisian Association for 15 years, worked at the former American Stratford for eight years, and was employed at Brattleboro Pediatrics, from which she retired following nearly 20 years with the practice. Natalie was a communicant of Saint Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She was a member of the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary and the F.O. Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445 Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Brattleboro Country Club. She enjoyed golf, gardening, playing cards with her girlfriends and time shared with her family. In 1953, she married Philip W. “Buzzy” Rancourt, who predeceased her. Survivors include three sons, Philip Rancourt, Jr. (Nikki) of Brattleboro, Thomas Rancourt of Keene, N.H., and Marty Rancourt (Karen) of Townshend; one daughter, Sandy Rancourt (Karen) of Guilford; a brother, Bernard Codding of Tennessee; a stepbrother, Gerry Beals of Connecticut; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Graveside services in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will be private for the immediate family only. A celebration of her life will be conducted at a later date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Michael L. “Marvin” Trombley, 79, of West Brattleboro. Died April 28, 2020 of COVID-19 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. He was the husband of Jaqueline E. (Currier) Trombley. Born on Sept. 2, 1940, he was the son of the late Marvin F. and Nina E. (McCoy) Trombley. Mike graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1958. After graduation, he joined the Navy Submarine Service and was assigned to the USS Sea Robin (SS-407). After the Navy, Mike worked for R.S. Roberts in Brattleboro, and then went to work as a Union Pipefitter/Welder during the construction of the Vermont Yankee Nuclear Plant. Mike went on to become project manager for Mercury Co. of Norwood, Inc. and managed the Contractor Support Craft for maintenance and modifications for many years. Mike later became vice president of Fischbach Power Services, and under his direction the company supported projects at several additional nuclear plants, including Yankee Rowe Atomic. He later worked as a Vice President at ROV Technologies, Inc. with the late Jack Judge, until his retirement in 2015. Mike's commercial nuclear power career spanned 47 years, and throughout those years, he was highly respected by those that worked closely with him. He will be deeply missed by his wife Jaqui; brothers Patrick and his wife, Susan, of Brattleboro, and James of Florida; his daughter and three sons, Nora (Brian) Trombley of Brattleboro, Mickey (Padi) Trombley of Brattleboro, Walt (Kelly) Trombley of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Bob (Heidi) Trombley of Portland, Ore.; seven grandchildren, Bob, Corey, Garrett, Abigayle, Alder, Sadie, Cole, several nieces and nephews as well as many close friends. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, David. Memorial information: At the request of the family, all services will be at a time to be determined later under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Services
• Funeral services for Erich E. Hoyer, originally scheduled for May 17 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. A rescheduled time will be announced by the family at a later date. Mr. Hoyer, formerly of Brattleboro, died on March 4, 2020.