Obituaries
• Robert W. Anderson, 80, of Brattleboro. Died in the comfort of his home on Oct. 24, 2023. Robert was born Jan. 21, 1943 to Victor and Laura Anderson of Spencer, Wisconsin. He was a strong and dedicated individual who loved his family and had a passion for the outdoors. Robert was known for his hardworking nature and his love for farming, which he pursued for over 40 years. In 1986, he and his family moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, where he then went on to spend 22 years working for Fibermark until he retired. In his free time, Robert enjoyed various hobbies, including bowling, hunting, fishing, making maple syrup, working outdoors, playing cards, working with his hands, and following sports, especially watching his grandchildren play sports, which brought him great joy. Robert will be deeply missed by his loving wife, Anna (Becker) Anderson with whom he celebrated their 50th anniversary this past July; his children, Carl (April) Anderson of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, Michael Anderson, and Lori (Matthew) Bishop of Brattleboro; and grandchildren Alexis and Chase Anderson of Hinsdale and Hunter and Lily Bishop of Brattleboro. He was predeceased by his father Victor, mother Laura Newman Anderson, sister Lenore Calhoun, and grandson John Bishop. Memorial information: There will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, Nov. 12, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Heart Rose Club, 11 Green St., Brattleboro.
• Lavern (Dove) Corey, 94, of Halifax. Died on Oct. 20, 2023 after a brief illness. A loving, caring, devoted mother, Lavern was born in Plattsburg, New York on July 20, 1929 to John Harold and Jeanette (Chamberlin) Dove, the second oldest of nine children. She moved to Vermont when she was 15 years old. It was while she lived in Brattleboro that she met the love of her life, Alfred Loren Corey. They married on April 21, 1946. In 1952, they moved to Halifax to raise their growing family. Lavern and Alfred would go on to have six children: Alfred, Susan, Dennis, Diana, and Patricia. Sadly, their oldest child, a girl, died shortly after she was born. The Coreys were married for almost 44 years when Alfred died of cancer on Feb. 2, 1990. Lavern was a strong woman and would go on to do what she did best - be a devoted mother to her family. Her house was filled with the smell of a good cup of coffee, memories, laughter, and family and friends gathered around her kitchen table. Lavern was a woman of many talents. She would make and decorate many of her children and grandchildren's wedding and birthday cakes. She was an excellent seamstress, crafting many of the costumes for school, church, and Halifax community functions and, of course, she always did the same for her family. Lavern was a magnificent cook. She made the most amazing potato salad. Her family and friends would say that not a soul could come close to making it as delicious as she did. She also enjoyed canning. This year, she canned pickled beets, bread and butter pickles, tomato relish (a hit amongst the family) and her one-of-a-kind, mouthwatering spaghetti sauce. In 1984, at the age of 53, Lavern set out and accomplished earning her high school diploma. Her family was extremely proud of her. Lavern took pride in the many hats she wore in the town of Halifax. She was actively involved in and served as an officer in many of the town's organizations including the PTC, Community Club, Grange, the Historical Society, and Ladies Aide and Auxiliary. One of her many accomplishments, aside from raising a family, was being the president of the Historical Society. She was instrumental in the repairs of many of the town's buildings and preserving their rich history. She would go on to serve as chairman of the Old Home Day events in Halifax. Her efforts were noted by many and during her time the celebration was always a great success. She was also influential in the many activities and gatherings of the Halifax Community Church. Some of the positions she held were not always easy, she served as delinquent tax collector for over 30 years, second constable, an auditor and justice of the peace. Although some of these jobs were not appreciated, she served her town with pride spanning a total of 44 years. In addition to her husband, Lavern Corey was predeceased by her daughter Susan Carroll (Corey); grandchildren Loren Alan Corey and Julie Ann Hale; brothers Harold and Norman Dove; and sisters June Gray and Mona Momaney. She is survived by her sons, Alfred (Butch) and his wife Barbara Corey, and Dennis Corey and his wife Hendrika (Henny) Whalen, both of Halifax; her daughters Diana and her husband Norman Hale of Halifax, and Patricia Kingsley and her companion Mark Hawley of Whitingham; brothers Gordon Dove of Alabama and Wayne Dove of Virginia; and a sister, Thelma Caldwell of Massachusetts. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Lavern's family tree spans five generations with 17 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren who all meant the world to her. She meant the world to her family and friends and will be deeply missed. Memorial information: Services for Lavern will be held at the West Halifax Bible Church on Saturday, Nov. 18, at 11 a.m., followed by a graveside service for family only. Donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital (stjude.org).
• Richard Robert Emond, 71, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 26, 2023 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a lengthy period of declining health. With his three sisters by his side, he courageously decided to discontinue life support. Born on Feb. 11, 1952, Richard was the son of Robert R. J. Emond and Catherine (Whitney) Emond. He was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1970 and enlisted in the United States Air Force following graduation. His employment career began at age 11, pumping gas at Saveway on Canal Street. He was a truck driver for Smead Lumber Company, enjoyed driving the town bus, worked at Vermont Circuits as an electroplater for 27 years, and was a skilled painter with SNS Painting. Richard's love of motorcycles and riding began as a little boy when he heard then saw two Indian motorcycles on the dirt road that passed the family's West Brattleboro home. His passion for riding filled his life with adventure, his heart with happiness, and a sense of profound freedom. He was a PADI-certified scuba diver with the Connecticut River Valley Underwater Rescue Team and assisted in many rescues. A man of faith, he was a lifetime member of Cornerstone Motorcycle Ministry, proudly serving as road captain and sergeant-at-arms. Richard loved fishing, hunting, boating, vintage cars, the coast, and his family. Survivors include a daughter, April M. Emond of Washington state; granddaughter Christina Morse, also of Washington; sisters Barbara E. Simonds of Winslow, Maine, Margaret E. Fogg and her husband Timothy of Putney, and Theresa M. Emond of Brattleboro; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother-in-law, Philip P. Simonds, a niece, and a nephew. Memorial information: In keeping with Richard's wishes, he will make his final ride, escorted by motorcycles, and be laid to rest with his parents in the family lot at Meeting House Hill Cemetery in the spring of 2024. A celebration of life will follow, to be announced in the spring. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT. 05302 or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Arland "Dave" Harris, 86, of Vernon. Died unexpectedly on Oct. 26, 2023, after being taken ill on Guilford Center Road. A lifelong resident of the area, he was born in Newfane on Nov, 16, 1936, the son of Arland George and Hulda Prouty (Goodell) Harris. He was raised and educated in Newfane, where he attended public schools. A veteran of the Korean War, he proudly served his country in the Marine Corps, entering active service on March 8, 1954 and was honorably discharged on March 7, 1957. Dave was the owner of Harris Basket Inc. in Vernon, which he established in 1965, manufacturing baskets for almost 40 years up until the company closed in 2004. Following retirement, he worked part-time as a courier/driver for Bond Auto Parts in Brattleboro. Prior to starting his own business, Dave had been employed as a supervisor for Basketville in Putney. Dave was known for his dedicated and strong work ethic. For many years, Dave was an active member of the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department. He also held membership in the Vernon Trail Breakers Snowmobile Club. Dave enjoyed the outdoors, including hunting, camping, snowmobiling, and time shared with his family. He had a unique and wonderful sense of humor and loved to shared a good joke or two. On Feb. 22, 1958, at the United Church of Ludlow, Vermont, he was married to Mildred Pierce, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 65 years, he leaves one son, Kenneth Harris of Dummerston; two daughters, Kathy Wehner of Dummerston and Kim Fletcher of Vernon; one brother, Dennis Harris, and a sister, June Lawrence, both of Vernon. Additionally, he is survived by seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Kandi Harris, and a sister, Shirley Hurd. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with military honors were conducted on Nov. 4 in North Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to The Wounded Warrior Project, 370 7th Avenue, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10001, www.woundedwarriorproject.org. To share condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Margaret J. Kennedy, 73, of Chester. Died suddenly on Oct. 25, 2023 at her home, after a period of declining health. She was the daughter and youngest child of J. Emerson and Claire Moynihan Kennedy of Bellows Falls, where Margaret grew up and attended school. As an adult, she worked primarily in the nonprofit human services sector with institutions such as Southeastern Vermont Community Action and 99 Atkinson Street. She also served as a caregiver for the elderly and disabled. For a period of time in the 1980s, Margaret was married to Carl Burns of Chester. Margaret was known for her sense of humor and quick, acerbic wit. She was an avid reader and intellectually curious. Margaret was a stylish dresser and could create "a look" from almost nothing, and her home decor reflected her quirky sense of style. She had many friends and acquaintances and seemed to know everyone in town. She was a good kid. Margaret is predeceased by her parents and her brother Kevin of Granby, Massachusetts. She leaves her sister Susan Kennedy of West Hartford, Connecticut, brother Mark Kennedy (Sue Kibbe) of Walpole, New Hampshire, and her sister-in-law Cynthia Fontaine Kennedy of Granby, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Nov. 4 at St. Peter's Church in North Walpole, followed by burial at St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to the American Diabetes Association or Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, Vermont.
• Eshagh Shaoul, 82, of Westminster West. Died at his home on Oct. 28, 2023 after suffering from progressive frontotemporal dementia. He was born in Tehran, Iran in 1941, the fourth of seven children. He grew up in Sarechal, the Jewish ghetto there. At a young age, he showed musical aptitude, and his first music teacher sent him to study with a violin master, Abolhassan Sabah. He became a lifelong violinist, bringing joy to all who heard him. In 1959, at age 18, Eshagh left Iran for America. He studied English and then earned Bachelor's, Master's and Ph.D. degrees in international political economy at George Washington University. As the first of his family to arrive in the United States, he was responsible for his family's subsequent immigration. First, he brought his older brother to the United States for lifesaving heart surgery; then his two other brothers, his two sisters and his mother out of Iran to New York, where they all settled. He left a life of academia in 1972 to begin a career as a financial executive. Shaoul's 24 years at Chase Manhattan Bank as a credit risk executive and country manager included 12 years of living and working overseas. When the family was living in Hong Kong, Singapore, The Ivory Coast and Tokyo, his wife, Rosalyn, taught and his children attended international schools. Shaoul was an active member of the Chase Alumni Association and instrumental in organizing a 2018 gathering that drew 28 alumni who had served in Japan. After returning to New York in 1990 and taking early retirement from Chase in 1995, Shaoul worked for 10 years at AIG in New York, managing credit risk for their international portfolio. Throughout his financial career, he never forgot to play his violin, always carrying it with him wherever he went around the world. In 1987, during their time in Japan, the Shaouls bought their home in Westminster West. After using it for weekends and vacations, they retired there full-time in 2014. Once settled in Westminster West as a full-time "flatlander," Shaoul led the Windham World Affairs Council as chair for five years, recruiting speakers to present on topics of significance to the community. On the rocky ledge that their home was built on, Eshagh created an indoor "Japanese Garden." On the empty mudflat they found in front of the home, he landscaped lawns and created a botanical oasis featuring burning bush and Japanese maple. As he became increasingly concerned with interfaith harmony and peaceful coexistence in the world, Shaoul created a installation known as the "Temple of Love" on the hill behind the house. It includes artifacts from 11 different cultures and religions as a welcome to people of all backgrounds and faiths. In recent years he took daily walks, making five-mile rounds of the neighborhood as "The Mayor of Happy Valley" and continued to play his violin. He played Persian classical music, gypsy music and a variety of pieces of his choice, including Kol Nidre and Ave Maria. As this exertion recently became difficult, then impossible, he enjoyed being surrounded by his family and listening to music in the midst of his gardens. Over his life Eshagh made thousands of friendships with people from all walks of life in Vermont, and around the world. He was a beloved and generous mentor, an intellectual, a diplomat, and a peacemaker. He valued family above all. His family and friends will miss him mightily and will treasure and be inspired by all the memories, especially how he made the impossible become the possible. Among his survivors are Rosalyn, his wife of 59 years; their children, Josef, Cyrus, and Sara; and five grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral was held on Oct. 31 in Westminster West Cemetery. A memorial will be held in New York City at a later date.
• Stephen Peter Skibniowsky, 74, of Vernon. Died Sept. 28, 2023 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, following a brief illness. He was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 26, 1948, the son of Peter and Beverly (Johnson) Skibniowsky Jr. Raised in Vernon, Steve attended Vernon Elementary School and Brattleboro Junior High School, and graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon, Class of 1966. He went on to earn his B.S. in biology and chemistry from Keene State College in 1970. Steve was employed at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant as its environmental specialist for radiological effluents. His career as VY's chemist spanned 42 years. He retired from his position in 2017. He initially was hired by Vermont Yankee as a security guard at the facility after working as a police officer for the Brattleboro Police Department for several years. Following his retirement, he served on the decommission advisory panel at Vermont Yankee. Steve enjoyed horses, boating, puttering around his property, and cars, of which he was the proud owner of two Jaguars. He loved his community and served on Vernon's Planning Commission of which he was past chairman. Steve also served on the Vernon Selectboard. In 1978, at the Memorial Chapel at Mount Hermon, he was married to Jane Katherine Gogel, who predeceased him on August 26, 2012. Survivors include one sister, Sharon Skibniowsky Zamora, and a brother, David Skibniowsky and his wife Lori, both of Vernon; three nephews, and several great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and a brother, Peter Skibniowsky III. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there are no formal funeral services planned. His cremated remains will be buried next to his beloved wife in the Skibniowsky family lot in Tyler Cemetery on Pond Road. Donation to the Vernon Historians, Inc., 4201 Fort Bridgman Rd., Vernon, VT 05354; or to the Preservation of the Governor Hunt House, in care of Preservation Trust of Vermont, 90 Main St., Suite 304, Montpelier, VT 05602. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Mary E. Tyler, 94, of Dummerston. Died peacefully with her family by her side on Nov. 2, 2023, following a period of declining health. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of The Commons. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.