Obituaries
• Kenneth "Reggie" Lee Blanchard, 70, of Rutland. Died unexpectedly at his home on Aug. 15, 2024. He was born Sept. 7, 1953, in Bellows Falls, the son of Ernest R. and Susan Darlington (Jones) Blanchard. Reggie was a 1972 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School, though he always told the story that he actually graduated in 1971 and 1972, receiving a diploma for both years (only the 1972 diploma was signed). Throughout his life, Reggie held many jobs, from haying at 12, to house painting, tree pruning, and cabinet making. He was a partner in his own concrete business in the 1980s. Most recently. he worked at Vermont Store Fixture Corporation in Danby, where he started in 1993. He always spoke about how much he loved that job and wished he had found it sooner. He was also a member of Moose Lodge 1122 in Rutland. He very much enjoyed the outdoors as an avid hunter and fisherman since his youth. Most recently, he found the game of golf and was so proud of how good he got at it over the years. Reggie was a dedicated loving family man, trying his best not to miss sporting events, school functions, birthdays, and other special events of the younger generations. Like many people from his generation, he worked seven days a week and 12+ hour days for many years to provide the life that his family had. He always put family first and himself second. In his early years, Reggie was an athlete, actor, choir singer and self-proclaimed comedian who participated in many sports such as swimming, football and track and field, where he excelled at shot put. He was crowned best actor in 1972 for his acting skills, and did all of it making sure everyone was having a good time and laughing. If there was laughter heard, he was most likely close by. Reggie loved many and was loved by many, but the love he had for his wife Helen (Peschl) was something that books are written about. Helen was new in town from Long Island when they first met in 1971 at the soda fountain at Fletcher's in downtown Bellows Falls. They briefly dated, but were instant friends who were always together in their large group of friends. Though they both went their own way after high school, they always stayed in contact and had each other's backs in hard times. Whenever they were back together, they easily picked up where they left off as friends, as if they were never apart. Reggie would even hitchhike from Bellows Falls to see her at Castleton State College where she was a student, just to be with her. Their love for each other eventually became too strong to ignore any longer, so they were married on July 30, 1977, in Bellows Falls. They moved to Proctor in 1978 making many new friends in a short time. In January 1983, with an 18-month-old son, they moved into their long term home in Rutland, after the construction was finished. Reggie and Helen raised their two children in this home along with taking in other children at times, who he not only provided for, but also showed them love, respect and laughter. They continued their life in that home after their children moved out and were taking care of their own families. Reggie leaves behind his wife of 47 years, his son Garrett and wife Barbie, his daughter Brianna, brother Ernest, sisters Briana and Alice; grandchildren, Dylan, Carter, Gaberiel, Camden, Corbin, Emma. and Korin; and many nieces and nephews and countless loving friends which he made everywhere he went. Reggie will be missed by many, but never forgotten. Memorial information: There will be a celebration of life at the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, 78 Center St. in Rutland, on Sept. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. He would love to see all his friends and family together there. Donations to your favorite outdoors, hunting, or fishing charity or club.
• Pamela Proctor Cersosimo, 92, of Vernon. Died peacefully on August 24, 2024, in Vernon. She was born on May 11, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to Barron and Edna (Condo) Proctor. Pamela graduated from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, New York, and went on to Skidmore College, majoring in history. She worked in several positions at Stratton Mountain Resort during its early years, including as its principal real estate broker, where she first met her husband of 27 years, Anthony (Tony) Cersosimo. Although Pamela had many interests, her most treasured were her family, her animals, Vermont history, and photography. She often rescued animals in need and spent much time traveling around Vermont researching its history. A skilled photographer, she developed her own film after taking photos of family, animals, and Vermont. Pamela was predeceased by her husband, Anthony Cersosimo, her parents, and her sister Marsha Larson. She leaves behind her five children, Paul Hardy (Jennifer Campbell) of Winhall, Kimberlee Martin (Wayne) of Brattleboro, Steve Hardy (Deborah) of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, Scott Hardy (Kim Hart) of South Londonderry, and Jeff Hardy (Ellen) of Vernon; her three stepchildren, Frances Leitz, of California, Dominic (Butch) Cersosimo of Brattleboro, and Pamela Marie Cersosimo of Montana; 25 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and her 3 pets. Memorial information: Calling hours will be held on Friday, Sept. 6, from 5-7 p.m., at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro. A family burial will be held on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 11:30 a.m. at North Cemetery in Vernon. A memorial service will follow at Vernon Union Church, 2631 Fort Bridgman Rd., at 12:30 p.m. Donations to the Vernon Historical Society, 567 Governor Hunt Rd., Vernon, VT 05354. To view Pamela's online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit phaneuf.net.
• Mildred Mary Maloskie, 99, formerly of Brattleboro. Died on Aug. 24, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life. Mildred was born on April 7, 1925, in New Britain, Connecticut, to Joseph Stankewicus and Eva Paznekas. She graduated from New Britain High School in June 1943. On March 31, 1951, she married the late George Maloskie at St. Andrews Church in New Britain. During their 47-year marriage, they had three children, Carol Carpenter (predeceased), Sharon Gideon, and Thomas Maloskie (predeceased). She will be remembered most for her more than 30 years of volunteer work she contributed in Brattleboro as the chair of Volunteers for the Windham Area Chapter of the American Red Cross. She also served as chair of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital coffee shop dessert committee and the hospital's transportation team. As a devout Catholic, Mildred was involved with the Saint Michael's church/school annual Christmas bazaar luncheon and was noted for her delicious corn chowder. She was a charter member of the Emblem Club, the Vermont State Regent for the Daughter's of Isabella, and the local Brattleboro D of I Circle. Mildred also enjoyed singing in the church choir for many years. Mildred's pastimes were bowling, clogging, and line dancing. She loved baking and one of her all-time favorites was her blueberry muffins. She returned to Connecticut to be close to family while residing at Elmbrook Village in Bozrah. Loved by all the aides for her unique character and strong personality, "Millie" (as she was known there) enjoyed playing Bingo, Pokeno, and kept up her singing voice as part of the choir. Mildred is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon and Ron Gideon; and grandchildren Stephanie Kantzios, Angela Lathrop, James Kantzios, Shannon Maloskie, and Connor Maloskie. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 31 at Sacred Heart Church in New Britain, followed by burial at St. Mary's Cemetery in New Britain. Donations to St. Brigid's Kitchen & Pantry, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share condolences, visit shakerfuneralhome.com .
• Caryl Richardson, 65, of Putney. Died at home on March 22, 2024. A wise old doctor said that people with a terminal illness tend to die the way they lived. When Caryl was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma, for which there is no cure, and told she'd be lucky to survive for three years, she approached her end-of-life with even more of the intense curiosity and courage with which she'd always lived. It was as if she was thinking, "Well, here's an unexpected adventure, what can I learn from it?" She went on doing everything she loved and took on new challenges. As she said, "I'm not dying of cancer. I'm living with cancer." Horses were at the center of Caryl's life and livelihood. An imaginary horse was a companion in her childhood. In recent years she lived with her horses, training them constantly, and she was a beloved riding teacher. Being Caryl, now terminally ill, she bought Kalevala, a Lipizzaner mare with strong bloodlines, to train and hopefully breed. Together, she and Kalevala embarked on a difficult regime of Straightness Training, a technique based in classical Dressage which strengthens a horse's physique and balance and improves the rider's balance and ability to communicate confidently with her mount. Although she was already a well-versed student of the training, this was not enough for Caryl. After her diagnosis, she began the very demanding process of becoming a Straightness Training Licensed Instructor, knowing she would most likely not live to use the valuable credential. She did it because she had always looked for ways to get more out of her life and herself. Cancer didn't change that. As she wrote, "My health condition may come as a surprise but know that I am living my best life." Beloved by her husband, Jim, their children Stephanie and Drew, her students and friends, Carol's death leaves profound grief in its wake, softened by her ever-present love for those who miss her. Those who knew her best remember her in the following ways: "She was so independent, so self-aware, so intelligent." "People were glad to see her. She lit up a room." "Caryl was direct and forceful, and extremely self-confident. She was intense and she seemed fearless. That sounds like an intimidating person but she was never like that. She was generous and loving and cared deeply about everyone around her." "When she was uncertain or afraid of making a mistake, she opened up to the people closest to her to ask for support. She was so willing to talk about the hard things." "She was a big 'Yes!' because she was so open. She had an incredible way of walking through the next door - she was certain that she could do the new things that she wanted to do." Caryl was never not extraordinary. Her brother, Greg, describes her as her mother's "perfect child, who could do no wrong, and a paragon of an older sister." The eldest of four siblings, she was born on April 18, 1958, in Sapulpa, Oklahoma. When her parents divorced, and later, after her mother remarried, the family moved to California's Bay Area. Horses and riding were an important part of her life through high school. An excellent student throughout her schooling, she developed a voracious and lifelong appetite for books. In high school, her independence asserted itself and she became a rebel, learning to sing and play the guitar and fiddle, sometimes hitchhiking south to her favorite forest for solo camping after telling her parents she'd be at a friend's house for the weekend. Her coming-to-consciousness timing was good as the Bay Area was still the epicenter of the counterculture, waning but still going strong. The sage and subversive practicality of The Whole Earth Catalog was guiding young people toward "new tools for living," and the personal computer revolution was being born over the hills in San Mateo County. Ripe for adventure, Caryl left home the minute she graduated from high school, moving into her own apartment in Santa Cruz. Living on her own, Caryl played music with friends at festivals up and down the West Coast and busked with her guitar and fiddle on the street for coins and bills. There was a period when she was employed at Apple, writing manuals for the early Macs. Meanwhile, she was always reading and seeking adventure and self-knowledge. She was married twice, though neither relationship endured. Then, on a road trip east in the early 1980s, she passed through Brattleboro and felt at home. Eventually, Caryl bought a small house in Putney, which she loved and nurtured by planting and maintaining large perennial gardens. In Putney, she found the community of friends she'd been seeking. She took courses at Marlboro College and was employed by Griswold Offset Printing, Press On, and Putney's Heartstone Books. She also reestablished her deep connection with horses, by building a small barn and beginning to teach and coach riding, starting with a period as an instructor in a therapeutic riding program at Horse Power in Temple, New Hampshire. She drew inspiration from the strength and wisdom of the horses she owned, and she was determined to follow her dream of sharing her passion with others as a self-employed riding coach. As her business grew, she hired a local carpenter, cyclist, and seeker, Jim Robinson, in order to enlarge her barn to six stalls, and she took quite a shine to him. They fell deeply in love, married in August 2001, remodeled her house and enjoyed a wonderful and committed life together. To honor her other passion, for books and reading, Caryl bought Heartstone Books in 2003, selling new and used books and presenting regular poetry readings. In 2006, Caryl's sister Christy died. In the years that followed, Christy's children, Stephanie and Drew, became close to Caryl and Jim and in many ways the four of them became more like a family. So, in 2020 Caryl and Jim legally adopted Stephanie and Drew. Caryl left us with a great example of living and dying well. As she said, near the end, "Life can be great, even if you don't have a lot of it." Memorial information: A documentary is being made about Caryl's grace, courage, and phenomenal energy during the final months of her life. Called Riding Home and based on many visits with Caryl, it is directed by Elyse Neiman Seiter, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker. There is a trailer and information about the film at ridinghomefilm.com and the premiere is scheduled for the spring of 2025. Charitable donations to help support the film's editing and completion can be made in Caryl's honor on the film website.
• Brenda Rockwood, 69, of Belleview, Florida, formerly of Vernon. Died on Aug. 7, 2024. Brenda was born on June 11, 1955 to Marion and Frederick LaBarge in Montpelier. She lived most of her life in Vernon with her family. Brenda was married for more than 40 years to Kirk Rockwood and moved to Florida in late 2018 to be near their twin daughters, Amanda and Sarah Rockwood. She enjoyed spending time with her husband, watching Days of Our Lives regularly, and she loved time with her only grandchild. She spent more than 30 years in the bookkeeping and payroll department at Eden Park Nursing Home in Brattleboro. She went on to work at the Brattleboro Retreat before retirement. Brenda is survived by her beloved husband, Kirk, in Belleview; two daughters, Amanda and Sarah, in Sanford, Florida; and her granddaughter, Evelisse, who she enjoyed very much her last few years. She is survived, as well, by an older brother Larry LaBarge, of Wisconsin; a younger sister, Shirley (Robin) Alex, of New England; an aunt, many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Brenda was predeceased by both of her parents, and aunts and uncles she was close to during her life. Memorial information: Services will be private for the family with burial near her home in Belleview.
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