Obituaries
• Duff Allan Delano, 70, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully, with his family by his side, on Nov. 9, 2024. Born on Jan. 29, 1954, in Brattleboro, he was the son of the late Robert and Phyllis (Higgins) Delano. Duff graduated from Hinsdale High School and then attended Springfield College where he graduated in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics. After school, he had a lifelong career with the U.S. Postal Service for more than 30 years until he retired as postmaster at the age of 55. Upon retirement, Duff and his friend Ron Merton started a painting business, which he did until he no longer could. An avid golfer, Duff enjoyed golfing on many courses throughout the country. He was a member and club champion at Northfield (Mass.) Country Club, was a member of the Elks Club in Brattleboro, and served as selectman and tax collector for the town of Hinsdale for a period of time. A proud father and grandfather, he loved spending time with his family, teaching his kids how to ski and attending his children's and grandchildren's school sports. He is survived by his daughter Kerri Pagach; sons Jared Delano and wife Jennifer, and Aaron Delano; sister Jackie Delano; brothers Robert Delano and wife Laura, and Randy Delano and wife Bonnie; sister-in law Lois Delano; brother-in-law Bill Morrone; grandchildren Trent Pagach, Brookelynn Pagach, Kelsey Delano, Jackson Delano, Connor Delano, and Lane Delano and his former wife and companion for the last four years, Sarah Delano; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Becky Morrone, and brothers Darwin and Kenny Delano. Memorial information: Donations to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org/get-involved-now/donate) or the Monadnock Humane Society (monadnockhumanesociety.org/donate)
• Eileen Barbara Deutsch, 74, of Westminster West. Died on Nov. 13, 2024. She was born on April 18, 1950, the middle child of Louis and Rose (Wistreich) Deutsch of Bayside, New York. She graduated from Queens College in 1971 with a degree in math and married her college sweetheart, Ira Wilner, soon after. They had a daughter, Leah, several years later. Eileen worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Bayside as a letter carrier and then at the New York City Housing Authority as a computer programmer. After moving to Vermont, she worked at the Holstein Association in Brattleboro, and later at Fellows Gear Shaper in Springfield, Vermont, again as a programmer. Later still, Eileen worked as a customer service representative for the natural foods warehouses Northeast Cooperatives in Brattleboro and United Natural Foods in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Eileen was devoted to her family, especially her husband and daughter. She enjoyed staying in touch with her many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She loved to spend time outside, to garden, hike, and cross-country ski. She enjoyed art, books, and music. She frequently could be found in her kitchen, cooking and baking. She was an accomplished seamstress and knitter who used her skills later in life to make hats and mittens for local schoolchildren in need. She was a longtime board member of the Saxtons River Recreation Area, a founding member of the Saxtons River Food Co-op buying club, an ambassador at the Strolling of the Heifers River Garden in Brattleboro, a longtime member of the Brattleboro Area Jewish Community, and a committee member and participant with Westminster Cares. Family and friends remember Eileen as quiet and thoughtful, a calm, subtle force who was always kind but who could get things done. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind her husband of almost 54 years, Ira Wilner; her daughter Leah Wilner-Deutsch, son-in-law Jonathan Riedel, and grandsons Matthew and Kaleb Riedel-Deutsch; her brother, Howard Deutsch; brother-in-law Michael Stern; niece Karen Stern; niece Amy Vernon, her husband Justin, and their children Jackson and Stella; as well as many other relatives. She was predeceased by her parents and her beloved sister Lynne Deutsch Stern. Memorial information: Eileen's funeral was held at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Nov. 15. She was interred at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations may be made to Westminster Cares, Inc., and the Westminster West Public Library.
• Becky Lynn Garland, 67, of Guilford. Died peacefully in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, on Nov. 15, 2024, following a courageous battle with cancer. Becky was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 30, 1957, the daughter of Frank and June (Hoyt) Dubiel. She attended Brattleboro public schools, Kurn Hattin School, and Brattleboro Union High School. She later attended Community College of Vermont. Becky worked for several years at PlumPak in Winchester, New Hampshire, and previously worked at the Guilford Country Store in Algiers. Camping was her favorite activity with her favorite happy spot being Tree Farm Campground in Springfield, Vermont. She also enjoyed making homemade soap, diamond painting, crocheting, and time spent with her family. On Dec. 22, 1994, at Guilford Community Church, she married Richard J. Garland, who survives. Besides her devoted husband of 29 years, she leaves six children, Mandy Childs, Jessie Greenhagen, Richard Garland, Christopher Garland, Heidi Garland, and Debrah Schock; and 17 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by her mother, June "Vivian" Dubiel; sisters PJ Braun, Nancy Giroux, Karen Olsen, Mary Arcure, and Sharon Ingrham; brothers William Dubiel, Bob Jutras, and Ashley "Butch" Barnett; as well as many nieces, nephews, and her beloved dog Mocha. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was conducted on Nov. 23 in the family lot in Christ Church Cemetery in Algiers. Donations to the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department First Responders, 108 Guilford Center Rd., Guilford, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Casey Rowley, 93, of Londonderry. Died Nov. 12, 2024, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, surrounded by family and friends. Born into a modest family in Manchester, Casey worked hard and saved to build a comfortable life for his family. At the age of 16, Casey married Ruth Holton of Weston, and remained married and in love until Ruthie's passing in 2020. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman, traveling to Missouri twice a year to meet with lifelong friends for turkey hunts. He founded the Stratton Ski Patrol and was integral in building the mountain into what it is today, including helping his friend Dr. Carlos Otis establish the mountain clinic. Londonderry locals will long remember driving past Casey and Ruthie's Londonderry farmhouse, seeing him washing his beloved Mustang, mowing his impeccable lawn, or sitting on the porch with a cold drink. He will be greatly missed by the community. Special thanks to Charity, Mora, Robin, and all the Rowley/Wyman family friends in this difficult time. Casey is survived by his sole daughter, Susie Wyman; his son-in-law Larry Wyman, and his sole grandson Blake Wyman. Memorial information: A funeral service was held at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry on Nov 22, with burial at Londonderry Cemetery. Donations to Casey's favorite turkey conservation nonprofit, the National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Rd., Edgefield, SC 29824-0530. To offer condolences, visit sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Bertha Lisle Tracey, 92, of Spofford, New Hampshire. Died peacefully on Nov. 18, 2024, at Keene Center Genesis Healthcare, where she had been a resident since August 2023. Bertha was born at home in Westminster West on Aug. 24, 1932, one of 11 children of Lyle and Katherine (Cowdry) Frink. She was raised in Westminster West where she attended elementary school, later graduating from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1950. For many years. she worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro and later assisted her husband in his position with the Vermont Agency of Transportation, coordinating schedules for the local Interstate 91 rest area locations. Bertha enjoyed crossword puzzles, sewing, reading, and spending time with her family. In 2002, with her husband, she moved to Florida, returning to New Hampshire in 2022 to make her home with her stepdaughter. She married Ora Monette in Putney in 1950 and had four children from that marriage. The couple later divorced. On Nov. 9, 1974, in Brattleboro, she was married to Maxwell Tracey Jr., who survives. Besides her devoted husband of 50 years, she leaves her children, Kathleen Cortez of Maine, Joseph Monette of Berne, New York, and Annie Obrien of Hinsdale, New Hampshire; stepchildren, Melissa Thurber of Spofford and Maxwell Tracey of Bakersfield, California; and sisters Ruth Chickering, Eleanor Babbitt, Gladys Trombly, Marrion Cushman, and Dottie Turner. Additionally, she is survived by several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Bertha was predeceased by one son, Arthur Monette; three sisters, Alice Rogers, Nellie Thompson and Esther Dunham; and two brothers, William and Lyle Frink. Memorial information: A memorial service is being planned for the spring of 2025. Donations to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446 (monadnockhumanesociety.org/tribute-gifts); or to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, 312 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431 (hcsservices.org/donate). To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
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