Milestones

Obituaries

• Constance "Connie" Alexander, 85, died at Grace Cottage Hospital with family by her side, on Sept. 30, 2025. She was born to Leon and Eunice Thayer on Aug. 19, 1940 in Guilford. On April 5, 1958, she married William Alexander Sr. in West Brattleboro. Most of her working years were spent as an office manager in various places. She loved playing the keyboard and was a worship leader in her church in Burlington. She also traveled with another church group doing prison ministry. Survivors include her husband of 67 years, their children, William Alexander Jr. (Jodi), Lynn Cameron, Cathy Paquette (David), and Curtis Alexander; sisters Joyce Harris (Ed) and Marilyn Grimes; a brother, Rodney Thayer (Pat); 13 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and her sweet cat Fiona who loves and misses her dearly. Connie was predeceased by her daughter Julie Maloof, brother Douglas Thayer, and brother-in-law Jerry Grimes. Memorial information: Services will be held at West Brattleboro Baptist Church on Western Avenue Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow immediately after her service downstairs. Donations in her memory may be sent to Grace Cottage Hospital in gratitude for the excellent care Connie received from all of their staff.

• Gary F. Champney, 80, of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, on Sept. 23, 2025. He was born on June 19, 1945, in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, the son of Alfred J. Champney and Eleanor K. Champney, and attended Brattleboro Union High School. He was the husband of Andrea J. Champney, his beloved high school sweetheart, and they were married for 60 years. They were married on Feb. 20, 1965, in West Chesterfield. Throughout his life, Gary worked as a maintenance supervisor, where he was known for his hard work, dedication, and meticulous attention to safety. His commitment to doing things the right way earned the respect of everyone he worked with. He even tried to carry that same focus on safety into his home and family life - making sure we "did it by the book," whether it was fixing something or just using the ladder the right way. Gary will be remembered for his steady presence, his devotion to family, and the values of hard work and kindness that he lived by every day. The love, wisdom, and strength he gave throughout his life will continue to guide those who knew him. He was more than a father - he was a teacher, a storyteller, and a source of strength for all. He was a steady hand to count on, teaching the value of honesty, kindness, and resilience. He gave laughter when it was needed most, and wisdom - the kind we didn't even realize we needed - that continues to shape our lives. He was proud of his family and friends, and everything he did was rooted in love. His words, along with his many lessons, remain a guiding light in his family's lives. Above all, Gary's greatest gift was the love he shared, and that love will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He was predeceased by his sisters Judy and her husband Chet Young, who died just seven hours before Gary; Donna John, and Joan Burr; and by his brother-in-law Junior Lash. He is survived by his sister Gloria Lash, his brother Michael Chase, and his sister Margie Dawn. He is also survived by his children: Gary K. and Lisa Champney, Reina Champney, and Danielle Jaber. His grandchildren include Jessica Champney and her fiancé Timmy LaFlam, Amanda Champney and her partner Zach Cogswell, Kyle Champney, Joshua Champney and his partner Hailee Mattson, Ameerah Jaber, and Jennah Jaber. His great-grandchildren include Noah Marsh, Brooke LaFlam, Ryder LaFlam, and Owen LaFlam. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews who will carry his memory in their hearts. Gary later found many more neighborly grandchildren, who came to know him simply and lovingly as "Grandpa Gary," a name that brought him great joy and pride. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations to Bayada Hospice Foundation, 1222 Putney Rd. Suite 107, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.

• Edith T. Dunham, 88, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully at Genesis Keene Center on Sept. 26, 2025. She was born on Aug. 31, 1937 to Ralph and Marion (Barnes) Tobey and was a graduate from Hinsdale High School. Over the years, she was employed by Vermont Yankee, Putney Paper, R.S. Roberts, and the Brattleboro Town Crier. Many know Edith from Castle Pizza, which she owned and operated in Hinsdale for many years. Edith is preceded in death by husband, Henry Dunham, and son, Norman Cook. She is survived by daughter, Juanita Ray, and son, Kenneth Cook. She is also preceded in death by a sister, Betty Ragna, and brothers Carl Tobey and Francis Tobey, and survived by sisters Barbara Romious and Beverly Wilcox. Edith will be fondly remembered by granddaughters Nicole Sevene, Angela Gordon, and Dakota Boucher. She leaves behind five great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, as well as many extended family members. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Oct. 4 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in North Hinsdale. To offer condolences, visit phaneuf.net.

• Eleanor C. Emery, 97, of Dummerston. Died Sept. 30, 2025, in the comfort of her son's home in Fair Haven, surrounded by her family following a brief period of declining health. A lifelong resident of the area, Eleanor was born on October 28, 1927 in West Guilford, the daughter of Sidney and Gladys (Weatherhead) Coleman. She was raised and educated in West Guilford and graduated from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1945. Limited transportation during the World War II years necessitated Eleanor's boarding with guest families in Brattleboro for her high school years. Also, during that time, she worked at Wright's Diner on Putney Road, where she began corresponding with her coworker's brother, Robert "Keath" Reay, who was away at war in the Army Air Forces. On Nov. 30, 1946, in West Guilford, she married Robert, who predeceased her on May 26, 1964. She later married Clifford Emery in Dummerston on Oct. 27, 1979. Mr. Emery died in 1992. She worked as a sales associate for JCPenney and began her employment when the store first opened on Putney Road in Brattleboro. Eleanor retired from the store following 30 dedicated and faithful years of service with the company. Previously, she worked at Dwight Miller Orchards, in the kitchen at the School for International Training, and Emerson's Furniture. Eleanor served on the Dummerston School Board and was a longtime member of Dummerston Congregational Church, where she was active with numerous church activities. She will be remembered for her pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. Many of today's elder church members will remember her affectionately as "Mother Reay" when she was a Youth Group advisor. Her family and friends knew her as a strong woman and loving mother, who successfully raised three children by herself after losing her husband at an early age. Those who beeped while passing the first house north of the Brattleboro-Dummerston town line could often see her raking leaves or mowing her lawn yet into her late 80s. The decorative plate on her kitchen wall that says, "It's my house, and I do as I darn please" is a fitting example of her independence and determination. Survivors include her three children, sons Russell (Donna) of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and Roderick (Teresa) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Fair Haven; daughter, Wendy Allen (Jim) of Olathe, Kansas; step-children, William Emery (Nancy) of Texas, Janice Tucker of Maine, and Wayne Emery (Dale) and Kenneth Emery (Phyllis), all of Dummerston. Additionally, she leaves eight grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, many nieces and nephews, and longtime dear friends and neighbors, Roy and Collette Gangloff. She was predeceased by her brother, Norman Coleman, her sister, Sadie Kenny, and stepsons, Donald and John Emery. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. at Dummerston Congregational Church with a reception to follow. She will be buried in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to Dummerston Congregational Church, 1535 Middle Rd., East Dummerston, VT 05346; Lydia Taft Pratt Library, P.O. Box 70, West Dummerston, VT 05357; or to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.

• Francis Dary Minor Jr., 89, of Wilmington. Died at home, surrounded by his family, on Sept. 25, 2025. Born Nov. 26, 1935 to Francis and Hilda Minor, Dary attended Wilmington High School. He went on to Vermont Agricultural College for a brief time before enlisting in the Navy, serving from 1955 to 1959. Dary was the owner of Hillside Poultry Farm in Wilmington from 1959 to 1999. He was well known to the community as "The Egg Man." Dary was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was on the Wilmington School Board in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He enjoyed hunting and especially liked fishing, regularly taking part in the LCI Derby. Dary loved flowers and was an avid gardener. He is survived by his wife. Joan Minor; children Katie Bernard and Lynn Boles; grandchildren Heather McElhiney, Chris Bernard, Ellen Boles, and Erin Boles; great-grandchildren Noah McElhiney, and Blair and Olivia Bernard; sister Rose-Marie Olmstead; and nephews Craig and Scott Olmstead. Dary was predeceased by his parents and niece Chrissy Bergendahl. Memorial information: A celebration of life was held Oct. 4 at the Masonic Lodge in Wilmington.

• Betty Joan (Johnson) Rounds, 82, died Sept, 23, 2025, after a brief illness. She was born March 5, 1943, the youngest of five children to Olin and Esther Johnson, in Springfield, Vermont. She attended school in Springfield and graduated from Thompson School of Nursing in 1972 as an LPN. On Dec. 26, 1958, she married the love of her life, Henry Rounds Sr. They were happily married for 64 years and raised four children during that time. Henry died July 16, 2023. Betty worked as a nurse for more than 15 years, where pediatrics held her heart. After leaving nursing, she continued to help children by working in the Rockingham School District as a Paraprofessional, helping her students become kind, productive adults. She also worked at the Bellows Falls Senior Center where she taught a class on knitting. She welcomed anyone in to her class. The theme of her group was to always have fun. Betty loved to be social. She and Henry learned to square dance, and had so much fun and mischief with their group of friends. She also loved to travel and see new places. Together with Henry, they crossed the country more than once in their RV, took many summer trips to Holland Pond, and their Bucket List trip to Alaska will never be forgotten. Betty learned to knit at a young age and never stopped. She made countless sweaters, hats, mittens, and scarves, not just for those she loved, but also for sale at craft fairs and specialty shops. If you got a sweater from Betty, you got a treasure. Betty was very proud of her family. She leaves behind her four children; Hank and Cindy Rounds, De and Dennis Haskell, Lisa Rutkowski, and Deborah and Rodney Lique; nine grandchildren: Andrea Lafortune, Adam Rounds, Nathan Rounds, Nicholas Haskell, Henry Haskell, Roger Rutkowski, Randy Rutkowski, Parker Cook, and Ashley Cormack, along with their spouses; and 10 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by two brothers, and her son-in law, Tom Rutkowski. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Sept. 27 at Burgess Cemetery in Grafton.

This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.