Obituaries
• Robert Harry “Bob” Duckless, 92, of Brattleboro. Died March 5, 2026, after celebrating his 92nd birthday on Feb. 19 with a family pizza party. Bob was born on the family farm in Newport Center, the middle child of five. His parents were Forrest Edward Duckless and Lillian Mae Butler. At Newport Center High School, he played basketball and baseball while holding jobs at Kelley’s in Derby Line and, later, as a driver for the Newport Creamery. He remembered crossing the border for dancing and beer, with age not being a factor. Not enamored with farming, Bob enlisted in the military before graduation, planning to follow his oldest brother’s footsteps in the Army. On the steps of the Newport courthouse, he ran into a buddy who was joining another branch, so he enlisted in the Air Force and completed a tour in Korea. With his sense of humor, he told family members that “they tried to make me into a mechanic.” After an honorable discharge, he worked for the Orleans Candy Company, driving produce back and forth to Boston. He married Marilyn Jeanne Drew on Aug. 3, 1957, at his home; they met when she and a friend picked him up hitchhiking between Newport and Newport Center. He later went to work for his father-in-law, Ray Drew of Glover, as part of his Seaward Construction crew, building and repairing electric power lines around New England. After a few years of traveling, he accepted a position in 1962 with Halifax Electric in Brattleboro, later a part of Vermont Electric Cooperative. He completed his GED to set an example for his kids. Bob played first base for the Knights of Columbus and the Casual House softball teams in Brattleboro, then managed the Vermont National Bank team. At one time, he enjoyed league candlepin bowling. He always was handy, making lamps out of old milk cans and the like and building easy furniture pieces. His “favorite” workshop activity was repairing items that his family members accidentally broke. When his kids were young, he enjoyed Sunday afternoon drives to show them scenes of nature that he had discovered during his week working outside around the county. His job also allowed him to scout out the best Christmas tree each year and ask the property owner for permission to cut. Some of his best advice was, “If you’re going to do something, do it right,” and “The easiest place to get in a car accident is in a parking lot.” He was a member of the American Legion (where he arranged the Saturday dance bands for years) and the VFW in Brattleboro (where he helped with Saturday dinners), the Loyal Order of Moose of Keene, New Hampshire, and the Masonic Order of Troy, Vermont, where his father belonged. He and Marilyn enjoyed hosting small gatherings, dancing, and traveling by motorcycle. They took many road trips around New England, as well as vacations to Hawaii, Canada, Portugal, Mexico, Venezuela, and most of the Caribbean islands. He regularly took the family to Townshend Dam or Hampton Beach and enjoyed field trips, sporting events, and lawn mower rides with the great-grandchildren. After retirement in 1996, he began his own lawn care business and took a long-term post as the school crossing guard at High, Oak, and Whipple Streets, where he loved seeing the children and dogs passing by each day and dispensed holiday treats and dog biscuits, respectively. He was widowed in March 2010. He is survived by his son, Allen Duckless, of Putney; his daughter, Vicki Flanders of Keene; his granddaughter and her family, Ashley (fondly called “Mean Kid”), Michael, Briana, and Logan Moody of Keene; his sister-in-law, Louise Bissonnette Duckless of Newport Center; and many nieces and nephews of the Northeast Kingdom and of southern New Hampshire. He was predeceased by brothers Kenneth, Harold, and Elwood and his sister, Myrna. Memorial information: Per his instructions, only a graveside service at Newport Center Cemetery will be held in the spring. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Marion Mary Whitaker Farnsworth, 95, formerly of Brattleboro. Died peacefully March 4, 2026, in Winter Haven, Florida, following a brief illness. A longtime resident of Brattleboro, Marion was a kind, compassionate person with a passion for genealogy and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Marion was born in Williamsville on Oct. 4, 1930, the daughter of Lewis and Ruth (Fisher) Whitaker. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1949. She had been employed as a secretary for the former R.C. Fisher Oil Company, working for the family business for 20 years prior to joining the Halladay Insurance Company, where she faithfully worked for more than 21 years. Marion retired from the Richards Group on Aug. 31, 1992. She was an active member of the Dennis Rebekah Lodge No. 1 and Ladies Auxiliary to Canton Palestine No. 3, both in Brattleboro, and was a jurisdictional member of the Rebekah Assembly of Vermont. Steadfast in her walk of faith, Marion was a member of the First Christian Church of Haines City, Florida, and previously attended First Christian Church of Winter Haven. While residing in Brattleboro, she was a member of the Guilford Community Church and a former member of the Mary Lyon Church of Buckland Center, Massachusetts. She enjoyed photography and was a member of the Vermont 251 Club. Marion also enjoyed fellowship time with her family and church friends. On September 19, 1992, at the Guilford Community Church, she married Raymond “Mike” Farnsworth, who predeceased her. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by her beloved pet, “Sweet Pea.” Survivors include one niece, Brenda Edwards; three nephews, Garvin Edwards, David Whitaker, and Mark Whitaker; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at the West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road at a later date. Donations to First Christian Church of Haines City Memorial Fund, 705 South 14th St., Haines City, FL 33844, or to a charity of one’s choice. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Raymond Nathaniel Jenness, 93, of Rockport, Massachusetts. Died March 12, 2026, surrounded by his children, after living with prostate cancer for three years. Born in Westfield, Massachusetts, to Raymond and Avis (Delano) Jenness, he grew up in Hatfield, Massachusetts. Ray graduated from Williston Academy in Easthampton, Massachusetts, and attended Brown University where he earned a B.A. in English and American literature. When Ray and his sister Judy (Jenness) Skeen were teenagers, the family began spending summers in Rockport, a place that quickly became important to the family and where he returned after retiring in the late 1990s. After graduating from Brown, Ray tried a few jobs before becoming a high school English and theater teacher at Brattleboro Union High School, a position he held for 40 years. Well into his career, Ray earned a master’s degree in theater arts from the University of Connecticut. Ray’s lifelong passion was acting in and directing theater. He helped found the Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe (CAST) in Rockport, and re-established the Vermont Theatre Company in Brattleboro, where he served as its inaugural artistic director. Along with acting and directing for those companies, Ray was also in school, community, and regional theater productions well into his 80s; including The Green Mountain Guild, The Parish Players, Actors Theater, The Gloucester Stage Company, and Marlboro College. Ray finished his theatrical career as technical director at the Gloucester Stage Company. Among the highlights of his acting career, he was in the first production of John Guare’s Muzeeka at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in 1968, he had a role in Ping Chong’s Reason at the Market Theater in Boston in 2002, and in 2019, he appeared in Eugene O’Neill’s Agatha Christie in London. He was also an enthusiastic mountain hiker, having completed most of the Appalachian Trail as well as many summits in the Adirondack, Green Mountain, and White Mountain ranges. Ray was predeceased by his parents and sister. He is survived by his children David and Andrea (Kalan) Jenness, Elizabeth (Jenness) and Al Burge, and Amy Jenness. In addition, he is survived by his brother-in-law Jerry Skeen, and cousins Eleanor Christie and Leander and Elsbeth Nichols; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, a great nephew, and a niece. Memorial information: If you would like to remember Ray, consider supporting the Cape Ann Shakespeare Troupe (capeannshakespearetroupe.com/donate) or the Vermont Theatre Company (vermonttheatrecompany.org).
• Louise Winton (Forbes) Luring, 85, of Saxtons River. Died March 10, 2026, after living for nine years with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born in Orange, New Jersey, May 5, 1940, the daughter of George and Marian (Holbrook) Forbes. As a child, she lived in Westfield and Middlesex, New Jersey, and graduated from Bound Brook (N.J.) High School in 1958. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Jackson College of Tufts University in 1962 and later received a master’s degree in teaching Spanish and English as a Second Language from the School for International Training. While in college, she studied for a summer in Mexico, beginning a lifelong love affair with the country, its people, culture, and language. In addition to many shorter visits, she and her family lived in Querétaro for three months while she did her student teaching practicum. She was first married to Luis O. Carranza, whom she met while living in New York City. On Oct. 10, 1970, she married William S. Luring in Weston. They met while both were working for The Experiment in International Living in Putney and, later, in Brattleboro. Besides teaching Spanish, she had a variety of jobs: travel agent, newspaper reporter, and owner of a small guest house. She was very involved in local activities and served 25 years on the board of trustees of the Village of Saxtons River. She had also been a board member or officer of Main Street Arts, the Saxtons River Historical Society, the Saxtons River Fourth of July committee, the Yellow Barn Music Festival, Our Place Drop-in Center, the Greater Falls Warming Shelter, the Windham County and Rockingham Democratic committees, the Swift Water Girl Scout Council, and the Bellows Falls Woman’s Club. Committed to the advancement of women and girls, she was a life member of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., and a 50-year member of the Brattleboro Branch of the American Association of University Women. Some of her most satisfying experiences were building houses in Puebla, Mexico, with Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanity, several medical and dental missions to El Salvador, and a latrine-building mission to Nicaragua with Road Scholar. She was predeceased by her husband in 2011, and her sister, Gail Greaves. She is survived by her daughters, Elena Luring of Saxtons River and Marianna Luring (Garo Taft) of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and grandchildren Sophia Cardini, Jack Cardini, and Aram Taft. She is also survived by her sister, Elizabeth Davis of Virginia, five nieces and nephews, and two cousins. Memorial information: At her request, there will be no service. Memorial contributions may be made to Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains, 60 Knight Lane, Suite 30, Williston, VT 05495; Our Place Drop-in Center, P.O. Box 852, Bellows Falls, VT 05101), or any of the other organizations cited.
• William David “Bill” Manley, 77, of West Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Died unexpectedly March 6, 2026, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Bill was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 24, 1948, the son of Howard and Mildred (Swensen) Manley. He attended local public schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1967. He went on to proudly serve his country in the Army and was stationed in Germany and Korea. After receiving his honorable discharge, Bill went to work for United Parcel Service in Brattleboro, from which he retired after 35 years. He later became a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. During retirement, he remained active, helping his son-in-law with his mowing business in the Keene, New Hampshire, area. An ardent outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, both alpine and nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and playing horseshoes. Most importantly, Bill cherished time with his family, especially camping at Mascoma Lake. Bill will be remembered for his gift of humility, generosity, and spirit of friendship. He was first married to Edith “Edie” Blanchard Sept. 9, 1967, at First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Edie predeceased him Jan. 25, 2011. Bill later married Jean Santino in West Chesterfield April 8, 2022. Besides his devoted and loving wife of nearly four years, he leaves three daughters, Sue Freitas (Jon) of Keene, Heather Monsell (Jeff) of Pittstown, New Jersey, and Tricia Tucker (Craig) of Troy, New Hampshire; two stepsons, Dan Santino (Colleen) of West Chesterfield and John Santino (Toni) of Derry, New Hampshire; 12 grandchildren, and one great-grandson (with a second great-grandson soon to be born). Additionally, he is survived by many nieces, nephews, and several cousins. He was predeceased by two brothers, Ronald and Lawrence “Jay;” and a son, William David Jr., who died in infancy. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in Meeting House Hill Cemetery with military honors are being conducted later in the springtime. Donations to The Friends of Harris Hill, Giving at HHSJ, P.O. Box 8284, Brattleboro, VT 05304; or to Living Memorial Park Snow Sports, 1 Memorial Park Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Ken Miller, 85, died January 18, 2026, at Effingham Care and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield, Georgia. He was born on May 22, 1940, in Rockingham to the late Melvin and Barbara Miller. He graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1958. Ken’s entire professional career was dedicated to the electrical field, but he was a jack-of-all-trades. He could do almost anything – plumbing, heating, carpentry. You name it, he could do it. He was very active as he enjoyed many different sports, including football, baseball, softball, and basketball. When he wasn’t working or taking care of his beloved animals, he was listening to music, driving (or fixing) his tractors, exploring the back roads, riding horses, piddling around, or going to auctions, often returning home with unnecessary items. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. His amusing stories and infectious laugh will live on forever in our memories. Ken was married on April 12, 1974, to Janice Miller. Together, they served as foster parents for several years in Springfield, Vermont. He is survived by his brother, “Dick” Miller, and his children, Kelly Miller Torrey, Tracy (David Mack) Miller, Ken (Rachel) Miller, Melanie (Greg) Mooney, Melissa Miller, Tim Miller, Lisa (Matt) Coyne, and David (Karla) Zielinski. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Trevyn Miller, Breige Reilly, Kathleen Fox, Colin Torrey, Bryanon Miller, Hunter Mack, Byron, Zachary, and Phoebe Miller, Megan, Matthew, and Molly Mooney, Brendan, Brittany, Francesca, Caelan, Arianna, Alana, and Kiernan Coyne, Coraline Lockhart and Anessa Prine; as well as many great-grandchildren. He will be remembered and greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Janice Miller; his grandson, Matthew Reilly; his ex-wife, Maureen Caskin; and his brother, Bobby Miller. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will take place in Bellows Falls this summer at a date to be announced. Burial will take place in Westminster New Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, consider donating to your local humane society.
• Armand Joseph Nadeau Jr., 89, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died March 7, 2026, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with his family at his side, following a brief period of declining health. He was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 9, 1936, the first child of Armand and Yvonne (Bover) Nadeau. Raised and educated in Brattleboro, he attended public schools including Brattleboro High School. In November 1953, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and did his basic training at Parris Island, South Carolina. During his service, he did three tours in Vietnam with his primary base being Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Upon his honorable discharge from active service in July 1973 at the rank of master sergeant, he returned home to Brattleboro. A year later, in 1974, he purchased the Village Barn in Harmony Parking Lot from his brother, Gary, which he ran for four years when nightlife was at its peak in the greater Brattleboro area.Following his retirement, Armand increased his civic and fraternal involvement. He held membership in American Legion Post 5 and was a charter member of the Marine Corps League (MCL), Brattleboro Detachment #798, where he served, at different times, as Commandant and Chaplain. He also held the office of MCL Commandant, for the Department of Vermont, as well as being a “Devil Dog.” He was an active member of the American Legion and Marine Corps League Joint Memorial Unit Color and Honor Guard, active in parades and performing military honors for veterans at funeral services. Armand was a longtime member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499 where he was a life member, and a previous recipient of Elk of the Year. An avid golfer, he was a member of the Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford, New Hampshire, and also enjoyed playing at the Northfield (Mass.) Golf Club. He liked to travel and toured Europe and Asia, as well as the continental United States with his wife, Sue, in their camper. An avid outdoorsman, Armand enjoyed hunting and being outdoors, spending quality time with his family and close friends. He was first married to Joyce (Graves) Laux, and later married Nancy (Glabach) Ellis. On Jan. 25, 1992, in Hinsdale, at a small ceremony for family and close friends, he exchanged wedding vows with Susan O’Connor who survives. Besides his wife of 34 years, he leaves one son, Armand Nadeau III (Myong Suk); and four daughters, Annette Mains (Steve), Andrea Nadeau (Craig), Yvonne Carroll (Al), and Sheryl Nadeau; two brothers, Paul Nadeau (Evelyn) and David Nadeau; and two sisters, Bette Whipple (Don) and Sylvia Heath (Cliff). Additionally, he is survived by 11 grandchildren, Joshua, Sarah, Heidi, Matthew, Michael, Jason, Amber, Andrea, AJ, Joseph and Kasey; seven great grandchildren, with one on the way, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Armand was predeceased by two brothers, Leonard and Gary Nadeau. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, no formal funeral services are planned. A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date to be determined. Memorial contributions in his name may be made to The Marine Corps League, Brattleboro Detachment #798, in care of Paymaster Sherry Garland, 20 Gates Rd. Apt. 30,Marlborough, NH 03455; or a charity of one’s choice. Checks to the MCL should be made payable to: MCL Det. 798. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Beulah Myrtle Reardon, 90, of Brattleboro. Died March 7, 2026, at Springfield (Vt.) Hospital following a period of declining health. Beulah was born in West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, on October 1, 1935, the daughter of Richard and Myrtle (Farr) Howell. She was raised and educated in West Chesterfield and graduated from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1954. Beulah later went on to earn her associate’s degree in early education and became a licensed paraprofessional. She was employed by the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, working at several Brattleboro elementary schools that included Canal Street and Green Street, and later worked with special needs students at Brattleboro Union High School. She retired in 2016, following many years of faithful service working in education. She was a communicant of St. Michael’s Catholic Church and held membership in the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary, VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 Auxiliary, and the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAV), John Blake Chapter #15. Beulah had an affection for small animals, especially cats, and made a good home for several strays throughout the years. Beulah enjoyed painting with acrylics, sewing, and gardening. She especially cherished time spent with her family that included her two grandchildren. On Jan. 8, 1955, in Brattleboro, she was married to William J. Reardon, who predeceased her in 2022. Survivors include her daughter, Kelly Therieau (Mitchell), of Brattleboro; a son, William Reardon (Andrea), of Southport, North Carolina; two sisters, Beverly Cleveland of Brattleboro and JoAnne Abel of Springfield, Massachusetts; and her two grandchildren, William and Tracy. Additionally, she leaves many nieces and nephews. Beulah was predeceased by a son, Jerome “Jerry” Reardon; three brothers, Noris, Clayton, and James; and two sisters, Barbara McLaughlin and Mabel Blodgett. Memorial information: No formal funeral services are planned. A private graveside service in Chesterfield West Cemetery will take place early this summer. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Gisele F. Richardson, 71, of Brattleboro, and New York City. Died at home peacefully in her sleep March 5, 2026, after a long battle with illness. Born March 1, 1955, in Mt. Vernon, New York, Gisele was a passionate lover of the arts, especially theatre and music. She attended The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, New York, and then college at SUNY in Purchase, studying drama and appearing in both off-Broadway and amateur plays in New York City for many years. Later in life, she earned her living as a legal secretary at some of the top law firms in New York while spending her spare time in Vermont: reading, cooking, gardening and enjoying a country lifestyle with occasional trips to Europe. Gisele had discovered Vermont through skiing at Mount Snow and she eventually retired here to her beloved house in Brattleboro. Her sweetness and self-deprecating humor —with never a bad word for anyone — was remarked on by all who knew her. Her courage, character, and warmth, with no bitterness or anger in the face of a terminal disease, is an example to which we should all aspire. She is survived by her grieving husband and partner of 40 years, Tony Charlton of Brattleboro. Memorial information: There will be a service for Gisele at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro Saturday, March 21, at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please give a donation to a charity of your choice. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Elaine Marie Tkaczyk, 82, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died March 10, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a lengthy illness. Elaine was born in Boston Dec. 8, 1943, the daughter of Ernest and Virginia (Kent) Dessaint. Raised and educated in Brattleboro, she attended Brattleboro public schools and Brattleboro Union High School. She had been employed as an environmental service aide at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which she retired from in 2009 following 30 years of faithful service. Elaine enjoyed swimming, and loved her home and socializing with her friends. She held a deep affection for animals, especially her cats and dogs. On July 29, 1961, at St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, she married to Russell Tkacyzk, who predeceased her. Survivors include her sons, Douglas of Hinsdale and Dean of Brattleboro; a daughter, Diana Turner of California; grandsons Brent and Bradley Finnell and Kyle Rabideau; and many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a grandson, Branden Tkaczyk. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites will be conducted in St. Joseph’s Cemetery on Plain Road in Hinsdale later in the springtime, at a time to be announced. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.