Obituaries
• John R. “Skip” Bonnett, 73, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died March 16, 2026, surrounded by loved ones, at his home following a lengthy illness. Skip was born on Aug. 28, 1952, the son of Frank and Allene Bonnett. Raised and educated in Hinsdale, he attended Hinsdale public schools. Upon graduation, he proudly served with the National Guard. He was hardworking and a dedicated employee and was recently employed at the Windham Solid Waste Management District in Brattleboro, where he worked in the scale house for many years. He enjoyed chatting with customers as they passed by his window. Prior to that, he spent decades working for Bridgeport Metal Goods in Hinsdale in both the shipping office and as a truck driver. In addition, he worked as a part-time officer for 34 years for the Hinsdale Police Department and as a part-time state trooper for the New Hampshire State Police Auxiliary. He served on the Hinsdale Board of Selectman for nine years. He was passionate about police work and, in his spare time, he spoke about the DARE (Drug Awareness Resistance Education) program at local schools, and was a mentor for junior Explorers who showed an interest in learning about law enforcement. Since he was a young boy, Skip loved cars of all kinds. He had many classic cars over many years, including his beloved 1977 orange Corvette and his Dodge Chargers. He used to organize a yearly car show which was held at the Hinsdale school athletic fields. Most recently, he was the president of the Now and Then Vehicles Club, a local classic car club that held weekly cruise nights. He also loved attending many other car shows throughout the area. He was an avid NASCAR race fan and loved collecting die-cast cars. He enjoyed spending time with his family and cherished them so deeply. Sunday dinners and holidays spent together were always his favorite times. He also enjoyed trips to Bike Week in Laconia and Hampton Beach. He was a humble man who led a simple life. He was a friend to many and a familiar face all throughout the community. His legacy lives on in the family he loved, the people whose lives he touched, and the community he helped protect. On Dec. 31, 1982, he married his second wife, Linda M. Jackson, who predeceased him in 2010. Survivors include his daughter, Tori Robinson and husband, Shane, of Swanzey, New Hampshire; stepsons Christopher Roberts and wife, Gail, of Hinsdale, and Robert F. Roberts, of Spofford, New Hampshire; his brother James Bonnett and wife, Susan, of Brattleboro; grandchildren Emma Schriver, Michael Roberts, Daniel Roberts, and Megan Roberts; great-grandchildren Brady, Collin, and Henry Roberts; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by two brothers and several other family members. Memorial information: Services will be private at his request. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
• Paul Douglas Dexter Sr., 84, of Chester. Died March 14, 2026, at his home. Paul was born at Rockingham Memorial Hospital in Bellows Falls on Oct. 15, 1941, to Elaine Katherine Cray Dexter and George Leland Dexter. He graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1960. He attended The Putney School and graduated from Northampton (Mass.) Commercial College. Paul served in the Army at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Paul owned Dexter Roofing Inc. in Bellows Falls, and the Townshend Corner Store. Later in life, he owned the Stuffed Bun in Townshend with his wife Charmien and son Jeff. Paul was married Jan. 16, 1965, to Charmien Rousseau at St. Charles Church. He is survived by his wife, and his children Paul Douglas Dexter Jr. (Carol), Melissa Ann Bills (Norman), and Jeffery Leland Dexter (Heather). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Justin Dexter (Reyna), Jenna Sanchez (Josh), Emilio Sanchez (Andrew), Nicholas Bills (Jessica), Madison Pratt (Tyler), and Junius Dexter (Madison); and his great-grandchildren Xander Dexter, Avery Bills, and Levi Pratt. Memorial information: Per Paul’s wishes, there will be no services. Donations to Neighborhood Connections, P.O. Box 207, Londonderry, VT 05148.
• Janice Aylward LaCoille, 78, of North Walpole, New Hampshire. Died March 15, 2026. Janice was born Sept. 10, 1947, to the late John and Mary Kopacz Aylward, and lived in North Walpole all her life. She graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1966. Growing up, she became lifelong friends with Barbara Stack and Kathy Golec. After graduation, she worked for “Ma Bell” as a telephone operator until her retirement at the age of 47. On Sept. 14, 1996, Janice married Norman LaCoille. The two of them embarked on many adventures together, traveling to Myrtle Beach, Maine, and Memphis. They enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, and the slots. They watched The Price is Right everyday, as well as Wheel of Fortune. Janice loved feeding the birds and watching them. She all her life gave to many charities and would help anyone. Janice loved everyone, and had many wonderful friends in her life, Al and Kathy, Alicia, Rosemary, and all the Altar Rosary Society at St. Peter’s Church. The list could go on and on; in truth, who didn’t Janice love? Janice had numerous god-sons and god-daughters and great-nieces and nephews, too many to list. She is survived by her daughters, Laura and Chip Hewitt of Saxtons River, and Elizabeth, her husband, Paul Mercier of Walpole, and her son, Neil LaCoille of Bellows Falls. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Kathy Aylward of Maine and Norma Collier of California; her cousins, Lorraine Smith and Bonnie Dyer of Maine and Bobby and Ronnie Kavey of Massachusetts; and nieces and nephews, Bill Houle and Maria, Jill Johnson and Rick, Beth Coehlo and Don, Pam Auger and Greg, Karen Mahoney and Skip, Donna Pierce and Kevin. These are just a few folks that she was blessed with. Janice was also blessed with grandchildren Jessica, Johannah, Kristen, Chad, Ryan, Noah, Joseph, Alyson, and Benjamin; and great-grandchildren Everly, Annabelle, Quinton, Amelia, and Casey (with Colin coming soon). Janice was predeceased by her husband and parents; siblings Mary Jean, John “Sonny,” and Patricia; and her much beloved dog, Lacey, as well as numerous brothers- and sisters-in-law. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will take place Saturday, March 28, at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church in North Walpole, with burial to follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. A reception will take place afterward at American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls. Donations to St. Peter’s Altar Rosary Society, 1877 Spruce St., North Walpole, NH 03609.
• Jessie Anna Merrill, 73, of Bellows Falls. Died March 17, 2026, at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, with her family at her side following a brief period of declining health. Jessie was born Jan. 15, 1953, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the daughter of Elmer and Irene (Dube) Patenaude. She was lovingly raised by her father and stepmother, Sylvia, and attended schools in Winchester, New Hampshire, graduating from Thayer High School. She worked for many years as a cashier at the former Mr. Mike’s Mini Mart Convenience Store in Winchester. She later worked at Effendi’s Mini Mart in East Swanzey, New Hampshire, but had to retire early due to health issues. Previously, Jessie worked as a bartender for several Brattleboro area restaurants and later at Murphy’s Pub in Springfield, Massachusetts. The holidays were special occasions for Jessie and she enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to cook and was the “Queen Bee.” She was also an avid fan of spectator professional wrestling for many years. Survivors include her daughter, Desiree MacLeod (Peter), of New Hampshire; a brother, Edward Patenaude (Sharlene), of Gilsum, New Hampshire; a sister, Sharron Laurie (Richard) of Chester, Massachusetts; and grandchildren Brittany and Xander. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, and several cousins. She was predeceased by siblings Roberta Kilbourn, Effie Spears, Michele Hill, Daniel Patenaude, and Richard Sevigney. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, no formal funeral services are planned. A memorial gathering will be held at a future date. Donations to the Pine Heights Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Eileen “Punky” Brennan Morrison, 73, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully on March 5, 2026, with her family by her side. She was born in Bellows Falls Jan. 20, 1953, to Michael Francis Brennan and Ellen Jane (Robbins) Brennan. Eileen was raised in Bellows Falls and was a proud member of the Bellows Falls High School Class of 1971. She carried her adventurous spirit throughout her life, building a career as a surgical technician that took her across the country — from Alaska to New Mexico — before eventually settling in California’s Upper Bay Area. She retired in 2024 after many years in a profession she truly loved. Known for her warmth and vibrant spirit, Eileen loved to travel, enjoy a great meal, and share a glass of wine with family and friends. In retirement she continued exploring the world, including a cherished trip to Portugal with her family — Josh and Melissa, and their children Franklin and Terin. She is survived by her sister, Ruth “Ellen” Brennan and husband Paul Draths, as well as her niece, Kate and husband Eric Orr. She was predeceased by her sisters, Elizabeth and Erin Brennan. Eileen will be remembered for her adventurous spirit, her dedication to her work, and the joy she found in gathering with those she loved. Memorial information: A celebration of Eileen’s life, led by her dear friends Susan Colby and Pauline Blake O’Brien, will be held at a later date when the spring weather allows. Donations, in loving memory of her beloved dog, Sheena, to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• John S. Ricci, Jr., 85, of Putney. Died March 14, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a period of declining health. He was born Aug. 27, 1940, in Springfield, Massachusetts, son of the late John and Sophie (Maciag) Ricci. Raised and educated in Springfield, he attended Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parochial School and graduated from Cathedral High School with the Class of 1958. He furthered his education, receiving his bachelor’s degree from American International College, his M.S. in chemistry from Columbia University in 1963, and a Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1969, and received a post-doctoral fellowship from Northwestern University in 1970. Professor Ricci started his teaching career at the former Windham College in Putney (1970–1975), taught chemistry at Williams College (1975–1981), and retired as Professor Emeritus from the University of Southern Maine in 2001. In conjunction with his teaching, he did research for several years at Brookhaven National Lab, and co-authored the book Symmetry – A Stereoscopic Guide for Chemists with Walter Hamilton and Ivan Bernal in 1972. In addition, he published many scientific articles in national and international publications. Professor Ricci also held membership in the American Chemical Society, (ACS). A devout Catholic, he attended St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, and was a communicant of Our Lady of Mercy in Putney. John enjoyed travel, attending several academic meetings and visiting Europe many times throughout the years. He enjoyed cooking Italian food, making his spaghetti sauce and inviting family and guests over for dinner. He also liked to decorate the home for the Christmas season. On Dec. 5, 2016, in Keene, New Hampshire, he was married to his companion of 57 years, Oren W. Davis, who survives. Professor Ricci leaves one brother, Richard Ricci and his wife, Susan, of Easthampton, Massachusetts; a niece, Jennifer White; a nephew, Marc Ricci; and six great-nieces and nephews. Additionally, he leaves many friends and devoted students who kept in communication with him throughout the years well into his retirement. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, April 16, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Friends may call at the church from 9 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Donations may be made in honor of Professor Emeritus John S. Ricci to the following: Department of Chemistry, University of Southern Maine (USM), P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04104; or to The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, 577 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• James Anthony Wasklewicz, 83, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully Oct. 31, 2024, at his retirement community home in North Carolina. Jim was born on May 15, 1941, in Bellows Falls, Vermont, and spent much of his childhood in Boston. One of his earliest memories was watching the skies over the city filled with Allied planes returning from Europe at the end of World War II — an image that remained vivid throughout his life. He graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1960, where he proudly played football for four years. Shortly after graduation, Jim enlisted in the Navy and served from 1960 to 1964. During his service, he was stationed aboard the USS Caloosahatchee in the Mediterranean Sea and the USS Great Sitkin in Guantanamo Bay during the Cuban Missile Crisis. His time in the Navy remained a lasting source of pride. After completing his military service, Jim briefly attended Everett Community College in Washington state and later studied at Windham College in Putney. He went on to build a long career in trucking and freight management, a profession to which he remained dedicated until retirement. Jim had a lifelong love of food and cooking, and once considered attending culinary school. He shared that love with his sons, teaching them to appreciate good meals and the joy of gathering around the table.He also loved music, politics, and conversation. A devoted reader of The Boston Globe and a loyal listener to Boston radio, Jim followed politics closely throughout his life and proudly identified as a Kennedy Democrat. Music filled his home — from Isaac Hayes and Neil Diamond to Simon & Garfunkel and John Mellencamp — and whenever he heard a song he loved, he would say, “Listen to this beautiful piece of music.” In his later years, Jim faced health challenges, but he remained grateful for the care he received and the support of his family. Those who knew him will remember his humor, his stories, his love of music and conversation, and the pride he took in his service and life experiences. Jim is survived by his sons, Erik and David; and by his grandsons, Kole, Ryder, Atticus, and Silas. Memorial information: None provided.
• Kathleen Heidi Watts, 94, of Putney. died March 15, 2026. A lifelong learner, educator, writer, and defender of social justice and peace, Heidi called her journey from this world her “last great adventure,” and that spirit captured her enthusiasm for the unknown, and her acceptance and curiosity about the world. Born in Chelsea, Massachusetts, in 1931, the eldest of two daughters to Constance and Richard Walter, Heidi lived a rich and full life, across many continents and people. She brought an optimistic spirit, a willingness to laugh at her mistakes and a strong love for the people and places she visited. Heidi had a lifelong passion for education, starting with her first teaching job in Washington state in her early 20s, later at Putney Central School and Westminister West School (which she helped found), and with graduate students and teachers at Antioch University. Along the way she earned degrees from Pembroke, Harvard, and Cornell. She was an outstanding advocate for teachers, working with educators up and down the East Coast, and for two decades helping to transform the education system in Auroville, India, her adopted community. Above all, she fostered and shared education that was interactive and engaging — with John Dewey’s “learn by doing” a guiding principle. Heidi worked constantly for a more peaceful and just world. Opposition to the Vietnam War tore Putney apart in the 1960s and 70s, and when the school board changed hands, she stayed true to her values even when she was fired for her politics. She believed in the power of the pen, and she could often be seen with a pile of envelopes and stamps,writing to congressional representatives or the local paper, focusing on causes close to her heart. Even in this past year, Heidi showed up at protests, often in a wheelchair, dressed in a puffy coat and hat, holding hand-made signs, including “War Is Not the Answer.” Her house in a cove on an island in Nova Scotia was the anchor in her peripatetic life and career. It was here that her children and their cousins (and many friends) learned the value of work and boredom, where friends and family gathered yearly to sail, dig for clams, and fend off mosquitoes, and where she had many deep connections and hair-raising adventures. With no electricity and access only by boat, summers embodied the values of both independence and interdependence that defined her. She traveled often, within the country and across the globe, always frugally, from the Everglades and the Caribbean, to London, Thailand, India, Australia, and many spots between. Although she lived in some of the most beautiful places in the world, it was the people in those places that drew her to them. Heidi’s sense of community fueled her deep commitment to the Quakers and Putney Meeting, to Antioch University, to her “teacher center friends,” and to the many causes for social justice to which she was fiercely dedicated. At 94, she was still making friends. Heidi found magic and connection in nature. Her daily walk was a fixture of her children’s childhoods and lives on in the ubiquitous “family walk” that she inspired. She had a particular affinity to birds, and loved to sit on her back porch, watching them fly from the oak branches to her feeders, which she defended from the squirrels. With her beloved friend Anne, binoculars in hand, she explored the hills of Putney by foot, and the hidden ponds of New England by boat. The two could be spotted kayaking in their 90s, meeting on the banks of the Connecticut River and wading through the mud. Her friends and family were numerous and committed, and she loved them unconditionally. Heidi leaves behind her three children, Richard Watts of Hinesburg, Vermont, and Alison Watts and Rebecca Watts, both of Newfields, New Hampshire; their spouses, and former spouses, Allison Cleary, Eric Nichols, and Adrian Fieldhouse; and her seven grandchildren, Kristina Rivers, Anna Watts, Rose Watts, Patrick Nichols, Alexis Nichols, Elanor Fieldhouse, and Madeline Fieldhouse and great-grandchildren Indira and Eleanor Rivers. She treasured her sister Fran’s children, Dan, Steve, Ben, and Tim, and their children and partners, and her nephews Oliver and Stephen Lowenstein. Memorial information: A celebration of Heidi’s life is planned for May. In keeping with Heidi Watts’s dedication to learning and community, donations in her honor may be made to Antioch University New England’s Norman Wilson Scholarship Fund.
• Matthew “Matt” Western, 68, of Burlington. Died March 15, 2026, at home, surrounded by loving family after a battle with cancer. Born Jan. 15, 1958, to Mary Newton Western and David Samuel Western, Matt was the second of five children. He spent his childhood in Windham, where his mother was born and raised. When he was in middle school, his family moved briefly to Melrose, Massachusetts, though his heart remained in Vermont. He was delighted to transfer to Westtown School, a Quaker boarding school in West Chester, Pennsylvania, as a high school sophomore. There he made lasting friendships and excelled on the wrestling mat and in the discus circle, graduating in 1976. The following summer, Matt set out into the world. He worked on a tugboat transporting grain from Virginia up the Delmarva Peninsula and Nanticoke River into Maryland. In 1977, he was hired on a fishing vessel in Seattle, Washington, and spent a season fishing for salmon on the border of Vancouver. In the spring of 1978, Matt began his education at the University of Vermont, where he studied geology and American history. His early college years were punctuated by working out West, first with a fleet that fished the southern Alaskan coast, then in Roseburg, Oregon, where he worked on a tree-planting crew for the company Sun Studs. It was during his later college years that Matt met the love of his life, Heidi Hansen. She attended his brother’s wedding, where he was the best man. Their connection was immediate. Heidi moved to Fukuyama, Japan, after college, and Matt sold his belongings to get a ticket and follow her there. They married two weeks after his arrival on July 8, 1984, and spent two years teaching English at the YMCA. Their chapter in Japan and the connections they made there remained a defining experience for them. It made Matt an excellent companion for a sushi dinner (as long as he was the one ordering). When they returned to Vermont in 1986, Matt began his career in carpentry. He launched Western Construction and worked in Burlington as a general contractor for decades. He considered himself lucky to have spent much of his time building in his own New North End neighborhood. While building and renovating, he transformed many clients into friends. The community that he made of the people and families that he worked with is one of the finest testaments to his character. During these years, he and Heidi raised their children. They traveled as a family and as a couple and explored their shared love of the natural world, art, music, and the experience of novelty. He retired upon his diagnosis in 2023. Matt was a devoted husband, a loving father, a thoughtful friend, and a generous neighbor. To know him was to know his inquisitive nature, his intelligent wit, his genuine spirit and the safety of his companionship. He was as kind and hardworking as his mother and as creatively sharp and well read as his father. Matt had many passions and endeavors; he loved learning about ferns, playing the standup bass and enjoying his neighborhood beach. Above all, he loved spending time with friends and family in southern Vermont, in the place where he was raised. Matt is survived by his wife, Heidi Hansen Western; daughter, Ruby Western (Ali Hoefnagel), and granddaughter, Violet Jacobs; son, Jonas Western (Natalie Freiheit Western); and siblings Samuel Western, Margaret Western McLaren, Joanna Western, and Tony Western; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 21, at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington. Donations to the North End Food Pantry (northendfoodpantry.org).
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