Obituaries
• Doreen Eno, 98, of Bellows Falls. Died March 15, 2026. Doreen was born Dec. 4, 1927, to George Thumwood and Ethel Mayne, in London, England. As a young girl at the beginning of World War II, she was part of Operation Pied Piper, where more than 1.5 million people, mostly schoolchildren, were moved from their homes and families in the cities to the countryside to escape the German bombing raids on English cities. Eventually, she was able to move back to her family. She loved going to the movies and dancing. Doreen met her husband to be, an American soldier, on a blind date at the changing of the guard outside Buckingham Palace in London in 1945. Many things were hard to come by at the time, but Charles Eno made sure his “Shorty” had plenty of chocolate and oranges, two of her most favorite things. They married April 29, 1946, in London, and had a life together for 70 years until Charles passed away in 2016. Doreen came to America on the Queen Mary with other English “war brides” as they were called, and went to her husband’s hometown of Bellows Falls. She always loved the town, especially the Connecticut River, which reminded her of home by the River Thames. Doreen loved her tea and cookies and felt that they were the cure-all for everything. When served, she would happily say “yum, yum!” Doreen worked for several stores in Bellows Falls, but her favorite place of all was the Rockingham Free Public Library. She was an avid reader who would have several books going at once. Her family thinks she read every book there. She worked until she was 80 years of age. Doreen had a good and kind soul, with a smile for everyone she met. She loved spending time with her family. She is survived by her daughters, Doreen (Dennis) Rochester and Marie Laplante (Terrence Ryan); her beloved grandchildren, Joshua (Amanda), Jordan, and David (Beth), and Brenna; great-grandchildren Adam, Matthew, and Hudson; and many fondly thought-of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, her brother, Edward, and her parents. Memorial information: There are no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls Saturday, April 18, at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery. Donations to the Rockingham Free Public Library or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• James Michael “Jim” Murphy, 78, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire, previously a longtime resident of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully March 22, 2026, at Maplewood Nursing Home. Born on May 8, 1947, in Screen, County Wexford, Ireland, James was the seventh of 11 children born to Geraldine Crean Murphy and Daniel Murphy. At the age of 13, the family moved to Milford Haven, Wales, and then, on May 8, 1968 — his 21st birthday — he emigrated to the United States, settling in Brattleboro. Almost immediately, he went to work at The Book Press, where he stayed for 30 years, interrupted only by his military service, when he received his draft notice only four months after registering on his arrival in the U.S. After the closure of The Book Press, Jim went to work for Putney Paper until he retired in 2013. On Aug. 7, 1971, James married Mary Jane Renaud of Brattleboro, and in 1974, became a father to Amy and then, in 1975, to Anne. Later, on September 21, 2002, he married Dawna Perry, who predeceased him in 2008. James never got to visit Ireland again, but a piece of his heart was always there. He was, however, happy and grateful to be an American, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1989, and proud to be a veteran of the Army. Jim was an exceedingly hard worker his whole life and retirement was bad for his health. When the work was done, the loss of physical activity and social interaction led him into a quiet, sedentary life. His family and friends would have liked to see him do more fishing, more tinkering, even take up some sort of embarrassing dancing, to retain a youthful spirit in his later years, after giving so much to the ol’ grindstone. James leaves behind his daughters, Amy Murphy Nelson and her husband Thomas, along with Anne Murphy, both of Putney; a grandson, Cole Nelson of Putney, and a granddaughter, Olivia Nelson, of Cleveland, Ohio. Additionally, he leaves brothers Sylvester and John Murphy of Brattleboro, and Liam Murphy of Burlington, sisters Margaret Bober and Kathleen Wellington of Brattleboro, and Bridget LeClaire of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, as well as a huge number of nieces and nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his parents, his brothers Donal and Thomas Murphy, and sisters Geraldine Dromgoole and Mary McAlister. Memorial information: A memorial service was held March 29 at the Brattleboro Eagles Club. Donations to the Residents Activity Fund at Maplewood Nursing Home, 201 River Rd., Westmoreland, NH 03467. Additionally, consider trying a new hobby, volunteering, socializing, even learning some embarrassing dance moves. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Tony (Anthony) Sambito, 73, of Brattleboro. Died at home unexpectedly on March 24, 2026. Tony was born to Anthony and Elizabeth Flynn Sambito in Leominster, Massachusetts, Nov. 20, 1952. He was a longtime resident of Brattleboro. Tony worked as a roofer and carpenter for more than 14 years for Dan Jenks at Finishline Construction and, most recently, for Dave Ross at David Ross Builders before retiring in 2021. Before that, he worked at Maple Valley Ski Area in West Dummerston. Tony is survived by his sister Betty and brother-in-law Joe Tetreault of Putney; his sister, Sharon Sambito of Leominster; his sisters-in-law Jayne and Eileen Sambito; brothers Michael and Steven Sambito-Carter of Florida; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, sister Kathy Reichert, and brothers Tommy, Butch, and Jack Sambito. Memorial information: There will be a celebration of his life Sunday, April 12, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge on Putney Road. There will be a private burial service in Leominster at a later date.
• Patricia Ann “Pat” Spencer, 75, of Brattleboro. Died March 15, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a brief period of declining health. Pat was born June 22, 1950, in Saratoga Springs, New York, the daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Cook) McMillian. She was raised and educated in Saratoga Springs, attending local schools including Saratoga Springs High School. She later graduated from American High School in Chicago. Pat worked as a sales associate at True Value Hardware Store on Putney Road. Previously she had been employed at Rite Aid Pharmacy on Main Street and later at the Putney Road location. Pat enjoyed gardening, puttering around her home, painting with acrylics and, more importantly, time spent with her family. She will be remembered for her pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. On Dec. 28, 1966, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Saratoga Springs, she was married to Larry F. Spencer who survives. Besides her husband of 59 years, she leaves four sons: Larry, Jr. of Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and Christopher, Robert, and Joseph, all of Brattleboro; two grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Pat was predeceased by a sister, Sue Anne Roselli. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, no formal funeral services are scheduled. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Ray Carter Walker, 92, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at his home March 19, 2026. Born Nov. 26, 1933, son of George Herbert Walker Jr. and Mary Carter Walker, Ray grew up in Greenwich, Connecticut, and attended Greenwich Country Day School, Groton School, and then Yale University, graduating in 1955. In 1954, he was awarded MVP on the Yale baseball team and, later that summer, married his childhood sweetheart, Emily Thompson, in Kennebunkport, Maine. He was an avid athlete and a scholar. He graduated from Harvard Business School and entered the family firm, G. H. Walker Inc. on Wall Street, working for his father with his brother, Bert Walker. After 10 years in investment banking, his interest turned to exploring his own and others’ inner life. He entered into therapy with Dr. Esther Harding, a protege of Carl Jung, and began his journey to become a Jungian psychiatrist. He attended Columbia University for pre-med studies, and graduated from Yale Medical School in 1970. He maintained a private practice for 30 years. In 1970, he married a second time to Jeanne Cowan Whetstone in Guilford, Connecticut. Together, they enjoyed 55 years of adventures — farming, raising miniature donkeys, sheep and goats, attending film festivals, reading extensively, gardening, traveling and enjoying an ever-growing family. Ray forever remained a champion of underdog sports teams, rooting for his Pittsburgh Pirates and not-so-underdog Steelers with a religious passion. Ray is survived by his sister, Elizabeth Walker Holden; six children: Christopher, Scott (Louise), Daniel (Leslea), and David (Cary) Walker, and Stephen (Cheryl) and Krista (Sabin Streeter) Whetstone; 14 grandchildren: Josiah (Caitlyn), Zion, Seraphim, Samuel (MacKenzie), Luke, Timothy (Johanna), Hannah (Daniel Miracola), Douglas and partner Erin Winters, Lucy, and Nicholas Walker, Maxwell and Sophia Whetstone, and Otis and Hazel Streeter; and eight great-grandchildren: Misaiel, Adalia, Ellie, and Mateo Walker; Caleb, Ben and Lily Miracola, and Ray Winters Walker. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held in the summer at Black Mountain Estates in Brattleboro.
Services
• A Celebration of Life for Gerald “Jerry” “Thumper” Baker will be held Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 p.m. at the Guilford Fire Station. Mr. Baker, 80, of Guilford, died Jan. 22, 2026. To view his full obituary and offer condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• A funeral Mass for John S. Ricci Jr. 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. Mr. Ricci, 85, of Putney, died March 14, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a period of declining health. To view his full obituary and offer condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
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