Ker Phaneuf

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Curtis Laurance Songer, 39, of Brattleboro, VT. Curtis was born on August 12, 1985, to the parents of Blaine Songer and Katrina Songer (Jacobs). Those who knew Curtis recounted his infectious laugh, his curiosity and love for others, Curtis had an especially close relationship with his parents, who were his caretakers. Curtis valued social connections. He especially enjoyed telling people jokes. He could brighten any room with his obvious love of life. Curtis was predeceased by his stepfather Arthur Jacobs III. He leaves behind his parents and stepmom Janice Stacy; siblings Arthur Jacobs IV, Erika Jacobs, and Alisha Pitsinger; as...

Donald Earl Prouty, 95, of West Townshend passed away peacefully at home on June 18th 2024 surrounded by his family. Don was born April 18, 1929, in Manchester VT, the son of Benjamin & Etta (Jefts) Prouty. Mr. Prouty is survived by a son Raymond C. Prouty of West Townshend, a daughter Debra M. Lloyd and her husband William of Apollo Beach, FL, a sister Mildred Williams of Bellows Falls, granddaughter Serena M. Lett and her husband Jason of Columbus, OH, granddaughter Jennifer D. Escobar and her husband Alejandro of Orlando, FL and many nieces, nephews and close friends. He was predeceased by his loving wife of almost 55 years, Elaine (Howe) Prouty, and his siblings Theodore, Raymond,...

Marilyn (Austin) Loomis of Putney, Vermont passed away on May 27th, 2024, 20 days after her 90th birthday. Marilyn was born on May 7, 1934 to the late Robert and Margaret (Simmons) Austin in Putney. She was well loved as a mother, grandmother, friend and community volunteer. In addition to her parents, Marilyn was predeceased by her husband Carroll Kathan (Pete) Loomis Jr, brother Glenn Austin, sisters Joyce (Austin) Loomis and Shirley (Austin) Walsh and her beloved grandson Samuel Loomis Cariddi. She is survived by her daughters Tracee Brewer (David), Terri Ziter (Mark), Tamara Loomis (Steve Cariddi) and son Peter Loomis (Kate). She is also survived by her sisters Phyllis Graham, Gail...

Marilyn Loomis, 90, of Putney, VT passed away on May 27th, 2024. Calling hours for Marilyn will be held on Thursday, June 20th from 5 to 7pm at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro. A funeral service will be held at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home at 11am on Friday, June 21st with burial to follow. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence or for more information, please visit www.phaneuf.net.

Jean (Choiniere) McAuliffe passed away, after a long illness, on January 3, 2024, at Thompson House Long Term Care Facility, in Brattleboro, Vermont. She was 77 years old. Jean was a long-time resident of Brattleboro and is dearly missed by her family and friends. Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. To view an online tribute, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please visit www.phaneuf.net.

Bernard J. Mandeville Jr. of Hinsdale, NH died on January 1, 2024 following a long illness. He was born in Northhampton, MA on July 3, 1949 to Bernard and Penny Mandeville and grew up in Florence, MA. He joined the United States Marines in 1969 and served with the 1st Division in Vietnam earning the Combat Action Ribbon and attaining the rank of Corporal. He retired from the DPW, City of Northhampton after 25 years. He delivered mail as a contractor in Plainfield, MA for several years and as a bartended at the American Legion Post #236 in Haydenville, MA for 10 years. Bernard was predeceased by his son Seth in 2023. He is survived by his wife Sharon whom he married on August 16, 2006;...

Charles F. Henderson of Country Hill Road in Brattleboro died November 16, 2023 at Pine Heights. He was born on February 10, 1930, in Houlton, ME, the only child of Lewis F. and Daisy (Broad) Henderson. The family moved to Brattleboro in 1933, where Charles attended elementary school and graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1948. He completed a post-graduate year at Tilton School in Tilton, NH in 1949. He attended the University of Vermont in Burlington and Marlboro College in Marlboro, VT. Charles was drafted and served in the Army from 1953-1956, stationed primarily in Karlsruhe, Germany. After he returned to Brattleboro, he began employment with New England Telephone in 1958...

Jane Grass Hurley, 94, of Brattleboro, VT, passed away at Pine Heights on October 11, 2023. Born in Merrick, Long Island, NY on September 14, 1929, daughter of the late Fred and Loretta Muhlbauer. She was a 1946 graduate from Mepham High School and received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Elementary Education from SUNY Cortland in 1950. Jane married Albert Grass on August 6, 1950. She taught third grade in Ithaca, New York and fourth grade at the Academy School in West Brattleboro for a short time. Jane married Edward Hurley in 1996. They had nineteen wonderful years together before Ed's passing in 2010. She taught Baton twirling and dance in all the Brattleboro schools from 1965-1994,...

Jerry F. Rounds, 83 of Brattleboro passed away Saturday morning June 3, 2023, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend with family at his side after a period of declining health. He was born in Hinsdale NH on November 8, 1939, the son of the late Guy and Marjorie Fowler Rounds. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro public schools and graduated from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1957 after which he entered the US Air Force and served until his honorable discharge in 1962. In November 1959 while home from the service, Jerry met Alma Chandler of Springfield who was in town visiting her sister. They would be wed in 1960 and together they shared more than 62 years of marriage...

Theadora "Chickie" W. Macie passed away peacefully on January 7, 2023. Theadora was born on May 15, 1945, in St. Johnsbury, VT to the late Dorothea (Coleman) and Thaddeus W. Holcomb. She completed her schooling locally, graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1964. It was during high school where she fell in love with Chester "Chet" A. Macie, and they were married on April 3, 1965. Their marriage lasted 51 years until Chet passed away on August 11, 2016. In her free time, Chickie liked to crochet and sew for her family, and anyone who knew her, knew about her famous donuts. She also enjoyed decorating around the yard and house for the holidays. In addition to being predeceased by her...

Theadora "Chickie" W. Macie passed away peacefully on January 7, 2023. Theadora was born on May 15, 1945, in St. Johnsbury, VT to the late Dorothea (Coleman) and Thaddeus W. Holcomb. She completed her schooling locally, graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1964. It was during high school where she fell in love with Chester "Chet" A. Macie, and they were married on April 3, 1965. Their marriage lasted 51 years until Chet passed away on August 11, 2016. In her free time, Chickie liked to crochet and sew for her family, and anyone who knew her, knew about her famous donuts. She also enjoyed decorating around the yard and house for the holidays. In addition to being predeceased by her...

Helen Barbara (Freeman) Warwick, aged 83, died Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Pine Heights, in Brattleboro, VT. The daughter of Frederick and Hazel Freeman, she was born on September 22,1939 in Brattleboro, VT. Helen, a lifelong Brattleboro resident, attended Brattleboro High School and was employed by Brown's Photography after graduation. She continued to work locally at Kings department store and Grouger's Market in the 1970s and 1980s. She was an active volunteer for the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program (RSVP) providing rides and assisting with activities, through the 1990s and 2000s. Helen also took a break from the labor force to dedicate her time to raising two wonderful children,...

William "Bill" E. Kirkwood, Sr., aged 79, of Hinsdale, NH, passed away on September 8, 2022, surrounded by his family. Bill was born April 16, 1943, to Samuel F. and Gladys V. (Hood) Kirkwood in Brattleboro, VT. Spending most of his life in the Hinsdale, NH area, Bill attended primary and secondary school in Hinsdale before beginning his tour of duty with the United States Army. Bill was active in the military until 1964 at which point, he was honorably discharged, and he began his professional career. Bill worked various manufacturing jobs over the years, before finally settling at Bridgeport Metal where he worked for over 20 years. In his younger years Bill loved the outdoors and could...

On Monday, August 8, 2022, Emmy Bascom died an untimely death. Born on October 16, 1979, Emmy grew up in Guilford, VT and went to high school in Brattleboro. She had moved away for a number of years but moved back to the area to raise her family. She was an avid hunter, loved fishing, boating, four-wheeling, watching Nascar racing, and being outdoors. She loved animals, fostering many over the years. She loved her children and was very involved in their school activities. She was considered a great handy-woman...if you needed something fixed, chances are, she was able to fix it. She was comfortable growing her own food and raising her own animals for meat. Her sister used to tell her that...

Henry Russell Dunham was born on February 2, 1935 to the late Elmer and Mildred (Johnson) Dunham. He was raised in Putney, VT and played baseball for the Putney Athletics. In the 1950s he served in the Vermont National Guard. Henry worked for Putney Paper for many years before going to work at Basketville, also in Putney, where he worked as a skilled artisan. This career change gave him the opportunity to travel to China where he demonstrated basket making. Henry also appeared on the television show, QVC, as a representative for Basketville in Minnesota for three weeks. This man of faith was known for being kind-hearted. He touched many lives in a positive way. He enjoyed fishing, hunting,...

Douglas James Sylvester III, 30, of West Brattleboro was born in Brattleboro, VT the son of Douglas and Cecelia (Parker) Sylvester II passed away September 1, 2021. He grew up in Dummerston/Putney, VT and attended BUHS and followed his dream of becoming a chef. He earned his degree in baking and pastry arts at the New England Culinary Institute. Doug was fondly referred to as "The Bread Dude" at the Vermont Country Deli where he was employed. He was a kind and gentle soul who enjoyed nature, hiking, and spending time with his family and friends. Douglas joins his beloved Grandfather Allen L. Parker and cousin Cameron Parker in the afterlife. He will forever remain in the hearts of his...

Kathalene Evelyn Anson (Couture) 84, of Brattleboro, VT, passed away with her family by her side on August 30, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born in Reading, CA on November 8, 1936, to John and Otis Hector. She worked for various manufacturing companies, lastly for Chromerics prior to retirement. Kathalene had a love for puzzles, her bird Mr. Bossman, and loved spending times with her son and friends. She was predeceased by her husband William O. Anson Jr., her daughter Toni Watson, and her brother Warren Hector. She is survived by her sons Kenneth Anson and his wife Tracie of CT, Victor Olivera of CA, Jason Tucker of TX, and Kyle Tucker of TN; daughter Sharron Taylor of...

William Dwight James was born February 21, 1960. He was raised in Miami, FL by Josephine L. Keller and Sammy E. James. He took his last breath on August 23, 2021 with his wife by his side who continuously cared for him. Ironically, the radiation therapy that saved his life was now responsible for his respiratory failure. He was a young entrepreneur and by age 10 had a successful lawing mowing business. He was the only kid with money in his pocket. Part of his adolescent years were spent working on the Miami river and learning lessons from the best thieves and conmen Miami had to offer. He enlisted in the Navy on July 14, 1977. He developed Hodgkin Lymphoma during this time, was treated and...

Shirley Evelyn (Howe) Thomas died peacefully on June 28th, 2021, at her home in North Hinsdale, NH. She was surrounded by her beloved family, including her loving and loyal caretakers for the past three months, grandson Camron Kennedy and his best friend Becca Macmanus. Shirley was born in West Townsend, VT on November 20th, 1939. She was the youngest daughter of Guy Edwin Howe and Evelyn Rhoades Howe. She was the loving wife of Chester Thomas whom she married on December 28th, 1957 in North Hinsdale, NH. They were high school sweethearts and spent over 68 years together. They loved to go for rides on the motorcycle, in the car and in the company truck. They went cross country 4 times and...

Ruth-Ann Tracy Bailey, 81, of Wardsboro, VT died Tuesday June 8, 2021 at Vernon Green Nursing Home in Vernon VT. She was born in Concord, MA., the daughter of Howard and Portia (Hardy) Tracy. A Graveside service will be held at 1pm on Sunday June 13th at the South Newfane Cemetery, South Newfane, VT. Family, and friends are invited to a luncheon at the Bailey family home in Wardsboro following the service. To view the full obituary, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.phaneuf.net

Sylvia Lehmann, 87, of Berlin, CT, died March 23rd following a period of declining health. She was born in Putney, VT on March 30, 1933 to Ralph and Sarah (Prouty) Doyle. She was a graduate of Brattleboro High School's class of 1951, and earned a degree in Business Administration from Mattatuck Community College, with additional credits toward a degree in Management and Human Services, and took business courses at both Southern Vermont College and Community College of Vermont. Sylvia held numerous positions of responsibility and authority with companies that include the Holstein Association in Brattleboro, VT; Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, CT; and the State of Connecticut. Outside...