Tributes (thank you Sybil!)
Video (thank you Nancy!)
Whether you practice a religion, follow a spiritual path, or choose to worship nature, please join me in honoring and showing tribute to our fellow graduates who have passed on with a moment of silence for each, and the prayer of John Henry Newman that follows. Thank you, Sybil Blazej
Lord, support us all the day long, until the shadows lengthen and the
evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done. Then in thy mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a
holy rest, and peace at the last. Amen.
Barbara Clark 1957-2023 Putney Barbara L Bristol, 66, formerly of Brookline, VT, died March 29, 2023. She was born in Townsend on Feb. 8, 1957, the daughter of the late A.S. and Betty Clark. She graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School and the Thompson School of Nursing. She worked for many years at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Later in life, she enjoyed working at the Brattleboro and Putney Food Co-ops. “Barb was very smart, had a terrific sense of humor and I remember her all the way back to when we were in Brownies and her Mom, Betty, was the Brownies' leader. May she rest in peace.” Sybil
Janice Coleman 1957-2014 Springfield Janice G. Page 57, passed away at her home on Sunday morning Nov. 9. She was born Aug. 3, 1957 in Townshend, Vt. the daughter of Kenneth and Joyce E. ( Kingsbury) Coleman. She graduated from Leland and Gray High School in Townshend. She worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years as a Clerk at the Chester, Vt. Post Office. On Oct. 7, 1989, she married Reginald M. Page.She was a member of the Eastern Star, sold Mary Kay products, and was a Hostess at the Miller Art Center in Springfield. She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, gardening and flowers as well as reading. She loved animals.
Patrice Eaton 1958-2006 Londonderry Patrice Eaton Chaves, 48, died at her home on March 30, 2006, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. She was diagnosed with lung cancer in the fall of 2004. With her strong will and determination she always held her head high and was cleared of the cancer twice. It came back in December of 2005; in January of 2006 the family was told the treatments were no longer working. She enjoyed camping with everyone and playing with the kids, especially her two grandchildren, Austin and Zoe. She also loved being outside working in the flower gardens. She loved travelling and spent the last couple winters living in Florida enjoying the sun by the pool and the beach.
Minnie Holcomb 1956-2003 Brattleboro Minnie C.Tracy, 47, died Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born Minnie Christina Holcomb on Sept. 24, 1956, in Granville, Mass., the daughter of the late David K.& Helen E. (Shaughnessy) Holcomb of South Newfane. She grew up in South Newfane and attended Newfane Elementary and Leland & Gray High School. She was formerly a housekeeper for many hotels and lodges in the area. She was known for her gift of crocheting, sense of humor, helping others, cooking and her immense love of her son, Joshua D. Holcomb, of Walpole, N.H. ”She was kind.” -Sybil
Howard Ish 1959-2011 Ontario, Canada Remembering Howard Ish: I met his parents and Howard in 1968 in February of that year. We were celebrating the Chinese New Year at the Hammonds with Claudia, Ruth and Lee. Howard wore a gorgeous Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band uniform and even then had his trademark long curls. He attended LGUHS and graduated ahead of his original class. In the last years of his life, he lived in Canada. He was fabulous! Kept his charm, grace and style firmly under wraps of the sarcasm and wit we have all grown accustomed to over the eras we have known one another...He was one great duck! Love and hugs, Sybil
Wayne Landman 1956-1997 Jamaica Wayne Landman
When Wayne D Landman was born on 29 November 1956, in Jamaica, Windham, Vermont, United States, his father, Reginald Winchester Landman Sr, was 25 and his mother, Virginia Theresa Giroux, was 25. He attended Leland and Gray Union High School. He died on 26 December 1997, at the age of 41, and was buried in Jamaica, Windham, Vermont, United States.
Rebecca Newton 1956-1984 Burlington, VT Rebecca Newton Becky Newton was beloved by her friends and family throughout her short life. After attending LGUHS, off she went to college. She fell in love and had a beautiful son, Danny, whom she sadly would not see grow up. She was creative, intelligent, enthusiastic and a big participant in life in spite of suffering chronic illness all her life. Like her father, she had a great sense of humor and was a great diplomat among her peers. A beauty like her mother, her face would light up a room with her smile. I count her as one of those who made LGUHS a better place. - Sybil
Perry Phoenix 1958 - 2019 Townshend Perry Casey Phoenix, 61. Died peacefully at home on Jan.31, 2019. In 1958, his family moved to Townshend. He graduated from LGUHS in 1975. Prior to attending Westminster Choir College, focusing on organ performance, he worked as a piano mover and carpenter. He attended the American College in Paris. While in Chicago, he met and married Janet Cagwin. They built a house across the road from his childhood home. He founded Phoenix Roofing, operating it for 28 years. Perry loved architecture. An avid Porsche enthusiast and member of the Porsche Club of America, he drove his 1982 Porsche 911 on the track.
Russell Smith 1957-2023 Jamaica. Age 66. Died on Dec. 15, 2023 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, following a brief illness. He was born on Sept. 7, 1957 in Townshend, the son of Raymond and Irene Smith. He was a graduate of LGUHS and served in the Vermont National Guard. Russell was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman. He loved overnight camping trips on Mount Tabor and Stratton Mountain, and enjoyed boating, shrimping, and fishing. Russell was a true homesteader, building his log cabin from trees he harvested from his land. He was a talented houndsman, training his dogs to tree bears. Russell in 2022. (I heard: Russell and best friend Forest Woodruff,avid fishermen: between them, they were known to have at least seven or eight boats, at any given time, in some state of seaworthiness, but at least one boat which could be pressed into service. In essence, this would bring to mind the word recycling as one boat could at any time provide parts for another. Russell, a total Vermonter, may he fish in peace now.) - Sybil
Marion Tifft 1957-2018 Wilmington, DE Marion Tifft Bressler She enjoyed life to the very fullest until her death on Jan. 8, 2018. Marion was the wife of the late Barry Bressler’ together they had a daughter, Victoria, and a son, Elijah. Marion lived for many years in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, for many years, where she worked at the Brandywine Hospital and Wawa in Delaware. She loved her Wawa coffee and going to Jamaica, Vermont to visit her family and friends.She attended LGUHS.
Carter Van Iderstine 1956-2019 It is with sadness that the Van Iderstine family announces his passing on March 27, 2019, after an illness. Carter was born in Brattleboro on May 2, 1956, to Mary (Anderson) Van Iderstine and Peter Havens Van Iderstine. When Carter was seven, the family moved from Brattleboro to the former Baxter farm in Newfane. There, he and his friends and siblings spent many hours running through the fields and playing "cops and robbers" in the barns. He graduated from LGUHS in 1975, receiving a John Barrett Technical Award. A diverse education followed, including programs in business, behavior and management, computer applications and Vermont history. Carter was an avid gardener, a photographer, and loving pet parent throughout his life as well enjoying skiing, bicycling, model railroading, camping and astronomy. His fiancée Debra Hescock Ride died in 2015 (also a graduate of LGUHS). With many contributions to life and a plethora of talents, read more in his obituary on legacy.com.
Forest Woodruff 1956-2015 Remembering Forest Woodruff: Forest knew the name of every plant in the fields, woods and mountains.While attending LGUHS, Forest helped Robert Hall's teacher’s assistant Bruce Hammerslough with the Botany Class in 1972. He had an incredible memory for the common and Latin names of herbs, common weeds, rare plants and flowers. His love of nature came through not only with the name he was given but in his knowledge of all things botanical. It was inspiring and I assume that he is with Nature in spirit now. RIP, Forest. Peace be with you, Carlotta. -Sybil 6/15
Richard Wyman 1956-2021 West Townshend, Vt. Richard D. Wyman, 65, passed away at his home in West Townshend on Dec. 1, 2021. He was born Jan. 22, 1956, in Hartford, Conn., to William and Olive (Buckland) Wyman. He attended LGUHS. Richard was self-employed in the logging industry for many years, and also worked in the construction industry, most recently employed by Reggie Cyr in Londonderry, Vt. He was a skilled carpenter, having built his home in Andover, and later assisted in the construction of their home in West Townshend. He will always be remembered by family and friends for the kind and honest, hardworking man that he was and for his generous spirit, helping anyone in need.
Note: Photos to be added
