Search Archived Marriage Records
Debra Anne Traverse
WILMINGTON- Debra Anne Traverse, 51, of Wilmington, died unexpectedly on Monday, April 17.
Ms. Traverse was born in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, on March 25, 1955.
In her youth Ms. Traverse excelled in dance, and carried that love into adulthood. She modeled and worked in retail for Le Chateau while she lived in Montreal. When she first came to the states she represented various independent jewelers in the Portland, ME, area, marketing their products along the East Coast.
She worked in many departments for Wilson’s Department Store, Greenfield, MA, for seven years.
Ms. Traverse’s last six years were spent in Wilmington. There she owned and excelled at operating Mildred’s Fine Food Deli.
Ms. Traverse put her heart and soul into everything she did. She was a great saleswoman, a great chef, but more important, she was a great friend.
She treasured old friends, too many to count, while making new friends daily.
Ms. Traverse never hesitated to volunteer whenever needed. Helping and caring about others was her passion.
Ms. Traverse leaves behind her best friend and companion, Michael Mackin, of Turners Falls, MA.
She also leaves her son, Christopher Michael Traverse and his dad Skip Traverse, of Easthampton, MA; her parents, Stan and Joey (Riley) Stephenson; her brother, Michael; her sister Trish and husband Mark Wagner, all of British Columbia; her aunt, Lillian Charchuk and cousin Elizabeth Thomas, of Nova Scotia; her aunt, Jeannette Johnston, of Ontario; and her great-aunt, Lydie Trenholm, of New Brunswick. Ms. Traverse loved and will be missed by her nieces Tanya and Emily and nephews Doug and Daniel.
The Mass of Resurrection was celebrated at Our Lady of Fatima Church on Tuesday, April 25, at 10 am. Visitation was held at the Covey & Allen Funeral Home on Monday, April 24.
A celebration of Ms. Traverse’s life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Ms. Traverse would have wanted donations of support to go to the newly formed “Mother Dee” account at Merchant’s Bank, in Wilmington, for the benefit of the children of Melissa Howard and Chris Flanagan, whom Ms. Traverse loved and adored.
Donations can be made in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
To send e-mail condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, Wilmington.
Elwin Timothy Holland
BENNINGTON- Elwin Timothy “Stretch” Holland, 63, of 140 Fillmore Street, died Wednesday morning at SVMC after a courageous battle with scleroderma/CREST syndrome. His large and loving family surrounded him.
He was bom in North Adams, MA, on July 5, 1942 to the late Earle S. Sr. and Thelma (Berard) Holland. He attended Readsboro Central School and Whitingham High School. Prior to moving to Bennington in 1990, he resided in Readsboro.
Mr. Holland served with the Army National Guard and Reserves. He was a long-time active member of the Walter L. Case Post 29 American Legion, serving in various offices including post commander. He also held offices and chairmanships on the department level, working his way up to department commander in 2003-04.
He was a former Boy Scout leader and former member of the Readsboro Lions Club. He was a member of Unity Lodge #89 F & AM, and a member of the Readsboro Baptist Church. For a number of years he performed with his brothers, Eric and Bud, singing for benefits, bus tours, and local nursing homes as The Holland Brothers. Music was a large part of his life both as a child and an adult.
Mr. Holland was employed at Deerfield Specialty Papers in Monroe Bridge, MA, until it ceased operations in 1994. During this time he and his wife also owned and operated Holland Wired TV Service. In 1979 he was named to the inaugural edition of “Who’s Who in Cable Communication.”
In the mid-1980s he realized his true calling in life and was employed as a residential instructor at Green Meadows School and later at the Association for Community Living until ill health forced his early retirement. He was also employed part time at Covey & Allen Funeral Home in Wilmington,
Mr. Holland was an avid sportsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and golf when he was able, and enjoyed the time he spent with his family. He possessed a strong sense of patriotism and was an outspoken advocate for veterans’ rights and benefits.
He was married to Brenda Murdock, of Readsboro, on May 16, 1964. Besides his wife, he leaves four children, Marcel Holland and his fiancee, Saara Roberts, of Bennington, Melissa Peters and her husband, Timothy, of Guilford, Mitchell Holland and his wife, Amber, and Melinda Gulotta and her husband, Jeffrey, all of Readsboro. He leaves 14 grandchildren, Sierra and Elijah Holland, Keegan, Carter, and Cameryn Bentley, Timothy Jr., Heath, and Mallory Peters, Sabrina and Ezra Holland, and Allison, Robert, Francis, and James Gulotta.
He also leaves a sister, Valerie Eldred and her husband Allen, of Winter Haven, FL, and a brother, Earle S. Holland Jr. and his wife Mildred, of Morgan and Winter Haven, FL; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his brother Eric R. Holland in March 2006. He will be dearly missed by his cat Clinger and a host of friends, including the Friends of Bill W.
Funeral services for Mr. Holland were held Sunday, June 4, 2006 at the Bennington Baptist Church. Pastor John Brigham of the Readsboro Baptist Church presided. Burial with full military honors followed in the family lot in Readsboro Village cemetery.
Donations in Mr. Holland’s memory may be made to the VT Special Olympics or Scleroderma Research, c/o Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201. To send condolences visit www.sheafuneral homes.com.
Estelle Elaine Gardner
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA- Estelle Elaine Gardner, of Laguna Niguel CA, formerly of Colchester, VT, (her hometown) and South Chicago, IL, died peacefully Saturday, May 27.
Born Estelle Elaine in South Chicago, to Mary and Aldabert Fialkowski, she grew up with her sisters Sophie and Lottie, and her brothers John, Steve, Casimir, and Chester Fialkowski. Estelle married Anton Allen (Tony) Gardner.
She led a full life devoted to supporting her husband and raising her four children, and survived to enjoy being grandmother to five, and great-grandmother to seven.
In addition to her children, Thomas, Claudia, Paul, and Pamela Gardner, her grandchildren, Kathleen Treiber, Deborah Hamilton, Robert Gardner, Samantha Root, and Scott Swenor, and great-grandchildren, Sierra, Shelby, and Summer Hamilton, Jordan and Kaylin Gardner, Charlotte Swenor and Jacob Root, Estelle departs with two sisters-in-law surviving, Genevieve Fialkowski, wife of Chester, and LaVerne Ogrodowicz, wife of Frank, and hundreds of dear nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Gardner’s parents, brothers, sisters, and brothers- and sisters-in-law predeceased her.
Mrs. Gardner was honored in a memorial service at the Holy Cross cemetery in Calumet City, IL on Saturday, June 3, at 11:30 am and laid to rest beside her departed husband, close to her parents, brothers, and sisters.
Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation of Orange County, CA, the VT Heart Association, or the VT Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Nina L. “Tiny” Boyd
BENNINGTON- Nina L. “Tiny” Boyd, 96, a resident of Burrington Hill Road, died peacefully on Thursday morning, July 27,2006 at the Rivers Edge Community Care Home in Bennington.
Mrs. Boyd was born in Whitingham on June 19,1910. She was raised by her grandmother, Abigail Morse, on the Abbie Morse Farm in Whitingham and attended the #5 Schoolhouse.
She married Merton Boyd in Whitingham on August 24,1927. Mr. Boyd passed away on January 5,1974.
Having a large family, she spent most of her time raising them. She was an excellent cook and seamstress. She enjoyed making dandelion wine, taking photographs, and sharing them with friends and family. She loved to sit down and play the organ and piano with family all around.
An outdoors person, she enjoyed snowmobiling in the winter. In later years she would enjoy playing a game of Scrabble or participating in spelling bees.
She always reminisced about the fond memories she had of picking berries with her grandmother throughout the area. She will be remembered for her great wit, wonderful sense of humor, and her daily diary, in which she recorded her activities.
She leaves her sons, Raymond Boyd and wife Corrine, of Jacksonville, Robert Boyd and wife Joanne, of Whitingham, Donald Boyd and wife Jane, of Whitingham, Marshall Boyd of Whitingham, daughters Florence Crafts, of Wilmington, Evelyn Skaw, of Indianapolis, and Linda and her husband Howard Dix, of Whitingham, 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a daughter, Shirley, who died in infancy; a daughter, Margaret Giard, who died in 1970; a son-in-law, George Crafts; and grandsons Alan Boyd and Kevin Giard.
At the request of Mrs. Boyd, funeral services will be private, with burial to be held in the Boyd family lot in Sadawga cemetery. There are no calling hours.
Should friends desire, memorial gifts in memory of Mrs. Boyd may be made to the Whitingham Ladies Benevolent Society in care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
Ralph Leslie Haslund
MERCER ISLAND, WA- Ralph Leslie Haslund died suddenly at his Mercer Island home on July 28. He was born on October 3, 1932 in Brattleboro, VT, the son of Elvyn and Florence (Hayes) Haslund. He was raised in Wilmington, VT, and graduated from Wilmington High School, class of 1950.
Ralph is survived by his wife, Louise, and sons, Chris (wife Beth, daughters Erin and Kaylyn), of Eagle River, AK, and Ben (wife Caroline, children, Bianca and Alessandro), of Tacoma, WA. Also surviving is his brother Edward (wife Deborah), of Wilmington.
While in Wilmington, Ralph was very dedicated to his work as a Scout leader, both as a youth patrol leader and later as Scout Master of Troop 446.
Throughout his life, Ralph was disciplined and passionate to try and understand the nature of reality. He graduated from the University of Vermont with a double major in physics and philosophy. His distinguished 35-year career as a physicist included a master’s and a doctorate degree with nearly 20 patents to his credit. His proudest achievement was the Aero Optical Window, a profoundly powerful and unique system that required the mastery of the laws of optics and aerodynamics. He retired in 1995 as a senior principal engineer at the Boeing Company.
Ralph applied his discerning, scientific mind to exploring the inter-relationships of spirit, religion, and politics. Family and friends will miss his insightful counsel and the opportunity to engage him in spirited discussions. His family writes, “with the intention of integrity in all he did, his was a life worth living and a life well lived. He left this world far better for having been here.”
A memorial service was held in August.
Friends are invited to share memories with the family at a burial service to be held at 1 pm Saturday, October 14, at Riverview cemetery in Wilmington.
For directions or to send e-mail condolences visit www.sheafuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, Wilmington, VT 05363.
Robert G. Coombs Jr
WHITINGHAM- Robert G. Coombs Jr., 78, a resident of Maple Hill Lane, died unexpectedly on Thursday, October 19, 2006 at the Bristol Regional Medical Center in Bristol, TN, while vacationing with his wife Virginia.
Mr. Coombs was born in Readsboro on August 31, 1928, the son of the late Robert G. and Mary (Butterfield) Coombs. As a young boy he was stricken with polio which paralyzed his left foot. A successful operation allowed limited mobility in his ankle. He grew up in Jacksonville where he attended local schools, graduating from Whitingham High School in 1946. He graduated from the Vermont State School of Agriculture in Randolph in 1947. During high school and college years he played baseball , usually as first baseman, and continued playing on the Whitingham town team for three years.
He married the former Shirley Proctor in Fair Haven on June 19, 1948. After 52 years of marriage, Shirley passed away on June 6, 2000. He married Virginia Page on September 29, 2001 in Jacksonville.
In May 1947, Mr. Coombs began work in the family business, Coombs Maple Products, established by his parents in Brattleboro in 1925. He served the company as vice president from 1961 until 1985 when he became president, serving until his retirement in December 1991. He also owned and operated the Beaver Brook Sugar House in Wilmington for many years.
Throughout his career he had served the maple industry in many capacities: director and president of the Maple Country Can Company, director and vice president of United Maple Products Company, vice president and director of Leader Evaporator Company , director and past chairman of the Vermont Maple Industry Council, director of the Vermont Maple Sugar Makers Association, director and president of the North American Maple Council, and the Vermont Maple Promotion Board. In 1988 he was named “Maple Person of the Year” by the Vermont Maple Industry Council. He was inducted into the American Maple Museum Hall of Fame in 1989. In 1992 he received a 10-year service award from the Maple Syrup Producers Association of Connecticut. Mr. Coombs was inducted into the Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame on August 30, 2006, and also received the New England Fellowship of Agricultural Adventures Award in 2006. He worked at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, MA, for 17 years , 11 of those years as manager of the Vermont Maple Sugarmakers booth.
Mr. Coombs was a dedicated community leader. He was the recipient of the D.A.R. award for Excellence in Community Service in 1997 for his contributions to his town, which included chairman of the Whitingham Republican Committee, chairman of the Deerfield Valley Health Center, chairman of the Whitingham Planning Commission, charter member and president of the Whitingham Historical Society, Whitingham Board of Adjustment, Justice of the Peace, president of Village of Jacksonville Electric Company, 4-H leader and 4-H Camp Waubanog trustee. He was a lifelong member of the Jacksonville Community Church, serving as deacon, trustee and Church Committee chairman, and also was a member of the Couples Club.
A Mason since 1952, Mr. Coombs was a 32nd-degree Mason with Unity Lodge , serving as Master for two terms. He was also a member of Cairo Temple AAONMS, of Rutland, since 1958, and a member of the Brattleboro Shrine Club since 1984. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Grand Lodge of Vermont in 1995.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Deerfield Valley Sportsmen’s Club and a past member of the EZ Riders Snowmobile Club. Other interests included taking photographs, collecting postcards of local towns and sugaring, and collecting old sugaring equipment. He especially enjoyed cooking and took lessons from the late Libby Hillman, the accomplished chef. He enjoyed woodworking and had worked on all of his children’s homes.
He leaves his wife Virginia Page Coombs, of Jacksonville; his three sons William R. and wife Melinda Coombs, of Jacksonville, Arnold P. and wife Dana Coombs, of Keene, NH, and Douglas E. Coombs and Kay Olsen, of Avon, CT; a daughter Nancy and husband Donald Finck, of Carson, WA; a sister Elaine “Til” Welch, of South Royalton; grandchildren Marcie, Tracy, Ives, Keri, Sarah, Max, Addy, and Alycia; a great-grandson, Benjamin; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, October 25 at 1 pm at the Jacksonville Community Church with Pastor Douglas LaPlante officiating. Burial with committal prayers followed in the family lot in Jacksonville Village cemetery. The family received friends at Mr. Coombs’ home following the committal services. Masonic services were held during the church service.
Should friends desire, memorial gifts in memory of Mr. Coombs may be made to the Whitingham Historical Society or the Jacksonville Community Church in care of the Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
Arlene Sheltra
BRATTLEBORO- Arlene (Taylor) Sheltra, 82, of 117 Fuller Drive, died on Monday, October 23 at Eden Park Nursing Home after a long illness.
Mrs. Sheltra was born on January 14, 1924 in South Troy. She was the daughter of Edmund and Agnes Taylor. She attended schools in Troy and Newport Center. On July 26, 1941 she married Merrill Sheltra in Newport Center.
Mrs. Sheltra was employed as the elementary school secretary for the Brattleboro Town School District from 1961 to 1988.
Besides her home, she had many interests: she crocheted, was a member of the Senior Bowlers, American Association of Retired Persons Brattleboro Chapter where she was in charge of the soup kitchen one day per week, volunteer gift shop worker at the Brattleboro Retreat, member of the Order of Eastern Star, member of the Center Congregational Church in Brattleboro and Womens Fellowship of the church.
She was a devoted wife and mother and enjoyed spending time and traveling with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her dedicated and loving husband, Merrill Sheltra, of Brattleboro; her daughter, Sharon Adams and her husband William, of Wilmington; her son Douglas Sheltra and his wife Doreen, of Guilford; grandchildren Gregory, Christopher, Jill, and Steven, of Wilmington, Melissa, of Guilford, Heidi, of Grafton, and Sarah, of Brattleboro; and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by a son, Bradley, in 1961; a brother, Earl Taylor; and sisters Hazel Bean, Leola Pettengill, Helen Willis, and Lillian Tessier.
A graveside service was held on Thursday, October 26 at 2 pm at Mountain View Cemetary in Lowell.
Arrangements are by Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes in Newport.
Joseph Zenorini Jr.
MT HOOD, WA- Joseph Zenorini Jr., 86, passed away peacefully at his daughter’s home in Mt Hood on October 16, 2006. His wife Mary and daughter Mary Elizabeth were with him. Joseph was born on December 3, 1919 in West Hoboken, NJ to Anna and Joseph Zenorini. He attended St. Michael’s High School and Lowell Textile Institute.
He married Mary Lacey on November 8, 1941. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in August, with a cruise to Alaska with their daughter and son-in-law, Chris Ward. Joseph was a veteran of WWII and served as a staff sergeant in the Army in the Pacific theater of operations.
Joseph and Mary lived in Teaneck, NJ, for many years and Joseph was president and owner of Z.B. Yarn Mills, in West New York, NJ, a family-owned textile manufacturing plant. They retired to Jacksonville, VT, where they lived very happily for 30 years farming, raising goats, and being active in the community. They moved to Mt. Hood to live with their daughter and son-in-law in 2004.
Over the years, Joe was very active in community life. He served as president of the Union City, NJ, Rotary Club, and as president of the Jacksonville Lion’s Club. He also served as selectman for Whitingham. He participated in many other school and community activities. In the Hood River area, he took glass art classes and painted a plate for the “Bite of the Gorge” auction. He was avidly interested in the culture of the indigenous Indians of Mexico and Central America.
Joseph is survived by and will be dearly missed by his wife Mary, and his daughter and son-in-law, Mary E. Zenorini and Chris Ward, all of Mt. Hood. Also surviving are two daughters, Lacey Duckman, of Morelia, Mexico, and Suzanne Silverzweig, of Heber, Utah. He is also survived by six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are private and under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, (541) 386-1000, and in the future, he will be interred in Jacksonville, a place he dearly loved. Any contributions should be made in his name to Hospice of the Gorge or Home At Last Animal Shelter in The Dalles.
Local arrangements are under the care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home.
