Fran Milo

Fran Milo, born 1939 in Jersey City, NJ to Mildred and Alexander Milovic, passed away peacefully on February 20, 2021 at her home in Hartland following a brief illness. Fran lived in New York City for a number of years, working in the fashion industry, and enjoyed vacations at a second home in Bridgewater Corners, VT. After graduating from City College of New York, Hunter and Baruch Colleges with honors in English Literature and Psychology, she obtained a Masters in ESL and taught in the New York area, including adult education at Riker’s Island Prison. She represented the Bluefish line of fashion as well. After relocating permanently to Vermont in 1996, she tutored ESL students and operated a shop in Woodstock called Needlewerx, featuring her own originally designed sweaters. She later became an adjunct at Community College in Lebanon, NH, teaching adult ESL classes.

Fran supported national animal welfare causes. She had several dogs and also adopted a rescue dog from Hurricane Katrina. She began attending Our Lady of the Snows Church in Woodstock in 2009. After losing her Bridgewater home in Tropical Storm Irene, she resettled in Hartland. She retired from teaching in 2017.

Fran is survived by her brother, Alexander Milovic, Jr. (Deborah) of Mahwah, New Jersey, two nephews, Alexander Milovic III and Mark Milovic, as well as two great-nephews and a great-niece and her aunt, Margo Milovic. There will be a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Snows in Woodstock, VT on Friday, February 26, at 11:00 am. Burial will take place in the spring at Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock.

Arrangements are by Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, VT An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Ronald “Ron” Richard Keller

Ronald “Ron” Richard Keller, 90, formerly of New York City and Bremen, Maine, died peacefully of old age on Thursday, February 4, 2021, at Valley Terrace, following a brief decline in health.

Ron was born March 15, 1930, in San Diego, CA, the son of Lawrence and Thelka (Hotz) Keller. He grew up in Southern California, attending UCLA and earning a B.A. in Applied Arts. He came East in 1952 to study Medical Illustration at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, MD, before moving to New York City to find work as a medical illustrator for textbooks and encyclopedias. It was there, through a mutual friend, that he met Betty Jean Russell, another recent transplant from California. They were married July 8, 1961, in San Francisco and made their home on the Upper West Side of Manhattan where they raised two children.

During the late 1950s, Ron turned his artistic talents to advertising and graphic design. He took a position as an art director at McCann Erickson during the “Mad Men” era, and although an office with a view was nice, Ron craved more independence. He shifted his career to freelance work and left the agency job, but not before acquiring an appreciation for a good martini and developing an excellent golf swing. As a freelance graphic designer, Ron relished the freedom to work on his corporate accounts or his own artwork, either from his Manhattan studio or from his drafting board at a summer home in Maine. Always looking for creative outlets, he took up the art of wood engraving. His work appeared in the Franklin Library’s fine collector editions and other books. A course in book binding and paper arts piqued his interest and ultimately led to his favorite life’s work. Under the name The Red Angel Press, he created limited-edition art press books with hand-set type, printed on a 1700-pound, antique Golding Jobber printing press, using his own original wood engravings, and bound by hand. The elaborate, intricate, and imaginative works sometimes incorporated paper sculptures and pop-up structures such as a depiction of the suspension cables of the Brooklyn Bridge that rise up from the pages when opened. His books can be found in university libraries, including Yale, Harvard, and Dartmouth, in the Library of Congress, and in many private rare book collections throughout the world.

From the time he arrived in NYC, Ron became a true New Yorker, loving the grit and the hustle and bustle as he frequented museums, attended art exhibits and concerts, and sketched architectural building details. Although they loved the city life, Ron and his family looked forward to their summertime escapes to their old house in rural Maine, where Ron enjoyed bird watching, stargazing, gardening, and harvesting mussels. Over the years, Ron and Betty traveled the world on a shoestring budget, with art and architecture the main focus of their destinations and often an inspiration for Ron’s work.

Although they had sworn they would never leave NYC, Ron and Betty moved to the Upper Valley area of New Hampshire and Vermont in 2016, to be near their granddaughters, and for an easier life than they were starting to experience in the city.

Ron was predeceased by his wife Betty of 56 years and by a brother, Lawrence Keller. He is survived by a daughter, Angela Burrington, and son-in-law, Brad, of North Pomfret, VT; a son, Peter Keller of Queens, NY; two granddaughters, Dana and Celia Burrington; and a brother, James Keller of Diamond Barr, CA.

His family will gather for a private memorial service at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org).

The Knight Funeral Home in WRJ, VT handled arrangements, and condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.

Harold Burns “Tuffy” Wright

Harold Burns “Tuffy” Wright, 94, died peacefully surrounded by family at his home on February 12, 2021 in White River Jct. He was born on September 28, 1926 in Hanover, NH, son of Seaver David and Helen (Gillette) Wright. Harold was very proud of his deep roots in the town of Hartford; being a direct descendant of original settlers on both sides of the family.

Growing up during the depression could have been challenging but Harold enjoyed life on the family farm. He and his three brothers enjoyed fishing in the brook, riding their bikes down to swim in the river, or picking strawberries to peddle door to door to earn money to attend the circus — after they got their chores done, of course. On Sundays, they would take a picnic and watch the Russtown Tigers Baseball Team. Harold was one of the batboys retrieving fly balls from the hay field and running to the river to get a pail of water for the players. He often said, they might not have gotten a lot of new clothes but they always had plenty of food from the farm.

Harold’s first job was for the railroad — unloading government fertilizer for 50 cents per ton from the boxcars. As a senior in high school, Harold and some buddies enlisted in the service, allowing them to stay and complete their last year at Hartford High School — graduating in June 1944. In the summer, he was bussed to Fort Devens, MA to await transport to Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After completing training, Harold was on a troop train headed to CO when V-E day was announced. The soldiers were so excited they almost tipped the train over. Harold was transferred to Orlando, FL, and then to Virginia and given the choice of joining the Army of Occupation or going home. He knew he was needed on the family farm and headed home to VT.

On June 24, 1950, Harold married Maxine Harford in Windsor, VT (after getting some haying done) and they moved into his grandparents’ house on Maplerow Farm to start their family. The family grew quickly and Harold continued to work with his family on the farm and started as a Rural Route carrier for the Post Office. In August 1958, Harold was appointed Postmaster by President Eisenhower with 14 employees in downtown White River Jct. In the following years, he oversaw the building of the facility on Sykes Avenue and managed over 200 post offices in Eastern VT and Northern NH. He served as President of the National Association of Postmasters as well as President of Retired VT Postmasters. Thirty years to the day, he retired as Postmaster-with over 500 employees now working at the WRJ Post Office and returned to farming full time.

Being diagnosed with Prostate Cancer in 1992, never slowed Harold down. He continued to live life to the fullest. His love for the Jersey cow took him on many adventures and gathered many friendships. He showed and judged at fairs throughout VT, New England, Quebec and Ontario. Harold spent many years traveling with Jersey breeders from California finding VT heifers to ship across the country. Harold was a member of the World Jersey & Horticulture Society and proud owner of a “real” Jersey heifer on the Isle of Jersey. He was Past President and Director of the American Jersey Cattle Association and recipient of the two highest honors of AJCA — Distinguished Service Award and Master Breeder. Harold also was very active in the VT and NE Jersey Breeders Associations acting as Past President, Distinguished Service Award winner, and sale chairman. Sadly, on April 4, 2004, the Maplerow Jerseys were sold.

Family, travel, and the Jersey cow were three of Harold’s biggest loves and he managed to combine the three for many adventures. Including, traveling to the 48 contiguous states and thirteen countries –attending the National AJCA Convention with Maxine, daughters, Ann and Donna, and grandchildren annually since 1972 — including mapping out a cross country journey to San Diego in 2016. He was always a great VT Ambassador-waving to a passing car (“Now, they will think all Vermonters are friendly.”) and always traveling with VT maple syrup to be shared with friends, acquaintances, or any person that did a small act of kindness. Some of Harold’s favorite trips took him to visit the Queen’s Jersey Herd at Windsor Castle, attend the Royal Welsh Show, and tour the beaches of Normandy. But, his favorite place to travel was the Isle of Jersey, UK — a challenging place to get to but enjoying a Jersey Creme in Liberation Square or having supper with friends at the Pomme D’Or Hotel overlooking the harbor made it worth it.

After retirement, Harold also returned to his love of oxen. After owning and showing many pairs, he was very proud to win 2019 Best Pair Overall Show Steer and Oxen at Fryeburg Fair with his milking shorthorns, Jake and Gus. He often commented that his steers are better off than many people in the world — they have a warm, safe place to live and plenty to eat.

Harold was an active member of the WRJ United Methodist Church, attending regularly — including Zoom services up until last Sunday. He held various offices but also chaired the Steeple Fund and Elevator Committee making the church handicapped accessible, worked on many turkey suppers, auctions, and hosted several successful “Cow Drops”.

In the community, Harold was a Past President of the White River Rotary Club, Co-Founder of the Hartford Booster Club to support local student-athletes, and Member of the United Brethren Lodge #21 Masons. He was very proud of becoming an Everybody Wins! Reading Mentor at the White River School (formerly the High School he graduated from sixty years earlier).

Harold will always be remembered for his love of family, curious mind, a life long learner and reader (reading the Bible cover/cover at age 91, at least two newspapers, a daily devotion and more daily), his excellent memory, a prankster with a twinkle in his eye, attending his grandchildren’s events, NE Sport supporter, sitting in the bay windows, rocking on the front porch and waving at the passing cars, love of railroads and logging, enjoying the circus, his mongoose, being the first birthday call of the day, and his amazing work ethic.

Harold is survived by his children, Gail Wright, Harold Wright Jr., Richard Wright, Ann Cerasoli, and Donna Wright, all of White River Jct. Grandchildren Richard Wright II (Wendie), Abby Benoit (Joseph), Hannah Cerasoli and Alicia Cerasoli; Great-grandchildren Ezra and Ethan Benoit and Molly and Weston Wright. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and extended family.

Harold is predeceased by his wife, Maxine; their son, Bruce; and siblings David, Edward, and Donald Wright.

The family is very appreciative of the care Harold received from Dr. Royal Whitney, Dr. Ernst Oidtmann, and Dr. Karen Loring over the last 70 years. A very special thank you to Diane and Lynne for helping Harold be comfortable and stay in his home to the end and VNH-Maryellen and Edison.

Due to COVID restrictions, there will be a private service followed by a Celebration of Life on June 19th at Maplerow Farm in White River Jct at 1-4 pm with a sharing time at 2:00.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Harold Wright, to the WRJ United Methodist Church, 106 Gates St., White River Jct., VT 05001 or to VT Jersey Breeders c/o Tom Pyle, 651 Rte. 22A North, Fair Haven, VT 05743.

Condolences to Harold’s family may be made in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com.

Harold loved people. In his memory, share a story, call a friend, eat some ice cream, or wave to a stranger.

Makenna Lee Joyce Dusik

Makenna will live forever inside the hearts of all those who knew and loved her.

It is with heaviness in our hearts and our deepest sorrow we announce the passing of our beloved Makenna.

Makenna Lee Joyce Dusik of Woodstock earned her wings on Jan. 29, 2021 at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.  She passed away in the loving arms of her mother and father following unforeseen complications after a surgical procedure. Makenna was born on August 21, 2019 to parents Logan Dusik and Sage Thibodeau.  Her fighting spirit began developing immediately as she was born premature, a twin, and with a complex medical condition.

Makenna LOVED life!  She loved her family and her people. She loved playing, bonding, and watching Frozen with her twin sister…on repeat, splashing in the tub and trying new foods. Above all, she loved being silly and making people laugh every chance she got. Despite spending a large part of her life in the hospital, she never lost her ability to light up a room or bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Many people who followed her story near and afar have been inspired by her fighting spirit and resilience. Her always present smile and bubbly personality despite the myriad of challenges she faced and overcame. She made it impossible not to fall in love with her. Makenna will live forever inside the hearts of all those who knew and loved her. Although her time with us was short, we feel forever blessed and eternally grateful for every second we had with her. She was a special angel who always will be our true gift from heaven. May she rest peacefully, until we meet again our sweet little angel.

Makenna is survived by Sage Thibodeau; mother, Logan Dusik; Father, Lyla Marie Dusik; twin sister, James and Amber Dusik; grandparents, Wayne and Carrie Serra; grandparents, Neal and Lori Weil; grandparents,  David Thibodeau;  Great grandparent, Colleen Bivins; Great grandparent and many Aunts uncles’ cousins and her huge family at DHMC.

Celebrations of Makenna’s life will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, February 13^th, 2021 at First Congregational Church, 36 Elm Street Woodstock, Vt. 05091. The link for reserving a seat at the service is www.fccw.net/dusik.

Flowers, donations and cards can be sent to: First Congregational Church, 36 Elm Street Woodstock, Vt. 05091, c/o Makenna Dusik

An online guest book can be found at Cabotfh.com

Shirlene C. Charbeneau

STUARTS DRAFT, VA

Shirlene Cole Charbeneau, 73, of Stuarts Draft, Virginia went home peacefully to her Lord Monday night, February 1, 2021 at Augusta Health in Fishersville VA, following a sudden and devastating illness. She was born December 28, 1947 in Rutland, VT. Her parents were Charles and Irene Cole and she grew up on the family farm in West Woodstock, VT. She attended Woodstock schools, playing the alto saxophone in band and graduating from Woodstock Union High School in 1966 and later graduating from Rutland Business College.

In 1965 her parents built the Cole Farm Restaurant on the farm property, and she waitressed there. She continued farming with her mother Irene following the death of her father in September 1966.

She first met her future husband John at vacation Bible school at the Bridgewater VT Congregational church when they were both in elementary school in the 1950s. She married him on June 19, 1971 at the First Congregational Church in Woodstock, VT. After a honeymoon that included stays at the Lake Mohonk resort in New York state and in Florida, they returned to West Woodstock. Over the years that followed, she was a devoted wife, mother and homemaker, raising three daughters. She worked at several preschool facilities in the area including Sunshine School, Horsefeathers, and Green Mountain Children‘s Center. Starting in the late 1990’s she worked for Robert and Carol Powell at their greenhouse in Woodstock, VT until her retirement in 2002.

In 2004 she and John moved to Virginia after a more than sufficient number of Vermont winters. She was a member of Wayne Hills Baptist Church in Waynesboro, VA for several years and then became a member of Olivet Presbyterian Church in Staunton, VA. where she sang alto in the choir and participated in the Women’s Circle. She was active in church work and activities all her life. She will be remembered most of all for her strong belief in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, her devotion to her husband and family, and her sense of humor.

She is survived by her husband of 49 years, John Charbeneau of Stuarts Draft VA and their three daughters: Abigail C. Charbeneau and her partner Sarah Dan Jones of Penacook, NH, Anne C. Zapanta and her husband Philip of Lorton, VA, and Alison C. Bryant and her husband Richy of Belmont, NH, as well as three grandchildren: Jonathan Zapanta, Bekah Zapanta, and Joey Bryant. She is also survived by several cousins, her best friends Bobbi Roy, Sharon Hall, and Suzan Harlow, and her special cousin Edith Williams. She was predeceased by Charles and Irene Cole, her birth mother Josephine Blanchard, and two half-brothers, Duane and David Thomas.

Due to COVID-19 there will be no calling hours. Cremation service will be provided by the Henry Funeral Home of Staunton, VA, and inurnment will take place in the spring in Vermont with details to be announced at a later date. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the wonderful and caring staff and physicians at Augusta Health. Donations may be made to Bethany Birches Camp, 2610 Lynds Hill Road, Plymouth VT 05056, which figured prominently in her life and the lives of her daughters and family.

Alden G. Valentine

CLEMSON, SC

Beloved father of Karen Morgan of Woodstock

Alden Geer Valentine, 87, of Clemson passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca, SC.

Alden was born in Hartford, CT, a son of the late Henry Woodhouse and Louise Clark Valentine. He was a 1955 graduate of Trinity College in Hartford, CT. Following his retirement from AT&T in Atlanta, he and his wife moved to Keowee Key in Oconee County, SC where he lived until he moved to Clemson. He was a very active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson where he sang in the choir and served as sextant for the St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard in Pendleton for many years. He loved travel, hiking, but most especially gardening.

Alden was a US Navy Veteran and following his active duty served in the US Navy Reserves and retired as Commander in 1976.

Surviving are two daughters, Susan Valentine of Asheville, NC and Karen and her husband Dan Morgan of Woodstock, VT.

In addition to his parents and his wife Judith Riefstahl Valentine, Alden was predeceased by brothers, Robert and Elliott Valentine; and a sister, Natalie Ricci.

Private graveside services were held on Saturday, February 6, 2021 in St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard in Pendleton, SC with Rev. Suz Cate officiating.

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, facial coverings were required, and social distancing protocols were observed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Pendleton, SC or The Nature Conservancy.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.