Audrey Else Barr

South Woodstock, Vermont

Audrey Else Barr, 90, died peacefully on Friday July 31, 2020 at the Jack Byrnes Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.

Audrey was born on October 24, 1929 in Woodhaven, Queens, New York after her parents, William and Emma (Arnold) Schimsheimer, immigrated through Ellis Island, NY from Germany. Following her parents’ death, she and her brother Ray, spent part of their childhood at the Ottilie Orphan Home, while also being raised by her stepfather, Eric Abraham.  She graduated from Jamaica High School in Queens, New York, claiming the coveted titles of Class Flirt and Best Smile.

Growing up in New York, when Audrey wasn’t spending time with her dear friends, Doris and Audrey, or working for the telephone company, she was riding the bus to Manhattan to catch a movie or watch the Rockettes, or grabbing a snack at the Automat.  Audrey, with her eyes on fashion design, instead met her love, Stewart Barr, while on a road trip to Vermont in 1947.  After a brief courtship of letter writing, several visits between NY and VT, and a proposal over a stick of spearmint gum on St. Patrick’s Day, Stewart and Audrey married on May 2, 1948.

Stewart and Audrey built their home together in South Woodstock, where they remained until their deaths.  In addition to being a loving wife and raising her family, Audrey worked a number of jobs locally to help support her family, spending many years working in the Woodstock school system. She was an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her children and grandchildren (not forgetting to include matching outfits for dolls) as well as making prom and wedding dresses, quilts, and baby blankets. Audrey loved to sing and would often sing with Stewart, the two even performing an original song on Channel 3 in Burlington in the late 1950s.  She later joined Freelance Family Singers, where Stewart would watch with pride from the audience.  She worked on many artistic projects, she loved documenting her story by writing her memories, she kept in touch with her childhood friends, she never missed a Hallmark movie, and she was an avid swimmer up until the time of her death.

Audrey is survived by 3 children, Dennis Barr (Nancy), Curt Barr (Wendy), Candy Barr (Brett Hersey); 5 grandchildren, Clayton Bridge, Craig Bridge (Danielle), Abbie Pope (David), Jill Mitchell (George), and Chris Barr (Susie Chamberlain); 11 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews; and many extended family throughout the United States and Germany. She was predeceased by her husband of 63 years, Stewart, her parents, her stepfather, her brother Raymond Sims, and her beloved cat Gizmo.

There will be no public services held. Those wishing to do so, may make memorial donations to: SCO Family of Services (formerly the Ottilie Orphan Home), 1 Alexander Place, Glen Cove, NY 11545 (https://sco.org/get-involved/ways-to-give/)

An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Thomas L. Marrone

Thomas L. Marrone, 77, passed away unexpectedly in the peaceful waters of Echo Lake on 7/27/20, while on an outing with his wife, Margo, and grandsons. He was born in Bethpage, NY to Thomas D and Marian (Maggi) Marrone on 6/6/43. In his teens they moved to Armonk, NY and he graduated from Pleasantville High School, then received his Bachelors degree in Marketing from Bridgeport University. Tom was part of the Air National Guard in White Plains, NY.  He worked in sales for various companies in NY and later in VT and NH. He was employed at Green Mountain Industries (later Rutland Industries), which enabled the 1978 move to the ski house he built in his beloved VT.

He was a member of the Green Mountain Fly Tyers, led the initial recycling effort in Plymouth, enjoyed coaching boys tennis at Woodstock Union High School, and was a long-time member of the Plymouth Volunteer Fire Department. He also taught skiing at Round Top and the Killington junior program. He loved driving fellow American Legion members in the Woodstock Memorial Day parades. He took great pride in his family and loved to have family and friends help with making maple syrup each year. Laid back, fun-loving and kind, he accepted others easily and had many wonderful friendships that he cherished.

In light of COVID-19, Gwen Groff led a small graveside service for immediate family on 7/31, including a last call salute by the Plymouth Fire Dept. As his church family, the congregation of Bethany Mennonite Church provided flowers and beautiful music.

Surviving are his wife of nearly 46 years, daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Chris Perrino, and grandsons, Owen and Landon, and several beloved cousins.

There have been so many expressions of affection and warm memories shared, that have been a wonderful tribute and great comfort.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Black River Independent School (blackriveris.org) for bettering local educational opportunities for children or to Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, P.O. Box 702 Brownsville, VT 05037, on whose board he served for many years.

An online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Celebrate the life of Ann Rogers Ackley on Aug. 8

A gathering to celebrate the life of Ann Rogers Ackley, who died on April 11th, will be held on Saturday August 8th at the Acutney Outdoor Center in Brownsville beginning at 2pm.

All are encouraged to wear bright clothing and bring a perennial to plant in Ann’s memorial garden at the center.

Masks and social distancing will be required.

David M. Drewek

David M. Drewek, 78, died on July 23, 2020 at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following heart related issues.

David was born on December 1, 1941 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Anthony and Loretta (Danhauser) Drewek.

An accomplished artist, glassblower, and avid boater David retired to Vermont after teaching at The Prairie School in Racine, WI where he had served as chairman of the Art Department. Among the many interests and fascinating parts of David’s life he thoroughly enjoyed the three years he and his wife Mary spent seeing many parts of the United States while living on a Tug Boat.

David is survived by his wife Mary (Schumann) Drewek, brother Richard Drewek, son Dr. Michael Drewek (Cynthia), daughter Lisa Kern (Steve), son Mark Drewek (Dina), step daughters Libby Jones (Pat), and Tracy Fournier (Jim), as well as 8 grandchildren; Austin, Paige, Jennifer, Leah, Nathan, Adam, Alec, and Riley.

No formal services will be held at this time.

Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Prairie School Art Department, 4050 Lighthouse Drive, Racine, WI 53402 or to an animal Rescue program of your choice.

An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Olive A. Greenough

Olive A. Greenough, 100, died peacefully on Friday morning July 24^th at the Jack Byrnes Center in Lebanon, NH

She was born on November 1, 1919 in Woodstock, Vermont the daughter of William and Ada (Merriam) Allard. Olive grew up in Bridgewater attending the Bridgewater Village School and the Woodstock High School. On July 31, 1937 she married Colburn Greenough and they continued to live in Bridgewater for her entire life.

Olive worked at the Bridgewater Drug Store and then for many years at the US Post Office in Bridgewater. Olive was a member of the Bridgewater Congregational Church and the Women’s Fellowship serving as treasurer for many years.

Olive is survived by her son Ronald, her grandson Phillip, her sister Pauline Carr, very close friends Jeff & Sidney Kenyon and Mr. & Mrs. Earnest Kendal. She is predeceased by her husband Colburn.

A graveside service is being planned for this fall.

Memorial donations may be made to the Bridgewater Historical Society, P.O. Box 98, Bridgewater, VT 05034. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

Carole Pye

Carole Pye passed to her heavenly home from Washington Terrace Skilled Nursing Home in Ogden, Utah on July 24^th in peace at the age of 86.

Carole McKenzie was born in Seattle, Washington on June 3^rd, 1934. Her parents were Harry and Alice McKenzie. Her Norwegian mother graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota and was the daughter of Mayor Johnson of Howard, South Dakota. Her father was a Singer Sewing machine salesman and after serving in the Air Force during WWII, became a successful manager in the hotel and resort industry.

Carole’s parents managed a restaurant on Treasure Island during the San Francisco 1939 Worlds Fair Exposition, which celebrated the completion of the Golden Gate Bridge and the San Francisco Bay bridge. Carole remembered dancing in ethnic costumes on the outdoor entertainment stage as a five-year-old during the very crowded World Fair celebrations.

She grew up in the Marina district in San Francisco during WWII and  was a graduate of Lincoln High School.

She was married to Raymond Pye, a civil engineer for the state of California, and they had two children, Linda Susan and David Andrew. Carole worked as a secretary and administrative assistant in Sacramento, California for many non-profit agencies. She moved to Berkeley, California and later to Lake Oswego, Oregon. She was always active in the arts, volunteering for her church, and helping others as a volunteer for literacy councils in Portland, Oregon. She enjoyed traveling to Europe to visit family in London, Scotland and Denmark, where her daughter, Linda Simonsen and grandson Rowan Francis Simonsen lived. She also enjoyed visits to see her two granddaughters, McKenzie and Sarah Pye in Bear Valley, California.

Carole was an active knitter and an avid reader. She recently lived in Woodstock, Vermont where she enjoyed the historical New England village community, her church, and the cultural life centered around the Thompson Senior Center. Carole loved to participate in every activity offered, from daily exercise classes to the memoir writing groups, and especially loved the field trips to dinner theater and Lobster dinner in Maine.

Her son David brought her to Utah to enjoy the loving bonds of family life with his wife Shauna and her children Gabe and Bethany.

On her passing, the night sky lit up in fireworks for Pioneer Utah Days, and the Neowise comet burned across the horizon in its rare brilliance. She will be remembered and missed by her loved ones, and the staff and residents at Washington Terrace, for her bright spark and sweet smile, her sharp wit and her love of beauty,

Carole Pye is survived by her daughter, Linda Weyerts, her son David Andrew Pye, her grandson Rowan Francis Simonsem, her two granddaughters Mckenzie Pye and Sarah Pye, and her two great granddaughters Naira Saraki Simonsen and Ilona Simonsen.

Edward “Mike” C. Willey, Jr

South Royalton, Vermont

Edward “Mike” C. Willey, Jr died on July 24, 2020 after a period of declining health.

Mike was born June 8, 1946 in Lancaster, NH the son of Edward C. Willey Sr. and Cassanna (Frost) Willey.  He was raised and attended Elementary School in Jefferson, NH.

In the fall of his sophomore year of High School, Mike, finished school to assist his mother with managing their family business; Jefferson Nursing Home.  In 1969 he became a Certified and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.  Following his marriage to Joyce (Austin) Willey, he and Joyce owned and operated Country Village Health Care Center in Lancaster, NH.  Mike and Joyce had five children; two sons and three daughters.  He was a Senior Warden of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and served three terms as a NH State Representative.

Later he moved to southern Vermont where he owned and operated a Country Store and Apothecary.

In 2005 he relocated to the Upper Valley of VT where he and his friend Cassidy built their home overlooking the White River in South Royalton.  He worked as a Manager at the Maplefields Store in Woodstock, VT for over ten years.  During this time, he made several social connections with those in the community.  Mike was known for his outgoing, friendly personality which made him well loved by those who knew him.  After his retirement in 2017, he spent countless hours working in his perennial garden which he developed over the years.

Mike enjoyed keeping up with the news, doing word search puzzles, cooking, spending time with his partner’s family, and relaxing on the patio with Beatrice, his Jack Russel Terrier.  He is very well known for his good sense of humor which brought laughter to any situation.  He was friendly with many and never met a stranger.  Mike enjoyed traveling for vacation to Florida and the coast of Maine or “just getting lost on a country drive.”  However, his true place of comfort was his home.  His laugh, sense of humor, kindness and caring will be missed by all those who were close to him.

The Willey Family would like to extend their gratitude to the Care Team at The Gardens at Gettysburg, in Gettysburg, PA where Mike spent his final days.  Their attentiveness and loving care is greatly appreciated.

Mike is survived by one son, Kevin Willey and wife Sandy, of Lancaster, NH; a daughter, Kris Willey of Lebanon, NH; a daughter, Andrea Willey and wife Karen of Littleton, NH; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; a sister Mae (Ayer) Holden and husband Baxter of Salisbury, NH; a sister Clara (Willey) Whitney and husband Burleigh of Big Lake, AK, nieces, nephews and several other extended family members.

Mike was predeceased by his parents; an infant sister, Geraldine; brothers, John “Jack” Ayer and Edward Stevens; son, Joel Willey; granddaughter, Rheba “Aine” Reynolds; and daughter, Michelle (Willey) Barrows.

A private service is being held for family and close friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Fund for the Brattleboro Retreat, PO BOX 803 Brattleboro, VT 05302  www.brattlebororetreat.org

Howard E. Wing, Jr.

Howard E. Wing, Jr. of Hartland,  VT, died on June 18, 2020 after a long illness. Born in Greenfield, MA in 1931, Mr. Wing was graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953, with a BS in Engineering, and went on as an MIT Sloan Fellow to complete his MS.   After twenty-five years at Raytheon Company in Bedford, MA, Mr. Wing decided to pursue his life-long passion in woodworking and design, studying under master-woodworker Robert March in Worcester, MA.  In 1991, Mr. Wing and his artist wife, Betsy, moved to Vermont with twenty sheep, a burgeoning collection of Native American pottery, southwestern paintings, Betsy’s looms, and his own distinctive furniture.  His contemporary furniture, cabinetry, and reproductions of museum furniture have been exhibited in galleries throughout New England, and mentioned in Fine Woodworking Magazine.

Mr. Wing leaves Betsy Wing, his devoted wife of  forty years, his sister Mary Miller of Holyoke, MA, his daughter, Gail Wing Kelleher of Leominster, MA, his son, Howard A. Wing , a stepson Kevin Green, one grandson, Graham, his niece, Linda Short, beloved nephew, Phil Short, and nephews Vernon, Chris and Steven Miller.

No services are planned.

Hank Smith (1943-2020)

Hank Smith embodied the meaning of community. He had unique skills and experience and he used them, but he always felt and acted like he was a part of something bigger than himself. He had a curiosity, a passion, a determination, a vision. Hank imagined the way things could be and then he went to work to make them so.

Hank was born on November 4, 1943 in the Bronx where, as a young boy, he played endless hours of “stoop ball” and then moved on to baseball and into Queens with his parents, Irwin and Miriam Smith; sister, Harriet; and brother, Phil. Challenging himself and thinking outside of the box from the very start, he graduated early from high school. The Milwaukee Braves baseball franchise invited him to try out for one of their farm teams, but deciding he needed to take a more secure path, he went to college at RPI in Troy, NY.

After graduating from RPI, Hank got a job as an electrical engineer at IBM, which brought him to Poughkeepsie, NY where he met Kathy while coaching her intramural touch football team (yes, intramural touch football, this is not a typo!). They got married, had their oldest daughter Tam, moved to California, had their next daughter Beka, moved to Pennsylvania and then Connecticut, had their son Dan, and finally settled in Vermont, and had their youngest daughter, Callie.

Hank moved with his young family to California to work for Intel and become part of the Silicon Valley revolution of the late 60s and 70s. It turns out he was not a good engineer at all, but he was good at managing people and projects (heading teams that headed up projects) and he was especially good at imagining. In his role as marketing manager at Intel, he was a pioneer. The company was just coming out with a microprocessor and Hank was tasked with marketing this brand new product with nothing to guide him. It was here at Intel that he began to live the philosophy that would become his trademark: transforming the traditional idea of failure into a determination to learn and then try again. The microprocessor was a huge success and much of that is due to Hank’s revolutionary marketing. Eventually, he became a venture capitalist at Venrock, in NYC, where he led his firm to invest in a little technology startup called Apple. At that time, Apple was just a prototype in Steve Jobs’ parents’ garage – a perfect example of Hank’s imagination in full force.

Hank became one of the original remote workers when he and his family moved to Westwinds Farm in Vermont in 1979. In between working at home and going on business trips, he raised cows. Soon the farm evolved into a horse boarding and training endeavor. And Hank began honing his managing and imagining skills, as well as his it ain’t over til the fat lady sings belief. As he began to put roots down in the community, he looked and listened, recognized needs and sought to fulfill them. He first created a local baseball team and resurrected an old team name, the Bridgewater Beestompers. Then he spearheaded the Bridgewater Recreation Center and raised money to build a ball field, tennis courts, and a playground for the town. Kathy, Hank, and their friends Meg and Bruce Seely opened a much needed childcare center at Mt. Tom, which served families from around the Woodstock area.

Over the course of many years, Hank conceived of, launched, and invested in more than a dozen startup businesses. Some were successes, some were failures. But he put his heart, energy, and expertise into every single one of them. He liked the work. He liked being active, his mind clicking and his body moving. And he loved–more than anything–collaborating with other people, helping them step out of their comfort zones, building their confidence, and accomplishing great things together.

Hank felt just as excited and invested in developing his local Vermont projects as he did when he dreamed of what Apple Computer could be. They felt just as big to him. They felt just as critical for his community, whether that meant his industry or his town.

Hank was also an adventurer. He (almost) learned how to captain a boat. He traveled to all 7 continents, and often brought family and friends with him. And there wasn’t one country he came home from without a painting or a sculpture or some other expression of art.

Hank was a man of commitment and ritual. He attended all of Dan’s high school basketball games and kept notes on what Dan did well and where he could improve. (A generation later, he attended all of his grandson Jordy’s high school, legion, and college baseball games, sitting behind home plate–taking notes again.) His favorite high school tennis match of Callie’s was the only one she lost, but also the one he felt she put everything into. He attended all of Beka’s horse events and always told her to have fun just before she competed. (He also wore his lucky purple underwear for each event.) And he began to collect art from children’s books about baseball, when Tam began writing for children. He created experiences that became tradition.

Hank was also stubborn. He always thought he was right. And he was tough to argue with (because he always thought he was right.) But he also knew he didn’t know everything. And that is part of why he traveled, created companies, began projects, and tried new activities.

To learn new things and expand his world.

Hank’s legacy is Westwinds farm. It is a horse farm, a car repair shop, an antique car museum, a wedding site, a cross country running and baseball retreat, a wiffle ball tournament location, and a home. It is a house, bunk house, a ridge road up to a ridge house, a barn, arena, repair shop, fields, and a pond.

Hank died on July 14, 2020. In one hand he will forever hold a Pensy Pinky ball, just like the one he played stoop ball with in the Bronx, and in the other hand he holds a baseball.

Hank is survived by his wife, Kathy; his 4 kids, Tam, Beka, Dan, and Callie; his 12 grandkids, Jordy, Luc, Tobin, Zory, Phoebe, Tavia, Mia, Henry, Jafeth, Cameron, River, and another on the way; and a whole lot of other people who call him coach, mentor, teacher, and friend.

We have created a website in honor of Hank. Please come to www.westwindshank.com and check out more about his life, leave your own stories about him, and in lieu of flowers, make a donation to the Bridgewater Community Center.

Nathaniel White Williams Jr.

Nathaniel White Williams Jr. or “Whitey”, as family members affectionately knew him, passed away peacefully July 5th^, 2020 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina with Jean, his wife of 67 years, and daughter Laurie at his side. He was born on January 6, 1929 in Boston Massachusetts, the son of Nathaniel White Williams and Rose Bates Williams. As the only son with three older sisters, his sense of strength and stability was formed early on. It was sought after and provided to three generations of family and many friends.

Nat grew up in Roslindale, Massachusetts and graduated from Boston English High School in 1946. He enlisted in the United States Army immediately after high school and was stationed in Germany from 1946 through 1948. Following his tour of duty, he attended New England College on the GI Bill and graduated in 1951. He completed his Masters Degree in Business at Boston University in 1952. It was during those college years while working at a summer resort on Cape Cod that he met Jean Pierce, a young beauty from Mt Kisco, New York, who would become the love of his life and eventually his wife. Whitey and Jean were married in 1953 and settled in Boston where he joined his father’s thriving painting and wall papering business. His passion to teach soon arose and he took a position in Westboro, Massachusetts teaching Business Education.

Following the unexpected death of his father in 1955, he returned to Boston to take over the business and to watch over and care for his mother. 1955 also saw the birth of his first son Nathaniel III followed by his second son David in 1956 and within three years twin girls, Lisa and Laurie. The young family moved to Framingham to begin many years in the Boston suburb. Settled in and now working at Raytheon Corp, Nat returned once again to teaching part time. As an avid and accomplished sailor, he began a stint teaching advanced navigation techniques using the stars and handheld instruments. It was during the Framingham years that the family began raising and breeding pure bred Siberian Huskies. A true family endeavor with the responsibilities spread throughout, the Williams household was filled with not only four small children but always puppies and more puppies. Love, fun, and chaos in equal measure filled the household. These years also found him in the air with a private pilot’s license and on the ground putting his TR-3 through its paces in amateur races. There were also many family summers on the Cape in a house he built in Pocasset, Massachusetts.

Over time with Raytheon Corporation, primarily a defense contractor, downsizing post Vietnam and job security tenuous, another chapter was to begin. Michael Pierce, Jean’s brother, owned a successful real estate business in the town of Woodstock, Vermont where the family would visit from time to time. When a local motel went up for sale in 1974, Nat and Jean purchased it and the family moved to Woodstock to begin careers as innkeepers. In 1975 Nat began what was to become a 14-year teaching career at Woodstock Union High School teaching Business Ed while he and Jean ran what was then the Ottauquechee Motel in West Woodstock. He was also a deputy sheriff with the Windsor County sheriff dept. for 22 years. In 1983 the motel was sold and land purchased in Reading Vermont. A three-bedroom log home kit was purchased and built by Nat with the help of his brother in law and two sons. For years, the “cabin” was not only their home but also became the family retreat. Filled to capacity at holidays and ski weekends, it remains a place of vivid and loving memories for their children and grandchildren.

Now retired, Nat took on the complicated and labor-intensive task of building his own airplane. A three-quarter-scale replica of a World War II fighter. Although never airborne, the project provided many hours of focused discipline complementing his love of hunting and enjoyment of the outdoors. With Nat’s sisters now living in Florida for some years and time passing, the easier weather and lifestyle were calling. In 1997 the cabin was reluctantly sold and a house purchased in Pinellas Park, Florida. The Florida years were a time of relaxation, golf, a cruise or two and the security and full circle of living near his siblings. Of course, always punctuated by many visits from up north to see Grandpa and Grandma. After 16 wonderful years in Florida, there was one last move to make.

Daughter Laurie had been living in Raleigh North Carolina for many years and an independent living facility was found to be the next residence. Near a family member and a more hospitable climate than Vermont, Raleigh was it. They settled in and made many friends with Laurie and her husband Jack providing the close family ties that are the most important. Nat (Whitey) lived a long and full life, able to see three vibrant generations of life from that meeting 7 decades ago at a small Cape Cod summer resort. He led a life of curiosity, adventure and humor. With strength, stability, and a strong work ethic he was always grounded in family. We will miss all those things. So many stories…

Nathaniel (Whitey) is survived by his wife Jean of Raleigh, North Carolina, his son Nathaniel III of Woodstock Vermont, his son David and wife Vicki of Bethel Vermont, his daughter Lisa and husband Steve Capezzone of Colchester Connecticut, daughter Laurie and husband Jack McNair of Raleigh North Carolina as well as 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.

Interment will be at a later date at the family resting place at Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts.