• Barbara Brooks of Newfane. Died at her home on Dec. 20, 2022, with her children Tom and Amanda, nearby. She said she wanted to be at home surrounded by family, and had asked God if He could please make it snow on the night of her passing. He obliged, even though it was not in the forecast. Born in Bridgeport, Connecticut to Marjorie (Fairbanks) and Clarence Stacey, she grew up in East Dummerston and attended Brattleboro Union High School. She graduated Castleton State College in 1957 with a degree in education. Her first job was teaching first grade in Wilmington, where she met the likes of Leon and Cleon Boyd. She remained close with many of her former students to this day. She was married to Norman Brooks of Newfane for 54 years until his death in 2013. Together they raised their four children. Tom Brooks (Kendra), the late Dawn McCormick and Jennifer Ellis, and Amanda North (Robert). She was adored by her 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. As her health declined, her friends and family visited her often, either to drop off a treat or to sit for a game of cards. Up until the day before she died, she continued to do the daily crossword puzzle, 1,000 piece puzzles, and would win 9 out of 10 games of cards or Chinese Checkers. In her last days, she worked daily on her mountain of Christmas cards she wanted to send out. She did not make it to the end of her list, but you were all in her thoughts. Barbara was very active in the community throughout her life. Her volunteer work ranged from being Sunday School teacher, softball coach, school board member and guardian ad litem; to helping out at Moore Free Library, Newfane Church Ladies Aid, and the NewBrook Fire & Rescue Auxiliary, NewBrook Field Days; Newfane Heritage Festival, spelling bees, and organizing an annual Easter Egg Hunt. She was always reaching out to those in the community who were lonely, sick, or down on their luck. She kept her family in close contact by insisting we celebrate everyone's birthday, even as the family to continued to grow. She did not compromise on her values or family traditions, and had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren. Memorial information: Services will be held in the spring at a date to be determined.
Benoit de Crombrugghe of Putney, Vermont, passed away peacefully at his home on December 4, 2022, at the age of 87. He was born in Bruges, Belgium on February 26, 1935 to Henry de Crombrugghe and Anne-Marie Rotsart. He was predeceased in 2020 by Emma de Crombrugghe, his beloved wife of fifty-five years. He is mourned and missed by his two daughters, Isabel Mendelsohn of Summit, New Jersey, and Ines McGillion of Dummerston, Vermont, and their families, including his seven grandchildren. Benoit was the second of seven siblings, and is predeceased by his elder brother François, and survived by sisters Marie-Thérèse and Geneviève, and brothers Phillipe, Bruno, and Dominique de Crombrugghe.
Gentle and kind, patient and compassionate, he was exceptionally intelligent and yet quietly humble, and beloved by all who knew him. He was passionate about his family, a champion of basic scientific research, and proud of the achievements of everyone he mentored in his laboratory.
Benoit graduated from the University of Louvain in 1961 as a medical doctor, and specialized in endocrinology. A two-year research fellowship at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, between 1963 and 1965, marked a pivotal point in his life -- he discovered his passion for scientific research, and met the love of his life, Emma de la Llosa.
Following compulsory military service in Belgium, Benoit returned to the NIH in 1968 to pursue a career as a research scientist, performing laboratory work in molecular biology and studying gene regulation. In 1987, Benoit and his family moved to Houston, Texas, where he was Professor and Chair of the Department of Molecular Genetics at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2019, Benoit and his wife moved to Putney, Vermont, where they were welcomed by the Putney Commons community and enjoyed being closer to family.
Benoit was laid to rest next to his wife in Dummerston Center Cemetery on December 11, 2022. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, michaeljfox.org, or the Houston Area Parkinson Society, hapsonline.org.
To share a memory or send condolences to Benoit's family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nancy Lou Farrell, 76, of Vernon. Died peacefully at home with her family at her side on Dec. 18, 2022 following a period of declining health. Nancy was born in Colchester on May 4, 1946, the daughter of Owen and Helen (McLaren) Hutchins. She attended Brattleboro Union High School and went on to graduate from the Thompson School for Practical Nursing, alongside her sister, Brenda, where she received her LPN diploma. She worked most of her career in healthcare and was employed at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, which she retired from following 25 years of faithful service and care at the facility. Previously, she worked at Cedarcrest Home for Children, then located in Westmoreland. Prior to moving to Vernon 24 years ago, she was a longtime resident of Putney. Nancy enjoyed the outdoors, spending her time gardening (both flowers and vegetables), bird watching, reading, and going to the beach. She loved the time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an excellent baker known for her pies and rolls. Survivors include her five children: Duane Farrell and wife Lisa of Brookline, Travis Farrell and his wife Tracey of Vernon, Trampas Farrell and Brenda of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Lisa Kemp of Vernon, and Julie Acker and husband Nathan of Thetford; brothers Jack, Daniel, and Owen Hutchins; sisters Monica Morris and Elaine Greenwood; grandchildren Nicholas, Andrew, and Alexander Kemp, with whom she shared a home, and Zoe Farrell, and Benjamin and Ada Acker; and great grandchildren Eira Leigh and Lucy Mae. Additionally, she leaves many nieces and nephews. Nancy was predeceased by brothers Raymond and Glen Hutchins, sisters Virginia Howard and Brenda Hatt, and her beloved grandson, Trevor Farrell. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. Donations to the Maplewood Nursing Home Nurse's Fund, 201 River Road, Westmoreland, NH 03467. To send messages of e-condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Norman S. Grubb, 95, of Sarasota, Florida. Died on Dec. 9, 2022. He was born in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania in 1927. Formerly of Collegeville, PA, Norman was a resident of Salisbury, Maryland for 30 years before relocating to Sarasota. Norman graduated from Ridley Park High School in 1947 and Bucknell University in 1952 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Following graduation, he pursued a long career in management with Monsanto, Firestone, and Piedmont Airlines, from which he retired in 1998. He enjoyed listening to jazz, playing the clarinet and being involved in civic and community affairs. Norman was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph R. and Bertha Dietrich Grubb; his wife of 51 years, Claire Hudson; and siblings Joseph and Marjorie. He is survived by his children, Dianne Copp (Robert) of Locust Valley, New York and David Grubb (Patricia) of Sarasota; grandchildren Christopher Grubb, William Copp, and Hilary Copp; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Norman will be laid to rest with his wife at Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro, where services will be held in the spring. Donations to The Children's Fund at the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Ave., Suite 401, Salisbury, MD 21801, www.cfes.org. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Teresa Healy, 60, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at home on Dec. 21, 2022 after five years of living with cancer. She was born in England, an Irish and a Canadian citizen, and spent most of her life in Ontario, Canada. Since 2016, she has called Vermont home. She was an immigrant three times removed from the land of rock, trees and water. A political scientist by training, she was the author of Gendered Struggles Against Globalisation in Mexico (Ashgate 2008/Routledge 2020) and two edited collections on Canadian politics, Harper Record: 2006-2008 and Harper Record: 2008-2015. Most recently, Teresa was completing a book, Bounded Solidarity: The Many Faces of Conservatism in Simcoe County, Ontario. Also, a student of liberation theology, Teresa completed a volume of prayer, Prayerful: A Year of Practice. Teresa was a well-known singer-songwriter, steeped in the Irish tradition. She recorded She Pushed from Behind: Emily Murphy in Story and Song and Tangled in Our Dreams with her husband, Tom Juravich, with whom she performed. A poet as well, she penned Spiralling: A year in verse. Teresa worked for many years in the Canadian labor movement, including at the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) and the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC). She taught political economy at universities in Canada and the United States, including Trent University, Carleton University, and at the School for International Training (SIT). An avid baker, she delighted family and friends with cakes of all kinds as did the flowers, vegetables, and herbs that graced many a gathering in the garden she loved and cared for. Teresa is survived by her husband, Tom Juravich of Brattleboro; Tom's children Nicholas Juravich (Jean Seestadt), Mary Kratz (Adam), and Guy Juravich; and their grandchildren, Alden, Lily, Ben, and Russel. Teresa is also survived by her mother, Kay Healy of Tottenham, Ontario; her sister Anne Healy (Gavin Leeb and his sons Mitchell and Matthew) of Toronto; her brother Christopher Healy (Donna) of Tottenham; her nieces Natasha, Ashley, Tristen, and Kayla; her nephew Colin (Kristen); and her great-nieces and nephew Everleigh, Miguel and Sophia. Teresa was predeceased by her dear brother Stephen Healy (Sherry). Teresa is also survived by many extended kin in Ireland and England as well as dear friends and loved ones in many places across the globe. Memorial information: An in-person and virtual service will be held in a month near Tottenham, Ontario. Details will follow. In lieu of flowers, Teresa wishes that people donate their time and money to causes in their communities.
• Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Hutchins, 67, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully on Dec. 7, 2022, after a short illness. Betsy was a graduate of Peabody (Mass.) High School, and was an antique dealer in New Hampshire for many years. She enjoyed online word games, fishing, and being with her friends and family. She was predeceased by her parents, Edwin and Doris (Donovan) Hutchins, and her partner, Paula Renock. She is survived by her loving companion, Edel Byrne of Putney; siblings Doris (David) Ahern and Edwin (Helen) Hutchins, both of of Beverly, Massachusetts; and several nieces and nephews, Renock family members, and many good friends. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held in the spring in the Hinsdale area. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Brenda Lee Thomas, 63, of Brattleboro. Died on Dec 20, 2022 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Brenda was the daughter of Clarence and Ruth Thomas and is survived by siblings Brent Thomas of Whitingham, Bruce Thomas of Brattleboro, and Bonnie Harvey of Florida; daughter Katie Beam, granddaughter Abby Beriner, and many nieces and nephews and cousins who loved her very much. Sadly, Brenda had been fighting cancer for quite some time. She was a strong independent woman who fought hard to be around for family and friends, but cancer finally took this beautiful soul. Memorial information: There will be a ceremony to be announced at a later date. All are welcome.