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OBITUARIES, VOWS, CELEBRATIONS
OBITUARIES
IN MEMORIAM
Amelia Evelyn Voicy Baggs
1980-2020 BURLINGTON, VT. Amelia Evelyn Voicy Baggs — disability rights advocate and a pioneer in the disability rights movement — lost her fight to live on April 11 at age 39. A prolific blogger, writer, artist, lecturer and poet, she made her home in Burlington, Vt. She loved friends, cats,
redwoods, books, crocheting and life! In summer you may have seen her in her wheelchair at the farmers market, or in winter seen her crocheted gloves, hats and scarves left in plastic bags on park benches with the note, “If you are cold please take these, I made them for
you.” You may have read her words online or in books, or seen her art in a local gallery. Many knew of Mel from her video “In My Language,” which she created as an act of developmental disability solidarity, illustrating how nonstandard ways of being in the world were as deep, rich and as valid
and Surgeons (MD) in 1945. He did his residency at City Hospital in Fall River, Mass., where he met his future wife, Lucile (Rondeau), who was a registered nurse at St. Anne’s Hospital in Fall River. He began his private medical practice in 1946 in Derby, Vt., and always said it was the view from Baxter Park in Derby Line that sold him on Vermont. His wife, Lucile, helped him with his practice in the early years. Frank practiced in Derby for 40 years and was known throughout the Northeast Kingdom simply as “Doc.” Frank was a true “country doctor.” He made house calls
daily and was willing to see his patients at all hours and in all seasons. His office was in his home on Main Street in Derby, where patients came during office hours, no appointment necessary. As stated in an October 20, 2015, Congressional Record entry by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), “We would do well to learn from people like Dr. Frank Fiermonte. Motivated by the desire to serve his community and deliver the best care possible, for Dr. Fiermonte it was all about the patient.” He loved the people of the Northeast Kingdom and was a fixture in the local community for all the years he lived there — golfing at Newport Country Club, an original member of the Derby Lions Club, a member of the Elks Club, and the public health officer for the Town of Derby for many years. He was a very good bridge player (but not as good as his wife, she often reminded him). Dr. Fiermonte received anesthesia training under the tutelage of Dr. John Mazuzan Jr. at the Mary Fletcher
Dr. Frank Philip Fiermonte 1921-2020 SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT.
Dr. Frank Philip Fiermonte passed away peacefully at the age of 99 on April 21, 2020, in South Burlington, Vt. Born January 7, 1921, in Malden, Mass., Frank was the son of Italian immigrants Carmine Antonio Fierimonte and Marinetta (Bevilacqua) Fierimonte. Survivors include his two children, Paula of San Rafael, Calif., and her husband, Bill Hartman; and Philip of Burlington, Vt., and his wife, Irene Jednak. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Lucile (Rondeau), in 2001, as well as by his daughter Judith Ann in June 2019 and his brother Stanley in 2013. He graduated from Malden Catholic High School, where he played third base for the legendary baseball coach Brother Gilbert. Frank graduated from the Massachusetts College of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) in 1944 and from the Kansas City University of Physicians
as those experienced by nondisabled people. Mel fought ableism for her very survival. She worked hard to live independently in her own apartment with support services. She was in an escalating battle to convince a failing local support system that her life had value. It became more difficult to attain adequate services and, without them, she weakened after having a regular flu. Mel’s untimely death is a heartbreaking loss to the disability community, where her writing became a gateway to self-understanding, acceptance and new perspectives on disability. You taught us so much, Mel! We mourn the life you did not get to finish. May the world grow into your wisdom. Rest in power and love. The family requests that remembrances in her name go to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network (autisticadvocacy.org).
Hospital in Burlington and provided anesthesia for the Newport surgeons for many years, in addition to his family practice. Frank and his wife, Lucile, retired to Venice, Fla., in 1986 but always came back to Orleans County during the summers, where they rented a camp on Lake Memphremagog in Newport. Frank’s family would like to thank the caregivers from the Residence at Quarry Hill for their loving care, as well as the compassionate caregivers from Bayada Hospice. A memorial gathering will be held in Newport, Vt., later this summer (COVID-19 restrictions permitting). Memorial contributions may be made to the Dailey Memorial Library, 101 Junior High Drive, Derby, VT 05829. Online condolences at curtisbritch.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of CurtisBritch & Bouffard Funeral Home, locally family owned and operated.
In Loving Remembrance of Pamela “Pia” Gale MAY 1, 1949-OCTOBER 10, 2019 You’d be 71 today. Friends and family are invited to celebrate you on Saturday, August 29, at 12:30 p.m. at our home in South Burlington. Bring a bottle of red wine to share! I miss you all the time, Pam. With love, Lynn
IN MEMORIAM
Ida McNamara 1956-2020
The celebration of life for Ida McNamara, scheduled for May 1, 2020, has been postponed until August 21, 2020, at the All Souls Interfaith Gathering, 291 Bostwick Farm Rd., Shelburne, VT at 1 p.m. Her full obituary is available in the Seven Days archive, February 11, 2020.
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