PAGE 6A — Addison Independent, Thursday, January 12, 2017
ADDISON COUNTY
Charles P. Stearns, 69, Ferrisburgh
Obituaries Diana V. Parks, 77, Vergennes
VERGENNES — Diana V. (Sheldon) Parks went to sing with the angels on Jan. 4, 2017. She was born on Jan. 23, 1939 to Richard and Vonda (Hallock) Sheldon. Diana graduated from Vergennes High School in 1958. She married William Parks in 1958 and they raised their children, Craig, Jeffrey and Peggy Parks. Diana then started her career as a cook for Allenbrook Home for Boys, where she met her friend, Fr. Robert Baffa, and later at the UVM Newman Center. She was also a cook at Millie’s Diner (her beer and cheddar soup being a customer favorite) and at Project Independence in Middlebury. Diana’s most recent career was her favorite, 17 years as a seamstress at the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, where she made many close friends. A few even became family to her. Diana was known to have an angelic voice and she sang in the church choir for over 40 years, including at weddings and funerals. Her faith was a huge part of her life.
DIANA PARKS Diana is survived by her son, Craig Parks (and partner Krista); her daughter, Peggy; her special granddaughter, Jasmine Parks (and fiancé Lucas); her other grandchildren, Bryan-Michael, Ryan, Joshua, Tyler, Zachary and Alexandra; her five
great-grandchildren; her siblings, Gary (and Mary) Sheldon; Gail Sheldon; Connie (and Peter) Goodrich; John (and Cathy) Sheldon; Noreen Sheldon; Randy (and Diane) Sheldon; Keith (and Annie) Craig; and her in-laws, Joan (and “Turtle”) Panton and Harvey Smith; her many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved friends, Jane and Charlie Huizenga; Matthew Borden; and Russ and Lenore Gates. Diana was predeceased by her son Jeffrey Parks; her sister Patricia Smith; and her “old husband,” William Parks. Diana spent many happy hours at Project Independence of Addison County during her final years (she referred to it as “going to work”), so in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Project Independence in Middlebury. A celebration of Diana’s life is planned for April 29 at 1 p.m. at the Vergennes Congregational Church because spring was her favorite time of year. Interment will follow at Sunset View Cemetery in Waltham. ◊
Paul Emile Vaillancourt, 71, Middlebury MIDDLEBURY — Paul Emile Vaillancourt, 71, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, at Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center after a long illness. He was born April 25, 1945, in Middlebury, Vt., the son of Archie and Leonie (Berthiaume) Vaillancourt. Paul was raised on the family dairy farm in West Salisbury. After his father’s death, he took over the family farm and ran it for many years. Paul eventually stopped farming and became a steward of the land. In later years, he also owned a car washing business. Paul enjoyed spending time on his property, going out to breakfast and finding new restaurants to frequent. He also enjoyed long rides exploring Vermont and visiting other farmers, family and friends. He is survived by his daughter,
PAUL VAILLANCOURT Alison Telgenhoff and husband Michael of Midland, Mich.; his
grandchildren, Jacob, Emily and Joshua Telgenhoff of Midland, Mich.; his brother, David Vaillancourt and partner Annie Audet of Salisbury; his sister, Claire Beecher and husband Jerry of Shelburne; his close aunt, Florence Berthiaume, and several other aunts; his nieces, Melissa Hensen and Betsy Beecher; his nephew, James Beecher; and numerous cousins. He was predeceased by his parents, along with many aunts, uncles and cousins. Per Paul’s wishes, there will be no funeral services. A private burial will be held in West Salisbury Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Online condolences may be offered at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com.◊
The Family of Roger Gevry wishes to thank everyone for the cards, flowers, food, telephone calls and messages given to his family.
Please join Mike’s wife Fran and family in sharing your memories of Mike. We’d love to hear your stories and reflect on his life here in
Vermont. Light refreshments served.◊
will
be
Addison Independent Obituary Policy The Addison Independent considers obituaries community news and does not charge to print them, as long as they follow certain guidelines. These guidelines
Letters
to the Editor
Foxcroft to end Harvest Program
CHARLES STEARNS Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Vergennes.◊
Anna Patricia Johnson Welch, 89, Vergennes
VERGENNES — Anna Patricia Johnson Welch passed away at her home, the Cedars on the shore of Lake Champlain, on Jan. 7, 2017. She was born in Springfield, Vt. on Oct. 29, 1927. “Pat” attended Springfield schools, the College of William and Mary and graduated from the University of Vermont in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Banking, Finance and Insurance. She worked at the Shawmut Bank in Boston, Mass. until marrying Stephen Townsend Welch of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Springfield, Vt. on June 27, 1953. She leaves her husband Steve, their children and families: Peter Jonathan Welch, wife Nancy Conant, son Jonathan; David Daniel Welch; Donald Joseph Welch, wife Traci, daughter Sarah; Alan George Welch, wife Donna, children Brittany and Bradley; Andrea Virginia Welch Heller, husband David, daughters Lauren and Kristen; son-in-law Wallace Orr and cousins in the United States and Sweden. She was predeceased by her parents Virginia Frances Slack Johnson in 1983 and Governor Joseph Blaine
ANNA WELCH Johnson in 1986; daughter Linda Catherine Welch in 2014; and grandson Philip Blaine Welch in 1991. There will be no visiting hours. A funeral will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Vergennes. Burial will be in the spring.◊
Julia Field Curtis, 92, Ferrisburgh native
Mike White memorial There will be a Memorial Gathering for Mike White at the Bridport Town Hall on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, 1-3 p.m.
FERRISBURGH — Charles P. Stearns, 69, passed away Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. He was born Sept. 27, 1947 in Burlington, the son of the late Elwin and Lucy (Ryder) Stearns. He was an avid outdoorsman and farmer, enjoyed socializing at the local diner, working at Job Corps and transporting the students. Charles is survived by his two daughters Chris and James Metiver; and Kim and Michael Fath; grandchildren Josh, Jessica, Bridget, Maria and Jason; a brother Rodney Stearns; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a brother Leonard (Sonny) Stearns. Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at
are published on our web site: addisonindependent.com. Families may opt for unedited paid obituaries, which are designated with “◊” at the end.
PEEKSKILL, N.Y. — Julia Field Curtis, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to be with the Lord on Jan. 7, 2017. Julia was born on Nov. 10, 1924 in Ferrisburgh, Vt. She was the devoted daughter to George and Marion Field. Julia is survived by her brother Warren Field and his wife Lois of Mass.; her sister Edith Close and predeceased husband Earle of Ga.; her daughter Linda Zinn and husband Don of N.Y.; and her son Dennis Curtis and wife Nancy of N.C. She also leaves behind four cherished grandchildren, Jason Zinn of Fla.; Daniel Zinn of N.Y.; Dawn Curtis Sessler of N.C. and Amy Curtis Thomas of N.C.; along with five great-grandchildren. Julia met Gordon Curtis while they were students at The University of Vermont. They married on June 26, 1948 and moved to Bolton, Vt. where they built a home together and raised their family. They later moved to Char-
lotte, Vt., back to the house that she had been raised in. They spent many memorable summers at their camp on Lake Champlain. Gordon and Julia were married for 58 years before he went home to be with the Lord. Julia was devoted to her family and friends. She never spoke a harsh word and looked for the good in everyone. She was an educator and loved her career of ‘30 years’ reaching out to her students and interacting with faculty. She retired from Mt. Mansfield High School. She will be missed by anyone that knew her as she touched so many lives. We are saddened with her loss but take comfort in knowing that she is back with Gordon and hopefully enjoying their card games. A family memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations may be made in her memory to Westchester Exceptional Children’s School 520 Route 22, North Salem, N.Y. 10560. ◊
ADDISON COUNTY
School Briefs
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Mary F. Langworthy, daughter of Charles and Margaret (Meg) Langworthy of Ferrisburgh, has been named to the dean’s list at Hamilton College for the 2016 fall semester. Langworthy, a senior majoring in geosciences, is a graduate of Vergennes Union High School.
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To our Friends in our community, We are writing this letter because we are so very thankful for your support of our program and it is with a heavy heart that we need to share some news. After 17 years of providing services to our local children and youth, Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program Inc. has made a decision to discontinue the current services and dissolve the nonprofit by the end of June 2017. It has not been an easy decision, or one that has been influenced by a lack of support or funding. It is more of a personal decision, supported by the board. The 17 years have been extremely busy, yet fulfilling. I have been truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with so many amazing kids: to help them to grow and to grow from them. I have seen this community grow to value our program and our students, seeking help to support a range of needs and making a point to attend our Open House events. I am so very grateful for the remarkable support of so many, local and not so local, and all wanting to help our community’s kids. I want to especially recognize the Harvest Board of Directors, past and present, and their dedication to our students’ needs and success. I am thankful for our committed volunteers — JoAnn, Carolyn and Pat — who have selflessly given their time, patience and energy over the last several years. It is my hope that Harvest has helped to provide a special block in the foundation of each of its participants: molded with confidence, compassion, work ethic and personal responsibility. I am also hopeful that our little Harvest Program has provided a unique perspective of ways that a community can support its youth, and how they in turn can support their community, through available and natural resources. On behalf of the board and myself, we are hopeful that Harvest has helped to make our community a place where kids and kindness grow together. To our friends and supporters, we say thank you, from the bottom of our hearts. Anne Young, executive director Foxcroft Farm Harvest Program Leicester
Solar farms as bad as billboards I am writing in response to the article recently posted on solar fields. I have seen solar fields popping up all over Vermont. We as Vermonters have always valued the beauty Vermont has. We passed laws to preserve the beauty of Vermont by outlawing billboards along our roadways. I feel solar fields are just as bad as billboards, they stick out like a sore thumb. I love the idea of creating renewable energy to protect the environment, but I feel we have better places to put the solar panels. If we site them in better places then we won’t be destroying habitat that animals use or our amazing views. Other places we could put solar panels are on the roofs of houses and buildings and over parking areas. Siting solar panels in this way doesn’t take habitat away and destroy Vermont’s beauty. Another concern I have is what is going to happen when we find a better way to obtain renewable energy or when we have to decommission the solar fields. Will we just take them down and throw them in landfills creating more waste, more pollution and more problems my generation will need to solve? We really need consider better places for the panels instead of these giant fields full of them. Ethan Sausville (age 17) Waltham
Letters can be found on Pages 4A, 5A, 6A.
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