, 87, a longtime resident of Barton, died January 1, 2006, in Berlin surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Babcock was born in Newport Center July 14, 1918, a daughter of Ray Elwin and Grace (Rogers) Griffin. She graduated from Barton Academy in 1936. On June 5, 1946, she married Frank Babcock. She loved caring for her family and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and birdwatching. In her later years she was interested in genealogy. She was the longest continuous member of the Barton United Church. She is survived by a son, Ray Babcock, and his wife, Gloria, of New Port Richey, Florida; by two daughters, Suzanne Dirmaier and her husband, Greg, of Waterbury Center and Frances Michaud and her husband, Anthony, of Lilburn, Georgia; by her brother Ray Evan Griffin and his wife, Olive, of West Glover; by her sister Charlotte Cloutier of Barton; by three sisters-in-law: Peg Griffin and June Griffin of Erie, Pennsylvania, and Janet Griffin of Barton; by her three grandchildren: Lori Seal and her husband, Perry, of Pegram, Tennessee, Tammy Clohessy and her husband, Matthew, of Milton, and Dan Michaud of Lilburn; by her great-grandson Nicholas Clohessy of Milton, who was the light of her life; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Babcock; and by three brothers: Everett, Elwin, and Eldon Griffin. A spring service will be announced at a later date with interment in the Newport Center Cemetery. Contributions in Mrs. Babcock's memory may be made to the Barton United Church Building and Renovation Fund, P.O. Box 306, Barton, Vermont 05822.

, 84, of West Burke died at her family's home on Tuesday, December 27, 2005. Mrs. Bickford was born in Orleans on July 31, 1921, a daughter of Elmer and Anna (Greene) Hoadley. On March 7, 1942, she married Warren Bickford, who predeceased her in 1990. She worked at Orleans County Memorial Hospital, at Pratt & Whitney in Hartford, Connecticut, and then on the family farm with her husband in Newport Center. She was well known for her beautiful craft and sewing projects throughout the past years. Many of these projects won prizes at local fairs. Her favorite special times were spent during family gatherings, especially with her grandchildren. Her other greatest love was for birds. She spent many hours watching them at feeders from her window. She is survived by her daughters Nancy Aiken and her husband, Ronald, and Joyce Bickford, all of West Burke; by her grandchildren Patricia Powers and her husband, Tom, and Ronald Aiken Jr. and his wife, Melissa; by her great-grandchildren: Nicholas Powers, Amber Powers, Nathan Powers, Curtis Powers, Jeremiah Aiken, and Anna Aiken; by her sister Evelyn White of Los Alamos, California; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings: Gordon, Harold, Harlan, Orrel, Dorothy, Arlene, Gwen, Alice, and Hazel. Funeral services were held December 29 at Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport with Pastor John Sleeper officiating. Spring interment will take place at the Newport Center Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Bickford's memory may be made to the Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 383, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.

, 92, of Orleans died peacefully at her home on Monday, December 19, 2005. Mrs. Croteau was born February 2, 1913, in Richmond, Quebec, a daughter of Emile and Emire (Morel) Chainey. On April 19, 1948, she married Fred Croteau, who predeceased her on March 10, 2001. She was a past member of the Daughters of Isabella and member of St. Theresa's Parish. Besides taking care of her family, she also did the bookkeeping for her husband's garage business. She was an excellent cook, liked to play cards and garden, and enjoyed sewing. She and her husband did a limited amount of traveling, but mainly stayed around home enjoying their family. Her many Boston terriers that she had over the years brought her much joy and companionship. She is survived by her children: Leo Croteau and his fiancée, Sheila Turner, of East Albany, Albert Croteau and his wife, Nancy, of Lyndon Center, Alice Cassel and her husband, Rick, of Bishop, California, Robert Croteau and his wife, Joyce, of Orleans, and Irene Hinsdale and her husband, Clark Jr., of Charlotte; by 12 grandchildren: Leo Croteau, Fredrick Croteau, Kelly Croteau-Bartlett, Celina Noyes, Ethan Croteau, Nathaniel Gratz, Danielle Gratz, Stacy Croteau, Alfred Croteau, Philip Croteau, Jacob Hinsdale, and Laura Hinsdale; by seven great-grandchildren; and by numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters. Friends may call at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport on Friday, January 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 7, at St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Orleans at 10 a.m. with the Reverend Daniel Rupp officiating. Spring interment will take place at St. Theresa's Cemetery in Orleans. Donations may be made to St. Paul's School, Barton, Vermont 05822; or to Sacred Heart School, Clermont Terrace, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 78, of Derby Line died in Newport on Monday, December 19, 2005. Mr. Donovan was born in West Haven, Connecticut, on May 8, 1927, a son of Edward and Grace (Hemingway) Donovan. He served in the U.S. Army. He worked at Tivoly as a machinist for many years. He was a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Alfred Pepin Post No. 798 and American Legion Newport Post No. 21. He enjoyed riding Harley-Davidson motorcycles and watching NASCAR racing. He also enjoyed watching his grandson and wife race at Thunder Road and watching his granddaughter play soccer and softball. On March 28, 1958, he married Janet Morris, who predeceased him on January 25, 2003. He is survived by his daughter Kelly Donovan-Letourneau and her husband, Gerald, of Holland; by his grandchildren Shawn Sicard and his wife, Renee, of Barre and Jodie Sicard and her companion, Ryan Greenwood, of Barton; by his brothers Francis Donovan and his wife, Rose, of New Haven, Connecticut, and Walter Donovan and his wife, Rosie, of West Haven, Connecticut; and by his sister-in-law Josephine Donovan of West Haven. He was predeceased by his brothers Edward and Charles. A celebration of life was held December 23 at the Newport VFW. Interment will take place at a later date at the Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Donovan's memory may be made to the VFW Alfred Pepin Post No. 798, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 93, of Bristol, Connecticut, widower of Thelma (Champany) Hadley, died Thursday, December 29, 2005, at the Sheriden Woods Health Care Center in Bristol. Mr. Hadley was born in Barnet August 29, 1912, a son of the late George H. and Mary Ann (Sturgis) Hadley. Raised in Vermont, he lived in Bristol for 20 years, working at Stanley Works in New Britain, Connecticut. He retired and moved to Morgan, where he lived until returning to Bristol in 1999. He was a member of the Morgan United Church and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Newport Lodge No. 2155, and he was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved to snowmobile. Mr. Hadley is survived by a son, David Hadley, of Bristol; by two daughters, Marion McLam of Terryville, Connecticut, and Shirley Daniels of Morgan; by 27 grandchildren; by 31 great-grandchildren; by three great-great-grandchildren; and by several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, Donald and James Hadley; and by a daughter, Beverly Winters. Funeral services were held January 1 at the Morgan United Church with the Reverend Michael DeSena officiating. Spring interment will be in Pleasantview Cemetery in Barnet. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Hadley's memory may be made to the Seymour Lake Association, in care of Janet Selby, P.O. Box 43, Morgan,Vermont 05853.

, 62, of Coventry died peacefully at North Country Hospital of complications from diabetes on Tuesday, December 20, 2005. Mrs. Lague was born in Barton on April 29, 1943, a daughter of Raymond and Claire (Souliere)Choquette. She went to St. Paul's School in Barton. She lived with her parents until she married Henry E. Lague on December 12, 1992. She had a deep love for her cat Tiger. She enjoyed biking with her dear friend Joan Alexander, walking, and shopping. She is survived by her loving husband, Henry Lague; by her brothers Dennis R. Choquette and his wife, Linda, and Richard E. Choquette of Glover; by her sister Joanne L. Dunn and her husband, Brian, of Westfield; and by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Patty Lancaster on June 9, 1994; by her father, Raymond T. Choquette, on June 12, 1994; and by her mother, Claire G. Choquette, on December 22, 1994. A memorial service was held December 29 at a Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Philip Branon officiating. Interment will take place in the spring at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mrs. Lague's memory may be made to Orleans County Citizen Advocacy, P.O. Box 247, Glover, Vermont 05839.

, 69, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, died Thursday, December 29, 2005, at Doylestown Hospital. Born in Barton, Mrs. Nattrass was the wife of 48 years to Donald Nattrass. She worked for over 20 years at the former Kenny's Bookstore in Doylestown, which she dearly loved. She was an avid reader and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and going to vintage sports car racing with her husband. Besides her husband, she is survived by her children Doug Nattrass and his wife, Lisa, of Lansdale, Pennsylvania and Sue Mitchell, of Warminster, Pennsylvania; by five grandchildren: Adam, Justin and JordynNattrass and Lindsay and Jared Mitchell; and by a brother, Steve Brown, of Barton. She was predeceased by a sister, Patricia Wheeler, of Barton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mrs. Nattrass' name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1 Plymouth Meeting, Suite 520, Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania 19462.

, 97, formerly of Hartford, Connecticut, and Cotuit, Massachusetts, died peacefully after a brief illness on December 19, 2005, at Carlton Willard Village in Bedford, Massachusetts. Dr. White was born in Summit, New Jersey, on February 19, 1908, a son of Benjamin V. White and Margaret Risk White. He practiced gastroenterology at the Hartford Hospital for over 35 years. He was educated at the Hotchkiss School (1926), Princeton University (1930), and Harvard Medical School (1934). After completing medical school and post-graduate work at the Massachusetts General Hospital, he practiced at the Hartford Hospital until he joined the U.S. Navy during World War II, serving at both Bethesda Naval Hospital and aboard the hospital ship the USS Benevolence in the Pacific theater. Following the war, he returned to Hartford, where he practiced until his retirement in 1981. The White family has summered on Cape Cod since before World War I, first in Craigville and later in Cotuit, where he spent summers in his youth and later enjoyed summers with his own family. He was an avid and skillful sailor in both Wianno Seniors and Cotuit skiffs, and was very active in and supportive of the Cotuit Mosquito Yacht Club. He also greatly enjoyed cruising the New England coast, particularly the coast of Maine, which he dearly loved. He was a caring and supportive husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed spending time with his growing family, now into the fourth generation. Living a long and productive life, he touched the lives of his family and stepfamily deeply. He was an active member of Trinity Church in Hartford and the First Congregational Church in Amherst, Massachusetts. He was predeceased by his first wife, Charlotte Green Conover, and by his second wife, Helen Cobb Solomon. He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Bennett, formerly of Amherst and now residing at Carlton Willard Village; by his five children of his first wife: Thomas Conover White of Colebrook, Connecticut, James Boyd White of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Benjamin Vroom White III of Providence, Rhode Island, Richard Conover White of Derby Line, and Charlotte Conover Cowan of Concord, Massachusetts; by his two stepchildren, Stanley Cobb Solomon of Boulder, Colorado, and John Cobb Solomon of Carlisle, Massachusetts; by his devoted sister Margaret "Mig" Campbell; by his daughters- and son-in-law; by 15 grandchildren; by four stepgrandchildren; and by 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church in Amherst January 14 at 2 p.m. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Massachusetts General Hospital, 165 Cambridge Street, Suite 600, Boston, Massachusetts 02114.

, 85, of Newport died December 24, 2005, in Newport. Mr. Bernal was born February 18, 1920, in Rochester, a son of John and Antonette (Caroratte) Bernal. On December 27, 1944, he marriedRealtaLaramee, who predeceased him. He was a veteran of World War II. During his lifetime he was employed at the veneer mill in Hancock, and in 1947 he moved to North Troy where he worked for the Canadian Pacific Railroad as a track foreman, retiring in 1982. He held membership with the Newport Gibbons Council No. 2285 of Knights of Columbus, the Holy Name Society of North Troy, American Legion Jay Peak Post No. 28, and Railroad Union No. 356. He is survived by his sister-in-law Colette Lewis of Hardwick and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his closest "family" over the last several months, his caregivers from Northeast Kingdom Home Care and his guardian, Sara Jenness, and her husband, Tim, of Charleston. He was predeceased by his sisters and brothers. Funeral services were held December 28 at St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Newport with the Reverend Yvon Royer celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Spring interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Bernal's memory may be made to the Northeast Kingdom Home Care, East Main Street, Newport,Vermont 05855.

, 72, of Morgan died suddenly December 25, 2005, in Newport. Mr. Couture was born August 28, 1933, in Dixville, Quebec, a son of Arthur and Eva (Rosseau) Couture. On June 11, 1966, he married Lucille Guillette, who survives him. He was a crane operator for Contractor Crane Service of Morrisville. He held membership with St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line. He is survived by his wife, Lucille Couture, of Morgan; by two children, Rachel Couture of Manchester, New Hampshire, and Michelle Longtin and her husband, Keith, of Manchester; by two grandchildren, Abbigail and Benjamin; by the following sisters and brother: RejeanneGiguere and her husband,Julien, of Varennes, Quebec, Simonne Couture and her friend, LeonalThelberge, of Rock Forrest, Quebec, and by Jean Paul Couture and his wife, Suzanne, of St. Therese, Quebec; and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers: Marcel, Bruno, and Gerard Couture. Funeral services were held December 29 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line with the Reverend Philip Branon celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Spring interment will be in St. Edward's Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Couture's memory may be made to the American Heart Association, Vermont Affiliate, 434 Hurricane Lane, Williston,Vermont 05495.

, 46, of Newport died suddenly in Newport on December 24, 2005. Mr. Demeritt was born in Natick, Massachusetts, on May 21, 1959, son of the late Earl and Susan (Manucci) Demeritt. He was a self-employed graphic designer and was previously employed by Conrail and Amtrack as an engineer in western Massachusetts. He was a member of the Boston-Maine Railroad. He enjoyed model trains, carpentry, and spending time with his children. On July 21, 1984, he married Kimberly Spear, who survives him. He is also survived by his children: Alyssa, Cameron, Heather, Victoria, Zachary, and Christopher, all of Newport; and by his half-brother John Manucci of Las Vegas, Nevada. A memorial service was held December 30 at the Newport Baptist Church with Pastor George Lawson officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Demeritt's memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Division, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, Vermont 05495.

, 95, of Brownington died at Derby Green on Monday, December 19, 2005. Mr. Gilfillan was born in Brownington on May 30, 1910, a son of Moses and Permelia (Skinner) Gilfillan. In the early 1930s he took over the family farm from his father and ran it with his mother until she died. In 1934 he married Marion Moore, and together they ran the farm until her death in 1947. He continued operating the farm until the mid 1960s, when he sold it. After his retirement he made his home with his son Eric in Georgia and later in Derby. He loved to fish for trout in Lake Willoughby, play cards, read Westerns, garden, and travel. He is survived by four children: Anna Curtis and her husband, Arnold, of New York, Eric Gilfillan of Derby, Willis Gilfillan and his wife, Betty, of Island Pond, and Raymond Gilfillan of Orleans; by daughter-in-law Marlene Gilfillan of Holland; by nine grandchildren: Whaden, Laurie, Susan, John, Daniel, Ronald, Valerie, Mona, and Neil; by seven great-grandchildren: Morgan, Alex, Jordan, Crystal, Courtney, Caitlin, and Amber; and by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife, Marion Moore Gilfillan, in 1947; by a son, Gilbert Gilfillan, of Holland in 2004; by a daughter-in-law, Shirley Gilfillan, of Orleans in 1998; by a great-grandchild, Sierra Lyn, in 1993; and by a sister, Susan (Daniel) Allen in 1972. Services were held December 28 at a Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Roger Fletcher officiating. Spring interment will take place at Lakeview Cemetery in Westmore.

, 55, proprietor of the East Albany Country Market, died Thursday, December 22, 2005, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington. Ms. Keeley was born in Bethpage, Long Island, New York, on November 28, 1950, a daughter of Florence (VanWinckle) and the late Daniel J. Keeley Jr. For the past 17 years, she and her husband, Bill Newman, have shared a devoted partnership, living a life rich in love, family, community, and spirit. She is survived by her mother, Florence Jensen of Ocala, Florida; by her sister Denise Keeley of Long Island; and by her uncle Robert VanWinckle of Ridge, New York. Friends and family celebrated her life December 31 at the East Albany Country Store. Should friends desire, contributions in Ms. Keeley's memory may be made to the charity of their choice.

, 79, of Barton died suddenly December 31, 2005, in Newport. Mrs. Mossa was born May 16, 1926, in Bennington, a daughter of Zoel and Bernadette (Martel) Turcotte. On May 17, 1947, she married Rudolph Mossa, who survives her. During her lifetime she was a telephone operator in Newport and taught at Newport Center Schoolhouse during World War II. She enjoyed golfing, growing flowers, and spending time with her grandchildren. She held memberships with St. Paul's Catholic Church in Barton and the Orleans Country Club. She is survived by her husband, Rudolph Mossa, of Barton; by a daughter Rose Harper and her husband, Woodie, of Barton; by two grandchildren, Sean and Alexis Harper; by a sister, Jeanne Perry, of Maggie Valley, North Carolina; and by two nieces, Cathy and Leah. She was predeceased by a brother-in-law, Francis Perry. Funeral services were held January 3 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Barton with the Reverend Daniel Rupp celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Spring interment will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Mossa's memory may be made to the Orleans Country Club, Orleans,Vermont 05860.

, 87, of West Charleston died at his home on Friday, December 30, 2005. Mr. Powers was born in Derby on September 10, 1918, a son of William and Alice (Burke) Powers. He was a drill inspector in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of World War II. He was proud to have served his country overseas in France, Germany, and England. He owned and operated a farm, then worked at Butterfield's for 27 years, retiring in 1981. On September 25, 1948, he married Vida Doncaster, who survives him. He always looked forward to all family gatherings, and he loved fishing the local lakes and streams and digging for antique bottles. He looked forward to the spring squash planting and the fall harvest. He sold squash to many local restaurants. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Beth Crowe and her husband, Clifford, of West Charleston, Marsha Brunelle and her husband, Victor, of West Charleston, and Gary Powers and his wife, Jennifer, of Lafayette, Indiana; by his grandchildren: Megan Loden, Jeffrey Powers and his companion, Angela, Gabrielle and Summer Brunelle, Casey Jane Powers, Marshall Powers, and Annie Powers; by his great-grandchildren: Kylie Monfette and Zane Harvey; and by his sister Ruth Lippens and her husband, Leonard, of Derby. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 4, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport with the Reverend Richard Whitehill officiating. Friends may call from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service on Wednesday. Spring interment will be in West Charleston Cemetery with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Powers' memory may be made to the North Country Hospital, renal dialysis unit fund, in care of Wendy Franklin, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 38, of Derby Line died suddenly on Sunday, January 8, 2005. Friends may call at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home on Darling Hill Road in Newport on Wednesday, January 11, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, January 12, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line at 11 a.m. with the Reverend Yvon Royer officiating. Spring interment will take place at St. Edward's Cemetery in Derby Line. A full obituary will appear in next week's issue.

, 93, of Orleans died in Barton on Thursday, January 5, 2006. Mrs. Langdeau was born in St. Johnsbury on September 15, 1912, a daughter of Napoleon and Josephine (Duperon) St. Cyr. She was a member of St. Theresa's Catholic Church in Orleans and a past member of the Daughters of Isabella. She was a member of Home Dem and the Christmas Club of Orleans. She enjoyed family gatherings and seeing the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also enjoyed playing cards at the senior center and church bingo. On August 19, 1935, she married Lionel Langdeau, who predeceased her on February 17, 2000. She is survived by her children Joanne Lawes and her husband, Carroll, of Williston and Robert Langdeau and his wife, Donna, of Essex Junction; by her grandchildren: Michael Lawes of Virginia, Gary Langdeau and his wife, Debora, of Milton, and Brenda Murphy and her husband, Shawn, of Georgia; by her great-grandchildren: Braden Lawes, Sydney Langdeau, Casey Langdeau, KierstenLangdeau, and Connor Murphy; by her nieces Lucille Brooks and Lorraine Hackett; and by her nephew Raymond Cheney. She was predeceased by her sister Amelia Cheney. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated January 9 at St. Theresa's Catholic Church with the Reverend Daniel Rupp officiating. Spring interment will take place at St. Theresa's Cemetery in Orleans. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Langdeau's memory may be made to the Lake Region Senior Center, Main Street, Orleans, Vermont 05860.