, 75, of Derby died at her home on Friday, December 22, 2006. Mrs. Wright was born November 8, 1931, to John and Josephine (Provencher) Petelle of Holland. On October 15, 1950, she married Ben Wright, who predeceased her in 1990. She worked at the Derby Port Drive-In, Newport Plastics, Slalom, and Newport Furniture, from which she retired in 1996 after 13 years of service. Her final years were spent taking care of her grandchildren. She dearly, above anything else, loved her family. She leaves her four children and their spouses: Cindy and Dan Pierce of Saratoga Springs, New York, Valerie and Skip Gosselin of Coventry, Byron and Fern Wright of Derby, and Connie and Steven Miner of West Charleston; by her seven grandchildren: Trisha White, Jessup Pierce, Stacey and Travis Gosselin, and Jonathan, Kayla, and Samantha Wright; by her two great-grandchildren, Hanna Jacobs and Judah White; by her sisters and their spouses: Ruby and Ken Jenness of Morgan and Vera and Howard Grant of Bradford; by her brother-in-law Hayden Wright of Florida; by her sister-in-law Evelyn Petelle of Derby Line; by numerous nieces and nephews; and by her best friend, Annette Guay, with whom she loved to go motorcycling on warm summer days. She was predeceased by her sister Ila Wright; by her brothers: John, Roy, Victor, and Raymond Petelle; and by her sisters-in-law: Elenor, Millie, Vivian, and Marion Petelle. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated December 27 at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Derby Line with the Reverend Yvon Royer officiating. Interment followed at St. Edward's Cemetery in Derby Line. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Wright's memory may be made to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855; or to the Frontier Animal Society of Vermont, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 62, of Brownington died peacefully January 5, 2007, surrounded by his loving family. Mr. White was born October 13, 1944, in Brownington, a son of Leslie and Geneva (Moulton) White. He was proprietor of Bernard White Builders. Prior to owning his own business he was employed by Malcolm Pickel, Incorporated. He was an active member of the Brownington Center Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing horseshoes, watching Gunsmoke on television, playing bingo, and buying scratch tickets. He enjoyed playing cribbage, playing cards, and working on puzzles. He was involved with his grandchildren's sporting events and helped his family on various projects. He is survived by two children, Bernard White Jr. and his wife, Angela, of Barton and Laurie Gray and her fiancé, Thomas Scherer, of Holland; by grandchildren: David White, Chelsea White, Trevor Gray, Erica Gray, and Benjamin Scherer; by sisters and brothers: Leslie White and his wife, Carol, of Florida, Earl White and his wife, Donna, of North Carolina, Margaret Piper of Massachusetts, Dorothy Page and her husband, Kenneth, of Derby, Jean Dopp and her husband, Melvin, of Kirby, and Frances Aldrich and her husband, Alden, of Irasburg; by six half-brothers and -sisters; and by a sister-in-law, Jean White, of Massachusetts. He was predeceased by a sister, Mavis Hunt; and by brothers Russell and Merton White. Funeral services were held January 8 at the Brownington Center Church with the Reverend George Lawson officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. White's memory may be made to the Brownington Center Church, in care of Suzanne Cartee, P.O. Box 148, Irasburg, Vermont 05845.

, 64, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, died peacefully January 2, 2007, at her home, following a long battle with cancer. Mrs. Utton was born February 9, 1942, in West Virginia, a daughter of Frank and Ann Donchatz. She attended schools in West Virginia. Following high school she worked for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C., and later was a flight attendant for American Airlines. In 1964 she married Richard Utton, formerly of Orleans, and retired as a real estate agent in Rochester, Michigan, where they lived for 26 years. She enjoyed many summers at their camp on Shadow Lake in Glover, sharing good times with her family and many friends. She is survived by Richard, her husband of 42 years; by her daughter Elizabeth Anne Dryden and her husband, Adam, of Redford, Michigan; by her son John and his wife, Ashley, of Tinley Park, Illinois; by grandson Matthew; and by her brothers Frank and James Donchatz and their families of Alexandria, Virginia. A Memorial Mass was held at The Church of St. Patrick in Sarasota, Florida, January 5, with interment of ashes to follow in the spring in Vermont. Memorial donations may be made to TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care, 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238.

, 88, of Hanover, Massachusetts, died December 22, 2006, in the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts, after a period of failing health. Mrs. Thompson was born in Brownington, daughter of the late Ruth (Joslyn) and Sydney Lawes. Before retiring she worked in the office of E.T. Wright Shoe Company in Rockland, Massachusetts. She enjoyed many years of retirement in Florida before returning to Hanover in 2004. She was the widow of Lewis G. Thompson; the loving mother of Sally Tibbetts and Shirley Ainslie of Hanover, Edwin Thompson of Pelham, New Hampshire, Margaret Tyrie and David Thompson of Hanover, and the late Jerry Thompson; and grandmother of 20 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

, 89, of Barton died peacefully surrounded by his family on January 4, 2007, in Newport. Mr. Ryan was born January 13, 1917, in Barton, a son of Richard and Agnes (Alexander) Ryan. On May 26, 1962, he married Pauline Pollander, who survives him. He owned and operated his dairy farm in Barton for over 40 years. He enjoyed cutting wood, gardening, caring for animals, and tinkering at his workbench. He loved spending time with his family and friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Barton. He is survived by his wife, Pauline Ryan, of Barton; by children: Judy Baraw and her husband, Charles, of Derby, James Ryan and his life mate, Sandy Floersheim, of Orleans, and Paula Courtemanche and her husband, Robert, of Dracut, Massachusetts; by grandchildren: Scott Morse, Tammy Baraw, Christina and Andrew Courtemanche, and Bruce and Todd Floersheim; by two great-grandchildren, Austin and Avery Morse; by a sister, Margaret Berry, of St. Johnsbury; by brothers-in-law: Richard LaFleur and his wife, Genevieve, of Irasburg, Greg Cresswell and his wife, Nancy, of Newport, Arthur Brean and his wife, Anita, of Cornwall, Connecticut, Cy Maceyka of Granville, Massachusetts, and Eugene Voyer of Bloomfield. Connecticut; by sisters-in-law: Joan Souliere of Orleans, Anita Barton and her husband, John, of Watertown, Connecticut, and Margaret Brean of Watertown; cousin Florence Eyles of Middletown, Connecticut; and by numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his first wife, Rita Brean, in 1957; by his brother Gerald "Joe" Ryan and his wife, Veda; and by his sister Theresa Paquette and her husband, Raymond. Funeral services were held January 6 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Barton with the Reverend Daniel Rupp celebrating a Mass of Christian Burial. Spring interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Ryan's memory may be made to St. Paul's Catholic School, Barton, Vermont 05822.

, 45, of Irasburg died peacefully January 2, 2007, at her home. Mrs. Roy was born May 14, 1961, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a daughter of James and Phyllis (Bingley) Turner. In 1986 she married Jeff Roy, who survives her. She was a nurse at the Greensboro Nursing Home. She is survived by her husband, Jeff Roy, of Irasburg; by a son, Andrew Roy, of Irasburg; by her mother, Phyllis (George) Draper, of St. Albans; by her mother-in-law, Lucille Kinerson, of Irasburg; and by her sisters: Jane Turner of Georgia, Betsy Turner of St. Albans, and Sue Pickle and her husband, Steve, of Florida. She was predeceased by her father, James Turner; and by a brother, James Turner. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Roy's memory may be made to the Greensboro Nursing Home, activities center, Greensboro, Vermont 05841.

, 66, of Island Pond died at his home on Thursday, December 28, 2006. Mr. Reilly was born in West Charleston on November 11, 1940, a son of Robert and Eleanor (Wolcott) Reilly. He graduated from Brighton High School. He served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Stormes. He was a member of American Legion Island Pond Post 80. He enjoyed gardening. He is survived by his mother and stepfather, Eleanor and Larry Thompson, of Newport; by his children: Robert Reilly and his wife, Shirley, of Hope Mills, North Carolina, James Reilly and his wife, Diana, of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Susan Garrison and her husband, David, of Liberty, South Carolina; by his grandchildren: Derek, Reynaldo, Chris, Alma, Trey, and Samuel; by his siblings: Buster Reilly and his wife, Carol, of West Charleston, Sheila Worth of Island Pond, Jane Laird and her husband, Ernie, of Milton, Butch Thompson and his wife, Ann, of Derby, Cynthia Paula and her husband, Ron, of Newport, and Craig, Ricky, Laurie, Karen, and Diane, all of Maine; by aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; by his special "little ones": Kaitlin and Megan Reilly, Riley Brooks, and Lily Beauvais; and by his special friends: Roy and Nancy Frizzell, James Worth, and Alan Wing, all of Island Pond. He was predeceased by his father, Owen "Bobbie" Reilly; by his grandparents: Owen and Irene Reilly and Charles and Grace Wolcott; by his brother Charles Reilly; and by his uncle Bernard Reilly. Funeral services were held January 3 with the Reverend William Morgan officiating at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Island Pond. Interment followed at Lakeside Cemetery in Island Pond with full military honors. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Reilly's memory may be made to St. James Catholic Church, Island Pond, Vermont 05846; or to Orleans-Essex Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice, 46 Lakemont Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 99, of Newport died peacefully December 23, 2006, in Newport. Mrs. Mossa was born December 17, 1907, in Newport, a daughter of George and Lillian (Collins) Morrill. She married Hank Mossa, who predeceased her. She was a hairdresser and was employed by the former Stanley's Beauty Shop of Newport. She later opened Teresa's Beauty Shop in Newport. She enjoyed selling Avon products for over 50 years, and met many friends doing so. She held memberships with St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church of Newport, Community Circle, and the Presidents Club for Avon products. She collected dolls, and she enjoyed her camp at Lake Salem. She is survived by two granddaughters, Gail McMullen and her husband, Laurie, and Laurie Stevens, both of Newport; by a sister, Juliette Dane, of Newport; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a daughter, Frances Stevens; by her son-in-law Roland Stevens; and by two brothers, Dean and Joseph Morrill. Funeral services were held December 29 at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel in Newport with the Reverend Roger Fletcher officiating. Spring interment will be held in Derby Center Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Mossa's memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society of Vermont, 502 Strawberry Acres, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 90, of Morgan died January 2, 2007, at her home in Morgan. Mrs. Morley was born June 27, 1916, in Lynn, Massachusetts, a daughter of Gustav and Anna (Carlson) Rygren. On June 15, 1917, she married Edwin Morley, who predeceased her in 1998. At one time she was secretary for St. Johnsbury Trucking Company. She was very proud of her grandchildren and their accomplishments with academics and sports. Her circle of friends was from the Home Dem Club of Morgan. She is survived by three children: Edwin Morley of Morgan, Kristina Millikin and her husband, Harry, of Mendon, Massachusetts, and Richard Morley and his wife, Patricia, of Colchester; and by grandchildren: Andrew Millikin and his wife, Maria, Timothy and Elizabeth Millikin, and Nicholas, Thomas, and Katharine Morley. She was predeceased by a brother, Carl Peterson; and by two sisters, ElinRygren and Edith Doyle. Graveside services will be held in the spring at Pleasantview Cemetery in Orleans. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Morley's memory may be made to the Derby Line Ambulance Service, in care of Brian Fletcher, P.O. Box 105, West Charleston, Vermont 05872.

, beloved wife of Myron, died in Barton on January 5, 2007, after a long illness. Mrs. Leach was born September 25, 1926, in Charleston, a daughter of Leo and Lila (Buck) Dewing. She married Myron Leach in 1945, and they had three children: Lori Wells and her husband, Ken, of Orleans, Susan Catalano of California, and Linda and her husband, Steve, of Swanton. She is survived by her grandchildren: Chris Pike and his wife, Julie, Randy Pike and his wife, Suzie, Kayla Horacek and her husband, Kenton, Kim Pike, Matthew Catalano, and Brandon and Paige Wells; by her great-grandchildren: Shelby and Jackson Pike and Taylor, Simon, Madeline, and Oliver Pike; by her brother Russell Dewing and his wife, Janice; by her sister-in-law Denise Dewing; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; and by her brothers: Winston, Kenneth, and Wendell. She was a 1945 graduate of Orleans High School and remained an active member of its alumni association. She was a member of the Pythian Sisters and held various offices. She was a member of the Orleans Christmas Club and a longtime and active member of the Orleans Federated Church. She worked as the bookkeeper for Austin's Drug Store for over 25 years. She loved to cook and sew, and she enjoyed doing many arts and crafts, which her family and friends enjoyed. She looked forward to spring and her vegetable and flower gardening. She deeply loved her family, family gatherings, and having them drop in for a visit. She was a great caregiver and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Funeral services were held at the Orleans Federated Church January 10 with the Reverend Gerry Piper officiating. Spring interment will be held in Pleasantview Cemetery in Orleans. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Leach's memory may be made to Maple Lane Nursing Home, in care of Coleen, Barton, Vermont 05822; or to the oncology department at North Country Hospital,Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 86, of Newport died December 29, 2006, in Newport. Mrs. Horvath was born April 13, 1920, in Newport, and she was proud that it was her hometown. Her parents were Supreme Court Chief Justice Walter Cleary and his wife, Arlene (Decoteau). On February 12, 1945, she married the love of her life, Charles D. Horvath, who predeceased her on October 25, 2004. She was a co-founder of the Newport Girl Scouts along with her good friend Elizabeth Clark. She was active in the Fortnightly and Women's Club in Newport, the Hospital Auxiliary, and later the Venice, Florida, Women's Club. She belonged to St. Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic Church and the Daughters of Isabella. She loved playing bridge and traveled a great deal with her husband and friends. Venice became her adopted winter home, and many warm friendships were established there. Survivors include her children: Jan Degre and her husband, Richard, of Westfield, Chad Horvath and his wife, Susan, of Newport, Rosalie Simmons and her husband, Millard, of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, and Clinton Wright and his wife, Sakuko, of Boling Springs, Pennsylvania; seven grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren. She had wonderful caregivers: Merlene Wagner, Mary Caswell, Cindy Turner, and Cecile Gaboriault, who all became her very close friends. Her brother John Cleary, his wife, Helen, and their son Peter predeceased her. Funeral services were held January 4 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 Mrs. Horvath's memory may be made to North Country Hospital, diabetes education, Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 59, of Canterbury, Connecticut, formerly of Greensboro, died peacefully on Friday, December 29, 2006, at her home in Canterbury following a courageous battle with cancer. Ms. Hill was born May 24, 1947, in Barton, a daughter of Edward and Jane (Sinnott) Hill. She attended Greensboro public schools. She worked in the Hardwick area for several years. In 1974 she moved to Connecticut, where she worked as a fine dining waitress for several restaurants including Foxwood Casino and Resort in Ledgyard, Connecticut. She retired in March 1998 due to failing health. She attended the First Congregational Church of Canterbury. She loved her three cats, feeding the birds, flower gardening, and the time that she spent with her grandchildren. Survivors include her mother, Jane Hill, of Hardwick; two daughters, Dawn Hill of Hardwick and Wanda Hill of Bennington; a brother, Brian Hill, of Greensboro; two sisters, Sharon Hill of Greensboro and Charlotte Hill of Hardwick; four grandchildren: Ryan, Brooke, Nick, and Dylan; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her father, Edward Hill; and by a brother, James "Jimmy" Hill. Funeral services were held January 5 at the Northern Vermont Funeral Home in Hardwick. Spring burial will be in the family lot in the Greensboro Village Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ms. Hill's memory may be made to the North Country Animal League, 3524 Laporte Road, Morrisville, Vermont 05661; or to the American Cancer Society, 121 Connor Way, Suite 240, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, Vermont 05495.

, 70, of Troy, beloved husband of Donna Higginson, died suddenly from an automobile accident on January 2, 2007, in Coventry. Mr. Higginson was born on July 3, 1936, in Ayers Cliff, Quebec, a son of the late William and Mabel (Kelly) Higginson. On July 14, 1975, he married Donna Hosmer. He retired after 25 years as a cabinet builder for Ethan Allen in Orleans. He loved hunting, fishing, and league bowling. Most of all he loved playing the Vermont Lottery scratch tickets, eating breakfast sandwiches at the Troy General Store, spending time with his special friend and dog Oscar, and traveling with his wife, Donna, to many states on the East Coast and Canada. The couple went to many baseball games in Boston. He loved his grandchildren, enjoyed their many visits, and took many of them fishing. He was a proud member of the National Rifle Association. He is survived by his wife, Donna Higginson, of Troy; by his children: Lisa Higginson of Newport, Rae Lynn Higginson and her fiancé, Rob, of Massachusetts, Michael Higginson and his special friend, Erin Robbins, of Newport, Robert Higginson and his wife, Mary, of Newport, Joseph Higginson Sr. and his wife, Monique, of Morgan, Christopher Higginson and his wife, Debbie, of New York, Richard Theriault of Troy, and Pam Uhlendorff and her husband, Chris, of Troy; by 26 grandchildren; by eight great-grandchildren; and by a sister, Anna Marotte, of Ontario. He was predeceased by son-in-law Herb Bailey Sr. A memorial service was held January 5 at a Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Funeral Home in Newport with the Reverend Roger Fletcher officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Higginson's memory may be made to North Country Hospital, oncology department, in care of Wendy Franklin, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 87, formerly of Greensboro, died Sunday, January 7, 2007, at the Haven Health Care Center in St. Albans. Ms. Field was born May 2, 1919, in Hardwick, a daughter of the late Walter F. and Blanche (Marsh) Field. She graduated from Hardwick Academy and Johnson Normal School with a degree in education. She later received a master's degree at the University of Connecticut. In her earlier years she was a schoolteacher. She later worked for the Department of Social Welfare in St. Johnsbury. In the late 1950s she moved to Springfield where she was head of the Department of Social Welfare for that area. She retired in the early 1960s to care for her elderly mother. She attended church services at the East Hardwick Congregational Church, which was very special to her. She was a member of the East Hardwick Grange. She enjoyed keeping in contact with her friends and classmates from the Johnson Normal School and the time that she spent in Greensboro with family and friends. Playing cards was a favorite pastime. She will be remembered as a very caring, considerate, loving person who was always willing to help everyone. Survivors include ten nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Sedric Field; and by three sisters: Pearl Kendall, Irene Dollins, and Vivian Allen. A memorial service honoring her life will be held Friday, January 12, at 11 a.m. at the East Hardwick Congregational Church with the Reverend Paul Chandler officiating. Spring burial will be in the family lot in the Sanborn Cemetery in East Hardwick.

, 82, formerly of Winsted, Connecticut, died Friday, January 5, 2007, at Maple Lane Nursing Home in Barton, where she had been a resident since March. Mrs. English was born in Otis, Massachusetts, on November 3, 1924, a daughter of John and Jeanette (Jabot) Pomeroy. She married Jack English on June 17, 1950. She was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Catholic Women's Club in Winsted. She was a longtime member of the Women's Bowling League. She performed volunteer work at the Winsted Memorial Hospital for many years. Among her many interests, she enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, flowers, and music. Her family was very important to her, and that was the essence of who Lois English was. She leaves a legacy of love of family behind that trickles down through four generations. Her children learned from her the privilege and joy of being a parent and grandparent. She leaves her son, Bruce English, of Barre; her daughter, Sharon Scelza, of Albany; a brother, John Pomeroy, of New Haven, Connecticut; a sister, Jean Silva, of Hickory, North Carolina; seven grandchildren: Todd Scelza of Albany, BeckaScelza and her companion, Brady Vigario, of Orleans, Tyler Scelza and his companion, Dawn Stone, of West Glover, and Jackson, Carey, Taylor, and Marley English, all of Barre; two great-grandchildren, Lindsey Scelza and TyraScelza; and her loving dog, Bugsy. She was predeceased by her husband, Jack English, on April 30, 2003; by a brother, Harry; and by three sisters: Shirley, Betty, and Edna. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul's Catholic Church with the Reverend Dan Rupp officiating on Saturday, January 20, at 10 a.m. Contributions in Mrs. English's memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society, 4473 Barton-Orleans Road, Orleans, Vermont 05860.

, 73, of Hollywood, Florida, died December 30, 2006, in Hollywood. Mrs. Custer was born December 13, 1933, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was happily married for 45 years to Dr. Keith Custer. She earned a registered nurse degree and bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing. She taught pharmacology to nurses for the Broward County school system, worked as a director of nurses, and was a certified risk manager for the state of Florida. She was honored by being voted nurse of the year in 1987 by the Florida Nurses Association. She was a very generous person, having anonymously sponsored several promising students to go to nursing school. She enjoyed golfing, gambling, traveling, going to auctions, baking, and homemaking. Vermont held a special place in her heart. Spending summers on Lake Memphremagog in Newport was a special treat. She leaves two children, Andy and Marni, and their spouses, Nancy and Scott, and five grandchildren who she adored. She also leaves many friends in Connecticut, Vermont, and Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mrs. Custer's memory be made to the Caryl B. Custer Scholarship for Nursing Students, in care of the development office, North Country Hospital, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, Vermont 05855.