, 92, of St. Johnsbury died at the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury on Friday evening, June 20, 2008. Mr. Newell was born to George Graham Newell and Maude Marion Newell (Berry) on November 27, 1915, the first baby born in the old Brightlook Hospital in St. Johnsbury. A seventh-generation Vermonter, he was delivered by Dr. Charlotte Fairbanks, granddaughter of Thaddeus Fairbanks of the Fairbanks Scale Company. He graduated from his beloved St. Johnsbury Academy in 1933. He attended Middlebury College for two years and subsequently graduated from the University of Chicago with a bachelor of arts degree in 1938. He graduated from the University of Chicago with a master of arts degree in Latin in 1949. He continued his studies in medieval Latin at Chicago and completed all course work for a doctorate degree except the dissertation. He taught Latin and other classes in the humanities at St. Johnsbury Academy from 1938 to 1947. He then taught for one year at the Hatch Preparatory School in Maine before continuing his education in Chicago. He taught geography for one year at the St. Johnsbury Junior High School. In 1959 he was appointed chairman of the social sciences department at Lyndon State College, a position he held until he retired as professor emeritus 1979. As a professor at Lyndon State College, he taught a dozen courses in history and social science. He was especially known as the teacher of Vermont history and for his lecture on Eleanor of Aquitaine, mother of Henry VIII of England. While at the college, he was proud of the fact that he was asked to research the history of noteworthy Vermonters and propose the names of most of the current buildings at the college. Not a man to sit in a rocking chair, he continued teaching part time at Lyndon with courses in Vermont history and the history of England until 1996. He returned to teaching Latin at St. Johnsbury Academy in 1982 until his death. Not able to navigate on the slippery terrain in the winter as well as he liked, he taught for the past two years in the living room of his home. His love of teaching and of his students defined his life. As one student, pressed to choose between Latin IV and advanced placement physics, said, "I just can't forego the pleasure of having Mr. Newell for another year." He was copying the names of his new students into his grade book and preparing his classes for the coming year three days before he died. He earned or was awarded many public acknowledgments for his work in education. Among them was the Vermont Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year award in 2005. In 2003 he received the first Victor R. Swenson Humanities Educator Award from the Vermont Humanities Council. He was inducted into the Vermont Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2005 and received an honorary doctor of humane letters, awarded by President Dan Fogel of the University of Vermont in 2006. Not satisfied with an enormously fulfilling career in education, Mr. Newell entered politics as St. Johnsbury's representative to the Legislature in 1952. He served four nonconsecutive terms in the Vermont House and eight terms in the State Senate. His long career in government service included work both on state and national fronts. His accomplishments in politics equaled his accomplishments in education. He was instrumental in promoting a mental health program to be part of the state's annual budget. He promoted bills to abolish the state death penalty and to acquire Mount Independence in Addison County. He authored the fair dismissal bill for educators and worked to ensure education for children with disabilities. As chairman of the House Education Committee, he was the principal sponsor of the first special education law, a law that gave children with disabilities their right to a publicly funded education. This legislation preceded the federal special law by more than 20 years. During his legislative career he was most proud of his service as clerk of the Senate Judiciary Committee under Chairman Asa Bloomer of Rutland County. He was appointed by Governor Deane C. Davis to the Little Hoover Commission, which reorganized state government into agencies that largely exist today. He counted national leaders, governors, commissioners, and legislative leaders among his close friends. As chairman of the Senate Education Committee, he was a strategic force in the creation of the Vermont State Colleges. He was instrumental in his long support of public education in Vermont. In his 1955 legislative speech opposing the use of public funds to support busing of students attending parochial schools, he said, "Passage of this measure could threaten one of our greatest legacies - the principle of the free public school, which provides a common education for future citizens of a free country." This speech was published and reprinted by the American Civil Liberties Union, of which he was a Vermont founding member. On the national front, Mr. Newell was twice elected as a delegate to the Republican National Convention. He was appointed by President John F. Kennedy and served on the National Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations. He served on the New England Board of Education. He was a past president of the Vermont Historical Society and a member of the Vermont Historic Sites Commission. He chaired the Caledonia County Republican Committee and was a member of the town Republican Committee for 33 years. He served as a justice of the peace for 12 years. Other than legions of friends and admirers, Mr. Newell is survived by David and Sherry Giguere of Montpelier; their daughters Debbie Peterson and Wendy Giguere Adams and her husband, Scott, and their children Amanda Mae Adams and Braeden Alexander Adams. The Gigueres were perhaps his closest friends on earth and the surrogate family that he chose. There will be a celebration of Mr. Newell's life and accomplishments on Saturday, August 16, at 11 a.m. in Fuller Hall at St. Johnsbury Academy. All are welcome.

, 44, of Newport died June 23, 2008, at her home. Ms. LeRoy was born December 21, 1963, in Waterbury, Connecticut, a daughter of William and Marie (Lahommedieu) LeRoy. She was a licensed nurses' aide, and she was very devoted to both her parents' care throughout her lifetime. She enjoyed collecting clocks and going to tag sales. She had a great sense of humor. Her social workers were her foundation, and they were always there to help her. She is survived by her siblings: Kathleen Balcom and her husband, Joseph, of Bristol, Connecticut, and Donna Marie LeRoy, Michael Paul LeRoy and his wife, Angela, Dianne Cassidy and her husband, Wayde, and James LeRoy and his wife, Ethel, all of Waterbury; and by several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, William LeRoy, on November 29, 2006; by her mother, Marie LeRoy, on February 20; and by her nephew Jerry Alan Miessau. A graveside service was held June 28 at St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport with the Reverend Yvon Royer officiating.

, a daughter of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 78, died Monday evening, June 23, 2008, at Mount Sacred Heart Provincial House and Infirmary in Littleton,New Hampshire. Ms. Lemelin was born in Nashua, New Hampshire, on March 26, 1930, a daughter of Philip Lemelin and Marie Bernier. She professed her vows with her religious congregation on June 26, 1956. During her 52 years of religious life, Sister Lorraine served in various missions in Alfred, Maine, Newport and Littleton. She excelled in her culinary skills and always considered her kitchen to be a place of hospitality for anyone who passed through - sisters and resident students alike, occasional visitors, or traveling salespeople. Her homemade breads were her hallmark and greatly contributed to luring all to the kitchen. She was one of the early sister-drivers who served the community needs for travel "most anywhere, most anytime." Because of her availability to do errands and pick up the daily mail, she was the faithful connection with and the patient listener for all her "good folks" in the city of Newport for many years. From 1956 to 1962, she served as cook for the sisters, brothers of Christian instruction, and their resident students at Denis Hall in Alfred. She served the culinary needs of the Provincial House and Novitiate in Littleton from 1962 to 1965. From 1965 to 1967, she cooked for the former St. Joseph Home for the Aged in Newport. She moved up the hill in 1967 to cook for the Sacred Heart Convent and School Campus, where she remained until 2000. Since 2000, her presence at Mount Sacred Heart has been a ray of sunshine in the midst of serious health issues. She strove to share her sunshine with countless people who needed cheering up or a message of encouragement. She cherished her family and many friends and was a faithful correspondent to any who took time to write or call. She was predeceased by her parents; by two brothers, Arthur and Raymond; and by one sister-in-law. Besides the sisters and associates of the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, she is survived by one sister-in-law, Joan; and by several cousins, nephews, and many friends. In lieu of flowers, sympathies and contributions may be sent to the Daughters of the Charity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at the Mount Sacred Heart Provincial House Chapel June 26. Interment took place in St. Mary's Cemetery in Newport.

, 82, died peacefully, surrounded by her family, on June 26, 2008, in Wilder. Mrs. Kipp was born September 19, 1925, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, a daughter of Arthur Stanley and Ruth Dodge. In November 1946 she married Dr. W. Douglas Kipp, who predeceased her. She and her husband lived in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, for over 50 years. She had enjoyed being a part of two bridge clubs and a bowling league. She was an active volunteer in her community and a deaconess at her church. Even more, she was a devoted mother to her children and their many friends who frequented their home throughout the school years. She moved to Valley Terrace from Wolfeboro four years ago with her husband, who was a retired dentist. While at Valley Terrace, she found support and comfort in her new family of friends, both residents and staff. Her sense of humor and avid interest in games and sports of all kinds was only surpassed by her sense of family and the devotions she shared with her husband, children, and grandchildren. In turn she was loved and appreciated for her caring, unconditional acceptance of all who touched her life and her ability to be honest, forthright, and full of life, always with a smile and a sense of optimism. She is survived by her children Nancy Rosenblum and her husband, Robert, of Norwich and Jonathan Kipp and his wife, Martha, of Londonderry, New Hampshire; by grandchildren: Holly Rosenblum, Scott Rosenblum and his wife, Lacey, Ellen Kipp, and Robert Kipp; and by her sister Hope Cruickshank of Gilford, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her sister Dorothy Emery. A graveside funeral was held June 30 at PineGroveCemetery in Newport with the Reverend Larry Wall officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Kipp's memory may be made to the Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, 66 Benning Street, Suite 6, West Lebanon,New Hampshire03784; or to Lakes Region Humane Society, 11 Old Route 28, Ossipee, New Hampshire 03864.

, 86, of Newport Center died peacefully June 27, 2008, in Barton. Mr. Henderson was born June 29, 1921, in Montreal, Quebec, a son of John and Florence (Wright) Henderson. On July 19, 1975, he married Penelope Naylor, who survives him. He was a pilot for the Quebec Tools and Machinery; he retired in 1988. He was a veteran of the Canadian Army and a volunteer for the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired with his therapy dog. He was a ham radio enthusiast. He is survived by his wife, Penelope Henderson, of Newport Center; by six children: Deborah Grunwaldt and her husband, Hiener, of Germany, Denise Geddes of Framingham, Massachusetts, Anne Smiley of Vancouver, British Columbia, Joan Williams and her husband, Greg, of Toronto, Ontario, Roderick B. Henderson and his wife, Jocelyne, of Montreal, and Penelope Henderson of Montreal; by ten grandchildren; and by one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by brothers Charles and Ian. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 2, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel on Lake Road in Newport with the Reverend John Keenan officiating. Should friends desire, contributions in Mr. Henderson's memory may be made to the Frontier Animal Society of Vermont, 502 Strawberry Acres Road, Newport, Vermont 05855.

, 90, of Hanover, New Hampshire, died June 20, 2008, at Kendal at Hanover. Born in 1918, Mrs. Harris was raised in Spokane, Washington, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Washington with a degree in political science and Far Eastern studies. In 1941, she married George Lawrence Harris, entering a happy marriage lasting 67 years. During her husband's active World War II military service, she worked in the Far Eastern Division of the Office of War Information in Washington, D.C. After the war, the couple lived in Nanjing, China, where her husband was cultural attache at the American embassy and she worked to develop the original Fulbright international exchange of scholars program. They returned to Washington in 1949 and remained there for over 30 years. Throughout her professional life, she had administrative responsibilities for the Fulbright and related programs, including an acting directorship at the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars, until her retirement in 1981. Thereafter, the couple moved to Craftsbury and built a house overlooking fields and the village to outliers of the Green Mountains beyond. She was a dedicated and skilled gardener and her flower beds and borders framed the house. She and her husband were much involved in the Craftsbury Chamber Players, St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, and the Vermont court system as guardians ad litem. Throughout their lives, they traveled extensively, particularly in East Asia, England, and Italy. In 2003, they moved to Kendal at Hanover. She is survived by her husband; by her niece Valerie Read of Capistrano Beach, California; and by her two goddaughters, Ann Spence of Boston, Massachusetts, and Jean Bennett of Los Angeles, California.

, 88, of St. Johnsbury died Saturday, June 21, 2008, at St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Hall was born January 17, 1920, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the only child of Natt and Mary (Messer) Hodgdon. In 1944 she married Clifford "June" Hall. She drove and helped her husband tune pianos all over Vermont and New Hampshire for many years. She was an active member of South Congregational Church in St. Johnsbury where she served on several committees throughout the years. She was active in the senior center at the St. Johnsbury House, and for a time she worked as the cook at the Sunset Home in St. Johnsbury. Survivors include close friends William Davies of Barton, whom she thought of as her adopted son, and Barbara Bessette of St. Johnsbury and several distant cousins. She was predeceased by her parents; and by her husband of 33 years, Clifford Hall, in 1977. A memorial service was held June 25 at Sayles Funeral Home with the Reverend William Schutter officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery in Orleans. Memorial donations made in Mrs. Hall's name may be directed to South Congregational Church, 1052 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, Vermont 05819.

, 61, daughter of William Sheffield Cowles and Virginia Lloyd-Smith Cowles, died the morning of June 23, 2008, at her home in Charlotte Village. Ms. Cowles was born in Shelburne in 1946 and was a resident of Westfield for 20 years before moving to Charlotte in 2001. She was a lifelong horticulturalist and a peony and lilac enthusiast. She studied homeopathic medicine for many years and helped a great many people with their illnesses and afflictions. She was a passionate photographer, a world traveler, and a collector of local art and foreign automobiles. A fearsome card player, she socialized with a variety of poker and bridge groups. Her abilities in bocce, billiards, and darts were universally renowned. Her generosity and warmth attracted a large group of friends who cared very deeply for her and kept her company throughout her life. Although it had always been a beautiful and comfortable place, in the last month it became clear that her home was an extension of her caring, charming personality and self. When she was confined to bed, the home was transformed into a bright, boisterous salon des amis, where she was visited by hundreds of loved ones and was celebrated and toasted day and night. Until the end, she wore a flower in her hair and refused to put on shoes; the right to be barefoot was a staple of her ideology. Even at the end, her positive attitude, love, hearty laugh, and cheerful outlook gave comfort and hope to all. She is survived by her five siblings: Tim Cowles of Westminster West, Robert Cowles of South Burlington, Nick Cowles of Shelburne, Tory Cowles of Potomac, Maryland, and Evan Cowles of Farmington, Connecticut; by her father; by her daughter Jessie Cowles of Albuquerque, New Mexico; by her two sons, Merlin Backus of New York City and Luke Backus of Charlotte; by her cat Chester; and by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Information about a memorial celebration will be forthcoming. Despite her fears, in the end it was clear that Cedar had won.

, 82, of Coventry died suddenly June 20, 2008, at her home. Mrs. Bonvicino was born May 19, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, a daughter of Michael and Mae (Roundy) Andretta. She was a waitress at the Intermission Club in New York. She loved her cats, and she enjoyed cooking, much to her family's delight. She loved her children and enjoyed spoiling them. Because she was a waitress, she often would go to many restaurants to see what they had to offer and to enjoy others waiting on her. She moved to Florida and then toVermont with her son Michael about ten years ago. She is survived by three children: Michael Bonvicino of Westfield, Diane Greco and her husband, Danny, of Queens, New York, and William Bonvicino and his wife, Patty, of Long Island, New York; and by three grandchildren: Michael Greco of Queens and Scott and Dawn Bonvicino of Long Island. She was predeceased by her brother Michael Andretta. Services will be held at the convenience of the family.

, 58, of Newport died suddenly July 4, 2008, in Newport. Mrs. Trombly was born November 24, 1949, in Newport, a daughter of Paul and Jean (Madden) Boulanger. She graduated from Newport High School in 1967, and in 1983 she graduated from the Vermont School of Cosmetology in Burlington. On December 28, 1999, she married Leo C. Trombly Jr., who survives her. She was a hairdresser for the Bayview Styling Salon in Newport. Prior to working at the salon, she was employed by Jay Peak Resort in its accounting department. She enjoyed her flower gardening, collecting gemstones, and bird watching, and she loved Lake Memphremagog. She is survived by her husband, Leo C. Trombly Jr., of Newport; by her son Neil Hall Jr. of Newport; by stepchildren Myra Alix and her husband, Todd, of Jay and Matthew Trombly and his fiancée, Kendal, and her daughter Alexis of Glover; by three grandchildren: Dakota, Phoenix, and Sage Alix; by siblings: Tom Boulanger and his wife, Wilma, of Coventry, Georgia Fournier of Troy, Ruth Forgues of Troy, Sharon Provencha and her husband, Dale, of Westfield, Ethel Rowell and her husband, Mitch, of Albany, Peter Boulanger of Orleans, and Joan Terrien and her husband, Roland, of Derby; and by numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 10, at the Curtis-Britch Converse-Rushford Memorial Chapel on Lake Road in Newport with the Reverend Martha Peck officiating. Interment will follow in Coventry Cemetery. Should friends desire, contributions in Mrs. Trombley's memory may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, National Service Office, VAMROC, 215 North Main Street, White River Junction, Vermont 05001.

, 80, of Lenox, Massachusetts, was born on April 1, 1928, and died June 20, 2008, at the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Mrs. Shea graduated from Dalton High School in 1946. She married Rensselaer "Sonny" Filkins IV, who predeceased her on July 4, 1953, and Emmet "Nick" Shea, who predeceased her on November 12, 2000. She was employed as an office manager by Western Massachusetts Contracting Engineers, Inc., in Lee, Massachusetts, and Freadman Steel in Pittsfield. She enjoyed playing golf and bridge, being with her friends, and e-mailing. She leaver her son Rensselaer "Mike" Filkins V of Mesa, Arizona; her daughter Kathleen Filkins of Barton; four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and her sister Patricia Luoghan of Dalton, Massachusetts.