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Obituaries 12-18-07

Arlene Johnson-Delliveneri

Weybridge-ELLENTON, FL - Arlene Johnson- Delliveneri died on December 10, 2007, at her home in Ellenton, Florida. Arlene was born on June 25, 1913, to John and Pearl Morcombe at their home on Shannon Street in Middlebury, Vermont.

   Few people have touched the lives of so many, so often, with such kindness and consideration. Arlene was the oldest of four siblings, so when her mother came down with tuberculosis, Arlene became the surrogate mother to her sister and brother. She dropped out of high school to care for her family. Later she came under the influence of Dr. Phelps, the family physician, who became her mentor and taught her the basics of nursing. She passed the state nursing exam and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

   Nursing was not only her profession but her passion. Eventually she went to work for a Dr.Frost of Brandon, a backwoods horse and buggy doctor who spent his life driving  the hill country of Rutland County, caring for the sick and poor of the early Great Depression. Arlene became his indispensable assistant. Vermont could have had third-world status during that economic collapse, and Arlene often found herself spending days and even weeks living with desperately poor families, delivering their babies and caring for their sick and dying. It was a perfect time for someone with skill, strength, endless energy and unconditional empathy .

   Eventually Arlene went to work as a staff nurse at the  Preventorium in Pittsford, Vermont. This facility was established specifically to tender care to indigent children with life threatening  diseases. Malnutrition and tuberculosis  were often the common diagnosis, and the prognosis was often a dark and gloomy one. For weeks and even months, Arlene often found herself quarantined with dozens of desperately sick children. The hardest part was watching those who would not recover, wither away and die.

   This experience would have a profound effect on her life. When she married Maurice Johnson and moved to his farm in Weybridge, Arlene turned their large farmhouse into a maternity nursing home. Many children were born there over the years. Later on it became a geriatric nursing home, where end-of-life patients found a caring home for their final days.

   By the early 60s, Arlene was ready for something more challenging. She bought a 30-bed nursing home in Poultney and began a journey that would span nearly a decade. The times were rapidly changing, however, and the Poultney facility eventually became difficult to maintain under new  bureaucratic regulations. Arlene sold the nursing home and moved back to Middlebury where she opened and operated the Johnson Community Care Home on North Pleasant Street. She stayed there until she retired.

   For the past 20 years  Arlene has lived in Florida, and for the past several years has been declining in health. Fortunately, her daughter  Jacquie, a retired Registered Nurse, has been her personal caregiver.    

   Arlene is survived by her sons Robert and Larry, who both reside in Vermont, and her daughter Jacquie who lives in Ellenton, Florida. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Pratt of Bridport, six grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild. A memorial service will be held at a later datein Weybridge Congregational Church.  

Wayne R. Hobbs

VERGENNES - Wayne R. Hobbs, Sr., 72, of Vergennes died December 8, 2007, in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was a loving brother, husband, father and grandfather.

   Wayne was born in Pittsford, Vermont on September 4, 1935 to Fred and Edith (Hier) Hobbs. On October 27, 1962, he married his wife of 45 years, Constance (Tucker) Hobbs. Wayne leaves his loving family, his daughter, Maria Brown and her spouse Lance. Wayne Hobbs, Jr and his partner Frank-Philipp Graner. His grandchildren, Sean (SMB), Zachary (Zeej), Kristen (Little Sweetheart) and Karah and two very special young ladies Kaitlyn Brunet (Katie Bug) and Sierra Roberts(Seaweed) whom he watched grow up into two beautiful young ladies. He is also survived by his siblings, June Dragon of North Swanzy, NH, Lydia Dragon of Winchester, NH, Barbara Loomis of Hydeville, VT, Maureen Lussier of Gransevoort, NY, Burton Hobbs of Pittsford, VT, Bernard Hobbs of Rutland, VT, Albert Hobbs of Middlebury, VT and numerous nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents and siblings, Carolyn, Fred and Stewart.

   Wayne enlisted in the US Army in October of 1953 and served his country for five years in Fort Dix and Japan. Upon his discharge from the Army he returned to Vermont and began work at Simmonds Precision in Vergennes. He later retired from Simmonds/Hercules/Goodrich after 35 years of employment. After many years of work at Simmonds it was his wish to spend time with his family. He did however want to stay active, so he began working part-time. His first part-time job was at the Addison County Transfer Station in Middlebury, Vermont. He also worked part-time for the Addison Independent delivering papers to the local businesses. He also worked for the Saint Peters Cemetery Association, maintaining the catholic cemetery in Vergennes. He then worked for Betcha Transit driving school bus for the Addison Elementary School. For someone who wanted to take it easy, he never let grass grow under his recliner.

   Wayne was also a longtime member of the Vergennes Volunteer Fire Department.  At the time of his death he was also a member of the American Legion Post 14 of Vergennes and the Eagles Club, Aeries #3801. He played in the Bristol Softball league, pitching for the C & F LeBeau team. He later became an umpire for the league. He was also a member of The Otter Creek Choral Society.

   The family would like to extend a very special Thank You to Addison County Home Health for their devoted staff and support. A special Thank You to Dr. Chris Nunnink and staff for their support and kindness.

   Funeral services were held  on Wednesday December 12th at Vergennes Congregational Church. Interment will be in Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes.  Memoral Contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association 77 Hegeman Ave Colchester, VT and Addison County Home Health and Hospice PO Box 754 Middlebury, VT  and St. Peters Cemetery Association South Maple St. Vergennes, VT.

Harley G. Shepard

Fletcher, NC / Bristol - Harley G. Shepard 81, Died Friday December 7, 2007 in Park Ridge Hospital in Fletcher, NC.

   He was born in Burlington, Vermont on Dec 26, 1925 the son of Mary Grupe Shepard and George Shepard.
Harley graduated from Burlington High School in 1943.  He was proud to have served 3 years in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He graduated from the University of Vermont Medical School in 1951.

   Harley married Adelaide Parent of Richmond, Vermont in August 1950.
 
    Harley started his medical career in Bristol VT in 1953.  He moved with his family to New Jersey in 1958 to continue his career in Industrial medicine.  He served on many Civic and Professional Boards and committees during his 30 years in NJ.  He was a member of the Bristol Libanus Lodge # 47 F&AM, Shrine and Shrine Clown Club.

   Harley and his wife raised 5 sons who all became Eagle Scouts and he was made an honorary Eagle himself.  He retired in 1986 and resided in NC where he was a member the of Fletcher United Method 1st Church.

   Harley is survived by his loving wife Adelaide, 5 sons Michael Shepard of Uniontown PA., Gary and Janet Shepard of Easton CT., David and Stephanie Shepard of Brooklyn NY, Steven and Barbara Shepard of Lewisville NC, Timothy Shepard of Atlanta GA, 8 grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, and his sister Marion Crowe of Summerfield FL., several nieces and nephews.

   The funeral was held December 13 2007 at the Bristol Federated Church. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol.  Contributions may be made to the Bristol Libanus Lodge #47, Bristol 05443

Sierra Mae Butler

Vergennes - Sierra Mae Butler, 3 passed away Saturday December 8, 2007 at Porter Medical Center in Middlebury.

   She was born December 4, 2004 in Burlington, the daughter of David and Olive (Gove) Butler.

   Sierra is survived by her parents, David and Olive Butler of Vergennes; three sisters, Amber, Ashley, and Robyn; two brothers David and Zachary; a grandmother Roxanne Montgomery; a grandfather David Gove; a uncle Bobby Gove: aunt Kimberly Nolan; a niece and nephew.

   Funeral services were held on Thursday December 13th at Vergennes Congregational Church. Interment will be in Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vergennes Area Rescue Squad PO Box 11 Vergennes, VT 05491.   

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