Main Sections

Obituaries 3-28-06

Margaret E. Linehan

Monkton— Margaret E. Linehan, 89, died Monday, March 20, 2006 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

She was born on March 18, 1917 in Rockingham the daughter of George and Mary (Lafave) Nattress.

Margaret was a member of St Jude Church in Hinesburg.

Margaret was predeceased by her husband Leonard G Linehan on July 23, 1988.

She is survived by a daughter Mary Franco and her husband Marc of Stephentown, NY, two sons Denis Linehan and Stephen Linehan and his wife Janice all of Monkton. Five grandchildren Rebecca, Robert, Chris Jacob and Lisa, four great grandchildren Kayla, Amber, Jay and Evan, brother George Nattress of Winooski, sister Grace Cole of Charlotte, several nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Jude Church in Hinesburg on Thursday March 23. Interment will be in Mt St Joseph Cemetery in Bristol. Contributions may be made to St. Jude Church Hinesburg 05461.

James Richard Olson

Vergennes— James Richard Olson, 59, builder, fisherman, gourmet cook, political activist, and poker player par excellence, died Sunday, March 19, from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Jim was born on August 28, 1946, the son of Frank and Janet Olson. He grew up in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School and the University of Vermont. He served in the army and lived in Europe for several years before returning to Vermont, where he ran a Stretch-N-Sew franchise in Burlington. Later, he turned full-time to carpentry. His many friends will remember him as a generous man with a big heart and a wry sense of humor. The lucky ones will look around their homes and find Jim still with them in his handiwork.

Jim is survived by his wife, Marcia Merryman Means; his son, Justin Olson, his mother, Janet; a brother, Jack Olson, and his wife, Marsha; a sister, Laurie May, and her husband, Mitchell; two nephews, Bryan and Mitchell, and Mitchell’s wife, Amy; and a niece, Kristen, and her husband, Michael. Memorial contributions may be made to TomPaine.com, Democracy Now!, or the American Civil Liberties Union. A memorial celebration will be held in the late spring. Written remembrances may be sent to his wife in Vergennes.

Mary DeVine Rossier

Danville / Ferrisburgh— Mary Josepha DeVine Rossier, 84, of Danville, Vt. formerly of Ferrisburgh, Vt. died unexpectedly, yet peacefully on Wednesday, March 22, 2006.

Mary was a loving, genuine, compassionate, selfless lady, always putting the concerns of others ahead of hers. Mary will be remembered as being devoted to her husband, family and friends. She was a friend to all she met and this world is a better place because of her.

Mary was born on March 26, 1921 in Ferrisburgh, VT the daughter of the late Ernest and Faith DeVine. Mary attended Robinson Grade School in Ferrisburgh, Lyndon Institute, and Bryan and Stratton Business School in Boston. She married Douglas Rossier on August 2, 1943 and raised four children in Ferrisburgh Center in a home adjacent to the family business of DeVines Sales and Service.

Mary was a quiet and active civic leader. As a 4-H craft leader, she taught local children her many varied home crafts. She was a member of the Ferrisburgh Home Dem and the D.A.R. She served as auditor for the Town of Ferrisburgh and was an active, dedicated member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Vergennes, VT making flower arrangements for services and supporting special events in the church.

Having learned the art of soap making as a young girl, Mary studied and perfected her skills to become a master soap maker of “Mary’s Soaps”. Her soap can be found at several businesses around Vermont. Mary generously shared her many talents to both adults and children which included making soap, salves, perfume, and pot scrubbers, and teaching  knitting, crocheting, tatting and refinishing and caning chairs to name a few. Many others have opened successful soap making businesses due to Mary’s generous mentorship.

In 1975, Mary and Doug moved to Holland, Vt. leaving the comforts of Ferrisburgh to “live off the land,” relying on wind power and a wood stove for energy sources and without a telephone. During this time, Mary and Doug transitioned to a nutritional life-style of natural foods and supplements. Mary always shared her ever-increasing knowledge of good health out of concern for other’s well being.  Mary and Doug enjoyed many years of Farmer’s Market in the Northeast Kingdom, offering soaps, crafts, flowers, plants and good cheer.

In 1988, they moved with the wind mill to Danville, Vt., their current home. She leaves her husband, Douglas of Danville, her children, Susan of Vergennes, Glenn and wife, Kathy of Ferrisburgh, and Annie of West Newbury. Sadly, she was predeceased by her oldest son Charles Rossier on March 4, 2006 and leaves her daughter-in-law, Jean (Charlie’s widow) of Ferrisburgh. She also leaves four grandchildren; Tyler, Eric and wife Stephanie, Emily and Ryan. Mary also leaves a brother, Albert DeVine of Ferrisburgh, a sister-in-law, Esther Smith and husband Archie, of Fostoria, Michigan, many nieces and nephews, as well as many special cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her brother Karl DeVine of Ferrisburgh.

A memorial service was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Vergennes on Sunday, March 26th, 2006.  Donations may be made in her name to St Paul’s Episcopal Church of Vergennes or the charity of giver’s choice.

To celebrate her life, the family invites all of us to be more giving of ourselves in the way Mary lived her life. She was truly an angel on earth, who has now found her place with the Lord.

Printer Friendly

Top

Advertisements

Search our Archives