Category: Obituaries

George Edward Lace

St. Albans: George Edward Lace 96 passed away peacefully at NWMC Hospital suddenly on Friday, 8 November 23, 2018.  George was born in Granby, Quebec on October 1, 1922, and came to the United States from South Stukley, Canada.  He was the son of the late Elward and Lillian (Norris) Lace.  He married the late Elaine Mae (Vallee) Lace on November 30th, 1948. They will be married 70 years at the end of this month. Continue reading “George Edward Lace”

Jean Grover Bigelow

St. Albans – Jean Grover Bigelow, 87, passed away Thursday, May 3rd, 2018, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

She was born in Gardiner, Maine on April 25th, 1931, to Donald and Rena (Astle) Grover.

Jean graduated from BFA in 1950 and worked as a bookkeeper at the Franklin Bank.

Jean ran a daycare for many years and was affectionally known as “Momma Jean” by the many children that she cared for.

She is survived by her husband, Elmer Bigelow of 65 years; her daughter, Bonnie (Charles) Godin of Swanton, Vermont; son,  John (Josephine) Bigelow of Ferrisburgh, VT and son, Scott Bigelow of Longmont, CO, as well as eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren ( more coming), who greatly blessed her life.

Jean was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church of St. Albans for over 80 years. During that time, she served in many capacity’s at the church.  Throughout her life she volunteered for numerous activities. She always found time to help in any way as serving hands for her Lord.

Jean’s family wishes to thank the staff and management of Franklin County Rehab Center, where they made her so comfortable in her new home.

Jean’s family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 9th, 2018, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 11 Church Street, St. Albans.

A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM in the church sanctuary. Interment will be at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church or Franklin County Rehab Center.

To send Jean’s family a written expression of sympathy or share a memory, please go to her on-line guest book at www.healdfuneralhome.com.

Richard A. Mercy

FRANKLIN (Lake Carmi)– Richard A. Mercy, age 77, passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at his home, surrounded by his loving family and friends.

He was born in St. Albans on May 20, 1940, to the late Alton and Dorthey (Longley) Mercy.

Richard was raised in Richford and graduated from Richford High School Class of 1958. He was a 20-year Veteran of the United States Navy as a Submariner on the USS Ethan Allen, following a long and distinguished career he received his honorable discharge as a Lieutenant. During his career he mentored many men and women serving in the Armed Services, he would demand the best out of people and accepted no excuses.

He had many hobbies and interests including, golfing, fishing, gardening, cheering on the New York Yankees and Ohio State Buckeyes, enjoying a Bud heavy and going to The Price Is Right game show in New Hampshire. Richard enjoyed time spent on the lake with his family, friends, and the dogs that he cherished. He loved the many hours boating on the lake making sure not to hit the ‘friggen’ rocks or the weeds.

Richard’s family will remember him for his many qualities including his sense of humor, being an exceptional provider for his family and friends, his ability to tell you exactly how he felt with “no filter” and giving the shirt off his back expecting nothing in return. During Richard’s illness he was in constant pain, never complained, and never gave up.

He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, supporting his children and grandchildren in all aspects, particularly sporting events, where he would travel to great lengths to attend their activities.

He is survived by his wife, Lorraine (Wright) Mercy of Franklin, his high school sweetheart, married on July 21, 1961; his children, Jeffrey Mercy and his wife Tracy of Tecumseh, Michigan, Tammara Mercy and her soulmate James Fitzgerald of Fairfax, Vermont; grandchildren, Samantha Mercy, Haley Mercy, J’Nice Kobzik and her husband Jay, Hayden Fitzgerald, and William Fitzgerald; great-grandchildren, Kylie Kobzik and Kaden Kobzik; foster brother, Peter Upton, and many close friends and neighbors.


A memorial service with military honors will be held on Sunday, June 3, 2018, at 3:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickenson Ave. Enosburg Falls, VT.  

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2:00 PM until the hour of the service.

For those who wish, contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to the Richford American Legion Scholarship Fund, 35 River Street, Richford, VT 05476.

Claire R. (Noiseux) Vaillancourt

SHELDON – Claire R. (Noiseux) Vaillancourt, age 90, widow of Rosaire Vaillancourt, passed away following a brief stay at the Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans, VT. Friday, April 27, 2018.

She was born August 28, 1927, in Enosburg Falls, Vt, the daughter of the late Philippe Aubert and Aurore (Beauregard) Noiseux.

Claire lived most of her life on the same family farm in Sheldon beginning from the age of five when she along with her parents and the herd of cows transitioned from the Enosburg farm during the great depression. A home she cherished to the end of her life.  She began her education in a one-room schoolhouse in Sheldon often hitching a ride with the milkman on his morning route. To maintain her French heritage she was enrolled at all-girl boarding school, St Andre de Sutton, in Sutton PQ. She completed her education at Enosburg High School graduating in 1946.

Claire met the love of her life, Rosaire, when she helped serve at his parents’ 50th wedding anniversary at the church parish hall. They married October 3, 1949, at St John the Baptist Church in Enosburg Falls and traveled to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. As Claire was an only child, Rosaire moved to her family’s dairy farm. It was a farm that Claire and Rosaire would continue to improve and grow both in land and children. She raised seven children teaching them to appreciate the finer things in life; music, art, and fashion.  She was a devout Catholic who sent her children to Catholic schools in Saint Albans. Education was valued and all of her children graduated from college. She enjoyed vacationing in Maine in the summer with the children and her sister-in-law Pearl Vaillancourt and her children, and frequent trips to visit relatives throughout Quebec. She also toured the United States with her husband and their nephew Fernand Bourbeau and his wife Margot from Trois Rivieres, PQ.

Claire was best known for her fine cuisine and hosted many dinner events and large family gatherings.  She had a flair for fashion and expertly sewed many designer dresses with fabric she would select with her favorite cousin Madeleine Desroches who spent much time on the farm with her and was like a sister.  She provided well for her family growing a large garden every summer and canning the bounty in the fall. But the family was the most important part of life. She was key in maintaining contact with both sides of her extended family and had daily contact with her special sister-in-law Frances Vaillancourt.

She is survived by her children Denis of Franklin, his wife Cindy and their daughters Andrea and Dena; Madeleine Chapman of South Royalton, her husband Pete, their son Christopher and his wife Megan; Pierre of Sheldon, his wife Mary and their children Josh, his wife Sarah, Shawn, Evan and Chelsea; Lise LaRose of Enosburg Falls, her husband Mark and their children Renae and Danielle; Louise Greene of East Berkshire, her husband Jim and their children Betsy, her husband Rob, Michelle and Caleb; Paul Vaillancourt of Franklin, his wife Christine and their children Karly and Emma; and Philip Vaillancourt of Sheldon, his wife Lisette and their children Jonah, Emma and Megan. She also leaves behind great-grandchildren, Noah, Del, Rye, Ava, Jonah Jr, and Charlee Grace, and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, great nieces, great-great nephews and great-great nieces.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, May 5, 2018, at 11 AM at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 222 Missisquoi St, Enosburg Falls, Vt with Rev. Karl Hahn officiating. Interment will follow at St John the Baptist Cemetery.

Visiting hours will be held Friday, May 4, 2018, from 4-7 PM at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave. Enosburg Falls, Vt

For those who wish, contributions in Claire’s memory may be made to Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, Vt 05478 or to a charity of choice.

Lawrence E. Therrien Sr

SWANTON – Lawrence E. Therrien Sr, age 79, passed away on Thursday, April 26, 2018 in the comfort of his own home surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Highgate, but a long-time resident of Swanton. Lawrence was the son of the late Abraham and Marie (Michette) Therrien, of Pike River, Quebec.

Lawrence attended St. Anne’s Academy. On August 1, 1975 Lawrence married the love of his life, Elaine J. (St. Francis) Therrien after being together for fourteen years.

Lawrence loved to fish, bike ride, work on cars and loved going with his father for minnows. Lawrence worked at Gage Auto in St. Albans in 1965 for seven years.

He is survived by his wife Elaine, their two sons, Lawrence E. Therrien Jr. and wife Melodie of St. Albans, David A. Therrien and wife Holly of Swanton; sisters, Lorraine Therrien of Rutland, and Lucille Kittredge of Waterbury; 6 grandchildren, Cory Paquette of St. Albans, Eugene Bessette of Richford, Lawrence Therrien III of St. Albans, Jennifer Therrien of Swanton, Samantha Therrien of St. Albans, Christopher Therrien of Swanton and seven great grandchildren. Besides his parents, Lawrence was predeceased by his brother Roland (Smiley) Therrien, and an infant brother.

Lawrence’s family would like to thank some special friends and helpers; James Boudreau, Linda Calin, Howard Rich and many others. They would also like to extend appreciation to GMTA for transportation to and from dialysis, and NWMC dialysis department for helping and providing care to him for the past seven years.

In keeping Lawrence’s wishes, there will be no services.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Elaine J. Therrien, 12 Andy Avenue, Swanton, Vermont 05488.