Diane  Vernon

POMFRET CENTER — Diane “Dinser Doodle” (Gill) Vernon, 46, of Brayman Hollow Rd., died Dec. 27, 2014, at home. She is the wife of Kevin D. Vernon, Sr.  Born in 1966 in New Haven, she was the daughter of Joan (Fiondella) Gill of Brooklyn and the late Frank A. Gill.

Mrs. Vernon worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist for Westview Nursing Home in Dayville.

Diane enjoyed knitting and caring for her dogs, Trusty and Savanna.

In addition to her husband, Diane leaves her children, Kevin D. Vernon Jr. and Jessica Vernon of Pomfret; her brother, David Gill (Kara) of Sutton; her sister, Susan Fisher (James) Glastonbury. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 3 in Most Holy Trinity Church, Pomfret Road. Donations: to Diane’s children Kevin and Jessica Vernon, c/o their father Kevin Vernon Sr., 118 Brayman Hollow Rd., Pomfret Ctr., CT 06259. : Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Virginia M. Bibeau

PUTNAM — Virginia M. (Delhaie) Bibeau, 71, of Capron St., died Dec. 28, 2014, at Westview Healthcare Center in Dayville. Born in 1943 in Putnam, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Rose (Lamoureux) Delhaie.

Mrs. Bibeau worked for many years as the office manager for Dr. Hall in Putnam. Virginia enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, and being a “personal” seamstress for her family. 

She leaves four sons David Bibeau of Massachusetts, Steven Bibeau (Patrice) of Maryland, Scott Bibeau of Kentucky, and Mark Bibeau (Kim) of Italy; a brother Richard Delhaie of Warrenville; two sisters Jacqueline Desantis and Cynthia Hicks both of New York; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 3 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 a.m.  in St. Joseph Church, 350 Hartford Pike, Dayville with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery, Dayville. 

 

Sarah Beth Lussier

BROOKLYN — Sarah Beth Lussier, 35, of Brooklyn, died unexpectedly Dec. 20, 2014. She was the daughter of Rhonda Regis Cathcart and the late Robert W. Cathcart. 

She was born Aug. 30, 1979, in Putnam. Sarah was a graduate of Killingly High School Class 1997, and received an associate’s degree from the Quinebaug Valley Community College. 

She was a member of the Big Red Marching Band playing trumpet. 

Sarah worked for many years as a bank teller. 

She enjoyed doing art work, going to concerts, and collecting angels. 

She leaves, in addition to her mother Rhonda, her daughter Aisha Desaulnier of Putnam; grandparents Richard and Naomi Regis of Brooklyn; her great-grandmother Irene Clark of Putnam; her former husband Derrick Desaulnier.

The funeral and burial were private. Donations: QVCC Foundation, 742 Upper Maple St., Danielson, CT 06239. Gagnon and Costello Funeral Home, 33 Reynolds St., Danielson.

Katrina Challinor

PUTNAM — Katrina “Trina” Challinor, 29, of Marshall St., formerly of Thompson, died Dec. 20, 2014. Born in 1985 in Putnam, she was the daughter of Dennis and Sandra Challinor of Thompson and the late Doris (Bissell) Challinor.

Mrs. Challinor worked as a cashier at the Putnam Cumberland Farms; and enjoyed shopping and spending quality time with her son Ethan.

She leaves her parents; a son Ethan Challinor of Putnam, formerly of Thompson; three brothers Richard “Richie” Challinor of Thompson, Ron Houle of Danielson, and Maynard Hill of Thompson; five sisters Jennifer Wetherbee of Thompson, Jennifer Bliss of Putnam, Beth Challinor of Brookfield, Fla., Heather Lavallee of Thompson and Carrie Hill of Thompson; her paternal grandfather James MacKenzie of Thompson and her maternal grandmother Barbara Colon-Diaz of Thompson. She was predeceased by her paternal grandmother Gloria (Tetreault) MacKenzie and Clarence Bissell.  

Visitation is from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 3 in the Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam. A Memorial Service will be held at 5:30 p.m. Donations: Ethan Challinor Care Fund, c/o Jennifer Wetherbee, P.O. Box 102, Grosvenordale, CT 06246. 

 

Harry A. Elliott,

WWII vet

THOMPSON — Harry A. Elliott, 92, lifelong resident of Thompson, and husband of Ruth Bayer Elliott, died at home Christmas night, 2014.    

Upon graduating from Tourtellotte Memorial High School, Harry joined the Army Air Corps.  In WWII he co-piloted a B-17, flying out of North Africa, and was shot down over the Bay of Salerno; he was taken prisoner of war in Northern Italy.  Escaping the prison camp, he was on the run for 20 days before reuniting with American forces; he was awarded the Bronze Star.  Returning to the U.S., he helped train young pilots. His military career continued in the Active Reserves and the Inactive Reserves, achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Harry worked for Southern New England Telephone for 30 years, as a repair foreman.  He also owned and operated Elliott Sales and Service in Thompson for over 50 years; he was known through those years for selling and repairing Peugeot, MG, Austin, Renault and used cars. His repair skills and his trustworthy service were respected and remembered.

He leaves his wife of 69 years, Ruth; three children and their families: son Brian Elliott and his wife Marlys of Thompson, their children, Luther Elliott, Noah Elliott, and Jordan Elliott; daughter Diane Elliott Glass and her husband Peter of Bridgewater, Mass., and their children, Austin Glass and Elliott Glass; and son Paul Elliott and his wife Mildred of Woodstock, an  their children, Jomica Elliott, Geon Elliott, Harryn Elliott, and Taquiyy Elliott. Also 13 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brothers, Raymond Elliott and Edgar Elliott.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 31 at the Thompson Congregational Church, UCC, where Harry was a longtime member, having served many years as deacon and trustee.  Donations: Thompson Congregational Church, UCC, 347 Thompson Road, Thompson, CT 06277. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

Madeline Zulkiewicz

PUTNAM —  Madeline V. Zulkiewicz, 87, of Hawkins Rd., died Dec. 27, 2014, at home.  She was the wife of Frederick Zulkiewicz.  Born in 1927 in Killingly, she was the daughter of the late Alfred and Angelina (Charest) Bernier. 

Mrs. Zulkiewicz worked as a sewer for American Optical.  

Mrs. Zulkiewicz was a member of the VFW Women’s Auxiliary. She was also a communicant of St. Mary Church. 

In addition to her husband, she leaves her daughter, Kathleen Bellanceau of Newark, Dela.; her brother, Paul Bernier of Webster; her sister, Irene Reenstra of Wisconsin; two grandchildren Jesse Greene and Kristen Perron; and five great-grandchildren Tabitha, Jesse, Amara, David, and Stephanie.  She was predeceased by six brothers.  

The Funeral was private. Gilman Funeral Home, 104 Church St., Putnam.

 

Laurana ‘Laurie’

 Lathrop Wightman 

PUTNAM — Laurana “Laurie” Wightman, 94, of Putnam, passed over Dec.  25, 2014, at her home. Born April 20, 1920, in Ware, Mass., she was the daughter of Alexander and Eleanor (Aldrich) Wilson. Laurie grew up in Stafford. She graduated from Lasell Junior College in 1939. 

She married Richard A. Wightman on August 3, 1940, and they moved to Woodstock in 1948. She retired from the Court System of the State of Connecticut in 1989 where she worked for 28 years. 

She was an avid bridge player for 45 years, and enjoyed playing until just two months ago. She was well known for her baked goods, especially her apple pies, and one never left her house without a sweet treat to take home. A hearty New Englander, she loved snow; when big storms were forecast she could be counted on to be the first out to make a snowman or throw snowballs. 

She was predeceased by her husband and daughter Judith Cummings; sister Jean Haines, brothers Edward and Duncan Wilson. She leaves her daughter Marcia Sansoucy of Prescott, Ariz.; three grandchildren, Kimberly Sansoucy  (Peter Lyons) of Cambridge, Mass., Jill Sansoucy (Scott Olson) of Apex, N.C., Amy Archambault (Tom) of Eastford and four great grandchildren, William, Avery, Benton and Ada. 

For those who would like to gather and reminisce with her family, Laurie’s

home will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 24. Donations: Hospice of NE CT, PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260; or to TEEG, PO Box 664, N. Grosvenordale, CT 06255. Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove St., Putnam.

 

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