Priscilla D. Dexter
PUTNAM — Priscilla D. (Verraneault) Dexter, 86, of Sabin Street, entered peacefully into the presence of her Lord on Monday evening, May 11, 2026, at home surrounded by her loving children.
She was the wife of the late Bruce W. Dexter, who died on Sept. 27, 1984. Born in 1939 in Plainfield, she was the daughter of the late Ephraim and Ellen (Babcock) Verraneault.
Priscilla lived her life with a deep and unwavering devotion to God. A nondenominational Christian with a scholar’s grasp of Scripture and a disciple’s heart, she carried the Word of God with a clarity and conviction that inspired everyone around her. She could hold her own with theologians, yet she shared her faith with a gentleness that made people feel seen, loved, and welcomed. She formed remarkable friendships with people of many backgrounds, including those of all religious beliefs, embracing them with the love of Christ and building bonds rooted in mutual respect, compassion, and genuine friendship.
Mrs. Dexter worked for many years for Whole Life, Inc., caring for adults with disabilities. She also served as a resident attendant in the psychiatric ward at Day Kimball Hospital and as a teacher’s assistant in several northeastern Connecticut elementary schools. Her work was always an extension of her ministry. She cared for the vulnerable, the hurting, and the overlooked with the compassion of someone who saw every person as a child of God. Priscilla cared for others with patience, dignity, and a servant’s heart.
A lifelong lover of animals, Priscilla was known for feeding every stray or feral creature that wandered near her home — raccoons, opossums, and especially her beloved cats. She will be fondly remembered as “the crazy cat lady of the neighborhood,” a title she wore with humor and pride. She was also a member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 10088.
She leaves her children, Frank Dexter (Sharon) of Sterling, Todd Dexter (Barbara) of Sterling, Cindy Sliva (Danny) of Putnam, Bruce Dexter II and his partner Sara DiIorio of Pomfret Center, and Rosanne Boudreau of Thompson; her 11 grandchildren, Brock Arsenault, Mark Dexter, Kristen Scandariato Morgan Vargas, Rylie Dexter, Sarah Dexter, Haylee Boudreau, Bruce Dexter III, Juliana Sliva, Kennedy Dexter, and Kambryn Dexter; her two greatgrandchildren, Wilder Vargas and Lucien Dexter; and her beloved, largerthanlife cat, “Giant.” She was predeceased by her daughter, Susan Dexter, and was the last surviving of her siblings.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. June 1, in St. Mary Church of the Visitation, 218 Providence St., Putnam. A private burial will be held at a later date. Donations: PAWS Cat Shelter, 74 School St., Putnam, CT 06260. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT 06260.
Patsy H. Converse
WOODSTOCK — Patsy Converse, 91, passed away May 11, 2026, surrounded by her family. Born in 1934 in Garner, Texas, she was the daughter of Ammon and Sarah Jane Howard. When she was 19, she met and married the love of her life, Franklin Converse Jr. They were married for 68 years, before he passed in 2022. Married in Texas, they moved to Woodstock, Frank’s hometown, where she embarked on a lifelong love of her new community and contributed greatly to it.
Patsy was proud to be the first female bus driver and female constable for the town of Woodstock, jobs she held for more than three decades. She was also part of the Muddy Brook Fire Department EMS team. She was a long-term trustee of the Roseland Park Board and recently was honored as a lifetime member. She impacted the lives of many, whether on the school bus, collecting lunch money in the cafeteria, or from her civic involvement.
Outside of community initiatives, she brought her southern flair to the kitchen table, especially with the use of okra grown in their backyard garden. Patsy was a standout on the Milsap High School basketball team, and always supported her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s numerous sporting events. Anyone that knew her, was well aware of her love of Scottish Terriers, especially Freddy, Barney and Dixie.
She leaves her daughter-in-law Susan Converse, grandson Thomas (Amanda); and great-grandchildren Abigail, Kaylyn and Thomas; son Glenn Converse and his wife Diane, and grandchildren, Ian, Adam, Heather and her fiancé Erik; son David Converse (Lynn), and grandchildren Jillian and her partner Jordan, Scott and his partner Molly; sister, Marilyn Ober (Richard); sister-in-law Pat Howard; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Thomas Converse and her brother, Henry Howard.
A celebration of life is planned for Patsy and Frank from noon to 2 p.m. June 14 at Roseland Park. Donations: Muddy Brook Fire Department; East Woodstock Congregational Church; or Roseland Park. Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam.
Michael Dean Burdett
WOODSTOCK VALLEY — Michael Dean Burdett passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family at 10:15 a.m. on Friday May 1, 2026, at Bungee Lake in Woodstock Valley.
He was born Feb. 21, 1951, in Winsted to parents Leonard and Dotty Burdett.
Michael was raised in Winsted until the Burdett family moved to Thompson in 1963. He graduated from Tourtellotte Memorial High School in 1969 and worked many different jobs before working for friend and arborist Kenny Schott, subsequently falling in love with tree work. In 1984 he started his own small company, Independent Tree Service, and tended the trees of northeastern Connecticut for more than 40 years. He loved being outdoors; he loved the work, and most of all he loved getting to know the people he met along the way.
Family, friends, and music were the center of Michael’s life. Mike always made as much time as possible to spend with family and friends. Wherever he went, Mike liked to make merry with those he loved. Cribbage and gin-n-tonics, at Crystal Lake in Gilmanton Ironworks, N.H., drinks and open-mikes at The Village Lounge in Woodstock, or strumming guitars around the campfire in Lonoke, AK.
Through these things, Mike maintained a strong network of close friendships and a vast network of acquaintances. If you told him a story about someone you just met, chances are he already knew them. Sometimes it felt like he knew everyone.
Mike fell in love with music at a young age, mainly rock and blues acts such as The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Kinks, Jeff Beck, Johnny Winter, The Beach Boys, The Allman Brothers Band, and Todd Rundgren to name a few. He soon taught himself to play guitar. In bedrooms, basements, and bar rooms; around campfires, at concerts, homes, parties, and open mikes; he played many a song (often with his brother David at his side).
He leaves his son, Samuel Burdett of Woodstock; and sister Carol Downing (Ned) of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; nieces and nephews: Jason, Ken, Emily, Korinti, Kadisha, and Kara; as well as extended family and friends throughout Connecticut, Gilmanton Ironworks, N.H., Lonoke, AK, and beyond.
He was predeceased by his loving partner of many years, Jaqueline Dunaway; nephew, Christopher Downing; brothers, David Burdett (Ann) and Peter Burdett (Jola).
We would like to offer thanks to the Hospice staff at Hartford Hospital and for their kindness and care (especially Sara and Leigh).
Celebration of life services will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at The Hungarian Social Club in Ashford. Please come join us as we celebrate Mike’s full life, with food, music, drink, and many stories. And if you can’t make it, no worries, just raise one up for Mikey and share a good story with someone you love.
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