Rosemary Brown of Oak Bluffs died early Tuesday evening, March 27, 2018. Her son Steve and daughter Tommye were with her.
There will be a blessing on Saturday, March 31, at 10 am at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church in Vineyard Haven. All are welcome to help send Rosemary off on her journey. A full obituary, Mass, and proper burial will be planned later.
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Joseph Guerin, 61, of Edgartown, husband of Katy (Kleine) Guerin, died from carcinoid cancer on Thursday, March 29, 2018, at his Edgartown home with his family beside him.
Joe was born on Feb. 19, 1957, in Hempstead, N.Y., the son of William F. Guerin and Helen M. (Christensen) Guerin. He grew up in a large, loving family with six sisters and two brothers, often moving around the country following his father’s career as an engineer during “the race for space.” After high school, Joe moved to Philadelphia and went to work as a plumber while attending technical school at night.
Joe married Katy Kleine on July 28, 1979. A year later they relocated to Martha’s Vineyard, where Joe went to work for Lauress Fisher at Edgartown Hardware as a journeyman plumber, and they began raising a family. During the early ’80s, Joe volunteered for the Edgartown Fire Department, as well as becoming a volunteer EMT. In 1988, he started up Guerin Plumbing and Heating, which he operated with passion until shortly before his death.
Joe loved the outdoors, and over the years spent much of his free time on or in the waters around the Vineyard. He enjoyed boating, fishing, running, hiking, skiing, and snowboarding.
Most important to Joe was his family; he was an utterly devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He loved his wife dearly, and was endlessly proud of his three daughters. In his final years, Joe saw two of his daughters marry, and welcomed five grandchildren and one grandpup to the family. Nothing made him happier than spending time with the ones he loved. He spent countless hours teaching his children and grandchildren about tools, how to fish, and the importance of doing something right the first time.
He is survived by his wife Katy of 39 years; three daughters, Morgan Olson of Boston, Lark Bakkensen of Darien, Conn., and Hannah Guerin of Brooklyn, N.Y. He will be fondly remembered by his five grandchildren, Carter, Rowen, and Bowdoin Olson, and Hopper and Willa Bakkensen; and his eight siblings, Joan Guerin, Bill Guerin (Molly), Lauretta Guerin (David), Monica Mansour, Tom Guerin (Patricia), Mary Guerin-Coursen (Scott), Elizabeth Beatty (Michael), and Jennifer Overmoyer (Richard); 18 nephews and nieces; and other relatives.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date, to be announced. Donations in his memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123, 800-227-2345, or cancer.org.
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Roger Bart, 91, of Vineyard Haven died on Friday morning, March 30, 2018, at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was married to Elaine B. Bart.
Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the care of the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information.
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Judith A. (Lapham) Norton of 90 Oyster Pond Road, Edgartown, died on March 25, 2018. She is alive and well, celebrating in her forever heavenly home with her Savior, Jesus Christ. Her lifelong prayer was that you will join her someday.
Judy was born April 9, 1937, to Mildred and Arnold Lapham of Carlisle, where she came home to an older sister, best friend and lifelong confidant, Marcia J. Hagman of Lyndon, Vt., better known as CAM (Crazy Aunt Marcia) to her nieces and nephews, and was joined soon after by her brother Taylor A. Lapham, of Quemado, N.M. Judy had a love for babies from an early age, and Taylor became the perfect opportunity to hone her mothering skills. Judy attended Concord Carlisle Regional High School, where she excelled in school and its many activities, and was vice president of her freshman class as well as being named queen of her senior prom. One of her favorite activities was playing the drums in the school band. After graduation Judy continued to live in Carlisle, and began her administrative career as a secretary for MIT Lincoln Lab, where she worked on many interesting projects. If you were to ask her which one she remembered the most, it was meeting and working for Wernher Von Braun on the ballistic missile project. Judy’s last job was in retail for the Fresh Produce store in downtown Edgartown, where she enjoyed interacting with everyone who came in. Even if you didn’t leave with a bag, she made sure that you left with the knowledge that “Jesus loves you.”
Judy met the love of her life, Allen Norton, while vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard with her sister Marcia in 1956. They were married two years later, and spent 60 years together, first at their home on Mullen Way, and then out at the Oyster Pond, where they raised their three children and welcomed their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Judy loved being a mother, and could always be found engaging with her children in their many activities; one of her favorites was being a “barn mother” at both Scrubby Neck and Bittersweet farms. Judy’s natural and abiding love for children had her overjoyed to become a “Nunnie” to Cameron Boone, Morgan Boone, Justin Boone, Taylor A. Eppers, Chase N. Eppers, Peter N. Vincent, Eve L. Vincent Codding, Katherine H. Vincent, Stephanie M. Priore, and Sarah V. Vincent. She also loved on her four great-grandchildren, and was excited about adding to more to her circle of love in May.
Judy was first and foremost a lover of Jesus Messiah, and would not hesitate to tell anyone she met, whether you asked or not, that He was where her daily strength came from, especially in the last years of her life. Judy had many caregiving angels, from her nieces Debbie Scott, Lisa White, Shauna Smith, and Toni Hanover, as well as her late-in-life almost-daughters Lisa Ann Reich and Chrissy McCarthy, to her beloved Meg Verette from Hospice, her Beacon of Hope church family members, and numerous doctors and nurses at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. Judy faced her challenges with strength, dignity, and a smile on her face, believing that each doctor’s visit or hospitalization was an opportunity to share her love for Jesus.
Judy‘s faith brought her much joy and hope. She did not hesitate to lift her eyes up to the mountains, where she knew her help would come from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Judy was a worship leader at Faith Community Church for many years, and spent the last few years of her life using her beautiful alto voice to praise God and to inspire many of her “forever family” members at Beacon of Hope Church in Edgartown with her strength and resilience.
She was the loving and devoted wife of Allen W. Norton for 60 years, and mother to her children from her heart Melissa Norton Vincent, wife of Edward W. Vincent Jr. of Edgartown, the late Mark B. Norton of East Falmouth, and Rachel Norton Boone, wife of Darris Boone of Gretna, Neb.
The Norton family welcomes friends and loved ones to celebrate her life in a memorial service to be held at 1 pm on Saturday, April 7, at Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, preceded by visiting hours with the family at 12 pm. Burial will follow in the New Westside Cemetery, Edgartown. Donations in her name may be made to Beacon of Hope Church, P.O. Box 2582, Edgartown MA, 02539.
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Rom. 5:1
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Mathew Paul Hubert died peacefully on March 28, 2018.
Born June 5, 1961, in San Jose, Calif., Mat moved to the Vineyard in the early ’80s. He worked as a drywaller for most of his life.
He loved sailing, the Grateful Dead, and making jewelry and walking sticks.
Mat leaves behind his father Paul Hubert, sisters Cindy Gamarra and Kristi Foster, brother Mark Hubert, niece Danielle Cebron, grandniece Emilee and grandnephew Julian. He will be dearly missed by all his friends near and far, especially his girlfriend, Cherrie Herrick.
A celebration of Mat’s life will be held at the VFW in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, April 8, at 1 pm. Please bring a dish to share.
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Raymond A. Farland, 95, of Oak Bluffs died on Saturday, March 31, 2018, at the Henrietta Brewer House in Vineyard Haven. He was the husband of Esther May (Kirkpatrick) Farland and father of Raymond Farland and Nancy Gardner.
A visitation period will be held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, on Saturday, April 14, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am, followed by a memorial Mass celebrated in St. Augustine’s Church, Franklin Street, Vineyard Haven at 11 am, with burial afterward in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Vineyard Avenue, Oak Bluffs, with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard. Donations may be made in his memory to the Good Shepherd Parish, P.O. Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568. Visit ccgfuneralhome.com for online guestbook and information. A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.
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Peter M. Martell, 75, of Oak Bluffs died on Tuesday evening, April 3, 2018, at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Peter was the son of Elizabeth (Marden) Martell of Wrentham, and was predeceased by his father, Lewis A. Martell, and his brother, Ralph Martell.
A visitation period will be held in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, on Wednesday, April 11, from 10 am to 11:30 am, followed by a funeral service in the Trinity United Methodist Church in the Oak Bluffs Campgrounds at 12 pm, officiated by the Rev. Roberta Williams. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery, Pacific Avenue, Oak Bluffs, with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard and a Masonic service by the Oriental–Martha’s Vineyard Masonic Lodge. A reception will be held at the P.A. Club; please bring a dish to share.
Donations in Peter’s memory can be made to the Oak Bluffs Firefighters’ Association, P.O. Box 2131, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
A complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.
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Robert J. Francis lived in Oak Bluffs with his loving wife of 46 years, Beverly. Bob died unexpectedly on the morning of March 21, 2018, at the age of 79.
He was born in Oak Bluffs to Elsie Hampson and Manuel Francis on July 6, 1938. Bob attended the Oak Bluffs School, and graduated from the Martha’s Vineyard High School. After graduating, Bob served Oak Bluffs as a firefighter and police officer. He then worked as a plumber with business partner and lifelong best friend Steve Amaral.
Bob will be remembered as a passionate, awardwinning golfer. He was a member of Farm Neck Golf Club, where he was found on most weekends. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching sports, spending time with friends, walking the beach and through the State Forest, and spending time with his adopted cat, Sleepy.
Bob is survived by his wife, Beverly; his siblings, Kenny Francis, Charlene Alley, Norma Alley, and stepsister, Susan Fauteux; his children, Robert Francis Jr., Shauna Chipperfield, Luann Bonn, and Margaret Cimeno. He has also left behind many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family. Bob was predeceased by his father, Manuel Francis, and mother, Elsie Hampson; his brother, Jeffrey Alley; stepsister, Linda Francis; and his son, Scott Francis.
A graveside service will be held at the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Oak Bluffs on Sunday, April 15, at 11 am. Relatives and friends are invited to a gathering following the service at the P.A. Club in Oak Bluffs; please bring a dish to share.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the P.A. Club Benevolent Society, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
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Malcolm W. Reed Jr., 86, died on Monday morning, April 9, 2018, at his home in Edgartown. He was the husband Deborah (McCormick) Reed.
His memorial service will be held at a later date, and a complete obituary will appear in another edition of this paper.
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Angela H. (Brady) Burke, known all her life as “Robin,” 87, died peacefully on March 28, 2018, at Keystone Place in Buzzards Bay, surrounded by her loving family.
The daughter of Lewis and Angela Herzog, she was born in New York City and lived there and Suffern, N.Y., until moving to Florida at the age of 14. After graduating from the University of Florida in 1952 and marrying Norman Brady, her young family moved to Massachusetts, spending many years in Falmouth before moving to Edgartown. While raising her family, she was not only active with AFS, choosing students to go abroad or hosting foreign students locally, but also found time to work in gift shops in Falmouth and Edgartown. That experience prepared her for opening her own store, the Vermont Shop, in Edgartown, which she and her husband, Thomas Burke, owned and operated for 18 years. During that time, she was invited to join the local Rotary as one of its first women, and also launched and managed the Christmas in Edgartown annual celebration, which is ongoing today, for 18 years. She enjoyed fishing and sailing, and played golf and tennis well into her 80s. In retirement, she divided her time between Falmouth and Vero Beach, Fla., traveled, and enjoyed time spent with her many, many, friends and family.
Robin was predeceased by her sons Eric Prince Brady and Duane Norman Brady Jr., and by husbands the Rev. D. Norman Brady and Thomas Burke. She is survived by her loving partner Bix Shoemaker and his family, her brother Stephen Morgan, and her adoring children Angela Kristin Ladd of West Falmouth, Lynette Brady Clarke of North Falmouth, Cynthia Joy McIntosh of Falmouth; and Michael Jennings Brady of Edgartown. She was treasured by her eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Robin was loved and admired by all who knew her, and she changed many lives for the better. Interment will be held at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, N.Y.
For online guestbook and obituary, please visit ccgfuneralhome.com.
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David R. Madeiras died peacefully at home, in his sleep, on Jan. 5, 2018, just short of his 76th birthday.
David was born on Jan. 31, 1942, to Roland J. and Caroline Silva Madeiras. A lifelong resident of Oak Bluffs, he attended the local schools, and in 1960, he was a member of the first graduating class of the new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps, which became his home and profession for the next seven years. During that time he visited Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America, and more than half of the United States.
David’s last duty station was Vietnam, where he did two tours as a recon specialist. While there he received a Navy Commendation Medal, an Army Presidential Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal with 1 bronze star, National Defense Service Medal, and several Vietnam Service medals.
David left the service in 1967. After attending the Barnstable Police Academy, he started work as a police officer for the town of Oak Bluffs, He also attended Cape Cod Community College, where he received his associate degree in 1970, and in 1972 he graduated from Bridgewater State College with a bachelor’s degree in history and a teaching certificate. He became a substitute teacher at various Island schools, and continued working for the Oak Bluffs Police until 1982. David also served as park commissioner for Oak Bluffs from 1972 to 1974.
In 1982 David started working for Phillips Hardware on Main Street in Oak Bluffs. Often referred to as the mayor of Oak Bluffs, David continued working there until his retirement in 2012.
After retirement he settled into his home, and became a bit of a recluse. Asked if he ever took a trip off-Island, he’d reply, “I’ve traveled and seen most of the world, why would I want to go off-Island?”
David is survived by his brothers, Donald Madeiras and his wife Bertie of Oak Bluffs, and Daniel Madeiras of Roanoke, Va. He is also survived by his five nieces, three nephews, seven grandnieces, and six grandnephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Roland and Caroline Madeiras.
David was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9261, the American Legion Post 257, and the Portuguese-American Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any of these associations or a charity of your choice.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at the Oak Grove Cemetery on Pacific Avenue in Oak Bluffs at 11:30 am on April 21. A celebration of life will follow at the P.A. Club. Please bring a dish to share.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Holy Ghost Society, P.O. Box 2203, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; or to the VFW Post 9261, P.O. Box 1437, or to the American Legion Post 257, P.O. Box 257, both in Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
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Linda G. Brown, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and teacher, died peacefully in her home in Vineyard Haven on April 7, 2018, surrounded by her family, after a long battle with ovarian cancer. She was 63.
Linda touched many lives with her kindness and her infectious laugh. She was the laughter and light of the family, who reminded us with her ever-present smile that every moment is a joy to be embraced.
Linda was born in Newton-Wellesley Hospital, and grew up in Duxbury with two brothers, Jim and John. After graduating from Duxbury High School in 1972, she attended Ricker College in Houlton, Maine, where she met her future husband and love of her life, Bill Brown. It was love at first sight; she finished early so they could graduate together. They were married for 42 years.
When the possibility to move to Martha’s Vineyard came up, it was the dream home for Bill and Linda. They moved to the island in 1984. The loving mother of four was a stay-at-home mom for 12 years. She loved being a mom, and had a playful spirit and a kind warmth that made her exceptionally suited to it. With her youngest in kindergarten, she started substitute teaching at the Tisbury School. She eventually went on to get her master’s in education, and became a teaching assistant at the same school. From the Tisbury School she took a position as a full-time teacher at the Edgartown School, specializing in grade 5-8 math. She remained in Edgartown until her retirement in 2015. Her excitement about learning and the joy she brought to her teaching were an example to her students, whom she adored. She ran the Edgartown School store, a role that allowed her to interact with students from all grades. A well-loved teacher, she was often asked by the graduating high school class to attend their graduation as a favorite teacher from the Edgartown School.
She is survived, and will be immensely missed, by her husband and soulmate, Bill Brown, and her four children and their partners: Jennifer Urban-Brown (married to Daniel Urban-Brown); Billy Brown (partner with Jesse Chase); Emily Coulter (married to Benton Coulter); and Jessica Whitaker (married to Jeff Whitaker). She is also survived by her father, James H. Goddard, and her brothers, John and Jim Goddard. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Madeleine and Eloise Coulter, with a third grandchild on the way.
Most of all, Linda is remembered for her huge heart, her love of nature, and her endless sense of humor. She was always laughing. When she first met her husband, he told her, “Stick with me and I’ll show you the world.” Together they traveled across the country and made multiple trips to Europe. She kept a second home in northern Vermont, where she would snowshoe, pick blueberries, and tap maple trees to boil down for syrup. She enjoyed spending time in her gardens and watching the birds at her feeder; hummingbirds in particular brought her so much delight. She loved getting together with her friends to play mah jongg. She was an avid reader, crossword puzzle enthusiast, and “Far Side” fan.
A celebration of her life will be held on April 28, at Bill and Linda’s home, 161 Greenwood Ave., Vineyard Haven, from 2 to 4.
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Gregory Mayhew, 72, died peacefully at his home in West Tisbury on Wednesday evening, April 11, enveloped by the love of his family. Greg battled chronic illness for many years, although this was rarely apparent, due to his ready smile and upbeat nature.
Gregory was born Sept. 19, 1945, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital. He was the third of Benjamin C. Mayhew Jr. and Eileen (Sullivan) Mayhew’s five children. He grew up in the family home on Nashaquitsa Pond, Chilmark, spending most of his time outdoors. Greg attended Chilmark School, Tisbury School for middle school, and then graduated as part of the first class to complete all four years at the new Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School. After graduation, he attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, for two years. He was drafted and went to the U.S. Army’s Officer Candidate School before serving a tour in Vietnam as a 1st lieutenant. Within months of his return home in 1969, Greg’s father died while serving as the Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket state representative to the Massachusetts legislature. Greg completed his father’s term, and was re-elected, serving from 1969 to 1972. At 24 years old, he was the youngest Massachusetts state legislator at that time.
Although he enjoyed his years as an advocate for the Islands, Greg’s heart was never in politics, but always out at sea. He returned to the Vineyard to run his commercial fishing business, fishing with his brothers Skip and Jonathan on the Eileen and Ben, which docked at their fishing shack in Menemsha.
In 1973, Greg met his wife Lois through the efforts of his future brother-in-law Stephen Bell, who was a Coast Guardsman stationed at Menemsha. Lois was a summer girl from Pennsylvania, whose parents, the Rev. Richard and Ruth Bell, had owned the Bell Buoy cottage on Trinity Park in Oak Bluffs since 1958. Lois had always wanted to spend a full year on the Island, and her wish came true when she married Greg a week after graduating from college in 1975. Together they raised five children in Chilmark, building a house on the water just down the road from Greg’s family home.
Fishing was in Greg’s blood from birth, and was a family affair. The Mayhews ran a lobster market out of their shack in Menemsha, and all children old enough were involved. He and his brothers grew up practicing “striking” swordfish with harpoons by throwing paper plates into the ocean and seeing who could pierce the middle. Greg’s skills were quickly apparent, and later led to his becoming the most prolific swordfish striker on the East Coast.
In 1976, he and his brother Jonathan bought their boat Quitsa Strider in Texas, and steamed it home by way of the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Okeechobee, Fla., then on to the Atlantic Ocean. The open sea was too rough and they lost a stabilizer arm, so they went inland and used the inland Waterway up to Norfolk, Va. From that point, they were able to steam on open sea all the way to the Gay Head Cliffs and Menemsha Harbor. Greg’s brother-in-law, Dominique Penicaud, joined the business when his family moved to the Island from France in 1976. With three families now to support, the brothers decided to add a second boat, which was the iconic Unicorn, named for the Mayhew family crest. Greg and Dom owned the Unicorn and Jonathan owned the Quitsa Strider. The brothers continued to fish together, even with separate boats, and Jonathan piloted their plane for spotting swordfish in the summers. Flexibility to switch to other fisheries throughout the year made commercial fishing a very good life, until government regulations began stressing New England’s fleet. Needing to go further out and sometimes chance risky weather conditions to make a living was bad enough, but the loss of the harpoon swordfishing industry to drift-netting truly made no sense to Greg, who believed harpooning was the most environmentally responsible way to harvest swordfish.
While Greg was a well-known commercial fisherman, it was his family life that gave him the most joy. This is best summed up in his own words, memorialized in his son Jeremy’s documentary film, “Striker’s Passing”: “You have to make a conscious decision about whether or not you want to be the top dog … to be a top dog fisherman, you really need to spend a lot of time out at sea … and I’d much rather not be the top dog, but be the top dog at home … to be a better family man than someone else who’s, say, a highline fisherman. I’d rather be a highliner at home, with the family.”
He was a man who loved to be with his wife and children, always ready to build an igloo in the snow all day, create a water slide down the hill, bake with them in the kitchen, be the cheering section for all their school sports and musical events, and enjoy chaperoning school trips. He would cart everything necessary to make homemade ice cream to the beach in the summer, and bundle up to make it for them on the deck in the winter. He took them out on the Unicorn for fishing trips and pleasure trips to Tarpaulin Cove. His son Todd loved the fishing life, too, and eventually became Greg’s crewmate, a true joy for his father.
He was warm, funny, and very social. Although he was not raised with music lessons or much singing, Greg loved to dance and sing, much to his family’s amusement. He had music to pick fish to on deck, music to dance to with Lois in the kitchen as she cooked, and eventually, sacred music when he joined his church choir to be with his son Galen and Lois, who were choir members. He found another family in that very accepting group of singers and choir director Garrett Brown.
Gregory is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lois of West Tisbury, his son Jeremy Mayhew and wife Michele of Chilmark, his daughter Kathleen (Katie) Christianson and her husband Derek of South Dartmouth, his son Todd Mayhew and wife Audrey of West Tisbury, his daughter Gwendolyn Hanson and her husband Thomas of Canaan, N.H., and his son G. Galen Mayhew, a senior at Princeton University; as well as eight grandchildren. A sister, Eileen (Mayhew) May predeceased him in 1999; surviving siblings are Benjamin C. Mayhew III (“Skip”) and wife Cris of Edgartown, his sister Margaret Penicaud and husband Dominique of Chilmark, and his brother Jonathan Mayhew and wife Anne of Chilmark.
A celebration of Greg’s life will be held at 11 am on Saturday, April 21, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Oak Bluffs, followed by a reception at the adjacent Parish House. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Martha’s Vineyard Fishermens’ Preservation Trust, P.O. Box 96, Menemsha, MA 02552.
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Betty Jane Immelt, 93, died on March 26, 2018, of natural causes at Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Oak Bluffs.
Born Sept. 19, 1924, in Hilliard, Ohio, Betty was the youngest of three daughters whose father was Marble Cliff Quarry superintendent and an inventor, but whose sense of adventure led him to join Ringling Bros. Circus first at 16 as an acrobatic aerialist. She graduated from West High School, Columbus, Ohio, in 1943, and attended Ohio State University.
Betty led an exuberant and spirited life, always punctuated by her ability to make others feel welcome and included. Anchored by that same sense of adventure her father possessed and a promise of better things to come, Betty began her adventures early, meeting her future husband, the Rev. Robert Immelt, at Methodist Youth Group. And when Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy where duty would eventually bring him into conflict, they did the unheard-of thing to their families: they eloped to Washington, D.C., in 1943 (a subject she kept from her children until college!).
Betty happily made a home in Washington, and along with her sister-in-law, Ruth Immelt Anderson (stationed in D.C. as a WAVE), also a fellow adventurer at heart, they all adeptly navigated life during the war. Betty would eventually work for the Federal Bureau of Investigation there, handling thousands of fingerprints daily, proudly revealing having seen all of the fingerprints of the criminal celebrities of that day, including Al Capone.
After the war, she and Bob began their next adventure: a calling to the ministry. As most seminary students at the time could attest, they were given the early task to navigate a circuit of churches to serve during that time. Where other young seminary wives might be timid, Betty easily took on the task, embracing her minister’s wife duties, including riding in the back seat of their aging Ford typing away at Bob’s old Royal typewriter to finish his seminary papers on time as he traveled between church meetings and services. She was also an accomplished pianist and organist, often stepping in as church organist where needed.
For over 40 years she embraced the adventure of minister’s wife, establishing much-needed order and innovation in the United Methodist churches they served. Establishing the first form of prayerful dance in the worship service in one, founding an annual Christmas Madrigal dinner in another, countless Christmas Teas and Mother and Daughter dinners in all, and working hard in the background to help the local Boy Scout organizations effectively reach adventurous young men during the tumultuous ’60s and ’70s: Betty’s welcoming and generous “come sit next to me” nature pervaded everything she accomplished. Even into their retirement years, both she and Bob opened their home each Sunday evening to conduct a “Salon Evening,” where friends and neighbors gathered to discuss cultural events of the day linked to art, nature, science, literature, technology, philosophy, travel, and religion.
Betty, along with Bob, navigated one last adventure when, upon retirement from the United Methodist Church Conference, they embarked on a career as regional directors for Educational Opportunities, a religious-based travel company. Serving over 10 years, Betty easily supervised travel bases in Jerusalem, Cairo, and the U.K., among other assignments. She broke through many cultural barriers in a supervisory role; even the most conservative Palestinians often and repeatedly welcomed her into their homes as equals.
Her time on the Vineyard was when she was at her happiest. Having purchased a small “gingerbread cottage” in the Campgrounds from close family friends in 1955, she and Bob set about to make it a place for everyone to call home, a place where anyone could hang a hat. They, alongside a small group of young ministers’ families, spent many wonderful summers together at the “12th Light Pole After the Bridge” on State Beach. She expertly planned clambakes and cookouts, hosted Ice Cream Sundae socials with their group of friends, and became an integral part of the summer Camp Meeting community over the years.
When her health prompted a move to Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Betty continued her congenial nature, whether by sparking lively discussion during Wednesday “Talks with Vicky,” making new residents feel at home in the dining room or by letting her special care workers, nurses, and doctors know how much they were needed and appreciated.
Her proudest accomplishment still remains her family, personal and extended. She never let a conversation pass without telling of their latest accomplishments and acquisitions. Her room in Windemere told a lovely and joyful story: pictures spilling over the confines of her “family” bulletin board, featuring the latest on children, grand- and great-grand, family, friends, places, dinners, and all things near and dear to her heart.
Her son Mark Immelt predeceased her in 2007, and her husband the Rev. Robert Immelt predeceased her in 2009. She leaves behind a son, Jay Immelt and Helen of Aberdeen, Wash., with daughter Johanna, with Jody and children Craig, Berlin, and Peyton, and with son Justin, all of Washington State; daughter Julie Immelt Wheeler and Geoff of Vineyard Haven, with son Andrew, with Jenna and son Jackson, of Oak Bluffs; daughter-in-law Carol Immelt of Vineyard Haven, with daughter Alyssa Sliger, with Michael and children Abigail, Emily, and Hannah of Centerville, Ohio; with daughter Stephanie Immelt, with Dan Gilkes and children Hunter and Harper of Edgartown; with daughter Julie Immelt Whelden and son Wesley, of Falmouth; sister-in-law Ruth Immelt Anderson of Oak Bluffs, and brother-in-law Joseph Immelt and Donna of Cincinnati, Ohio; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
Her memorial service was celebrated March 28, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Oak Bluffs, and burial followed at Oak Grove Cemetery, Oak Bluffs. Memorial gifts in Betty’s name may be made to: MV Camp Meeting Association, P.O. Box 1685, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557, with Tabernacle Restoration Fund in the memo line, and Hospice of M.V., P.O. Box 1748, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568.
Betty knew that over everything else, making a difference for others and offering an open and easy welcome to all was what life was all about:
“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched in some way so your soul has someplace to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower you planted, you’re there. The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime.”
–Ray Bradbury, “Fahrenheit 451”
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Malcolm Willard Reed Jr. (Mac) of Edgartown died at home on April 9, 2018, after a prolonged illness. He was 86.
Born Nov. 12, 1931, in New Haven, Conn., he and his twin brother David were the youngest of seven born to Malcolm and Dorothy Reed, of Lexington and Pittsburgh, Pa. Mac was raised in Fox Chapel, Pa., where he attended Shady Side Academy and Washington and Jefferson College. After college, he joined the Army, serving in Alaska during the time of the Korean War.
Mac’s parents brought their family to the Iron City Fishing Club on Georgian Bay, Canada, for many summers. Many Reed family members continue to gather there for the summers. In July 1958, while visiting family friends who summered in Edgartown, he met his future wife, Deborah McCormick. They married shortly thereafter, in April 1959. He started his career working in the shipping industry in New York City, then in the mid 1970s, he and other family members started a coal mining business in Pittsburgh and Somerset, Pa. After retiring, he continued to be active in the coal industry as a consultant.
They raised their three children in Darien, Conn., and after living there for 35 years, decided to retire to their summer home in Edgartown, which has been in Deborah’s family for 75 years.
Mac loved sailing his Marshall Catboat, and enjoyed fishing as well. His main passion was golf; he played almost daily at the Edgartown Golf Club, where he served as a board member and was on the greens committee for many years. The EGC was one of his favorite places, and his golf games were played at a very fast-moving pace!
Mac was active in many Island groups, including Friends of Sengekontacket, Sail MV, the Catboat Association, Edgartown finance committee, and the Edgartown School committee, and he took on many active roles at the Federated Church.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Deborah McCormick Reed; their children Christopher Reed, Lucinda Reed Wittenberg, and Melissa Reed, who are now Island residents; his daughter-in-law Molly Burt Reed and son-in-law Charlie Wittenberg; seven grandchildren, Olivia Reed, Colby Reed, Benjamin Wittenberg, Jackson Wittenberg, Charlotte Hammond, Malcolm Hammond, and Tessa Hammond. He is also survived by his twin brother David Reed and wife Kathy of Bryn Mawr, Pa., his sisters Elizabeth (Betty) Furey of Lenox and Mary Hirt of Fairfax, Va., as well as many, many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service is planned for Thursday, April 26, at 11 am at the Federated Church in Edgartown. The burial will be private, at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Federated Church of Edgartown, Hope Hospice, or the American Kidney Fund.
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Neva D. Oneal Thornhill died on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, with her family nearby. She is survived by her husband Melvin, daughter Denice, son Melvin, and daughter-in-law Phyllis. A celebration of life service will take place on Saturday, April 28, at 11 am in the First Baptist Church, Spring Street, Vineyard Haven, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Roger Spinney and the Rev. Dr. Leo Christian. Interment will be in the Oak Grove Cemetery, State Road, Vineyard Haven, with military honors provided by the veterans of Martha’s Vineyard.
Donations may be made in her name to Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, P.O. Box 1748; First Baptist Church of Vineyard Haven, P.O. Box 806; American Legion Post 257, P.O. Box 257, all in Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; or the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, P.O. Box 1477, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557; or the Gay Head Community Baptist Church, P.O. Box 806, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568, or the VNA of Cape Cod and the Islands, 255 Independence Drive, Hyannis, MA 02601.
You may view her complete obituary here: ccgfuneralhome.com/obit/neva-d.-thornhill, on the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home website.
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Christiane V. Norton of Amherst died peacefully on April 16, 2018, from cancer, with her family by her side.
Christiane was born in Québec, Canada, daughter of Monique (Samson) Gourdeau and Eric Gourdeau on Jan. 4, 1955. She will be lovingly remembered for her generosity, her wisdom, and her fun-loving and adventurous spirit that took her from Québec to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, where she met her husband, David, then to Colorado, and finally to Western Massachusetts, where she and David settled with their two daughters.
She cherished time spent with her good friends and her family more than anything. Many memorable evenings were spent in her kitchen and around the table, talking, laughing and enjoying delicacies. She also loved meeting new people and learning their stories. She prided herself on making connections between her new and old friends and her family.
She had an impressive work ethic, and was successful in all the positions she held during her life, first as an esthetician and then as an administrative assistant at a dental office, at the University of Massachusetts, and most recently at an accounting firm. Perhaps the greatest joy in her life, however, came from her role as a devoted mother and grandmother, who was so proud of her children and grandchildren.
She will also be remembered for the grace and dignity with which she faced her illness. Determined to enjoy the last couple of months of her life, she delighted in visits from her friends and family, sharing stories, jokes, lots of chocolates and extravagant desserts, and inspiring us all.
Christiane is survived by her two daughters, Vanessa Duffy and her husband, Brian Duffy, Amanda Norton and her husband, Brian Durie; her grandsons, Samuel and Benjamin Duffy; and her partner, Daniel Thibodeau. She is also survived by her mother, Monique Gourdeau, her sister, Elisabeth O’Rourke, her brothers, Frédéric and François Gourdeau, her partner Daniel’s family, and her many cousins, nieces and nephews, and brothers and sisters-in-law, with whom she was very close. She was predeceased by her husband, David Norton, her sisters, Danielle, Sylvie, and Mireille Gourdeau, and her father, Eric Gourdeau.
Please join us in a celebration of her life at 11 am on Sunday, April 29, at the Log Cabin, 500 Easthampton Road, Holyoke. All family, friends and others whose lives Christiane touched are invited to attend. In respecting her wishes, a private burial will take place at an earlier date.
Memorial contributions can be made in her memory to the Kaplan Family Hospice House, 78 Liberty Street, Danvers, MA 01923. Douglass Funeral Service in Amherst will be handling arrangements.
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Roger Bart died on March 30, 2018, at the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital.
Born in Manhattan in 1926, Roger enjoyed a lifetime relationship with the Vineyard. His first trip to the Island, as a very young child, was aboard an overnight steamer from New York with his parents, Max and Clara. After his parents built a summer home on New York Avenue, Roger spent every summer there until 1943. Roger then attended MIT, where he received his Ph.D. in chemical engineering and was part of the Navy V-12 program.
Roger met his wife, Elaine, at MIT, and brought her to the Vineyard in 1945 to meet his parents. Roger and Elaine later honeymooned in June 1949 in a cottage by the hospital. Max and Clara bought a different cottage, and when the hospital expanded, they moved the cottage to its current location on Lagoon Pond Road.
Roger had a successful career with positions at Exxon, International Minerals and Chemicals, Westvaco, and Guilford Technologies, which culminated with 22 years at Union Camp. While at Union Camp (now International Paper), Roger rose to be well recognized in the industry and to the position of corporate technical director. Although his work moved him and his family to New Jersey, Florida, Connecticut, and Georgia, summer vacations in the Vineyard were paramount to Roger.
Roger’s passions at the Vineyard included sailing, fishing, clamming, and gardening. Of these, sailing was his greatest joy. Roger and Elaine had a 35-foot motor sailboat for 15 years, and spent nine years cruising between the Vineyard and Beaufort, S.C., with winter trips to Florida. They were known along the Intracoastal Waterway for being friendly and playing bridge.
Roger and Elaine finally gave up sailing for shore activities, and settled year-round into their home on Weaver Lane in 1996. Over the years they enjoyed hosting family and friends in the cottage and shared with them the pleasures of the Vineyard.
Roger is survived by his wife, Elaine, of 69 years, and his brother Peter from Palm Springs, Calif. Roger and Elaine have four children; the late Randall Bart (Barbara), Pamela Pasternak (Larry), Thomas Bart (Julie), and actor Roger Bart. Roger and Elaine have eight grandchildren, Daniel, Matthew (Joanna), Alexandra, Katie, Torii, Helen, Samantha, and Eller.
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Helen Viera Gelotte died Sunday evening, April 15, 2018, at the Fisher Home in Amherst. She was 86.
Helen was born and grew up on Martha’s Vineyard, and graduated from the Tisbury School. She attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, and graduated in 1953 with a degree in business administration. There she met her future husband, Robert Gelotte, also a graduate. She was an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and made and kept many firm friendships from that time. She was also in the Marine ROTC for part of her UMass years.
They married in 1957, and settled in Westwood, near Boston, where they raised three children. Summers were spent at her childhood home in Vineyard Haven, with family enjoying life near the ocean. Her husband Bobby died in 1984, and Helen moved back to Martha’s Vineyard. Her mother Sarah lived next door until she died in 2004. She loved her companion bichons, Daisy and Lilly. She worked a number of jobs on the Vineyard, as a bookstore clerk, doctor’s receptionist, and library assistant. She volunteered at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, cataloging documents. She was treasurer of the Vineyard Haven Public Library renovation fund-raising committee during the early 2000s. She played golf and bridge. She enjoyed the company of close friends on and off the Island, old, new, and college friends. Summers and holiday family gatherings were a highlight for her, and a source of much joy and laughter.
Her final years were difficult, with loss of independence due to injury and illness, and she went to live with her son in Hatfield in 2016. She spent her final 2½ months at the Fisher Home, where she received the most loving and tender care imaginable from all the staff. She was often complimented on her big smile and thick shock of black and gray hair.
She leaves her two sons, Mark of Hatfield, and Matthew of Wellesley, daughter in-law Elizabeth Gelotte and son in-law John Peters, grandchildren Elizabeth, Anna, Nicholas, and Leigh, and dear cousin Marian Parsons of Bourne, as well as nieces, nephews, and other extended family. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert Gelotte, her father and mother, Manual and Sarah (Aruda) Viera, her sister Mary Delores, and her dearest daughter, Sarah Peters.
A funeral service will be held at the Hatfield Congregational Church, 41 Main St., Hatfield, at 11 am on Saturday, April 28, with a reception afterward in the church hall. A memorial gathering will be held on Martha’s Vineyard in the spring, at a time to be determined. Burial will be private.
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Keiley A. Banfield of Aberdeen, N.C., died unexpectedly on April 18, 2018.
Keiley was born in Gloucester on Sept. 25, 1975. She was the daughter of Elizabeth (Fahey) Branch and James Branch. The family moved to Martha’s Vineyard when she was in first grade. She began riding horses at Pond View Farm, and that started her lifelong love of animals. She completed her bachelor’s of science in animal science at the University of Massachusetts.
During the summer of her junior year, she met her best friend and future husband, Jeff. After graduation she moved to Aberdeen, N.C., to be with him. They worked together every day, either grading, excavating, or raising cattle. Their cattle operation, known as JK Red Angus, became her passion. She traveled the country working with countless young people as their mentor.
She is survived by her husband, Jeff Banfield, her parents, Elizabeth and James Branch of Aberdeen, N.C., and a sister, Jessica Branch of Steamboat Springs, Colo.
Visitation will be Monday, April 23, from 6 pm to 8 pm at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines, N.C. A service will take place Tuesday, April 24, at 11 am, also at Boles Funeral Home. A celebration of life will follow at Tee Jay Farm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caring Hearts for Canines, P.O. Box 1219, Southern Pines, NC 28388; or the North Carolina Agricultural Foundation (write “Livestock — Banfield” on the memo line), c/o Keiley Banfield Memorial, NC State University, Campus Box 7645, Raleigh, NC 27695, to support livestock activities in North Carolina, in honor of Keiley.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is serving the family.
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