Around Town: Sept. 5
Condolences
Lydia Beatrice (Monroe) Clemmons died on Aug. 16. Born on June 22, 1923, in Ringgold, Louisiana, Lydia was the eldest daughter of Howard and Lucille Monroe.
Shortly after Lydia’s birth, Howard and Lucille moved to Smackover, Arkansas where the Monroe family lived until Lydia was 14 years old. Lydia was proud of her southern roots, her loving family and the community in which she was raised. She was particularly proud of the quality education she received at a small, segregated schoolhouse where her teachers ensured each student achieved excellence. When Howard and Lucille migrated to Harvey, Illinois outside of Chicago and enrolled their children in the public school, Lydia was so well prepared that she skipped the eighth grade and entered the local Thornton Township High School where she was one of only a few Black students.
Lydia excelled in school and went on to receive her nursing degree at Loyola University in Chicago. After her graduation, she maintained her roots in, and love for, Chicago by working as a public health nurse and then at Provident Hospital where she was trained as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. To this day, those who had Lydia as their nurse anesthetist when she practiced at the Degoesbriand and Mary Fletcher hospitals in Burlington still remember her fondly, remarking on her great skill and compassion.
Lydia’s love of Chicago was often reflected in her stories about legendary jazz musicians such as Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and Billie Holiday, whom she saw perform in the local clubs. She shared memories of being able to go out on late curfew nights when in nursing school. The head teacher was not concerned about Lydia and her roommate’s late nights because they were quiet, well mannered and good students. In the last few years of her life, Lydia continued listening to those legendary jazz singers and gospel music daily.
Lydia eventually moved to Madison, Wisconsin where she met her husband, Jackson Joshua Walter Clemmons. She and “Jack” married in Harvey, Illinois at her mom’s house in 1952. They moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where Jack attended Case Western Reserve University and their first two children, son, Jackson Joshua and daughter, Lydia Grace, were born. Jack was offered various positions across the country but chose the University of Vermont in Burlington. Lydia and Jack bought a house in Charlotte, Vermont where the family began to grow; three more daughters were born, Laura Barbara, Jocelyn Melvina and Naomi Lucille. When her parents retired to Los Angeles, California, Lydia still maintained her remarkably close relationship with them. Lydia relished the summers that her parents would come and stay in Charlotte, and when she would take her children to visit their grandparents in Los Angeles. There, they connected with cousins, her sister, aunts, uncles and other extended family members. She, her sister Odessa and her parents demonstrated the essence of family commitment and love, supporting each other through life’s difficulties.
Lydia carried the values of family commitment and love to her life in Charlotte, embodying it in everything she did for her children. Like her mother, she was an exceptional seamstress, sewing many of her children’s clothes including winter jackets, school bags and even luggage from the Frost Line kits. Lydia maintained a very large garden, rising early in the morning, her favorite time of the day, to weed and harvest vegetables before heading off to work. Lydia canned a tremendous amount of what was grown in the garden, as well as canning pears and apples from the nearby fruit trees. She even made homemade soap from the lard of pigs raised on the property. Being an exceptional cook, Lydia’s homemade donuts, pizza, gumbo, New York-style cheesecake, bread, English muffins and corn fritters leave lasting memories. As the years passed, and she stopped gardening, Lydia continued to get up early to enjoy the quiet morning hours.
Lydia was active in her community, supporting the establishment of the Charlotte Chapter of the Vermont League of Women Voters and leading 4-H with the mothers of her daughters’ close friends who became her close friends. Lydia’s diverse interests continued to grow, driven by her curious mind. In 1983, after returning home from a six-week work trip to Tanzania with Jack, Lydia started Authentica African Imports on their property in Charlotte. While constantly researching each piece of art, an activity she loved, her most favorite and cherished pastime was long walks with her dear friend and neighbor, Joan Braun.
As Lydia continued through her life, her commitment to learning was ever present. Not only did she encourage her children to further their education, but she also pursued her own by becoming knowledgeable in alternative approaches to health and wellbeing and trained to become a master reiki practitioner.
Starting from her early days in Arkansas, Lydia was a deeply religious and spiritual being. She always wanted her children to have a religious foundation, thus each child attended church until they received their Bible. Lydia also enthusiastically encouraged the children to attend summer Bible school. Lydia was very involved in the Charlotte Congregational Church, becoming a deacon, and after a time, became a Jehovah’s Witness for many years.
Lydia extended her love, commitment and involvement to each of her twelve grandchildren. These moments were so cherished that each of them have unique and special memories of their time with her. Lydia will always be remembered for her never-ending kindness. She was always offering unconditional love, always welcoming and always present — to such an extent that her son-in-law Peter (Young) called her the Dalai Mama. This endearing name is the essence of who Lydia was to all who knew her. Lydia Beatrice Monroe Clemmons (aka Dalai Mama or Big Lydia) leaves behind her husband Jackson Clemmons of 72 years of marriage, their five children and 12 grandchildren. She also leaves two first cousins in Tampa, one of whom is her namesake and goddaughter, Little Lydia Gail, a cousin in Oakland, Calif., and several other cousins across the country to cherish her memories.
Richard Charles Cunningham, 84, of Charlotte, Vermont, died on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, at The Arbors in Shelburne, Vermont, with family at his bedside.
He was born on Dec. 26, 1939, in Addison, Vermont. His parents, Eldred Dudley Warfield Cunningham and Lilah Dorothy LaRose Delorme, raised him and his seven siblings in Vergennes, Vermont.
Richard graduated from Vergennes High School, Class of ’59, the last class to graduate from the old high school. He joined the 101st Airborne Division serving as a paratrooper, making 13 jumps while stationed in Stuttgart, West Germany, for two years.
Richard had several careers during his lifetime including woodworking and carpentry. He owned a rubbish business in Vergennes. He served on the Vergennes City Council and as Vergennes Water Commissioner. Richard’s final career for 25 years was in Marine Surveying, after graduating from Chapman’s School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and Vermont Antique Boat Association.
His first marriage was while stationed at Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia. His next marriage was to Claire Marie Adams of Vergennes. They raised two daughters, Ragan Ann and Leigh, both of Vergennes. Leigh has two sons, Nicolas Isaac Cormier Cunningham and Matthias Christopher Cormier and partner Laura Matushzak. Richard’s great-grandson Killiam James Cunningham is the son of Nicolas and Kaitlin Cusson Cunningham.
On July 4, 1980, he married Harriet Stone Patrick, “Happy,” of Charlotte. Together they enjoyed 40 plus years of projects restoring several historic homes in Charlotte, travel and gatherings with friends and family. Richard was so happy at the helm of his boat with Happy at his side, whether exploring the Erie Canal or heading south on the Intracoastal Waterway. He surely loved his daughters, grandsons and great-grandson.
Richard is survived by Happy and his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandson. He also leaves sister Lucille Nelson of Sharon, Connecticut; brother David and his partner Cathy Sargent Monroe of Waltham, Vermont; sister-in-law Claire Chamberlain Cunningham of Vergennes; sister Kim Delorme Laughner; and his two stepsons, Adam Boyd Dantzscher of St. George, Vermont; Robert Christopher Dantzscher and Cyndie Coffrin of Monroe, Washington; Adam’s daughter Meridith Anne Dantzscher of Malden, Massachusetts; Christopher’s two sons, Corbin Casey Dantzscher of St. Paul, Minnesota, and Casey Christopher Dantzscher of Surprise, Arizona, and daughter Cassandra Caitlin Dantzscher of Monroe, Washington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Richard was predeceased by his brother Eldred Jr., sister-in-law Arlene LaFlam, brother Leonard, sister Rosaline and her husband Laurence Casey and sister Beverly and her husband Floyd Peck.
The Cunningham and Patrick families would like to express their sincere appreciation and gratitude to The Arbors for the wonderful care Richard received for almost two years and to Hospice, who were there when they were needed.
There will be a reception of remembrance for Richard at the Vergennes Opera House on Main Street on Sept. 28, 2024, from 3 to 5 pm. Richard is finally coming home.
Cremation services by Ready Funeral Home.
David Paul Fortin, 60, of Enosburg Falls, Vt., passed away at home with his family by his side Aug. 19, 2024. David was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to hunt, sugar and fish. David served in the army.
He is survived by his wife and soulmate Sharon Fortin; mother Laura Brean; father Paul Fortin and his wife Mary; mother-in-law Cecile Russin; siblings Kevin Fortin, Brian Fortin and wife Melissa; Christopher Fortin and wife Becky; Jill Fortin and partner Mike; sister-in-law Jeanne; brothers-in-law Kevin, Rusty and Keith; children Melissa Dupaw, Jason Colebaugh, Jasmine Noel and husband Shawn, Shane Dupaw and partner Peach, and Elizabeth Watts and husband David. David loved his grandchildren Shyann, Dakota, Lexi, Saige, Kayden, Sawyer, Hunter, Sophia, Blake and Grace, long-time best friend Richard Lamonda and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
David is predeceased by his maternal grandparents George and Ethel Bennett, paternal grandparents Rene and Muriel Fortin, uncle Furburt, aunt Liza, brother-in-law Brian Russin and father-in-law Clifford Russin.
Special thanks to Dr. Babbs at Cold Hollow and the University of Vermont for his care.
Celebration of life will be held at St. Patricks Church in Fairfield, VT on Sept. 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, his family would like donations to be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741.
Congratulations
Sophia Kehr of Charlotte graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Hartwick College in May.