United States High School Yearbooks by County
Carol L. Brook, 65, was Sherman Library trustee
Carol Louise Brook, 65, died Nov. 29 at her home in New Milford after a long battle with lung cancer.
Ms. Brook was born April 24, 1937, in Mr. Vernon, N.Y., a daughter of Ruth (Trussell) Brook of Southbury and the late Arthur Frank Brook.
She spent her childhood in Madison, N.J., and in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
After graduating from Wellesley College, she was employed primarily as an editor and as a librarian, working at Haviland Middle School in Hyde Park, N.Y., Western Connecticut State University in Danbury and the Sherman Library. She received her MLS from Southern Connecticut State University.
She was a longtime resident of Sherman before moving to New Milford. She was a trustee of the Sherman Library and served on its building committee, where she was the driving force behind the library’s 1990 addition.
She was a volunteer FISH driver in Sherman and gave her time, talent and resources in many other ways to help those in her community and in neighboring towns.
Besides her mother, she is survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Paul Carini of Sherman and their children, Jason, Jennifer and Alison Carini; two aunts, Shirley Lewis of Anchorage, Alaska, and Virginia Menzies of Kamloops, B.C., Canada; many cousins and other family. She was predeceased by a brother, Arthur.
The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory can be made to New Milford Hospital Regional Cancer Center, 21 Elm St., New Milford, CT 06776.
Mary Thomsen, 90, was mother of New Milfordite
Mary Frances Thomsen, 90, of Stamford died Nov. 22 at the Bishop Wicke Health & Rehabilitation Center, Shelton. She was the widow of Lewis W. Thomsen.
Mrs. Thomsen was born Nov. 19, 1912, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late George and Margaret Israel of Garrett Park, Md.
She was a graduate of the former Danbury State Teachers College (now Western Connecticut State University) in Danbury, where she received a bachelor’s degree in music education. She also graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree in education, and obtained a sixth-year degree.
She was a resident of Stamford for 50 years. She was a teacher for 30 years for the Stamford Board of Education.
She was a Sunday School teacher for the First United Methodist Church in Stamford and a scout leader for many years.
Mrs. Thomsen is survived by a daughter, Penelope Cole of New Milford; two sons, Peter of Solvay, N.Y., and Carl of Mount Laurel, N.J.; two sisters, Estella Freer of Las Vegas, and Elizabeth Lindtner of Allentown, Pa.; a brother, Thomas Israel of Hilton Head, S.C.; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The Bouton & Reynolds Funeral Home of Stamford was in charge of arrangements.
Catherine Chudy, 84, was aunt of Roxbury man
Catherine A. Chudy, 84, of Valerie Lane, Danbury, died Nov. 27 at Hancock Hall Nursing Home in Danbury.
Ms. Chudy was born Sept. 29, 1918, in Danbury, daughter of the late Paul J. and Pauline (Zilka) Chudy.
She was a lifetime Danbury resident and a graduate of Danbury High School. She had worked for many years as an executive secretary for the Perkin-Elmer Company in Wilton prior to her retirement 18 years ago.
She was a member of Sacred Heart Jesus Church, the AARP and the Auxiliary of Post No. 149 Veterans of Foreign Wars .
Ms. Chudy is survived by a brother, E. Henry and his wife Chick of Danbury; and three nephews, Peter of Danbury, Michael Zack and his wife Sandra of Roxbury, and Leon Marasco and his wife Kate of Plainfield, Vt. She was predeceased by three brothers, Peter, Joseph and Paul; and two sisters, Mildred Marasco and Sara Zack.
The Green Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 12 Cottage St., Danbury, CT 06810.
Elizabeth Miller, 83, of Sherman, was pianist
Elizabeth “Betsy” Grant Miller, 83, of 11 Holiday Point Road, Sherman, died Nov. 25 at Charlotte Hungerford Hospital, Torrington.
Miss Miller was born Dec. 19, 1918, in New York City, daughter of the late Charles Grant and Olive Howard Clevland Miller.
She was a concert pianist and gave private piano lessons in New York City before moving to Sherman in 1948.
She was a breeder and trainer of dogs, and designed and produced silk-screen Christmas cards. She also restored fine china.
She was a longtime member of the Kent Art Association, where she was a member of the board of directors and was its membership chairman. She was also a member of the Contact Agility Club.
Miss Miller is survived by a friend, Barbara Goodspeed of Sherman.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St., Kent, CT 06757.
Mary Verbonitz, 92, was a New Milford resident
Mary E. Verbonitz, 92, of New Milford died Nov. 26 at New Milford Nursing Home.
Ms. Verbonitz was born March 6, 1910, in New Salem, Pa., daughter of the late Anthony and Magdalen (Vrban) Verbonitz.
She was a longtime resident of Pelham, N.Y., before moving to Chestnut Grove in New Milford. She was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church, New Milford.
She is survived by two nephews, Daniel of Carefree, Ariz., and David of Tulsa, Okla.
The Colonial Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the New Milford Visiting Nurse Association, 68 Park Lane Road, New Milford, CT 06776.
William Saunders’ memorial service scheduled
A memorial service for William “Bill” Saunders, who died Oct. 30, will take place tomorrow (Saturday) at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church on the Green in New Milford.
Mr. Saunders was the husband of Marita (Coyle) Saunders of New Milford and Stuart, Fla.
Mr. Saunders was a builder for many years in the Danbury area.
Samuel Knowles, 74, was active local volunteer
Samuel J. Knowles, 74, of 14 Hillendale Drive, New Milford, died Dec. 6 at New Milford Hospital. He was the widower of Agnes (Murphy) Knowles.
Mr. Knowles was born March 25, 1928, in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, son of the late Samuel J. and Jean (Anderson) Knowles.
He came to the United States in 1964 and worked at Canterbury School for nine years, and then for the New Milford Board of Education for 22 years, retiring in 1995.
He was a member and past noble grand at Good Shepard Lodge No. 65 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in New Milford. He was also a member of Palm Rebekah, the Odd Fellows Encampment, the Democratic Town Committee and the New Milford Historical Society and was a current member of Butter Brook Hill Apartment’s Board of Directors.
Mr. Knowles was proclaimed “Irishman of the Year 2002” in New Milford March 18. He volunteered at the New Milford Nursing Home, New Milford Hospital, Candlewood Valley Health & Rehabilitation Center and the New Milford Thrift Mart.
He is survived by five nieces of Ballymena and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law of Bennington, Vt.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 100, Wallingford, CT 06492.
Elizabeth Jones, 85, was active in the community
Elizabeth B. Jones, 85, died Dec. 5 in The Kent Nursing Home in Kent.
Ms. Jones was born Aug. 25, 1917, in New York City, the daughter of the late J. Burnett and E. Pearle (Swan) Jones.
She lived most of her life in Flushing, N.Y., and moved to Candlewood Springs, New Milford, in 1980.
She attended schools in Flushing and graduated from Suffern High School, N.Y. In 1936, she graduated from the secretarial department of the Packard Commercial School in New York City.
Ms. Jones was employed at J.P. Morgan & Co., N.Y., as a stenographer, secretary and assistant to the director of women personnel. She worked for the American Red Cross as a secretary and relocation worker stationed in Tunisia, Italy and France.
She worked at R.H. Macy, Inc., as a personnel assistant and junior assistant buyer. With her sister, Dorothy, she was a founding co-proprietor, teacher and director of the Manhasset Nursery School on Long Island.
Ms. Jones was the Candlewood Springs Homeowners Association’s representative to the Grassroots Coalition in New Milford. She was a member and supporter of the Trust for Historic Preservation, the Pratt Center, the Animal Welfare Society of New Milford, MADD, the Sierra Club and other environmental organizations.
Ms. Jones is survived by a niece; three nephews; and 10 grandnephews and nieces.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Michael Smyrski Jr., 82, was New Milford native
Michael J. Smyrski Jr., 82, of 76 Merryall Road, New Milford, died Nov. 28 at New Milford Hospital. He was the husband of Carol Ann (Morasco) Smyrski.
Mr. Smyrski was born Dec. 11, 1919, in New Milford, son of the late Michael J. and Agnes (Franc) Smyrski.
He owned and operated the family farm in the Merryall section of New Milford until 1965. He then owned and operated The Country Package Store in Merryall for 15 years and retired in 1980.
Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Michael III of New Milford, and a grandson, Michael.
The Lillis Funeral Home of New Milford was in charge of arrangements.
Contributions in his memory may be made the charity of one’s choice.
Ann M. Brown, 73, was mother of New Milfordite
Ann M. Brown, 73, of 78 Reynolds Ridge, Bethel, died Dec. 7 at Danbury Hospital. She was the widow of Edward Brown Jr.
Mrs. Brown was born Jan. 26, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter of the late Charles and Anna Redling. She attended New York schools and graduated from Great Neck High School.
Mrs. Brown was an area resident for the past 50 years. She was employed for over 30 years in retail positions at Caldor’s and Barker’s. She retired from Sears in 1989.
She is survived by four daughters, Catherine Harvey and her husband Gordon of New Milford, Cheryl Palanzo of Somers, N.Y., Charlene Bates and her husband Roger of Danbury, and Lori Eaton of Brookfield; and eight grandchildren, G. Daniel Jowdy, Jeffrey Jowdy, Andrew Jowdy, Amanda Palanzo, Ashley Palanzo, R.J. Bates, Kelly Bates and Samantha Eaton.
The Jowdy-Kane Funeral Home of Danbury was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Connecticut Community Care, Inc., 158 Mattatuck Heights, Waterbury, CT 06705, or to the Visiting Nurse Association, 1 School St., Bethel, CT 06801.
Reginald Richardson III, 81, lived in New Milford
Reginald VanSpyke Richardson III, 81, of Chestnut Grove, New Milford, died Dec. 5 at his home. He was the widower of Helen (Brett) Richardson.
Mr. Richardson was born Nov. 5, 1921, in Boston, son of the late Reginald V. and Marion (Palmer) Richardson.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a recipient of the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Presidential Citation.
Mr. Richardson was a retired police officer for Suffolk County, N.Y. He later was head of security for Sears in White Plains, N.Y. He was a longtime resident of Bethel prior to moving to New Milford two years ago.
He is survived by a son, Stephen of Newtown; four daughters, Linda of Newtown, Karen of Florida, and Donna Wallenta and Michele Carlson of Southbury; a sister, Regina Pellegrino of West Palm Beach, Fla.; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by a son, Kurt.
The Carpino Funeral Home of Southbury was in charge of arrangements.
