Published 4/16/02

BENNINGTON, VT — Constance B. (Cumm) "Connie" Sweda, 64, a resident of Emma Street in Bennington, Vt., died on Sunday evening, April 14, 2002, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington following a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mrs. Sweda was born Aug. 22, 1937 in Elizabethtown, N.Y., the daughter of Henry Ira and Grace (Shappy) Cumm.

She attended schools in New York State and was married to Robert Sweda on June 11, 1983. Mr. Sweda died previously.

During her years of employment, Mrs. Sweda had worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Albany County Nursing Home. Prior to her retirement she was honored as a nominee for Aid of the Year. She was also a homemaker and devoted mother. Connie loved country music, dancing, summer cook-outs and bringing laughter and joy to all whose lives she touched. She will be deeply missed by those she leaves behind.

Mrs. Sweda is survived by two sons, Edwin H. Provost Jr. and his wife, Shane E. Provost of Bennington and Scott J. Provost of Hilo, Hawaii; two sisters, Rhoda A. Ormsby of Waterville, Maine, and Eleanor R. Gumlaw of Green Island, N.Y.; and a brother, Terry H. Cumm of Keeseville, N.Y.

Funeral services for Mrs. Sweda will be held on Thursday, April 18, 2002, at 1 p.m. at the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home in Bennington, with the Rev. Norma Drosky, pastor of the First Baptist Church in Bennington officiating. Committal services and interment will take place on Friday, April 19, 2002, at 1 p.m. in the family lot at the Memorial Cemetery in Willsboro, N.Y. Friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Thursday from noon until the time of the service. Loved ones and friends are invited to join together in prayer for beloved mother, sister and friend, Connie Sweda.

Should friends desire gifts in Mrs. Sweda’s memory may be made to the Connie Sweda Memorial Fund, payable to the Hanson-Walbridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 957, Bennington, VT 05201.

For directions or to send e-mail condolences please consult www.nsm.org\covey.

Champlain — Rolande Y. Fecteau, 87, of Champlain passed away Sunday, April 14, 2002, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born Nov. 26, 1914, in New Bedford, Mass., the daughter of Louis and Eva Martin.

She was a charter member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Lily of the Mohawks and a member of the choir at St. Mary’s.

She was a waitress at Midway Restaurant and a hostess in Rhode Island for several years.

Rolande is predeceased by her parents, Louis Martin and Eva (Brooks) Martin; her husband, Adrian Sr.; her infant son, Rolande, her son, Adrian Jr. and his wife, Mary.

She is survived by three daughters, Cecile Filion of Champlain, Janine Smith and her husband, Hank of Newport Beach, Calif., and Pauline Miller and her husband, Homer of Champlain. She is also survived by one sister, Laura Martin, Sister of Holy Cross of Manchester, N.H.; 12 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 19 great - grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 17, 2002, at the Clark Funeral Home in Champlain from 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18, 2002, at St. Mary’s Church in Champlain.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Mary’s School, St Mary’s Church or Champlain Ambulance Fund.

Redford — Loretta Wood, 84, of Redford, died Saturday, April 13, 2002, at her residence.

She was born in Redford on May 6, 1917, the daughter of Eli and Lena (Bell) Strack

She is survived by a son-in-law, John Miner of Cadyville; three granddaughters, Jane and Weston Cordova of New Hyde Park, Long Island, Lori Miner of Cadyville and Dr. Paula Miner of Nashua, N.H.; four grandsons, John Miner of Saranac, Andrew and Cindy Miner of Ballston Spa, Brian and Jennifer Miner of Plano, Texas, and Alan Miner of Chazy; eight great - grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her first husband, Andrew LaRose and her second husband, Philip Wood; a grandson, Michael H. Miner; her granddaughter, Valerie Jean Miner; and brothers and sisters, Amelia Catarack Edward Strack, Eva Strack, Henry Strack and Anita Rabideau died before her. Her daughter, Jean M. Miner died Feb. 11, 2002, and will be interred in the family lot on Thursday with her mother.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the O’Neill - Redden - Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Thursday from the Church of the Assumption in Redford. Interment will follow in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

For directions and guest book please visit www.legacy.com

Helen O. Ellsbury, 80, of Cape Canaveral, Fla., and formerly of Trembleau Point, died Saturday, Feb. 9, 2002.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, April 20, 2002, at 2 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Keeseville, with Rev. Sally White, pastor of the Keeseville and Harkness United Methodist Churches, officiating.

Arrangements are with the Hamilton Funeral Home in Keeseville.