Darienite (https://darienite.com/category/obituaries/page/87)
Death notices for Darienites, immediate relatives and others of interest to town residents
Stephen P. Connelly, 63, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 13, surrounded by his family. He was a beloved brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend. Stephen grew up in Johnstown, Pa., son of the late Dr. and Mrs. Adrian Connelly. He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret, and two children, Jessica and James.
Aileen Swansen Bott’s worn out, but much used, heart failed on Sept. 2, at the Arbors of Bedford in Bedford, N.H., at the age of 94. She was born Aug. 26, 1923 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to Florence and Harry Johnstone. She married the love of her life, Carl W. Swansen of Stamford in 1943.
Christopher Anthony Poth, 69, a longtime resident of Darien and recent resident of Stamford, passed away on July 12 at Stamford Hospital with his family by his side. Editor’s note (Sept. 15) : A reminder: His family invites relatives and friends to a Memorial service that will be celebrated at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16 at St. Luke’s Church, 1864 Post Road in Darien.
Winthrop Ramore “Win” Stevens of Bald Head Island, N.C. passed away on Aug. 12, 2017 at the age of 76. Win was born in Missouri on June 25, 1941, the son of the late John and Louise Stevens. He attended the University of Missouri and received his B.S degree before attending law school. He met his then-to-be wife Fran, and they married in August 1967.
Ronald Paul Augustitus, 85, died suddenly Sept. 4 at his residence at Parkplace in Denver. He was the son of Peter Paul Augustitus and Dorothy Riddle of Taylor, Pennsylvania, where he was born. He went to high school at Rome Free Academy in Rome, N.Y. and then studied at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1955 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Jon Stephen Schoen of Darien and Nantucket passed away on Sept. 8. He was 56. He was born in Washington D.C. on Dec. 26, 1960, the son of the late James and Anne Schoen.
Robert Paul Lavigne, 81, of Norwalk entered into eternal life on Sept. 4 in his home, surrounded by loving family members and friends. He was the loving husband of Jack English. They met at The Napoleon Club in Boston on St. Patrick’s Day of 1973. For 44 years they shared a vibrant life together. Born in Lowell, Mass.
Margaret Duff van den Heuvel died peacefully on Aug. 27, 2017 after a brief illness. She was 97. She was born April 11, 1920 in Pennsylvania to the Rev. and Mrs. George M. Duff. In 1922 the family moved to Riverdale, N.Y. where her father pastored the Riverdale Presbyterian Church for 31 years.
Gardtrell E. Davis, Sr., 89, transitioned peacefully on Aug. 29. He leaves 63 descendants, with two of his children and his wife, Betty Griffin Davis, having predeceased him. He was born on April 24, 1928 in Wrens, Georgia to Jessie Davis and Willie Lee Dixon Davis. Gardtrell retired from Darien Fabricare Cleaners after numerous years of service.
Dr. André Buchs, a prominent oral surgeon in Central Florida, died peacefully on Aug. 25, 2017 surrounded by his loving wife and three daughters. He was 78 years old. Andy was born May 23, 1939 to Laura L. and Andre O. Buchs of Darien. He graduated from Darien High School in 1957 where he was selected First Team All-State in football.
James P. Albert, a longtime resident of Darien, passed away on Aug. 22 at Stamford Hospital at the age of 77. He was the husband of Darien Representative Town Meeting Member Lois Schneider. Jim was born in Minneapolis on April 21, 1940 to Elwin and Kathryn (Damm) Albert. He grew up in several cities in the Midwest, spending summers working on the family farm in Utica, Minn.
Margaret Barbara Weatherly Basford, born on Feb. 16, 1926 and returned to Christ for eternal life on Aug. 23, 2017 at the age of 91. Margaret was born in Ceres, Va. to Etta Matilda Lambert who died during child birth.
William Rohrbach passed away on July 31, 2017. He was 91. As a professor emeritus at the University of California, Santa Barbara, he was often referred to as “Professor Bill.” However, he preferred to be called simply, “Bill.” Bill was born on Oct.
Aline Marcelle Messer (Duchaine), of Riverside, Calif., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 17 at the age of 77, after a brief struggle with ovarian cancer. Aline was born to parents Edward and Marcelle Duchaine on March 30, 1940, in Manhattan, New York. She grew up as the eldest of 4 and attended Darien High School in Darien. She earned her bachelor of science degree from California Baptist University in 1990.
Elizabeth Bell Grathwol, 90, of Columbus, Ga. passed away at home on Thursday, Aug. 17.
Elizabeth Grathwol was born Ada Elizabeth Bell on Aug. 12, in Columbus, Ga. Her parents were Samps K. Bell of Preston, GA and Ruth McElvany Bell of Conyers, Ga.