Trinity College of Vermont Alumni and Friends

Age: 73 • Ferrisburgh, VT

After having spent a lovely holiday and birthday surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and friends. Cynthia Hoehl, 73, passed away peacefully at home on January 11, 2016. Born on January 2, 1943, in Burlington, VT, Cynthia Ann was the youngest daughter of John Ferdinand and Christina Paula Kieslich. After her father passed away, her mother remarried Frank Deslauriers, and the family moved to St. Albans, VT where she graduated from Bellows Free Academy, St. Albans. Cynthia attended Trinity College and as a freshman, and at 16 years old, met the love of her life, Robert "Bob" Hoehl. They married at St. Mary's Church in St. Albans on August 17, 1963.

Cynthia, Cindy to her close friends, was a loving mother, making a home for her ever-growing family and supporting Bob in his business endeavors from IBM to BDP and finally IDX. She and her family fondly enjoyed reminiscing of the homes and friends from Barre, Burlington, Essex Junction, and South Burlington. With her kids all busy in school, mom took the opportunity to continue her education. She began by attending the kids' high school to master algebra, in 1991 she received her Master's in history from Saint Michael's College, and in 2010 she received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SMC. She also enjoyed extensive traveling with family and friends. Cynthia and Bob's success allowed them the privilege of being able to give back to these communities they called home, and in 2002 they earned the title "Outstanding Vermont Family Philanthropist" from the Northern New England Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She was active in many charitable organizations in the greater Burlington area with a particular focus on enhancing the lives of Vermonters through the support of their basic human needs. Dismas House, The Lund Center, COTS and the Cynthia K. Hoehl Institute for Excellence at the Stern Center were among the many beneficiaries of her generosity. From teaching the inmates to read at Chittenden County Correctional Facility to building houses in Immokalee County, Florida and a school in Haiti, she heeded her call to service and charity. Cynthia now joins her husband and partner, Bob, who passed away in 2010; her sister, Christine, and her brother, John. She is survived by two brothers, Karl and Paul; her sisters-in-law, Irene, Donna, Dot and Anita; her six children: Krystin and Michael Downes of Tully, NY; Robert and Betsy Hoehl of Clearwater Beach, FL; John and Martha Hoehl of South Burlington; Katharine and Mark Kostin of Yarmouth, ME; Nicholas and Stacy Hoehl of Waukesha, WI; Tad and Jessica Hoehl of Shelburne; as well as her 15 grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Michael's College Chapel on Saturday, January 23, at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow the ceremony at the Hoehl Welcome Center. Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors. In lieu of sending flowers, the family asks that you take a loved one to dinner to talk, and if the Spirit moves you, make either a time or monetary donation to your favorite charity .
 

Thomas Trefley Bessette passed away on Thursday, December 10, 2015 at the age of 73. A lifelong Shelburne resident, he was born in his family home on February 26, 1942 to Thomas and Hilda (Thomas) Bessette. He graduated from Shelburne High School in 1960, served in the Vermont National Guard and married Joanne Martin on May 6, 1967. Tom cared deeply about his community. He made countless friends and valued each of them for the richness they brought to his life. He was an active member of the Shelburne community serving in a variety of capacities including selectman, volunteer firefighter, police officer, town constable, health officer, animal control officer, and rescue squad driver. He also served as a board member of the Champlain Water District for more than thirty-five years. His love of people was apparent in his professional life as well. He worked at Parker Brothers, Inc. and then as head of security at Trinity College of Vermont. After Trinity's closure, Tom continued to serve the college community as an emergency dispatcher at St. Michael's College. Tom also worked for many years with Corbin & Palmer, Inc. He was an active member of the Catholic Church and the Ethan Allen Club, had a passion for photography, loved bird watching, and adored his four grandsons.

Thomas is predeceased by his parents and his brother Ronnie. He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years Joanne Bessette; their daughter Heather Bessette and her partner, Peter Straube of Monkton, VT; daughter Stephanie Egan, her husband Patrick and their children Brennan, Rowan and Declan of Bowers Beach, DE; and daughter Christine Terry, her husband Jason and their son Gavin of Shelburne, VT. He also leaves his dear brother Rick Bessette, his wife Candy and their sons Jeremy and Travis of Shelburne, VT. 

Calling hours are Sunday, December 13, 2015 from 3:00 pm until 6:00 pm at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Chapel in Shelburne, VT at 209 Falls Road. A funeral is scheduled for 1:00 pm on Monday, December 14, 2015 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Burlington, VT. Burial will be immediately following church services at the Shelburne Town Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Shelburne Rescue at P.O. Box 254 Shelburne, VT 05482. 

Published in The Burlington Free Press on Dec 13, 2015