Joan Bruns Jean Baker and her mother, Joan Bruns, lived just 10 miles from one another, but they endured the pandemic apart. Baker s weekly visits to see Bruns at Elderwood at Burlington, the nursing home in the city s New North End, ended abruptly in March when such homes began indefinite lockdowns. During phone calls, Baker could hear the isolation wearing on her 87-year-old parent. Physically ailing but mentally very sharp, Bruns became increasingly lonely. Some days she refused to get out of bed, Baker said. Mother and daughter finally saw each other in August, when Bruns was briefly hospitalized. At the time, more frequent visits seemed on the horizon, as new COVID-19 cases remained low in Vermont. It was, instead, their last.
Michael Smolin
Michael James Smolin was the beloved husband of Lorna-Kay Peal, father of Lee Smolin and David Smolin, stepfather to Allison Joy Dincecco, brother of the late Louise Reverby, grandfather of 10, great-grandfather of six, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was a dedicated member of Ohav Shalom Synagogue in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ohavi Zedek Synagogue in Burlington, Vt.
Michael was born in New York City, attended the Bronx High School of Science and graduated from City College with a degree in chemical engineering. He was a certified professional engineer and had a long and successful career in the pharmaceutical, food and health care industries. He was an early innovator in environmental cleanup processes.