Robert Allen Kirby, 55, Vero Beach
Robert Allen “Al” Kirby, age 55, of Vero Beach, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2019. He was a longtime resident of Florida.
Al is survived by his loving friends who were inspired by his Faith in God, patience, resilience and courage during his long illness.
He will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
He is our Angel now.
Al was predeceased by his 10-year-old daughter, Morgan; his parents; and all of his siblings.
Memorial contributions in honor of Al, may be made to VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
Barbara Dumont MacPherson, 102, Vero Beach
Barbara Dumont MacPherson, 102, of Vero Beach, died peacefully at home on July 9, 2019, surrounded by her four children. She was born on Nov. 18, 1916, in New Jersey. She was the daughter of the late John Stewart and Marianne L. Baker.
She grew up in Short Hills, New Jersey, and attended Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Ct.
She was an active member of the Riomar Country Club for over 40 years and was an avid and very accomplished bridge player who struck fear in the hearts of generations of opponents.
She is survived by her four children, Richard E. Baiter, of Spokane, Wash., Peter B. Baiter, of Thessaloniki, Greece, David D. Baiter, of Vero Beach, and Barbara (Susie) B. McNair, of Salisbury, Md.; 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Richard E. Baiter, Frederic Welsh, and Gordon MacPherson.
A memorial celebration of Barbara’s life will be held later in the year.
Donations may be made in Barbara’s name to the VNA Hospice of Vero Beach, Florida, where she was a volunteer for 14 years.
As Barbara said to her good friend Katie Wilson when Katie was nearing the end: “Leave the lights on and the gate open.”
Bertha Rosa Staiger Swaine, 78, Vero Beach
Bertha Rosa Staiger Swaine, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away on July 3, 2019. She was born on April 15, 1941, to Rosa Kuhnhofer and William Staiger in Bayshore, N.Y.
She attended St. Patrick’s School from kindergarten to eighth grade in Bayshore, N.Y., and Bayshore High School from ninth grade until her graduation on June 22, 1958, where she graduated with High Honors and a member of the National Honors Society.
She worked at the Bayshore School District’s office as a secretary; Rolling Hills Golf Resort and St. Bernard Roman Catholic Church as a bookkeeper and secretary.
Bert married the love of her life, John Swaine, on Aug. 3, 1968, at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bayshore, N.Y. After their marriage they enjoyed time in Uncasville, Ct.; Vallejo, Calif.; and Sunrise, Fla., before eventually settling in Vero Beach.
Bert is survived by her brother, William Staiger.
Visitation was held at Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home & Crematory, 1950 20th St., Vero Beach. A mass of Christian burial followed at St. Helen Catholic Church, 2000 20th St., Vero Beach.
Henry L. Therrien, 94, Sebastian
Henry L. Therrien, 94, of Sebastian, passed away July 7, 2019, at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. Henry was born July 10, 1924, in Holyoke, Mass., and was a resident of Sebastian for the past 25 years.
An avid golfer, Henry will be remembered for his great golf game as well as many golf antics and stories shared at his favorite breakfast place, Pelican Restaurant, Sebastian Municipal Golf Course.
He is survived by his son, Leonard (wife, Patricia) with whom he lived; his daughter Celeste (husband, Joe) Beaulieu; sons, Gerard (wife, Michelle), Joseph (wife, Valerie), and John (wife, Kathleen); nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Henry was predeceased by his wife, Bernadette L’Heureux; and sons William and Mark.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Henry’s name to the VNA Hospice House, 901 37th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
A celebration of life will be held in Sebastian at a later date with funeral services in Chicopee, Mass.