June Elaine Bass, 64, Wabasso
June Elaine Bass, 64, of Wabasso, passed away Monday, June 8, 2020.
She was a graduate of Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach.
She is survived by her children, Amanda Dombroski, Richard Stevens, Robert Stevens; and her four grandchildren, Christian Dombroski, Seth Dombroski, Micheal Dombroski, and Agnes Dombroski; and her niece, Brandye Asquith-Treiling (husband, Mark Treiling) and their daughter, Cassidy Treiling; as well as numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins who loved her very much.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Riley Cleveland Bass and Alberta Bass (DeVane); and her sister, Wanda Bass.
Funeral services were held at the Winter Beach Cemetery on Cemetery Road in Winter Beach.
The family would like to express our thanks for the wonderful help, care, and support given by the Visiting Nurse Association at the Cleveland Clinic of Vero Beach, Florida.
Crystal Carter, 38, Vero Beach
Crystal Carter, 38, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2020.
Crystal was a loving mother, a best friend to one and a friend to many. She was kind, caring, funny and stern when she had to be. All together she was an amazing person and her passing has hurt many people.
She will be loved and missed by her family and friends that she left behind.
She leaves behind a loving husband, Arnie Carter; daughters, Pammy Braden, Cloressa Carter, and Kayleigh Carter; son, Christopher Carter; and stepson, Brandon Carter.
She also leaves behind her four brothers, Mike Darnell, Lenny Lawson, Christopher Lawson (fraternal twin), and Charlie Lawson; and one sister, Traci Lawson.
Lori Lee Collins, 43, Vero Beach
Lori Lee Collins was brought into this amazing and crazy world on March 1, 1977, in Vero Beach. The world lost this beautiful soul unexpectedly on June 8, 2020, at the age of 43.
Lori had many gifts. She was a talented writer who could blow you away with a poem so deep that if she had actually written this obituary, you would probably need a dictionary to understand half of it. You could bring her a plant that was a day away from extinction, and before you knew it was thriving and 10 times the size it was when you brought it to her. There wasn’t an animal, but let’s be honest it was mostly cats, that she wouldn’t take in, care for and make it her own.
If Lori could do something to help another, she would do it without hesitation. One of her favorite sayings was “You will never regret being to kind.”
Lori was an advocate for women who were previously incarcerated. She worked with a program to help them attain a healthy and stable environment upon their release.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Lori’s honor at leapforladies.org/donate/.
This world lost some of its beauty when we lost you. We love and miss you Lori. Please look down and keep an eye us. We’ll be together again someday.
She leaves behind her soulmate and wife, Mandee J. Kulscar; her daughter, the light of her life, Sita Collins; her overly protective sister, Tanya K. Lopez; her loving mother, Deborah K. Leonard; her nephew, also her favorite Power Ranger, Gian-Carlo Arce; her niece, United States Navy Sailor, Petty Officer Third Class, Alexa Lopez, of whom she was very proud; along with many friends and family who loved her dearly.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 20, at Riverside Park at the north end near the volleyball pavilion. We will gather at 6 p.m. to remember her and share stories. Please bring flowers, especially sunflowers, to toss into the water as we say farewell.
Connie L. Huston, 90, formerly of Sebastian
Connie L. Huston, 90, formerly of Sebastian, and recently of Ruckersville, Va., died June 9, 2020. She was born Nov. 9, 1929, in Trenton, N.J.
She married her husband, Robert James “Bob” Huston, in 1949. They later moved to Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., where they raised their children. Connie worked for over 20 years for Bell South. She retired in 1992, and with her husband, she moved to Sebastian.
After she was widowed in 1996, she moved to Asheville N.C., and then spent the last few years in Ruckersville, Va.
Connie was a kind, sweet, person, with a beautiful smile. She lit up the lives of those who loved her. She enjoyed traveling and did so often after her retirement. She raised a family of good cooks, passing her cooking talents down over the years.
She loved Christmas and kept the spirit all year long. She was delighted one year when she was thrown a Christmas themed birthday party. She was “Mom” to many, the glue that held us together and kept the family traditions going. She will be greatly missed by all.
She is survived by her son, Chuck Huston (wife, Patti), of Ft. Lauderdale; her daughter, Christine Hanna (husband, Jeff), of Ruckersville; her daughter, Judy Huston, of Trenton, N.J.; her brother, Walter Stencel (wife, Marie), of Trenton; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; with two more great-grandchildren arriving in July.
Connie was preceded in death by her husband, Bob; and her daughters, Lynne and Robyn.
Funeral services will be held at Strunk Funeral Home on Thursday, June 18, viewing at 10 a.m., service at 11 a.m. Interment at Sebastian Cemetery will follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or the American Cancer Society.
Ellen Powers, 88, Vero Beach
On Saturday, June 13, 2020, Ellen Powers passed away at home in her loving daughter Joanie’s arms at the age of 88. Born in the Bronx, N.Y., she lived most of her life in Long Beach, N.Y., until moving to Florida in 2007.
Known as Mam to her grandkids, Ellen lived a rich and vibrant life full of good friends and close family. An educator and children’s rights advocate, many successful adults in Long Beach credit her for the fact that they graduated high school and now value their education.
A larger than life woman with a bawdy and quick-witted sense of humor, Ellen always had a quip and a funny one-liner or everyone and any situation. Her hobbies included spoiling her grandkids, traveling the world with her friends, smoking cigarettes, playing Mah Jong, volunteering at the Indian River Hospital, the Vero Beach Humane Society, and gossiping on her lanai. Known for her strong work ethic, fierce love of her family, and cool head under pressure, she will be sorely missed by all those who knew her, because to know her, was to love her.
She is survived by her siblings, Carole and Martin; and her children, Jay (Liliann), Kenny, and Joanie Powers; and her two grandchildren, Jillian and Josh.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Rose Brown; and her eldest son, Mark.
She will be laid to rest at Crestlawn Cemetry, 1216 14th St., Vero Beach.
In light of the mortal danger posed by COVID-19, we will not be welcoming any guests into our home for shiva. We know that this may difficult to accept because our tradition calls upon us to visit mourners and because you share our loss. With this in mind, we invite you to join us online for virtual gatherings. Please reach out to Jillian for times and details.
In lieu of flowers, please considering donating to an animal or children’s rights organization in her name, and please go vote this November in her honor.
Barbara Taylor, 76, Vero Beach
Barbara Taylor, 76, of Vero Beach, died Saturday, June 6, at Sebastian River Medical Center. She was born in Bridgeport, Ct., on Aug. 3, 1943.
She resided in Colorado and moved to Vero Beach in 2000.
Barbara was a member of the Sebastian River Moose Club and an avid bingo player. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Members of her family include her husband of 33 years, Robert; two sons, Scott, of Colorado, and Michael, of Vero Beach; a sister, Beverly Farkas; and four grandchildren.