Jackie Donahue
Locations Manager
Jackie was born and raised in Northfield, VT, to Michael and Robin Donahue, whose family has now owned and operated Kingston Funeral Home for 4 generations. She went to high school in Massachusetts and graduated from Tabor Academy, then returned home to attend Norwich University to obtain her business management and marketing degree. She has since spent 14 years in various management roles. She moved to Florida for 6 years, only to return to Vermont in September 2023 to become the manager of all Vermont Funeral Home locations. In her free time, she loves traveling and spending time with her wife, daughter, and their dogs.
Jackie Donahue
Locations Manager
Jackie was born and raised in Northfield, VT, to Michael and Robin Donahue, whose family has now owned and operated Kingston Funeral Home for 4 generations. She went to high school in Massachusetts and graduated from Tabor Academy, then returned home to attend Norwich University to obtain her business management and marketing degree. She has since spent 14 years in various management roles. She moved to Florida for 6 years, only to return to Vermont in September 2023 to become the manager of all Vermont Funeral Home locations. In her free time, she loves traveling and spending time with her wife, daughter, and their dogs.
Jeff Chalmers
Funeral Director
Jeff was raised in Essex, VT, where he graduated from Essex High School and Johnson State College. He’s the proud father of two sons, Logan and Brendan, and currently resides in St. George, VT. Jeff has worked in funeral service for 35 years as a licensed Funeral Director and Crematory Operator. He enjoys being with family, spending time outdoors at the lake or in the woods, and is an avid hunter.
Jeff Chalmers
Funeral Director
Jeff was raised in Essex, VT, where he graduated from Essex High School and Johnson State College. He’s the proud father of two sons, Logan and Brendan, and currently resides in St. George, VT. Jeff has worked in funeral service for 35 years as a licensed Funeral Director and Crematory Operator. He enjoys being with family, spending time outdoors at the lake or in the woods, and is an avid hunter.
Tullus Bergeron
Funeral Director
Tullus Bergeron is a born and raised Vermonter. He graduated from Essex High School and then attended and graduated from the CCV Funeral Director program. He felt called to the field after seeing a family member's funeral and realizing he wanted to provide the same level of care and service to other families in need. When not working, Tullus is an Eagle Scout who is passionate about helping his local troop (Essex Junction 624). He also enjoys traveling to Montreal and spending time with friends and family.
Tullus Bergeron
Funeral Director
Tullus Bergeron is a born and raised Vermonter. He graduated from Essex High School and then attended and graduated from the CCV Funeral Director program. He felt called to the field after seeing a family member's funeral and realizing he wanted to provide the same level of care and service to other families in need. When not working, Tullus is an Eagle Scout who is passionate about helping his local troop (Essex Junction 624). He also enjoys traveling to Montreal and spending time with friends and family.
Frankie Thompson
Funeral Director Apprentice
Frankie was born and raised in Coventry, VT. She graduated from high school in 2022 and moved to Burlington in 2023. She is currently attending CCV’s Funeral Director program with the hope of providing comfort and care to grieving families. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and art.
Frankie Thompson
Funeral Director Apprentice
Frankie was born and raised in Coventry, VT. She graduated from high school in 2022 and moved to Burlington in 2023. She is currently attending CCV’s Funeral Director program with the hope of providing comfort and care to grieving families. In her free time, she enjoys music, reading, and art.
Sumner H. "Shimmy" Cohen
Funeral Director
Shimmy was born and raised in the Old North End of Burlington, now referred to as “Little Jerusalem”. The name “Shimmy” comes from his Hebrew name Shimon, who was his grandfather. His grandfather was one of the earlier Hebrew Free School teachers in the building that now houses Legal Aid on North Winooski Ave.
Shimmy grew up across the street. He graduated from BHS in 1968 and served in the military from 1969-1975, retiring as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. He started a monument business in 1975 after he returned from the Army. When his mother died in 1975, his father in 1979, and his wife in 1981, he started working part-time at Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home, 85 N. Winooski Ave. It was the firm that cared for his family. In 1985, he became a licensed funeral director and worked full-time for the funeral home.
He is the co-chairman of the Jewish cemeteries in Chittenden County and is also affiliated with the Jewish Sacred Society, which prepares Jewish people for burial. He is the only licensed Jewish Funeral Director in the state of Vermont.
In the past, he has taught hospice classes for Franklin County Home and Health and also has facilitated classes in Chittenden County. He is a longtime member of Ahavath Gerim Synagogue, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, the VT Funeral Directors Association, the VT Cemetery Association, and the American Legion Post 91 in Colchester.
He now lives in Milton and has a brother; 2 nephews and their wives; two great-nieces; and 3 great-nephews, all living in the area. The Cohens are now 5th-generation Vermonters.
He helps maintain the Jewish cemeteries and, in the summer, can be found riding in his red truck out cleaning gravestones.
Sumner H. "Shimmy" Cohen
Funeral Director
Shimmy was born and raised in the Old North End of Burlington, now referred to as “Little Jerusalem”. The name “Shimmy” comes from his Hebrew name Shimon, who was his grandfather. His grandfather was one of the earlier Hebrew Free School teachers in the building that now houses Legal Aid on North Winooski Ave.
Shimmy grew up across the street. He graduated from BHS in 1968 and served in the military from 1969-1975, retiring as a U.S. Army Staff Sergeant. He started a monument business in 1975 after he returned from the Army. When his mother died in 1975, his father in 1979, and his wife in 1981, he started working part-time at Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home, 85 N. Winooski Ave. It was the firm that cared for his family. In 1985, he became a licensed funeral director and worked full-time for the funeral home.
He is the co-chairman of the Jewish cemeteries in Chittenden County and is also affiliated with the Jewish Sacred Society, which prepares Jewish people for burial. He is the only licensed Jewish Funeral Director in the state of Vermont.
In the past, he has taught hospice classes for Franklin County Home and Health and also has facilitated classes in Chittenden County. He is a longtime member of Ahavath Gerim Synagogue, Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, the VT Funeral Directors Association, the VT Cemetery Association, and the American Legion Post 91 in Colchester.
He now lives in Milton and has a brother; 2 nephews and their wives; two great-nieces; and 3 great-nephews, all living in the area. The Cohens are now 5th-generation Vermonters.
He helps maintain the Jewish cemeteries and, in the summer, can be found riding in his red truck out cleaning gravestones.
Trinity White
Funeral Director Apprentice
Trinity grew up in Winooski, Vermont, as the oldest daughter of ten siblings. She graduated from Winooski High School and Essex Tech. She has had a passion for helping others since she was a child, which led her to wanting to work in a funeral home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her younger siblings, watching movies, and drawing.
Trinity White
Funeral Director Apprentice
Trinity grew up in Winooski, Vermont, as the oldest daughter of ten siblings. She graduated from Winooski High School and Essex Tech. She has had a passion for helping others since she was a child, which led her to wanting to work in a funeral home. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her younger siblings, watching movies, and drawing.
Richard Spradling
Funeral Director
Richard was born in Syracuse, NY, and moved to Vermont at the young age of 7. He graduated from both CVU and Essex Tech in 2017. He graduated from CCV’s Funeral Director program in 2023. In his free time, Richard enjoys working on his vehicles, exercising, and spending quality time with friends and family. Richard is also a professional photographer outside of the funeral home.
Richard Spradling
Funeral Director
Richard was born in Syracuse, NY, and moved to Vermont at the young age of 7. He graduated from both CVU and Essex Tech in 2017. He graduated from CCV’s Funeral Director program in 2023. In his free time, Richard enjoys working on his vehicles, exercising, and spending quality time with friends and family. Richard is also a professional photographer outside of the funeral home.
Kaitlin Stupinski
Funeral Director
Kaitlin was born and raised in Florida. She moved to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont, which she graduated from in 2023. There she earned her B.S. in Anthropology and her B.A. in Film and Television Studies. She became interested in the funeral industry when she took courses during her undergraduate that focused on death in various cultures and death care. She graduated in 2026 from CCV's Funeral Directing program. In her free time, Kaitlin enjoys gardening, spending time by the river in the summer, and exploring the outdoors.
Kaitlin Stupinski
Funeral Director
Kaitlin was born and raised in Florida. She moved to Vermont to attend the University of Vermont, which she graduated from in 2023. There she earned her B.S. in Anthropology and her B.A. in Film and Television Studies. She became interested in the funeral industry when she took courses during her undergraduate that focused on death in various cultures and death care. She graduated in 2026 from CCV's Funeral Directing program. In her free time, Kaitlin enjoys gardening, spending time by the river in the summer, and exploring the outdoors.
John Woodruff
Funeral Director
John was born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1963. He graduated from Harwood Union High School in South Duxbury in 1981. He graduated from Champlain College in Burlington in 1984. For the past 35 years, he has been an employee of the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury, with 30+ of those years as a Funeral Director. He and his family live in Waterbury Center.
John Woodruff
Funeral Director
John was born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1963. He graduated from Harwood Union High School in South Duxbury in 1981. He graduated from Champlain College in Burlington in 1984. For the past 35 years, he has been an employee of the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury, with 30+ of those years as a Funeral Director. He and his family live in Waterbury Center.
Chelsea Brochu
Funeral Director
Chelsea is a fourth-generation Vermonter who grew up in the Hardwick area. She earned her B.A. in Psychology & Human Services from Northern Vermont University in 2013 and graduated from CCV’s Funeral Director program in 2025. Chelsea enjoys connecting with community members and hearing their stories, while providing compassionate care and support during their times of need.
For the better part of a decade, Chelsea worked as a professional pastry baker throughout Vermont. She is experienced in leading teams, collaborating with others, and exercising her creativity. Outside of Funeral service, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family and friends, skiing, mountain biking, roller disco, and cooking.
Chelsea Brochu
Funeral Director
Chelsea is a fourth-generation Vermonter who grew up in the Hardwick area. She earned her B.A. in Psychology & Human Services from Northern Vermont University in 2013 and graduated from CCV’s Funeral Director program in 2025. Chelsea enjoys connecting with community members and hearing their stories, while providing compassionate care and support during their times of need.
For the better part of a decade, Chelsea worked as a professional pastry baker throughout Vermont. She is experienced in leading teams, collaborating with others, and exercising her creativity. Outside of Funeral service, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family and friends, skiing, mountain biking, roller disco, and cooking.
Jennie Shepich
Funeral Director
Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Jennie grew up with a strong appreciation for community, family, and caring for others. She graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, and takes pride in helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Outside of work, Jennie enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, traveling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Jennie Shepich
Funeral Director
Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Jennie grew up with a strong appreciation for community, family, and caring for others. She graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Wheeling, Illinois, and takes pride in helping families navigate some of life’s most difficult moments with compassion, empathy, and understanding. Outside of work, Jennie enjoys spending time with family and friends, golfing, traveling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers.
Tom LaVigne
Funeral Director
Tom is a fourth-generation funeral director who has been serving the Winooski community since he was a child and helped open the doors to the funeral home during calling hours.
After he graduated from Mortuary School, he returned to Winooski, where he has proudly taken care of many generations of families in need. While he is now enjoying semi-retirement and spending time with his kids and grandkids, he still helps out on funerals when he is able.
Tom LaVigne
Funeral Director
Tom is a fourth-generation funeral director who has been serving the Winooski community since he was a child and helped open the doors to the funeral home during calling hours.
After he graduated from Mortuary School, he returned to Winooski, where he has proudly taken care of many generations of families in need. While he is now enjoying semi-retirement and spending time with his kids and grandkids, he still helps out on funerals when he is able.
Bob Palmer
Funeral Director
Bob is a 3rd-generation funeral director, with almost 50 years of serving families and friends in their greatest time of need. Working also beside his father, Whitey, Bob learned the importance of trust, integrity, and compassion with every family served, treating each family like his own. Bob enjoys semi-retirement with his wife Trish in Burlington and enjoys golfing, reading, and creamies after dinner.
Bob Palmer
Funeral Director
Bob is a 3rd-generation funeral director, with almost 50 years of serving families and friends in their greatest time of need. Working also beside his father, Whitey, Bob learned the importance of trust, integrity, and compassion with every family served, treating each family like his own. Bob enjoys semi-retirement with his wife Trish in Burlington and enjoys golfing, reading, and creamies after dinner.
