Mark Werden

Mark G. Werden

1965-2009 BELLOWS FALLS, VT Mark G. Werden, 44, of Philadelphia, Pa., died Monday, Dec. 7, 2009, due to a sudden illness, at Temple University Hospital surrounded by his family.

Born Feb. 5, 1965, in Bellows Falls, he was the son of Herbert and Rose Grippo Werden. Mark was a graduate of Fall Mountain High School, class of 1983. There he participated in drama, choral music, and band, leading to his acceptance with "Up with People" in 1983 where he traveled through the United States, Canada, and Europe for a year. He graduated from Hartwick College in 1988 with a degree in English. He worked at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, N.H., as an English teacher and then joined the admissions team as an Associate Director. Later he left to become Admissions Director of Cheshire Academy, Cheshire, Conn. After leaving Cheshire Academy he moved to New Jersey to work for Helene Reynolds Associates, Inc. as an Educational Consultant. Later he left education to open an antique shop in Philadelphia, Pa., with his partner, Brad Smith. He was truly a people person and touched the lives of so many during his short life.

Mark leaves his parents, Herbert and Rose Werden of North Walpole. N.H.; his sister, Heidi Barnes, of Guilford and her husband, Brett, and son, Jackson; his sisters, Ann Werden and Mary Werden, both of North Walpole, N.H.; and his partner, Brad Smith, of Philadelphia, Pa.

FUNERAL NOTICE: A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on January 23, 2010 at 10 a.m. at Saint's Peter and Paul Basilica, Philadelphia, Pa. and there will be a private graveside service in St. Peter's Cemetery, Walpole, N.H. at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the Fall Mountain Area Food Shelf in Mark's memory.