Births
In Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. (General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital), Sept. 27, 2014, a daughter, Kennleigh DeAnna-Marie Kickery, to Paul and Ashley Kickery of Fort Leonard Wood.
• In Lebanon, N.H., (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center), Sept. 18, 2014, a daughter, Charlotte Sophia Evans, to Rick and Caroline Evans of Bradford; granddaughter to Gordon and Linda Evans of Dummerston, and Sandy and Carol Curtis of Columbia, Md.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 16, 2014, a daughter, Trinity April Gilbeau Ellis, to Tameeka Ellis and Garth Gilbeau of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Tim Ellis; and great-granddaughter to Diane Varella.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 15, 2014, a son, Brodie Michael Houle, to Robyn (Losius) and Adam Houle; grandson to Pat and Sandy Houle, and David and Liz Losius.
College news
• Genevieve M. Darling of South Newfane is a first-year student at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.
• Tanner Pawlak of West Dover is a first year student at Plymouth (N.H.) State University.
• John Houk of Brattleboro, a first-year student studying computer science and innovation; Matthew Martineau of Putney, a first-year student studying game design; and Fletcher Hart of Londonderry, a first-year student studying game exploration: game design, have all enrolled at Champlain College in Burlington for the fall 2014 semester.
• Emily B. Cowles of South Londonderry is a member of the Class of 2018 at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
Transitions
• Joan Carey, an environmental education specialist at Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center (BEEC) in West Brattleboro, will be taking a year sabbatical from BEEC, as she departs to The Lawrence Hall of Science, in Berkeley, Calif., to work with the Learning Design Group curriculum development project, “Seeds of Science, Roots of Literacy,” to write and align curriculum to the New Generation science standards.
• Shannon Prescott of Greenfield, Mass., a program coordinator at The Richards Group in Brattleboro, and Karen Peterson of Newfane, executive director of the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont, have joined the Board of Directors at United Way of Windham County (UWWC). Prescott has served as the UWWC campaign coordinator at The Richards Grouo and also serves on UWWC's Handbags for Hope event committee. Peterson has been with the AIDS Project for more than 20 years and has been an active volunteer at NewBrook Elementary School.
• Wayne Temmen, a certified physician assistant, has returned to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine office. He has more than 30 years of experience in the diagnosis and care of orthopaedic patients under the supervision of orthopaedic surgeons. He completed the physician assistant program at Duke University in North Carolina, where he also obtained a bachelor's degree in health science.
• Mary Jones and Katherine Frey have joined the board of Putney Family Services. Both Jones and Frey are residents of Putney. Jones, who has been named treasurer of the board, brings experience as a bookkeeper and volunteer for various area organizations. Frey, who is earning a Master of Education from Antioch University of New England, is currently a substitute teacher and soccer coach at The Grammar School.
Obituaries
• Ruth G. Atwater, 95, of Vernon. Died Sept. 26 at Vernon Green Nursing Home in Vernon. Wife of the late Roy C. Atwater. Mother of Michael Atwater and his wife, Julie, of Utah; Dennis Atwater and his wife, Lisa of Vernon; Nickie Powers and her husband, Norman,of Milton; and the late Brenda Atwater and Paula Richardson. Sister of the late Leo Grout, Amy Ritchie, Evelyn White and Francis Brown. Born in Newfane, the daughter of the late Guy E. and Fanny (Flynn) Grout, she attended the one-room school house in Newfane, the Springfield school system, and then Bellows Falls High School. She then attended the nursing program at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, graduating as a registered nurse. She was employed as an R.N. at Vernon Green Nursing Home, did private care, and spent summers working as a nurse at Green Mountain Camp and Camp Waubanong. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, gardening, knitting, reading, and her pets. She was a 4-H leader in Vernon, where she taught sewing. Her greatest and proudest achievement in life was her family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Oct. 4 at Vernon Union Church, with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane. Donations may be made to Oncology Department, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Richards Building, second floor, 17 Belmont Ave. Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements were handled by Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Nancy Shull Buckingham, 95, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 27 at Thompson House in Brattleboro, where she resided for the last four years. Wife of the late James Buckingham for 67 years. Mother of Jane Buckingham and Lois Trezise, and her partner, Rick Willhite, all of Brattleboro. Sister of the late Sarah Hartenstein, Virginia Geubtner, Samuel Shull, Daniel Shull, and Elizabeth Bowen. Born in Apollo, Pa., daughter of the late Edna and Daniel Carl Shull, she attended William Penn High School and the Prowell Business School in York, Pa. She worked for her father's bakery during high school and subsequently at the York Safe and Lock Company from 1936 to 1941. In 1935, at the age of 16, she met the love of her life, and they married in 1941. Over the course of World War II, they lived in various parts of the United States. eventually settling near their families in York, Pa. to raise a family. She took great pleasure in her roles as mother, grandmother, judge's wife, and community volunteer. She served as president of the York Chapter of the American Field Service from 1965 to 1970, marking the beginning of her commitment to supporting international students and visitors. Later in life, her own travels took her to Spain, France, Germany, Austria, England, and Ireland. Always open to new experiences, she learned to golf in her 50s, enabling her to play a round with her husband at the historic St. Andrews Golf Course in Scotland. While residing in York, she was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church, during which time she volunteered on committees and enjoyed singing in the choir. Following her husband's retirement in 1995, the Buckinghams relocated to Penn Yan, N.Y., and then in 2003, moved to Brattleboro to be near their daughters. She joined Centre Congregational Church, where she also sang in the choir and was a member of the Building and Grounds Committee. During her 11 years in Brattleboro, She participated in the Brattleboro Women's Chorus and dined out frequently with her daughters. She continued to be a gracious homemaker, having always created a welcoming home wherever she lived. She was a wonderful cook who prepared delicious meals for family and guests for many years. A lifelong gardener, she fashioned beauty with her flowers and well-kept yard, mowing her lawn herself up to the age of 91. She loved taking walks, stopping to engage with all she met along the way, especially babies and dogs. In 2010, she moved to Thompson House, where she made friends and spread joy among the residents and staff alike. Memorial information: A memorial service will be announced and held at a later time. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice or the charity of one's choosing. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Mary Martha Castine, 76, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 25 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of Frederick Castine for 44 years and the late Francis Dunham. Mother of Donna Jones of Langdon, N.H., Janet Jones of Keene, N.H., Barbara Byrd of Roseville, Mich., and Tina Rea of Vernon. Stepmother of Kelley VanLeeween of Brattleboro; Karen, Gary, and David Castine, all of Dummerston; and Douglas and Richard Castine, both of Vernon. Sister of Marcel Leclaire of Zephyrhills, Fla., Angie Rabideau and Irene Pollica, both of Brattleboro, Jeanne Lyon of Vernon, Anita Stacey of Brookville, Fla., and the late Heidi Lynn Jones; Henry, Norman, Rene, Richard, and Leo Leclaire; Annette Merchant; Jeannine Smith; Yvette Brouillard; and Gertrude Raymond. Also survived by 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Born in Burlington, the daughter of the late Antonio and Diana (Dionne) Leclaire, she was a Brattleboro resident since age 2, attending St. Michael's Parochial School. She had been employed at the former Eden Park Nursing Home, the former Erving Paper Mill, and the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates. Her last position was at Putney Paper Mill, where she retired in March 2000. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She enjoyed visiting area flea markets and solving crossword puzzles. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 1 at Saint Michael's Catholic Church, with burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Silvio J. Cin, 90, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 29. Husband of Josephine Cin for 66 years. Father of Linda Harke and her partner, Charles Gilbeau Sr., of Hinsdale and John Cin and his wife, Denise of Midlothian, Va. Born in Summit Hill, Pa., the son of the late, John and Maria (Gavasso) Cin, he served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio operator mechanic and aerial gunner. He flew 23 missions over Europe, including bomber duty during the Normandy invasion. After the war, he was employed as a cashier supervisor at PSE&G in New Jersey for many years until his retirement. He enjoyed playing golf, attending horse races, and traveling throughout the world with his wife. He will be best remembered by his family as a devoted husband, and loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held on Oct. 6 at the Hinsdale Community Center. Donations to Hospice @ HCS, 312 Marlboro St., Keene, NH 03431. Arrangements were under the direction of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Luella L. Frechette, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 1 at Thompson House. Wife of the late Kenneth Frechette for 54 years. Mother of Dennis “Trapper” Frechette and his wife, Laurie, of West Dummerston; John “Zippo” Frechette and his wife, Mary, of Newfane; Cindy Martel and her husband, Tim, of Vernon; and the late Richard Frechette. Twin sister of Louisa Frechette of Brattleboro. Sister of the late Lilla Adam and John Leonard. Born on the family farm in West Dummerston, the daughter of the late Frank and Laura (Phillips) Leonard, she was raised and educated in West Dummerston and graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1942. She was employed at the Austine School for many years, retiring in 2000. Previously, she worked in the kitchen at Brattleboro Union High School and at the former American Optical Company. Steadfast in her walk of faith, she was a longtime member of First Baptist Church, where she served as organist and choir director. She held membership in the West Dummerston Grange, Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center, and was a member of the Emblem Club #517, Brattleboro Elks. For many years, she was active with the Brattleboro Senior Singers. She enjoyed knitting, cooking and baking and was known for her delicious baked beans and pies. She also enjoyed time shared with her family and many friends. Memorial information: A funeral services was held Oct. 6 at the West Dummerston Baptist Church with burial in Taft Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to the Evening Star Grange, P.O. Box 9, West Dummerston, VT 05357. Arrangements were under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Joel Goodrich Hill, 78, of Westminster. Died Sept. 18 at her home from cancer. Wife of Stephen P. Hill for 55 years. Mother of Houston Hill and his wife, Heather; Coleman Hill and his wife, Amy; and Allison Hill and her partner, Adam Carlson. Born in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of the late Van and Francis Goodrich, she grew up in Del Mar, Calif. She was ordained to the deaconate in 2000 and worked as the Deacon for St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro. she was a biblical storyteller and her passions included family, weaving, knitting and camping in Northern Minnesota. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m., at St. Michael's Episcopal Church with a reception immediately following the service. Donations to Loaves and Fishes, in care of Centre Congregational Church, Main Street, Brattleboro, VT 05101, Episcopal Relief & Development (www.episcopalrelief.org), or CHABHA (www.chabha.org).
• Ryan J. Matthews, 32, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 24 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a long battle with heart-related issues. Born in Brattleboro to Alexandra Jarrin and Michael J. Matthews, he graduated from Black River High School in Ludlow in 2001 and attended Castleton State College, majoring in education. He was a member of Centre Congregational Church of Brattleboro. He enjoyed reading, writing, music, writing music, cooking, carpentry, video games and exploring new places. He is survived by his parents and his brothers Nicholas A. Matthews of Palm Harbor, Fla., and Michael C. Matthews of Boston. Memorial information: The family is planning a celebration of life ceremony in the near future.
• Helen Frances Mialkowski, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 24 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Mother of Sandra McPherson and her husband, John, of Brattleboro. Sister of the late Walter Mialkowski and Josephine Kopec. Born in Westfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Joseph and Sophie (Kapalka) Mialkowski, she was raised and educated in Westfield, eventually moving to Brattleboro. She was employed as a leather worker at the former H. Margolin Co. for 38 years, until the business closed. She later worked at AMP Technology and retired from the former Ames Department Store on Putney Road. She enjoyed gardening, taking day trips and time shared with her family, friends and her beloved cat “Tootsie.” Memorial information: A graveside committal service will be conducted on Friday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. in the Mialkowski family lot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Wayne D. Rowell, 89, of Wilmington. Died Sept. 30 at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health. Husband of Genevieve (Rhoades) Rowell for 68 years. Father of Richard Rowell and his wife, Sandra, of Gardendale, Ala;, Steven Rowell and his wife, Janet, of Brattleboro; Robert Rowell and his wife, Susan, of Newfane; Helen Short and her husband, Frank, of St. Albans; and Mary O'Brien and her husband, Joel, of Randolph. Brother of the late John C. Rowell and Gail Robertson. The son of Glenn E. and Bernice S. (McCorrison) Rowell, he was born on the family farm in Tunbridge. Following graduation from Rutland High School, he served in the Army in the Pacific and European theatres, and was honorably discharged when World War II ended. He returned to Tunbridge, got married, and began his career running the family farm. He operated it for 10 years before becoming a state Game Warden. With his new career, he was assigned to southern Vermont, settling in Wilmington with his family. His career as a Game Warden extended over 32 years. He was extremely active in his community, serving as Town Moderator and a Planning Commission member. He belonged to the Deerfield Valley Sportsmans Club, the NRA, and American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He was Past Master of Social Lodge F&AM in Wilmington, Past District Deputy Grandmaster #8 and Order of the Eastern Star - Mayflower Chapter. As a member of the Green Mountain Fly Wheels, he enjoyed working with antique gas engines. He and his wife were avid campers and traveled throughout the United States, he was a member of the Holiday Ramblers, National Camping, and Family Motor Coach associations. Memorial information: A memorial service with Masonic funeral rites was held on Oct. 4 at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, followed by a burial with military honors in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to the Town of Wilmington Town Nurse Program, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Fred Shaughnessy, 85, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 29 at home. Husband of Beverly (Fontaine) Shaughnessy for 56 years. Father of Judi Cray and her husband, Kevin, of Bellows Falls and Michael Shaughnessy and his wife, Tracie, of Bellows Falls. Brother of the late Edward Shaughnessy. Born in North Walpole, N.H., the son of the late Fred and Catherine (Crotty) Shaughnessy, he graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1946 and joined the Army in 1950. He spent most of his time in Germany, where he toured southern Germany with his company's baseball team as their pitcher. He retired from Fellows Gear Shaper in 1992 after 27 years. He was very active in local sports as a Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball coach and umpire, and as a candlepin bowler. He loved his summers spent with family and friends in Spofford, N.H. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 4 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Donations to American Legion Post 37 Baseball, 42 Rockingham St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Randy W. Whitten, 57, of Richmond, N.H. Died Oct. 1 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., after a long battle with cancer. Father of Tony Whitten of Burlington and Wayne Whitten in Brattleboro. Brother of Linda Burnett of Westport, N.Y., and Daniel Whitten of Waterboro, Maine. Born in Holyoke, Mass., the son of Florence (Booth) and the late Walter Whitten, he owned and operated Randy's Auto and Randy's Bait and Tackle in Winchester, N.H. He previously worked in the paper mills in Holyoke and at the Sunoco in Winchester. He was an avid trapper, hunter, and fisherman. He loved being outdoors. He was also a wonderful gardener and mechanic. He enjoyed researching and participating in Native American traditions and Pow-Wows. Memorial information: At his request, there will be no formal service. His ashes will be spread where he will remain one with nature.