College news
• Sarah Bemis of Brattleboro, an early childhood education major and member of the Class of 2015, was inducted into Eastern Connecticut State University's circle chapter of the Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society in Leadership.
• Hayley A. Ryan of Putney has been inducted into the University of Vermont History Department's Alpha Alpha Psi Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta.
• Molly Goodhue of Brattleboro was among student-athletes from 16 varsity sports and the dance team honored for accomplishments on and off the field during Emmanuel College's annual Athletics Banquet on April 25. Goodhue earned the Academic Achievement Award for Women's Lacrosse, given annually to the student-athlete who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average on his or her team.
School news
• On April 14, Bellows Falls Woman's Club members gathered at Bellows Falls Union High School for the annual club sponsored art show. The club presented a framed certificate to the school, citing this as the 40th year of sponsoring the show at the school. After viewing the art on display and placing ribbons on the prejudged pieces as well as choosing the Club Favorite piece, a photo of a bleeding heart plant by Alexandra Harris, members enjoyed a luncheon prepared by the Family and Consumer Science students. BFUHS Principal Chris Hodsden and several former Home Economics and Art Department teachers and aides were guests for lunch. The history of the art show was traced and presented by Barbara Comtois, a retired Home Economics teacher at the school. Following the meal, the art awards were given, with monetary gifts awarded to the first place winners and to the Club Favorite winner. Club members were entertained by the choral and jazz band students and a donation was given to each music department.
Obituaries
• Donald B. “Don” Batchelder, 85, of Brattleboro. Died April 27 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of Helju Kivimae. Father of Thomas E. Batchelder of Grantham, N.H., and Annie Batchelder Boutin and her husband Andy Boutin of Lebanon, N.H. Born in Barre, the son of the late Harold and Audrey Batchelder, he attended schools there and was an outstanding athlete at Spaulding Academy. He attended Vermont Junior College for two years and then enlisted in the Navy, where he served as a medic in the hospital corps in Panama. Upon his return, he went on to attend and graduate from Middlebury College. In 1957, he took a job with Squibb Pharmaceuticals, representing the upstate New York area. In that same year, he proposed to his bride-to-be, also a Middlebury student. He threatened poverty, promised poetry, and hinted at interesting times. What was a girl to do? In 1959, the Batchelders moved to Brattleboro, and he went to work for The Experiment in International Living (EIL), where he devoted his career to international development and training for 30 years. From 1960 to 1962, he was director of selection and training for Peace Corps volunteers traveling to East Pakistan, Chile, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, and Peru. From 1963 to 1965, he was director of special projects for Gabon, Pakistan, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and Afghanistan. From 1965 to 1968, he was Peace Corps director in Espirito Santo, Brazil. The Batchelders and their two young children returned to the United States in 1968. He then became the overseas consultant to Peace Corps for EIL in India and Afghanistan. From 1969 to 1971, he was director of the Teacher Ambassador training program in India and Korea. From 1972 to 1976, he was director of the Department of Cross Cultural Studies for EIL's World Issues Program (WIP) within the School for International Training in Korea and Mexico. From 1977 to 1979, he was a member of EIL's Projects and Grants Task Force. From 1980 to 1989, he was the director of the Projects and Grants division, directing all the Experiment's international and domestic service and development training programs in Uganda, Thailand, and Indonesia. His last experience overseas came in 1989, when he became director for Save the Children in Mozambique. Upon returning from Mozambique in 1992, he retired to spend time at home with his family. He was an avid fly fisherman, skier, and sports fan. He loved spending time with his family and grandchildren at the beach in Maine or skiing at Burke Mountain. Sixty-five or so countries later, Don and Helju encountered some poverty, heard and made some poetry, and had a few interesting times, as promised. Having cultivated a rich life in the Brattleboro community and abroad, they lived together in what children, grandchildren, and visitors deemed fittingly “The Big Blue House” in Brattleboro for the past 47 years. The rooms are filled with relics from across the world, each prompting countless stories which he told in great detail. He not only shared his travels with those who entered, but transported listeners into the very center of his experiences with his vivid descriptions and stunning memory. It was known that he was a great storyteller, but he was much more than that. He shared in great detail the extraordinary life he lived and the ones he touched. Memorial information: There will be a cremation and a private burial in the Batchelder family plot in East Montpelier, Vermont. Donations to the American Cancer Society, the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, or the organization of your choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Arthur Huntington “Art” Benedict, 78, of West Dummerston. Died April 27 at his home following a period of declining health. Longtime companion of the late Frank Vara. Born in Keeseville, N.Y., the son of the late Arthur F. and Della (Boggs) Benedict, he was raised and educated in Keeseville, graduating from Keeseville High School. He went on to attend Castleton State College, where he earned his B.A. in Education. His first teaching post was in Woodstock. He later taught elementary education and served as a working principal at Guilford Elementary School, Putney Central School, and at Newfane Elementary School, which he retired from. He held a deep love for children and had a positive influence on hundreds of his students throughout the years. He was well respected and admired by both the students and their parents, as well as many of his contemporaries. He was instrumental in introducing travel to his students, overseeing many field trips during his years as an educator. A quiet, unassuming man, he was known for his generosity, especially with his time. He was a volunteer at St. Michael's School, for AARP, Windham County Chapter, and in the transportation department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was active with the Dummerston Community Chest, and served on the Dummerston School Board. He also served on the board at Castleton State College, his beloved alma mater. Two weeks before his death, he was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award from the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston, He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and a former member of First United Methodist Church, both in Brattleboro. He enjoyed music, gardening, and travel, especially to Cape Cod and Fort Lauderdale. He especially loved to travel by rail. He has no known surviving family member, but leaves a large host of friends, colleagues, former students, and his church family. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 1 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in the Vara/Benedict lot in Taft Cemetery, next to his home on West River Road. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, principal; or to Castleton State College, in care of Vy Swenson, Alumni Relations, 62 Alumni Drive, Castleton, VT 05735. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Valerie V. “Val” Bly, 60, of Guilford. Died April 28 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Mother of Wallace Bly and his fiancée, Samantha Scruggs, of Guilford; Zackery Forcier and his fiancée, Jennifer Chase, of Vernon; and the late Shilo Lynn Bly. Sister of Anthony Squiers and his wife, Mary, and John Squiers of Guilford, Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Shirley (Cole) and the late Stillman Squiers, she was raised and educated in Guilford and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1972. She had been a mental health worker at the Brattleboro Retreat for the past 25 years. Previously, she worked as an EMT for LeFevre Ambulance Service in Bellows Falls, had worked at several nursing homes in Brattleboro, and worked part-time at Hinsdale Raceway, the Moles Eye Café, and at the Marina Restaurant. She was a very giving person and served as a volunteer for Rescue Inc. and at Gerda's Animal Aid, Inc. in West Townshend. She was an avid reader, an excellent cook and enjoyed working with children. She also loved the outdoors and camping with her family. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, May 9, from noon to 3 p.m., at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Brattleboro. There are no formal funeral services planned. Donations to Gerda's Animal Aid, Inc., P.O. Box 1352, West Townshend, VT 05359, attn.: Gerda Silver.
• Gene F. Blake, 69, of Springfield, Vt. Died April 23 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Carl and Marianne Blake, he was a sharpshooter in the Army, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga. He relocated to Springfield in 1979, where he raised his family. He is survived by his five children: Neil Blake, Michele Thomas, Tammy Clark, Westley Blake, and Sheila Wing, as well as 16 grandchildren. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held May 3 at American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls. A burial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Vermont Veterans Cemetery in Randolph.
• Marjorie Childs, 80, of Westmoreland, N.H. Died April 25 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. Wife of Alfred Childs. Mother of Bruce Hall of Alaska and Diane Hall of Westmoreland. Sister of the late Tom, Paul, Arthur and Robert Hatt. Daughter of the late Amos and Mary Hatt, she worked as a legal secretary and executive secretary to the Windham County State's Attorney office in Brattleboro, from which she retired. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33612.
• Ina Feidelseit, 72, of Brattleboro. Died April 29 at her home. Mother of Larry Feidelseit of Germantown, Md., and Marlene Barry of South Freeport, Maine. Sister of Ellen Harnett of Wayne, N.J. Born and raised in Paterson, NJ, she lived in Brattleboro for more than 40 years. She attended Douglass College, where she met her partner, Phil, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a B.A. in English and education. She later earned a Master of Education degree focused on guidance and counseling from Antioch College. She worked in a variety of jobs as a receptionist for Dr. David Albright and other physicians and for the Brattleboro Music Center. Most recently, she was a paraeducator at Academy School, assisting in the first- and second-grade classrooms and the library. Following retirement, she volunteered at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, working in transportation and at the Information Desk. In 1979, she was one of four founders of Brattleboro Area Hospice, which began as a volunteer organization by community members interested in ensuring that their dying and grieving neighbors received compassionate and appropriate assistance. She was a loving partner, mother, and grandmother, who devoted the largest part of her focus and energy to her family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 3 at Next Stage Arts Project on Kimball Hill in Putney. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Dorothy “Dottie” Ann Fontaine of Bellows Falls. Died April 28, following a long battle with ovarian cancer. Wife of Eugene Fontaine for 62 years. Mother of Susan Tomberg and her husband, Louis, of Bellows Falls; Brian Fontaine and his wife, Yvette, of Lebanon, N.H.; Tom Fontaine and his wife, Tammy, of Perkinsville; Barry Fontaine and his wife, Margaret, of Niceville, Fla., and the late Daniel and Timothy Fontaine. Daughter of the late John and Dorothy O'Connor, she attended St. Charles School and Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1951. She worked at New England Telephone, the dental office of Dr. Roger Reckis, the chiropractic office of Dr. Vernon Temple, the Rockingham Free Public Library, the Rockingham School District, and Bellows Falls Union High School. and volunteered at the Bellows Falls Senior Center. She was an inspiration to her family, well known for her spirit and kindness, and will be missed by many. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 2 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Donations to the Springfield Hospital Oncology Clinic or the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.
• Jesse Joseph Marquis Immler, 36, of New York City. Died April 9. Born in Pasadena, Calif,, he attended the Chandler and Polytechnic Schools, then moved to Vermont in 1991. He graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School and New York University. He worked as an actor, DJ, musician, and singer. He appeared in Black Swan, Men In Black III, New Years Eve, The Wolf of Wall Street, and other films and TV shows. For the past 10 years, he was a DJ and events coordinator at New York's Webster Hall, where he was voted Best NYC DJ four times. Memorial information: A memorial is planned for Friday, May 15, at 6:30 p.m., at the Memorial Chapel at NMH, in Gill, Mass., followed by a gathering at the Crumpin Fox Club in Bernardston, Mass. Donations may be made to the New England Youth Theater.
• Ernest E. Legge, 85, of Jamaica. Died April 26. Husband of Phyllis (Lent) Legge. Father of Ernest E. Legge, Jr. and his wife, Jean, of Stormville, N.Y., Sharon Logan of Jamaica, and Judy DeRosa of Carmel, N.Y. Born in Wilton, Conn., the son of the late Charles and Jean (Meyer) Legge, he was a self-employed contractor. He enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and farming. He was a Naval veteran of the Korean War, serving with the Seabees. Memorial information: Services will be private and at the convenience of the family. Donations may be made to Animal Rescue.
• Harry N. Sanderson, Sr., 92, of Suffield, Conn. Died April 29, on the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Dachau, in which he took part as a young soldier in 1945. Husband of the late Arlene (Fellows) Sanderson for 61 years. Father of Attorney Harry N. Sanderson, Jr. of Suffield and the late Paul O. Sanderson. Born in Rockingham, and raised in Brattleboro, where he met his wife, he served in the Army during World War II with the 42nd Infantry Division. He was assigned a Browning Automatic Rifle and saw battle in the southern portion of the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he was employed with the Sheet Metal Workers Local 40 for more than 40 years. He was a faithful member of the Congregational Church of Windsor Locks, Conn. He was an avid fan of UConn Womens' Basketball and the New England Patriots. He was a founding member of the Brattleboro VFW. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his son and his many friends at Old Orchard Beach in Maine. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 4 at the Congregational Church of Windsor Locks, with burial with military honors in Grove Cemetery.
• Lucy Taylor-Smith, 79, of Bellows Falls. Died April 27. Wife of the late Richard Smith. Mother of Patricia Tenney, Laura Taylor, Andrea Lawlor, Tammy Harris, and the late Michael Taylor. Sister of John and William Leary, Phyllis Fowle, and the late Mary Brown, Helena McAllister, Barbara Blow, and Josephine Aiken. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late John and Ruth (Fuller) Leary, she was a 1954 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School and worked at the Walpole Box Shop and Vermont Medical. She was also a waitress for 40 years. She was an honorary member of the Saxtons River Firemen's Auxiliary, a member of the Women of the Moose 1123, a life member of the Bellows Falls Polish American Club, and a member of the Red Hats. She enjoyed Bingo, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and crocheting. Her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren were very important to her. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 4 at the Community Christian Church in Athens, with burial in the Saxtons River Cemetery.
• Alan L. “Papa” Washburn, 62, of Putney. Died April 25 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. Husband of Gail (Derrig) Washburn for 41 years. Father of Jessica Washburn-Gonzalez and her husband, Dino, of Connecticut, Nathan Washburn of Ohio, and Dustin Washburn of Putney. Brother of David Washburn of West Chesterfield, N.H., Craig Washburn of Putney; and Darcy Washburn of Putney. Born in Colchester, the son of Lawrence and Pauline (Mayo) Washburn, his family moved up and down the upper Connecticut River Valley during his youth. He graduated from North Country Union High School in Newport with the Class of 1970. He had been a resident of Putney for 45 years. In 1997, he struck out on his own and founded Southern Vermont Sprinkler Services, which he built into a well-respected fire protection company. He was tremendously proud of having established a company with an outstanding reputation, which was a testament to his relentless work ethic and hardworking staff, who are an extension of his family. He held active membership in multiple local, state, and national fire protection associations. A true outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and kayaking at the family camp in Bloomfield. He was also an avid surfer who had traveled to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic to ride the waves, and could also be found on York Beach in January. He logged tens of thousands of miles on his Harley, traveling as far north as Canada, as far west as Ohio, and as far south as North Carolina. He was known for his assertive riding style and loud pipes among the many family and friends that he rode with over the years. He loved animals, had a sweet tooth, and was known for his green thumb. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was held May 2 at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro , VT 05302; the Putney Fire Department, 21 Carl Snyder Drive, Putney, VT 05346; or Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Kathrine I. Williams, 75, of Brattleboro. Died April 25 after a brief illness. Mother of Sally Hakeos, Susan Reed, Brenda Shaw, and William White. Sister of Robert Davidson Sr. and David Davidson. Also survived by many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and dear friends. Predeceased by her parents, Marjorie (Hamilton) and Lyman Davidson Sr., and siblings Marion Akley, Velma Merrifield, Lyman Davidson Jr. She was loved and will be missed by all. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held on May 9, at 11 a.m., at the Meetinghouse Cemetery.
• A memorial service for Norma Severance will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the NewBrook Fire Station on Route 30 in Newfane.
• A funeral service for Shirley Armour will be held on Saturday, May 9, at 2:30 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. All are invited to a light lunch at the church before the service at 1:30 p.m. After the service, burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, N.H.
• A graveside committal service for Irene Pomfrey will be held on Sunday, May 10, at 2 p.m., in the family lot at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend.
• The life celebration of Eleanor “Cookie” Allen will take place on Saturday, May 16 at the Tyler Cemetery at 11 a.m. Seating will be available. A reception will follow at the Vernon Elementary School cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are welcome.
• A memorial tribute for Karen Bucher, clockmaker and musician, will be held in Brattleboro on Saturday, May 23. Friends and acquaintances of Bucher are warmly invited, and those wishing to attend should contact her brother at db5@soeast.com for more information.