College news
• Castleton University student Patrick Cote-Abel of Londonderry was recently awarded an institutional research grant for the 2016-2017 academic year. Twelve different faculty-student groups earned a grant, ranging from $500-$2,000 each. Several disciplines are represented by the various projects, which utilize many different methods for answering research questions and generating knowledge. In addition to presenting their work at the Castleton Scholarship Celebration in May, many groups will present their work at national conferences this spring and summer. Cote-Abel's project is “The New American Gods: Superheroes in the Age of Global Terrorism.” His faculty advisor is Sanjukta Ghosh.
Obituaries
• Celia B. Coughlin, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 31 at her home, following a long period of declining health. She was born in Lake Placid, N.Y., on Sept. 6, 1923, the daughter of William and Lusha (Osgood) Farnham. She was raised and educated in Lake Placid, where she attended local schools. A devoted homemaker, she especially enjoyed her home and, in her later years, loved to take walks. On Feb. 24, 1946 in Brattleboro, she was married to Ernest W. Coughlin, who predeceased her in 2006. Survivors include one son, Ernest W. Coughlin, Jr. and his wife Anne of El Dorado Hills, Calif., a beloved granddaughter, Hillary Coughlin of New York City, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Charles Farnham, who died in infancy, and William H. Farnham, and two sisters, Caroline Wrobel, and Lusha Burgoyne. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 203, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Connie Santoli Sanderson, 63, of Westminster. Died Nov. 2. She was born in Mineola, New York on Sept. 29, 1953, the son of William and Elizabeth Santoli. In 1976, she and her late husband, Lee Sanderson, moved to Vermont, where they raised their son, Todd. She served in multiple leadership capacities over 29 years at Kurn Hattin Homes for Children in Westminster, most recently as the nonprofit children's service agency's executive director. She retired from Kurn Hattin in 2015 but continued working with major donors. She also continued her work as board president for Westminster Cares, an organization dedicated to helping seniors and disabled adults lead healthy independent lives. “Connie lived a rich and full life, and will be missed by everyone who came to know and love her,” her family writes. “She was an amazing mother, she was an amazing mentor, and she has changed the lives of countless people young and old.” She leaves her son Todd, daughter-in law Bethany, and granddaughter Audrey. She leaves her mother Elizabeth Santoli and her siblings Carol (Joseph) Franck, John (Lucille) Santoli, Peter (Donna) Santoli, Georgene (Dennis) Dixon, Barbara Jean (David) Kayen, and Irene (Patrick) Dunn. She also leaves numerous beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Sanderson; her father, William Santoli; and her sister, Rose Derancy. Memorial information: Contributions in Connie Sanderson's name may be made to Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158 or to Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 am, at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster.
• Helen C. Slate, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 6 at Thompson House, following a period of declining health. She was born in Hinsdale, N.H., on Feb. 18, 1926, the daughter of Stanislaus and Mae (Salinski) Boroski. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale, graduating from Hinsdale High School, Class of 1944. She worked at The Book Press in Brattleboro, which she retired from following many years of faithful service. Previously, she worked as a seamstress at Lawton's Cleaners in Brattleboro. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life centered around her family. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Catholic Church and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Ave Maria Circle #128. She also held membership in the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary. She enjoyed line dancing with the Silver Liners at the Brattleboro Senior Center, working in her flower garden, and sewing. In 1946, she was married to Herbert E. Slate. Her devoted husband of 54 years predeceased her in 2000. Survivors include one son, Terence “Terry” Slate of Brattleboro; two daughters, Mary Jean White of Hinsdale and Ann Nebelski of Vernon; two brothers, Chester Boroski of North Carolina and Paul Boroski of Florida. Additionally she leaves five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Michael Slate; five sisters, Frances Merton, Viola Drane, Charlotte LaShier, Dorothy Bokum, and Theresa Waterman; and three brothers, Edward, Francis, and Stanley Boroski. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 9 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial will follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Elaine Beam, principal; or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Laning Williams, 102, of East Dummerston. Died Oct. 28 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Born in Rochester, N.Y., on March 3, 1914, the son of Henry Clinton and Alice (Easling) Williams, he was raised and educated in Rochester and was a graduate of the University of Rochester College of Arts and Science with a Bachelor of Science degree in optics. He was employed as an optical engineer at General Electric Company in Schenectady, N.Y., and later at Westinghouse in New Jersey and Perkin-Elmer in Wilton, Conn. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Walpole, N.H., and a former member of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Bellows Falls where he served on the church vestrys. On Sept. 7, 1976, he was married to Elizabeth Marie Kolber, who survives. Besides his faithful and loving wife of 40 years, he leaves two nephews and a great niece. Memorial information: Funeral services will be conducted Nov. 4 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Walpole. A private burial will take place in Trumansburg, N.Y., at a later date.
• A celebration of the life of Charlotte Marcy Mansur will take place on Friday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m., at the First Baptist Church, 190 Main St., Brattleboro, followed by a reception at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., Brattleboro. Mansur, a resident of Guilford and a veteran of the Iraq War, died Sept. 30, 2016, at the age of 32.