College news
• Olivia Milne of Brattleboro qualified for the fall 2016 Dean's List at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn.
• Evan Perkins of Brattleboro was named to the fall 2016 Dean's List at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. Perkins is studying in the heating/air conditioning/refrigeration technical services academic program.
• Paige Gargett of Jamaica, a sophomore and an early childhood education major, and Nicole Winot of Brookline, a junior and a cinema production major, were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2016 semester at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
• Madison Cota of Bellows Falls, a junior and a fashion and retail merchandising major, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2016 semester at Lasell College in Newton, Mass.
• Caleb Paasche of Guilford, a member of the Class of 202o, was named to the Dean's List at Bucknell University during the fall semester of the 2016-17 academic year.
Transitions
• Patricia “Patty” O'Donnell of Vernon was recently elected as Chair of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Board of Directors. She has served in various capacities on the Board, including several committees such as Quality, Planning, Joint Conference, and Board Executive. She represented the towns of Vernon and Guilford as a State Representative from 1998 to 2010. During that time, she served on both the Appropriations and Human Services Committees, where she became well-versed in healthcare issues in Vermont. Additionally, she worked as Trustee of the Brattleboro Retreat from 2011 to 2015. She served on the Vernon School Board for 3 years, the last year as its Chair. She has also served on the Vernon Selectboard. She is the co-owner of Trend Business Solutions, a custom printing and promotional products agency.
• River Valley Credit Union recently promoted Jonathan Neurock to Assistant Vice President of Branch Administration. He graduated from the University of Scranton with a B.S. in enterprise management and a minor in accounting. He has a long association with River Valley, working there during school breaks in his college years. After working at another banking institution for several years, he joined River Valley 12 years ago. He has held various positions at the credit union, most recently the Branch Manager of the Brattleboro office. He is on the Board of Directors at the Winston Prouty Center, and also volunteers each year to assist local residents with tax preparation through VITA.
Obituaries
• Jan Arend, 74, of Putney. Died Dec. 28 at Crescent Manor in Bennington. Born in Jenova Dolina, Poland, on March 19, 1942, the son of Edmund and Helen (Jezierska) Arend, he attended schools in Connecticut and worked at G.S, Precision as a manufacturing engineer. In 1960, he married Leola Bullock,who survives. Also surviving are his daughters Jane Arend-Denko of Bellows Falls, Veronica Bean of Weare, N.H., and Helena Hammond of Elkton, Md.; his half-brothers Richard and Henry Arend, both of Connecticut; his stepsister Kristina Perugini of Connecticut; and eight grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents and his stepbrother Walter Jawarski. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 2 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Horne in Bellows Falls.
• Helen Baldasaro Bolden, 102, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Dec. 25 at her home. She was the oldest resident of Hinsdale at the time of her death. She was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 15, 1914 to Frank and Mary (Freda) Baldasaro, both immigrants from Italy. She attended St. Michael's, Green Street, Canal Street, and Oak Grove Schools and was known to be the class comedian. As part of her childhood, she was also a “Reed Street kid.” In 1934, she married Alex “Chubby” Bolden of Hinsdale, and remained faithful to “her Chubby” until her dying day. She worked at White Washburn and later Gratton Weeks Paper Company for 17 years. She was very proud to be a wife, mother and homemaker, and family always came first. She was a real old fashioned gal who valued her friends and enjoyed their many outings. An excellent cook, she excelled in Italian and Ukrainian/Russian dishes and her pizza and pierogis were the best. She leaves her daughter, Nancy Stephens and her husband, Walter, of Hinsdale; two grandchildren, Julie Stephens Stoughton of Hinsdale and Lisa Stephens of Boston; great-grandson, Gregory Stoughton and wife, Megan and great great grandchildren, Lucas and Katelyn, of Vernon; as well as many nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband, who died in 1963, and by her older sister, Lena Parizo, and younger brother, Joseph Baldasaro. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hinsdale. Burial in St. Joseph's Cemetery will take place in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to Mary Queen of Peace Parish (St. Joseph's Church), 161 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431. To offer messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Joseph Brown, 76, of Rutland. Died Dec. 25 at The Pines at Rutland. Born in Hampton, N,Y,, on May 20, 1940, to Joseph and Marion (Fellows) Brown, he was a graduate of Poultney High School, class of 1958. He began his working career at the age of 14 by setting pins at the Poultney bowling alley and bicycling home to Hampton at 11 p.m. While still a student, he worked at the dress factory in Poultney and then as a clerk at the A&P supermarket. He went on to work at Grand Union supermarkets in Rutland, Brandon, Manchester, and Bennington, and in North Adams, Mass. In the early 1970s, he went to work for Agway in North Adams, and later in Greenfield, Mass. A transfer to the dairy route division of Agway in Brattleboro was the beginning of a very successful career as a dairy route salesman, selling to farmers up and down the Connecticut River Valley. He retired from Agway after it discontinued its dairy route service and worked for several years at Cersosimo Lumber Co. in Brattleboro. He was active in a church in every town in which he resided, serving as treasurer, deacon or elder. He was a Past Master of the Bennington Masonic Lodge and had been an active member of the Northfield (Mass.) Kiwanis Club. He enjoyed hunting, snowmobiling, and gardening. He also had a friendly feud with his brother-in-law as to who could grow the most or biggest tomatoes. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Carol (Carter) Brown; daughters and sons-in-law, Susan (Christopher) Scott, of Richmond, N.H., and Judith (Daniel) Collette, of Erving, Mass.; three grandchildren. He is also survived by sister and brother-in-law, Kathleen and Robert Anderson, of Poultney, and sisters-in-law Jackie Bartenstein and Joyce Robarge of Rutland, and Barbara Carter, of Arden, N.C. He was predeceased by his parents and stepfather Fred “Sully” Hughes. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 7 at Roberts-Aubin Funeral Home in Poultney. Donations to the Vermont Foodbank, P.O. Box 471, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Edna Katherine Cowling, 100, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 28 at McNaughten Pointe Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to becoming a resident at the facility, she made her home at the Woodlands in Columbus. She was born in St. Johnsbury on July 26, 1916, the daughter of Clyde and Emily (Lucas) Drown. She was raised and educated in St. Johnsbury, attending schools in Holyoke, Mass., before eventually returning to St. Johnsbury where she graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1935. In 1941, she married Paul E. Cowling. After getting married the Cowlings made their home in Chester, She had been employed as a store clerk at the former Root's Pharmacy and the former Hotel Pharmacy, both on Main Street in Brattleboro. Prior to moving to Brattleboro, she worked at the former F.W. Woolworth Store in St. Johnsbury. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and life member of the Mizpah Chapter #40 of the Eastern Star in Chester. Steadfast in her walk of faith, she was a longtime member of First Congregational Church in Brattleboro. She was a volunteer in the coffee shop at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, served on the board at Holton Home in Brattleboro, and worked the blood drives at the Elk's Home for the Windham County chapter of the American Red Cross. She enjoyed ice skating, swimming, gardening, knitting and crafts, and time shared with her family. She will be remembered for her spirit of friendship and pleasant personality. Her devoted and loving husband of 52 years predeceased her in 1994. She is survived by two daughters, Jan C. Esden and her husband, Robert, of Columbus and Barbara C. Brien and her husband, Eugene, of Manchester, N.H.; a sister, Luella Demers of Fallon, Nev.; seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral service was conducted Jan. 7 at First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro with her son-in-law Pastor Robert Esden officiating. Burial will take place in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in St. Johnsbury in the springtime. Donations to First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 2389, Brattleboro, VT 05303. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Eileen Frances Daniels, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 26 at Thompson House Nursing Home. Born in Brattleboro on July 29, 1926, the daughter of Howard and Caroline (Gallager) LaDuke, she was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1944. She was a telephone operator at the Brattleboro Retreat, from which she retired following 52 years of faithful service. Previously, she worked for New England Telephone as an operator in the Brattleboro office. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and was a member of the Brattleboro American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary. For several years, she was an active volunteer at Brattleboro Area Hospice. She enjoyed traveling and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. In 1947, she was married to Francis Daniels, who predeceased her in 1981. She is survived by two daughters, Mary Hoyer and Jean Gibson, both of Brattleboro; a son, John Daniels of Marlboro; a sister, Barbara Pollica of Lebanon, N.H.; and five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Additionally she leaves two nieces and a nephew. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted in the family lot in Locust Ridge Cemetery in the springtime when the cemetery reopens at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
• John L. Dixon, 72, of Westminster. Died Dec. 22 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., from complications of a stroke. Born in Flagstaff, Ariz. on June 1, 1944, he spent his formative years in Las Vegas, where he learned the fine art of comedic timing. He spent his high school years at Basic High School in Henderson, Nev., playing basketball and debating political science issues. He studied political science at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and business management at Edmonds Community College in Seattle. Throughout his work life, he excelled in every endeavor - as a plant manager in the dairy industry, TV and radio advertising director, solicitation manager for a nonprofit providing job training for the disabled, private therapist, and working in public schools. During his work as a behavioral interventionist in Bellows Falls and Brattleboro schools from 1997 to 2007, he gave students an honest, caring presence that changed lives. He loved cars and enjoyed rebuilding several vehicles in his lifetime. He was a whimsical collector of antiques and memorabilia. He was an avid basketball fan and played the sport himself for years until his knees would no longer permit it. He will remembered for his compassionate honesty, unwavering integrity, his quiet smile, and calm voice. His peaceful presence touched so many lives. He walked humbly on this earth, taking care of others along the way. His dry wit, generous humor, and often irreverent view of life and the world provided comic relief for all who knew him. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and friend to many. Besides his wife, Linda, he is survived by his daughter, Cynthia of Seattle, his sister Billie of Leona Valley, Calif., his brother Ken of Las Vegas, and his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, and a sister, Ruthie. Memorial information: A gathering to honor his life was held Jan. 6 at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Donna Lee (Dalrymple) Gilman, 70, of Exeter, N.H. Died Dec. 23 at the Rockingham County Nursing Home after a lengthy illness. She was born on June 8, 1946 in Halifax, the daughter of Roy Cook and Margaret (Dalrymple) Weigel. Donna Lee grew up in Vermont with her mother's family all around, learning at a young age the importance of family and always being there for one another. She was fond of horses and soon the horse business brought her to meet her husband of 46 years. She moved to Exeter and raised her family on the farm. There, the door was never locked and there was always a meal ready for company. She was devoted to her family, which included caring for her elderly in-laws for many years. She was proud to be at home preparing each meal thoughtfully and making every holiday special. Family was first, not only her own, but supporting others as well. She welcomed many children into her home during those years, nieces, nephews, town children she babysat, and their families. She touched many lives with her thoughtful conversation and compassion for all. In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, she helped with grassroots campaigns walking door-to-door with petitions, making phone calls and working the polls. After her children were grown, she enjoyed her job at Walgreens, where she kept “in the know” with local politicians and townspeople. She taught her children to stop and smell the buttercups and forget-me-nots. For many years, she suffered in poor health and had much pain yet she could marvel at the smallest things and be grateful for them. She was predeceased by her husband, Daniel C Gilman. She is survived by her three children, Don K. Salis of Chicago, Roberta C. Gilman of Exeter, and Cheryl Gilman-White of Exeter; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; many cousins; nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at the Exeter Cemetery on June 10, 2017, at 1 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow at her home.
• Charles Joseph Aloysius Haas, 90, of Alstead, N.H. Died Dec. 20 at his home. He was born Aug. 20, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late Aloysius E. and Katherine (Huber) Haas. He graduated from school in New York. He served in the Army during World War II. In 1969, he married the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Lake in Bellows Falls. He was employed as a truck driver with Holmes Transportation for many years. He was an avid hunter, gun collector, New York Yankees fan, and member of the NRA. Survivors include four daughters Carolee Murchie of Springfield, Vt., Marien Gage of Westminster, Dorothy Hescock of Winchester, N.H., and LeAnn Winter of Alstead; three sons Gordon Goodell of Gilsum, N.H., John Goodell of Alstead, and Richard Haas of Bellows Falls, Siblings Francis Haas of Virginia, Robert Haas of Westminster, and Maryann Andrews of New Haven, Conn.; as well as 19 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; plus many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his wife and a son, Alfred “Butch” Goodell Jr. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 7 at Immanuel Episcopal Church in Bellows Falls. Burial with military honors will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Memory Care Unit at The Village Cedar Hill, 92 Cedar Hill Drive, Windsor, VT 05089.
• Corinne L. Harlow, 88, of Westminster. Died Jan. 8. She was born March 11, 1928, in Watertown, Mass., to Daniel and Helen (Veo) Johnson. Her family moved to Bellows Falls in 1931, and she graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1947. She married Hollis “Hocker” Harlow in 1950, and they farmed in Westminster for many years, until they sold the farm to their oldest son, Paul, in 1975. Her husband died in 1986. She lived in Westminster until moving to Vernon Advent Christian Home in 2015. She was active in her community, serving on the board of directors for Westminster Cares, and as a member of the Westminster Congregational Church. She worked as assistant postmistress at the Westminster Station post office, and as a bookkeeper for Allen Brothers, the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, Northeastern Culvert Company, and Harlow Farmstand. She dearly loved to sing and dance, and to spend time with her family and many friends. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother Daniel Johnson, and her sister Hope Johnson. She is survived by her children, Paul M. Harlow, Susan J. Harlow, and Daniel W. Harlow, all of Westminster, and Thomas D. Harlow, of Chelsea, Mich.; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service on Friday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m., at the First Congregational Church of Westminster. Donations to the First Congregational Church of Westminster, P.O, Box 122, or Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, both Westminster, VT 05158.
• James Stephen “Jim” Heal, 62, of Putney. Died Dec. 30 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born in Springfield, Mass. on April 5, 1954, the son of Walter and Lucy (Lumb) Heal. He was raised and educated in West Springfield, Mass., where he attended public schools. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1972 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War years until his honorable discharge from active service in 1975. Upon his return home he went on to attend the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy in Boston, where he received his pharmacy degree and license. For the past 3 1/2 years, he owned and operated the Putney General Store and Pharmacy. Previously, he was the Director of Pharmacy at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. He was an outdoorsman at heart and enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, woodworking, hiking, and golf. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with friends and family along with a good beer. His final message to his beloved friends and family was, “I love you all.” In 1998, he married Jane Pierce. Besides his devoted and loving wife of 19 years, he leaves four children, Adrian Heal of Putney, Krista Heal of Hatfield, Mass., Freida Hirsch of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Abe Hirsch of Boston. He also leaves four siblings, Ken Heal of East Longmeadow, Mass, Tracy Heal of El Paso, Texas, Nancy Garwacki of Agawam, Mass., and JoAnne Heal of Agawam, Mass. Additionally he is survived by a granddaughter, many nieces and nephews, and his wife from a previous union, Linda LaPoint. He was predeceased by his parents and two brothers, Walter and Gordon Heal. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held Sunday, Jan. 15, at 2 p.m., at Next Stage, 15 Kimball Hill, in Putney. Patriots jerseys are welcome attire. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353 or to the Putney Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 875, Putney, VT 05346. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Beulah D. Howard, 97, of Vernon, formerly of Westminster, Mass. Died Dec. 17 in her home. Born Nov. 28, 1919, in Westminster, Mass., daughter of the late Nathan D. and Celina D. (Reed) Howard, she attended Westminster schools and graduated from Fitchburg (Mass.) High School in 1938, and Fitchburg State Teacher's College in 1942. She worked for Greenfield (Mass.) Tap & Die during World War II. She also worked for the Salvation Army in Boston in their finance department, with her father in their boarder business, and for Jordan Marsh in Boston, retiring in 1984. In 1986, she moved to the Vernon Birches Advent Christian Home. She was predeceased by her sister, Barbara H. Morse, and a nephew, H. Raymond Morse. She leaves her nephew, Henry H. Morse; grandnieces Carol M. Kaski and Mary M. Wood; and grandnephews Brian H. Morse and Wayne H. Morse. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 3 at Lamoureux-Fletcher & Smith Funeral Home in Gardner, Mass. Burial was private.
• Walter H. Lau, 76, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Dec. 27 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Easton, Pa., on April 10, 1940, the son of Edmund and Anna (Haebe) Lau, he grew up in Leeds, N.Y. His family moved to Brattleboro, where he was a 1959 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. He resided in San Jose, Calif., for many years, where he began his work career at the El Camino Hospital as chief engineer. He later was self-employed as an electrical contractor specializing in high-rise construction projects. Prior to moving to Chesterfield in 2005, he worked as a federal building inspector for the state of California. A creative person of mind and hands, he excelled in golf and in archery. He was the Vermont State Junior Archery Champion as well as the Vermont State Archery Champion later in life. He also was a talented photographer, focusing on wildlife and scenic captures. His talent as a photographer is displayed in many locations throughout the area. During the winter months, he would focus on creating oil paintings. He also was an amateur ham radio operator, obtaining his FCC license. He was also successful in designing special antennas for ham radio transmissions. He is survived by his son, Eric Lau, of San Jose; his sister, Marguarete L. Bergeron, of Spofford, N.H.; and several cousins in Germany. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held in the spring in Friedsam Cemetery in West Chesterfield at a date and time to be announced. Donations to a charity of one's choice. Foley Funeral Home of Keene, N.H., is handling arrangements.
• John Wood MacArthur, 94, of Marlboro. Died Jan. 4 at his home in Marlboro from complications following a hip fracture that occurred while he was getting the snow tires out of his garage. He was born in Chicago to John MacArthur and Olive Turner MacArthur, and grew up in Toronto. He attended the University of Toronto and received a Master's in physics from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. While a student at Chicago he met his wife of almost 60 years, Margaret, at a folk music society, and serenaded her with love songs outside her dorm room window. They moved to Vermont in 1948, first to John's parents' place in Newfane and then to their home in Marlboro in 1951, where they raised their five children and where both John and Margaret died. He was a builder of many things: banjos, barns, houses and, in the early 1970s, recognizing the looming energy crisis and in hopes of a better future for our planet, an electric car which he drove to and from work. In the 1960s, he traveled to Panama with his brother, Robert MacArthur, to work on groundbreaking theories of island ecology. A self-described “teacher at heart,” he was probably best known for having taught at Marlboro College for more than 60 years, teaching physics, astronomy, and advanced mathematics until his “retirement,” at which point he continued to teach Global Climate Change for another 25 years. A lifelong naturalist and birder, he traveled extensively throughout his lifetime on bird-watching expeditions, including trips to Antarctica, central America, the Galapagos, Greenland, and the Arctic. A longtime environmentalist and proponent of alternative energies, his family is glad that he will not see how society is currently dealing with the changing world. He was predeceased by his son Patrick and his wife Margaret. He is survived by his children, John of Talpa, N.M., and Dan and Gary and his daughter Megan Littlehales of Marlboro, and his five grandchildren. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren who will fondly remember visiting him in his house for a never-ending supply of cookies and cashews. Memorial information: There will be a memorial gathering in Marlboro on May 7, 2017. Donations to Marlboro College, to which he dedicated his life, or to the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG).
• Margaret Louise Moll “Granny Peggy” MacLeish, 85, of Putney, formerly of Louisville, Ky. Died Dec. 21. She came to live in Putney in 2012 at the suggestion of her daughters, not out of any strong attachments to Northern New England. Her geographical commitments were Kentucky through and through, although she went to her grave believing that the Bluegrass State lost its way when it put more funding into basketball than public libraries. She was, by all accounts, an exceptional student. By the time she graduated, she was at the top of her class, a serious student of American literature. By design, she was introduced to the poet Archibald MacLeish when he came to lecture at the University of Louisville. His son William, stationed at nearby Fort Knox, just happened to be included in the invitation. They were married in 1953, went off to Peru on a fellowship with the Institute of Current World Affairs in 1954, and had their first child, Margaret “Meg,” in 1956, followed by Morellen in 1959. After their divorce in 1978, she returned to her beloved Louisville, where she reconnected with the Moll clan and perfected her wordplay. Having discovered more cousins, she came to believe that the “cosmos” could be “mollified.” She also found solace through the Centering Prayer community and the Thomas Merton Center. While she was generally unmoved by local assertions of Vermont's special status, she did find several things to love about her last home in Putney: the cinnamon buns at the General Store, the apple pie from Green Mountain Orchard, the iced mint tea at Katie's, the maple creams from Hidden Springs Maple, and all things puppet at Sandglass. She leaves her daughter, Morellen MacLeish and son-in-law John Voci of Easthampton, Mass.; her daughter Meg Mott and daughter-in-law Alison Mott of Putney; and three grandchildren. Memorial information: Services will be held at a later date. Donations to Institute of Current World Affairs, 1779 Massachusetts Ave NW #615, Washington, DC 20036, or to the Metro Parks & Recreation Department, PO Box 37280, Louisville, KY 40233. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• William G. “Bill” Semonite, 90, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 29. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on May 18, 1926, he son of George and Mildred (Thurston) Semonite. In 1929, the family moved to Cranford, N.J., where he attended school. After graduating in 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served in Okinawa. After the war, he attended Seton Hall College for a year and then transferred to the University of Vermont and graduated in the Class of 1950. He was employed the next five years at a shipyard in Keasbey, N.J., repairing fishing boats, tugboats, and yachts of all sizes. He married Jeanne Farr of Westminster, whom he met in college, in 1953. They lived in Middletown, N.J., until 1955, when they moved to Bellows Falls, where he entered in to his father-in-law's Studebaker automobile dealership, Farr's Garage. John Farr retired in 1962 and Mr. Semonite took over the dealership, eventually becoming Dodge and Chrysler dealer. He and his wife sold the business and retired in 1988. He then served nine years on the Vermont Motor Vehicle Arbitration (Lemon Law) Board in Montpelier. He was a past Master of King Solomon's Temple Lodge of Masons in Bellows Falls, and a member of the Mt. Sinai Shrine Lodge, and a past president of the Bellows Falls Rotary Club, where he was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a president of the local Chamber of Commerce and was very active in local Industrial Development Board, playing a key role in the establishment of several of the buildings in the Rockingham Industrial Park. He was one of the original board members of the Bellows Falls Union High School, assisting in buying land, design, and construction of the new school in 1971 while serving on the board until 1976. As a member of the United Church of Bellows Falls, he was instrumental in the design and building of the new church on School Street. He served as a trustee and director of investments for many years. He was a member of American Legion Post 37 of Bellows Falls and the Palmetto Rowing Club in Hilton Head Island, S.C. In 1979, he received the “Citizen of the Year” award from the Bellows Falls Chamber of Commerce. Over the years, the Semonites took many trips to Germany and different parts of the United States to visit their son Todd and grandchildren at various U.S. Army posts. His passion in life, besides his family, was sailing, which he had done since childhood at the family's cottage off the coast of Maine. He owned several sailboats over the years and spent vacations and weekends on the island. He enjoyed woodworking, building small boats, and oil and water color painting. He and his wife even designed and personally built their own home on North Ridge Road. After retirement, winters were spent on Hilton Head Island where he enjoyed rowing his one man shell. In 2010, the Semonites moved to Mebane, N.C., to be closer to family. He is survived by his wife; a son, Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, Chief of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and his his wife, Connie, of Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Susan and her husband, Christopher, of Mebane, N.C.; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Alan Semonite and his wife Janine, of Yvorne, Switzerland. He was predeceased by a son, Scott, who died in a bicycle accident in 1965. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 6 at the United Church of Bellows Falls, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery. Donations to the United Church of Bellows Falls, 8 School St, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Martha Ann “Susie” Clark Simonds, 72, of Putney. Died Dec. 31 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born on Sept. 10, 1940 in Bellows Falls to Clarence E. Clark and Olie A. Kinney Mounsey Clark of Westminster West. She attended schools in Westminster West, Gageville, and Bellows Falls. In 1962, she married Ronald Simonds, who died in June, 2014. They had three daughters, Wendy Hier of Brattleboro, Connie Simonds of Putney, and Rita (Whitcomb) Simonds of Newfane. She was a dedicated stay-at-home mom until all of her children were in high school, then worked at the former Erving Paper Company in Brattleboro, Eden Park Nursing Park, Ames Department Store, and as a home health aide/housekeeper for several area families. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a love of life that endeared her to those who knew her. She opened her heart and home to her family and their friends, frequently becoming “Gramma” to friends of her grandchildren. She loved to cook, and was known for her salsa, doughnuts, and penuche fudge. She is survived by her daughters, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, her siblings Isabell “Liz” Croteau of Westminster West, Henry Clark of Bellows Falls, and Jean Mark of Westminster. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings Francis Mounsey, Pat Mounsey, Joe Clark, Burton “Pete” Clark, and Stanley “Mike” Clark. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Jan. 7 at the Putney Fire Department. Donations to the Putney Volunteer Fire Department, in appreciation for their rapid response and support of in her time of need.
• Shou Li Tao, 61, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 23 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., just moments after her loving family said their goodbyes. She had been defiantly and courageously battling various ailments for years, with strength and courage that surprised even medical professionals. Shou Li, which means “petite and pretty” in Mandarin Chinese, was born in Taipei, Taiwan on April 14, 1955 as the youngest of four siblings. After having spent most of her life in the city of Keelung, in 1985, she and her husband and two sons moved to the U.S. to start new lives. Soon after the third son was born in Maine, the family of five moved to and settled in Vermont in 1990, first in Burlington and more recently in Brattleboro. Insistently generous and kind, she touched the lives of many with whom she became acquainted or crossed paths. Even while never having learned any English, she was able to communicate her altruism, generosity, and endearing spirit through basic yet artful human-to-human interaction; a special ability that struck and impressed others. She was a very loving and dedicated wife and mother. She is survived by her three sons, Shawn, David, and Jamie; her dear husband of 40 years, Miao Fa; her siblings in Taiwan; and dozens of nieces and nephews, friends, and in-laws around the world from Brattleboro to South Dakota, to Los Angeles and to Taipei. Memorial information: Services were held at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Pauline L. “Polly” Wright, 84, of Townshend. Died Dec. 26 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. She was born in Huntington, N.Y., on March 26, 1932; the daughter of the late Jack and Ruth Lyman. She graduated from Leland & Gray High School. She found her passion in art and held many exhibits throughout New England. She was a member of the Townshend Church and the Southern Vermont Art Center. She enjoyed music, cooking, playing piano and the accordion, and loved animals. She is survived by four children, Ruth T. Fleming and her husband, Eddie J. Benoit of Newfane, Mildred “Muffy” Locke of Guilford, Conn., Harry H. Fleming of Hartford, Maine, and Holly L. Fleming and her husband, Edward Marrinan, of Bronxville, NY; a brother, A.T. “Tom” Lyman of Townshend; a sister, Priscilla S. “Pokey” Lyman. also of Townshend; six grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, and friends. Memorial information: She requested that there be no services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, 916 West River Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• A memorial service for William Schommer is planned for Saturday, January 14, at 11 a.m., at Newfane Congregational Church. Mr. Shommer died Nov.23, 2016, at Grace Cottage Hospital, having succumbed to injuries and complications after a fall at his residence.