College news
• The following local students recently graduated from Southern Vermont College in Bennington: Mariah Hinckley of Putney earned a B.S. in nursing and Darion James of Brattleboro earned a B.S. in psychology.
• The following local students were recently named to the Castleton University Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester: Connor Bonneville of South Londonderry, Cody Driscoll of Vernon, Patrick Gilligan of Vernon, Seth Marcil of Brattleboro, Kaylea Niles of Whitingham, Brian Schilling of Saxtons River, Emily Sheehan of Londonderry, Grandon Smith of Londonderry, Haley Struthers of Putney, Kayla Wood of Dummerston, and Cassidy Yrsha of Londonderry.
• The following local students were recently named to the Castleton University President's List for the spring 2017 semester: Alex Derosia of Brattleboro,, Casey Gould of Brattleboro, and Kevin Paciulli of Brattleboro.
• The following local students were recently named to the University of Vermont's Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester: Alyssa Cote of Bellows Falls, Ana Taylor of Wilmington, Andrew Hollar of Bellows Falls, Baxter Cragin of Putney, Benjamin Howe of Putney, Brenda Atwater of Vernon, Bridget Dews of East Dummerston, Brittany Lathrop of South Londonderry, Carlyn Madden of Brattleboro, Colby McGinn of Brattleboro, Cornelia Cating of Londonderry, Dean Knowles Maravell of Putney, Devin Brown of Londonderry, Dorothy Kinney-Landis of Guilford, Everest Witman of Brattleboro, George Roberge III of Brattleboro, Giannina Gaspero-Beckstrom of Guilford, Greer Cowan of Putney, Honour Solari of Guilford, Jennifer Hutton of Brattleboro, Katherine Amidon of Vernon, Kira McCloskey of Wilmington, Lindsey Robinson of Brattleboro, Linnea Jahn of Brattleboro, Micah Hardy of Vernon, Miranda Post of West Dover, Nieva Schemm of Saxtons River, Robert Wolfe of Putney, Roxanna Daims of Brattleboro, Sebastian Wu of Saxtons River, Seth Wilkins of South Londonderry, Stephen Scott of Jamaica, and Zebariah Hathaway of Brattleboro.
• The University of Vermont History Department recently inducted Jennifer Hutton of Brattleboro into the national Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society, a professional society, established in 1921, whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.
• William Bourque of East Dover received the Honor Graduate in Economics award at the 2017 College of Arts and Sciences Awards Ceremony at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass. This award is presented to the graduating senior with academic excellence in the study of economics. Bourque graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in economics.
• Craig Worden, a hospitality, resort, and tourism management major from West Dummerston, was among 1,920 students at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., who made the spring 2017 Dean's List.
• Molly Rice, an undergraduate interdisciplinary liberal studies major from Brattleboro, graduated Magna Cum Laude from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va. Rice was also named to the school's spring 2017 President's List.
• Marie S. Dennis of Marlboro made the Dean's List for the third consecutive trimester this spring at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I., where she is a junior majoring in liberal studies with a minor in business.
• Michael D. Reilly of Bellows Falls, who graduated with a B.S. in behavioral neuroscience and English from Connecticut College in New London, Conn., earned Dean's High Honors for the spring 2017 semester.
• Forrest Lisle, an anthropology major from Grafton, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo.
• Madison Cota of Bellows Falls and McKenzie Bonnette of East Dummerston were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester at Lasell College in Newton, Mass.
• Taylor Doris Comstock of Brattleboro graduated with a degree in international affairs from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., during its May 5 commencement exercises.
• Kirsten Jobst of Vernon earned a place on the Dean's List for the spring 2017 semester at Dean College in Franklin, Mass.
School news
• Tammy Post of Jamaica, a student at Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend, will receive the Ray Greenwood $1,500 Scholarship from The American Legion Department of Vermont. She is one of 12 students selected from more than 300 applicants vying for American Legion scholarships from the Department this year.
Obituaries
• Helen L. Craw, 74, of Brattleboro. Died May 29. Born in Tehran, Iran, she moved to New York as a girl. After graduating from Suffern High School in Suffern, N.Y., she went to work in musical theater. For 15 years, she performed on and off-Broadway and with national companies. In the 1970s she moved to Brattleboro, and with her then-husband Terrance, owned and operated Mama Peduzzi's Pizzeria. Before retiring in 2014, she entertained customers as a cashier at Price Chopper in Brattleboro. She will be remembered by her children, Eric and Erin, her grandson Isaac, and many dear friends. Memorial information: A life celebration gathering will take place on Sunday, June 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.. For those wishing to attend, contact her daughter Erin in care of hlevitc@gmail.com for additional information and directions. Donations to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, in care of the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Unit, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Hellyn Leslie Murphy Cunningham, 92, of Mobile, Ala. Died May 28 at her home. She was born on March 18, 1925 to Alexander and Osborne Dent Young Murphy in Leesburg, Ga., after the family returned from the Panama Canal Zone where her father was the Chief Engineer for the Panama Canal Railroad with the Panama Canal Project. After a short time in Leesburg, her father, a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, joined the effort to build a railroad to open the Gulf Coast of Florida to Venice, Fla. As a result, the Murphy family was one of the pioneer families moving to the rural town of Venice, where Hellyn spent many joyous hours swimming and running on the white sandy beaches. She graduated from Venice-Nokomis High School in 1942. While working in Base Operations at Venice Air Base processing flights, she met Lt. Douglas Earl Cunningham, a flight instructor, falling in love at first sight. After he received orders for overseas, she attended Florida State, where she majored in English and Spanish. After a two-year courtship, they married when Douglas returned from World War II. The Cunninghams moved to Tuscaloosa, Ala., where he completed a degree at the University of Alabama in aeronautical engineering before relocating to Mobile for a career at Brookley Air Force Base. She was a devoted mother and a dedicated and loving wife. She and Douglas raised their family in the home they built on Dog River. She was an active member of Dauphin Way Baptist Church, whichher family attended. She enjoyed being with family and friends, volunteering with the Girl Scouts, and taking pride in her home and gardens. She was loved by all who knew her as she greeted all with a smile and generosity of spirit. When Brookley Air Force Base closed in 1965, Douglas transferred with the F-105 Engineering Division of McClellan Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. Hellyn enjoyed special friendships with neighbors and exploring her new surroundings. In 1974, the family returned to their Dog River home in Mobile. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Lt. Col. (ret.) Douglas Earl Cunningham. She is survived by six children, Leslie (Horace) Miller of Pensacola, Fla.; Teresa (Bruce) Marhenke of Carmichael, Calif.; Kay Cunningham (Tarrel James) of Fairhope, Ala.; Lynn (Dan) Toms of Auburn, Calif., Douglas (Cindy) Cunningham of Mobile, and Donna (Richard) Hawes of Marlboro, Vt.; 13 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Donations may be made to the Life Gate Ministry at Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile, River Gallery School of Art in Brattleboro, or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be held Aug. 10 at Christ United Methodist Church in Mobile.
• Doris G. Forbes, 76, of Andover. Died June 2 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born Nov. 10, 1940, in Keene, N.H., the daughter of Lester and Joan (Winot) Griswold. She attended high school in Chester. Previously married to Robert Adams, she married Kenneth “Skip” Forbes in 1985. She worked as a waitress for many years, as well as at Horse Shoe Acres Campground, Derry Pharmacy, and Vermont Country Store. She was an avid flower gardener and enjoyed needlework and crafts, camping, square dancing and riding motorcycles. Survivors include her husband, of Andover; sons Gary Adams of Londonderry, Keven Forbes of Westminster, Colo., and Kenneth Forbes Jr. of Colorado Springs, Colo.; daughters Donna Merrow of Weston, Ruthie Adams of Barre, Anne Finegan of South Barre, Jayne Carleton of North Carolina, Kimberly Fox of Ohio, and Robin Thomaston of Omaha, Neb.; sisters Lois Alexander of South Londonderry and Jackie Griswold of Andover; 14 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a daughter, Jodi Adams, two brothers, and four sisters. Memorial information: A memorial service was held June 9, at Andover Community Church. Donations to Chester Ambulance Service, P.O. Box 370, Chester, VT 05143.
• Daniel Scott Haselton, 44, of Vernon. Died June 1. Born in Brattleboro on Feb. 14, 1973, he was a lifelong resident of Vermont. He loved spending time with his family and friends, fishing, hiking, and exploring Vermont's great outdoors. He enjoyed working on old Chevy trucks and fabricating parts when needed. He had an impressively inspired mind that enabled him to turn ordinary household objects into new creations. He was born with a natural charm that endeared him to all who knew him. He is survived by his wife, Amy (Kellom) Haselton of Vernon; his stepchildren Alyssa and Evan Batts, and Kayla Butler of Guilford; his mother and stepfather, Carole and James Capen, of Brattleboro; his father and his wife, Lanny and Linda Haselton, of Sheffield, Ala.; siblings Sheri McKeon of Milford, Del., Stephen Haselton of Brattleboro, Lee Ann Haselton of Brattleboro, Dawn Pratt of Vernon, David Haselton of Florence, Ala., Deborah Morton of Colchester, Laura Murray of Lorton, Josh Haselton of Florence, Ala., Nate Wheeler of Sheffield, Ala., as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his sister, Lynda Jean Haselton. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held June 10 in Healing Grace Worship Center in West Brattleboro, with burial in Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to Amy Haselton, in care of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Joseph William “Joe” Jacobs, 75, of Stoddard, N.H. Died May 29, after succumbing to complications from leukemia. Born on Oct. 18, 1941, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of William and H. Pauline (Peterson) Jacobs, he grew up in the “Hilltop USA” neighborhood of Columbus and graduated from West High School there in 1959. After three years of college, he enlisted in the Air Force and served as a German language specialist until his discharge in 1967. Following his stint in the service, he completed his undergraduate degree at Ohio State and went on to work in the fields of probation, social work, and outdoor advertising. In 1981, he became a licensed insurance agent with Northwestern Mutual Life, for which he worked for 20 years. He also worked for Mass Mutual and continued to advise clients on insurance and financial matters with New York Life at the time of his death. His hobbies included hiking, sailing, camping, cycling, singing, and playing the piano. In recent years, he returned to taking piano lessons to hone his skills. He and his wife, Alison, whom he married in 1987, loved to bike camp and took several lengthy and memorable tandem bike vacations together. He sang bass with the Keene Chamber Singers until he was diagnosed with lymphoma and leukemia in 2012 and had to cut back on his activities. He was also a member of the Keene Chamber of Commerce and the Elm City Rotary Club, as well as many other civic organizations over the years. He was a member of the United Church of Bellows Falls (UCC) in Vermont and an associate member of the Nelson Congregational Church (UCC) in New Hampshire. He was a constant support to his wife as she attended seminary and then served churches as an ordained minister. He followed her career from South Dakota and Minnesota to Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, always pitching-in when he could to help in their shared ministry. He was a man of many talents, including being a master baker. He loved to cook and try new recipes and he participated for many years in the “Men Who Cook” fundraising event in Keene for Monadnock Family Services. You could always find him in a crowded room by following his hearty laugh, and it was hard to resist his big smile and sparkling eyes. One of his friends recently wrote he was “calm, kind, and ageless;” a very fit description. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alison, and his children: Christopher (Carolyn) Broering-Jacobs of Cleveland, Ohio; daughter Anne (Dana) Kenyon of Efland, N.C.; stepsons Ian Markwood of Madison, Wis., and Christopher (Ashley) Markwood of Watertown, Mass.; foster son Michael (Tanya) Damon of South Portland, Maine; his brother Robert (Kay) Jacobs of Middletown, Md.; his sister, Pamela (Jim) Highfill of Columbus; and his seven grandchildren. Memorial information: A Celebration of Life service was held June 11th at the United Church of Bellows Falls. Donations to the “Equal Access Fund” of the Nelson Congregational Church, 830 Nelson Road, Nelson, NH 03457, or to the “Lift Fund” of the United Church of Bellows Falls, P.O. Box 310, Bellows Falls, VT 05150.
• Robert L. “Bob” Martel, 73, of Brattleboro. Died June 2 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a lengthy illness. Born in Brattleboro on May 2, 1944, the son of Lourio and Elizabeth (Lazelle) Martel, he attended Brattleboro public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1962. He had worked for many years for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union as custodial supervisor for the Brattleboro school district. Previously, he worked at the former Vermont Print Company in Brattleboro. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He loved the outdoors, spending time at his family's camp located on Holland Pond, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. His favorite leisure time activity was time shared with his family. He is survived by his longtime partner, Kelley VanLeeuwen of Brattleboro; seven daughters, Monica Statile of Niskayuna, N.Y., Joan Vincelette of Shelburne, Michelle Harker of Woodland Park, Colo., Paula Meunier of Fairfax, Suzanne Normandin of Milton, Sally Polley of Williston, and Alexa VanLeeuwen of Brattleboro; three sisters, Betty Davison of Burlington, Dora Sprague of Brattleboro, and Diana Bedard of Hinsdale, N.H.; two brothers, David Martel of Alstead, N.H., and John Martel of Greenfield, Mass. Additionally, he leaves 30 grandchildren, 15-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A private memorial service will be conducted for the immediate family. Donations to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Peter Lloyd Morgan, 68, of West Baldwin, Maine. Died May 25 in Mercy Hospital in Portland, Maine, after a long period of declining health. Born Oct. 24, 1948, the son of George and Mary Jane Morgan of Montclair, N.J., his family eventually moved to Brattleboro, where he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. He attended Castleton State College, meeting his future wife, Kathleen “Taffy” Morgan. Peter and Taffy raised their family in Townshend and West Townshend, where he worked as a builder and general contractor. He loved playing the guitar, trying to goad people into long philosophical debates over dinner, and helping with Taffy's catering business. He also loved skiing, and was for years a vital part of the local school ski program, JISP. There are generations of downhill skiers whom he fitted with their first sets of boots, poles and skis. Although he never acknowledged it, Peter struggled with addiction. This overshadowed his later years, and the family is grateful for all the warm memories people have shared in recent days. They have served as a reminder of a period in his life when he found joy in the company of others, especially kids. He is survived by his wife, Taffy, of West Baldwin, Maine; daughter Kelly and her husband, Christopher Wilson, of Cape Neddick; son Ethan and his wife, Vanessa, of Phippsburg, Maine; sister Polly and her husband, Jim Kurty, of Lakewood, Colo.; and a grandaughter, niece, and two nephews. Memorial information: A family gathering will be held in Brattleboro in August.
• Frederick G. Nutting, 54, of Marlboro. Died June 2 at The Centers For Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, following a long illness. The son of Frederick L. and Shirley (Davis) Nutting, he was born in Brattleboro on March 22, 1963. He was a graduate of Wilmington High School, Class of 1983, and graduated from tractor trailer driving school. He had worked throughout the area at Mount Snow, G.S. Precision, John McLeod Woodworking and, most recently, at Hannaford Supermarket in Brattleboro. He was mechanically inclined and a car enthusiast, and enjoyed working on cars and small engine equipment. He liked to go fishing and camping, and being with his friends. He leaves his parents, of Marlboro; brother Larry Nutting and his longtime girlfriend Pat Johnson of Wilmington, sisters Mary Lazelle and husband Steve of Wilmington, Pat Davis of Brattleboro, Linda Higgins and her husband, Bob, of Bennington, and Judy Strange of Brattleboro, plus several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: Services will be private with burial in the Nutting family lot in Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. Donations to the Cancer Center Community Crusaders of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Garcia Joanne Shepherd, 85, of Windham. Died May 31 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Born June 16, 1931 in Bangor, N.Y., she was the daughter of Frederick J. Cunningham and Marcia Cunningham Shepherd. She was raised in Malone, N.Y., by her grandmother, Corra K. Earle. She graduated from Franklin Academy in Malone in 1949. She served in the Air Force from November 1949 until September 1953, during the Korean War. After she was honorably discharged from active duty, she later served in the Army Reserve from 1957 to 1964. She attended the University of Rochester Strong Memorial Hospital School of Radiology, graduating as a radiological technologist in 1956. She worked at Mercy Hospital in Watertown, N.Y., from 1956 to 1964, when she moved to Bolton, Conn., where she worked at Hartford Hospital in the Radiology Department. She retired May 1989 after 25 years and moved to Windham. Surviving are her brother, Scott Shepherd III of Spring Branch, Texas; a cousin, Pete Clark of Malone; a cousin, William Clark of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and a niece and nephew. She was predeceased by her friend, Beverly Denden, with whom she made her home. Memorial information: There will be no calling hours, funeral, or graveside service. Burial will be in the family plot in Morningside Cemetery in Malone. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital's X-Ray Department, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Stephen Victor “Tiny” Space, 85, of East Dummerston. Died May 26 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. He was born in Glen Rock, N.J., on April 13, 1932, the son of the late Victor and Mildred “Mimi” Space. He was raised in Glen Rock, moving to East Dummerston in 1960. He worked for American Optical for 21 years, then for two local banks. His passions were hunting, fishing, and being with his cousins and friends at his camp in Glover. He was a talented mechanic and a member of the NRA. Although a bachelor, family was very important to him and he attended everyone's milestone celebrations. Caring and kind, he was always willing to help anyone in need. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by two sisters. He is survived by a brother, David Space, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Memorial information: A funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, June 17, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave, Brattleboro. Burial will follow at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. A reception will follow back at the church. Donations to Vermont Technical College, 124 Admin Drive, Randolph Center, VT 05061. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Bernard Anderson “Bernie” Wood, 61, of Brattleboro. Died June 3. Born on Aug.7, 1955; the son of the late Harold and Beverly Wood of West Dummerston, he was employed at The Book Press in Brattleboro, starting straight out of high school. He then went on to own and operate several garages and towing business, including, “Honest Woody's,” where he mastered his skills in rigging, mechanics and welding. He became a millwright for Union Local 1121 in Massachusetts. He worked at several stations and plants throughout Massachusetts before joining the team at Vermont Yankee, where he worked for 25 years. He received numerous accolades and certifications and formed a lifelong brotherhood with many of his colleagues. He was a longtime member of the Free Masons in Brattleboro. He is survived by the love of his life, Claudia Wood; a daughter, Corina Wood and her fiancé Randy Bernier. He was born into a very large family of three sisters and three brothers: Harold Wood (Vicky), Robert Wood, Donald Wood (Debbie), Annie Knapp, Shirley Renaud (Mike),and Leslie Wood; two step-children, whom he raised and considered his own, Crystal Russell and her mate R.J. Friedland and Nicholas Russell and his fiancé Monica Vaidya; two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews; his dog Briar, who was his best buddy, as well as many work buddies and neighbors. Memorial information: A celebration of this epitome of a gentleman will be held on Saturday, June 24, at noon, at the VFW, 40 Black Mountain Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Donations may be made to the Windham County Humane Society, 916 West River Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
Services
• A combined memorial service for Manuel and Gloria Fernandes will be held on Saturday, June 17, at 11 a.m., at the Oak Lawn Cemetery on Meeting House Road in Hinsdale, N.H. A reception will follow.
• The family of Jean Druke, who died on Oct. 11, 2016, welcomes everyone to a reception and light lunch in celebration of her life on Saturday, June 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the NewBrook Firehouse on Route 30 in Newfane.