College news
• Skyler Boyd of Whitingham, a Castleton University student, was recently awarded the SGA Outstanding First-Year Award for the 2017-2018 academic year.
• Genevieve M. Darling of South Newfane , a senior majoring in psychology, was named the recipient of the Jonathan Marder Prize at Hamilton College's annual Class & Charter Day, held on May 7. The Marder Prize is awarded to a senior who excels in the study of psychology.
• Anna Mary Gaskill, a nursing major and member of the Class of 2018 from Brattleboro, was named to the Dean's List for spring 2018 at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.
• Emily Misnick of Newfane, a student at the University of California at Davis, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society.
• Ian B. Hutcheson of Brattleboro recently received his Masters of Public Affairs and Administration degree, with honors, from the University of Kansas at Lawrence. Hutcheson was also inducted into Pi Alpha Alpha honor society.
• Madison Cota of Bellows Falls was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester at Lasell College in Newton, Mass.
• Nicole Winot, a senior cinema production major from Brookline, was named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
• Celia Feal-Staub, an art and visual culture/anthropology major from Putney, was named to the Dean's List at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, for the winter semester ending in April 2018.
Transitions
• Stevens & Associates, P.C., of Brattleboro recently hired Arelis Quinones, architectural designer, and Taylor Shulda, landscape architect designer. Quinones earned a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Puerto Rico and later went to Keene State College, where she obtained a B.S. in architecture. During her time at Keene State, the Thorne Sagendorph Art Gallery displayed one of her collaborative artwork pieces. She brings to the S&A architectural team a multicultural perspective formed by her love for art, culture and architecture, as well as her knowledge of sustainable design and architectural history. Shulda earned a B.S. in landscape architecture and regional planning from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His studies included freshwater ecology, landscape patterns and process, site engineering, and construction technology. During his design studies at UMass, he explored large-scale design work utilizing new urbanism and sustainable design practices. He is currently working toward his licensure.
Obituaries
• Mabel Emily “Mabe” Blodgett, 78, formerly of Pierce Road in Hinsdale, N.H., Died May 15, 2018 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H., following a lengthy illness. She was born in Westmoreland on May 3, 1940, the daughter of Richard and Myrtle (Farr) Howell. She was raised and educated in West Chesterfield and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1959. She had been employed for many years as an assembler working at the former Bridgeport Metal Goods in Hinsdale. She was also a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. She enjoyed nature and the outdoors, and loved working in her flower garden and taking nature walks on her property. She also loved canning, crocheting, and time spent with her family that included her children, grandson, and her three sisters. In her earlier years, she attended the Universalist Church in West Chesterfield, N.H., where she was baptized. In 1966, she married Jerome Blodgett, who predeceased her in 1999. Survivors include one son, Scott Blodgett and his wife, Hope, of Hinsdale; two daughters, Bonnie Blodgett of Swanzey, N.H., and Becky Blodgett of Hinsdale; three sisters, Beverly Cleveland and Beulah Reardon, both of Brattleboro, and Joanne Abel of Springfield, Mass. and her grandson, Ethan Dix. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. She was predeceased by one sister and three brothers and most recently a nephew. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held May 22 in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, where she was interred beside her husband. Donations to Maplewood Nursing Home Activities Fund, 201 River Road, Westmoreland, NH 03467. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Mary Jane (Bernier) Chester, 75, of Kennett Square, Pa., formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died April 17, 2018. She graduated from Hinsdale High School and majored in English literature at the University of Hartford. She was an avid book reader throughout her life and also enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, especially the Sunday New York Times puzzle. She had two careers of 20 years each. Harness racing was her first career. She started as a parade marshal at Hinsdale Raceway and ended up being a program director at Foxboro Park in Massachusetts, and at Pompano Race Track in Florida. Later, she became a real estate agent in five different states where her husband's business required relocation. She loved animals - particularly horses, dogs, and cats. In her later years, she kept an inside house cat that followed her everywhere and adopted an outside stray that faithfully came to the porch only at dinner time. She also enjoyed watching sports on TV, especially the Kentucky Derby, tennis, and football. She was an ardent fan of Raphael Nadal and Tom Brady. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a keen mind, and a strong independent spirit. She was a gracious hostess and loved being around people. She expected and usually found the best in them, and will be sorely missed by those who knew her. She was predeceased by her parents, Marguerite and Harold N. Bernier, and her sister, Barbara. She is survived by her loving husband of 33 years, Michael Chester of Kennett Square, her sisters Beverly and Carol, her brother Robert N. Bernier and sister-in-law Delmas of Tipp City, Ohio, brother-in-law William J. MacKnight of Amherst, Mass., and several nieces and nephews. To view her obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.
• Josephine R. “Josie” Crosby, 87, of Brattleboro. Died May 11, 2018 at Pine Heights, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro on August 25, 1930, the daughter of Oscar and Louise Rupprecht, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1948. She had been employed for Café Services at the Academy School for many years, and previously worked at the former Giant Store, where she held the position of department manager. She also had been employed at the Holstein-Friesian Association and in her younger years worked at the Latchis Theatre and Berkshire Fine Spinning. A devout Catholic, she was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, served as a Eucharistic Minister, and was a member of the Daughters of Isabella, Ave Maria Council #128. She loved being with her family. She enjoyed being active with several community organizations in Brattleboro and loved playing Bingo. In 1948, she married Bernard P. Crosby. Her loving and faithful husband of 63 years predeceased her in 2012. Survivors include two sons, Michael Crosby of Dalton, N.H., and Steven Crosby of Westford; three daughters, Priscilla Galaske of Brattleboro, Jean Weidman of Middlebury, and Mary Ann Lagerberg of Chesterfield, N.H. Additionally, she leaves eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Oscar; and two sisters, Leona and Louise. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 18 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial at Dummerston Center Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen, 48 Walnut Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joan Atkins Hamilton, 86, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died peacefully on May 5 at the home she built. She was born on July 24, 1931 in Old Hickory, Tenn., to the late Edward H. and Annarine Atkins Hamilton, who were educators. Her father was also a director of Smoky Mountain Music Camp in Gatlinburg, which she attended as a youth when her family spent summers in the Smoky Mountains. She and her mother were involved in the Girl Scouts where Joan excelled in marksmanship. A 1949 graduate of Knoxville High School, Joan attended Southern Illinois University and received a bachelor's degree in history and sociology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She later attended the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. In 1954, she married Alexander Foldeak, with whom she had five children; they later divorced. The family lived in Branford, Conn., before moving to Keene, N.H., in the early 1960s. A champion of the rights of women and children, the environment, and education, she worked tirelessly for these causes throughout her adult life. Early in her career, she was the Director of Religious Studies at the Unitarian Church in Keene, a counselor at Unitarian summer camps, and a founder of both the Keene Learning Community, also known as the Free School, and the Keene Center for Human Concern, an anti-poverty and anti-war organization. As president of the Keene League of Women Voters in 1969, she helped establish New Hampshire's first foster home for adolescents and, in 1971, ran for mayor of the city of Keene on the Environmental ticket “because we need to look for new, creative solutions to the problems of growth, ecology, regional planning, and peace,” adding that, “women have too long ridden in the back seat of the political car. It is time we shared the wheel.” Although she did not win that race, she was undeterred in her efforts to help those in need, protect the environment, and further the causes of women's rights. Joan worked as a case worker for the state of Vermont, a family therapist and social worker at the Brattleboro Retreat, and for a decade as a social worker for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. An ardent feminist, Joan was a founding member of the Women's Crisis Center (now known as the Women's Freedom Center) in Brattleboro in 1976 and served on its board for 10 years. She also ran consciousness-raising and Jungian art therapy groups, and advocated for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Joan joined the AIDS Project of Southern Vermont in 1992 as a client advocate, and retired in 1996. She was a board member for the Brattleboro Women's Chorus, Welcome Hill Studios, and the Senior Center in Brattleboro where she played bridge weekly up until the week before her death. A consummate gardener, she and her mother travelled to Europe in 1984 on a gardening tour; in true Joan fashion, and the highlight of the trip for both of them, they skipped out on the tour one day and hired a boat to take them sightseeing in Lucerne, Switzerland. Joan loved her canoe trips in the Adirondacks with her friend, the late Ann Stokes, and other women, swimming in Spofford Lake, cross-country skiing on her property, spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading, drinking hot coffee, smoking Pall Malls, and eating ice cream. She was predeceased by her infant son Bobbie; her sisters Sylvia and Shirley, and her brother Edward. She is survived by her twin daughters Sandra Chase and Susan Robbins (Chris), her sons Max (Dianna Noyes) and Christopher Foldeak, and by four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 21, at 4 p.m., at the Whalen-Proctor home in Westminster West, GPS address 238 Dorsch Hill Rd., Putney. For more information and to RSVP, please email max@marlboro.edu. Donations to the Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Katherine Elizabeth Mann-Garvie, 68, formerly of Brattleboro. Died in Punta Gorda, Fla., on Feb. 3, 2018. Born in Brattleboro on Sept. 23, 1949, the daughter of Ivan and Freda Mann, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1967. She worked for various local doctors, C & S Wholesale Grocers, and Vermont National Bank. She later relocated to North Carolina, where she worked for various doctors and the Biltmore Estate. She enjoyed reading, decorating for holidays, going to the beach, and spending time with family. She had a great sense of humor and loved vacations to the beaches of Maine and Florida. She loved her dogs, taking hikes around the Biltmore Estate grounds. She took great pride being a volunteer EMT for Rescue Inc. She is survived by her mother, her children Jennifer Fore (Mann), Nason Miner, and Lauren Garvie. She was predeceased by her father, Ivan Mann and her sister, Cynthia Mann. Memorial information: Graveside services will be held at Morningside Cemetery on June 23 at 11 a.m. All are welcome to attend.
• Nancy L. Miller, 75, of Brattleboro. Died May 13, 2018 at her home, after a brief illness. She was born Nov. 18, 1942, a daughter of Joseph G. Eidson and Anna M. Yerger, in Manheim Township, Lancaster, Pa. She was predeceased by her husband, Francis Miller, her parents, and a brother, Joseph Eidson Jr. She leaves a sister, Ann Radelin, and her husband and family. Nancy cherished her step-children, Dean Miller and fiancée, Gail Houle of West Brattleboro and Audrey Miller and husband Thomas Taylor, and their children, Julia and Liam Taylor of South Yarmouth, Mass. Nancy devoted many years to teaching elementary school in the Brattleboro area and was devoted to young people. Following her retirement, she spent many years helping to operate the Cortland Hill Orchard on Miller Road in West Brattleboro. Over the years, she made many friends and hosted children from the local schools who enjoyed touring the apple storage and picking from the orchard. She was an active member of the Guilford Community Church volunteering many hours and will be dearly missed for her special culinary skills and creative crafting. She also was a volunteer in countless local organizations, tirelessly offering her time, love and talents. In addition, she donated freely from her bountiful and beautiful fruit orchards. She enjoyed traveling within this country, as well as to foreign soils, including Ireland, Kenya, Brazil, Portugal, and England. She was an avid reader and book club member and freely shared her opinion on local and world events. Memorial information: Services were held May 19 at Guilford Community Church. Donations to the Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Rd., Guilford, VT 05301, or the Visiting Nurse and Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 1339, White River Junction, VT 05001. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• James W. “Jim” Peck Jr., 61, of Brooksville, Fla. Died May 2, 2018 in St Petersburg, Fla. Born in Biloxi, Miss., on Nov. 27, 1956, he spent the majority of his childhood in Connecticut, where he joined a bowling league and met his wife of 34 years. They moved to Vermont in 1986 where they raised their family. He had a variety of hobbies, including golf, woodworking, umpiring, pool, and hunting and fishing. However, his family would agree that his favorite pastime was playing the drums for a local band, Longshot. Jim and his wife moved to Florida in 2008 where they retired. He died in hospice care, surrounded by his loved ones while listening to the music of his beloved band. He was predeceased by his parents, Jerry and Lilian Natale, and a niece, Gerri Durso. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline Peck; his children Sarah Peck, Michelle Goulet, and Christopher Peck; brothers Allan and David Peck; his sister Rhonda Barnett, and six grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 26, at 1 p.m., at the Townshend Town Hall.
• Kert N. Reynolds, 69, of Roanoke, Va., formally of Hinsdale, N.H. Died May 17, 2018 after a brief illness. He was born in Whitingham on July 3, 1948 and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1966. After graduation, he enlisted in the Air Force and, while serving in Vietnam, obtained the rank of sergeant. After his honorable discharge, he was employed by Cersosimo Lumber Co., retiring in 2013 after 30 years. He was a lifetime member of Carl M. Dessaint VFW Post 1034. He was a past member of American Legion Post 5. He enjoyed woodworking, playing and swimming with his grandchildren, and was a lifelong Miami Dolphins fan. He was preceded in death by his parents Sammie and Lois Reynolds of Brattleboro. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Betty Ann Reynolds, of Roanoke. He is also survived by three daughters and their spouses Rebecca and David Lewis of Salem, Va., Morgan Reynolds and Matthew Williams of Roanoke, and Katelyn and Matthew LeBlanc of Houma, La.; five siblings, Paula and Russ West of Salem, Va., Bill and Lori Reynolds of Dummerston., Sammie (Twig) and Wanda Reynolds of Brushton, N.Y., Chris Reynolds of Hinsdale, N.H., and Dodie and PG Carrier of Readsboro; seven grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. Memorial information: Per his request, there are no planned services. Donations to Carl M. Dessaint VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Matthew W. Speno, 88, of Brattleboro. Died May 15, 2018 with his family by his side. A lifelong resident, he was born in Brattleboro on Sept. 9, 1929 to William and Emily (Barishiano) Speno. He graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1947. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Fannie (Greene) Speno and his two sons Mark (Mary) of Brattleboro and Luke (Patricia) of Newport News, Va. He is also survived by his grandsons, Mark Vito (Brandy), Christopher (Rachael) and Andrew (Amy) of Brattleboro, granddaughters Emily Speno of Virginia Beach, Va. and Jane Speno of Newport News, Va. He also leaves behind 5 great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He is survived by his sister Marie Corbeil of Brattleboro. He was predeceased by sister Nita Lowrey and brother Francis “Buddy” Speno. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed in Germany from 1950 to 1953. He worked in the auto industry for most of his working career. In 1955, he began his career as a car salesman for R.S. Roberts in Brattleboro, eventually becoming part-owner in 1988. In 1995, he started working for the Auto Mall of Brattleboro until his retirement in April 2017. He served on the Brattleboro Selectboard from 1996 to 2001. His greatest pride and joy was spending time with family and friends. Dearest to his heart were his Sunday family gatherings. He was a proud member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, the VFW, American Legion and was a life member of the Elks Club. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 19 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial at Meetinghouse Cemetery will take place at a later date. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• David Alan Thane, 70, of Heath, Mass. Died May 11, 2018 at his home following a brief illness. He was born in Concord, Mass., on Aug. 16, 1947, the son of Ernest and Alli (Syvanen) Thane. He was a 1966 graduate of Whitingham High School and a 1970 graduate of North Adams (Mass.) State College. He was employed by North Adams Hospital for 17 years before employment with Yankee Atomic in Rowe, Mass. When the plant was decommissioned, he was employed by Bartlett Nuclear where he retired in 2006. He was active in the Heath community, serving on the conservation commission for 25 years and active on the Heath Fair committee. At the age of 14, he joined the Heath Fire Department and later became an EMT. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed both nature and animals. He is survived by his mother, of Heath; his wife of 48 years, the former Phyllis Giard; sons Kenneth (Paula) Thane of Halifax, James of Heath, Joseph of Rowe; daughters Victoria Srossin of Holden, Mass., and Alexandria (Donald) Wilson of Heath; brother Steven (Nancy) Thane of Heath; sister Beverly (Jack) Cable of Townshend; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, William Thane. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 17 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shelburne Falls, Mass. Burial was private. Donations to Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St., Greenfield, MA 01301.
Services
• A graveside service for Roy Putnam of Brattleboro, who died on Sept. 9, 2017, will be held on Saturday, May 26, at 1 p.m., at the West Brattleboro Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Ker-Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Graveside committal services for William M. Aiken will be conducted Saturday, May 26, at 11 a.m., in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Full military honors for the World War II U.S. Army veteran will be accorded at graveside. Mr. Aiken, 92, a lifelong resident of Putney died Dec. 26, 2017. To view his obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• A funeral service for Douglas D. Bailey Sr., of Wardsboro, who died Feb. 14, 2018, will be held on Saturday, May 26, at 11 a.m., in the South Newfane Baptist Church, 380 Dover Rd. Burial with military honors will follow in the South Newfane Cemetery. Family and friends are welcome to attend the services.
• Graveside services for Earl Edward Cavanagh will be conducted Friday, May 25, at 9 a.m., in Williamsville Cemetery. Mr. Cavanagh died at his home on March 12, 2018 at the age of 77. To view his obituary, visit www.atamaniuk.com.