Transitions
• Oona Madden recently joined Berkley & Veller Greenwood Country Realtors in Brattleboro. Madden, a restaurant industry veteran, has lived in Vermont since 1989, and became a licensed Realtor in 2006.
Obituaries
• Reginald F. “Reggie” Amidon, Sr., 79, of Brattleboro. Died March 12 at his home, following a brief illness. Born in Brattleboro on Feb. 4, 1940, the son of Edwin and Myrtle (Akley) Amidon, he was a lifelong resident of town and attended public schools. In 1958, he married the love of his life, Judith A. Palmer. He worked at the former Book Press as a bindery foreman for 41 years until the closing of the company in 2000. He worked at Cersosimo Lumber Company in Vernon until his retirement in 2002. Earlier, he worked at the Lincoln Hanes Lumber Company in Searsburg. With his wife, he was a member and attended the West Brattleboro Baptist Church. A member of the American Hunters' Association and the NRA, he shared his avid love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren and even the great-grandchildren. He was good-natured and loved to sing; he loved music, especially old-time country and western genres and was often heard humming or whistling. A very loving man with a big heart that touched many. Besides his wife of 60 years, he leaves three daughters, Regina M. Amidon of Bellows Falls and Deborah L. Phelps and Wanda J. Chapman, both of Brattleboro; one son, Reginald F. Amidon Jr. of Brattleboro; two sisters, Roberta Jenna of Guilford and Carolyn Call of Brattleboro; and 14 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by an infant daughter; two brothers, Edwin (Jim) and Francis (Bob) Amidon; five sisters, Florence Scribner, Leona Wilkinson, Viola Graves, Ernestine Amidon, and Freida Wade; and an infant great-granddaughter. Memorial information : A memorial gathering was held March 15 at the Millstream Community Center in Hinsdale, N.H. Burial will take place in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online register book or send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Nicholas Herman Collins, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 14. He was born March 2, 1932 to Mary and Earl Collins of Brattleboro. He lost his daughter Wendy in 1977 and wife Elaine in 2001. He graduated an engineer from Norwich University ROTC in 1955; he liked to say he peeled 32 tons of potatoes to cover the cost. A Vermont National Guardsman in college, he entered the Army as an Armor officer, then crossed to Transportation and retired a lieutenant colonel. Over 29 years, he served in South Korea, Vietnam, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as in a half-dozen assignments across the U.S. He also earned his MBA from George Washington University. He then joined the Army Corps of Engineers' Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab (CRREL) in Hanover, N.H., where he worked for 17 years as a physical scientist, where he helped develop a snowplow kit for HMMWVs and deployed to Southwest Asia and Europe. He retired from CRREL in 2002, then volunteered for 10 years. Earning the rank of Star Scout before his scoutmaster went to war, he returned in 1974 as an assistant scoutmaster. In the 1980s, he served Hanover Troop 45 as its scoutmaster and committee chairman for several decade and served at seven National Jamborees. He was a Wood Badge (WB) instructor, and trained thousands of Scouters during 57 WB courses in England. He received the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope awards. Nick also dedicated 73 years to the National Ski Patrol, the longest continuously-serving patroller in the nation. At his 65-year awards celebration, he was presented the Eastern Division Distinguished Service Award and Patriot Star. He learned to ski at Brattleboro's Guilford Street Ski Tow in 1938, shoveling snow after closing to earn a 35-cent ticket. In 1997, he helped resurrect that same ski hill at Living Memorial Park, overhauling the lift and instituting grooming and snowmaking. He operated the hill entirely with volunteers because he loved the park and the thousands of children it served over the years. “A very gentle, kind, no-nonsense soul and volunteer, Nick got things done, and done well. He did not let things slide, did not make mountains out of molehills, usually found the good in anybody, and made time for the lad who seemed a bit 'left out' or lost,” his family writes. Nick Collins is survived by his sister, Ellen Brouillette, of Chesham, N.H.; his son Wesley (Susan); granddaughters Alexandra (Andrew) Collins Gambarani; and Caitlin (Joshua) Chastain and their daughter, Imogen Wendy. He is also survived by countless veterans, ski patrollers, Lions Club brothers and sisters, Scouters, and fellow Buffalo whom he called “friend.” Memorial information: A short memorial service and barbecue social to talk about “all things Nick” will be held Saturday, June 8, at 1 p.m., at the Collins Family Cemetery on Collins Road in Marlboro. Donations to Living Memorial Park Snow Sports, P.O. Box 1945, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• David J. Corey, 85, of Brattleboro. Died March 11 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 28, 1933, the son of Rose M. (Olifiers) and George J. Corey. He graduated as valedictorian from Iona Preparatory School in New Rochelle, N.Y., and from Middlebury College in 1955, where he was a member of the Blue Key Honor Society. He served in the Army as a first lieutenant and at WHWB in Rutland as a radio announcer. In 1958, he started working for the Experiment in International Living as administrator of the Community Ambassador Program. From 1960 to 1962, he was assistant director of admissions for men at Middlebury College. He then returned to the Experiment where, until 1998, he worked variously as chair of the Admissions Committee, member of the training staff for three Peace Corps groups, assistant to the president for development, director of development, and secretary of the corporation and constituency relations, and worked to establish a strong town-gown relationship. In 1997, he was awarded the Experiment Citation, the institution's highest award. He served on several boards for the town and in various roles for local organizations like Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation, Brooks Memorial Library, Rescue Inc., Northern New England Alumni Association, Middlebury College, St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of Windham County. From 1981 to 1987, he served as a trustee of the Vermont State Colleges, appointed by then-Gov. Richard Snelling. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Margaret Sinclair Crotty. He is survived by his wife, Joanne; his daughters Mary Bourne (Shawn), Anne Atkins (Michael), Sharon Sleicher (Richard), and Peggy Clapp (Bill); his stepchildren Peter Gallagher (Julie), Roger Gallagher (Martha), Chris Gallagher (Patti) and Lynn Gallagher; and 12 grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial Mass will be held Saturday, March 30 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro at 11 a.m. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Lorraine M. Cotter, 62, of Brattleboro. Died March 6 at the Jack Byrne Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born on Dec. 28, 1956, the daughter of Francis and Simone Cotter, she grew up in Groveton, N.H. “She was a warm, wonderful, and caring person who loved the outdoors. She enjoyed hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, and camping, and cherished her visits to the ocean. She had a natural loving quality with children and a strong dedication and love for her family that brought her a lot of joy,” her family writes. She is survived by her partner, Wendy Toney; two daughters, Jennifer Shepard and Colleen Guidoboni (Tom); two stepdaughters, Deanna Podlenski (John), and Jaclyn Penson (Raymond); siblings Paul Cotter, Raymond Cotter, Louise Boothby, Norman Cotter, Robert Cotter, Muriel Hall, Mona Cotter, Maurice Cotter, Pauline Hedberg, Susie Riley, Lynn Collins, and Dan Cotter; four grandchildren and a multitude of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Leo Cotter. Memorial information: Donations to Dartmouth-Hitchcock's Norris Cotton Cancer Center or to the Jack Byrne Center, D-H/Geisel Office of Development, 1 Medical Center Drive, HB7070, Lebanon, NH 03756-0001.
• Dorothy Ella “Dottie” Hilton, 70, of Townshend. Died March 12 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, following an extended illness. Dottie was born in Dummerston in the late Dr. Carlos Otis's station wagon en route to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital on Nov. 1, 1948, the daughter of Frederick and Noma (Perry) Sanderson. She was raised and educated in Newfane and was a 1967 graduate of Leland & Gray Seminary. She had worked as assistant activities director at the former Stratton House and Hines Home in Townshend, from which she retired in 2006. She also worked at the Holiday Inn. She served as a Cub Scout den mother for Pack 447 in West Brattleboro and, for several years, was a commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America, Fort Dummer District. A woman of faith, she was a member of First Congregational Church in Newfane and later First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Dottie was an avid reader, especially Archer Mayor's “Joe Gunther” series, enjoyed watching soap operas, and liked vacationing in Maine. She also was fond of small animals, especially cats. In 1969, she married Barry B. Hilton. The couple recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and many friends. She leaves her five children: Christopher Hilton (Dawn) of Bellows Falls, Heidi Bowers (Bill), of Essex Junction, Kim Peters (Brian), of Townshend, Holly Hilton of Moretown, and Karen Hilton of Brandon; siblings Rebecca McKenny of Brattleboro, Curtis Sanderson of Bridgewater, Robert Sanderson of Jamaica, and Ronald Sanderson of Townshend; and four grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Another sister, Elizabeth Putnam, died earlier. Memorial information: A gathering will celebrate her life at the NewBrook Fire Station, Route 30, Newfane on Saturday, March 23, from noon until 2 p.m. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Thomas H. “Tom” Lewis, M.D., 63, of Brattleboro, formerly of Conway, Mass. Died unexpectedly while on vacation with friends in Montana on March 9. He was born the sixth child of Marie (O'Sullivan) Lewis and Hugh Elvet Lewis in Bronx, N.Y., on May 16, 1955. Tom grew up in the Bronx, spending his later summers at his family's cottage in New Fairfield, Conn., lifeguarding at Ball Pond. He graduated from Manhattan College in 1977 and from University of Vermont's College of Medicine, earning his M.D. degree in 1981. He lived in Norwich and completed his residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, where he met his future wife of 29 years, Marcia, and completed a fellowship in colon and rectal surgery in Santa Barbara, Calif. He worked in private practice for 25 years in Northampton, Mass., and, most recently, practiced as a general surgeon at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. “Beyond medicine, Tom was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, spending much of his free time exploring the mountains and valleys of Vermont and Western Massachusetts by foot, bike, and ski. While living in Conway, he dove headfirst into country living, deciding to raise a pair of oxen, whom he chose to name after his two brothers. He taught all his kids how to yoke and maneuver the oxen, entering them in many fairs in the area. At home, he used the team to collect sap for a small maple sugaring operation. An avid reader and lifelong learner, he especially enjoyed reading about American history and began exploring an interest in Shakespeare. He also wrote poetry and attended plays and performances in the region. In addition to his former wife, he leaves his children Brian, Connor, and Ellie Lewis; his siblings Maureen Dangelo, Jean Shen, Bob Lewis, and Ken Lewis, their spouses, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Virginia Chandler. “His family will most miss the humor and compassion he brought to their lives and to those around him,” his family writes. Memorial information: Services will be held at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center, 289 Main St.,Greenfield, Mass. on Saturday, March 30, at 11:30 a.m. All are welcome to attend and share stories about Tom. Donations to the Rochester Area Sports Trail Alliance at rastavt.org.
• Kuhrt J. Luczynski Sr., 43, of Wilmington. Died unexpectedly at his home on March 8. He was born in North Adams, Mass., on July 1, 1975. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Lazelle) Luczynski, whom he married on Feb. 19, 2016; his stepdaughter, Rosalynne (Robert); his son, Kuhrt J. Luczynski Jr; his siblings Nathan Luczynski (Sarah) of Redondo Beach, Calif., and Brianne Cary (Tim) of Watertown, Conn.; stepfather Paul Luczynski of New Hampshire; his mother, Jennifer Bullett Ramsey of Florida, and two grandchildren, as well as many cousins and close friends. He was a tree-care expert in Florida for many years before moving to Vermont. “He loved to be outdoors in the sun, visiting friends, his animals, loud music and, most importantly, he loved being a father and husband,” his family writes. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on March 15 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society or the American Cancer Society, c/o Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family condolences, visit sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Wayne D. Lyford, 74, of Brattleboro. Died March 8, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Brockton, Mass., he lived most of his adult life in Brattleboro, and worked at Brattleboro Union High School and Brattleboro Area Middle School for 30 years. “An avid gardener, practical joker, and coin collector, Wayne was beloved by those that knew him. He enjoyed having cocktails and telling funny stories; his sense of humor and laugh will be greatly missed,” his family writes. He is survived by his wife, Mary R. Lyford of Fort Pierce, Fla.; his children, Scott Lyford of Vernon and Stephanie Hall of Keene, N.H.; and four stepchildren and 13 grandchildren. Memorial information: A private memorial service will take place in the summer. Donations to David's House, 461 Mt. Support Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766.
• Loris Ann May Mundell, 90, of West Brattleboro. Died on Feb. 11 at her home in West Brattleboro, with her husband of 69 years, Robert “Bob” Mundell, by her side. Loris was born July 9, 1928 in East Douglas, Mass., to Lila M. Coleman Benezet and Earl Benezet. In 1933 she moved with her family to East Dover, where she resided until 1942; then moved with her family to Plainfield, Mass. She attended high schools in Ashfield, Mass. and Wilmington, where she attended high school after the family's return. She held various waitress jobs and cooked at the Margolin and Spalding factories in Brattleboro. In 1950, the couple, friends since childhood, married. Loris remained a homemaker until their five children reached school age. She worked at various ski lodges in West Dover and, in the years following, at Grace Cottage Hospital in the laundry and housekeeping department. She and Bob enjoyed gardening and crafting. “She also loved traveling and spending time with her family and friends. A favorite pastime was shopping anytime, anywhere,” her family writes. In their retirement, from 1972 to 2007, Loris and Bob wintered in Florida. The couple enjoyed several ventures: owning an antique shop, a hot dog truck, flea marketing and crafting. In 2007, Loris and Bob moved to Hayes Court in West Brattleboro. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a daughter, Donna Russell of West Brattleboro; a son, Robert Mundell (Sandra) of East Dover; four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She leaves a brother, Donald in Kansas and sisters June Mundell and Joyce Wright. She was preceded in death by daughter Kathryn (Stuart “Bud”) Fletcher and twin children, a daughter, Terry, and son, Gary. Memorial information: No services at this time. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Cynthia “Ms. Cynda” Payne-Meyer, 60, of Putney. Died on March 14. Cynthia was born on April 20, 1958 to parents Thelma and Rick Payne. She grew up in Bainbridge, Ohio and attended Miami University of Ohio, where she earned a self-designed B.A. in folklore. Moving to Vermont in 1981, Cynthia pursued a career in storytelling. She later earned an M.A. in gifted and talented education from the University of Connecticut, and went on to become a beloved teacher at the Westminster Central School. She married the love of her life, Rod Payne-Meyer, in 1987 and raised three boys with him. She is survived by her husband, Rod, of Putney, her sons Oakley and Rowan, both of Putney, and Shad of Bend, Oregon. She also leaves five siblings in Ohio - Jan Terradotter, Victoria Bradford, Gary Payne, Kevin Payne, Dean Payne - and many beloved nieces and nephews. Cynthia will be missed by all who knew her, particularly in Putney. “As she moves on to her next great adventure, Cynthia leaves behind an amazing legacy of inspiration, positivity, and creativity. She touched many lives as a storyteller, teacher, and friend, ” her family writes. “All will lovingly remember her joy of life, especially while cycling with her contagious smile, the wind in her face, surrounded by her family of friends. Cynthia was optimistic beyond what anyone would expect, especially in her last years. She saw all challenges as opportunities; truly an exceptional human being, an indomitable spirit, forever the teacher her pupils called “Ms. Cynda.” Memorial information: Sunday, March 24, at 3 p.m., at the West Village Meeting House, 29 South St., West Brattleboro. All who knew and loved her are welcome to attend. Donations to Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VT 05346.
• Sandra M. Pinkham, M.D., 77. Died March 7 at Kobacker House in Columbus, Ohio. She was born on Jan. 14, 1942 to F. Rolf and Lillie (Westberg) Morral. She was preceded in death by her parents and her son David A. Stewart. She was an exceptional expert on cadmium. She especially enjoyed collaborating on cadmium research with Dr. Richard K. Miller and colleagues at the School of Medicine and Dentistry in Rochester N.Y. “She really appreciated the support of friends like Evie Pappas and Connie Bird, who helped her continue seeing patients,” her family writes. “The last joys she had to give up were helping her patients and being able to read with her granddaughter.” She is survived by her husband, Galen T. Pinkham of Grafton; her brothers, Frank R. (Linda) Morral of La Jolla, Calif., and John E. (Dorothy) Morral of Columbus; sisters Ann I. (John) Sandor of Richmond, Calif., Harriet E. (James) Perkins, III of Columbus; her daughter Julia A. Pinkham; and her son, Richard E. Pinkham (Renata Pelicicio) of New York City. She also leaves grandchildren, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews uncles and aunts in the U.S. and in England, Spain, and Sweden. Memorial information: First Community Church in Grandview, Ohio, on March 30. In lieu of flowers, “consider listening more deeply to those who are still alive. Always try to remember her by paying it forward, and take two minutes of quiet and see if you can remember a story you could share about Dr. Sandy.” Send condolences to the family at davismemorialchapel.net.
• Theresa “Terry” Canillas Sprague died on March 12 in Burlington, following a period of declining health. A proud first-generation American, she was born in Lebanon N.H., the daughter of Frank and Helen Canillas. She grew up in Lebanon and spent the majority of her life in Vermont and New Hampshire. She attended the University of New Hampshire and received a degree from Norwich University through their adult education program. She raised and showed Alaskan Malamutes, including a champion. She showed her dogs in the famous Westminster Kennel Club dog show on numerous occasions. She worked in the Vermont Academy college counseling office for a number of years and also served as a house parent there. Terry was proudest of her long career as a journalist with the Brattleboro Reformer, where she received many awards both for journalism and for photography. She began as a local correspondent and rose to assistant managing editor. Her work spanned from local coverage of town and school meetings to an interview with the late President George H.W. Bush. An avid follower and recorder of Vermont politics, she interviewed U.S. Sens. Bernie Sanders and Patrick Leahy many times in their early careers. “She held the respect of both her peers and readers throughout Vermont. In her later years, she faced significant health issues, and faced these with grace and acceptance,” her family writes. She is survived by a sister, Connie (Richard) Patch of Lebanon; sister-in-law Janet Canillas of Lebanon; three children, Laura (Robert) Herrin of Flagstaff, Ariz., Molly (James) Kurent of Burlington, and John Sprague of Redondo Beach, Calif. She is also survived by four grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Bertrand Sprague of Brattleboro, and brother, Frank Canillas, of Lebanon, N.H. Memorial information: No public ceremonies. Donations in her memory may be made to the charity of choice.
• Clyde C. Twitchell Sr., 99, of Whitingham, an 11th-generation descendant of John and Priscilla Alden of the Mayflower. Died March 12 at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. Clyde was born in Braintree, Mass., on Feb. 23, 1920. Son of the late Lawson and Mildred Dyer Twitchell, he attended local schools. He worked as a tool and die maker in Boston. Upon moving to Vermont, he became a farmer. He was a member of the Free & Accepted Masons Unity Lodge in Jacksonville. He also was a member of the Shriners and was a Lister in Whitingham for more than 20 years. Clyde enjoyed collecting rocks, traveling, sugaring, woodworking and listening to Celtic music. He is survived by his children: David (Pamela) Twitchell, Allan Twitchell, and Clyde Twitchell Jr. all of Whitingham, and Carol (Earle) Bestick, of Massachusetts; a sister, Eleanor Bestick of Braintree, Mass.; seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Prescott Twitchell, who died in 2002; son Brian Kenneth Twitchell, who died in infancy; and his sister, Shirley Beckenhues. Memorial information: A service was held March 17 at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. Interment will take place later in the spring. Donations to the Shriner's Childrens Hospital, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Shauna Jeanne Wall, 41, of Putney. Died Feb. 27 in her home, surrounded by her children and loved ones. She was born in Concord, Mass., on July 1, 1977, the daughter of Mary Neville-Wall and Stephen Wall. As a youth, Shauna lived in Salem, Mass. and eventually moved to the Warwick/Northfield area, where she graduated from Pioneer Valley Regional High School. She excelled in both track and cross-country. A 19-year resident of Putney who made her career at New Chapter in Brattleboro, Shauna was a mystic, a nature and plant lover, and was “known to spend long, contemplative hours at her favorite river,” her family writes. “She loved music, could dance the night away, make anyone laugh, and sometimes was known to cause a bit of trouble. Shauna was a traveler at heart. She loved to explore new places, new ideas and always said yes to an adventure,” her family writes. “She was always the fiercest protector of her friends and family, her community was so important to her. However, her world was driven by love for her children, of which she was so proud.” In addition to her parents, she leaves her children, Kira Jeanne Boucher and Elijah Sky Boucher, and two brothers. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial information: A celebration of Shauna's life was held March 16 at the Putney School. Donations at United Plant Savers, unitedplantsavers.org.