College news
• Emma Li of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2018 semester at Simmons University in Boston.
Obituaries
• Dorothy Roselene (Bates) Crawford, 98, of Brattleboro. Died March 28, 2019 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, after a residency at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She was born in Brookline on July 9, 1920, the daughter of Tracy and Hazel (Potwine) Bates, and was raised and educated in Brattleboro. She was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1938, and went on to attend the former Brattleboro Business Institute. In 1937, she married Francis H. Crawford, who predeceased her in 1993. She was employed by the Holstein-Friesian Association in Brattleboro in the public relations department, which she retired from in 1983 following 23 faithful years with the association. Previously, she worked in the law offices of Irwin Kendall and, before that, for Ralph Gates Insurance. Mrs. Crawford enjoyed playing golf and was a former member of the Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford. She also enjoyed music, dancing, sewing, crocheting, reading, and time shared with her family. A woman of faith, she attended First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro for many years. Survivors include: two sons, Dana M. Crawford (Cynthia) of East Dummerston and Jay F. Crawford of Morrisville; two grandsons, five great-grandchildren, two step-granddaughters, and three step-great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Private graveside committal services in Riverside Cemetery in Brookline will be held later in the spring when the cemetery reopens. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Madeline M. Gray, 84, of South Newfane. Died March 29, 2019 at the Jack Byrne Hospice Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a period of declining health. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Dec. 12, 1934, the daughter of Wendell and Theresa (Heim) Stone, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1952. She spent her career in the clothing business as a buyer and manager, starting her employment with the former Gladdings Clothing Store in Providence, R.I., where she received her initial training. She later worked in Connecticut for G. Fox in Hartford and retired as a buyer/manager with Davis & Leventhal in New Britain. A proud American and true patriot, she enjoyed flying the American flag in her yard, where she enjoyed working in her flower and vegetable garden surrounded by nature and the small animals which she was fond of. Madeline was an excellent cook and was well-known for her delicious apple pies. In 1964, she married David A. Gray, who survives. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 55 years, she leaves her loving daughter, Diane Velez and her husband Francis of Stafford Springs, Conn.; stepson Shawn Gray of Key Largo, Fla, stepdaughters Susan Schleidt of Portland, Conn., and Kelsey Gray of Portland, Maine; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, three nieces and five nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Elvira Athey. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted in Williamsville Cemetery later in the spring, when the cemetery reopens at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to NewBrook Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Carter Van Iderstine, 62, of Newfane. Died March 27, 2019, following an illness. He was born in Brattleboro on May 2, 1956, to Mary (Anderson) Van Iderstine and Peter Havens Van Iderstine. When Carter was seven, the family moved from Brattleboro to the former Baxter farm in Newfane. There, he and his friends and siblings spent many hours running through the fields and playing “cops and robbers” in the barns. He graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1975, and received a John Barrett Technical Award. A diverse education followed, including programs in business, behavior and management, computer applications, and Vermont history. From 1976 through 1984, Carter was a full-time staff member of Rescue, Inc., serving on the executive board of directors and board of trustees part of that time. He was a Registered Vermont State Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate and a member of the National Registry of EMTs. Trained and certified in numerous advanced procedures, he also graduated from the Vermont Paramedic Training Program. In 1985, Carter launched a rigorous technical career, beginning with 12 years at BF Goodrich Aerospace, Aircraft Integrated Systems, where in 1988, he was promoted to master production scheduler. In this leadership role, Carter formulated the manufacturing plans of fuel systems for aircraft. In 1990, Carter served on the board of directors of the Champlain Valley Chapter of the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Following his election as first constable in Newfane in 2000, Carter served two years on the town's Selectboard. In later years, Carter worked for Janos Technologies as a production controller/planning supervisor, then as a purchasing agent for Omega Optical Inc., Omega Labs., PVT Program, 3-D Project. Additionally, Carter performed marine patrol for the Vermont State Police and ran a landscaping business. Appreciative of the natural world, Carter was an avid gardener, insightful photographer, and loving pet parent throughout his life. He enjoyed skiing, bicycling, model railroading, camping, and astronomy. He was a deeply devoted and much admired son, brother, uncle, friend and colleague. He was predeceased by his father Peter in 1976, and his fiancée Debra Rider in 2015. He is survived by his mother Mary, brothers Gregg (Thom Dahlin) and Grant, of Newfane, and his sister Nancy, of Los Angeles, as well as nephews Adam (Tina St. John) and Ryan, grandniece Jordan, grandnephew Peter Morgan, and great-grandnephew Oaklee. Memorial information: Memorial services are planned for April 13. For details, email nanvan108@gmail.com. Donations to Rescue Inc., or NewBrook Fire & Rescue.
• Linda L. Hunter, 66, of Daniel, Wyoming. Died unexpectedly on March 19, 2019 at her home. She was born on Feb. 2, 1953 in Morrisville, the daughter of William B. and Virginia I. (Pierce) LaClair. In 1976, while working at Alice's Restaurant (yup, a real place), she met and started dating Roderick “Rick” Hunter, a veteran of the Marines and the Navy. They got married in 1977 in Guilford. Rick returned to active duty with the Navy and, together, they did tours in Jacksonville, Fla., Atsugi, Japan, and Whidbey Island, Wash. On their Japan tour, Linda served as the Attack Squadron 93 ombudsman for two years. After Rick retired from the Navy, they spent a year traveling around the United States in a RV. In 1994, they settled down in Sublette County, Wyoming, the place they decided to spend the rest of their lives together. While living in Pinedale, Linda worked at Franks Construction, driving a water tanker while building roads and pads in the Jonah Field. She later worked at M&N Equipment, Pinedale Subway, and The Baymont Inn. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt, and friend, and was a delightfully intelligent and strong-willed woman, always willing to help others. She enjoyed the outdoors, cats and dogs, motorcycling, hunting, gardening, sewing and crocheting, music, dancing, baking, reading, and yard sales. Most of all, she loved her family, friends, and pets. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Denise LaClair; and her in-laws, Philip and Margaret Hunter of Guilford. She is survived by her husband; a son, Paul Hunter and daughter in-law Anita Rhodes Hunter of Tooele, Utah; a sister, Christine Hallock of Brattleboro; many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews; and three poodles. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held April 14 at the Old Daniel School House.
NAME: JUNE E. PARSONS
DATELINE: WILMINGTON
June Ellen Parsons 93 a longtime resident of Fairview Avenue passed away peacefully at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro on Wednesday April 3, 2019 following a brief illness. Born in Wardsboro on September 28, 1925, June is the last surviving child born to Freeman and Rose (Robbins) Lazelle . She grew up in South Wardsboro where she attended the one room schoolhouse. She married Jesse J. Parsons Sr. who died November 26, 1976.
Devoted to her family, June's home was always open to friends and family and for many years her home became the coffee stop for the many people who would stop by daily. She enjoyed arts and crafts and sewing, she also loved going for long rides on the backroads. A lifelong animal lover she always had a dog , her most recent was Chase whom she adored.
June was one of the original attendees at The Gathering Place in Brattleboro and subsequently in Dover when the facility opened there . Her time spent at The Gathering Place enabled her to be social , independent and enhanced her quality of life of which her family is grateful.
She leaves her son and daughter in law Kenneth and Jody parsons of Wilmington, daughter in law Betty parsons of Wardsboro, grandchildren Daniel Parsons of Wardsboro, Julie Sullivan of Wilmington and Jason Parsons of Wilmington, great grandchildren Cody and Darren Sullivan and Logan Parsons.
Nieces and nephews Steve Lazelle's family, Judy Brown and children and Ray Lazelle Jr. and children.
She was predeceased by her son Jesse J. Parsons Jr. in August 2017, brother Roy Lazelle, Ray Lazelle Sr. and Harold Lazelle, a sibling, Otis, who died in infancy and nephew Steve Lazelle who died in 2017.
Graveside funeral services will be held at the Fairview Cemetery in Wardsboro in May where she will be laid to rest next to her husband Jesse.
Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to The Gathering Place in care of the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington ,VT 05363.
To send personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Perry Casey Phoenix, 61, of Townshend. Died peacefully at home surrounded by his beloved family on Jan. 31, while under the care of the Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire. He was born on Oct. 4, 1957 to Edwin William and Lois Casey Phoenix of Stratford, Conn. In 1958, his family moved to Townshend, where he graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1975. Prior to attending Westminster Choir College, focusing on organ performance, he worked as a piano mover and carpenter. He attended the American College in Paris. While working in the Chicago area, he met Janet Lily Cagwin. The couple married in 1982 and built a house across the road from his childhood home. “Perry loved God and loved serving musically in his church,” his family writes. “Over the years, Perry served as a deacon and on the missions committee, as well as working to support the church during construction projects.” He founded and operated Phoenix Roofing for 28 years. His son, Eli, joined him in the business in 2005. Perry loved architecture and was fascinated by the traditional methods of roofing and building. An avid Porsche enthusiast, he took part in many high-performance driver-education events with the Porsche Club of America, where he would drive his 1982 Porsche 911 on the track. In addition to his wife and his mother, he is survived by his brothers Whitney (Marianne), Ned, and Seth; his three children, Eli Christian Phoenix (Kaylina), Abrin Smith (Preston), and Jessica Laughman (Joshua), as well as nine grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service and celebration of Perry Phoenix's life will take place at the Townshend Town Hall on Saturday, May 4 at 2 p.m.
• Stanley C. “Stan” Ryan, 54, of Vonore, Tenn. Died unexpectedly March 13 at his home, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro on Aug. 8, 1964, the son of Audrey Craig and Charles “Butch” Ryan, he attended the former Frances Hicks School and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. While at Francis Hicks, he enjoyed taking part in the annual Special Olympics Games. With his father, he relocated to Tennessee, where he has lived for the past 20 years. “Throughout his life, Stan overcame many challenges and always had a positive attitude. He never complained and took the occasional bumps in life with stride,” his family writes. While in Brattleboro, he was active with Rescue Inc.'s local Explorers Post. He enjoyed spending time at Rescue's headquarters as well as at Brattleboro Fire Department's Central Station, where his father served. He had a fascination for trains and rail travel and had several model train sets, which he enjoyed collecting. He also enjoyed bowling and attending NASCAR races, communicating with his friends on Facebook, and spending time with his family. Survivors include his mother, Audrey Craig, of Maryville; a daughter, Delores Greenleaf, of Springfield, Vt.; three sisters, Robin Sullivan (Terry), and Patricia O'Connor (Gary), all of Tennessee, and Lisa Clayton (Terry), of Pensacola, Fla.; a brother, James Ryan of Vernon; three grandchildren; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, a great niece and great nephews. His father and grandparents Charles “Chuck” and Doris Ryan died earlier. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held March 23 at Clarks Grove Cemetery in Maryville. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.