College news
• Corey Dunn of Brattleboro enrolled for the fall 2020 term at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill.
• Madison Fortier, a member of the Class of 2022 from Brattleboro, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at Regis College in Weston, Mass.
Obituaries
• Phyllis Q. Anderson, 97, of Westminster. Died at home on Nov. 5, 2020, surrounded by her loving children. The daughter of Neal and Katharine Quimby, Phyllis was born in Newark, N.J., on May 18, 1923. She moved with her family between New Jersey and New York State, before they settled in West Orange, N.J. As a teen, Phyllis was active in the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church youth group and choir, where courtship with her future husband Henry (Hank) Anderson began. She and Hank were married in that same church on June 14, 1947 and enjoyed 64 wonderful years together. Phyllis graduated in 1943 with a teaching degree from Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg, Va. At the age of 20 she began teaching elementary school in Morris Plains, N.J., and later in West Orange. She retired in 1948 to begin raising her family, living first in West Orange and moving to Westfield, N.J., in 1952. Phyllis was devoted to her community and to her growing family. She served in various roles at the Westfield Presbyterian Church, as a Youth Chairman and driver for the local Red Cross, a Girl Scout leader, a driver for Meals on Wheels, and was one of the original docents and cooks for the Miller Cory House Museum in Westfield. She was an avid cheerleader for all nine of her children's activities, sports, and interests. Music was a lifelong love of Phyllis's. She played baritone horn in both her high school marching band and while at college and later with the Grafton Brass Band in Vermont. In her 20s, she organized a singing trio with her sister and cousin, performing for military servicemen in New Jersey during WWII. Over the years she sang with various groups, including church choirs, the Chansonettes of Westfield and barbershop quartets, and was a member of the Presbyterian Handbell choir. After retiring to Vermont, she became active in the First Congregational Church of Westminster through Women's Fellowship and choir and, with Hank, founded the church's handbell choir. Together they also founded and acted in the Westminster Follies for five years, which raised funds for the church and highlighted talented members of the community. She also enjoyed volunteering at the Westminster Center School and the Recycling Center. Phyllis was a board member emerita of Westminster Cares, a nonprofit organization serving the local senior population. Delivering Meals on Wheels to those in need since 1988, she later rode along the route with her son Don, until as recently as two weeks before her death. Her family is so grateful for the caring support the organization and its members gave to their mother in her last years. Among Phyllis's many hobbies and interests were antique collecting, chair caning, quilting, sewing, archery, jigsaw and crossword puzzles, bridge and board games, and she was an avid Mets and Patriots fan. Somehow she managed to coordinate many camping trips, eventually fitting all 11 family members into one tent. She organized countless family reunions and always remembered important occasions with a card or phone call to friends and family. Phyllis is survived by eight of her children: Sue Gioulis, Don Anderson, Wendy Schoenemann, Jill Kimber, Jennifer Anderson, John Anderson, Heidi Anderson and Bonnie Anderson, as well as 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. She is immensely missed by everyone. She was predeceased by her husband Hank, her sister Priscilla Wilson, her daughter Melanie DeLonge, and her granddaughter Greta Schoenemann. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held in the spring of 2021. Donations to the First Congregational Church of Westminster or to Westminster Cares.
• Florence Mary Brown, 87, of Readsboro, formerly of Wilmington. Died Nov. 16, 2020 at Pine Heights nursing home in Brattleboro. Mary was born in Searsburg on Aug. 26, 1933, the daughter of the late Bertram and Marion H. Pool Akley. She attended Marlboro schools and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1951. Mary worked in various mills over the years, worked with her husband logging in the woods, operated the Deerfield Food Pantry for 11 years, and the food and beverage department at Mount Snow. She volunteered at the Windham County Humane Society in Dummerston, enjoyed crocheting, sketching in black and white, playing Bingo, and her animals. She was a member of the South Readsboro Community Club, was awarded Citizen of the Year honors by the town of Wilmington in 1998, and enjoyed spending time with her family. Mary is survived by her children Sharon Cox of Chicopee, Mass., Brenda Holden of Wilmington, and Clark Parris of Halifax; her sister, Bertha Akley, 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Walter Parris; her second husband, Joseph Brown, whom she married in 1962; son Lester Parris, grandson Shawn Parris, infant son Edwin Parris, and sisters Grace Crowningshield, Mildred Helen Wright and Ruth Davis. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services will be announced at a later date. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the Windham County Humane Society, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Virginia C. Maurelli, 81, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully at home under hospice care on Nov. 10, 2020. She was born in Buffalo, N.Y., on Aug. 13, 1939, to Giuseppe and Filomena (Battaglia) Maurelli. She attended Buffalo State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree. She went on to teach in Buffalo and Miami, Fla. She moved to Vermont in 1966. She was a longtime member of the Christian Family Circle Church in Westminster and actively involved with Camp Blessing. She was a social worker with the state of Vermont from 1976 until 2000. After retirement, she returned to teaching in Claremont, N.H., and the Hopi Mission School in Arizona. She will be remembered by all who met her for her generous spirit, faith, her smile, laughter, spunk, hospitality and most importantly, her love of family. In her last days, she was embraced in love by both her given and chosen family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her infant daughter, Naomi; two brothers, John and Joseph Maurelli; and two sisters, Eva Hilderbrandt and Ruth Vastola. She leaves behind her lifelong companion, Don Schweisthal; two daughters, Lisa (Ted) Preister of North Dakota, and Ruth (Robert) Kenney of Montana; two granddaughters, Kayla Gilchrist and Helaena Preister; siblings Louis (Mary Ann) Maurelli and Rebecca (Richard) Wegner; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Due to the pandemic, a celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Donations to Camp Blessing (campblessing.com) or to the American Cancer Society.
• Lisa M. O'dette, 55, of Bellows Falls. Died suddenly on Nov. 16, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born on Sept. 15, 1965 to Warren O'dette and Brenda Masure. After graduating from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1983, Lisa went on to enjoy a long and successful career as a hospitality manager. She was a laid back, lighthearted woman who enjoyed laughing and spending time with her friends and family, and the companionship of her Pomeranians. Her sassy and witty nature, along with her driven, never-quit mindset, will be missed by all who knew her. She leaves behind her son, Zachary Vancor, parents Warren and Brenda, younger brother Rodney O'dette, and her longtime partner Edward Vancor. Memorial information: Services will be announced at a later date by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Ryan “Peanut” Paduano, 21, of Pittsfield, Mass. Died unexpectedly on Nov. 14, 2020, while walking his beloved dog, Brownie. He was born on March 13, 1999 in Pittsfield. Ryan lived life to the fullest, always smiling and excited for the next adventure, be it lacrosse, skateboarding, bike riding, basketball, driving and off-roading with his Hyundai and Jeep, photography, video games, eating out, or anything to do with water and traveling (most recently to Cuba, Zion National Park, and multiple family reunions). He loved his family, friends, kids, and all animals. He loved big hugs and saying, “I Love You.” Ryan is survived by his parents, Patricia and Loren Paduano of Pittsfield, brother Christopher (Alexandra) Paduano of Boston, sister Ashley Paduano of Pittsfield, grandmother Carol Bryant of Putney, and Nonno Vincenzo Paduano of Pittsfield. He also leaves his aunt Sue (Rudy) Rudolph of Berea, Ky., uncle Bruce (Andrea) Bryant of Houston, Texas, aunt Rosemary and cousin Kathleen Bryant of Chatham, Va., uncle Allan (Patsy) of Methuen, Mass., uncle Robert (Melanie) and cousin Aria Paduano of Pittsfield, and many, many close friends and all who came in contact with him and his outsized personality. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Nov. 21 at Hope Church in Lenox, Mass. Donations can be made to BCARC Down Syndrome Family Group, or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, in care of Dwyer Funeral Home, 776 North St., Pittsfield, MA 01201.
• Delia M. Zagoreos, 79, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. Died Nov. 15, 2020 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. Delia was born on Feb. 19, 1941 in Brattleboro to Alfred Leo and Martha Irma Gilson Root. She was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1959. Delia married Anthony P. Zagoreos in 1962. He survives at home. Delia was previously employed for 11 years at IBM in Poughkeepsie in the personnel department. She was a member of the Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church. In addition to her husband, Delia is survived by her sons Dana (Dawn) Zagoreos of Peabody, Mass., Paul Zagoreos of Poughkeepsie, daughter Katherine (Sotiri Patatoukos) Zagoreous of Holiday, Fla., siblings Peter Root of Brattleboro and Diane Gerry of Tennessee, grandchildren Lily Victoria, Isabel, Savana Rose, and Ava Katina, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Services were held Nov. 20 at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Poughkeepsie, with burial in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. Online condolences may be offered at www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com.