College news
• Emma Li of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at Simmons University in Boston.
• Aaron Boles of Wilmington and Tuckerman Wunderle of Bellows Falls were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at Emerson College in Boston.
• Ethan “Pete” Paasche, a mathematical economics major from Guilford, earned the fall 2020 Dean's Award with Distinction at Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.
School news
• Huxley Holcombe of Brattleboro, a member of the Class of 2023, was named to the Headmaster's List at Worcester (Mass.) Academy for Semester 1 of the 2020-21 school year.
Transitions
• Elizabeth R. Wohl rejoined the law firm Downs Rachlin Martin PLLC. Wohl will practice health law from the firm's Brattleboro office. Elizabeth returns to DRM after having served for four years as General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for the Brattleboro Retreat, Vermont's only private independent psychiatric hospital, and a regional resource for mental health and addiction services.
• Dr. Jeremy Morrison, DO, has joined the primary care staff at Grace Cottage Family Health in Townshend. A graduate of Towson University and Case Western University, Dr. Morrison received his Doctorate from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Massachusetts. Prior to his employment at Grace Cottage, Dr. Morrison had a private medical practice in Brattleboro and, before that, worked at Putney Family Healthcare.
Obituaries
• Frances LaClair “Fran” Burrows, 97, of Brattleboro. Died March 14, 2021. A flaming vivacious spirit, Fran was born in Saxtons River on May 20, 1923, the daughter of William F. and Phebe (Walker) LaClair. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1941 and Becker College in 1943, where she received a Medical Secretarial Degree and was a member and president of Beta Chi Sigma sorority. In 1945, she moved to Brattleboro with her family and, prior to her marriage, was employed in the office of the late Dr. Leighton Noyes. In 1950, she married Pliny N. Burrows. Fran and Pliny built their home together in 1953, a home which they loved and enjoyed sharing with others. Her civic interests included being a volunteer at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for more than 50 years, which she truly enjoyed. Fran was a greeter at the front desk for many decades, faithfully there at 7 a.m. every Monday with her infectious smile. She was a member of the BMH Auxiliary, where she was an Honorary Director, and worked on their many fundraising committees and was honored as Auxiliarian of the Year. She was an active volunteer with the Red Cross blood drawing program for at least 35 years and was involved with the Brattleboro Winter Carnival, the Brattleboro Outing Club, the Brattleboro Garden Club, and was a longtime member of Centre Congregational Church. Fran and Pliny established Burrows Sport Shop at 97 Main St., in Brattleboro, and she served as a buyer and part-time worker. Her interests included antiquing, singing, swimming, skiing (“in early years!”) with family, and working in the yard. She revered time with her family. She was predeceased by her dear husband, Pliny, and a brother, Robert W. LaClair of Montpelier. Fran leaves two daughters, Anne B. Gragen (Kevin) of Brattleboro and Lynn B. Sullivan (Jim) of Riverside, Ill.; four granddaughters, Courtney Rocco (Rob) of Everett, Mass., and Margaret, Katherine, and Amy Sullivan of Chicago; a grandson, Ryan Miller of Boston; and two great grandchildren, Robert, Jr. and Brianna Rocco. A faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, she adored her children, grandchildren, and family. Fran was an amazing soul, - a matriarch, a strong woman, and the dearest pal. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted March 22 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301; Brattleboro Fire Dept., 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or the Memory Care Unit of Langdon Place, 136 Arch St., Keene, NH 03431. To share a memory or send condolences to Fran's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Larry Doucette, 55, of Wiscasset, Maine, formerly of Dummerston. Died at his home on March 12, 2021 after a courageous and uncomplaining battle with brain cancer (Glioblastoma). Born in Bangor, Maine on June 27, 1965 to Joseph and Marlene (Sullivan) Doucette, he graduated from Orono High School in 1983 and the University of Maine at Orono in 1996 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Following graduation, he and his wife, Christina (Fortier) Doucette, moved to Ashford, Conn., where Larry spent a few years working for the state of Connecticut. In 1998, they moved to Dummerston, where they lived and raised their two children, Madison and Joshua, for the next 22 years. During that time, Larry worked at the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant in a job he often said was the best he ever had. Larry was a member of the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department for 10 years. He was always helping or volunteering. You would see Larry filling the fire pit at the Harris Hill ski jump, lending a hand at the Touch-A-Truck event at BMH, collecting groceries for Project Feed the Thousands, or building houses for Habitat for Humanity. He was a frequent sight at events at the Dummerston School with his children and, after Joshua turned 3, both kids were on the ice and you could always find Larry at Withington Rink in Brattleboro. Larry's love for hockey was infectious and soon the whole family was hooked. Away games were never too far, early practices were worth getting up for, and summer camps were all about more ice time. Larry was either on the ice helping at practice, in the box or moving the nets during games as the kids grew up playing with the Brattleboro Hockey Association and BUHS hockey. Larry was the first parent to say yes, whether it was splattering bedroom walls with paint, building a paintball field in the woods by the house, or doing anything on two wheels. Larry took Josh on his first long-distance motorcycle trip when Josh was 9 to a track in New Jersey and, as they drove through the night and Josh started to fall asleep, Larry wrapped his belt around the two of them so Josh couldn't fall off and rode one-handed. In 2016, Larry's career brought him to Wiscasset, where he was happy to be back in his home state working at the spent-fuel storage facility at the former Maine Yankee nuclear power plant. Larry is survived by his wife, Christina; their children, Madison and Joshua; his mother Marlene Doucette of Orono, sisters Bethany Carpenter, Cheryl Piper (and brother-in-law Terry), Jolene Wilson, and Darylann Doucette; his brother, William; eight nieces and nephews, and an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, both sets of grandparents and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held in June in Wiscasset. A scholarship has been established at Larry's request at Orono High School for a high school student not based on grades, but the merit of being a hard worker, helping others, and being a good person. Donations for the Class of 1983/Doucette Keep Smiling Scholarship may be sent to OHS, 14 Goodridge Drive, Orono, ME 04473.
• Constance “Connie” Ann Gray, 83, formerly of Putney. Died March 11, 2021 in the supportive and compassionate care of nurses and providers at Pine Heights in Brattleboro. Connie was born on May 31, 1937 to Edwin and Mabel Gray. She grew up in Putney, where she proudly graduated from The Putney School, where her parents both worked. Connie went on to attend Simmons College in Boston,where she graduated in 1959 with a B.S. in public administration. Connie earned an M.A. in teaching from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 1961. From 1961 to 1964, she worked as an English teacher in Lexington, Mass. Later, her interest in government and public service led her to the Division of Local Mandates in the Massachusetts Auditor General's Office, where she served from 1984 until 1987 as a field services program manager and as the planning and professional development coordinator. For a time, she also served as the assistant circuit executive for personnel, training, and public programs for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. Connie also lived with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. Through Graduate School and until 1984, she worked at College House Pharmacies in Cambridge, Mass. As she took on greater responsibility managing the business, she had the foresight after a trip to California's wineries to transition the dying corner pharmacy into a thriving wine, craft beer, and spirits business. Along with her business partner the late James “Jim” McCarthy, Connie later went on to serve as a manager and officer of Spiritus Fermenti, the popular wine, craft beer and spirits store in Providence, R.I. After retiring from Spiritus Fermenti, Connie continued to reside on Duff Street in Watertown, Mass., where she treasured her neighbors and being a member of the community. Ultimately, in 2018, Connie returned to her Vermont roots. She lived not far from her dear sister, Deborah Gray, and her childhood home in Putney. Until recently, Connie resided at Valley Cares in Townshend. Throughout her life, Connie was an active and proud member of the Simmons College Alumnae Association, serving as president from 1991 to 1993. A lifelong learner and educator at heart, Connie was known for her mentorship of young professionals, especially women, her exquisite penmanship, her love of politics and current events, her endlessly thoughtful and unwavering letters and cards for every birthday or life event, and her passion for wine, classical music, opera, and travel. A woman ahead of her time, she proudly blazed her own trail and, at every chapter, lived by her own rules. This gave her an enduring sense of pride punctuated by lifelong friendships and the ability to love deeply. Connie will be dearly missed by her family and so many of the lives she touched throughout the many chapters of her life. Connie is survived by her brother Bob Gray, and sister-in-law Kim Gray of Newbury; her brother John and sister-in-law, Dawn, of Columbia Falls, Mont.; her sister Deborah Gray and brother-in-law Will O'Brien of Putney; and her sister-in-law Sarah Gray Gund of Bronx, N.Y. Connie is predeceased by her dear younger brother, Bill Gray. Connie is also survived by several nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly including Joshua Gray, Sarah Rakovshik, Travis Gray, Betsy Gray, Peter Gray, Molly Gray, Charlie Gray and Patrick O'Brien. Memorial information: The family is planning a gathering for a future date. Arrangements are being made through Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Cards or condolences may be sent to The Gray Family, in care of Deborah Gray, 38 Gray Lane, Putney, VT 05346.
• J. Douglas “Doug” LaBarr of Wardsboro. Died Feb. 21, 2021 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., after his long, courageous journey with Parkinson's Disease. His wife, Marilyn, was by his side while he received compassionate hospice care. Beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great grandfather, Doug is survived by his wife; his sister and her spouse, Dorothy and Jerry Dravet; his four children, Gregg and his spouse, Debbie, Mark, Kevin and his spouse, Cora, and Monique and her life partner, John. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Don and his spouse, Susie Hillenburg; sisters-in-law Patty Hillenburg, and Karen and her spouse, Mark Flanigan, and 11 grandchildren and five great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Cecile “CC” Lukasiak, and his step-sons, Russ and Dan Saunders. In 1995, Doug married his wife Marilyn in Indiana, his home state. The couple then moved to Vermont in 2000 and lived a wonderful and happy life together in his beloved town of Wardsboro. Doug is a graduate of both The University of Chicago and Indiana University. He worked for Indiana University, retiring after 30 years of dedicated service. Doug strongly believed in volunteer activities in his community. He delivered Meals on Wheels, volunteered at the book booth at Grace Cottage Hospital's annual fair, and served on the Wardsboro Public Library trustees and Wardsboro Elementary School board. Doug's love of books led him down many paths. He belonged to the Friends of Lilly Library at Indiana University and he was a member of the Faith Innside Book Group at Dorset (Vt.) Church. Doug enjoyed a variety of interests throughout his lifetime, including reading, opera, classical music, and museums. As a young man he enjoyed learning to fly small airplanes. Before moving to Vermont he belonged to the Experimental Aircraft Association in Bloomington, Ind. Doug had a favorite Bible verse, Psalm 139: 1-2: “Lord, you have probed me, you know me, you know when I sit and stand; you understand my thoughts from afar.” He will be missed by the brothers and many friends at the Weston Priory. Memorial information: Donations may be made to fund the cure for Parkinson's Disease at dhmcalumdev.hitchcock.org/parkinson_fund; by check (with “Parkinson's Research” in the memo line to D-H/Geisel Office of Development, Attn: Gift Recording, One Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756; or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5017 or www.michaeljfox.org.
• Ralph Emerson Mack, 96, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 12, 2021 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a brief illness. He was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 13, 1924, the son of Hugh L. and Mildred (Emerson) Mack. Ralph was raised in Brattleboro and attended Academy School and Brattleboro High School. On April 26, 1943, Ralph enlisted in the Marines, serving with the 5th Marine Division during World War II. He was stationed in the Pacific and fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was later in Nagasaki, Japan, after the dropping of the atomic bomb. Following active service, he was honorably discharged in 1946. Upon his return home after the war, he married Beverly G. Deone in 1948. She predeceased him in 2015, following 66 years of marriage. Ralph went to work at C.E. Bradley Labs in Brattleboro as a color matcher. He was later promoted to plant manager and eventually retired as a sales representative in 1998 following 48 dedicated and faithful years with the company. He enjoyed the outdoors and hunting, fishing, bowling. He was an avid Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots fan. In his younger years, he enjoyed woodworking and carpentry work and was proud of the two homes he built that included his own on Prospect Street and one he built for his in-laws on Brattleboro Road. Ralph is survived by two sons, Gary and his wife, Donna, of Hinsdale, and Terry and wife, Sue, of Peru, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Dawn-Marie Conway and husband David of Gill, Mass., Colby Mack and wife, Lisa, of Sunapee, N.H., and Cameron Mack and partner Marissa Hall of Montpelier. Additionally, he leaves four great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by: three brothers, Raymond, Harrison and Lawrence; and a sister, Mildred. Memorial information: Private graveside committal services with full military honors will be conducted in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, where he will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife Donation to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send messages of condolence to the Mack family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Virgil Arnold McCue, Sr., 85, of Saxtons River. Died at home, surrounded by his family, on March 10, 2021. Virgil was born Nov. 19, 1935 in Brookfield, Vt., the son of Leonard A. and Alice M. (Rogers) McCue, and attended schools in Brookfield. After attending a tractor trailer driving school in Springfield, Mass., he worked many years for the former St. Johnsbury Trucking Company. He was a member of the Bellows Falls Elks and American Legion. He loved hunting and fishing, and enjoyed spending his time with his family. In 1959, he married Joyce Buffum, who survives. He is also survived by his son, Virgil Jr. and his wife, Christy McCue; his daughter, Jodi McCue and her significant other, Brett Goldsmith; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; sisters Ethel D'Amario and Shirley Ugglano; and brother Leonard A. McCue Jr. He was predeceased by siblings Ruth Vaughn, Alice Bishop, and Joseph McCue. Memorial information: Services will be at the convenience of the family. Donations to the VA Medical Center, 215 North Main St., White River, Jct. VT 05009 or to Visiting Nurse and Hospice of Vermont, 1 Hospital Court, #8, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Donald E. “Don” Merrill, 79, of Townshend, formerly of Lebanon, Conn. Died peacefully, with his wife and daughters at his side, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend on March 16, 2021, after a long illness. He was born on October 2, 1941 in Stewartstown, N.H., the son of the late Ruth (Congdon) and Donald T. Merrill. In 1963, Don married Eva (Samuels) Merrill. They were married for 38 years until her death in 2001. Together they had two daughters, Tina (Dan) Konopka of Windham, Conn. and Tracie (George) Thompson of Mansfield, Conn. He proudly served in the Navy on the U.S.S. Boston and the U.S.S. Arcadia and was honorably discharged in 1965. Don worked in construction, mostly as a crane operator, for more than 58 years with Savin Brothers and Tilcon in Newington, Conn. He belonged to the Masonic Lodge, was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478, and a past member of the North Windham Fire Dept. In 2002, he married Mary (Gould) Merrill and gained two bonus children, Chuck Davison and his partner, Melanie, of Londonderry and Terry Davison (Jennings) Berger of Townshend. After retiring, he and Mary moved from Connecticut to Townshend, where he resided until his death. During his retirement, he enjoyed reading, riding his motorcycle, spending time with his grandchildren, trips to the casinos in Connecticut, visiting and coffee with friends, and his beloved cats Tom and Biscuit, and his equally beloved dogs Willie and Wilma. Don is survived by his wife Mary, his children, five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter, and many friends, family and loved ones. He was also predeceased by his sister, Nancy Lawrence, and his nephew, Scott Lawrence. Memorial information: Per Don's request, burial will be private at the convenience of the family. To honor his love of animals and his fondness for strays, donations in his memory may be made to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Karen Frances Nadeau, 66, of Brattleboro. Died March 14, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her family, following an extended illness. Karen was born in Brattleboro on Oct. 11, 1954, the daughter of Francis “Frannie” and Cynthia (Green) Sprague. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1972. She had been employed at Walmart in Hinsdale, N.H., for 25 years, working as a sales associate and, later, at the customer service desk. She thoroughly enjoyed working at the Hinsdale location and was loved and respected by her co-workers and many customers. Karen loved the outdoors, keeping flowers, and working in her garden. She especially cherished time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was first married to Maynard Beswick. She later married Michael A. Nadeau in 1992. Besides her husband of 28 years, she leaves a son, Jeremy Beswick (Laurie) of Vernon; three daughters, Traci Beswick, Amber Wetherell (Steve), and Britney Nadeau, all of Brattleboro; and three brothers, Ricky Sprague (JoAnne) and Marc Sprague (Christine) of Hinsdale and David Sprague (April) of Brattleboro. Additionally, she is survived by nine grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Marjorie Semenovich, 63, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 26, 2020 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born on Jan. 4, 1957 in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Olive and Ferdinand Chiarello. Marge attended Grier School, a private high school in rural Pennsylvania, where she acquired her love for animals. She also was involved with many sports including soccer, horseback riding, basketball, and softball. She continued her education at the University of Vermont and other state colleges, where she obtained her B.S. in Veterinary Sciences. She had been employed at Sonny's Sunoco in Brattleboro and, previously, at Subway on Canal Street. She was known for her bubbly personality, great smile, and fantastic cooking. She was often referred to as “Mamma Mia.” She is survived by her two daughters, Marissa and Alina Semenovich of Shelburne, Vt.; and her brothers, Ron Chiarello (New Jersey), Greg Chiarello (Georgia), Chris Chiarello (California), Bruce Chiarello (Texas), and Neil Chiarello (Arizona). Memorial information: None provided.
• Lawrence Williams, 74, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on Feb. 11, 2021. He was the adoring husband of Eva Shelby. They shared 16 years of marriage after meeting at a silent meditation retreat and hiking in the Himalayas together, where they deepened their relationship to Tibetan Buddhism. Born in Norfolk, Va., he was the son of Alma and Lawrence Williams and brother of Lynn Boyer. He served as an airborne weather observer in the Air Force from 1968 to 1971. He earned a master's degree from the Waldorf Institute, and his Ph.D in education from Virginia Tech. A passionate lifelong learner and educator, Lawrence co-founded Oak Meadow, a homeschooling innovator, in 1975. Through careful attention to the needs of the learning child, Lawrence helped countless families pursue their educational dreams. Oak Meadow has maintained Lawrence's legacy, where the strength of his vision continues daily. Lawrence loved writing, reading, studying, meditation, and time outdoors with their feisty four-legged companion, Tashi, earnestly guarding the brood of chickens. He was known to pick up a guitar and give it a strum when he came upon one, and he approached life with gentle curiosity. An avid listener, Lawrence could be counted upon to lend his ears and heart to a situation. He enjoyed a good laugh as much as he enjoyed a good meal and was known to be gently and profoundly philosophical whether he was washing the dishes, sitting on the porch, or sitting under the stars. He will be deeply missed. He is survived by his wife, Eva Shelby, of Brattleboro, and his sister, Lynn Boyer; niece and nephew, Kirsten Hallstrom and Eric Etka; stepchildren Chloe and Skye Lee and their partners, Daniel Lang and Helen McLaughlan; and 10 grandchildren and a great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Bonnie Carol Williams, and survived by their four shared children: daughters Robin Sandoff and partner, Craig MacIntyre, and Jill MacQueen; and sons James Hazel and wife, Denise, and Christopher Michael Williams and his fiancé, Cheryl Holzhauer. Memorial information: No services were announced. To honor his memory, the family wants everyone to consider something Lawrence wrote about his beloved Aunt Blanche: “She taught me to pay attention to the small things, bring the full light of your being to bear upon them, and then...great things will unfold by themselves.”