College news
• The following local students were among Vermont State University's inaugural graduating class for May 2024: Elijah Boucher of Newfane, Clay Thompson of Grafton, Shyla Booker-Bradbury of Brattleboro, Rio Coursen of Putney, Jessica Curran of Bellows Falls, Kayla Farrar of Brattleboro, Katie Lahey of East Dummerston, Liam Perra of Brattleboro, David Pratt of Brattleboro, Aria Zarnoski of Vernon, Jenna Robinson of East Dover, Michael Carona of West Wardsboro, Sally Densmore of Wilmington, Samantha Martin of Brattleboro, Ariel Rose of Londonderry, Gabriel Wilkinson of Bellows Falls, Jasmine Bergeron of Brattleboro, Stacy Bryck of Dummerston, Isabel Buffum of Bellows Falls, Nikole Bunker of Brattleboro, Liz Cunningham of Jacksonville, Mary Flynn of Vernon, Amy Nelson of Putney, Pheng Singphom of Vernon, Sarah Sprague of Whitingham, William Drummey of West Halifax, Christopher Leary of Saxtons River, and Dani Robinson of Saxtons River.
• Kim Amidon of Vernon and Venus Fu of Brattleboro received their degrees in May as part of the Class of 2024 at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.
• Mary Katherine Howe of Brattleboro and Pittsfield, Massachusetts graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in psychology in May from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
• Emeline L. Stewart of Wilmington was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester at Fairfield (Conn.) University.
• Cole Nelson of Putney was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2024 semester at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
• The following local residents were named to the spring 2024 Dean's List at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts: Lydia Hazzard-Leal of Brattleboro was named to the first honors list and Tori D. MacKay of South Newfane was named to the second honors list.
Obituaries
• David J. Cunningham, 64, of Saco, Maine, formerly of Brattleboro. Died after a long illness on July 17, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, at Gosnell House in Scarborough, Maine. He was born on May 3, 1960 in Brattleboro, son of Richard K. Cunningham and Janet Wallace Cunningham. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1978. After high school, he traveled to San Diego, California, and worked for Sony. He returned to Brattleboro after a few years. He started his flooring career at Emerson's Furniture in Brattleboro. He moved to Maine in 1989 and became a manager and salesman for Carpet Town in Saco. He left Carpet Town to run his own installation crew for many years. He also worked as a salesperson for Coastal Decorating in Kennebunk, Maine, then Ben's Flooring in Biddeford, Maine, where he met his wife, Barbara. In 2011, he and his wife opened Seacoast Flooring, which they operated together until his retirement in 2020 due to ill health. David spent many vacations in Maine as a child, where he got his love of the ocean. He loved gardening and created elaborate gardens at his home in Kennebunk. He also did extensive Halloween displays that were featured in the newspaper many times. David had a love for nature and photography. After selling the business in 2021, he and Barbara bought an RV and travelled down the East Coast stopping at state parks and visiting friends along the way. He took many photos of their travels which he shared with friends and family. He had many of his photos printed and framed. David enjoyed crafts, painting, art, and music. When he was no longer able to travel, he became interested in AI art. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends and he made many special memories that will be cherished forever. He was predeceased by his parents, his brother Richard Cunningham, and his sister Linda Merrill. He is survived by his wife Barbara (Morris) Cunningham; three children, Ryan Cunningham, Peter Scott (partner Desiree MacLeod) and Melissa Scott; stepdaughters Julie and Amy Desrosiers; grandchildren James Scott, Katrina Scott, Brittany Scott, Xander Scott, and McKenzie Cunningham; and great-grandchildren Anderson and Jack. He is also survived by one sister, Diane Olson and her husband Steve; brother-in-law David Merrill; and nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
• Robert A. "Bob" Gilbert, 92, of Marlboro. Died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, in Nashua, New Hampshire on on July 21, 2024. Bob was born October 29, 1931, in East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. With his parents, Alonzo and Ora Gilbert, Bob, his brother Edmund, and his sister Ora, settled in Marlboro in 1940. In 1954, Bob met and married Arlene Clark, with whom he celebrated 70 years of marriage on June 13, 2024. Bob possessed a high mechanical aptitude and excelled in diagnosing and resolving issues with vehicles, small engines, injection mold machines, and just about any machine you can imagine. These skills were reflected in his career having worked at companies such as Cellu-Plastic, and 25 years with Summit Packaging. He instilled a strong desire in his children to be independent and problem solvers. Bob had many interests throughout his life, He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol from 1968-1969, earning a Wing Commander Award for his service. From 1965 to 1985, he volunteered as a New Hampshire Chief Hunter Safety Instructor, receiving two Certificates of Merit from New Hampshire Fish and Game. He was intrigued by and loved reading about all facets of history. He enjoyed hunting, reloading, shooting, photography, tying flies, and fishing. He especially loved fishing, shooting, and hunting with his "boys," and going for long walks with his constant companion, Missy. After Bob's father died in 1994, Bob and Arlene relocated from Nashua to Marlboro, where they enjoyed frequent wildlife sightings and tending their flower and vegetable gardens. His greatest treasure in life was spending time with his grandchildren: Chris (who died in 2021), Ashley, Kenneth, Gregory, Jonathan, Melissa, and Kerstin. He loved talking with them and hearing about their lives. Bob is also survived by his wife, Arlene; their children Earl (Stephanie), Deborah Sue (Hank), Stanley (Barbara), and Douglas (Cheryl), his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many beloved nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by all. Memorial information: A graveside service took place at Guilford Center Cemetery on July 29. Donations to your favorite charity. To offer condolences, visit farwellfuneralservice.com.
• Lorraine Geraldine Howe, 95, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died peacefully at her daughter's farm in northern New York on July 19, 2024, where she enjoyed watching the birds come and visit the outside flower garden and the cows grazing outside the home on a beautiful July day with her trusty companion dog, Ladybug, by her side. She was born on July 30, 1928, the daughter of Forrest and Florence Briggs. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1946. She married Robert Howe of Hinsdale on May 6, 1950, and they spent 68 years together in Hinsdale before he predeceased her in 2019. In her younger years, she worked at the Holstein Association in Brattleboro and then later at American Optical. Lorraine enjoyed going on many Morgan Bus tours with her husband in years past and traveling to different parts of the country. She was an avid Red Sox fan and enjoyed watching the games on television. Most recently, she enjoyed a family get-together to celebrate her oldest granddaughter's high school graduation and was surrounded by all her family. It was a life well lived. She had two children, David Robert Howe of Bradenton, Florida, who predeceased her, and Ruth Butler and her husband Raymond of Lisbon, New York, with whom she has lived since 2019. She is survived by grandchildren Robert Butler and his wife Sarah of Canton, New York, T.J. Butler of Fairfield, Ohio, and Andrea Howe of Hinsdale; great-grandsons Evan Howe, Caleb Butler, and Grant Butler; great-granddaughters Reagan Butler and Ellie Murphy, and nieces and nephews in the surrounding Hinsdale area. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted on July 27 in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Timothy C. "Lucky" Janos, 73, of Brattleboro. Died July 4, 2024, after a brief but courageous battle with metastatic lung cancer. He is survived by the four lights of his life - his wife, Sue Janos, his daughter, Heather Janos, and his two antique hot rods. Tim grew up in Montague Massachusetts with his three siblings and parents "Betty" and Paul Janos (all predeceased). He spent his childhood playing on their farm and fixing anything and everything in sight. After high school, Tim spent a short time in Vietnam before moving to Brattleboro, where he met his wife, Sue. It didn't take long for them to make a small family and a beautiful life together. Throughout his life, he collected the nickname "Lucky." He continued to be able to fix anything and everything and was pretty good at picking winning scratch tickets. The nickname continued into his "car life." Tim could fix anything car-related you tossed at him. He spent many weekends in his garage or at car shows with his friends and family. He had numerous antique cars that made his smile brighter than the bluest skies. His cruise buddies will miss him greatly, he was a big part of the car community in southern Vermont. Some of his favorite pastimes include bringing his daughter Heather to the Orange, Massachusetts drag races and car shows while he "tutored" her in her nursing studies. Tim was incredibly proud to get to watch his only child becoming a registered nurse. Tim, Sue, and Heather spent many evenings sitting on the porch together making jokes and watching the birds with their dogs Max, Mazie, Opie, and Brinley. Tim loved the dogs almost as he loved his girls and his cars. His family will miss him sorely, but will never forget all the fond memories. Any time a car revs its engine, they know it's Tim waving from the other side. Memorial information: In accordance with Tim's wishes, there will be no formal funeral services. To share a memory or offer condolences to Tim's family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Sandra Lee Morris "Sandi" Miller, 85, of Walpole, New Hampshire. Died peacefully on July 23, 2024, at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, following a period of declining health. A beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, she was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on Feb. 12, 1939, to Roswell Augustus Morris and Margaret Louise Williamson Morris. Her early years were spent moving between Virginia and Maryland before her family settled in North Springfield, Virginia, when she was 19. After graduating high school, she pursued a career as a professional hairdresser, a skill she continued to share generously with loved ones throughout her life. Throughout her twenties, Sandi was an active member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church's Seabury Club where she met the love of her life, Lawrence "Larry" Gregg Miller. The couple shared many adventures with the club, including memorable trips to Niagara Falls and Bermuda. They married on Sept 13, 1969, at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Annandale, Virginia, and honeymooned in Acapulco, Mexico. Together, Sandi and Larry raised their two daughters, Kimberly Michele and Lisa Nicole, in Annandale. To maximize her time with her girls, Sandi held several jobs with their elementary schools. As a bus driver for Westminster School, she also ensured her daughters could afford a private school education. The family often enjoyed quality time together, including camping trips, Saturdays at the movies, musical theater, and outdoor activities like horseback riding and boating on Burke Lake. Sandi especially cherished summer days spent with her daughters and her mother at the local pool or park. At 41, Sandi showed remarkable bravery and resilience by surviving breast cancer twice and quietly endured the scars and lymphedema throughout her life. After Larry's retirement, Sandi's dream of living in the countryside was fulfilled when they moved to Culpeper, Virginia, where they enjoyed visits from local wildlife, tended to their pets, gardened, and explored the town center. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Sandi and Larry embarked on unforgettable trips to Canada, Scotland, and Ireland (where they visited their daughter Lisa and her husband, James). Sandi's adventurous spirit also led her to visit Morocco twice where her daughter Kim was in the Peace Corps, and together they traveled to several European countries. In 2008, with the birth of their twin granddaughters, Sandi and Larry relocated to New Hampshire to be closer to Kim and her family. They settled in Chesterfield in 2009 and enjoyed many happy years together until Larry's struggle with Alzheimer's began to take a toll on their health. As a devoted wife and caregiver, Sandi looked after Larry for seven years until he moved to Maplewood, where he could receive the care she was no longer able to provide. Sandi then moved to Walpole to live near her daughter Kim and her family, regularly visiting Larry until his death in 2017. She continued to cherish her time with family, with her dog Buttons always by her side. In 2022, as her vision, hearing, and mobility declined, Sandi moved into Maplewood, where she received care until her death. Sandi will be remembered for her devotion to her family and her love of animals, her willingness to help whenever asked, and the warmth and love she shared with her beloved grandchildren, whom she cherished. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her. Sandi is survived by her two daughters, Kimberly Miller King (married to Peter Scott King) of Walpole, and Lisa Miller Baldini (married to James Ugo Lee Baldini) of Lanchester, England. She also leaves behind five cherished grandchildren: Zachary Ryan King, Emma Paige King, Siera Elizabeth King, Ciaran Alexander Baldini, and Eva Elise Baldini. Additionally, Sandi is survived by several nephews, nieces, great-nephews, and great-nieces. Sandi was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and her beloved mother and best friend, Margaret. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will be conducted Friday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Molly Smart, 60, of Putney. Died on July 2, 2024, after a lengthy health battle. Molly was born in Bellows Falls on July 19, 1963 at Rockingham Memorial Hospital to David and Beverly (Royce) Smart. She was raised and educated in Putney and attended Putney Central School then went on to Brattleboro Union High School and graduated with the Class of 1982. Molly worked at Putney Paper in the napkin department for several years until she was severely injured in a workplace accident. Molly enjoyed spending time with her dogs Bailey and Riley. She also enjoyed reading, bird watching, growing plants, shopping on QVC, spending time with loved ones, and going on vacations or spending time with her longtime partner of 45 years, Scott Snyder. She was known for having the biggest heart. She also was known for being set in her ways and wasn't afraid to tell you where to go or how to get there. Besides her beloved partner Scott, she leaves behind her sister Lynn King of West Brattleboro, her brother Steven Smart of Brattleboro, sisters-in-law Laura Smart of Brattleboro and Ethel Snyder of Putney; nieces Shelby Wood, Elizabeth King, and Rachel Bear; and her aunt Ruby Nadeau of Putney. She is also survived by her longtime nurses and friends Stacey Hodge and Casey Wells, as well as her good friends Robbie and Denise Germon, neighbors/best friends Carol and Larry Lynch, and several other family members. She was predeceased by her parents, her brother David W. Smart, and several other family members. Memorial information: There will be no services for Molly at this time. A remembrance of life will be announced at a later date. Donations to either the Windham County Humane Society, the Putney Fire Department, or Rescue Inc.
• John Stuart Wadsworth, 80, of Stratton. Died peacefully, with his family at his side, at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend on July 14, 2024. John was born in Indianapolis, Indiana on Jan. 24, 1944, to Gertrude (Klitzke) MacDougall and Robert Wadsworth. In 1950, his family moved to Townshend, where John attended elementary school, later graduating from Leland and Gray Seminary in 1962. He married his high school sweetheart, Sally Patrick, on June 26, 1965. The couple moved to East Haddam, Connecticut, where John was employed by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft for over 30 years as a mechanical engineer. His career was interrupted for four years while he proudly served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a jet mechanic for the Navy's renowned flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels (1967-1968), a member of squadron VA-86 in Jacksonville, Florida, and spent six months aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Coral Sea. John and Sally's two children, Robert and Christine, were born while he was in the Navy. After retiring from Pratt and Whitney, John fulfilled his dream of moving full time to Stratton in 2005, where he had already built a ski house. He continued to use his many skills to enlarge the house, and oversee the building of a garage and barn. He loved living in Vermont again finally and enjoyed skiing, hiking, kayaking, golf, and traveling with his wife, relatives, and friends. He and Sally hosted many overnight guests, as John treasured the company of his family and friends and was an avid promoter of the Vermont life. He served on the planning commission in Stratton for more than 10 years. John is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 59 years, Sally; their son, Robert (Betsy) Wadsworth, their daughter, Christine (Kenneth) Viele; adored grandchildren Ryan Wadsworth, Cali Wadsworth, Sarah (Carl) Demander, and Gianna Viele; and his brother, Robert (Carol) Wadsworth. In addition, he is survived by several nieces and nephews and many other dear relatives and cherished friends. Memorial information: A celebration of life for John will take place at the Methodist Church in Wardsboro on Saturday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m. A reception will follow at the Stratton Town Hall. All are invited to attend. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.