Obituaries
• Shirley (Starkey) Castine, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 19, 2025, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by family. She was born at home Aug. 5, 1935, to William A. Starkey and Myrtle E. (Joslyn) Starkey in Hinsdale, New Hampshire. She graduated from Hinsdale High School in 1953. After graduation, she began her career as a bookkeeper at Baker’s Book Store in Brattleboro and later continued her profession at Grand Union in Brattleboro and Hannaford in Keene, New Hampshire, from which she retired in 2011. She married Herbert J. Castine in 1960. She often told people that her greatest accomplishment in life was her children and later her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her favorite thing was to spend time with her family, especially at the family camp in Rupert. She loved the ocean and was an avid reader. She was very adventurous and loved stepping out of her comfort zone to do fun things with her family. She was known as “Mom” to all of the kids who spent so much time at the family home while her kids were growing up. Shirley is survived by her children Scott Castine (Cindy) of Vernon and Vickie Castine-Donovan (Rick) of Swanzey, New Hampshire; grandchildren Sierra Sargent and Derek and their son Lee of West Haven, Utah; Jacob Castine and Aubry, and Trevor Knight and Victoria, all of Portland, Oregon; Leah Gutierrez and David and children of Fort Riley, Kansas; Eric Donovan and Juliette of Milpitas, California; Nikki Eberhart and Brian and children of Athens, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews. A special mention to her niece Cathy McCarthy and John, and her grand-dog, Maddie. In addition to her parents, Shirley was predeceased by her ex- husband, Stanley, and all her siblings: William Starkey Jr, Christine Kennedy, Joyce Bonneau, Robert Starkey, and Bernard Starkey. Shirley was orphaned at the age of 5 and the Starkey kids were the first family on record in the state of New Hampshire to be allowed to remain together. She was raised by her siblings. Shirley was humble, loving and sweet. She was a true lady. She was loved by all who met her and her loving family will miss her beyond words. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held on Friday, Dec. 5, at noon at VFW Post 1034, 40 Black Mountain Rd., Brattleboro. Donations to Bayada Home Health, 28 Vernon St., Suite 327, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Sharon Theresa Dunn, 79, of Westmoreland, New Hampshire. Died Nov. 22, 2025, from complications following her long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her spirit, her will, and her smile stayed with her to the very end. Sharon was a friend to all. Whatever she did in life, she did with love, grace, and a deep connection to people, animals, and the natural world. And she always loved a good conversation. Born and raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, Sharon attended the University of Maryland and the Washington Montessori Institute. Bringing her degrees to Keene, New Hampshire, she helped found — and was one of the first teachers at — the Keene Montessori School. Teaching, especially the Montessori method, was her lifelong passion, along with gardening, cooking, and traveling. For a time, Sharon was a rural mail carrier in West Brattleboro, and if you were near your mailbox when she arrived, you could be sure she would stop for a chat. Later, when she became “the passport lady” at the Brattleboro Post Office, you left often only after a lively conversation about your travel plans. Sharon was also a businesswoman, founding and operating the Elliot Street consignment shop Twice Upon a Time. Sharon was deeply involved with Brattleboro Area Hospice, both as a trained caregiver and as one of the “Sortin’ Sisters,” a group of friends who organized, tagged, and helped run things at Experienced Goods. She also served on the Board of Brattleboro Area Affordable Housing. An avid gardener and a cook of near-professional talent, she shared her bounty generously with neighbors and the broader community in Westmoreland and beyond. Above all, Sharon was a fiercely loving mother to her children, Forrest Bencivenga and her husband, Shalem of Keene and Dylan Pierpont of Harrisville, New Hampshire; a devoted wife and partner to her husband of nearly 40 years, Paul Berch; and a proud grandmother to Julien, Rosa, and Harvey. She is also survived by her big brother, John Dunn of Carmel Valley, California, along with countless dear friends who were, in every way, family. Memorial information: The family asks her many friends to take a moment to give a hug — if you can — to someone you love. Sharon would approve.
• William Nelson “Bill” Fleming, 80, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 15, 2025, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, the result of injuries he sustained from a fall at his home. A lifelong resident of town, Bill was born in Brattleboro on Oct. 11, 1945, the son of Maurice and Phyllis (Nelson) Fleming. He attended Brattleboro public schools and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1964. He went on to enlist in the Army in June 1964, serving in Vietnam until his honorable discharge from active service in June 1969. Bill returned home to Brattleboro and went to work at The Book Press. He was employed there up until the time the company closed its Brattleboro location. Bill later was employed at C&S Wholesale Grocers, from which he retired following many years of faithful service. Bill was a lifelong Boy Scout and member of Brattleboro Troop 5, where he earned his Eagle Scout badge in 1962. He served as assistant scoutmaster for Troop 5 and, later, Troop 405. Bill loved his hometown of Brattleboro and was well versed in Brattleboro history. He enjoyed collecting Brattleboro postcards and memorabilia, magic cards, and was a coin and stamp collector. An accomplished photographer, for years Bill always carried his camera with him taking photos of Brattleboro and its citizens, as well as nature scenes. He also enjoyed needlepoint, producing many beautiful pieces which he shared with others. He was a diehard New York Yankees and New York Jets fan. Bill was a member of the Brattleboro Stamp Club, Brattleboro Camera Club, a longtime member of the Vermont Center for Photography, and had an exhibit of his work at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center in 1990. Additionally, he was a member of the Brattleboro Historical Society and held membership in American Legion Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 in Brattleboro. He will be remembered for his easy-going personality and spirit of friendship, always striking up a conversation with whomever he met. Survivors include one son, William Fleming Jr., of Florida, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Rose Sanderson. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with military honors will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. A memorial gathering in celebration of his life will follow the burial, at American Legion Post 5 from noon to 4 p.m. Donations to the Brattleboro Historical Society, 230 Main St., #301, Brattleboro, VT 05301; or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Janice B. Martin, 99, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 24, 2025, in the comfort of her home. She was born in Brattleboro on Aug. 28, 1926, the daughter of Nelson and Leona (Whitney) Pratt. She attended the South School one-room schoolhouse in Vernon, where light came from a bank of six windows on the south side, and children used the outdoor privy. Her family then moved to Dummerston, where she attended Canoe Brook School with 10 other elementary school students. She was responsible for bringing the water to school each day since she was the student who lived closest to the one-room schoolhouse. Graduating from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1944, she later went to Hanover, New Hampshire, in the Cadet Nurse Corps, eventually graduating from Thompson School for Practical Nurses in Winthrop, Mass. Janice worked in nursing at Thompson House for four years and, later, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital for 17 years. She retired from nursing in 1974 and joined her husband in operating Martin’s Television Sales & Service for 20 years. Janice was a lifelong member of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro, where she was active with various church committees, and was an active volunteer at the Brattleboro Senior Center. She served on the board of Tri-Park Cooperative as secretary and was a fountain of knowledge of Tri-Park. An avid gardener, Janice grew and put by the bounty of her garden, creating delicious home-cooked meals for her family, along with homemade bread. She enjoyed the outdoors, camping with her family, and time spent with those she loved. She was an accomplished seamstress and knitter, always with a project or two in the works. Employed at the stationery counter at Woolworth’s Five and Dime on Main Street during her high school days, she met her future husband, Henry Evans Martin. They were married on Dec. 28, 1946, at the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro after World War II ended and stayed married nearly 67 years until Henry died on Dec. 5, 2012. Survivors include one daughter, Joan Martin of Brattleboro; two sons, Stephen Martin and Wayne Martin and his wife Kimberlee, both of Brattleboro; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one sister, Jane Lauzon, and a grandson, Daniel Martin. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 2 p.m. at First Congregational Church, followed by a reception of light refreshments at the church. Committal services will be in the spring at the family’s convenience. Donations to First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 2389, Brattleboro, VT 05303; to Rescue Inc.’s Joseph Thompson Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to St. Brigid’s Kitchen, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com. [Editor’s note: To read Fran Lynggaard Hansen’s 2024 profile of Janice Martin and two Brattleboro Union High School classmates, visit commonsnews.org/issue/792/792BHS_Classof1944.]
• Sandra Jean (Szulborski) “Sandy” McCauley, 82, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 9, 2025, at her residence. Sandy was born on Nov. 18, 1942, in the Greenville neighborhood of Leicester, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Edward V. and Sandra Jean (Bolden) Szulborski. She was part of the Brattleboro community for 64 years. Sandy had many interests. Horses were an early passion. Her first horse, Scarlet, led to building a barn and more ponies and horses for her children. She was a member of the Brattleboro Riding Club and supported the Monadnock Pony Club with Christian and Shari’s participation. Her long involvement with the Brattleboro Garden Club gave her great joy. Sandy was proud of achieving her National Flower Show Judge status and always loved competing in flower shows. Sandra is survived by her son, Christian McCauley and his wife, Andrea; her daughter Shari Pulitano and her partner Dominic; granddaughters Kelci and Keria Lewandowski; and brothers Johny Gogel and his wife Juanita, and Tony Gogel and his wife Veronica. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Jane Skibniowsky. Memorial information: At this time there are no services. Donations to your local humane society. To offer condolences, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
• Mary Helen (Bobrowski) Smith, 103, of Bellows Falls. Died peacefully Nov. 21, 2025, at the Gill Odd Fellow Home in Ludlow. Mary was born in Bellows Falls on Feb. 1, 1922, to Walenty and Eva (Nizik) Bobrowski. She married Stanley (Staniszewski) Smith on Jan. 19, 1946. Mary proudly attended Bellows Falls High School, graduating with the Class of 1940. Her Bellows Falls area employment was at Zeno’s Bakery, The Tannery, and New England Telephone and Telegraph as a telephone operator and supervisor. She chose an early retirement to care for husband. She was a lifelong member of Sacred Heart Church as her parents, along with other immigrant families, helped to build it after they arrived from Poland. Mary was involved as a member of the Choir and the Ladies Altar Society. At the closing of Sacred Heart Church, she was graciously welcomed and enjoyed many years at St. Charles Church, where she received the Servant Heart Award recognition earlier this year for her many years as a good and faithful servant of the Catholic Church. Embracing her second-generation Polish heritage, she was a member of the Polish American Club in Bellows Falls, and she spent many hours at the Bellows Falls Senior Center. She attended their Over-90 club luncheons and did bone density exercises well into her 90s, filling in when the instructor was absent. Mary fully enjoyed the family holidays, trips to Florida, her monthly Telephone Operator’s luncheons, her Hawaiian vacation (kissed by Don Ho), and would enjoy a trip to a casino. In her more homebound years, she greatly anticipated receiving her daily Meals on Wheels delivery and chatting with the volunteers (especially Janet Dube), visits from her family, and endless games of solitare on her vintage computer. In her last year, she received exceptional care by the Trusted Choice Eldercare Team and later at Gill Odd Fellows Home, where she involved herself in their activities and events. Mary is survived by her children, Mary (Tedric) Emerson Sr. and Edward (Laurel) Smith; grandchildren, Kate (Vince) Canini, Kerry (late Gary) Rainstrom, Tedric (Kristy) Emerson Jr., Courtney (Justin) Reed, Dwight (Heather) Smith, and Cory (Melissa) Smith; great-grandchildren Kayla Bibee, Nick (Molly) Rowland, Evan (Samantha) Mattison, Jennifer and Jonathan Cray, Olivia and Isabella Smith, and Garrett and Addison Emerson; great-great-grandchildren Liam, Remi, Ellie, Harper, Chase, Nora, Lisa, Lincoln, and Parker; and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary was predeceased by her parents and husband, brothers Joseph (Julia), Leo (Betty), Steven (Nalora), and Anthony Bobrowski; her sister, Laura (Will) Lawlor; her daughter, Patricia (David) Cray; and grandchildren Kimberly Emerson and Jason Cray. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 29 at St. Charles Church, with internment at the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Donations to the Bellows Falls Area Senior Center, 18 Tuttle St, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Barbara A. (Nurse) Thomas, 88, of Chesterfield, New Hampshire. Died peacefully Nov. 14, 2025, in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. She was born July 13, 1937, in Keene, New Hampshire, and was a lifelong resident of Chesterfield and a loving member of Asbury United Methodist Church, a longtime member of the Brookline Garden Club, and a devoted member of American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary in Brattleboro. Barbara cherished her family, community involvement, and her passion for gardening and horticulture. She was preceded in death by her parents, John H. and Marion Nurse, her brother John P. Nurse, and her sister Mildred Nadeau. Barbara is survived by her brother Charles Nurse, and her children Susan Stone, Marty Robinson, Sonya Wilburn, and Mark Robinson, along with 13 grandchildren and more than 20 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held in the spring. The family asks to donate your smiles in Barbara’s name to the ones you love, and donate to your local charities. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.