Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Eileen “Mamie” Callahan Baker, 59, of Dummerston. Died June 9 at her home. Wife of David Baker. Mother of Jennifer Nickerson. Stepmother of Timothy Baker of Aberdeen, Scotland. Sister of Pat, Tim, Daniel, Terry and Jennifer. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Bill and Margie Callahan, she attended St. Michael's School and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1969. She traveled in Europe and learned to speak French fluently while working in Switzerland. She also helped found the Rutland Area Hospice Care, furthered her education and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Norwich University with a B.S. in Nursing in 1997, was a member of local 12-step programs and was active in her church. Eileen retired from her lifelong nursing career at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in February 2011, where she was given the hospital's first-ever Nurse of the Year award in 2009. Some of her many loves were dancing, music, theater, kayaking, traveling, and reading. Her attitude of gratitude allowed her to live fully and touch many lives. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 13 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Donations to the Oncology Department, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Ione B. Brunton, 89, of Brattleboro. Died June 8 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Wife of the late Guy R. Brunton for 64 years. Mother of Anne Coughlin and her husband, Ernest, of El Dorado Hills, Calif.; and Sally Brunton of Brattleboro. Predeceased by four brothers, Ralph, Edward, Russell, and Walter Buscelle, and one sister, Mae DeSand. Born in New York City, the daughter of the late Edwin and Hattie (Atkins) Buscelle. She was raised and educated in both New York and New Jersey, and later attended the Northfield (Mass.) School for Girls. For more than 40 years, she was involved with her husband's business, Guy R. Brunton Builders, serving as bookkeeper. She was also a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. She was a member of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross at the monthly blood drawings at the Elks Home. She also had been a volunteer at the Brattleboro Museum and Arts Center. She was a long-time member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro, where she was very active within the church. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 14 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, with burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Martha Joyce Gantt, 81, of Vernon. Died June 8 at Vernon Green Nursing home. Mother of Michael Keith Gantt and his wife, Barbara, of Brattleboro. Survived by five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Born in Belmont, N.C., she worked for 35 years as a waitress, and then for several years as an independent contractor cleaning homes and offices. After moving to Vermont in 2001, she worked as a volunteer for the Council on Aging as a Senior Companion. She was a faithful member of Agape Christian Fellowship in Brattleboro, where her son Michael and grandson Michael Bryan serve as pastors. Memorial information: A memorial service in honor of life will be held at Agape Christian Fellowship, 30 Canal St., on Saturday, June 18, at 1 p.m. Donations to the Kenya Development Fund, 30 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• James P. “Pat” Hyde Jr., 75, of West Dover. Died June 4 at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. Husband of Barbara Taylor for 50 years. Father of Rebecca “Becky” Miles and her husband, Paul, of Waterford, N.Y., and Sarah Daniels and her husband, Doug, of West Dover. Precdeceased by his brother, William Dennett Hyde. Born in the Bronx, N. Y., the son of the late James P. Hyde, Sr. and Susannah Madeleine “Hydie” Folz, he was educated in Phillipsburg, N.J., schools. He graduated with various degrees from Mitchell College, East Stroudsburg University and Ryder College. He was a math teacher for the North Hunterdon Regional School District in New Jersey. Also worked for Schrader Yacht Sales in Point Pleasant, N.J., for many years. He was an integral part of the Ski School at the Mount Snow ski resort in Vermont as an instructor, supervisor and passionate mentor to others for over 40 years. As a longtime member of the Professional Ski Instructors of America, Pat was certified Alpine Level 2 and achieved Master Teacher status. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at the Sundance Base Lodge at Mount Snow in West Dover. Interment will be private. Donations to the William Y. Cooper Foundation, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, American Heart Association, Alzheimer's Association, or to the charity of one's choice, in care of Covey & Allen Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215 Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Maria Olivencia-John, 42, of Brattleboro. Died June 4 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of Eric John for 13 years. Mother of Samuel John. Sister of Francisco Olivencia and Edward Ashline, both of White River Junction. Predeceased by her stepfather, Edward Ashline. Born in Lebanon, N.H., the daughter of Wencesalo Olivencia and Nancy (Gee) Ashline. She was a graduate of Hartford (Vt.) High School, Class of 1986. For the past 15 years, she had been employed in management at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Keene, N.H., a position she loved and excelled in. She retired from C&S in April due to her failing health. Previously, she was a manager at the Brattleboro Bowl on Putney Road. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother whose life centered around her family. She enjoyed baking and playing softball, was active with the greater Brattleboro Women's Softball League, and was also an avid Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots fan. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at a future date. Donations to the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Frida Kulmus, 99, of Brattleboro, Died June 9 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Wife of Otto Kulmus for 57 years. Mother of Luise May of Washington, D.C.; Carol Muller and husband, George, of San Jose, Calif.; and Loretta Kulmus of Brattleboro. Sister of Klare Kessler of Biberach, Germany. Predeceased by five brothers and three sisters. Born in Biberach, Germany, the eldest daughter of Josef and Kathe (Schmucker) Greif, she was raised and educated in Germany. Following her marriage in 1931, she joined her husband in New York City, where they lived for 10 years before moving to Putney and finally settling in Brattleboro. A devoted homemaker, she especially enjoyed flower gardening, knitting, and travel. For several years. she used her talents and knitted for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program in Brattleboro. She was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 13 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's Catholic School, Attn: Elaine Beam, principal, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Linda C. Knowlton, 55, of Westminster. Died June 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late Timothy Knowlton. Mother of Jeremy Knowlton of Bellows Falls; Joni Cormier and husband, Lance, of Walpole, N.H.; Colleen Bazin and husband, Bruno, of Westminster; and the late James Henry and Timothy Clifford Knowlton. Sister of Dean Christian of Monson, Mass.; Deborah Riley of Wilbraham, Mass.; and the late Susan O'Goley. Born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Clifford and Joanne (Manzi) Christian, she attended schools in Hamden, Mass., and was a graduate of Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. She worked in area restaurants for many years, and was most recently the co-owner/operator of Knowlton's Kitchen in North Walpole, N.H., where she had a loyal group of customers who enjoyed her daily dishing of sarcasm. She was an avid baker and was known for her delicious desserts. She enjoyed spending time with her family and floating in her pool. Memorial information: A funeral service and burial will be held at the convenience of the family.
• Mary Patricia Villarejo, 96, of Brattleboro. Died June 8 at Thompson House. Wife of the late Oscar Villarejo for 50 years. Aunt of Jennifer Holan of Westminster. Cousin of Jewell Hajny of Wisconsin. Predeceased by a brother, Frank Holan. Born in Milwaukee, the daughter of Vincent and Frances (Marshalek) Holan, she was raised and educated in Milwaukee and was a graduate of Wisconsin State College, where she received her B.A. in Art Education. She later attended the Art Students League in New York City. She worked for Time, Inc. as an art assistant and also had been employed by Norcross greeting cards and Marcou O'Leary & Associates, a landscape architectural firm in Washington, D.C. She also wrote and illustrated several children's books, including A Santo for Pasqualita, The Art Fair, The Famous Blue Gnu of Colonel Kachoo, and The Tiger Hunt, as well as numerous magazine articles. Following the death of her husband, who was a professor of English and Spanish literature, in 1996 she moved to Brattleboro. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 14 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with burial in Morningside Cemetery. Donations to Kurn Hattin Homes, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Richard F. Vining, 65, of Wilmington, formerly of Medford and Stoneham, Mass. Died June 1 at his home. Father of Christopher Doyle of Melrose, Mass., and Maureen Doyle, also of Melrose. Brother of David T. and Michael Vining. Predeceased by brothers, Gary, Ronald, and Steven Vining. Born in Medford, Mass., the son of the late Richard M. and Josephine (Terrio) Vining, he graduated from Medford High School in 1963 and earned an associate's degree from Chamberlain College. He was the director of marketing for his family business, Vining Disposal Service, and was a member of the Solid Waste Management Association. He loved skiing, his pets, his cars, and especially living in Vermont. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on June 8 at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Stoneham, Mass. Interment was private. Funeral services in Vermont will be announced at a later date. Donations to the Veterans Memorial Fund of Medford, Mass., or the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
Births
• At Franklin Medical Center, Greenfield, Mass., May 24, 2011, a son, Daniel Edward Lapinski, to Catherine Stetson and Edward Lapinski of Erving, Mass.; grandson to Heidi and Michael Mario of Brattleboro; Christopher Stetson and Janet Spongberg of Northampton, Mass.; and Norma and Mickey Stein of Eastham, Mass., and Florida.
College news
• Heidi Allen, a May Graduate Business Administration and Accounting major from Londonderry, and Megan Woodcock, a first-year Biology major from Putney, were named to the spring 2011 Dean's List at Saint Michael's College in Colchester.
• Kristin Worden of Vernon, an Applied Forensic Science/Chemistry major, has been inducted into Phi Eta Sigma, a National Freshman Honor Society, at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pa.
• Kyra Pelz-Walsh of Dummerston was named to the spring 2011 Dean's List at the University of Connecticut.
• The following local students graduated from the University of New Hampshire on May 21: Marissa Smith of Brattleboro earned a B.A. in English Teaching; and Nicholas Haskell of Brattleboro and David Lockerby of Saxtons River both earned A.A.S. degrees in Forest Technology.