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.
• Jane Murdoch Baker, 83, of Brattleboro. Died at her home on July 27. Wife of Stephen E. Baker for 55 years. Mother of James F. Baker II of Dummerston, Jonathan S. Baker of Encino, Calif., and Stephen E. Baker of Oakland, Calif. Sister of Nancy Murdoch Moran of Easthampton, Mass. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., the daughter of the late Ian and Helena (Hynes) Murdoch, she graduated from Middlebury College in 1950. She had been employed in the 1950s as a dietician at Dartmouth College and Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg, and later worked at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston as an assistant in the Department of Decoration Arts of Western Europe and America. From 1982 up until the time her illness, she served as a magazine and newspaper consultant with her family's business, Baker's Inc. Very active in her community, she served as a Cub Scout leader and Den Mother for Cub Scout Pack 447 in Brattleboro. From 1963 to 1978, she was an officer and member of the Academy School PTA, and served as an auxiliary volunteer at the Brattleboro Retreat. From 1974 to 1982, she served on the Choate School Mother's Committee. She was active for many years with the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary as a member of the board and former officer and director. She was a Brattleboro Museum & Art Center volunteer and was also active with the Brattleboro Historical Society for many years. Additionally, she served as a trustee at Brooks Memorial Library. Her other activities included affiliation with the American Association of University Women, Brattleboro Branch where she chaired several committees. In 1984, she was honored with an educational grant established in her name. In 1988, she was appointed to the state board of AAUW. In 1994, she became co-founder of the Brattleboro Area Breast Cancer Support Group. She was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, where from 1968-1978, she served as a religious education teacher for the parish. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and time shared with her family, especially her five grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on July 30 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with interment in the Baker lot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Support Group, 9 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Kelly A. McCue, R.N. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Peter J. Benton, 86, formerly of Dummerston, Died July 27 at the Thompson House Nursing Home. Husband of Marilyn M. Moore for nearly 63 years. Father of Jeffrey Benton of Chicago, Douglas Benton of Pacifica, Calif., Andrew Benton of Grantham, N.H., and Sarah Benton of Brattleboro. Predeceased by siblings David Benton, Nicholas Benton, John Benton, and Mary Jameson. Born in Boston, Mass., the son of the late Jay R. and Frances Hill Benton, he was a graduate of the Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, Mass., Class of 1944. Served in the Marine Corps during World War II on board the USS Rendova. Following his military service, he graduated from Boston University in 1950 with a degree in business. Went to work for the John Hancock Life Insurance Company in Boston and eventually was promoted to head of public relations, working out of the company's Chicago office. In 1973, he relocated to Brattleboro with his family and became employed at First Vermont Bank as a vice president and head of marketing for the bank. He later was employed for Sawyer Enterprises in Boston, retiring in 1992. For several years, he was an adjunct professor at Keene State College, teaching management courses. He served on the board of Vermont Public Radio and was a board member at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He enjoyed golf and held membership at the Hooper Country Club in Walpole, N.H. He traveled extensively with his family, touring abroad in Europe as well as the Northwest and Southwest regions of the U.S. With his son Jeff, he climbed to the summit of Mount Rainier. Was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, and was a member of the Marine Corps League, Brattleboro Detachment 798. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 2 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church with the Rev. Jean Smith officiating; Burial with full military honors will follow in the family lot in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Phyllis Louise Welker Coleman, 84, of Jamaica. Died July 20. Wife of the late Roy Coleman. Mother of Karen Young, Halbert Coleman and his wife, Gail, Kelly Coleman, and the late Christopher and Phillip Coleman. Sister of Phillip Welker and his wife, Barbara, of Guilford; and Robert Welker of Sunrise, Fla. Born in New Haven, Conn., the daughter of the late Phillip and Alma Breault Welker, she moved to Vermont with her family when she was a teen. She worked for a period of time as an operator for the local telephone company, and later was the bookkeeper for the family business. She obtained her pilot's license and enjoyed flying her Cessna plane. She loved her dalmations, her fish, her pond and going to concerts at Saratoga Performing Arts Center with her family. Memorial information: A graveside service is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 7, at the Rawsonville Cemetery.
• Michelle Darling, 13, of South Newfane. Died July 24 at Galway Lake, N.Y., following an accident. Daughter of Alan Darling and Lucie Morissette. Sister of Luke and Genevieve Darling. Born in Brattleboro, she was a high honor student about to begin her eighth grade year at Leland & Gray Junior High School. She was an avid reader and also wrote a book of poems (as yet unpublished). She was a member of the Brattleboro Gymnastics Team since she was 4, and qualified for the Vermont State Gymnastics Meet for the last three years. She was a lover of all animals, especially all types of cats, domestic and wild; she was passionate about protecting endangered species. She had a bubbly personality and brought joy to her family and all those around her. Her favorite place was the family's camp on Galway Lake, where she would kayak, swim, and make sure that the fish near the dock were fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Aug. 1 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Burial will take place in South Wardsboro Cemetery at a later date. Donations to the National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA 20190-5362, Attn: Pattie Beattie. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ruth Eunice Trombley Gates, 92, of Brattleboro. Died July 28 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Wife of the late Henry A. Gates for 54 years. Mother of Nancy Gauthier and her family of Brattleboro, and Henry “Skip” Gates, Jr. and his family of Skowhegan, Maine. Sister of Raymond Trombley of Wilbraham, Mass., and Patricia Gougen of Chicopee, Mass. Predeceased by a grandson, William Henry Philbrick Gates. Born in Springfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Raymond and Mildred (Nelson) Trombley, she was raised and educated in Springfield where she attended public schools. Her mom died when she was five, and she was raised by her maternal grandmother, Mathilda Ohlson Nelson Sansoucy. She had been employed for many years as a proofreader at American Stratford in Brattleboro and at the former Vermont Printing Co., also in Brattleboro. Previously, she worked as a sales associate at the former Simons Jewelry Store in Brattleboro, and had been employed as a typist for the late Richard Winston. She was a former member of the B.P.O. Elks Emblem Club, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, and had been a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church. She enjoyed puzzles, taking bus trips, playing cards, and dancing. For several years, she was active with the Silver Liners Dance Troupe in Brattleboro. She was known for her spirit of friendship and easy going personality. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held Aug. 5, at 10 a.m., in the Gates family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street, with a reception to follow at the Melrose Terrace community room. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Helen I. Ladd, 93, of Walpole, N.H. Died July 26 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. Wife of the late Neal Ladd. Mother of Dennis Ladd of Bellows Falls, Nancy Treat of Concord, N.H., and Joyce McAdams of Meredith, N.H. Born in Ludlow, Vt., the daughter of the late Leon Joseph and Mary Agnes Ballard Shabbott, she was a 1936 graduate of Black River Academy and attended Bay Path Junior College. She worked more than 30 years at Vermont National Bank, retiring as branch manager. She also served as Walpole Town Treasurer for many years. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held July 29, at St. Peters Church in North Walpole, with interment in Walpole Cemetery.
• Joseph B. Meagher, 66, of Peterborough, N.H. Died July 20 at his home. Husband Karen Peterson of Peterborough. Brother of Kelly Meagher of Chico, Calif.; Maura Barrington of Torrance, Calif.; and the late Michael Meagher. Born in Philadelphia, Pa., he traveled extensively before moving to Peterborough 24 years ago. After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley, he served as a special agent in Army Intelligence from 1968 to 1970. Following his military service, he earned a Master's in Psychology from UCLA. In the mid-197's, he moved to New England, working in Brattleboro at a group home for teenagers. His 20-year career in publishing began at Country Journal. He joined Yankee Magazine in Boston in the mid 1980s, and moved to Peterborough in 1986 to serve as President and CEO of Yankee Publishing Inc. until his retirement in 1998. A lifelong sports fan, he had a special love for baseball. He played throughout his school years, earning a full baseball scholarship to UC Berkeley. After he moved to Vermont in the 1970s, he played semi-pro baseball with the Northern League's Saxtons River Pirates, eventually serving as player-manager for the team. He was also a great fan of horse racing, spending many summers in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. He visited race tracks all over the United States and Europe, and wrote of his experiences, most recently in The New York Times. Memorial information: A celebration of his life is being arranged. Donations to Holy Angels Residential Facility, 10450 Ellerbe Road, Shreveport, LA 71106, or to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.
• Robert E. Sklar, 83, of Wardsboro. Died July 25 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Husband of the late Judith Foley for nearly 41 years. Father of David Sklar, and his wife, Colleen, of West Wardsboro. Brother of Eugene Sklar and his wife, Barbara, of Burlington, and Gilbert Sklar and his wife, Phyllis, of Florida. Born in Queens, N.Y, the son of Irwin and Matilda (Horowitz) Sklar, he graduated from Forrest Hills (N.Y.) High School and New York University. Served in the Army, and upon discharge from active duty, worked for Santini Brothers in New York City. He then owned and operated his own consulting business (Relo Corp.) where his company was responsible for relocating businesses in New York City, including the World Trade Center. He was an avid skier and golfer, and in his earlier years, enjoyed coaching youth soccer. He volunteered for the MOOver, driving people to their doctor appointments. He enjoyed his home and cherished times spent with his family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held July 27 at Covey & Allen Funeral Home in Wilmington, with interment in the family lot in Fairview Cemetery in Wardsboro. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, Route 35, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Raymeir Ramon Charles Smith, 2, of Brattleboro. Died July 21. Son of Dorothy Quinones and Ray Smith. Brother of Justo DeThomas, Van Mccaskill, and Justize DeThomas. Grandchild of Ray and Debra Moore. Memorial information: A funeral service was held July 28 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro, with interment at Mount St. Benedict Cemetery in Bloomfield, Conn.
• Mildred Allena Willard, 90, of Grafton. Died July 24 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Wife of the late Edward R. Willard for more than 60 years. Mother of Judith Ann Kenyon and her husband, Carlton, of Grafton. Sister of Luella French of Westminster, Robert McQuaide of Barre, and the late Bill and Donald McQuaide. Born in Cambridgeport, the daughter of Edward and Florence (Huntoon) McQuaide, she worked in the post office and store in Cambridgeport, cleaned houses for several people in the town of Grafton, and retired from the Grafton Post Office after 33 years of service. During her retirement with her husband, they mowed lawns in the Grafton area. She was an amazing cook, took pride in her plants and flowers and her beautiful Grafton home. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be dearly missed. Memorial information: A graveside service was held July 31 in the Saxtons River Cemetery. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, Route 35, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Christopher Philip Woodward, 26, of Brattleboro. Died July 22. Son of Thomas and Doreen Justus Woodward of Westminster. Stepson of Lyanne Woodward. Brother of Patrick Woodward. Attended Bellows Falls Union High School, and completed Vermont's Plumbing Apprenticeship Program. Most recently, he was employed by Fleming Oil Co. in Brattleboro. He fondly remembered his early years growing up on Prospect Hill in Walpole, N.H. His Kurn Hattin experience was greatly affected by his houseparents, Ziggy and Sue Ostrowski, and his work in the Maintenance Department with Steve Barry. He was elected to the Board of Directors of Sportsmen, Inc. in Guilford, and especially enjoyed competing in their black powder military rifle matches. Memorial information: A private graveside service was held. Donations to New England Kurn Hattin Homes, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Walter Zaluzny, 86, of Vernon. Died July 29 at Vernon Green Nursing Home following an extended illness. Husband of the late Julia Majdak for 56 years. Father of Steven Zaluzny of Vernon and Christine Fredericks and her husband, Robert, of Vernon. Brother of Stephen Zaluzny, who died in childhood, Andrew Zaluzny, Harry S. Zaluzny, and Olga Williams. Born in Vernon, the son of the late Harry and Anna Sobedska Zaluzny, he grew up on the family farm and remained connected to the farming community all his life. He was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1943. Served in the Army during World War II, and was in the European Theater of Operations where he was captured and became a prisoner of war. His liberation came at the close of the war when his POW camp was liberated by allied troops. Worked as a carpenter for Howard O'Bryan Construction Co. in Brattleboro and for Lewis & Bolton of Northfield, Mass., before founding Zaluzny Excavating in Vernon with his wife in 1950. Over the years, his company completed numerous residential, commercial, and municipal projects throughout southern Vermont and New Hampshire. He simultaneously developed gravel and quarry operations in Windham County. He served on the Vernon Selectboard for 32 years, many of those as chairman. The town garage, offices, and recreation area were built during his tenure. He was also instrumental in the preservation of local farm land. For many years, he was an active volunteer with the Vernon Fire Department and was a member of the Vernon Historians and the Vernon Seniors. He was also a member of American Legion Brattleboro Post 5, VFW Post 1034, and was a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Vermont Chapter No. 1. He enjoyed snowmobiling, skiing, gardening, photography, collecting historical postcards of the local area, square dancing with his wife and their many friends from throughout the area, and summer trips to Moody Beach, Maine. He will be remembered for his work ethic, sense of humor, and warm smile. Memorial information: Funeral services were held on Aug. 3 at the Pond Road Chapel, followed by burial with full military honors in the family lot in North Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Vernon Historians, P.O. Box 282, Vernon, VT 05354 or Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
Births
• In Fort Benning, Ga., (Martin Army Community Hospital), July 21, 2011, a son, Ryan Daniel Greenleaf, to Christian and Jessica (Boothroyd) Greenleaf of Phenix City, Ala.; grandson to Melody Lively of Newfane, David Greenleaf of Brattleboro, and John and Nancy Boothroyd of The Woodlands, Texas; great-grandson to John and Sally Boothroyd and Arthur and Alma Kezer, all of Maynard, Mass.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), July 18, 2011, a daughter, Isabella Christine Jacobs, to Angela M. Pierce and Garret A. Jacobs of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Christine Pierce, Sherry Jacobs, and Steven Jacobs.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), July 17, 2011, a daughter, Saphira Liana Smith, to Jennifer (Wagner) and Franklin Delano Smith III of West Halifax; granddaughter to Angela Lee Howe, Joseph W. Wagner Jr., Lisa J. Smith, and Franklin Delano Smith II.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), July 11, 2011, a son, Noah William Marsh, to Jessica Champney and Jared Marsh of Hinsdale, N.H.; grandson to Gary K. Champney of Spofford, N.H., Kim Porter of Farmington, N.H., and Kathleen and William Perkins of Hinsdale.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), July 8, 2011, a daughter, Taylor Pieper Bristol, to Beth (McElwee) and Jared Bristol of Guilford; granddaughter to Corinne and Charles Bristol, and Robin and David McElwee.
• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), July 6, 2011, a daughter, Gemma Joan-Mitsuko, to Alexis Jones and Robert Taylor of Bellows Falls.
• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), July 1, 2011, a son, Bruno Joseph II, to Colleen (Knowlton) and Bruno Bazin of Westminster.
College news
• Anna Little of Brattleboro and Ian Sbardellati of Putney have both earned a Bachelor Of Arts in Psychology and Human Development from Union Institute & University.
• Justin Doucette of Wilmington, son of Michele Doucette and Dale Doucette, has graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.