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.
• Donald Hastings Adams, 89, of Jupiter, Fla., formerly of Londonderry. Died Dec. 5 at St. Mary's Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Husband of the late Erma Hill and the late Gladys Mackey. Father of Judith Nigro, and her husband, Richard, of Jupiter, Fla.; and Donna Garland and her husband, Robert, of North Hampton, N.H. Brother of the late Douglas Adams and the late Shirley Bryson and Helen Lyons. Born in Rockingham, the son of the late Clyde and Bessie (Tenney) Adams, he graduated from Chester High School in 1942 and then joined the Army Air Corps. He was stationed in Greenland during World War II. After the war, he resided in Londonderry where he was a rural letter carrier for 20 years and co-owner of Adams Market, Inc. with his parents and twin brother, Douglas. In 1962, the market was relocated to their newly developed shopping center in Londonderry at the junction of Routes 11 and 100. The Adams brothers retired in 1974 after 44 years in the family business. He was a member of Masonic Lodge 57, and American Legion Post 82. He also served as a volunteer firefighter in the town of Londonderry. After his second marriage in 1984, he moved to Florida. Memorial information: A committal service will be held in the spring at Riverside Cemetery. Donations to the Alzheimer's Association, Chapter Headquarters, 300 Cornerstone Dr., Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.
• Kenneth Knowlton Babbitt, 86, of Putney. Died Dec. 15 at his home. Husband of Eleanor May Frink for 61 years. Father of Kenneth Babbitt Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Salsbury; Joanna Babbitt of Guilford; David Babbitt and his wife, Brooky, of Putney; and the late Douglas Paul Babbitt. Brother of John and George Lowe, Mary Mitchell, Edward and Michael Lowe and the late Jim, Bill, Richard, and Joseph Lowe. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Ruth Knowlton and Kenneth Babbitt. In 1936, Ruth Knowlton was remarried to George Lowe and the family moved to Dummerston Center. As a boy, he picked berries, cut ice, logged, cut firewood and worked on a dairy farm. He started every day by laying the fire and hauling water for the Dummerston Center School, where his mother was the teacher. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943, and was a Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class in Milne Bay, New Guinea in the South Pacific. When World War II ended, he returned to Vermont and used the GI Bill to purchase a dairy farm in Westminster West. In 1951, he began working full time for Green Mountain Orchard, and in 1954, moved his family to Putney. He remained employed at the orchard for the next 36 years. His love of the outdoors ran through all he was and all he believed in. He loved work, in particular, cutting wood. He was famous locally for his perfectly stacked cordwood. He loved hunting, especially with his brothers and his sons. He enjoyed fishing and was an active member of the Putney Gun Club. He was affectionately known as “Pop-Pop” by his family, especially by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was funny and a great storyteller. He was unpretentious and loved by all. Memorial information: In accordance with his wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. A memorial service will be held on Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. at Green Mountain Orchards in Putney. A potluck reception will follow the service. All who knew and loved Ken Babbitt are welcome to attend. Donations to the Putney Fire Department or Rescue Inc.
• Hazel Bearor Bement, 95, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 4 at Thompson House. Wife of the late Francis C. Bement. Mother of Nancy B. Dix. Sister of the late Vera Holbrook, Achsa Lee, and Oliver and Maurice Bearor.Born in Burlington, the daughter of the late Paul H. and Helen Porter Bearor, she graduated from Beaman Academy in 1934, and then moved to Brattleboro in 1935. She worked at the Hotel Brooks, Estey Organ Co., and as a secretary for Dr. Richard Revilla until her retirement. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary. She enjoyed many trips throughout the United States and Europe with her family and daughter, Nancy. She also enjoyed quilting, knitting, needlepoint, and her daily walks with her dear friend Barbara St. John. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held in the spring. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund or Rescue Inc.
• Edith Louise Roser Bickle, 94, formerly of Greenwich, Conn., and West Halifax. Died Dec. 21 in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Wife of the late Milton “Pick” Bickle Sr. Mother of Milton Bickle Jr. Sister of Betty Feret and Jim Roser. Her love of children was paramount in her life. In Connecticut, she created the children's program for two local churches. Later, working with autistic children became her passion. She founded and was director of Sunny Hill Children's Center, a renowned haven for autistic and special needs children in the 1960s and 1970s. After she retired, she created a scholarship benefiting students who major in special education. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held in the spring in Halifax and in Greenwich, Conn. Donations to Greenwich Scholarship Association, c/o United Way, One Lafayette Court, Greenwich, CT, 06830, and designate Sunny Hill Children's Center Scholarship Fund.
• Bryan J. Boyd, 36, of Turners Falls, Mass. Died Dec, 29 at his home. Father of Cameron Boyd of Orange, Mass. Brother of Gina Boyd-Carrier of Westminster, Jessica Boyd of Belmont N.C., Jennifer Boyd of Braintree, and Lisa Boyd of Guilford, The son of Wendy Barber and James Boyd, he grew up in Brattleboro, completed high school in Clover, N.C., then made his home in Turners Falls. He loved and cherished his time with his son and family. He enjoyed spending free time drawing, listening to music, bowling, playing pool, watching NASCAR and football with friends. He was a loving, compassionate father, brother, son and uncle. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 6, at 1 p.m., at the Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro.
• John “Howard” Brewster, 93, of Putney, formerly of Merritt Island, Fla. Died Dec. 18 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of the late Joyce Wamsley. Father of Jean Brewster Giddings and Thomas Ehrenberg of Putney; Joan Brewster of Jefferson City, Mont.; and Wendy Brewster Berg and husband, Christopher, of Titusville, Fla. Brother of Stanley Brewster of Roswell, N.M., and the late Warren Brewster, Evans V. Brewster, and Patricia Austin. Born in Sunapee, N.H., the son of the late John Herbert and Ruth (Vaughan) Brewster, he attended schools in New Hampshire and Florida, where his parents owned and operated hotels. He graduated from Central High in Manchester, N.H. in 1936 and attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Omaha in 1964. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Army Air Force and served as a bomber pilot flying B-17s in the European Theater and B-29s in the Pacific Theater out of Saipan. In the Pacific, he and his crew were awarded four Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross and four battle stars. After the war, he returned to the hotel business, managing the Soo-Nipi Lodge on Lake Sunapee in New Hampshire and the Monson Hotel in St. Augustine, Fla. When the U.S. Air Force was formed, he was invited to return and remained in the service until he retired in 1962 as a pilot, ultimately working with the Jupiter and Minuteman missile programs. After his military retirement, he continued in the civilian space program with contractors in New Orleans and Cape Canaveral, Fla. He spent his last working years working with the state of Florida. He loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman and golfer. He enjoyed photography and woodworking and admired and owned sports cars and high fidelity equipment. After Howard suffered a coronary arrest he required care, and after his wife died, he lived with his daughters and their families, first in Florida and then in Putney for the last 14 years. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 23 at the Friends Meeting House in Putney. Donations to Putney Family Services, P.O. Box 463, Putney, VT 05346. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Thomas Victor Burdo, 55, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 25 from an existing heart condition. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Jan. 2 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro.
• Earl Alexander Caddell, 85, of Grafton. Died Dec. 18 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, after suffering a stroke. Wife of Jean Hyatt Caddell for more than 60 years. Father of David George Caddell, Elizabeth Jean Connolly and the late Jeffrey Graham Caddell. Brother of Leonard Caddell and the late Robert Caddell. Born and raised in Staten Island, N.Y., the son of the late Alexander and Stella Caddell, he attended McKee Technical High School and Champlain College. He was a Naval veteran of World War II, where he served aboard a submarine. He spent more than 30 years as co-owner of Jedco Electric, an electrical power equipment sales, service, and repair business. In the early 1980s, he retired and moved to Grafton, where he spent many enjoyable years in a new career in real estate and found great joy in volunteering on the Grafton Fire Department, the FAST squad, the Grafton church, the ski patrol and the Special Olympics. He enjoyed golfing, skiing, flying and tennis. Memorial information: A memorial service is being planned for the spring in Grafton. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Jennifer Caldwell, 53, of Wolfeboro, N.H., formerly of Putney. Died Dec. 27 at her home. Wife of Howie Bean for 23 years. Mother of Anya Caldwell Bean. Sister of Tim Caldwell and his wife Margaret, of Lyme, N.H.; Sverre Caldwell and his wife, Lilly, of Peru, Vt.; and Peter Caldwell and his wife, Darcy, of Florham Park, N.J. The daughter of John Caldwell and Hester (Goodenough) Caldwell, she was educated at The Putney School, attended Middlebury College, and graduated with a B.A. from the University of Vermont. In 1988, following her marriage, she moved to Wolfeboro, where they built their home and raised their daughter. Musician, choral scholar, avid reader, and gardener, she actively engaged in the art of living and gave pleasure and comfort to all who knew her. She will be well remembered for her work at the Tuftonboro (N.H.) Library, and for working with the Huggins Hospital Meals on Wheels program. Preferring collecting sap to boiling it, she fully embraced the joys of outdoor labor. Beyond the simple pleasures of her home, Jennifer won the American Bierkebeiner, was two-time champion of the Great American Ski Chase, and was a member of the U.S. Ski Team. Teammates on the U.S. Ski Team, she and her husband enjoyed a partnership that included canoeing and skiing at the national level, biking, running, hiking, and working the land. In the later years of her athletic life, she became a competitive canoe racer and was a U.S. Canoe Association National Champion. She participated in the Prouty Ride, and raised thousands of dollars for cancer research. She was also a member of the Clearlakes Chorale. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 31 at St. Katharine Drexel Church. Donations to the Clearlakes Chorale, P.O. Box 223, Wolfeboro, NH 03894, or the Wolfeboro Cross-Country Ski Association, 47 North Main Street, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.
• Theresa L. Chase, 84, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Dec. 18 at her home. Wife of the late Charles Chase for 43 years. Mother of Christine Guerin and her husband, Charles, of Bondsville, Mass., Sharon Wessel and her husband, Bill, of West Chesterfield, N.H.; Thomas Chase and his wife, Rose, of Chesterfield; David and his wife, Lisa, of Spofford; and the late Dennis Chase. Sister of Herman Letourneau, Jr. of Santa Maria, Calif., and the late Arthur and Jean B. Letourneau. Born in Greenfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Herman T. and Irene (Lacoy) Letourneau, she attended schools in Putney and Brattleboro and worked as an inspector at American Optical in Brattleboro until her marriage. After raising her family, she returned to work as the assistant to the Housing Director at the School for International Training in Brattleboro, retiring in 1990. The care of her family was her life's work and she excelled in all matters of homemaking, enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening, cooking, knitting, and keeping track of her growing family and many friends. For many years. she was a Cub Scout den mother in Chesterfield. Memorial information: In accordance with her final wishes, funeral services will be private. Burial in Chesterfield West Cemetery will take place in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to Hospice at HCS, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH 03431. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jason S. Greene, 46, of Londonderry. Died Dec. 18. Father of Paisley Barr and Fynn Greene. Son of Jack Green of Brookline and Susan Greene of Alexandria, Va. Stepson of Sharon Greene of Brookline. Brother of Rachel Greene of Ashford, Conn. Stepbrother of Robert Larson of Jamaica. Born in Hartford, Conn., he grew up in Coventry and Storrs, Conn. and graduated from E.O. Smith High School in Storrs. He attended Alfred University and earned a B.A. in Ceramic Arts. He was an artist-in-residence at Moravian Tile Works in Doylestown, Pa. the summer after his graduation and then worked at the Bucks County Community College in the Ceramics Department, He then returned to Alfred and earned a MFA in Ceramics. After graduation, he went to England to run the pottery in a Camphill Community. When he returned to the United States, he settled in Londonderry. For several years, he worked full-time as a potter for D. Lasser Ceramics in Londonderry, then launched his own business, Greene Potteryworks. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Jan. 3 at NewBrook Fire and Rescue in Newfane. Donations to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Suite 800. Washington, DC 20004 or www.lungusa.org/donate; or the Craft Emergency Response Fund, P.O. Box 838, Montpelier, VT 05601 or craftemergency.org.
• Albert “Junie” John Hinds, Jr. 86, of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 16 at his home. Husband of Rita Reed for 63 years. Father of Kathye Toussaint, and her husband, Nelson, and Dr. Pamela Hinds and her husband, Ronald Griffin. Brother of Juanita Kimball, Patricia Maynard, Audrey Gochey, Sandra Fitzpatrick, and Sherry Morrison. Born in Nashua, N.H., the son of the late Albert and Sibyl (Day) Hinds, he graduated from Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1943, and later attended Bryant College in Rhode Island. During World War II, he joined the Navy in April 1943, and was honorably discharged in December 1945 as Signalman First Class. He worked for White Mt. Paper Co., the Boston & Maine Railroad, J.J. Newberry Co., F.S. Clark Grocery Store, and A. J. Tidd Department Store for 39 1/2 years. He purchased the store from Mr. Tidd in 1979 and renamed it A.J. Hinds Department Store. He retired in January, 1991. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Westminster. He was a member of the American Legion for 33 years and lifetime member of the BPOE Elks. He was past member of the Bellows Falls Country Club. He was Bellows Falls Village President in 1965-66. He also was past president of the Bellows Falls Senior Center and past president of the Bellows Falls Merchants Association. He was a past member of the Bellows Falls Rotary Club and served as secretary, treasurer and vice president. He had a wonderful sense of humor, and spread it wherever he went. He was a kind, thoughtful, caring man and helped many in need. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, dancing, computer games and was famous for his card playing. The great joys of his life were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Dec. 28 at First Congregational Church of Westminster. Donations to the First Congregational Church of Westminster, Westminster, VT 05158.
• William Arthur Johnson, 63, of Pasco, Wash., formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 25 at Hospice of the Chaplaincy in Kennewick, Wash. Husband of Charlotte Watson. Father of Sean Johnson and the late Shannon Johnson. Brother of Bonnie Buquor of Westminster, Colo., and Becky Johnson of Bellows Falls. The son of Harold W. “Bill” and Marion Wright Johnson, he grew up in Bellows Falls and graduated in 1966 from Bellows Falls High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam. The Johnsons lived in Vermont and Idaho, and he eventually settled in Pasco, Wash. He was a retired electrician for the Electrical Workers Local 112. Memorial information: Hillcrest/Bruce Lee Memorial Center of Pasco, Wash. is in charge of the arrangements.
• Janet L. Knowles, 65, of Londonderry. Died Dec. 21 at Rutland Regional Medical Center. Wife of Walter D. Knowles for 38 years. Mother of Brian D. Knowles and his wife, Natalie, of West Chesterfield, N.H., and Robert W. Knowles of Boston. Sister of Raymond Andresen of Camden, Maine and Robert Andresen of South Londonderry. Born in New Haven, Conn., the daughter of John Kenneth and Signe (Nelson) Andresen, she graduated from West Haven High School, Class of 1964, and attended Upsala College in New Jersey. She continued on to Southern Connecticut State University, graduating in 1968. She began her teaching career in Connecticut before moving to Vermont in 1969, where she taught at Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend. She later left teaching to pursue a career in restaurant management for 20 years. She then continued her education, attaining a Master's in Psychology from Lesley College. She would spend the next 15 years working in the Rutland City School system as a school psychologist, retiring in 2009. From 1992 to 2005, she and her husband also worked summers at the camp of her youth, Camp Calumet Lutheran in Ossipee, N.H., and had been acting as a host family for international students, and working as an independent contractor with the town of Rutland, at the time of her death. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 3 at the Second Congregational Church in Londonderry. Donations to the Foley Cancer Center of Rutland Regional Medical Center.
• Katherine (Fallon) Merrill, 94, of Londonderry. Died Dec. 23 at Springfield Hospital. Wife of the late Clifford James Merrill for 33 years. Mother of Colleen Truax and her husband, Paul, of Chester; Cynthia A. Benson and her husband, Reginald, of Meridian, Idaho; Catherine Merrill-Spencer and her husband, Mark, of Lovell, Wyo.; Center Merrill, Curtis Merrill and his wife, Mary, and Christopher Merrill, all of Londonderry; and the late John Center Merrill. Sister of the late Harry, Thomas, James, Francis, Richard, and Robert Merrill, Mary Peltier, and Margaret Merrill. Born in Pittsford, the daughter of John A. and Charlotte (Scanlon) Fallon, she graduated from Pittsford High School in 1935. She was a driver for the U.S. Post Office Department from 1940 to 1968. She was a bookkeeper for the former Adams Market in Londonderry. She retired from MacDonald & Swan in 1982. She was elected Delinquent Tax Collector for the town of Londonderry in 1980, and held that post until 2008. She served the town as an auditor, lister, and as a member of the Board of Civil Authority. She was a member of Tater Hill and Crown Point golf clubs, and was the former representative for the Women's State Golf Association. She played golf until she was 92. With her husband, she orchestrated the game supper at the Union Hall for many years. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 29 at St. Joseph's Chapel in Londonderry. Donations to the Londonderry Rescue Squad, the Londonderry Fire Department, or to Mountain Valley Medical Clinic.
• Beverly Ann Kaiser Miller, 60, of Coventry and formally of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Dec. 15 in Newport. Wife of Charles Q. Miller. Sister of Peter M. Kaiser of Farmington, N.H., Kathleen N. Foote of Rockwood, Maine, and the late Howard Walker Kaiser, who was killed in action in Vietnam. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Joseph Howard and Alice Zada (Walker) Kaiser, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969. She was a bookkeeper in the Keene, N.H., area and was a certified nurses aide. She was a life member of the VFW Post 1034 Ladies Auxiliary in Brattleboro, American Legion Post 23 Ladies Auxiliary in Orleans, and the Fraternal of Eagles Ladies Auxiliary, Aerie #4329 in Newport. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to the North Country Hospital Oncology Department, 189 Prouty Drive, Newport, VT 05855.
• Darrell R. “Squirrel” Sawyer, 87, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 28, 2011 at his home. Husband of Betty Davis for 48 years, and the late Evelyn “Polly” Provencher. Father of Thomas and his wife, Julie, of Burlington; Jeffrey of New York City; and Christopher and his wife, Jennifer, of Brattleboro. Brother of Charles Sawyer of Bennington and the late Majorie Shanahan. Born in Bennington, the son of the late Darrell R. and Wilhelmina (Neher) Sawyer, he graduated from Bennington High School in 1943, and then served in the Army Air Force from 1943-1946. While in the Army, Sawyer was a member of the Amarillo (Texas) Air Field football and softball teams. After World War II ended, he devoted his life to education and coaching. He graduated from Arnold College (now the University of Bridgeport) in 1950. where he earned his B.S. in Physical Education and played football and basketball. He continued graduate studies at Sienna College, Boston University, and New York University. His first coaching experience was at Bennington where he was head basketball and assistant football coach in 1951. He became head football coach the following year and continued in that position until 1961, when he took the position of freshman football coach at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. for one year. After two seasons in Plymouth, Mass., Sawyer went on to Norwich, Conn. where he joined the football staff and also coached freshman basketball. He came to Brattleboro in 1966 and joined the faculty at Brattleboro Union High School. He remained on staff until his retirement in 1989. Over this span, he coached and taught physical education, driver education and science. He also served as Director of Athletics. As a softball coach at Brattleboro, his teams won the state championship five times and were runners-up on seven occasions. He coached in the inaugural North/South softball tournament in 1987 and was the Vermont Softball Coach of the Year in 1989. The BUHS softball field is named Sawyer Field in his honor. As football coach at Brattleboro, his teams won the state title in 1973 and were runners-up in 1979. Over his career, the Colonels won 70 percent of their games. He won the Vermont Football Coach of the Year Award in 1973 and 1978. In 1999, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame honored him with the Amateur Football Award. After his official retirement from BUHS, he spent time as an assistant football coach at Northfield Mount Hermon, was a driver for Vermont Transit, and worked at the Brattleboro Retreat and at BUHS athletic events. He was twice named the Vermont Shrine football coach (1970 and 1981), and served as an assistant on six staffs (1973-77, 1979). He also served as the longtime Director of Athletics for the Vermont Shrine football team. He was honored as an ambassador by the Cairo Temple for his contributions. He was also a highly regarded basketball and softball official for over 30 years. The Vermont Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association awarded him the Ralph LaPointe Award in 1981. In 2009, he was elected into the Vermont Principals' Association Hall of Fame. Active fraternally, he was a member and Past Exalted Ruler of the Bennington Elk's Lodge, #567. He also held membership in the American Legion Brattleboro Post 5. Active in his community, Sawyer was involved with youth leagues and groups and served terms on the Brattleboro Recreation and Parks Board. In 2001, he was awarded the Frank H. Dearborn Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-term commitment. He was involved in many other town activities and rarely refused an opportunity to volunteer in any capacity. He enjoyed being outside, interacting with people, playing cards and golf, and was a sports enthusiast and an avid New York Yankees and New York Giants fan. He also enjoyed watching any activity his kids or grandkids participated in. He rarely missed anything that his family was a part of, and he and was first and foremost a loving father and grandfather. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 31 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Donations to Shriner's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Stephanie Stango, 55, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 28 at home. Mother of Desiree Doell, and her husband Jimmy. Sister of the late James and Stacy Orfanidis. Born in Bayshore, N.Y., she was the daughter of the late Sam and Helen Orfanidis. She moved to Brattleboro a few years after graduating high school, and her parents opened the Brattleboro House of Pizza. She was the head cook for several years, and later became owner with her sister Stacy. She was also a licensed hairdresser, and worked in local salons during her “spare time” for 17 years. She had a huge heart, and loved to take care of everyone in her life. She enjoyed music, dancing, traveling, cooking, trips to the beach, and the great outdoors. Most of all, she treasured the times spent with her family and close friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 1 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. A family burial will take place in the spring at Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Ann C. Davis Stone, 65, of River Ranch, Fla., and Wilmington. Died Dec. 26 at Lake Wales Medical Center, following a sudden illness. Wife of Robert C. Stone for 43 years. Mother of Jeff and Duane Stone. Daughter of the late Philip L. and Eleanor Cutting Davis of Wilmington, she grew up in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School, Class of 1964. She worked for many years as a radiology technician in Greenfield, Mass., and retired from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. She was active in the community, serving on the Whitingham School Board, Old Home Week Committee and various civic organizations and causes. She was very active in the lives of her family and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. After their retirement, she and her husband especially enjoyed travelling the country in their motor home. For the past 8 years, the Stones made their home in River Ranch, Fla., and returned to Vermont in the summers. She enjoyed sharing her skills and creativity as a seamstress with her friends. She also loved gardening and photography, and especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service for her friends and family in Florida was held Dec. 29, 2011 at the River Ranch Resort Chapel. A secind memorial service for her friends and family in the New England area as well as committal services will be held in the spring. Donations may be made to the Historical Society of Wilmington, P.O. Box 1751, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Edward George Tidd, 86, of Charlestown, N.H., formerly of Westminster, Died Dec. 22 at his home. Husband of Barbara (Snider) Wetherby for 36 years. Father of David Tidd, Brenda Breslend, Sandra Hebert, and the late Donald Tidd. Stepfather of Ginger Desautels, Pepper Wetherby, Donald Wetherby, Susan Clark, and Gary Wetherby. Brother of Joel, Michael, and Robert Tidd, Bea Bartlett, Rosey Deluco, and the late James and Harold Tidd. Born in Westfield, Mass., the son of the late James and Margaret (Parker) Tidd, he was raised and educated in Bellows Falls where he attended public schools. He served in the Marine Corps during World War II, where he was stationed in the Pacific Theater of Operation. After the war, he returned to Brattleboro, where he was employed for many years at the former Book Press and later in the maintenance department at the Austine School. He was a member of the American Legion Post 5, VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 and F.O. Eagles, Aerie 2445, all in Brattleboro. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and tinkering around his home. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 28 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial with full military honors in Westminster Cemetery. Donation to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Graydon H. Wheeler, 84, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 22 at his home. Husband of Julia R. Wilkins for 60 years. Father of Robert C. Wheeler and his wife, Carole, of West Chesterfield, N.H.; Graydon L. Wheeler and his wife, Katherine, of Huntley, Wyo.; and Lorena L. Hubler and her husband, Darren, of Hinsdale, N.H. Born in Chester, the son of the late Irving and Ethel (Wheellock) Wheeler, he enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1945 and transferred into the active Army seven months later, where he attained the rank of Tec 5. While in the Army, he served in Germany - first as a truck driver and later as a guard at the Nuremberg Trials. After his discharge in 1949, he returned home where he worked for Bryant Grinding Springfield. He later moved to Massachusetts to be a farmer. After farming for about 10 years, he then became a truck driver and later worked in the Maintenance Department of the Belchertown State School, where he worked until he retired. Upon retirement, he moved back to Vermont. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Jan. 5, at 2 p.m., at the Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home, 57 High St., Brattleboro. Graveside committal services and interment will take place at a later date in Glebe Cemetery, in Londonderry. Donations to The Austine School for the Deaf, 60 Austine Dr., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
Births
• In Columbus, Ohio, Dec. 15, 2011, a daughter, Kiley Jeanne Ingram, to Catie (Shuman) and Drew Ingram; granddaughter to Rick and Eileen Shuman of Brattleboro, Deborah Ingram of Little Hocking, Ohio, and Mike Ingram of Okeechobee, Fla.; great-granddaughter to John and Betty Moynihan of Everett, Mass., Mary McCarthy of Wilmington, Mass., Marjorie Mercer of Belleville, Pa., and Ethel Ingram and Okey Ingram of Parkersburg, W.Va.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Dec. 4, 2011, a son, Shepherd Scott Motown Finch, to Caitlin Miller and Nicholas Caporaso of Windham; grandson to Jim and Janet Miller and John and Sherrill Caporaso.
• In San Diego, Calif., Dec. 2, 2011, a son, Noah Brent Freeman, to Jennifer (Smerdon) and Brent Freeman; grandson to Elliott Freeman and Diane Larsen-Freeman of Dummerston.
College news
• Kayden Manning of Vernon has been named to the Fall 20101 Dean's List at Marietta (Ohio) College. Manning, a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, is a senior majoring in International Leadership and Asian Studies at Marietta.
• Matthew Cunningham-Cook, an Earlham College senior and son of Julie Cunningham and Jay Cook of Brattleboro, has been selected as a Bonner Scholar. The Bonner Scholars program is a four-year developmental leadership program. Supported by the Bonner Foundation in Princeton, N.J., it provides tuition and summer support for 15 Earlham students per class year who demonstrate a commitment to community service.
School news
• Katherine Gabriel, a senior from Grafton, and Sela Wang, a senior from Putney, were recently named to the fall honor roll at the Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Conn.