Obituaries
• Jesse Maxwell Corum III, 88, of Vero Beach, Fla. Died April 17 at Indian River Medical Center. Husband of Carol (Joy) MacKubbin Corum for 68 years. Father of Laurie Hawley and her husband, Bruce, of Vero Beach; Jesse Maxwell Corum IV and his wife, Lynn, of Brattleboro; and Vance Corum and his wife, Kristin, of Vancouver, Wash. The second son of Jesse and Laura Corum, he grew up in Norristown, Pa., and spent summers in Chestertown, N.Y., with relatives, where he practiced youthful capers. He proceeded to mesmerize people for the rest of his life with beguiling dry humor, a keen mind, a passionate commitment, and a prophetic vision. He was equally comfortable playing a set of drums, pulling a trick on someone, making sense of a theological premise, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, or being arrested on political principle. He was a cheerleader and track star at The Haverford School, graduating in 1941. After a year at Bowdoin College, he joined the Army, married his high school sweetheart, completed Officers Candidate School, became a first lieutenant responsible for a tank platoon, and was stationed at Fort Smith, Fort Knox, and Okinawa. After World War II ended, he returned to Bowdoin where he received a B.A. in English in 1948. In 1951, he earned a Master of Divinity degree from Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, Va., and, following his father's footsteps, became a Presbyterian minister. He began with two small churches in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York, where he built a third congregation and church. He later told stories about wild winter rides through the snow as he raced to participate in three services on blustery Sundays. After a second pastorate in Weedsport, N.Y., from 1956-58, he took his family to Europe from 1958-1960, studying in Edinburgh and Geneva under leading theologians of the day. Their 108-day vacation coursing through western Europe in 1959 led to a treasure-trove of family stories. He served the Presbyterian Church of the USA visiting churches in upstate New York before becoming a pastor in New City, N.Y., from 1961-66, and Holland Patent, N.Y., from 1971-73. In between, his curiosity led him to try new pursuits in Vermont as an English teacher, Volkswagen salesman, high school drivers' education teacher, golf caddie, and ski patrolman. Entering the mission field, he taught English for two years at Moeng College near Palapye, Botswana, during which time he and his wife traveled extensively throughout southern Africa. Following several years back in Vermont, they returned to Africa to teach at Chipembi Girls Secondary School in Chisamba, Zambia in 1980-81. They then managed Wellspring Renewal Center in Philo, Calif., for two years. After retiring at age 62, he and his wife became “Peace Pilgrims,” making two separate year-long trips across the U.S. in a camper covered with 400 political bumper stickers. They spoke at churches, schools, on the street and on radio and TV about the need for world peace. He also pastored several churches in Te Awamutu, New Zealand for a year. For 17 years, they lived on Upper Saranac Lake in their beloved upstate New York before moving to Florida in 2004. He stayed active as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer and played tennis until age 87. In late 2011, they moved into HarborChase, an assisted living facility in Vero Beach. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held at the First Presbyterian Church in Vero Beach. Donations to Habitat for Humanity International, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709 or the First Presbyterian Church.
• Lawrence “Larry” Dooley, 64, of Putney. Died May 11, after a long battle with Camel unfiltered cigarettes. Former husband of Patricia Whalen and Diane Bailey. Father of Lea Dooley of Rockville, Md., and Marguerite Dooley of Brattleboro. Twin brother of Lynn Dooley and her husband, Jim Mort, of Walpole, N.H. Brother of Mark Dooley of Monmouth Junction, N.J.; Patricia Dooley and her husband Todd Nielsen of Walpole N.H.; and the late Michael Dooley. Born in Somerville, N.J.., he attended Immaculata High School in New Jersey, the University of Scranton, Cape May Vocational Center, and Peters Valley Craft School, after which he followed his dream of being a woodworker in Vermont. He was known both for his incredibly long braid and for his beautiful furniture and creative designs, crafting playwright desks and briefcases out of wood. Some of his work can be seen at his website http://www.archiforms.com and the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Some of his pieces could be found in the movies Pilgrim, Farewell and Tick Tock Time Emporium. He also designed and built the exterior forms for both the Vermont Castings' Defiant and Vigilant woodstoves. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center on Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m. His favorite afternoon snack, coffee and brownies, will be served.
• Ruth Anne “Ruthie” Felski, 67, of Bellows Falls. Died May 8 at Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center following a period of declining health. Wife of Arnold Felski for 32 years. Sister of Cathy Sprague, Martha Seigars, Mary Jane Giroux, Cindy Renaud-Kim, Margaret Moulton, Nancy Renaud, Pauline Wilson, Caroline Houle, Judy Clark, Claire Renaud; Jerome, Michael, David, and Francis Renaud, and the late Helen Hassay. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Louise (Bittner) and the late Hyacinth Renaud, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending St. Michael's Parochial School and later graduating from the former Frances Hicks School, Class of 1964. Born with only one kidney and other so-called handicaps, she did not let the challenges of life discourage her. She loved children and for several years worked as a day care provider in Brattleboro. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, bead work, cooking and baking. She especially cherished time spent with her family. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 11 at St. Michael's Catholic Church with burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, in care of Mrs. Elaine Beam, principal. Online condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Maryann Gindel Hall, 65, of Athens. Died May 5 from complications from bile duct cancer. Wife of William “Bill” Hall for 23 years. Mother of Karen Lorenc Alberico of Proctor, and John F. Lorenc Jr. of Meriden, Conn. Sister of Jeanne Graham and David and James Gindel. Born in Meriden, Conn., daughter of the late Irene and Ernest Gindel, she graduated from Platt T. Orvill High School and later went on to receive degrees from Post College. She moved to Vermont in 1990 and began a career with the Vermont Department of Labor that lasted nearly 20 years. She was very passionate about making a difference in the lives of all around her. In retirement, she started working part-time as a pharmacy technician for Messenger Valley Pharmacy on Townshend. She was an avid reader, loved playing in all her flower gardens, and loved all her feathered friends and the wildlife on the pond. She enjoyed boating on the river with her family, and loved to meet her friends for lunch and catch up at her favorite spots. Memorial information: A prayer service was held May 11 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05303.
• Leo M. Lacroix Sr., 71, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died May 7 in Las Vegas, after a battle with cancer. Husband of Patricia Pickering, who survives him, in 1988. Father of Mary Moore of Bellows Falls, Leo Lacroix, Jr. of Lyndon, Dianne Milliken of Charlestown, N.H., and Genevieve Hoes of Depere, Wis. Stepfather of Todd Pickering of Swanzey, N.H., and Scott Pickering of North Smithfield, R.I. He worked for Holmes Transportation of Bellows Falls for 21 years. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held May 27 at 1 p.m. at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls. Donations to Cedarcrest Center, 91 Maple Ave., Keene, NH 03431, or to the Senior Center, Gilman, VT 05904.
• Jean A. St. Lawrence, 86, of Swanton. Died May 10 at St. Albans Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center following a brief illness. Wife of the late George St. Lawrence. Mother of Gregory St. Lawrence and his wife, Linda, of Grafton; Donna Jennison and her husband, Donald, of Walpole, N.H.; Jane Capron and her husband, Russell, of Bellows Falls; Jodi Rorison and her husband, Thomas, of Perkinsville; and Monica Trombley and her husband, Gary, of Swanton. Sister of George Hurlburt of Walpole, N.H.; Ruth Wright and Marion Fournier, both of Springfield, Vt.; and the late Fred Otis and Helen White. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Charles and Ruth (Strong) Hurlburt, she was a Bellows Falls High School graduate, and a member of St. Charles Church. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 14 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial to in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or to the American Diabetes Association.
• Grace Hector Lewis, 76, of Brattleboro. Died May 7 at her home following an extended illness. Wife of Burnis Lewis for nearly 49 years. Sister of Leueen Haviland of Tigard, Oregon. Born in New Haven, Conn., the daughter of the late Alden and Agda Hector, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1954. She worked as a telephone operator for New England Telephone Co. in the downtown Brattleboro office, which she retired from in 1996 following 31 years with the company. She enjoyed working with the elderly and, for many years, was an active volunteer at the Thompson House Nursing Home. She also loved to travel and especially liked visiting Sweden and Denmark. She was a lifelong Lutheran and a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Brattleboro. Memorial information: In accordance with her final wishes, there are no funeral services. Burial of her cremated remains will be in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her parents. Donation to the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to Thompson House, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Online condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Peggy G. Longueil, 69, of Brattleboro. Died April 30 at home, after a short illness. Wife of the late Sheldon Roy “Lefty” Longueil. Mother of William and Charles Longueil, both of Virginia, and Brian Clark of Guilford. Sister of Nancy Bagby of Virginia. Predeceased by a sister, Betty, and her children, Michelle and Joseph Clark. Born Nov. 25, 1942, in Newport News, Va., the daughter of Charles Lusk and Nita Frizzelle, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School. She was president of the Clark/Canal Neighborhood Association for 15 years, an organization providing summer lunch and activities for community children. She was also active in her church and enjoyed gardening. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m., at Agape Christian Fellowship Church in Brattleboro, followed by a potluck lunch. Donations to the Peggy Longueil Trust, in care of Members 1st Credit Union, 10 Browne Court, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Stephen H. Parenchuck, 94, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died May 5 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Husband of the late Ella Ebbighausen. Father of Charles Parenchuck and his wife, Margaret, of Vernon and Patti Jean Barnes and her husband, Raymond, of Northfield, Mass. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Marcus and Mary (Volalski) Parenchuck, he was a graduate of Brattleboro High School. He served in the Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After the war, he came back and went to work for the former Crosby Mills, later Agway, in Brattleboro, retiring after more than 30 years' employment. He was a member of the Hinsdale VFW, and was an avid hunter and fisherman. Memorial information: A graveside service with full military honors was held May 11 at Oak Lawn Cemetery in North Hinsdale. Donations to the Advent Christian Homes, 13 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05364.
• Louise R. Park, 92, of Grafton. Died May 4 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of the late Charles L. Park Jr. Mother of Charles R. Turo and wife, Pam, of Addison; Martin R. E. Turo of Surrey, B.C.; and Cynthia A. Turo of Fair Haven. Stepmother of Ann Kuusela and husband, George, of Rockingham; Robert Park and wife Barbara of Gibsonia, Pa.; and the late Nancy White. Sister of the late James Roberts. Born in Rome, N.Y., the first child of the late Frank J. and Anna (Worden) Roberts, she was well known in the Grafton and Bellows Falls areas for her community involvement and service over the past 30 years. Among her activities was the founding of the Rockingham Area Land Trust and service on the boards of various community organizations such as Parks Place and SEVCA. She also served in various roles for the town of Grafton including committee membership, auditor and, over the years, was always there to give suggestions, opinions and expertise. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at St. Luke's Episcopal Church on May 23 at 11 a.m. A reception will follow in the parish hall. A private burial in Middletown Cemetery will take place at a later time. Donations to Parks Place, 44 School St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• James M. Perna, 88, of West Dover. Died May 5. Husband of Beverly Bruce nearly 60 years. Father of Lynn Perna of Marlboro and Michael Perna of San Francisco. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of the late John and Mary (DeCarlo) Perna, who emigrated from Italy as children. At age 10, the family moved to Spring Valley, N.Y., where he graduated from public schools. He served in the Navy from 1943-1946 during World War II. Following his discharge, he graduated from Champlain College in Plattsburgh, N.Y. The Pernas lived in Rockland County in New York until his retirement in 1988, when they moved to West Dover to be closer to his grandchildren. He worked in the aerospace industry, and later managed a commercial stationary store. Sports were important to him both as a participant and a coach, but golf was his passion. He often played twice a day well into his 80s. Memorial information: As per his wishes, there will be no services. Contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of one's choice.
• Richard Charles Romaine, 43, of Stamford, Conn. Died April 14 at his home due to complications from his illnesses. Sister of Margaret (Romaine) St. John and her husband, Terry, of Guilford. Stepbrother of Michael, Wendy, Darcy, and Bridget. Born in Greenwich, Conn., the son of Richard D. Romaine and the late Margaret L. (Rekos) Romaine, his family moved to Newfane in 1972. He attended Newfane Elementary School, graduating from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1987. He found work for a short time, however, his illnesses prevented him from continuing. He took great pride in raising funds for, and participating in, the annual AIDS Walk New York, and also visiting Times Square annually on New Year's Eve. He was an avid collector of Star Wars memorabilia, comic books, and videos. He was an outgoing person who loved acting, performing in many school plays. He also enjoyed taking pictures, and spent much of his time compiling photo discs of family and friends, sharing them online and giving them to the special people in his life. He always looked forward to his time with his family for the holidays or special gatherings. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will take place at the NewBrook Firehouse in Newfane on Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m. Donations to epilepsyvt.org or diabetes.org.
• Tammy Sue Shattuck, 46, of Putney. Died May 5 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a period of declining health. Mother of Colin Lee King. Sister of Tracy Shattuck of Bellows Falls and the late Louie Shattuck. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of Henry and Ramona Fortier Shattuck, she graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1985. She had worked at Whitney Blake and Vermed in Rockingham. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, and was a fan of NASCAR racing, country music and collecting anything having to do with wolves. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 12 at Pleasant View Cemetery in Chester. Donations may be made to a trust fund for her son at People's United Bank's Bellows Falls branch.
• Michael “Big Wooly” Woolhouse, 48, of Spofford, N.H. Died May 2 at his home in after a long battle with cancer. Husband of Julie Woolhouse. Father of Steven Tompkins and his wife Toni of Valdosta, Ga.; Bryan Tompkins, Cory Tompkins and Coty Tompkins of Spofford, N.H.; and Zachary Woolhouse and Mikayla Woolhouse of Hurst, Texas. Born in Newport, R.I., the son of the late William Henry Woolhouse and Cynthia Woolhouse Derensis and his step-father, Carlo Derensis, he spent years in the automotive industry. He was a wonderful and loving husband, father, and grandfather who was at peace working at home in his yard, where he was an avid gardener. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date.
College news
• The following local students were awarded degrees during Keene State College's commencement ceremonies on May 5: Katheryne Emond and Selina Thomas of Putney, William Sevigny of Brattleboro, Judith Ferraro of Saxtons River, Sarah Ferris of Vernon, Jeannette Mills of Dummerston, Travis Schwartz of South Londonderry, Sarah Szarejko of Wilmington. They were part of Keene State's largest-ever graduating class, with a total of 1,196 degrees awarded to 1,107 students.
• Violet S.L. Batcha of Putney, was presented with the Writing Award at Moving-Up Day ceremonies held April 28 at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Moving-Up Day celebrates student achievements in academics and co-curricular activities. It is a campus tradition dating from 1869, when it began as “Tree Holiday,” to add trees to the campus landscape.
• Bethany Ann Hilts of Wilmington will receive an A.S. in Liberal Arts & Sciences: Science, with high honors, from Herkimer County (N.Y.) Community College. Hilts is one of 727 candidates eligible to participate in the College's 44th annual commencement ceremony on Friday, May 18.
• Emily Osterholt of Westminster West will graduate from Tulane University in New Orleans on Saturday, May 19, with a B.A. in History and Music.
• Kayden Manning, a senior International Leadership and Asian Studies major from Vernon, was named to the Spring 2012 Dean's List at Marietta (Ohio) College.
• Anna Wright of Windham was inducted into the Psi Chi National Honor Society during honors day ceremonies conducted by the Psychology Department at the University of Vermont earlier this spring.
• Eric Thomas Kurkul of Petaluma, Calif., formerly of Westminster, received a Bachelor of Arts and Humanities in Liberal Studies, Magna Cum Laude, from Sonoma State University in California.
• Richard Chapman of West Dummerston and Andrew W. Fallon of Brattleboro were inducted into Alpha Alpha Psi chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, at the University of Vermont.
Transitions
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital announced that Carolyn Taylor-Olson, MD has been appointed the Medical Director for Post-Acute Care. In this position, she will work with Pine Heights, Vernon Green, and Thompson House to provide post-acute care for their residents. Previously, she had been the Medical Director for BMH's Hospitalist Service.
Succeeding Taylor-Olson in the Hospitalist position will be Aida Avdic, MD, effective July 17. Avdic will lead a team of physicians specializing in internal medicine who provide care to patients experiencing acute medical conditions when they are admitted to the hospital.