Obituaries
• Lynn Hummel Corum, 62, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 29 after a nine-year battle with cancer. Wife of Jesse M. Corum IV for 40 years. Mother of Jesse M. Corum V and his wife, Rachelle, of Irondequoit, N.Y., and Scott W. Corum of Squaw Valley, Calif. Sister of Jane and Craig Nishiyama, of Warrington, Pa., Marcia and Robert Strock of Bangor, Pa., and the late Louise Hummel. Daughter of Jean Livingston and William H. Hummel of Easton, Pa., she grew up in the country on Mud Run Road, Martins Creek, Pa., where she took care of dogs, sheep, chickens, a calf, a pony named Tag, and a horse named Topsy. She visited a florist shop and a neighbor who taught her a love for flowers. A 1968 graduate of Bangor (Pa.) Area High School, she graduated from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa four years later. Summers she worked waitressing for the Barrows House in Dorset, where she met her husband. She was a devoted mother and loving wife who enjoyed gardening, decorating her home, working in the kitchen, reading about politics and discussing the same. For a number of years, she produced, directed, edited and interviewed many people for her Neighbor to Neighbor show on BCTV and FACT TV. There was not much that she couldn't do once she put her mind to it. Upon moving to Brattleboro in 1977 she worked at Vermont National Bank for a time and then raised their two sons. Her devotion to education was exemplified by her serving two separate stints on the Brattleboro Union High School Board for a total of 17 years. Since 1979, she has been a member of First Congregational Church, where she served as Education chair, Treasurer, and until this year, recorded the weekly service, then edited it so it could be shown on BCTV several times a week. She loved and touched so many. She was determined, hospitable, dependable to a fault, spirited, capable, full of life, respected, generous, inquisitive, inspirational, and accomplished. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Sept. 1 at the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Donations may be made to her church.
• Annie L. Lockerby Goyette, 70, of Grafton. Died Aug. 24 at her home. Wife of David Goyette for nearly 47 years. Mother of Melaney and Paul Stevens and Melissa Beaulieu. Sister of Frederika Simmons, Irene Rice, and the late David, John, and Jackie Lockerby. Born in Grafton, the daughter of Gilbert and Clara A. Melscok Lockerby, she attended school in Grafton, and worked for several years of her life. She was a house parent for New England Kurn Hatin Homes in Saxtons River for many years. She coached youth soccer and softball in Grafton. She also took care of her mother for several years. A further list of accolades neither necessary nor befitting, since she would have directed the attention of even the most passive audience to her most treasured of things: her loving family. Memorial information: A private family committal ceremony was held at Burgess Cemetery in Grafton.
• Thomas Norman Gregg, 67, of East Dummerston. Died Aug. 26 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. Father of Jesse B. Gregg of Shrewsbury, Mass., Shannon Gregg of Downingtown, Pa., and Caitlin Gregg of Honey Brook, Pa. Brother of Robert T. Gregg of Medfield, Mass., and Faith G. Evans of East Dummerston. Born in Hartford, Conn., son of the late Burton W. and Virginia J. (Tucker) Gregg, he was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, class of 1963, and Castleton State College. He served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and was later employed as a financial analyst at F.M.C. and Sun-Guard Corp., both located in Pennsylvania. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Aug. 30 in Mather Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• George Backer Heller, 87, of Putney. Died Aug. 23 at his home. Husband of Laura Wilson Heller for 62 years. Father of Jessie, Mary, Geordie, and William. Brother of John Heller and the late Peter Heller. Born in New York City, he graduated from The Putney School in 1942, and was a graduate of Harvard University (1946), and Harvard Graduate School of Design (1976). By the time he actually finished college in 1946, he had already sandwiched in three-and-a-half years of the Army during World War II, serving in the 10th Mountain Division as a ski trooper before spending a year in Japan with the occupation forces. He spent several years teaching an evening course in Japanese culture at the Putney School. In 1950, the Hellers moved to a farm in Putney and raised livestock and poultry for 10 years. His farming career evolved into a construction business, George B. Heller Builders, Inc., which in turn motivated him to return to school to study design and then open the firm of OJR-H Architects. Along the way, he designed and built many public and private buildings. Following his family tradition, he deeply appreciated the visual arts. He was known for his drawings of string quartets and draft horses, and he supported many local artists, filling his house with their paintings. He also loved music and attended many local concerts. In addition to serving on a number of local and state boards, he dedicated himself to helping a number of organizations achieve their visions of enrichment and move forward. He was especially connected to The Putney School, the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, Harvard University, the revitalization of the Putney General Store, and rowing. In 1981, he and his brother Peter founded the Shimmo Rowing Club and started the Green Mountain Head Rowing Regatta on the Connecticut River in Putney. He was known for his optimism and humor in all situations, his limericks and verses enlivened many occasions. He always saw and appreciated the best in everyone and everything. Memorial information: A memorial celebration will be held at The Putney School's Currier Center on Sept. 29 at 3 p.m. Donations may be made to The Putney School, Preservation Trust of Vermont, or Brattleboro Museum & Art Center.
• Arthur P. “Art” Martel, 76, of Vernon. Died Aug. 24 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of Carolyn Kiernan Martel for 56 years. Father of Timothy Martel of Vernon, Kenneth Martel of Johnson, Deborah Martel of Brattleboro, Pamela Kennedy of Jaffrey, N.H., Gina Dyer of Vernon, Kathy Smith of Brattleboro, and Lynn Martel of Bernardston, Mass. Brother of the late Betty Sleeper. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Arthur and Leona (Bousquet) Martel, he attended St. Michael's Parochial School and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School, Class of 1953. He later served proudly in the Vermont National Guard. He had been employed as a security guard for Wackenhut Security, where he retired from. Previously, he was co-owner of the former Red Circle Store on Elliot Street. For many years, he worked in the printing trade for several Brattleboro area printing firms that included American Stratford, the Book Press, and Publishers Comp. For several years, he was a Boy Scout leader in Brattleboro for Troop 433 and was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Brattleboro Lodge #1499. He also held membership in American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family, especially at their cottage on Salem Lake in Morgan, Vt. He was a devoted family man who was known for his spirit of friendship and strong work ethic. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Aug. 29 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial in Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to Teen Challenge of Vermont, 1296 Collins Hill Rd., Johnson, VT 05656. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Jane Katherine Skibniowsky, 59, of Vernon. Died Aug. 26 at home following a decade-long battle with a rare form of appendix cancer. Wife of Stephen Skibniowsky for 34 years. Sister of Sandy McCauley of West Brattleboro; John Skibniowsky and his wife, Juanita, of Waterford, Conn.; and Tony Skibniowsky and his wife, Veronica, of Swanzey, N.H. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Stella (Bolden) and John Gogel of North Hinsdale, N.H., she is a 1971 graduate of Hinsdale High School. She was employed by First Vermont Bank, and later Banknorth, for over 23 years and there perfected her ability to manage people and remain their friend. She was noted for her attention to detail and her high ethical standards throughout all of her life. Following the consolidation of Banknorth with TD Bank, she moved to the construction industry, first for Loney Construction in Brattleboro and then MacMillan Construction Company in Keene, N.H. She later worked for Pal Borofsky at Sam's in Brattleboro. Her love of horticulture and flowers then led to her employment as manager of Flowers-on-the-Square in Bellows Falls. She delighted in making beautiful flower arrangements and also in the joy that followed the receipt of a gift of flowers from her store. At each of her homes, she marshaled her skills in home decorating, restoration and landscaping to create memorable living environments. She will be remembered for her athletic abilities and her avid participation in women's softball league games in Brattleboro. She was also an excellent skeet shooter and rarely missed a clay. She will be most remembered for her cheerful approach to life and her great sense of humor. She always tried to bring out the best in the people she met. Memorial information: A private burial will be conducted later in the summer. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302 to benefit unwanted and injured animals. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Willis D. “Bill” Stearns, 77, of Zephyrhills, Fla., formerly of Saxtons River. Died Aug. 28 at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center of dementia. Husband of the late Shirley May French for 26 years. Father of Darlene Kennedy Petke and her husband, Ray; Vicki Stearns Sime and her husband, David; and Willis D. “Chip” Stearns II and his wife, Wendy. Brother of the late James C. Stearns. Son of the late Nelson H. Stearns and Gladys M. Walker, he was a longtime contributing member to the community as a Trustee to the Village and Christ's Church. Countless hours were spent in the development of the Saxtons River Recreation Area. He was a 30-year member of the American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls, where he would often be found dancing on a Saturday night. Memorial information: There was a private burial service in Saxtons River Cemetery on Sept. 1, followed by a Celebration of Life service at Christ's Church in Saxtons River. Donations to the Saxtons River Recreation Area c/o Saxtons River Village, PO Box 243, Saxtons River, VT 05154.
• Leona Avery Tabell, 69, of Newfane. Died Aug. 24 at Grace Cottage Hospital after a sudden illness. Wife of William A. Tabell for 49 years. Sister of Mary Lindauer and Elizabeth Rodriguez. Half-sister of the late Arthur E. Avery Jr. Born in New York City, the daughter of the late Arthur E. and Evelyn Avery, she graduated from Hunter College High School in New York City and Hofstra College in Hempstead, N.Y., where she received a degree in mathematics. She student-taught at Uniondale High School in Uniondale, N.Y., and joined the Math Department after she received her degree. She taught there for 32 years and retired in 1996. The Tabells moved to Newfane in 1999 to their vacation home built in 1982. She then satisfied a long term goal of becoming a quilter. She also discovered that she had a cousin living in Newfane, and later found that a long lost half-brother was living in Dummerston. She and her husband were very active in the First Congregational Church of Newfane. She was a member of the Sew Whats quilting group contributing to their donation of one thousand quilts to the Linus organization in the past 5 years. She was a member of the Newfane Garden Club serving as Vice President and President and worked on production of their Yearbook until shortly before her death. Memorial information: Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial service at the First Congregational Church of Newfane on Saturday, Sept. 8 at 11 a.m. Private interment will be at a later date. Donations to the Grace Cottage Foundation or the Townshend Community Food Shelf.
• Sara “Sally” Anne Taft, 62, of Jamaica. Died Aug. 19. Wife of Harvey L. Taft for 45 years. Mother of H. Geoffrey Taft and his wife, Angela, and Michelle Darrow and her husband, Heikki. Sister of Debbie Waibel and William Beauregard. Born in Peru, Vt., the daughter of Ida (Wilkins) and the late Arthur Beauregard, she grew up in Peru and Mt. Tabor, where she attended Burr and Burton Seminary, Class of 1967. She was a longtime employee of Kearly Fuel in Jamaica. A passionate photographer, she chronicled all family events as well as the beauty she found in nature. She placed a great value on family. She loved life, adventures, and celebrations; she was always ready for a good time. She was a doer by nature, determined to roll up her sleeves and puzzle something out, no matter how difficult. Memorial information: Relatives and friends will be invited to a service to be followed by a celebration of her life later this fall; details will be announced upon determination.
Births
• In Putney, Aug. 8, 2012, a son, Benjamin Robert Emond, to Katy and Josh Emond of Putney. Maternal grandparents: Catherine and Terry Kauffman of Brattleboro. Paternal grandparents: Linda and Bob Emond of Montague, Mass. Great-grandmother: Totty Linscott.
College news
• Alexander Breau, a computer science major from Vernon, was recently inducted into the Western New England University chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta, a national honor society for first year students that encourages and recognizes superior academic achievement.
Transitions
• The Brattleboro Retreat announced that Dr. Mark McGee, Dr. John Murphy, Dr. Joseph Smith, and Dr. Kathy Eppel have joined the hospital's medical staff. These appointments bring to 25 the total number of physicians currently on staff at the Brattleboro Retreat.