College news
• Robert Litchfield of Jamaica and Corina Stack of Saxtons River both began their freshman year at St. Michael's College in Colchester this semester.
Transitions
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital recently hired Mary Ellen Esser, RN, as Director of Risk Management, Patient Safety and Credentialing. Esser has more than 15 years of experience in the field of medical risk management, performance improvement and infection control. Most recently, she was the Interim Director of Quality for Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, a 95-bed facility serving the needs of south-central New Mexico. Esser has also worked for major hospitals in both Washington, D.C., and Long Beach, Calif., and served as a consultant to health care facilities in Texas.
• Girls on the Run Vermont has hired Anne Lawrence Guyon as its new Director of Marketing, Communications and Development. Girls on the Run, which serves girls in grade 3-8, helps foster a sense of self-esteem, character, collaboration and community involvement in over 140 locations throughout Vermont. The 24-lesson curriculum, which takes place each spring, is augmented by a local community service project and culminates in 5K run/walks held in Southern, Central and Northern Vermont. Guyon brings to her new post over 20 years of experience in marketing, PR, communications and development, along with a lengthy career as a freelance journalist who has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Boston Globe.
Obituaries
• Marion Howe, 83, formerly of Saxtons River. Died July 1 in Staten Island, N.Y., where she had made her home with her loving daughter, Pat, for the past eight years. Wife of the late Leslie Howe for 52 years. Mother of Patricia Archer of Staten Island, N.Y., Elwood Howe of Orlando, Fla., and Philip Howe of Swanton. Born in Brattleboro, she attended school in Bellows Falls and lived for many years in Saxtons River, where she raised her family with her husband. Memorial information: A private family service will be held during her interment at a later date.
• Philip T. Kempf, 78, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Sept. 2 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of Hilda (Murray) Kempf. Father of Philip Kempf II and his wife, Barbara, of Brattleboro; Lawrence Kemp of Cavendish; Alfred Kempf of West Chesterfield; and Cathy (Kempf) Barrows and her husband, Craig, of West Chesterfield. Brother of Jacob and Henry Kempf, both of Brattleboro, and the late William and Alfred Kempf. Stepbrother of the late Joseph Pela. A kind and well respected man, he was born in Brattleboro, the son of Jacob and Mary (Wojchick) Kempf. He was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, during which time he was an outstanding athlete, excelling in baseball and football. He served as a medical specialist in the Army during the Korean Conflict. A welder by trade, he was a 45-year member of the Plumbing and Pipefitters Union, Local 105. An avid hunter and fisherman, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at his hunting camp in Cavendish. He also enjoyed sports and was an avid Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, and Patriots fan. Memorial information: In accordance with his final wishes, a private graveside committal service will be held at Morningside Cemetery. Donations to the Chesterfield Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 95, Chesterfield, N.H. 03443. Atamaniuk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Bradley R. “Brad” Ryea, 51, of Westminster West. Died Aug. 26 at Springfield Hospital. Son of Hollis and Sally (Snider) Ryea. Father of Braden and Jessica Ryea, both of Westminster West. Brother of Jennie Stoddard and her husband, Gary, of Charlestown, N.H.; Gail Mattingly and her husband, Dave, of North Carolina; and Melanie Atkin and her husband, Andy, of Bellows Falls. Born in St. Albans, he attended schools in Westminster and Bellows Falls and was a 1981 graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School. He spent the majority of his working years with his father as a carpenter and mason. He also worked for Mayflower movers in Keene, N.H., and was a caretaker at the Famolare property. He attended Vermont Agriculture Business Education Center (VABEC). He served as a consultant for Joe Famolare to make VABEC handicapped accessible. He was a thinker who enjoyed teaching carpentry skills. In 1985, he had a life-altering event which left him a quadriplegic. He considered his computer his connection to the world. He was a phenomenal father whose family was very important to him. He was also a 30-year member of the Elks Lodge #1619 in Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Sept. 7 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Westminster Cemetery. Donations to Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158; or the Westminster Fire Department, P.O. Box 111, Westminster, VT 05158.