Milestones

Births

• In Bristol, England, (Southmead Hospital), Nov. 15, 2013, a daughter, Molly Marjorie Chant, to Chris and Meghan (Ryan) Chant of Bristol; grandson to Derek and Maggie Chant of Sidmouth, Devon, and Kevin and Sara Ryan of Dummerston.

• In Burlington (Fletcher Allen Health Care) Nov. 10, 2013, a son, Colton Jordan Day, to Meagan (Bazin) and Trevor Day of Fairfax.

• In Lebanon, N.H., (Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center), Oct. 23, 2013, a daughter, Willow Shelley Coombs, to Shelley and Michael Coombs of Hinsdale, N.H.

• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), Aug. 14, 2013, a son, Isaac David Corliss, to Maria (Morse) and Russell Corliss of West­minster; grandson to Susan and David Morse of Westminster, and Lydia Fougere of Athol, Mass.; great-grandson to D. John Papale of Saxtons River, and Annie Collet of Leominster, Mass.

College news

• Devon Spirka of Wilmington, a member of the Nichols College Class of 2014, obtained an internship for the fall 2013 semester. Spirka, a Management major, is completing an internship at Second Chance Animal Shelter in Massachusetts.

Transitions

• Patti Jacobs, Debby Haskins, and Lori Augustyniak have begun new positions with the Center for Health and Learning (CHL) in Brattleboro. Jacobs will serve as a marketing specialist, while Haskins is a trainer and consultant for CHL in the agency's Umatter Suicide Prevention Project. Augustyniak is the new alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD) program specialist.

Obituaries

• Jessie Naomi Allbee, 97, of Brookline. Died Dec. 4 at Valley Cares Assisted Living in Townshend. Wife of the late Harlon Albee for 51 years. Mother of David Allbee and his wife, Jean, of Brookline; Roger Allbee and his wife, Ann, of Townshend; Ronald Allbee and his wife, Susan, of Sarasota, Fla., and Carolyn Allbee of Brattleboro. Sister of the late Helen Kilman, Faith Smith, and Ruth Wernick. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Jesse and Ermina (Dunton) Woodbury, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and attended Brattleboro High School. She went on to attend nursing school in Fitchburg, Mass., later working at Burbank Hospital in Fitchburg. She had been employed at Grace Cottage Hospital for 10 years where she headed up the laundry department, and later worked as a library aide at Leland & Gray Union High School. She and her husband maintained a home that was always welcoming to family and friends alike. Their home was the center for many family reunions and gatherings which usually included their extended family and many friends. They were both very involved in their community She was a longtime member of the Rebekah Lodge in Newfane. She enjoyed sewing, working in her flower garden, and was an avid reader. She also loved to travel, especially to the coast of Maine, and had fond memories of her trips to England, Ireland, and Italy. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 8 at the Newfane Congregational Church. Burial preceded the service in the family lot in Riverside Cemetery in Brookline, where she was laid to rest beside her husband. Donations to Valley Cares Assisted Living, 461 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT 05353, attn.: Suzanna Shapiro. Arrangements were under the care of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.

• Barbara D. Barnish, 78, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 2 at her home. Wife of the late Robert L. Barnish and the late James L. Guthrie. Mother of Kevin Guthrie of Win­chester, Ky., Kenneth Guthrie of Friendswood, Texas, Debra Britton of Winchester, Ky., and Lorraine Allen of Haverhill, Mass. Sister of Bernard Druke of Brat­tleboro, Edward Druke of Newfane, Charles Druke of Weare, N.H., John Druke of Syracuse, N.Y., Sr. Mathilda Druke, R.S.M., of Albany, N.Y., Theresa Stevens of Portland, Conn., Mary Dauphinais of Brattleboro, and the late Joseph, Frances, Gertrude, and Arthur Druke, and Sr. Mary Michael, O.C.D. Born in Williamsville, the daughter of the late Joseph and Gertrude (Hickethier) Druke, she attended a two-room schoolhouse in Wil­liamsville and later graduated from Mount St. Jo­seph High School in Rutland, Class of 1952. She went on to attend Trini­ty College in Burlington. For 15 years, she had been employed as an office manager by the Vermont Health Department's WIC Program. Previously, she worked as a sales associate at the former Cindy's Store on Main Street and had been employed for the Head Start Program at Centre Congrega­tional Church. She was a member of the Baha'i Faith Community of Brat­tleboro. She volunteed at the Brattle­boro Senior Center, and participated in the Friends of Music at Guilford and the Brattleboro Stamp Club. She was known for her spirit of friendship and was an avid blood do­nor. She enjoyed walks in the woods, garden­ing, music and time shared with her family. Memorial information: A Baha'i service was held on Dec. 5 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Vis­iting Nurses Association of Vermont & New Hampshire, 66 Benning St., Suite 6, West Leba­non, N.H. 03784, or to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Chapter, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495.

• Carolyn Ruth Coleman, 74, of Williamsville. Died Dec. 3 at Valley Cares Assisted Living in Townshend. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Merton and Margaret (Masterson) Coleman, she graduated from Brattleboro High School at the age of 16 and went on to receive de­grees from both Smith and Radcliffe colleges. She spent her career teaching higher mathematics at Wilbur Cross High School in New Haven, Conn. However, she called Williamsville home and spent most weekends and summer vacations in her family home. She enjoyed many pastimes that included family genealogy, Vermont history, tutoring local students, gar­dening, painting, the birds, and car­ing for her beehives. She had many friends, neighbors and family who enjoyed her wonderful wit and hospitality. Memorial information: A graveside committal serv­ice was held Dec. 8 at Williamsville Cemetery. Donations to Newfane His­torical Society, P.O. Box 246, Newfane, VT 05345, or to Valley Cares Assisted Living, 461 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353, attn: Suzanna Shapiro. Arrangements were under the care of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.

• Thomas Scott Garrow, 45, of Bellows Falls. Died Nov. 29 in Acworth, N.H., following an automobile accident. Husband of Michelle (Dupuis) Garrow. Father of Brittany Garrow Croteau and Zachary Garrow. Stepfather of Kara Chaffee, Vanessa Edwards, and Cody Edwards. Stepson of the late William Markham. Born in Proctor, the son of Irene (Fernette) Markham and the late William P. Garrow Sr., he attended school in Rutland, Bellows Falls, and Fall Mountain in Langdon, N.H., and graduated from high school in Kentucky. He owned and operated Fall Mountain Carpet Cleaning, Inc. He enjoyed working on cars. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 4 at Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Acworth, N.H.

• Theresa C. Hodgkins, 77, of Westminster. Died Dec. 5. Wife of the late Reginald Hodgkins. Mother of Russell Hodgkins and his wife, Barbara, of Westminster, and Elaine Beam and her husband, Norm, of West­minster. Sister of George LaRoche of Keene, N.H., Gloria Hodgkins of Walpole, N.H., Rosemarie Flanders of Keene, N.H., Jeannette Gardner of Keene, N.H., and the late Brenda M. Goulet. Born in Keene, N.H., the daughter of the late Arthur and Helen (Despres) LaRoche, she attended St. Joseph's Catholic School in Keene, N.H. and was a graduate of Keene High School. As a teenager, she was part of Keene 4-H and the Marlborough Grange. She went on to work as sec­retary and bookkeeper for Hodgkins & Sons. She was also a CCD teach­er at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls for 30 years and coordinator for 20 years. She enjoyed flowers, garden­ing, and loved spending time with her granddaughters. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 9 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with buri­al in St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster. Donations to St. Michael's Catholic School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.

• Olympia “Lee” Nunziata, 91, a lifelong resident of Port Washington, N.Y. Died Nov. 30. Wife of the late John Nunziata for 62 years. Mother of Sandra, John (Christine), Thomas (Gail), Peter (Sara), and Paul (Karen) Nunziata. Sister of Marie Hahn, Frank Scobbo, and the late Nick and Jimmy Scobbo. Daughter of the late Frank and Jenny Scobbo, she was a devoted wife and mother and a woman of sterling character and strong Christian faith who lived a noble life. She was a parishioner of St. Peter of Alcantara Roman Catholic Church. Her life can be summed up in the words of St. Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the gospel always, and when neces­sary, use words.” Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 5 at St. Peter of Alcantara RC Church, with interment in Nassau Knolls Cemetery. Donations to the Franciscan Mis­sionaries of Mary, Saint Francis Con­vent, 100 Port Washington Blvd., Roslyn, NY 11576.

• Barbara A. O'Dette, 90, of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 3 at her home. Wife of the late Roland O'Dette. Mother of Lawrence O'Dette of Utah, Christine Damaziak of Walpole, N.H., and Wendy O'Dette of Bellows Falls. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Wilfred and Mildred (Wood) Leach, she was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School and worked for Sikorsky Aircraft in Connecticut, for the Bellows Falls Trust Company, and was owner and operator of the Square Yard Shop in Bellows Falls. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, hand crafts, reading, camping, and playing with her cats. Memorial information: A graveside service in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls will be held at a later date to be announced. Donations to TARPS, P.O. Box 274, Chester, VT 05143. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.

• Joan L. VanLeeuwen, 81, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 4 at Genesis Healthcare Applewood Healthcare in Winchester, N.H., following a period of declining health. Wife of the late William “Bill” VanLeeuwen. Mother of Mahlon Gragen of Kenosha, Wis., Quinton Gragen of Westmoreland, N.H., John VanLeeuwen of Brattleboro, William Peter VanLeeuwen of Concord, N.H., Susan Belville of Brattleboro, Laurl Wetherby of Hinsdale, N.H., and the late Hugh Gragen. Sister of the late William King. Born in Methuen, Mass., the daughter of the late William and Edith (Perkins) King, she was raised and educated in Bellows Falls, graduating from Bellows Falls High School as valedictorian of her class. She worked as a dietician working at the Brattleboro Senior Center, where she ran the Meals on Wheels Program. Previously, she worked at Applewood Nursing Home in Bedford, N.H. and Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland. With her husband, they owned and operated Lions Restaurant on Upper Canal Street for 15 years. She had been a communicant of Mary, Queen of Peace Parish in Hinsdale. She was an avid reader and enjoyed writing poetry. She took great pleasure in writing her life's memoirs and documenting her family's history. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Dec. 11 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro, with burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to the Brattleboro Senior Center, 207 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.

• Frances Edith Wheeler, 84, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 2 at Vernon Green Nursing Home, following a period of failing health. Wife of the late Clarence H. Wheeler for nearly 52 years. Mother of Jane Wheeler of Brattleboro. Sister of Philip Hicks and his wife Linda of Santa Maria, Calif., and the late Walter Hicks Jr., William Hicks, and Elizabeth Hicks. Born in Westfield, Mass, the daughter of the late Walter and Edith (Angell) Hicks Sr., she was a graduate of Westfield High School, Class of 1947. She was employed at the former Book Press in Brattleboro, working as a book inspector retiring from the company in December of 1991 following over 30 years of service. Previously, she worked at the former H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop. For several years ,she served as a volunteer at the former Frances Hicks School in Brattleboro. With her husband, she was a lifelong caregiver and advocate for her handicapped daughter, Elizabeth “Betsy” Wheeler, who died in 2004. She enjoyed travel, embroidery and was an avid reader. She loved people and was very inquisitive always taking an interest in everyone's wellbeing. She was a faithful and devoted wife and a loving mother whose life centered around her family. Memorial information: A private graveside service was held in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to The Betsy Wheeler Memorial Fund, a special program to help pay for lifesaving procedures and medications for pets of Windham County families in need of financial assistance in care of the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the care of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.