College news
• Andrew Jenzer of Brattelboro was awarded a Doctor of Dental Science from the School of Dentistry during Creighton University's commencement ceremony on May 17 in Omaha, Neb.
• Benjamin Wilson of Putney recently graduated from Champlain College in Burlington. Wilson received a bachelor's degree in computer science and innovation.
• Elizabeth Cohen of Putney graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
• Kristin Laura Worden of Vernon graduated from Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa.
• Devon Spirka of Wilmington graduated summa cum laude with a B.S. in business administration from Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.
• The following local students graduated from Lyndon State College earlier this month: Richard McFadden of Dummerston with a B.S. in business administration, Matthew Leblanc of Brattleboro with a B.S. in physical education, Sam Orfanidis of Brattleboro with a B.S. in exercise science with a concentration in strength and conditioning, Isaac Earle of Vernon with a B.A. in liberal studies, David Webber of West Halifax with a B.S. in environmental science, and Kyle Whitworth of Brattleboro with a B.S. in criminal justice.
• Emma Lisle of Grafton made the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa.
• The following local students were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2014 semester at Keene State College: Beth Freeman of Brattleboro, Melanie Murphy of Dummerston, Molly Dowd of Brattleboro, Eric Howley of Jacksonville, Zachary Wilkins of Jamaica, Jocelyn Lovering of Putney, Danielle Kelley of Putney, and Brandon Chabot of West Dover.
• Jacob Ellis of Brattleboro, a sophomore at Bowdoin College, won the 800 meter race with a time of 1 minute, 49.66 seconds at the Open New England Track and Field Championships at Westfield (Mass.) State University on May 10. His time was the fastest of any male Division III runner this season, and broke the Bowdoin College school record of 1:50.68 set by Chris Downe in 2000.
• Kori Huffman of Brattleboro received the Lt. Alvin J. Carocari Memorial Sportsmanship Award at the Co-Curricular Awards night program at American International College in Springfield, Mass.
• Skyler Duncan, a senior from Wilmington studying psychology and business administration, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2014 semester at Elmira (N.Y.) College.
• The following local students earned academic honors for the spring 2014 semester at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H.: Tanya Mayhew of Brattleboro, Maranda Greenwood of Bellows Falls, Robert Davis of Vernon, and Martha Schoonmaker of West Dover were all named to the President's List, and Wendy Toney of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List.
Transitions
• The members of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) elected four new trustees at the museum's April 30 annual meeting. They are R. Mark Burke, Christopher Chapman, Margaret Everitt, and Jim Meltzer. In addition, Suzanne Flynt was elected president, replacing Bruce Berg, who had served in that capacity for the past three years.
Obituaries
• Knox D. Divoll, 73, of Rockingham. Died May 16. Son of the late Natt L. and Josephine Knox Divoll. Brother of N. Lincoln Divoll III, Marcia K. Divoll, and the late Scott J. Divoll. Born in Bellows Falls, he was a 1958 graduate of Bellows Falls High School and a 1962 graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind. He worked for Pan-American Airways for 12 years, living in many parts of the world including Vietnam, Thailand, Nigeria, Liberia, and Iran. In 1977, he returned to Vermont and became the owner of Windigo Travel in Manchester, Vt., until his retirement in 2010. Following his retirement, he made his home at the Little Red School House in Rockingham, where he went to school as a child. He enjoyed entertaining his family and many friends, traveling, gardening, and the company of his beloved dog, Ziggy. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at a later date to be announced. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Jeremy Fitch Haumann, 35, of East Dummerston. Died May 16 of complications from juvenile diabetes. Born in Port Jefferson, N.Y., the son of Alan B. Haumann of Townshend and Barbara Fitch Haumann of Guilford, he spent his first two years in South Beach, N.Y. The family then moved to Mahomet, Ill., in 1981. He graduated from Mahomet-Seymour High School in 1997 where he excelled academically and was a member of the International Thespian Society. He attended college at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Castleton State College and, subsequently, Arizona State University, where he received a B.S. in Applied Psychology in 2005. He was employed for nearly seven years at New Chapter in Brattleboro. He was a deeply caring person with a big heart for others. He was also a talented artist. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Jonathan Haumann and his wife, Caitlin, of Brattleboro; his beloved daughter, Anneliese Faith Wall Haumann, and her mother, Elizabeth Wall Haumann, both of Bainbridge Island, Wash.; and stepmother Sharon Haumann of Townshend. Memorial information: Burial took place at Christ Church Cemetery in Guilford on May 24, followed by a memorial service at the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. Donations to an education account that has been set up for his daughter at River Valley Credit Union. Arrangements were under the direction of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Linda L. Konkowski, 53, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died May 14 at her home. Wife of Charles “Charlie” Konkowski for 33 years. Mother of Allison Jean Konkowski and Charles John Konkowski II, of West Chesterfield. Sister of Larry Thomas Nay of Hinsdale, N.H., Debra Sue Cougle of West Palm Beach, Fla., and Sandra Lee Fontaine of Brattleboro. Born in Lynn, Mass., the daughter of Jean Eastman and the late Robert Nay, she was raised and educated in Hinsdale and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School, Class of 1978. She had previously lived in Brattleboro before moving to West Chesterfield in 1985. She owned and operated her own cleaning business, serving clients in both the greater Brattleboro and Keene area. Previously, she had been employed by Brattleboro Haulage, working in the company's office. Her most important job throughout the years was being a stay-at-home mom. She was a faithful and devoted wife, and a loving mother to her two children. Her life centered around her family, for which she was the foundation. She loved to host family gatherings and parties, her favorite holiday being Thanksgiving. She was a very compassionate person, and family and friends always went to her for advice. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, and quilting. She had a great love for animals, having grown up around horses and owning dogs her whole life. She also enjoyed raising sheep on the small family farm she and her husband operated. She was a very spiritual person and was known for her spirit of friendship and generosity. She enjoyed giving gifts, especially books to her client's children. Memorial information: A burial was conducted May 22 at Grace Community Evangelical Free Church in Spofford, N.H. Donations to the Linda Konkowski Memorial, donations to support college tuition for her two children, in care of People's United Bank, P.O. Box 89, Chesterfield, N.H. 03443. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Leonard A. Laskowski, 87, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died May 16 in his home, after a brief period of declining health. Husband of Inez (Higley) Laskowski for 65 years. Father of Stephen Laskowski, and wife Erika, of Chesterfield; Linda (Laskowski) Skrzyniarz and husband, Peter, of West Chesterfield, and Michael Laskowski, and wife Bette of West Brattleboro. Brother of the late Raymond Laskowski. Born in New Britain, Conn., he was the eldest son of Valerian Laskowski and Genevieve (Batogowski) (Laskowski) Thomas. He was raised by his maternal grandparents, until the age of 11, when he moved to West Chesterfield to live with his mother and stepfather, Dexter Thomas. In 1945, one day shy of his 18th birthday, he joined the Navy, serving his country honorably during World War II at a Naval hospital in San Leandro, Calif. Upon discharge, he returned to complete his high school education at Brattleboro High School. Under the GI Bill, he learned carpentry from local builder, Harry Winn. While painting the West Brattleboro home of Clarence and Mary Higley, he met the love of his life, Inez, and they were married in 1949 in the rectory of St. Michael's Church in Brattleboro. He built their first home a year later. In 1952, he was hired as a postal clerk at the Brattleboro post office, where he worked for 30 years. He also administered Civil Service exams for the federal government and he continued serving his country as a warrant officer in the Army Reserve. He was a proud father and loved entertaining his children with obscure trivia, made-up words, and holiday tricks. During his retirement, he built houses for all of his children and babysat his grandchildren. Together, the Laskowskis loved Sunday afternoon drives, and longer family trips: across America, to the Bahamian islands, and to Hawaii and parts of Europe. He taught his entire family the game of golf, joining the Brattleboro Country Club in 1967. He enjoyed the company of many special golfing buddies who witnessed his hole-in-ones. He served as the BCC's President from 1990-1991. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 5. Most importantly, he gave the gift of his rare blood to many in need, donating more than 30 gallons to the American Red Cross. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on May 24 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Donations to Brigid's Kitchen, 32 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or Joan's Food Pantry, in care of Neil Jenness, P.O. Box 148, Chesterfield, NH 03443. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• John Wesley Stockwell, 60, formerly of Putney. Died May 4 in Leesburg, Fla. Longtime companion of Patsy Gentile. Former husband of Judy Stockwell. Father of Andrew Stockwell, his wife, Katie, and Jessica Aither. Brother of Susan and Nancy Stockwell. Son of the the late Shirley and Earl Stockwell, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1971, and began working for his family's business, Putney Paper Co. After several years of employment there, he bought and ran a swimming pool company in Keene, N.H. He then moved to Tampa, Fla., to finish his associate's degree in pre-engineering from Hillsborough Community College. After finishing his degree, he moved to Leesburg, Florida where he ran a successful commercial and residential real estate company. He was a kind, gentle soul and a generous person, who freely shared his home, belongings, and ideas with anyone. His love for animals and music ran deep. He frequently delighted friends, family, especially his beloved granddaughters, by playing piano or guitar while singing his favorite songs. He took great enjoyment and pride in visiting local nursing and retirement homes to play music and sing for patients, residents, and staff. In addition to music and family, he also enjoyed poetry, books, and watching Boston Red Sox games with his friend Jeff. He also loved to play and watch the game of golf. He will be missed. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney, on May 31, at 10 a.m., followed by a remembrance gathering at the VFW in Brattleboro, beginning at 11:30 a.m.
• Ronald Lowell “Ron” Wyckoff, 75, of Brattleboro. Died May 18 at his home following a period of declining health. Husband of Beverly Benjamin for nearly 52 years. Father of David Wyckoff and his wife, Sandy, of Brattleboro; Donna Lawry and her husband, Charles, of Bedford, Mass.; Deanna Fletcher and husband, Brent, of West Chesterfield, N.H.; and the late Monica Wyckoff. Brother of Stanley Wyckoff of Florida. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Lowell and Alice Holland Wyckoff, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1957. He served in the Navy as a radarman and, upon his honorable discharge from active service, returned home to Brattleboro. He was a line technician for Warner Cable, where he retired after many years of faithful service with the company. He later worked on a part-time basis at C&S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and held membership in the American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He enjoyed his flower gardens, puttering around his home (which he was very proud of), going camping, and spending time with his family. He was a faithful and devoted husband and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 23 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal eites and burial with full military honors in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.