College news
• Mary Donald, an International Relations major from Grafton, has been awarded the Dean's Award for academic excellence by Colgate University for the spring 2014 semester.
Transitions
• Jen Ogden has been promoted to Member Service Representative at River Valley Credit Union's main office in Brattleboro. She will be responsible for signing up new members and opening specific accounts for existing members. The Brattleboro native started as a teller at the credit union in 2012 after 10 years of managing the local Curves franchise.
• Erinna Cooper, RN is the new director of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Birthing Center. She has 10 years of OB/Maternal-Child health experience at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. From 2010 to 2013, she served as the Permanent Charge Nurse of the OB unit - a role which put her in charge of managing clinical and support staff for patient care activities, among other duties.
Obituaries
• Dr. Robert David “Bob” Bruen, 67, of Wilmington. Died Oct. 7 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a brave battle with cancer. Husband of Virginia Secco. Father of Garth Bruen. Stepfather of Christopher and Melissa Secco. Brother of Michael, Kathie and Laura Bruen, and the late Steven Bruen. Born in Melrose, Mass., the son of Mary and the late Robert Bruen, he grew up in Malden, Mass,, where he was a track star at Malden High School. He went on to Northeastern University with a track scholarship and held state records for decades. He earned advanced degrees from Harvard University, Boston University, Simmons College, and a Ph.D. from Boston College. He had been a resident of Newton, Mass., for most of his life before moving to Vermont. Before “computer” was a household word, he visualized how data and process could be effectively managed through his work as a librarian at Northeastern University. Eventually entering the then-new field of Systems Administration, he brought his insight to ARCON Corporation, Sanders Associates (now BAE), and Perkin-Elmer Corporation. The bulk of his work occurred at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in four different labs as the systems manager of the Aeronautics and Astronautics Department, Laboratory for Nuclear Science, Whitehead Institute Center for Genome Research, and the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems respectively. His last position was at the MESO Atmospheric Research Forecasting and Research Center. His dedication to supporting systems that supported society was unparalleled. Also a passionate teacher, he was an instructor at Babson College, Merrimack College, Springfield Technical Community College, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, and the University of Connecticut. For many years, he wrote a column for the Deerfield Valley News on computer security. His scientific curiosity drove him to assist in the discovery of 36 new prime numbers for the Prime Internet Eisenstein Search (PIES) and document the history of the Lucasian Chair of Mathematics in his doctoral thesis. Bob also co-created Project KnujOn, an Internet compliance monitoring system, with his son, Garth. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Nov. 1 at Harvard University's Memorial Sanctuary Church in Harvard Yard. Donations to the Grace Cottage Foundation, 185 Grafton Rd, Townshend, VT 05353-0216.
• Doris P. Cutting, 86, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 25 at Pine Heights Nursing Home following a period of declining health.Wife of the late Clayton L. Cutting for 60 years. Father of Reed C. Cutting and his wife, Sandra, Ronald Cutting and his wife, Joan, and Diane C. LaClair and her husband, Lewis, all of Guilford, and the late Nancy Bevis. Sister of the late Harvey and Riley Phelps, Anna Johnson, Ada Field, and Ruth Stevens. Born at home in Greenfield, Mass., the daughter of the late Everett and Antoinette (Masse) Phelps, she was a graduate of Greenfield High School, Class of 1946. She had been employed as a secretary at both the Guilford and Vernon Elementary Schools. She was also a devoted homemaker who enjoyed cooking, baking, and sewing. She was a member of the Guilford Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, and a longtime member of the Guilford Community Church, where she was active with the church's Ladies Aide committee. She enjoyed the outdoors, including hiking and her daily walks. She also was an avid reader, and enjoyed gardening and crafts. Memorial information: Funeral services were conducted on Oct. 31 at Guilford Community Church, with burial in Guilford Center Cemetery. Donations to Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Road, Guilford, VT 05301, or to Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Vermont, 205 Billings Farm Rd., Building #5, White River Junction, VT 05001. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Will Fielding, 63, formerly of Marlboro. Died Oct. 21 in Carmel Valley, Calif. He leaves his wife, Paula; his daughters, Tashina, Plasha and their husbands; his two brothers: Peter of West Brattleboro and Tony of Wilmington; and his mother Esther Fielding of Guilford. He was a musician and a Morris Dancer and built beautiful banjos. He will be missed by his loving family and his many friends. Memorial information: No service information provided.
• Carol Pike W. Jarrett, 61, of Port Orange, Fla. Mother of Tanya Wilhelm, of Robinson, N.C., Leslie and Debbie Welsh of Palm Coast, Fla., and Justin and Donald Welsh Jr. of Palm Coast, Fla. Sister of Mary Rosania and her husband, John, of Plantsville, Conn.; Susan Cleveland and her husband, Ronald, of Brattleboro; Kevin ( Anne ) Pike and his wife, Anne, of Hinsdale, N.H., Brian Pike of Lebanon, N.H., and the late Allen and Douglas Pike. Born in Meriden, Conn., daughter of Elfleda and the late Harry Pike of Brattleboro, she attended schools in Brattleboro prior to moving to Florida in 1973. Memorial information: Funeral services will be private and at the convenience of the family.
• Andrew “Andy” Natowich, 95, of Brattleboro since 1945 died suddenly early Thursday morning, October 30, 2014 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of Alice (Regan) Natowich for 71 years. Father of Phillip Natowich of Brattleboro, Andrea Russo and her husband, Frank, of South Glastonbury, Conn., and Rosemary Strumpf and her husband, David, of Guilderland, N.Y. Brother of Esther Baczek, Michael Necio, and the late Olana Brushitis, Anna Preneta, Mary Benzi, Catherine Sheasby, and John Natowich. He was born in Derby, Conn., the son of the late Philip and Elizabeth (Wanca) Natowich, both Ukrainian immigrants. he attended primary school in Ansonia, Conn. and was a graduate of Ansonia High School, Class of 1938, where he excelled as a three-sport athlete. As a student-athlete, he set many high school and state records in varsity football. In 2001, he was named one of the 10 best all-time high school football players in Connecticut. He went on to graduate from the College of the Holy Cross in 1943 where again he was a three-sport athlete, and All American Honorable Mention in football. Following his graduation from Holy Cross, he played one season for the Washington Redskins when his career was cut short by an injury. In 1985, he was inducted into the Holy Cross Hall of Fame, and recently into the Vermont Principal's Association Hall of Fame. He was a proud veteran of World War II, serving his country in the Army where he was honorably discharged from active service on Nov. 19, 1944. He began his long career as a teacher in Brattleboro in 1945 and coached varsity baseball and football for 30 years. He enjoyed great success as a high school coach. Natowich-coached teams won state football championships in 1950, 1957, and 1965. His 1953 team was undefeated as well. Natowich-coached baseball teams won state championships in 1951, 1956, and 1961, and were state finalists in 1957, 1958, and 1960. He was well respected and admired by his former students and players who throughout the years kept in communication with him, many through home visits. In 1953, he supervised the renovation of the baseball field at the high school as well as the football field in 1965, which is named in his honor. He also helped build the sports complex in Fort Dummer, as well as the Small Fry, Little League, and Memorial Park fields. He was a member of American Legion Post 5, and former member of the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, and the Knights of Columbus, Leo Council #917. With his wife, he was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed vegetable gardening, each spring planting many varieties of tomatoes and numerous other vegetables. He also enjoyed trout fishing, visiting with his former students, and time shared with his family. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves fan and enthusiastically followed his beloved Holy Cross football and basketball teams. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held Friday, Nov. 7, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Natowich family lot in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. Donations to the Andy Natowich Memorial Scholarship, in care of Kathy Rouleau at BUHS, 131 Fairground Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Edith Ruth Roberts, 91, of East Dummerston. Died Oct. 27, at her home. Wife of the late Herbert O. Roberts for 26 years. Mother of Henry Roberts and his wife, Louise, of East Dummerston, Earl Hulett of Tonawanda, N.Y., Thelma Dunn of East Dummerston, and the late Raye, Maurice, and Marjorie Hulett. Born in Putney, the daughter of the late Clyde and Ruby (Fuller) Hulett, she attended school in Williamsville and later the Red School House in Putney. From 1948 until 1981, she worked at the former American Optical Company in Brattleboro. Following the closing of the Brattleboro factory in 1981, she worked at the AO plant in Southbridge, Mass., during the company's transition period. She later worked at Fulflex in Brattleboro, retiring in 1988. For several years, she worked on a part-time basis for Fleming Oil Company. She enjoyed crocheting and knitting and was a generous contributor of her handiwork to the annual Reformer Christmas Stocking. Memorial information: Services will take place at a later date to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department, Box 995, Putney, VT 05346. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Judith A. Smith, 57, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Oct. 27 at the home of her son, Adam, in Winchester, N.H. Mother of Adam Paul Godfrey and his wife, Carrie, of Winchester, Corey Lynn Bacon of Brattleboro, and Star Schumacker of Arizona. Stepmother of Bonnie Hazell and her husband, Bill, of Wilmington. Sister of Carl Godfrey, Shirley Godfrey, Frank Godfrey and Josie Shumway, all of West Fairlee, Fred Godfrey of Barre, Karen Benoit and her husband, Mike, of Claremont, N.H., Ramona Godfrey of Waterbury, and Florence Keating of Essex Junction. Born in Lebanon, N.H., the daughter of Arthur F. and Clara (Walden) Godfrey Jr., she worked for many years housekeeping for various families in the tri-state area. She was a member of the Advent Christian Church in Vernon. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m. at the Advent Christian Church, 4554 Fort Bridgman Road, Vernon. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
• Adeline B. Woynar, 100, of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 25 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Andrew and Blanche (Niemczura) Woynar and was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School. She was employed for many years as a secretary/bookkeeper and treasurer at Standard Paper Company, having been hired by the owner, Kenneth Kent. She eventually became a part-owner of the business. She also served as docent of the Old Rockingham Meeting House for several years after her retirement. She was always called “Nine,” a name given to her by her niece, Michele, who as a toddler couldn't pronounce “Adeline.” Nine is fondly remembered by her nieces and nephews as an entertaining travelling companion, golfing buddy, shopping assistant, and an accommodating “taxi", always available whenever a ride was needed. She is survived by her sister, Alice Powers of Bellows Falls, and several nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by siblings Bernard Woynar, Stella Belaski, and Stephen Woynar, who was killed in World War II. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 1 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in Sacred Heart Cemetery in Westminster. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls was in charge of arrangements.
• Elwood Floyd Styles, 86, of Jamaica. A lifelong resident of Jamaica, he was a truly unique old school Vermonter. He worked as a logger throughout his life and at local ski areas later in life. Known by all and considered the “Mayor of Jamaica,” he was a unique character with a story for every friendly ear. He was an avid outdoorsman, loved his horse, “Champ,” and would never mow a single flower. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Nov. 1 at the Jamaica Community Church. Donations to the Jamaica/ Wardsboro Community Food Pantry.