College news
• Castleton State College nursing student Samuel O'Brien of Brattleboro recently joined nearly 100 other Castleton nursing students who participated in the inaugural Arnold P. Gold Foundation White Coat Ceremony. The White Coat Ceremony was designed in 1993 by the Gold Foundation as a way to welcome new students into the medical profession and to set clear expectations regarding their primary role as physicians. The inaugural tradition, which includes the cloaking and recitation of the medical oath by participants, emphasizes the importance of compassionate care as well as scientific proficiency in medicine and nursing.
• Leland Hayford of Wilmington earned a B.S. in Accounting from Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.
• Victoria Eno of Westminster Station graduated with a B.A. in Math from Castleton State College following the successful completion of the fall semester in December 2014, and will be recognized during Castleton's 228th commencement on May 9.
• The following local students were named to the Castleton State College Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester: McKenzie Bover, Colby Hescock, Erin Leblanc, Seth Marcil, and William Perry of Brattleboro; Keira Capponcelli of Brookline; Seth Pletcher and Kayla Wood of Dummerston; Grandon Smith of Londonderry; Ryan Haselton of South Londonderry; Mariah Lesure of Vernon; and Zachary Howe of Westminster.
• The following local students were named to the Castleton State College President's List for the fall 2014 semester: Alex Derosia and Soren Pelz-Walsh of Brattleboro; Callie Ginter and Eric Ginter of Townshend; Alyson Marcucci of West Dover; and Victoria Eno of Westminster Station.
• The following local students were named to the Johnson State College Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester: Jeffrey Ketcham of Brattleboro, Ashley Goddard of Jamaica, Mollie Wright of Londonderry, Laura Pluff of Newfane, and Lindsay Moon of Saxtons River.
• Shelby Davis-Lane of Dummerston and Ellen Boles of Wilmington were both named to the President's List at Johnson State College for the fall 2014 semester.
• Owen Diamondstone-Kohout of Dummerston, Rebecca Bird of Vernon, and Abigail Wicker of West Townshend were all named to the Community College of Vermont's President's List for the fall 2014 semester.
• The following local students have been named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire for the fall 2014 semester: Conor Madison of Londonderry earned High Honors, Kelsey Patterson of Brattleboro earned Honors, and Lydia Pedigo of Putney earned Highest Honors.
• Elise Huntley of Wilmington was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Benedictine College in Atchinson, Kans.
• Louise Grace Terwilliger, a sophomore majoring in psychology from Putney, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
Obituaries
• Professor Willene Buckman Clark, 82, of Savannah, Ga. Died Jan. 24 in Savannah. Sister of Nephew King Clark Jr. and his wife, Kerstin. Aunt of nieces Helen Iocovozzi and Monica Sullivan, and nephew Gustav Clark. Born in Savannah, the daughter of the late Nephew King and Helen Walthour Clark. she spent the first eight years of her life at her family home on Wilmington Island on the Wilmington River, just a short distance from her maternal grandparents, Henry and Helen Walthour. She graduated from Pape School (now known as Country Day) with high honors, which provided her with a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania where she obtained her B.A. degree. She continued her studies, getting her master's in art and music history at Columbia University in New York, and a Ph.D. in art history at Yale. Falling in love with New England, she applied for a job teaching art and music history at Marlboro College, where she remained until retirement. She was on the college President's Advisory Board, a member of the Marlboro Selectboard, and a member of the ski patrol. During her tenure at Marlboro, she received several sabbaticals to study abroad doing research on her favorite topic, the writings, drawings and paintings of the medieval period. She was fluent in translating ancient Greek, Latin, German, and French. She studied abroad at The Ludwig Maximilian University, in Munich, Germany, The University of Liege, Belgium, had a US Fulbright scholarship, a Rotary Foundation Fellowship, Grants from the Anson Kittridge Foundation, Ingram Merrill Foundation, National Endowment of the Humanities (USSR), an American Philosophical Society Grant, Kress Foundation publications grants and the Victorian Society Certificate of Merit for the “Stained Glass Art of William Jay Bolton,” which she published in 1992. She also published “A Medieval Book of Beasts” in two volumes, “The Animal Chapters in the Saint Petersburg Tresor,” “12th & 13th Century Latin Sermons,” and the “Latin Bestiary,” “The Medieval Book of Birds,” and “Gothic Revival Stained Glass,” to name a few. She was a frequent lecturer at many places of learning: State Public Library in Leningrad, Russia (then USSR), University of Colorado in Boulder, The Medieval Institute, Kalamazoo, Mich., at the Medieval Conference, Harvard University, Conference on Environmental Glass, Oklahoma City, Okla , and The Medieval Circle at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va. Memorial information: A tea will be held at Marlboro College at a later date for tributes from her fellow colleagues and friends of the Marlboro community and a presentation of her work. Donations to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., seventh floor, New York, NY 10001.
• Mary Alice Howe, 85, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Jan. 26 at her home. Wife of the late Clarence E. Howe Jr. for 49 years. Mother of John Howe and Hope of Winchester, N.H.; Kathy Boudreau and her husband, Arthur, and Kyle Cassavaugh and her husband, Scott, both of Hinsdale; and Jim Howe and his wife, Pam, of Westminster. Sister of Martha Zuverino of Hinsdale and the late Kenneth, Bernard, Donald, Edward, William, Paul, and Ruth Smith. Born in Crogan, N.Y., the daughter of the late Jess and Nellie (Green) Smith, she moved to Ashuelot, N.H., with her family in 1938. She attended schools in Ashuelot and Winchester, N.H. She worked in many Brattleboro-area restaurants, including The Country Kitchen, The Stone Fence Inn, and Jad's, where many lasting friendships were formed. She was a devoted member of Red Sox Nation, enjoying many games with family and friends. She loved Neil Diamond and “Sweet Caroline” before it became the Red Sox anthem. She enjoyed hosting many Super Bowl parties and was looking forward to this year's. She loved to travel, but most of all loved the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren attending their school functions and sporting events. She was a communicant of Mary Queen of Peace in Hinsdale, and a member of the VFW and American Legion women's auxiliaries. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, Feb. 7, at 10 a.m., at Mary Queen of Peace in Hinsdale. A private burial will take place in the spring. Donations to the Reformer Christmas Stocking, P.O. Box 733, Brattleboro, VT 05302-0733.
• Bernard “Bernie” McKee Jr., 82, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 26, following an extended illness. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he came to America for the duration of World War II. Following the war, he returned to Scotland for a few years before he arriving as an immigrant to the United States with his mother, the late Annie Florence McKee, and his sister, Mary. The family resided in Woodside, Queens, N.Y. He graduated from William Cullen Bryant High School in Long Island City, N.Y., and later was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He served with honor and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. After returning from Korea and upon leaving the Army at the rank of sergeant first class, he became a U.S. citizen. He attended the University of Denver on the GI Bill and began a career in banking in Colorado after graduation. He moved to Washington D.C. to take a position with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board and was ultimately promoted to Chief Ethics Officer. He lived in Chevy Chase, Md. for many years. He traveled extensively for business domestically and traveled worldwide for pleasure. He had many wonderful stories from his travels and enjoyed collecting souvenirs and making friends worldwide. Following his retirement, he moved to Brattleboro, as he loved vacationing in Vermont. He volunteered for several organizations over the past 20 years, including in the school district, the humane society, and at his church. He traveled extensively in retirement, including going around the world twice on a freighter and extended trips to Australia, Europe, and Turkey. He loved music, gourmet cooking, gardening, history, emailing, shopping, reading, and dogs and cats. He attended St. Michael's Episcopal Church and, in later years, First Baptist Church of Brattleboro. He was a member of the Masonic brotherhood. Memorial information: Per his request, there will be no service or calling hours. He asked that you remember him by enjoying a good meal, doing a kind deed, or contributing to the charitable cause of your choosing.
• Cherolyn “Cherry” Hudson Nichols, 79, of Dummerston. Died Jan. 23. Wife of the late Lane Nichols. Mother of Cindy Darcy, Ronda Brown, Dewey Nichols and his partner, David, Lorie Nichols and husband, Terrance O'Connor, and Scott Nichols and wife, Danielle. Sister of Arvilla Francis, Janice Stevens, Albert Hudson, and the late Nelson and Rodney Hudson. Born in Northfield, Mass., she was an avid flower and vegetable gardener after her retirement from J.C. Penney after 26 years. Time with her family was her greatest joy. Her son Dewey and his partner lovingly cared for her in their home over the last five months. Each of her children provided assistance with her care in recent years. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 31 at Windham Community Chapel in Dummerston. Interment will be on May 26, at 11 a.m. at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, N.H.
• Adele A. Rehbein, 90, of Vernon. Died Jan. 25 of natural causes. Wife of Robert “Bob” Rehbein for nearly 73 years. Mother Bobbie and Roger Rehbein. Born in New York City, daughter of the late Frederick and Anna Englert, she met and married Bob in 1942. They spent the next several years moving around the country during World War II supporting the war effort while Bob was in the Army Air Force. After the war, they lived in New York City and started raising their family. She was active at the time in Order of Eastern Star, Maspeth Chapter, and named Matron in 1959. The family moved to Brattleboro in 1960. Once in Vermont, she was the bookkeeper for R&M Supplies, a division of R.S. Roberts, in Brattleboro, until her retirement in 1987. After retirement, the Rehbeins moved to Florida and relished the sunshine as snowbirds before returning to Vermont full-time to be with their family. She enjoyed being outdoors and spent many hours cruising, boating, fishing, and snowmobiling with friends. Her favorite pastime was traveling around the country with her husband on their Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. She was a member of Union Congregational Church in West Brattleboro, an avid reader, and enjoyed counted cross-stitch projects. Her grandchildren brought her immense joy. Memorial information: The family will hold a private memorial service honoring their beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home or Windham County Humane Society.
• George John Williams, 66, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 27, 2015 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital following an extended illness. Husband of Julia Todd for nearly 15 years. Father of Evy Williams of Brattleboro and Bethany Williams of Jamaica Plain, Mass. Brother of Kenneth Williams of Tampa, Fla. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the son of Gerald F. and Dorothy (Catalano) Williams, he was raised and educated in Wallingford and Meriden, Conn., graduating from Maloney High School in Meriden, Class of 1966. While attending Maloney High, he served as co-captain of the school's varsity football team. He went on to attend Central Connecticut State College where he received his B.A. in Education. He later earned his Master's degree in Psychology from Antioch University. At the time of his death, he was a special education paraeducator at the Guilford School. He served as administrator at Bradley House, (formerly Hilltop House) for several years and previously had been employed at Vernon Green Nursing Home as Director of Social Services. Prior to joining the staff at Vernon Green, he worked at Franklin County Homecare in Turners Falls, Mass. He enjoyed hiking, music, reading, meditation and time shared with his family. He was a devoted family man who will also be remembered for his spirit of friendship. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Feb. 7, at 1 p.m., at St. Michael's Episcopal Church with Rev. Mary Lindquist, rector, officiating. A reception will follow the services to be held in the church undercroft. There are no calling hours. Donations to the George Williams Memorial Fund, in care of Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Rev. Mary Lindquist. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Robert Stuart Wisell, 63, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Jan. 22 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Mass. Former husband of the late Linda Johndro. Father of Jennifer Lepisto of Hinsdale, N.H. and Heather Remick and her husband, Matthew, of Richmond, N.H. Brother of James Wisell of Laconia, N.H., Stanley Wisell of Hinsdale, N.H., and the late Nancy Peters. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Howard and Joyce (Sprague) Wisell, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969. He was employed as a machinist at Fibermark and also worked for many years at Book Press in Brattleboro. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, making his own custom designed fishing poles, and NASCAR (Jeff Gordon was his favorite driver). He was also a former member of the Brattleboro Eagles Club and the Brattleboro bowling league. His greatest joy in life was his five grandsons, with whom he loved spending time. Memorial information: A celebration of life was held Jan. 31 at the Baptist Church of West Brattleboro. Donations to the National Kidney Foundation, 18 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101.