Births
• In Framingham (Union Hosptal), Mass., Jan. 27, 2015, a son, Karl Joshua Astolfi, to Shannon (Baker) and Tony Astolfi; grandson to Chas and Andi Baker of Brattleboro; great-grandson to Carolyn Albee of Brattleboro.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan. 19, 2015, a son, Mason Anthony Houle, to Elzabeth Gonyea and Jay Houle of Vernon; grandson to Gilbert and Lora Gonyea, Holly Nicholas, and Tim Fitts.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan 16, 2015, a daughter, Myla Melody Baker, to Melissa Atwood and Grant Baker of Bellows Falls.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Jan 15, 2015, a son, Alexander Earle Brown, to Cheryl Rose (Peloni) and Peter James Brown of Vernon; grandson to James and Carolyn Brown and Susan and Gregory Peloni Sr.
• In Keene, N.H. (Cheshire Medical Center), Dec. 25, 2014, a son, Caleb Daniel James, to Heather (Morris) and Eric James of Brattleboro.
College news
• Saleh A. Rashed of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
• Tyler Gervais, a film production major from Jamaica, has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Emerson College in Boston.
• Amy Blazej, a creative writing major from Windham, and Sarah Harlow, a nursing major from Putney, have been selected by Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H., for inclusion into Who's Who Among Students, in recognition for their praiseworthy contributions to the community and the school.
• Soren Pelz-Walsh of Brattleboro was recently named as one of 37 players on Castleton State College's baseball roster for the 2015 season.
Obituaries
• Elizabeth Adele (Ameden) Coleman, 92, of South Londonderry. Died Feb. 10 in hospice care at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, after a long, slow decline in her health. Wife of the late Loren Coleman. Mother of Robert Coleman and his wife, Carolyn Coleman, of St. Augustine, Fla.; Wendell Coleman and his wife, Chong Hwa Coleman of South Londonderry; and the late Charles and Stephen Coleman. Sister of Emma Lou (Ameden) of Florida, and the late Eugene, Keith, Richard, Dennis, Alwin, and Jesse Ameden. Born in Jamaica, the first daughter of the late Wesley and Hazel (Bolster) Ameden, she was a graduate of Burr & Burton Seminary in Manchester. She lived her life as a farm wife, and was a longtime volunteer with the White Elephant booth at the Grace Cottage Hospital fair. She greatly enjoyed having two grandchildren grow up next door and, in her later years, enjoyed watching the birds at her feeder and nest boxes. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service is planned for spring. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353. White Funeral Home of Townshend is in charge of arrangements.
• Rose Marie “Ree” O'Connell Connell, 88, of Newfane. Died Feb. 11 at home. Wife of the late Jack Connell for 67 years. Mother of Susan Bachmann and her companion, Kris Hansen, of Lunenburg, Mass.; Bruce Connell and his wife, Jinx, of Santa Fe, N.M.; John G. Connell of Shelton, Wash.; and George Connell and his spouse, Thad Bennett, of Newfane. Sister of the late Florence O'Connell and Lillian Constine. Born in Springfield, Mass., daughter of the late George and Florence O'Connell, she met the love of her life at a USO dance at Westover Air Force Base in Chicopee Falls, Mass. They were married in 1946 and together they raised four children in Springfield. She worked as a Teacher's Aide in the Springfield School system for 20 years. In 1989, the Connells moved to Dunedin, Fla., where they made many wonderful friends. In July 2013, her husband started to have health problems and they moved to live with their son, George, and his spouse in Newfane. Their new home provided great care, a wonderful view and six wonderful months together until Jack's death on Jan. 27, 2014. Memorial information: A Mass of Remembrance and burial will be at the discretion of the family. A celebration of her life will be held in the spring. Donations to VNA/Hospice for Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001-0976.
• Lois R. Cooley, 83, of Northfield, Vt. Died Feb. 8 at Mayo Residential Care in Northfield. Wife of Charles H. Cooley. Mother of Daniel Cooley of Amherst, Mass., Peter Cooley of San Rafael, Calif., Paul Andrew Cooley, of Oakland, Calif., and the late Matthew Cooley. Sister of Carlene Kelly of Rowley, Mass., Janice Adams of Salisbury, Md., Linda Bedard of Brattleboro, and John Rogers of San Jose, Calif. Born in Bradford, the daughter of the late Carleton D. Rogers and Gladys (Porter) Rogers, she graduated from Randolph High School in 1949, received an associate degree in retail marketing from Green Mountain College in 1951 and her B.A. in art education from Johnson State College in 1983 at age 52. She had a lifelong interest in art as an artist and teacher. She pioneered infusing art into the entire curriculum at Berlin Elementary School during her career as an art teacher. She served as president of the Vermont Art Teachers Association. Often, she traveled to art museums in New England to see an exhibit by a favorite painter, particularly Van Gogh and other impressionists. Early in life, she sang with her church choir, and she maintained a lifelong interest in music, from Dixieland jazz to Chopin to Sophie Tucker. She loved singing with friends around a piano, and even at her exercise class found a piano player to inspire the group. She also brought her infectious energy to many local theater productions, where she acted and sang. She belonged to the Vermont Theater Guild and enjoyed watching as well as performing in a good play, from Shakespeare to modern musicals. She loved good films and must have watched “Lawrence of Arabia” 100 times. A voracious reader, she filled her house and spare time with books and engaged everyone around her in talking about them. After retiring from teaching, she remained very active in community organizations. She worked with hospice care and in PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). She also spearheaded development in the Northfield Historical Society, organized a number of exhibits, and wrote for and edited the Dog River Crier. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Feb. 13 at Kingston Funeral Home in Northfield.
• Michele Ruth (Edson) Lee, 52, of Bellows Falls. Died Feb. 7. Mother of Steven Lee, Tommy Hendricks Jr., Melissa Hendricks, and Laurie Griffus. Stepdaughter of Roz Edson. Stepsister of Michael Edson, Suzanne Torre, and Kyle Russo. Born in Greenwich, Conn., the daughter of the late John and Ruth Edson, she grew up in Norwalk Conn. and graduated from Brien McMahon High School in 1980. She held many jobs throughout her life and always took great pride as an employee, whether it was working at McDonald's or as a health aide at Maplewood & Bordeaux Nursing Home, which she loved best, giving care and dignity to those who so deserved to have it in the last days of their life. She had been a LNA for many years. She was a vibrant, extremely loving and caring person who took in without question anyone who needed a place to stay. Whether it was young teens turned out by their parents or young adults who were homeless, her door was always open. She would do things to make random strangers smile because she loved to brighten the days of others. She loved being of service to others, and touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her family meant everything to her. Her other passions included horses, birds, and her plants. She also loved Books on Tape, and computer puzzle games. Her wise soul and wisdom brought comfort to many, especially her family. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Feb. 18 at Foley Funeral Home in Keene, N.H.
• Theresa “Terry” Wilson Frank, 63, of Newfane. Died Feb. 3 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Daughter of the late William A. Wilson III and Barbara D. Clark. Sister of Emily Parker and her husband, Donald, of Putney, and Deane Wilson and his wife, Shelley, of Newfane. Born in Townshend, she attended schools in Newfane and was a graduate of Leland & Gray Union High School, Class of 1969. She went on to attend Castleton State College where she received her B.A. in education. She later moved to New York State, where she earned her Master's in education. She worked for many years as a teacher at Newfane Elementary School, where she taught sixth grade. While in New York, she taught elementary education and middle school in Hilton, N.Y. Her specialty was assisting students with remedial reading. She eventually returned to Vermont and went to work for the Windham Foundation before retiring in 2013. Many will member her position at the Grafton Village Cheese Company, where she worked in both the Grafton and Brattleboro locations. She touched many young lives during her years as a teacher and was fondly remembered by many of her students who kept in communication with her throughout the years. She will be remembered for her generosity and spirit of friendship as well as her willingness to help others. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, trips to the ocean - especially Rye Beach, puttering around her home, and time shared with her family and friends. Memorial information: Graveside services in Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane followed by a celebration of life service will take place in the springtime at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to NewBrook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Wayne J. Hoague Jr., 49, of South Newfane. Died Feb. 10 at his residence. Husband of Faye Jones-Hoague. Brother of Daniel Hoague of Swanton, Kevin Hoague of Ashuelot, N.H., Debbie Barrett of Highgate, Raven Hoague of Sheldon, and the late Shane and Skylar Hoague and Wanda Whidden. Stepson of Janette Hoague of Swanton. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Wayne J. and Babe (Chaplin) Hoague Sr., he was the owner and operator of Wayne's Cleaning Service for many years. He also was the director of the South Newfane-Williamsville Volunteer Fire Department. He was intrigued with lights, he owned many flashlights and had all his vehicles outfitted with every light possible. Memorial information: A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1 to 3:30 p.m., at the NewBrook Fire and Rescue Department on Route 30 in Newfane. Donations to the South Newfane-Williamsville Volunteer Fire Co Inc., 24 Dover Rd., Williamsville, VT 05362 or Faye Jones-Hoague, P.O. Box 4, So. Newfane, VT 05351. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is assisting the family with arrangements.
• Richard Allen “Rick” Petrin, 65, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Friday, Feb. 6, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H. Husband of Cheryl A. Mayrand for 44 years. Father of Melissa Petrin Reynolds and her husband of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Matthew Petrin and his partner of Albany, N.Y. Brother of Barry Petrin, Jane Oakes, and Mary Beth Morin. Born in Montague, Mass., the eldest son of Ethel (Burnham) and the late Dominique Petrin, he was raised and educated in Turners Falls, Mass., and was a graduate of Turners Falls High School, Class of 1967. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, stationed in Germany, and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant. One year after returning home, he began his three-year apprenticeship to become an optician. An optician for 43 years, he started his career at Schaff Opticians and recently retired after 18 years from Lane Eye Associates in Springfield, Vt. He served as past president of the Opticians Association of Vermont and was a former member of the Hinsdale Lions Club. He was an avid golfer and also enjoyed travel - especially to the seacoast, the out-of-doors and driving his Miata. A soft-spoken man, he endured a 12-year battle with cancer, never losing his sense of humor or kindness to others. Memorial information: Donations to the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Oncology Dept., 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Farnum Rehabilitation Center Fund at Cheshire Medical Center, 580 Court Street, Keene, NH 03431. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Frederika (Lockerby) “Freddie” Simonds, 71, of Saxtons River. Died Feb. 4 at her home after a long battle with cancer. Former wife of Bruce Simonds. Mother of Bruce Arnold Simonds II and his wife, Christine. Sister of Irene Rice and the late Jackie Sertain, Annie Goyette, and John and David Lockerby. Daughter of the late Gib and Clara (Melcsok) Lockerby, she worked 35 years at Vermont Academy as a housekeeper, where she made some wonderful lifelong friends. She loved animals and would feed whatever would visit daily. She also loved the special time she often spent with her youngest grandson going on walks and bringing back secret treasures. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held Feb. 15 at the Moose Lodge in Bellows Falls.