Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), March 11, 2015, a daughter, Olive Marie (Boulrice) Grindlay, to Mindy Boulrice and Jeff Grindlay Jr. of Brookline; granddaughter to Rene and Paula Boulrice Jr. of Reading, Michelle and Dave Stanch of Chichester, N.H., and Jeff Grindlay Sr. of Reading; great-granddaughter to Sally Smith of Reading, Rene and Estelle Boulrice Sr. of Palm Coast, Fla., Joan Boulrice of Westfield, Mass., and Mary Nesci of Chichester.
College news
• Kerry A. Howard, a psychology major and member of the Class of 2015 from Londonderry, was recently inducted into Stonehill College's Honor Society Lambda Epsilon Sigma.
• Maya Aleshnick has submitted her masters thesis entitled “The transmission efficiency of Plasmodium yeolii [malaria] infected mosquitoes” to the Bloomberg School of Public Health of the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She will attain her Masters of Science degree in May, and will join the lab of Dr. Sanjai Kumar as an ORISE fellow at the FDA in Silver Spring, Md.
• Thomas Kauffmann of Londonderry was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. He is a student at the University of Utah.
• Matthieu Fortier of South Londonderry and Jack DelPriore of Brattleboro were recently selected to present at the annual Castleton Scholars Celebration: A Showcase of Original Student Work. The annual celebration gives the college the opportunity to showcase the rich variety of students' scholarly and creative endeavors at Castleton State College across academic departments and programs. Each presentation arose from course assignments, capstone experiences, and independent study programs, all supported and guided by faculty mentors.
School news
• The Leland & Gray Chapter of the National Honor Society, class of 2015, is preparing to induct the new members of the chapter, rising seniors with an average of 85 or better who demonstrate excellence in academics, leadership, service and character. This year's class - co-presidents Madison Cannella and Giannina Gaspero-Beckstrom; co-treasurers, Emily Stockwell and Olivia Reilly, and members Billy Culver, Corso Donati, Jesse Cannella, Ryan Borgesen, Haley Buffum, Erica Cutts, Emily Thibault, Abby Winrich, Alexa Litchfield, and Sarah Sheppard - will pass the mantel at the 2015 induction ceremony on May 18.
Obituaries
• David Gerald Allbee, 76, of Brookline. Died April 22 at his home. Husband of Jean Graham for more than 55 years. Father of Stephen Allbee and his wife, Joanie, of Kodiak, Alaska; Jonathan Allbee and his wife, Lisa, of Williamstown, Mass.; and Miriam Kelly and her husband, Michael, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Brother of Carolyn Allbee of Brattleboro; Roger Allbee and his wife, Ann, of Townshend; and Ronald Allbee and his wife, Susan, of Sarasota, Fla. A lifelong resident of Brookline, he was born at home, the son of the late Harlan and Jessie (Woodbury) Allbee. He was raised and educated in Brookline, graduating from Brattleboro High School, class of 1956. He received a Master's in Special Education from the University of Connecticut in 1970. For several years, he taught driver's education and special education at Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend. Previously, he taught in the public school systems of Hartford and Colchester, Conn. He had a strong sense of civic duty, which led him to serve on the board of education in Hebron, Conn, the Newfane Selectboard and, most recently, on the Historic Brookline Church Preservation Committee. He was a prolific writer and poet with a wonderful sense of humor. He was a faithful and devoted husband and loving father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and great-grandfather. Memorial information: Memorial contributions may be made to Valley Cares Assisted Living, 461 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Sharon (Murphy) Belanger, 66, of Haverhill, Mass. Died April 5 at Merrimack Valley Healthcare Center in Amesbury, Mass. Mother of Donald Schellinger of Cape Canaveral, Fla., Jesse Belanger of Brattleboro, Jason Eaton of Merrimack, Mass., and Jeremy Sharp of Fayetteville, N.C. Sister of Gayle Class and her husband, Dick, of Mechanicsville, Va., and Michael Murphy of Las Vegas, Nev. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late Leo and Claire (Van Daell) Murphy-Griswold, she was raised and educated in Millbrook, N.Y. and Brattleboro She was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1967, and attended Bard College and Northern Essex Community College. She worked for many years as a cashier at the Central Plaza Market Basket in Haverhill. She loved the outdoors, riding horses, spending time with her children, and had a keen interest in computers. When her children were little, she instilled in them the love of the outdoors - especially the beach - and is remembered for being a great mom who loved her children very much. Memorial information: Donations in her memory may be made to Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 1802, New York, NY 10006, or www.cancerresearch.org.
• Maxine Elaine Brooks, 84, of Newfane. Died April 18. Wife of the late Robert Brooks. Mother of Scott Brooks of Newfane and Toni Skater and her husband, Patrick, of Tucson, Ariz. Sister of Richard Shine of California and the late Bernard Shine Sr. and Stephan Shine. Also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was known as a doting grandmother to her grandchildren who often spent time with her, completing projects and sharing special times at the family lake cottage. She had a love for gardening and birdwatching and was well known for her expertise in painting and wallpapering well into her 80s. Her greatest commitments were to family and church. Memorial information: A private burial was held on April 25. Donations to the Newfane Congregational Church, P.O. Box 27, Newfane, VT 05345. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro was in charge of arrangements.
• Kevin R. Brown, 61, of Brattleboro. Died April 19 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a lengthy illness. Husband of Catherine (Dompier) Brown for 29 years. Stepfather of David Woods and his wife, Molly, of Newport News, Va. Brother of Deborah Berry of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Robert and Beryl (Berry) Brown, he attended Brattleboro public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1972. He worked in the residential heating business as a service manager for Crystal Ice & Fuel Company, and later for Barrows Oil Company. He later established his own heating contracting business in Brattleboro. He retired early due to the progression of his illness. In his earlier years, he owned and operated his own motorcycle restoration business, specializing in classic British motorcycles. His shop was located in Guilford and he attracted clients from around the world. He considered himself a true Vermonter. He enjoyed genealogy and traced his family ancestry back to the 1600s. He loved history, and was a descendant of a Civil War Union soldier. He visited many battlegrounds that included Gettysburg, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Virginia's Peninsula Campaign sites. He enjoyed playing the guitar and was an avid Beatles fan, holding a wealth of knowledge regarding the group. He enjoyed classic cars, notably the Chevrolet Corvair, and restored his own 1966 convertable model. He loved animals and, throughout the years, took in many strays and sickly dogs and cats which he nursed back to health to become his beloved pets. He lived his life by the golden rule, was hardworking, honest, and devoted to his family and close friends. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted April 25 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Atamaniuk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• James T. Day, 67, of Keene, N.H. Died April 19, after a sustained fight with prostate cancer and significant spinal disease. Life partner of Ann Eaton of Keene, N.H. Former husband of Cynthia Day of Keene. Father of Jamie Day and his wife, Anamaria. of Newburgh, N.Y.; and Stephanie Stark and her husband, Gordon, of Sonora, Calif. Brother of Patricia Day Roux of Charlotte, N.C.; Richard Day and his wife, Jacqueline, of Concord, N.H.; and Robert Day and his wife, Lynn, of Scotts Hill, Tenn. Born in Wolfeboro, N.H., the son of Helen (Hurd) and the late John Wilman Day, he attended Keene schools and was a 1966 graduate of Keene High School. He earned a liberal arts degree in history from Plymouth State College in 1970 and a Master's in Education in 1971, also from Plymouth State College. In 1986, he earned a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Educational Leadership from the University of Massachusetts. He began his career as a teacher and coach at Newfound Memorial Jr. Sr. High School in Bristol, NH in 1971. He then became teaching principal of Russell Elementary School in Rumney, N.H., for two years. In 1974, he became supervising principal of Canaan (N.H.) Elementary School. In 1977, he became principal of Fuller School in Keene until he was selected to serve as principal of Keene Junior High School in 1983 where he continued until 1990. In that year, he became assistant superintendent for Keene schools and served in that capacity through 1993. He then considered himself very fortunate to have been able to return to the principalship in 1993, this time at a renamed Keene Middle School where he served through June 2003. He then made the difficult decision to leave this position, believing it was time to do something different with his life. Always willing to accept a challenge, he then took the position of principal of Brattleboro Union High School where he served until progressive back and leg problems, together with an advanced cancer diagnosis, forced him to leave this position in May 2011. As an accomplished educator and principal, as well as an always proud father, he loved working with school children, coaching them in Little League and in schools, introducing them to exciting things like model rocketry, supporting his own and other students on sidelines, serving as an advisor to middle and senior high student advisories, and chaperoning the eighth-grade trips to Washington, D.C., and high school students to New York City. He served on five middle school visiting committees to other schools, chairing his last three. During his career, he had been a member of national professional associations for elementary, middle, and senior high schools and was particularly proud of having yearbooks dedicated to him in two different secondary schools. While serving as principal in Brattleboro, he was privileged to participate in two extended trips to China in order to strengthen education exchange programs between China and Brattleboro Union High School. In 2012, he was recognized by the Vermont Legislature for his “enduring legacy of achievement” serving 40 years in school administration in two states. Since his departure from regular school service, he became an active member of the Chad Evans Wrongly Convicted Committee, believing strongly in the innocence of this outstanding former student and then school board member in the Keene School District. In his later years, he also served as president of the Willowbrook Association in Keene. Memorial information: A memorial service and Christian burial will be announced at some point in the summer. There are no public calling hours. Donations to the First Baptist Church, 105 Maple Ave., Keene, NH 03431. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories of Keene.
• Carol Sue “Susie” Hawthorne Earle, 59, of Putney and Brattleboro. Died April 17 after a long struggle with diabetes and its complications. Former wife of Lawrence “Larry” Earle. Mother of Lucas of Jacksonville, Andrew of Marlboro, and Ian of Brattleboro. Sister of Cynthia “Janie” Hawthorne of Brattleboro, Saundra Hays of East Liverpool, Ohio, and the late Patricia and Kenneth Hawthorne. Born in East Liverpool, Ohio, the daughter of the late Ernest and Norma Gorrell Hawthorne, she grew up and attended local schools in East Liverpool. During her youth, she became very active in her church, and after graduation from high school, she chose Ohio Valley Christian University in Vienna, W.Va., where she majored in secretarial science. After receiving her Associate's Degree, she found limited opportunities for work in Ohio. Encouraged by the pastor of the Church of Christ of Brattleboro, Lindsay Carroll, she came to Vermont, where she soon found work at the Book Press. She married and settled into raising a family. She held a succesion of clerical jobs, but her caring personality needed new challenges. She worked with children at Pumpkin Patch, Brattleboro Child Development, and Early Education Services. At Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, she was an aide in the Physical Therapy Department, and at Eden Park, she assisted the Activities Director. She made frequent visits to her family in Ohio, and when she was needed, she unquestioningly assumed the care of her friends and family, most recently for her sister, Patricia, in Ohio. Her caring and zestful nature appeared in every aspect of her life. She had an unusual capacity for loyal and giving friendships, always a concerned, broad-minded listener and conversationalist, full of humor and laughter. She was active in her church and social organizations. She enjoyed family gatherings and hiking and camping. She loved popular music, singing, dancing, and kareoke. She was a good cook, making dishes from her own family's recipes, especially home-made noodles and casseroles with cheese. She was passionate about shopping and bargain hunting at flea markets, and she was a remarkable gifter. Her dreams to travel were fulfilled by a trip to Chile in 2013 where her son, Luc, was then living. During her last years, when she became increasingly ravaged by diabetes, she still devoted as much time as she could to her friends and family. Her grandchildren gave her great joy and comfort. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at the Church of Christ in Brattleboro on April 25. Donations to the Brattleboro Drop-In Center, 60 S. Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Early Education Services, 130 Birge St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro was in charge of arrangements.
• James Alan “Jim” Fredette, 62, of Westmoreland, N.H.. Died April 19 at Cancer Treatment Center of America in Philadelphia, after a long illness. Husband of Maureen T. (Thomas) Fredette for 43 years. Father of Kathleen Tremblay and her husband, Todd, of Keene, N.H.; Joseph Fredette and his wife, Diana, of Swedesboro, N.J.; Jennifer Matthews and her husband, Jeffrey, of Westmoreland; Andrew Fredette of Keene; and Mary Meyer and her husband, Donald, of Stoddard, N.H. Brother of Barbara Wesley of Walpole, N.H., and the late Lila Conway and Hazel Fredette. Born in Keene, N.H., the son of the late Hazel A. (Forbes) Dunlap, he attended local schools and was a 1971 graduate of Keene High School. He married his high school sweetheart just three days after his high school graduation. He was a beloved husband, a loving dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend. He was a hard worker and worked for many local businesses over the years before settling down with his wife and becoming owner/operators of That's Italian in Keene for many years and later Jimmy's Family Fun Center on Route 12 in Westmoreland. Most recently, he worked for the Cheshire County Facilities Department at Maplewood Nursing Home He was an active member of Keene's Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge 478. In younger days, he played in the Brattleboro Men's Softball League as a pitcher for the Pepsi-sponsored team. He was a communicant of the Parish of the Holy Spirit in Keene. His enjoyed spending time with his family, especially Saturday night card games, a family tradition from the past that has been handed on to the future generations. His hobbies included woodworking, fishing, dancing, camping and, of course, cards. He loved dogs, owning many over the years. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held April 24 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Keene. Burial will take place at a later date. Donations to The Gateway for Cancer Research, 1336 Basswood Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173. Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Keene was in charge of arrangements.
• Stewart Nelson Lawrence, 85, of Brattleboro. Died April 23 at his home. Husband of June Harris and the late Frances Westfall. Stepfather of Jerry Brown and Sandra Mattison, both of Brattleboro. Brother of the late Leon and Milford Lawrence, and Esther Saucier. Born in Newfane, the son of the late Oscar and Lydia (Fellows) Lawrence, he was raised in Newfane where he attended public schools. He was a carpenter and had owned and operated his own general contracting business. Following his retirement, he worked part-time as a crossing guard for the town of Brattleboro, his post located on Green Street. In his earlier years, he was engaged in farming, working the day-to-day operation of the family farm in Newfane. Steadfast in his walk of faith, he was a member of Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church in Vernon. For nine years, with his wife, he faithfully cleaned the church on a weekly basis. He was an accomplished woodworker who enjoyed making furniture. Memorial information: A funeral services was held April 27 at Mountain View Church in Vernon, with burial in Williamsville Cemetery. Donations to Mountain View Seventh-Day Adventist Church, P.O. Box 24, 1002 Ft. Bridgman Road, Vernon, VT 05354. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro was in charge of arrangements.
• Mark “Danny” Dana LeClair, 54, of Brattleboro. Died April 16. Husband of Cindy L. Wisell LeClair for 27 years. Father of Dana M. LeClair. Brother of Todd and Lori LeClair. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Shirley Bristol (Brittany Olliver) and the late Joseph George LeClair, he attended Brattleboro Union High School and then worked as a printing press operator for 35 years in various locations across the country. His hobbies included fishing, camping, hunting, and traveling, which he spent most of his free time doing. He loved Alaska, he would later reside there before moving back to New England, and vacationed frequently thereafter. He loved spending time with immediate friends and family. Mark was a loved son, husband, father, and friend who will be greatly missed by many. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at the Westgate Community Center at 50 Westgate Dr, Brattleboro, VT 05301 on Saturday, June 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to his wife, Cindy or daughter, Dana. Half of all contributions will be donated to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.
• Priscilla J. Sherwood, 85, of Peterborough, N.H., formerly of Brattleboro. Died April 9. Former wife of the late Thomas K. Sherwood III. Mother of Jennifer Turner and her husband, Robert; Frannie Sherwood and her husband, David Mink; and Brooky Sherwood and her husband, David Babbitt. Sister of Elsie Apthorp, Ed Janeway Jr., and Harold Janeway, and the late Betsy and Ted Janeway. Born in Oyster Bay, Long Island, the daughter of the late Edward and Elinor (White) Janeway, her parents moved to Vermont in 1945. She found herself very much at home in Vermont. After graduating Wheelock College, she married in 1951. Three daughters were born and the family moved to Manchester, Mass., where she established herself as a force in the community. She cared nothing for climbing the social ladder, but was known for walking everywhere, getting to know everyone, and impulsively speaking her mind. After divorce in 1974, she moved to Brattleboro. She loved the diverse community. The Farmers' Market, All Souls Church, Brattleboro Music Chorus, Food Co-op, and the BMH Coffee Shop provided fast friends and outlets for her energy. Later she lived in Burlington, and Brookline, Mass., where she returned to Wheelock College to study family Systems Therapy. Trips to Russia with the chorus, “Sharing a New Song,” were hugely rewarding. In her mid-70s, she sustained two brain injuries, a year apart. While working to regain strength, she moved to RiverMead, a continuing care community in Peterborough, N.H. RiverMead provided stimulation, respect, flexible housing, and loving care. Priscilla described herself as “something along the lines of charming and alarming.” Her impish eyebrows will be missed! She delighted in her grandchildren, always keen to hear about their adventures and misadventures, and always supportive of their journeys. Memorial information: Plans for celebrating Priscilla's life will be announced soon. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301; Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, 1221 Bonnyvale Rd., Brattleboro VT 05301; or the Vermont Community Loan Fund, 15 State St., Montpelier VT 05602.
• A memorial service in celebration of the life of Sallie Lee (Dixon) Olmstead, who died Sept. 24, 2014, will be held Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m., at Dummerston Congregational Church with Susanna Griefen, pastor, officiating. A reception will follow at the church. Burial of her cremated remains in Dummerston Center Cemetery will precede the services, to be conducted at 10 a.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.