Transitions
• Grace Cottage Family Health announces the addition of Claire Bemis, RN, as the RN Care Coordinator on the Grace Cottage Community Health Team. Bemis earned her B.S., from Vermont College of Norwich and her A.A. from New Hampshire Technical Institute. She has 28 years of nursing experience, most recently as a nursing supervisor at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. As the RN Care Coordinator on the Community Health Team, Bemis will provide care coordination for complex and high risk patients. She will work with the clinic providers to ensure patients receive individualized follow-up and ongoing monitoring, particularly for those patients with chronic health conditions.
Obituaries
• Samantha Smith Dunham Falls, 49, of Islamorada, Fla., formerly of Newbury and Brattleboro. Died Aug. 21, after a courageous battle with cancer. Daughter of the late Albert Smith, she was married to Rick Falls on Aug. 1, 2014, in Florida. Her previous marriage to Ernest Dunham of Newbury ended in divorce. For many years she lived with her aunt and uncle, Kathy and Dick Knapp of Brattleboro, and became a much-loved member of their family. She is survived by her husband; her stepmother, Susan Smith of Easthampton, Mass., with whom she was very close; six children, Daniel Smith of White River Junction, twins Aaron Dunham of Wells River and Ernie Dunham of Bradford, Alisia Peach of White River Junction, Ashley Wallace of Newbury, and Chelsea Dunham of Groton; 12 grandchildren; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was the granddaughter of the late Floyd and Maxine Smith of Vernon. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. at the home of Penny Burke, 8376 Route 113, in Vershire. Bring a potluck dish to share.
• Thelma Marguerite Simmons (nee Jones), 92, of Guilford. Died Sept. 9 at her home after a period of declining health. She lived most of her life in the Philadelphia area where she raised her three children and worked outside the home. She relocated to Vermont in 2012 to reside at the home of her daughter, Lisa M. Pitcher and her partner, Allen G. Halpern. Born in Trenton, N.J., and raised in Delanco N.J., the only child of George and Marie Eve (Ellis) Jones, she graduated from Palmyra High School and shortly thereafter worked for RR Donnelley Company in Philadelphia, where she met her husband Joseph Pitcher. She also worked in sales for the Bachrach Portrait Photography Studio in Philadelphia before owning her own company, The Simmons Agency, an employment business in Wayne, Pa. Her daughter, grandchildren and friends remember her as a strong and passionate individual who encouraged them to pursue their goals, especially in education. She was an accomplished businesswoman who had many friends in the Philadelphia area and beyond. She loved to dance, read the Sunday New York Times, and travel. She first visited Vermont in 1973 when she decided she wanted to learn to ski for the first time. She cared deeply for her family and faced the loss of her son and daughter with dignity and compassion. She retained her big spirit and love of life until the end of her days. She is also survived by her friend and longtime companion, John Hoffman of Narberth, Pa., son-in-law Thomas Hooven of Nashua, N.H., five grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Cynthia Eve Hooven, and her son, Craig Joseph Pitcher. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 3 p.m., at the Guilford Community Church. Donations to Our Place Drop-In Center in Bellows Falls, or to the Guilford Cares Food Pantry. Atamaniuk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and offers a place for online condolences at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert F. Smith Jr., 62, of Rockingham. Died Sept. 14 at his home after a lengthy illness. Husband of Ann Smith for 40 years. Brother of Joe Smith of Phillipston, Mass., Don Smith of New York, and the late Craig Smith. Born in Kansas to Nancy-Susan (Sylvia) and the late Robert F. Smith, the family made their way to Massachusetts, where he resided for 35 years. He played hockey and soccer and graduated from Brockton (Mass.) High School in 1970. He was self-employed and owned several businesses, including a plastic fabrication shop and a vending company. After moving to Middleboro, Mass., he became an IT administrator and helped many small businesses in the area. He was an avid animal lover and enjoyed carpentry, mechanics, writing, and business. He and his wife moved to Vermont in 2006. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Burial will be in Massachusetts at a later date. Donations to the American Diabetes Association, 1701 Beauregard St., Alexandria, VA 22311, or to Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156.
• Arlene Livendale Templeton, 91, of Montpelier. Died Sept. 11 at her home in Hospice care. Wife of the late Neal Grant Templeton for 50 years. Mother of , Susan Templeton and Nancy Lynn, both of Montpelier. Also survived by four grandchildren. Born in Barre, the daughter of the late Alice Davidson Livendale and Carl Harry Livendale, she attended school in Barre and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1942. She later worked in Boston at John Hancock Insurance Company, at the University of Vermont in Burlington, and at National Life Insurance Company in Montpelier. She married in 1947, and the Templetons initially made their home in Barre and Keene, N.H., untill 1955, when they moved to Brattleboro. She resided in Brattleboro until 2003, when she moved to Montpelier to be closer to her daughters. During the 48 years that she lived in Brattleboro, she was a dedicated and active member of Centre Congregational Church, and served in the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, the Red Cross Blood Bank, Holton Home for the Aged, and fundraising projects for the Brattleboro community. She was also a member of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, The Connecticut River Valley Covered Bridge Society, and the National Society of Covered Bridges. In Montpelier, she was a frequent attendee of the Bethany Congregational Church. She participated in the Thursday Brown Bag Book discussions.She enjoyed playing bridge, reading, knitting, following the news, and spending time with family and friends. Over the course of a lifetime of knitting, she created sweaters, hats, scarves, and mittens for all her family and the Reformer Christmas Stocking. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held Sept. 15 in Barre, with burial in Hope Cemetery in Barre City. Donations to Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Research, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309; or The Alzheimer's Association, Vermont Chapter, 300 Cornerstone Drive, Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.
• Thomas Karl “Tom” Wolfe, 66, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Sept. 11 at his home following a lengthy and courageous battle with Glioblastoma. Husband of Shirley (Roberts) Wolfe for 45 years. Father of Jessica Wolfe and her husband, Edwin Banash, of Greenfield, Mass., and Jenny Denis and her husband, David, of Hinsdale. Brother of Frederick D. Wolfe of Hinsdale and Susan L. Goodwin of Plymouth, N.H. Born in Bay Shore, Long Island, N.Y., the son of Frederick W. and Gertrude M. (Reiss) Wolfe, he was raised and educated in Wentworth and Plymouth, N.H., and was a graduate of Plymouth High School, Class of 1967. He continued his education later attending the Manchester (N.H.) Technical Institute earning an associates degree in automotive technology. He served in the New Hampshire Army National Guard during the Vietnam War, and was honorably discharged at the rank of captain. He had been employed as a service manager at Walier Chevrolet in Keene, N.H., where he retired in 2013 following 32 years of dedicated service with the dealership. Following his retirement, he worked part-time as school van driver for the Hinsdale School District and as a sales clerk and courier at Advance Auto Parts in Brattleboro. He was an active member of the Hinsdale Lions Club for 15 years. In conjunction with his love for cars, he enjoyed going on vacation cruises with his wife, taking trips to Mohegan Sun, and time shared with his family, especially his granddaughter, Madi. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services were held Sept. 19 in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale, N.H. Donations to Home Healthcare, Hospice and Community Services, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH 03431; or Brain Tumor Alliance, Inc., 2561 Nursery Road, Suite D, Clearwater, FL 33764. Atamaniuk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.