College news
• Emily B. Cowles of South Londonderry participated in an off-campus study abroad program during the fall 2016 semester through St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Cowles, a member of the Class of 2018, was in St. Lawrence University's fall off-campus program in Italy.
• St. Lawrence University also welcomed Allison V. Stamler of Brattleboro as a member of the Class of 2020. Stamler attended Northfield Mount Hermon School.
Transitions
• Brattleboro Memorial Hospital recently announced the promotion of Steven P. Cummings from Chief Implementation Officer to Vice President for Information and Support Services and Jonathan Farina from Director of Information Services to Chief Compliance and Security Officer. Farina has been at BMH as Director of Information Services since 2003, overseeing many significant advances in information technology systems as the hospital has expanded their services and implemented electronic medical records and billing systems. He had been considering retirement, but has agreed to stay on in this new capacity. Cummings came to BMH in April 2015 to lead the selection and implementation of the new Cerner CommunityWorks Electronic Health Record system to serve the hospital, physician practices, Lab, Pharmacy, Radiology, and Patient Financial Services. He received his BSN in Nursing from Boston University School of Nursing and his MBA with a concentration on Management Information Systems from Babson College. Cummings' promotion is effective immediately, while Farina will transition to his new role upon the completion of the Cerner conversion in April of 2017.
• River Valley Credit Union recently announced the promotion of Ethan Grimes to Vice President of Mortgage Lending. Grimes is a native of Newfane, and graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1999. He majored in economics at Florida State University, and was a mortgage broker in Orlando, Fla., before returning to Vermont. He began working at River Valley Credit Union in April 2009, and has been a Mortgage Loan Processor and a Mortgage Originator until his recent promotion.
Obituaries
• Rita Marie Capen, 89, formerly of Vernon and Brattleboro. Died Oct. 23 at Thompson House Nursing Home following a period of declining health. She was born in Jamaica on March 7, 1927, the daughter of Lyman and Addie (Brown) Glazier. She was raised and educated in Halifax, where she attended public schools. She later attended nursing college in Boston, where she received her LPN. She had been employed for many years at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and also had worked at the Holton Home on Western Avenue. Prior to moving to Vernon, she had been a longtime resident of Brattleboro. She was a devoted homemaker who enjoyed dancing, knitting, camping and time shared with her family. She was married to Raymond Capen, who predeceased her on May 29, 2016. Survivors include one son, Stuart Wheelden and his wife, Bernita, of Hinsdale, N.H.; two daughters, JoAnne Plansker and husband, Richard, of Hinsdale and Carol Moore and her husband, Edward, of Putney; two half-sisters, Janet Bolden and Katherine Smith, both of New York State; eight grandchildren and many great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her twin-sister and best friend, Rena Brissette. Memorial information: A family graveside committal service was conducted Oct. 27 in West Brattleboro Cemetery Donations to Thompson House Nursing Home, 80 Maple Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To offer messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Barbara Maud (Clark) Dauphin, 94, of Claremont, N.H. Died Oct. 24 at her home. She was born on Dec. 29, 1921 to Maud and Merton Clark of Guilford, where she grew up on the family farm with her older siblings Ken, Elizabeth, Marjorie, John, and Rodney. She preferred helping her beloved father and brothers with the farm chores to playing with her sisters. She loved walking barefoot to school, where her sunny disposition made her a favorite of teachers and classmates alike. After graduating from Brattleboro High School in 1936, she attended Castleton Normal School, earning her teaching certificate in 1939. Soon after, she married her college sweetheart, Albert, and they settled in Claremont. She taught at Ottaquechee Special Needs School, where Al was founder and principal, helping students learn to cook, shop, clean, and sew and, especially, appreciate and care for each other. Life was always centered on family, whether it was their own five children, or extended or “borrowed” family. Visitors were always welcome to share in family meals. Friends thought nothing of biking four miles, hitching a ride when a parent couldn't drive them, or finding some excuse to stop by. After their children started school, she worked at first at Sears and then at the welfare agency, helping to improve other families' lives. Her retirement years were spent gardening, traveling, taking cruises, square dancing, visiting family and friends, and growing blueberries. A member of St. Mary's Parish, she spent several years as its secretary, as she did for AARP's Claremont Chapter. She was predeceased by her husband in 2006. In addition to her sister, Marjorie Evans of Guilford, she leaves behind five children and their families; Joan D. and David Buck, of Peterborough, N.H., Jeanette D. Girard and Richard Malloy, of Keene, N.H., Andrew J. Dauphin and Tony Zullo, Robert F. and Carol G. Dauphin of Claremont, and David A. Dauphin and Bruce Murphy of Gilsum. N.H.; eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 28 at St. Mary's Church in Claremont, with committal in St. Mary's Cemetery. Donations to the Hospice Client Fund, Lake Sunapee VNA and Hospice, 107 Newport Rd., New London, NH 03257.
• Richard R. Davis, 70, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 24 at his home. He was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 8, 1936, the son of the late Raymon and Mary (Phillips) Davis. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1956, and served in the Air Force. In 1969 he married Elaine Collins. He was employed as a firefighter for the town of Brattleboro until his retirement. He then worked at Vermont National Bank, Chittenden Bank and, finally, for Green Mountain Messenger. He is predeceased by a brother, Phillip Davis, and a sister, Alice Juscen. He is survived by his wife, Elaine Davis of Brattleboro; a daughter, Jennifer Davis of Brattleboro; a son, Marc Stephens of South Newfane; a brother, Robert Davis of Cleveland, Ga.; two sisters, Elizabeth Davis and Rama Lynch both of West Dummerston; a granddaughter, Shawnna Davis, who helped care for Richard; as well as four other granddaughters. Memorial information: Per his request, there will be no services. Donations to the Turtle Rescue of Long Island, P.O. Box 359, Centereach, NY 11720. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Robert T. Mills, Jr., 89, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Oct. 26 at the White River Junction VA Medical Center. He was born in Keene, N.H., on Feb. 16, 1927, the son of the late Robert T. and Mildred G. (Blake) Mills, Sr. He served his country in the Navy during World War II. He was the Chief of Police for the town of Chesterfield, for many years until his retirement. He was very talented and anything he tried, he succeeded at with ease. He was an avid artist, craftsman, and photographer; he also enjoyed making stained glass and jewelry. He was a member of the Brattleboro Camera Club, and the Chesterfield Volunteer Fire Department. He loved to travel and enjoyed teaching and sharing his passion for airplanes with his only grandson, Nathan. He was predeceased by his wife, Ethel M. (Huntley) Mills in 1989; and two sisters, Roberta Marden and Marilyn Mills. He is survived by two daughters, Doreen Sheltra and her husband, Doug, of Lydia, S.C., and Kerri Harlow and her husband Doug of Putney, VT; an honorary daughter, Nancy Campbell of Penfield, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Oct. 30 at the Chesterfield Town Hall. Burial was held on Nov. 1 at Friedsman Cemetery in Chesterfield. Donations to the Chesterfield School Art Department, P.O. Box 205, Chesterfield, NH 03433. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Ernest Glen “Jim” Murray, 91, of Vernon. Died Oct. 27 at his home, following a period of declining health. Born in North Adams, Mass., on Aug. 9, 1925 the son of Glen Ernest and Adie (Sumner) Murray. At an early age, he moved to South Vernon with his family, where he attended school. He was a graduate of Northfield (Mass,) High School, Class of 1943. At the age of 17, against his father's wishes, he enlisted in the Army and served with the 310th Regiment, 78th Infantry Division. He was taken prisoner by the Germans on Dec. 16, 1944 during the Battle of the Bulge and was held captive in several POW camps until being liberated by American forces on April 17, 1945. He was proudly awarded the Bronze Star. Upon returning home, he continued his education by attending Vermont Technical College in Randolph Center where he earned his degree in agriculture in 1950. He worked for many years as a custodian at the Northfield School for Girls, where he retired from in the mid-1980's. Previously, he worked at several farms in the Vernon area that included the Cortland Dunklee Farm. A man of faith, he had attended Northfield Baptist Church and Vernon Union Church. He was a member of the Vernon Historians, a life member of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Vermont Chapter No 1, and held membership in the Wheelmen Bicycle Club. He enjoyed riding and collecting antique bicycles, black powder guns, and time shared with his family. He was a quiet unassuming man who was known for his spirit of friendship and being a hard worker, very devoted to his family. In 1946, he was married to Evelyn Reed, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 70 years, he leaves three sons, Ernest J. Murray and Paul Murray, both of Guilford, and Eugene Murray of Northfield, three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Gertrude McIver and Emma Belle Murray. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Nov. 2 at Vernon Union Church. Burial with full military honors took place in South Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Vermont Chapter No. 1, in care of Richard Hamilton, 63 Hughes Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to the Windham County Humane Society, PO Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Betsey Hurlbut Regan, 95, of Brookline. Died Oct. 11 at Thompson House Nursing Home. She was born in Portland, Conn., on Feb. 20, 1921, the daughter of Percy B. and Margaret (Bolton) Hurlbut. She had two sisters, Gladys H. Harris and Ethel H. Daboll, both deceased as are her parents. In 1945, she was married to James Joseph Regan, Jr. who died in 1980. She was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in June of 1937 and a graduate of the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital of Practical Nursing of Boston in 1943. She was a nurse at Middlesex Memorial Hospital and Wesleyan University Infirmary in Middletown, Conn., before retiring to Brookline, where she worked in the nursing department of Grace Cottage Hospital for 23 years. She was a member of the Newfane Congregational Church and a member of their Ladies Aid Society. She enjoyed knitting and made many hats, mittens and baby sweaters for the Green Mountain RSVP. She loved music and played the piano, the old pump organ, and the trombone. She is survived by a son, James Regan III of Plainville, Conn.; a daughter, Colleen Tomasso and her husband David, Jr. of Cromwell, Conn.; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She lost a daughter, Jennifer Reynolds Ruffino, in 2013. Memorial information: Graveside services in Riverside Cemetery in Newfane will be held Sunday, Nov. 6, at 2 p.m., where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. A reception will be held in the Newfane Church following the service. Donations to the Music Department of the Newfane Congregational Church, P.O. Box 27, Newfane, VT 05345. To offer messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joyce Ann Scott, 84, of East Dummerston. Died Oct. 26 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a period of declining health. Born in Rockville Centre, N.Y., on Nov. 25, 1931, the daughter of Clarence and Anne (Murphy) Harding. She was raised and educated in Long Island, later moving to Brattleboro with her family. She was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1949. In 1951, she was married to Bernard E. Scott, who predeceased her in 2010. She was a licensed real estate broker, initially working with Lawrence H. Cooke Real Estate. She went on to establish her own real estate business. Previously, she was a bookkeeper and payroll clerk at the former Book Press in Brattleboro and also worked part-time as a bookkeeper for several area businesses and organizations. For several years, she served as an auditor for the town of Dummerston. She was a founding member of Putney Cares, Inc., serving several terms as president of the group. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Putney for more than 60 years and a member of the Rosary Altar Society. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who took great pride in her home. She especially enjoyed the summer months and time spent at her home's pool. She was a skilled carpenter and woodworker and had finished several large pieces of furniture in her home. She also enjoyed painting with oils, knitting, crocheting and sewing. For many years, she knitted hats and mittens for the former Reformer Christmas Stocking. Survivors include two daughters, Deborah Carpenter and her husband, Wayne, of East Dummerston and Karen Rancourt and her husband, Marty, of Brattleboro; one son, Michael Scott and his wife, Shelley, of Eustis, Fla.; five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, a sister, Margaret Johndrow, and a brother, Ross Harding, who died in infancy. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Oct. 31 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to Putney Cares, P.O. Box 108, Putney, VT 05346. To offer condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Dr. Milton A. Shoshkes, 93, of New York City. He was a beloved physician who practiced first in Newark and then Millburn, N.J.; he was an elected officer of the Academy of Medicine of New Jersey. A veteran, he served in the Army Medical Corps doing research during World War II. He resided most recently in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, but previously in Newark, South Orange, and West Orange, N.J., and summered in Williamsville. He is survived by his wife, Lila (Topal) Shoshkes, and his children Carol Shoshkes Reiss, Ellen Shoshkes, Ann Shoshkes, and Deena Shoshkes. Also survived by six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 620 Amsterdam Ave, at 91st St., Manhattan, at 2 p.m., on Nov. 23. Donations to the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the Julliard School of Music, or the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
• Betty Jean Tracey, 69, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 26 at Thompson House, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Lincoln, Maine on Aug. 7, 1947, the daughter of Charles and Blanche (Lucia) Dwyer, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1965. For several years, she had lived in Bakersfield, Calif., before moving back to the Brattleboro area. She had been employed for many years as a sales associate at Sam's Army & Navy in Brattleboro and previously worked at the former J.E. Mann's Store. She was a former member of First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. She enjoyed playing Bingo, crocheting, and taking trips to Foxwoods. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life centered around her family. Survivors include two sons, Max Tracey and his wife, Yolanda, of Lewistown, Pa., and Brian Tracey and his wife, Amber Brown, of Vernon; two daughters, Melissa Thurber and her husband, Charles, of Spofford, N.H., and Tammy Tracey of Brattleboro; and one brother, Charles Dwyer of Las Vegas, Nev. Additionally she leaves her close and best friend, Karen Harrington of Brattleboro, 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and two sisters, Charlene Bartlett and Sandra Emery. Memorial information: A memorial service in celebration of her life will be conducted at the VFW on Black Mountain Road in Brattleboro on Sunday, Nov. 6, starting at 2 p.m., followed by a potluck reception. At her request, those who plan on attending the services are encouraged to wear brightly colored clothing. Burial in Woodland Cemetery in Keene, N.H., will be private for the immediate family only. Donations to the Thompson House Nursing Home Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Red Knights Motorcycle Club, P.O. Box 8032, Brattleboro, VT 05304. To offer messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• A celebration of life for Michael Wind of Putney, who died on Sept. 13, 2016, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 2 to 7 p.m., at the Putney Community Center, 10 Christian Square, in downtown Putney. If you knew and loved Michael, join his friends and family in this celebration of his life, loves, music, and food. To contribute to the celebration or for more information, contact Merry Wind at 717-525-3058 or [email protected]. In true Michael fashion, this is a potluck. What would you like to bring to the table? Contact Luby Wind at [email protected], and check Michael's Facebook page for updates.