College news
• Colton Butler of Whitingham has been named to the Elmira (N.Y.) College Dean's List for the fall 2017 term.
• Jeremy Betit of Whitingham and Sebastian Szykier of South Newfane were both named to the Champlain College President's List for achieving a grade point average of 4.0 or higher in the fall 2017 semester.
• Nicole Winot, a senior cinema production major from Brookline, was among approximately 890 students named to the fall 2017 Dean's List at Bob Jones University in Greenville, S.C.
• Evan Perkins of Brattleboro was named to the fall 2017 Dean's List at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. He is studying in the Heating/Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Technical Services academic program.
• Emma Hallett of South Londonderry was named to the Dean's List at Lehigh University in the fall 2017 semester.
• The following local students were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2017 semester at Colby-Sawyer College in New London, N.H.: Alexandra Harris of Bellows Falls, a member of the class of 2019 majoring in sociology, Anna Mary Gaskill of Brattleboro, a member of the class of 2018 majoring in nursing, Chad Bernard of Jacksonville, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in nursing.
• Caleb Paasche, a member of the Class of 2020, from Guilford, was named to the fall 2017 Dean's List at Bucknell University in Lewisberg, Pa.
School news
• Nicholas Benelli of South Londonderry, from the Class of 2019, was named to the fall 2017 Honors List at Pomfret (Conn.) School.
Transitions
• Bob Reese of South Hero was recently elected to the Board of Trustees of the Windham Foundation. Reese is co-founder and former CEO of Vermont Creamery.
Obituaries
•Andrea Juanita Austin, 65, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Jan. 3 at her home, following a battle with Glioblastoma. She was born in San Bernardino, Calif., on May 11, 1952, and was raised and educated in San Bernardino, where she attended elementary and high school. She had been employed as a payroll clerk and benefits coordinator at The Putney School, from which she retired following 28 faithful years of service. Previously, she worked at the former Vermont National Bank in Brattleboro. Active civically, she was an active volunteer at Joan's Pantry in West Chesterfield, the Chesterfield Senior Lunch Program, and once a month volunteered at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H. She was known for her generosity and spirit of friendship, and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. She had a pleasant, laid-back personality, and was a very patient person who always wore a big smile. She enjoyed vacation trips to the coast of Maine and loved to cook. Her life centered around her family and especially cherished time spent with her grandchildren. In 1973, she married Wayne R. Austin who survives. Besides her devoted husband of 44 years, she leaves two daughters, Michelle Carr and her husband, Robert, of Salisbury, N.H., and Jessica Quarry and her husband, Phil, of Surry, N.H.; a son, Erik Austin and his wife, Lori, of Milford, N.H.; her mother, Juanita Garza Mena of San Bernardino, seven siblings, six grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in Freidsam Cemetery in Chesterfield will be conducted in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Friends are invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Terrace Street in Brattleboro on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations to Joan's Pantry, P.O. Box 117, Chesterfield, N.H. 03443, in care of Carole Vogeley.
• Richard K. Cunningham, 87, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 29, 2017 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Middlebury on Oct. 27, 1930, the son of John and Alice (Kirby) Cunningham, he was raised and educated in Middlebury and Brattleboro, graduating from St. Michael's High School, Class of 1949. He proudly served his country in the Army during the Korean War as a gunner in an armored tank division, stationed in Okinawa. He was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of corporal in 1960. He was a life member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He worked most of his career as a milkman employed by the former Maple Farms Dairy in Brattleboro and later for Week's Dairy of Chesterfield, N.H. He later worked for several years at the former Dunham Brothers Shoe Company in Brattleboro. He was an accomplished woodworker, and enjoyed gardening, camping, trips to the seacoast in New Hampshire and Maine, taking walks in the woods, watching birds at his feeders, and time shared with his family. A devoted and loving grandfather, he never missed a sporting event or concert. He will always be remembered for his gift of conversation. In 1952, he married Janet F. Wallace, who survives. Besides his devoted wife of 65 years, he leaves a son, David Cunningham and his wife Barbara of Dayton, Maine; two daughters, Linda Merrill and her husband, David, of Old Orchard Beach, Maine and Diane Olson and her husband, Steve, of Brattleboro, a sister, Alice Worden and her husband, Ronald, of Brattleboro; five grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a son, Richard “Dickie” Cunningham, and brothers John, Robert, William and Hubert Cunningham. Memorial information: A Celebration of Life Service was held Jan. 7 at American Legion Post 5. A private family burial with full military honors in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will be conducted in the springtime. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to the USO (United Services Organization) P.O. Box 96860, Washington, DC 20077-7677. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Evelyn C. Driscoll, 92, of Keene, N.H. Died Dec. 30, 2017, after a long struggle with dementia. She was born in Harrisville, N.H., on Oct. 3, 1925, the daughter of Howard and Clarice (Beaulieu) Main. Following her mother's death when she was 3, her father married Jennie who raised her and her brother Gene as her own. Two more brothers followed, Howard and Edward Main. She graduated in 1943 from Keene High School and entered the Elliot Community Hospital School of Nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1946. In 1947, she married her soulmate, Edward F. Driscoll. They had three children, Donna, David and Douglas. They were married for 52 years until his death in 1999. She worked at the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital while her children were young. Later, she became a school nurse for the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union, serving elementary schools in East and West Dummerston, Putney, Guilford, and Vernon. She enjoyed many things, but enjoyed her family most of all. Survivors include her daughter; Donna Smith and her husband, Tom, of Ashuelot, N.H.; her sons Douglas Driscoll and his wife, Judy, of Pilot Mountain, N.C., and David Driscoll and his wife, Pamela, of Las Vegas; her brother, Edward Main of Swanzey, N.H., and her sister-in-law Catherine Main of Keene, N.H.; 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by brothers, Gene and Howard Main, and sisters-in-law Elizabeth “Betty” Lavigne and Arlene Main. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 6 at St. Margaret Mary Church in Keene. Spring burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Keene.
• Gilbert J. Gallup, 89, of Fishkill, N.Y. Died Dec. 19, 2017 at his home. Born on April 14, 1928 in Putney, the son of Leslie and Grace (Turner) Gallup, he received a bachelor's degree from the University of Vermont. He proudly served in the Army during the Korean War. In 1959, he married Mary Jeannette O'Connor, who predeceased him on Feb. 3, 2017. He worked as an agent for State Farm Insurance Co. in Fishkill for 30 years until his retirement. Prior to becoming an insurance agent, he was a math and science teacher. He was also a member of the Fishkill Planning Board, South Dutchess Golf Club, and Keene (N.H.) Country Club. He enjoyed spending time at the old family farmhouse in Brattleboro, which eventually became his vacation home. Survivors include his daughter, Irene Gallup; his brother, Edward Gallup; and two grandchildren. In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his sisters, Jean Marie and Ruth Ann. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Dec. 27 at McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill. Donations may be made to the UVM Scholarship Fund, or Mill Street Loft Art Institute Scholarship Fund, 45 Pershing Ave., Poughkeepsie, N.Y. 12601.
• Frances S. “Frankie” Gibson, 87, of Brattleboro. died unexpectedly Monday, Jan. 1, 2018 at her home. She had been a resident of town since the early 1960s. Born in Philipsburg, Pa., on January 27, 1930, the daughter of George Ira and Frances Mary (Chambers) Stott, she was raised and educated in Philipsburg, later attending Bryn Mawr Prep School in Baltimore, Md. She went on to attend Mount Holyoke College, graduating in 1952, and later earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1982. In January 1954, she married to Robert H. Gibson, who died in 1999. She had been employed by the state of Vermont as a social worker retiring in 1996 following over 30 years of service. Active civically, she was a Town Meeting Representative for many years, served on the Board of Listers and was a Justice of the Peace. She was also active for many years with the Republican Party and was very involved in local politics, working on many campaigns throughout the years. Because of her love for flowers, she helped establish the beautification project of the Creamery Bridge Park, working with the horticulture department at Brattleboro Union High School in planting gardens and flowers around the bridge. She was honored by the Brattleboro Floral Arts & Garden Club for her many years of dedicated service and contributions. They presented to her an engraved granite bench which now sits near the Creamery Bridge among the many daffodils and trees she planted. She was also extremely proud of qualifying for and being selected as a national flower show judge and to which she traveled all over the country judging floral arrangements. She was a founding member of the Friends of the Brooks Memorial Library and was a volunteer throughout the years at the Brattleboro Senior Center and with the Windham County Chapter of AARP. She was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church and took an active role on several church committees. She enjoyed gardening, floral arranging, and time shared with family and her wonderful neighbors on Lexington Avenue. She was an avid bridge player and loved classical music. She will be remembered for her generosity, spirit of friendship and her spunky personality. Survivors include a brother, Michael Stott of Seffner, Fla.; three grandchildren, Robert Petrie, Michael Petrie and Ashley Trudeau; four great-grandchildren, Lillian, Tegan and Jack Petrie and Olivia Laura Trudeau; her son-in-law, David Sage of Vernon, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her only daughter, Laura Gibson, and a brother, George Stott. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 7 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Donations to Trinity Lutheran Church, Women's Freedom Center or, due to her love of pets, the Windham County Humane Society. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lillian Elaine Griffin, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 20, 2017 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Born in Greenfield, Mass., on Sept. 9, 1927, the daughter of Frederick R. and Lillian M. (Tierney) Fall, she was raised in Greenfield and was a graduate of Greenfield High School, Class of 1945. She went on to attend the Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing in Roslindale, Mass., where she received her RN diploma. She worked in various hospitals in Vermont and Massachusetts, including Franklin Medical Center and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. As an RN, she volunteered with the American Red Cross Blood Program in Brattleboro for 26 years. After retirement, she volunteered at Brooks Memorial Library and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She enjoyed square dancing with her husband and was a member of the Green Mountain Squares. Additionally, she liked to knit, was an avid reader, and loved to vacation with her family on Cape Cod. In 1952, she married to Wilfred Kendall Griffin, who predeceased her in 2014. With her husband, she was a longtime member of Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. Survivors include one daughter, Patricia L. Griffin of Brattleboro; twin sons, David A. Griffin of Boston and Dennis F. Griffin of Brattleboro; one sister, Phyllis (Fall) Hickok of Ames, Iowa; two stepchildren, Richard E. Griffin and Kathleen M. (Griffin) Hartwell; and six grandchildren and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, Jan. 13, at 2 p.m., at Centre Congregational Church. A reception will follow in the church's parlor. Burial in the Griffin Lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will be held in the summer. Donations to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Michele M. Hebert, 49, of Londonderry. Died Dec. 18, 2017, at her home. Born on Nov. 5, 1968 in Rutland, the daughter of Bernard N. Carey Jr. and Stasia A.(Quimby) Carey, she graduated from Springfield (Vt.) High School in 1986. She attended Castleton State College and Community College of Vermont, earning a degree in business management. In 2011, she married Christopher J. Morse. She worked as a real estate appraiser in herown business, MMH Appraisal Services in Londonderry. She is survived by her husband, daughter Alyssa Moffit of Putney, two grandchildren, her father Bernard Carey of Springfield, brother Michael Carey of Springfield, aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her mother and a brother, Mark Carey. Memorial information: Memorial services will be held at a later date. Donations to the Friends of Manchester Animal Shelter, 490 Dunn Barton Road, Manchester, NH 03102.
• Shawn LaBare, 34, of Unity, N.H. Died Dec. 29, 2017 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a long illness. Born Nov. 19, 1983, he grew up in the Brattleboro area and later graduated from Stevens High School in Claremont, N.H. He worked as a mechanic until poor health prevented him from working. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting. He is survived by family members in the Brattleboro area and in Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, and Wyoming. Memorial information: Services will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring. Donations to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Office of Development, One Medical Center Drive, HB7070, Lebanon, N.H. 03756-0001.
• Barbara Merritt, 88, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 27, 2017 in Brattleboro. She was born in Newburg, N.Y., the daughter of George and Jennie (Hasbrouck) Thompson. She is survived by her husband, Alfred Merritt, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Private services will be held at the convenience of her family. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is assisting her family with arrangements.
• Rachel A. (Gordon) Momaney, 92, of West Springfield, Mass. Died Dec. 15, 2017 at Holyoke Healthcare Center. Born on Feb. 18, 1925 in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late T. Russell and Helen (Fairbanks) Gordon, she was a 1943 graduate of Brattleboro High School. She always loved her family and enjoyed gardening. She had a sharp wit about her up until the end. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward Peter Momaney, who did in 1994, a brother, Thomas Gordon and two sisters, Flora Kenney and Lucy Richards. She is survived by her three daughters, Carolyn Deren and her husband, Thomas of South Hadley, Mass., Mary Lou Hathaway and her husband, Allen, of Salisbury, and Elaine Barkyoumb and her husband, John. of West Springfield; a brother, Richard “Skippy” Gordon of Brattleboro; six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service was held Dec. 22, 2017 at Meeting House Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Dorothy B. Pollard, 99, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 24, 2017 at Thompson House. Born in Cornish, N.H. on Nov. 13, 1918, the daughter of Clayton and Edith (Cole) Bartlett, she was raised and educated in Cornish and later graduated from the former Bay Path Business Institute in Brattleboro. She worked at the Holstein Association in Brattleboro for many years and was also a devoted homemaker who loved her family. She was a former member of the American Legion Post 5 Auxiliary and, for several years, attended First United Methodist Church in Brattleboro. She enjoyed alpine and cross-country skiing, gardening, knitting, and time spent with her family. She was married to Wayne B. Pollard, who predeceased her in 1983. Survivors include two sons, Dennis Pollard and his wife Dianne of Marlborough, Mass., and Douglas Pollard and his wife, Marie, of West Chesterfield, N.H., four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Raymond Bartlett. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. Burial will be in Cornish later in the springtime when the cemetery reopens, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to the Thompson House Nursing Home Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert C. Wright, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 16, 2017 at his home. The son of the late Floyd and Mae (Gaudette) Wright, he was born in Bennington on Jan. 5, 1924. He grew up in Bennington, where he graduated from Bennington High School, Class of 1942. While in high school, Bob enlisted in the Army and was inducted in 1943. He served faithfully during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1946. In 1950, he was recalled to active duty during the Korean War and was honorably discharged at the rank of sergeant in 1951. He attended the University of Indiana and Drexel University, where he obtained his B.S. in civil engineering. For 33 years, he worked as civil engineer for the Vermont Agency of Transportation as District 1 engineer. He was a 53-year member of the Brattleboro Lodge No. 102 of Free and Accepted Masons and a member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He was an accomplished carpenter, enjoyed sailing on Granite Lake, and was a collector of stamps and coins. He leaves his wife Freda (Corogenes) Wright, whom he married in 1953; sons Gary Wright and his wife, Sue, of Springfield, Mass., and Robert Wright and his wife, Kelle, of San Diego, Calif.; a daughter, Pam Wright and husband Whitney Taylor of San Diego; sister Joanne Greene of Bennington; and three grandchildren. Memorial information: Funeral services with military honors will be held at the family lot in the Bennington Centre Cemetery at the Old First Church in the summer of 2018. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society or Bayada Hospice, in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.