College news
• The following local students at the Community College of Vermont will earn associate degrees at the College's 51st commencement in Montpelier on Saturday, June 2: Andrea G. Given-Vanleeuwen, Holly N. Nolette, Jennifer J. Hyslop, and Shaylyn R. Burke of Bellows Falls; Catherine M. Weber, Elizabeth L. MacFarland, Matthew L. Delgatto, Moussoumakan A. Diallo, Penny J. Burkholder, and Timothy D. Stockwell Jr. of Brattleboro; Dimitar N. Radev of Guilford; Tanya Bernard of Jacksonville; Marissa M. Schaffer and Paige A. Gargett of Jamaica; Courtney M. Sheehan of Londonderry; Alayna C. Spear of Marlboro; Ethan M. Amidon, Rachael A. Adams, and Shaneka T. Nichols of Putney; Justine M. Booth of South Londonderry; Eric H. Ruth of Townshend; Maggie A. McKay of Vernon; Kya L. Coursen of Westminster; and Stacia H. Skwirut and Tatyanna Kathleen Bowman of Wilmington.
• Rayna M. Aleshnick of Guilford has graduated with High Honors from Elms College in Chicopee. Mass., having received a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work.
• Hannah Aleshnick of Guilford has graduated from the Decker School of Nursing at Binghamton (N.Y.) University, and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau nursing honor society, with a career goal of becoming a nurse midwife providing care for under-served and vulnerable women.
• Madison Cota of Bellows Falls, received a bachelor's degree in fashion and retail marketing from Lasell College in Newton, Mass. Cota, a women's volleyball player at Lasell, was also selected as the college's Female Student-Athlete of the Year for her outstanding contributions in the classroom.
• Caitlin McCloskey-Meyer of Brattleboro, recently graduated magna cum laude with a B.F.A. in dance from Adelphi University. She plans to live in New York City and pursue a career in modern dance performance.
• Lena Serkin Mazel of Guilford received a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Kenyon College on May 19. She received High Honors with Distinction with a double major of American studies and English literature. She will be moving to Nashville, Tenn., where she will dance with a professional modern dance company.
• Genevieve M. Darling of South Newfane, graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in psychology from Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y.
• Caleb Paasche, a member of the Class of 2020 from Guilford, was named to the Dean's List at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa., during the spring semester of the 2017-18 academic year.
• Sarah Forrett of East Dummerston, Nicholas Koskoris of Brattleboro, and Danielle Magnant of Wilmington were all named to the winter 2018 President's List at Southern New Hampshire University.
• Evan Perkins, a heating/air conditioning/refrigeration technical services major from Brattleboro, was named to the spring 2018 President's List at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y.
•Eben Holderness of Brattleboro graduated cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Mass., with a bachelor's degree in computational linguistics. He was awarded the Jacob and Bella Thurman Award for Social Citizenship.
Transitions
• Gail Nunziata of Brattleboro was recently elected chair of the Vermont Arts Council. Nunziata, who is serving her second term on the council, is the former executive director of Latchis Arts and the Latchis Corporation in Brattleboro.
Obituaries
• Clayton Arthur “Clate” Burnett, 96, formerly of West Halifax. Died May 16, 2018, in Keene, N.H., after a period of declining health. Born on Jan. 20, 1922, in West Halifax, the fourth of seven children of Archie D. and Mary (Learnard) Burnett, he grew up on the family farm and graduated from Whitingham High School in 1940 as the valedictorian of his class. He then attended and graduated from the Bay Path Institute of Commerce in Springfield, Mass., before enlisting in the Army in November 1942. He participated in the Army Specialized Training Program at the Virginia Military Institute and saw service in the European Theater as a sergeant in Division Headquarters, 87th Infantry Division, Third Army, from 1942 to 1945. He married Madeline Hager of Jacksonville in 1946. After living for a brief time in Keene, they moved to the Albany, N.Y., area, where they lived for the next 20 years before returning to Keene in 1968. He worked for the Peerless Insurance Company for his entire career, retiring in 1987, and was especially proud of his work for the Bond Department, including giving seminars about bonds to agents and agency associations throughout the country. While residing in New York State, he was active in youth baseball as the coach of his sons' baseball teams and as athletic director of the local Little League and Babe Ruth League. He also volunteered his time for many community and civic organizations. He was an avid golfer and longtime member of Keene Country Club, to which he was awarded a lifetime honorary membership after he could no longer enjoy the course. He spent countless hours there on the porch with his friends, sharing stories and bad golf jokes. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing, bowling, and playing cards. He was at his best as a host at family celebrations, where he would tell jokes, recount stories of his youth and his insurance career, and raise his glass high in a toast. He enjoyed antiquing, woodworking, reading, and working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles. He loved the beach, his family's cats and dogs, the beauty of nature, and the joy of family. He especially loved poetry and, until his last day, enjoyed reciting poems from his vast memorized repertoire. As one of seven children, he had the importance of family instilled in him from a young age, and he in turn, with Madeline, raised his family in the same way. He had a love of learning and always enjoyed a challenge - in his work, in sports, in fixing things around the house, and in trying to understand today's turbulent times. Even in his later years, he remained interested in current affairs and new technologies, regularly checking news headlines, Red Sox scores, and his email on his Kindle Fire. He is survived by Madeline, his beloved wife, best friend, and companion of 72 years; four children; Jack and his wife Diane, of Peterborough, N.H.; Rand and his wife Jayne, of Westmoreland, N.H.; Mary Ann and her husband Dr. Thomas Weisman, of Lunenburg, Mass.; and Elizabeth Butler of Keene, N.H.; five grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents; his brothers Milton, Cortis, Nelson, and Malcolm; and his sisters Bertell Woods and Bernice Barnett. He also leaves behind a dedicated and compassionate team of caregivers, whom he very deeply appreciated. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 24 at Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home in Wilmington. Burial with military honors took place in Niles Cemetery in West Halifax. Donations to the Halifax Community Club, P.O. Box 27, West Halifax, VT 05358- 0027, or a donation to their favorite charity. To offer condolences, visit www.foleyfuneralhome.com.
• Helen Marguerite McMillan, 100, formerly of Whitingham. Died May 15, 2018 at Brookdale at Fillmore Pond in Bennington. The daughter of Samuel and Lillian (Rice) McMillan, Helen was born in New York City on Dec. 19, 1917. She grew up in New York City where she graduated from Walton High School in the Bronx. Helen received her M.A. in business administration from New York University. An educator for more than 30 years, she had taught at Penn Hall Junior College in Chambersburg, Pa., and Newburgh (NY) City Schools. While residing in Whitingham, she served as assistant Town Clerk, the first Curator of the Historical Society, director of the Windham County Humane Society, and a member of the Whitingham Homemakers and Town Library officer. For 20 years, she was active in Girl Scouting. As a young Girl Scout, she attended Girl Scout Camps both at the National Girl Scout Camp in Briarcliff, N.Y., and New York Council Camps in the Bear Mountain section of New York. As an adult, she was a Girl Scout leader, camp counselor, and camp business manager. She was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Bennington and a former member of St. Mary's In The Mountains in Wilmington. She was the owner of many animals, including dogs, cats and horses. She loved to travel, visit and correspond with friends throughout the years. Her friend and partner of many years, Grayce D. Clark, predeceased her. She leaves a close circle of loving friends, including Lois Ford of Walpole, NH and family in Scotland and England. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on May 25 at St. Peters Episcopal Church, with burial in Sadawga Cemetery in Whitingham.
• Grace Precourt, 88, of Rockingham. Died May 19, 2018 at Springfield Health and Rehab, after being diagnosed with cancer early this year. Born April 21, 1930, in Teaneck, N.J., the daughter of George and Mary (Callahan) Sands. She was best at being a mom. Most weekends at the Precourt home, the family enjoyed hiking in the woods, target practice, ice skating, bonfires, skiing, sledding, snowmobiling, and horseback riding. She loved doing everything as a family. She enjoyed many hobbies, such as crocheting and rug making. Many weekends and holidays were filled with laughter as her family sat around the big wooden table in her dining room playing games together. She was a loyal member of the Bellows Falls Moose Woman's Club and American Legion Post 37. She easily made friends wherever she went because she was friendly to all and loved being around people. Wherever she was, you could find her laughing and telling stories about her life. Her husband, Donald E. Precourt Sr., preceded her in death in March 2011. She is lovingly remembered by her children: Susan (William) Burke, Donald (Sue) Precourt Jr., Gail (Jim) Smidutz,, and Ronald (Sue) Precourt; nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral service was held at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls on May 26.
• Angela Jean Prodan, 50, of Putney. Died at home on May 6, 2018. Born in Norwalk, Conn. on Feb. 21, 1968, she was the only daughter of Barbara and Ron Prodan, with two brothers, Christopher and Nicholas. She grew up playing and excelling in sports in Shelton, Conn., where she was president of her high school senior class. She attended Lehigh University on an athletic scholarship as a fast-pitch softball pitcher and graduated in 1990. She then made her way to Vermont, where she received her J.D. and M.S. in Environmental Law and Policy at Vermont Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1994. During this time, she took advantage of her natural surroundings by taking hikes with her dog Taylor and playing Ultimate Frisbee with the school team, Ultimate Justice. It's no surprise that she excelled in Ultimate and played many tournaments, meeting fellow athletes along the way. In 1994, she joined the law firm of Fitts, Olson & Giddings in Brattleboro, where she switched her focus to family law. In 2005, she joined the Brattleboro firm now known as Corum Mabie Cook Prodan Angell Secrest & Darrow. Knowledgeable and empathetic with clients, and a particularly skilled and persuasive advocate in court, Angela was widely considered one of the best family law attorneys in Vermont. She was proud to have helped launch a task force which developed into the Windham County Family Visitation Center, Inc. The not-for-profit organization became the first center in Windham County to provide supervised visits and exchanges for children and parents when ordered by the Court. She also served on the Board for the Brattleboro Boys & Girls Club. The community of Brattleboro and Putney and surrounding area is especially rich with smart, caring and fun-loving women. Angela was blessed to have a large circle of friends who enjoyed her poolside Margarita events, hikes with the dogs on Putney Mountain, gourmet dinner parties, winter sports, and travels to see live music. She was a dedicated festival goer, traveling to New Orleans for over 20 years to see the Jazz & Heritage Festival. She was also a talented artist. In her spare time she painted, made all types of jewelry to the delight of her friends, and was quite skilled with stained glass. A large stained glass sun and moon hangs in her living room. Those who shared her food considered her to be an artist of cuisine as well. While playing Ultimate Frisbee Angela met and subsequently married Drew Gradinger. The two had one child, Elias Dov Prodan Gradinger, now 14. Drew and Angela divorced but remained excellent co-parents to Elias, who meant the world to her. Angela was diagnosed in August 2016 with a rare form of melanoma. She battled it as she did everything else in her life, with grace, courage and grit. Her circle of friends, parents, and her partner of seven years, John Miller, surrounded her with love and strength to help her make it through the last 21 months. Angela's incredible strength and determination to enjoy life allowed her to make one last trip to New Orleans 10 days before her death. She leaves a big hole in the lives of those who love her, and who will always remember her beauty, joie de vivre, love for her son and those around her, and a true ability to live in the moment and not let life's challenges get her down. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held at Green Mountain Orchards in Putney on May 12. Donations to Stride, The Wright Foundation for Female Athletes, based in Middlebury; and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center Patient and Family Support Services in Lebanon, N.H. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Yvonne L. Smart, 89, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died May 24, 2018 at Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen, N.H., where she had been a resident since April 2017. Born in Ashuelot, N.H. on Sept. 21, 1928, the daughter of Andrew and Louise (Hodgkins) Jackson, she attended Winchester Schools and was a graduate of Thayer High School in Winchester. She had been employed for many years as a product assembler at Winchester Machine/Continental Cable Company in Hinsdale. A woman of faith, she attended Hinsdale Congregational Church for many years and taught Sunday school. She enjoyed reading, baking, jigsaw puzzles, crocheting, sewing, and time shared with her family. In 1947, she was married to Francis Smart, who predeceased her in 2005. Survivors include two daughters, Shari Russell of Baraboo, Wisc., and Teri Tu of Bow, N.H.; a son, Gary Smart of Brattleboro; and two brothers, Wayne Jackson of Aurora, Colo., and Gordon Jackson of Gales Ferry, Conn. Additionally, she leaves 12 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was predeceased by a son, Alan Smart, and a daughter, Susan Smart. Memorial information: Graveside committal services and burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale will take place at a later date sometime during the summer. Donations to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 15829, Arlington, VA 22215. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Lorelei Ann Hodgdon Smead, 58, of Putney. Died May 22, 2018 at her home, following a period of declining health. She was born in Brattleboro on Jan. 4, 1960, the daughter of Wilson and Anna Jean (Wentle) Hodgdon. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and various other towns in Vermont and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1978. She went on to attend and graduate from the Keene Beauty Academy. She worked with her husband in the family business, Smead Woodcraft in Putney, and previously worked as a waitress at the former Gold Nugget Restaurant on Putney Road and at several other restaurants in the greater Brattleboro area. Because of her failing health, she retired early. She enjoyed traveling, attending major league baseball games, and time shared with her family especially her grandchildren. In 2000, she married Donald W. Smead, who survives. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 17 years, she leaves two sons, Matthew Toepfer and wife Bridget of Keene, N.H., and Adam Toepfer of New York City; her father, Wilson Hodgdon, Sr. of Guilford; two brothers, Wilson Hodgdon, Jr. and wife Gail of Falls Church, Va., and Kenneth Hodgdon and wife Julie of Cheshire, Conn., and their children, Megan and Kyle Hodgdon; one half-sister, Eva Marie Benjamin of Uber City, CA and two granddaughters, Alice and Quincey Toepfer. She also leaves her two stepdaughters, Erin Lamour and Kristy Gauthier, four step-grandchildren, and several aunts and uncles and more than 200 first and second cousins. She was predeceased by her beloved mother, Anna Hodgdon, in 2017. Memorial information: A memorial gathering in celebration of her life will be held Sunday, June 3, from 1 to 3 p.m.,. at the Mountain View Seventh Day Adventist Church's fellowship hall, 1002 Ft. Bridgman Road in Vernon. Donations to Putney Volunteer Fire and Rescue, 14 Main St., Putney, VT 05346. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Elizabeth C. (Hart) Wilkins, 92, of Londonderry. Died May 22, 2018. Born on April 15, 1926, she was the wife of Carl E. Wilkins, who predeceased her in 2015. Their old-fashioned wit and wisdom will be sorely missed. They were much loved. Survivors include son Raymond Wilcox, and his wife, Lynne, three grandchildren and their spouses, and four great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Private services will be held for the family with burial in Riverside Cemetery in Londonderry.
• Joseph E. “Joe” Wood, 75, of Winchester, N.H. Died unexpectedly on May 19, 2018 at his home. Born in Brattleboro on October 14, 1942, the son of Joseph and Evelyn (Howe) Wood, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1960. Later in life, he took classes at Keene State College. In 1960, he married his high school sweetheart, Iva Jane Winchester, who survives him. He served his country for 27 years in the Vermont National Guard and the Army Reserve. He was a member of the First Army Reserve Rifle team and competed in “All Army” matches at Fort Benning, around the country, and in Puerto Rico, winning multiple medals over several decades. He worked delivering parts for Bond Auto Parts and several other auto parts stores in the greater Brattleboro area, retiring in 2016. Previously, he worked as an auto mechanic at the former Baggetta Volkswagen in Greenfield, Mass., and Fogg Volkswagen in Keene, N.H. For several years, he co-owned and operated The Beatle Barn, an auto repair shop in Richmond, N.H. He enjoyed walking, antiques and target shooting. He was an excellent marksman, and shot competitively with several local rifle clubs. Above all, he loved to share time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In recent years, he spent time looking up old friends and taking trips to visit them. He would take friends to appointments at the VA Hospital when needed, run errands for them, and spend time visiting friends in nursing homes. He brought a smile and much laughter with his stories and jokes. A man of faith, he was a member of Grace Christian Fellowship in Winchester. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 58 years, he leaves two sons, Richard Wood and his wife, Deanna, of Lumberton, N.J., and Daniel Wood of Warrenton, Va.; two daughters, Karen Jones of Lexington, S.C., and Pamela Nelson and her husband, Donald, of Bernardston, Mass.; three brothers, Douglas Wood of Guilford, Robert Wood and his wife, June, of Venice, Fla., and Stephen Wood and his wife, Michelle, of Brattleboro; and a sister, Linda Wood of Keene. He also leaves 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service was conducted May 27 at Grace Christian Fellowship in Winchester, followed by burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to CASA for Children (www.casaforchildren.org), or to Grace Christian Fellowship in Winchester. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.