College news
• William Capitani of Dover received a B.A. in economics with honors from the University of Chicago on June 9. Capitani was a four-year member of the varsity football team and was awarded the Order of the “C” membership and blanket for achieving three varsity letters while at the university. He is also an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and was recognized as a University of Chicago Odyssey Scholar. He has taken a position with Citibank and will pursue a career in finance.
• Emma Hallett of South Londonderry graduated with a B.S. in business and economics with a concentration in finance from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa.
• Christopher Wilson of Newfane graduated with a B.S. in business administration/finance from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.
• The following local students earned academic honors at Castleton University for the spring 2018 semester: Spencer Butter of Brattleboro, Gabrielle Carpenter of Vernon, Alex Derosia of Brattleboro, and Devin Millerick of Vernon were all named to the President's List, while Jordan Gouger of Brookline, Casey Gould of Brattleboro, Abigail Lesure of Vernon, Elias Lombardi of Brattleboro, Emma Truhan-Swanson of Brattleboro, and Laura Vogell of Springfield were all named to the Dean's List.
• Alexandria Pettit of Londonderry was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
• The following local students earned academic honors at Husson University in Bangor, Maine, for the spring 2018 semester: Chelsea D. Lee of Vernon, a first-year student in Husson's Legal Studies program, and Stephanie Louise Green of Westminster, a senior in Husson's B.S. in healthcare studies/M.S. in the occupational therapy program.
• The following local students earned academic honors at Community College of Vermont for the spring 2018 semester: Ryan Weeks of Brattleboro, Natasha Diamondstone-Kohout of Dummerston, and Tia Gilbeau of Guilford were named to the President's List. Named to the Dean's List were Shaylyn Burke and Kelly Hill of Bellows Falls; Amy Maguire, Megan Manley, Abigail Rus-Neacsu, Caitlin Senni, Jonah Siegel, Jessica Weiner, Christi White, and Jessica Wright of Brattleboro; NancyJean Flood of Brookline; Dimitar Radev of Guilford; Kaylee Gargett and Tansy Robertshaw of Jamaica; Jessica Heinemann of Newfane; Katharine Bricker of Putney; Hailey Slade of Vernon; Jessica Brown of West Dover; Olin Ruppert-Bousquet of West Townshend; Rebecca Michaud of Westminster, Hailey Gamache of Whitingham; Mae Cramp of Williamsville; and Alejandra Mena and Panarach Puangphect Lewis of Wilmington.
• Colby McGinn of Brattleboro was the recipient of the University of Vermont's MATH Senior Award, which recognizes students for achievement of the highest level of excellence in mathematics. He was among more than 70 students in the College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences to receive awards for going above and beyond in their studies at UVM.
• The following local students were named to the Dean's List at Tufts University in Medford, Mass., for the spring 2018 semester: Joanna Brown of Dummerston, Lilianna Houston of Putney, Benjamin Janis of Brattleboro, and Gideon May of Brattleboro.
• Todd Beyer of Stratton and Nathaniel Tyler of Brattleboro were named to the Dean's List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., for the spring 2018 semester.
• The following local students were named to the Dean's List at the University of Hartford for the spring 2018 semester: Clark Hamm of Brattleboro, Skyler Nupp of Newfane, James Moore of Saxtons River, and Samuel Molner of Wilmington.
Transitions
• Ellen Strong has joined the Putney Foodshelf Board of Directors. She and her family moved to Putney from Austin, Texas, last year, and she started as manager of the Foodshelf's Family Food Bag program at Putney Central School, which sends home a bag of food, enough to feed the entire family for the weekend, to five families currently. She and her husband have two children who attend Putney Central School, and she says she “felt very welcomed and the direct service aspect [of the Foodshelf'] appealed to me. It felt like there was a direct connection to meeting local needs that are intense.” The foodshelf currently serves 75 area families, and relies on volunteers and donations to fulfill its mission. More information can be found at www.putneyfoodshelf.org.
Obituaries
• Dorothy Butler Adams, 97, of Marlboro. Died Jan. 4, 2018. She resided in Marlboro in the summer months and in Burlington in the winter. Born in Albany, N.Y., on April 23, 1921, the daughter of Henry Langdon and Grace (Penney) Butler, her family moved to Montclair, N.J., in 1922. She graduated from Montclair High School in 1939. She then graduated from Arlington Hall Junior College in Washington, D.C. with honors in 1941. In 2001, she graduated with a B.A. in history and a minor in women's studies from the University of Vermont. At 80, she was the oldest graduating senior of any class at UVM. Two years later, she received her M.A. in American History. During World War II, she sold War Bonds and was a volunteer at the Stage Door Canteen in New York City. She was a past member of the Junior League of Montclair and St. Luke's Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She moved to Burlington in 1965 and worked for the UVM College of Medicine in the Department of Pharmacology for eight years. She married the late C. Philipp Adams in 1973 and moved to Marlboro. They wintered in Sedona, Ariz., where she taught Sunday School in the Church in the Red Rock. She was a member of the Marlboro Historical Society, the Marlboro Meeting House, and the Ames Hill Marlboro Community Center Inc. She was a past volunteer in the Big Sister Program. She is survived by a daughter, Lee F. Birdsey of Palo Alto, Calif.; a son, Robert L. Fardelmann Jr. of Burlington; three grandsons, William C. Birdsey III, Stuart A. Birdsey, Christopher L. Fardelmann, and five great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held at the Marlboro Meeting House on Saturday, June 23, at 1 p.m. Donations to the UVM Foundation, 411 Main St., Burlington, VT 05401.
• Shelley M. Dodge, 52, of Grafton. Died June 8, 2018. Born in Bellows Falls on May 20, 1966, the daughter of Melvin and Irene (Lockerby) Rice, she was a graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School and worked as a paraprofessional. She is survived by her father Melvin Rice and his wife, Gretchen; her mother Irene Rice; her husband Peter Dodge; her daughters Kali Hall and her husband, Michael, and Alexis Dodge; her brothers Stuart Rice and his wife, Cherie; her sister Amanda Rice; her grandson Cruz Michael Hall; and nieces and nephews Mandy, Torrie, Riley, Cody, Aliyah, and Raiden. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held June 16 in Burgess Cemetery in Grafton. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
• Brianna Trinity Radcliffe, 21, of Brattleboro, formerly of Bennington, Died June 12, 2018 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born Nov. 20, 1996, in Bennington, the daughter of Raymond J. Radcliffe and Jamie Thompson. She attended Mount Anthony Union High School and was most recently employed at Dunkin' Donuts in Brattleboro. She enjoyed fashion, music, and writing poetry. Survivors include her partner, Jennifer Pineda, of Brattleboro; her father, of Brattleboro; her mother, stepfather Jeremy Eaton, brother Damien Burdick, sister Harley Burdick, all of Arlington; her maternal grandfather, Gregory Thompson; and several aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Robert and Gloria Radcliffe; her maternal grandmother, Patricia Thompson; an aunt and a cousin. Memorial information: A funeral service was held June 19 at Mahar and Son Funeral Home in Bennington, with burial in White Chapel Cemetery in Bennington. Donations to help the family with funeral expenses may be made to Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.
• Barry C. “Butch” Robinson, 71, of East Dummerston. Died June 2, 2018 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., after an 18-month long battle with multiple health conditions. The oldest son of the late Perle E. & Evelyn (Fletcher) Robinson, he was born on March 15, 1947 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was a graduate of BUHS, Class of 1965, and married his high school sweetheart, Sandra L. Chamberlain, in 1969. They built their own house from the ground up, and raised two children. Butch worked for American-Stratford Printing for more than 30 years, and as a custodian at G.S. Precision until he retired at age 65. He was predeceased by his wife of 32 years and his brother, Robbie P. Robinson. He is survived by his brother, Sparkie Robinson and sister-in-law Pam Robinson of Brattleboro; his children, Brian Robinson of Wardsboro and Heather Robinson of East Dummerston; granddaughter Savanah Pratt, her husband Larry “Buddy” Pratt Jr., and great grandson Larry Charles “Charlie” Pratt III, who was the light of his life and kept him going for the last few years. Spending time with family was always one of his greatest pleasures, and he was pleased to be able to see so many family members over the last few months. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held July 1, at 2 p.m., at the Dummerston Congregational Church in Dummerston Center, followed by a graveside service for the immediate family. All are invited to a post-service reception at the Elks Club in Brattleboro from 3 to 6 p.m.
• Connor Dillion Rusin, 25, of Wilmington. Died unexpectedly on June 12, 2018. He was born on Oct. 4, 1992 and was the youngest of four children. He was a student at Twin Valley High School and a graduate of Topsail High School, Class of 2011, and attended Cape Fear Community College and Gilford Tech Community College in North Carolina. He enjoyed landscaping and helping his mother with the family business. He had a passion for classic cars and basketball. He was a bright light and had such a bright future. He was charismatic, witty, and smart. His sympathy and compassion for everyone in his life, including strangers, and his willingness to help others, will never be forgotten. He will be remembered for his charming personality, his hugs, his smirk, and for always having your back. He is survived by his parents, Richard and Cheryl Rusin; his sisters, Casey and Corey, and his brother Candon; his uncles, John and Daniel Cameron and Ronald and Raymond Rusin; grandparents Jack and Dorthy Cameron; and his niece Logan and nephew Griffin Mullen-Rusin. Memorial information: A celebration of his life took place at Our Lady of Fatima Church on June 16. To send the family personal condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• JoAnn Williams, 68, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly at her residence on June 8, 2018. The daughter of Wilfred and Alice (Upton) Williams, she was born on Nov. 2, 1949 in Revere, Mass., and lived much of her life in the Boston metropolitan area before settling in Vermont in 1994. She graduated from Chelsea High School in 1967. After graduation, she lived in New York City and traveled throughout Europe before moving back to Boston. In 1978, she worked on the PBS children's program, “Feeling Free.” She was an entrepreneur and, in 1979, founded Balloons Over Boston, a decorating and event planning company. Balloons Over Boston went on to have sister stores in many other cities. In 1994, she and her then husband, Jim Carew, created the Bumpa Bed: The Bedtime Company of Vermont. She also worked as a travel agent, realtor, farmer, innkeeper, sales person, and camp director. She loved to work with and help people. When she lived at Melrose Terrace, she was a very active participant in the community. She also helped young mothers in need and was a foster parent for many years. She was a support to all of these people: offering guidance, humor, kindness, and a safe space. Everyone who knew JoAnn loved her. She was filled with nothing but kindness, compassion, and love. She was a radiant beam of sunshine and light. She was adventurous and loved to explore, whether it was a new second-hand store, a new career, or a new corner of the world. She touched the lives of everyone she encountered with her warm smile, her generous spirit, her calm presence, and her overflowing heart. She is survived by her three daughters, Ana Williams of Brattleboro, Isabel Williams of Brattleboro, and Kelsey Carew of Queens, N.Y.; her son-in-law, John Quinn, and her granddaughter, Laika Williams-Quinn; her sister, Sandra Johnson, of Melvin Village, N.H.; her nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her many dear friends. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held on June 25 at noon at Scott Farm in Dummerston. Please wear bright colors, as JoAnn would want it no other way. Donations to a charity of one's choice.
• Arnold H. “Arnie” Young, 69, of Jamaica. Died June 10, 2018 at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington. The son of Raymond P. Young Sr. and Lois S. (Reynolds) Young, he was born in Brattleboro on July 20, 1948. He graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary, and then entered the Army, where he served during the Vietnam War. He worked for many years at Kearley Fuel in Jamaica and Intervale Condominium Association in Bondville, as well as providing caretaking services on the side. He was a member of the American Legion West River Valley Post 16 and a member of the West Townshend Seventh Day Adventist Church. He leaves his family, wife Donna Young of Jamaica; his former wife, Judith Holden of West Townshend; and children and grandchildren; Lori and Tom Staib of West Townshend and their daughter, Sarah Staib, of Arlington; Linda and Jerry Hescock and their daughters, Ashley and Kelsey, of Wardsboro; Julie and Randy Barrows of Wardsboro and their sons, Nathan and Bryan; Marci and Ray Barrows of Jamaica and their son, Chris; and Kenny Chase and his friend Sherry Titus-Lawrence of Jamaica. He leaves his siblings Peter Young, Judy Young, and Connie Bentley, all of Wardsboro. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Jerry, Ray Jr., and Robert Young, and daughter Lisa Young Noble and Perry Chase III. Memorial information: Graveside services will be held at a later date. Donations to Vermont Veteran's Home, 325 North St., Bennington, VT 05201, or Lisa's Love Charitable Association, 1120 Windham Hill Rd., West Townshend, VT 05359, or contact Elaine Beckwith at the Community Food Pantry, 3923 Route 30, Jamaica, VT 05343.
Services
• Funeral services with military honors for Harold John Lackey Jr. will be held on Saturday, June 23, at 1 p.m., at the family lot in Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington with Reverend Douglas LaPlante officiating. Mr. Lackey, a native of Wilmington, died March 20, 2018, at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington at the age of 88.