College news
• Thea Schlieben of Brookline has earned a master's of social work degree from Springfield (Mass.) College for studies completed in 2018.
• Molly Ann Rice of Brattleboro graduated with an M.S. in education from The Graduate School at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.
• Michael Conti of Stratton was awarded a bachelor's degree from Fairfield (Conn.) University.
• Stephanie Moranski of Brattleboro and Maureen Ward of Brattleboro each earned an M.S. in education from Simmons College in Boston.
• Chloe Ingalls, who grew up in Dummerston, received an M.S. in nursing degree from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston.
• Paula Merkle of Vernon graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College with a B.A. in anthropology.
• Christiana Marie Strysko of Wilmington was named to the spring 2018 President's List for outstanding academic performance at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla.
• Murphy Hicks, an occupational science major from Bellows Falls, was named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at American International College in Springfield, Mass.
• Todd Beyer of Stratton and Nathaniel Tyler of Brattleboro were both named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
• Amelia Nick of West Dover, a member of the Class of 2020 majoring in fine arts, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
• Brett Swanson of Wilmington and Freesia Capy-Goldfarb of Guilford were both named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at Ithaca College.
• Jaida Cutting Henry of Guilford and Conor Hiner of Brattleboro were both named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at Plymouth (N.H.) State University.
• Elkanah Linder of Townshend, a doctor of pharmacy student, was named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.
• James Ferris of Brattleboro, James Bourque of East Dover, and Noah Sampson-Frank of Putney were all named to the spring 2018 Dean's List at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology.
Obituaries
• Stanley Edward Buraczynski, 86, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died June 24, 2018 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Born in Brattleboro on Feb. 2, 1932, the son of Anthony and Mary (Antonowicz) Buraczynski. He was raised and educated in Hinsdale and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School, Class of 1951. He worked his entire career as a carpenter for the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, Local 336. Some of the larger projects he was involved with included the construction of Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Vernon, the Rowe Yankee Nuclear Power Plant in Rowe, Mass., the fish ladders at the Vernon Dam, and the Ingleside Mall in Holyoke, Mass., and Hampshire Mall in Hadley, Mass. He was a communicant of Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Hinsdale and held membership in the VFW Auxiliary, Hinsdale Post 4234. He enjoyed Country & Western music, was an accomplished guitar player, enjoyed hunting, fishing and taking nature walks with his twin brother on a daily basis, and time shared with his family. In 1963, he married Diane Gauthier, who predeceased him in 1999. Survivors include three daughters, Julie Buraczynski of Brattleboro, Mary Buraczynski of Hinsdale and Stacey Byrne of Winchester, N.H.; his twin brother, John Buraczynski of Hinsdale; and five grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by five brothers, Joseph, Anthony, Henry, William, and Theodore Buraczynski; and two sisters, Josephine Stanlioski and Mary Koch. Memorial information: Funeral services in Hinsdale will be held at a later date to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Saint Joseph's Church, (Mary, Queen of Peace Parish), 35 Brattleboro Road, Hinsdale, NH 03451. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ruth Louise Cavanagh, 98, of Brattleboro. Died June 24, 2018 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. Born in Hardwick, Vt., on June 20, 1920, one of seven children to Charles and Della (Robbins) McArthur. She attended public school in Hardwick and moved to Brattleboro at age 18 and began a great career at the Brattleboro Retreat/Linden Lodge, where she retired following 52 dedicated years with the institution. She married Edward Cavanagh and raised five children. After her retirement, she devoted her time to her numerous grandchildren including attending and cheering on the sidelines at their youth sporting events. She was a remarkable lady well-known for her spirit of friendship and was one of the kindest souls one could ever meet. She opened her heart and home to countless family and friends over the years. She loved everyone, and everyone loved her. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and knitting. She was especially known for her delicious baked beans and strawberry rhubarb pie. She will be remembered for her selfless devotion to her family, her strength, her positive outlook on life, wonderful sense of humor, and the many stories from her long and full life. A woman steadfast in her walk of faith, Ruth attended First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro for many years. Survivors include her daughter Janet Putnam of Brattleboro, son Michael Cavanagh of Newfane, and daughter Debra Cavanagh and grandson Andrew with whom she made her home. She also leaves 19 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, 16 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, two sons, James and Earl Cavanagh, three grandchildren, and son-in-law, David Putnam. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted in New Williamsville Cemetery on June 30. Donations to Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 203, Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• John W. Clough, 80, of Brattleboro. Died June 23, 2018 at his home, following an extended illness. Born in Keene, N.H., on October 22, 1937 the son of Jack and Gladys (Robbins) Clough, he was raised in Keene, where he attended Keene public schools. He was a heating technician, working for many years for Barrows Coal Co. in Brattleboro. Later, he worked as a maintenance supervisor at the former Putney Inn. He was a skilled builder and fulfilled a longtime dream of designing and building his own home, including the plumbing, heating and electrical work, an accomplishment he was very proud of. Additionally, he was a wealth of knowledge and a go-to type of guy who many turned to for advice on any project. Prior to moving to Brattleboro in 1992, he resided for 30 years in Dummerston with his family. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, cooking, square dancing, and time shared with his family. In 1959, he was married to Kay Robinson, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 59 years, he is survived by one son, John C. Clough of Seneca, S.C.; three daughters, Heidi Lotz of Memphis, Tenn., Melissa Scarboro of Atlanta, Ga.; and Jessica Perkins of Hampton Falls, N.H.; a foster son, Ethan Looman of Auburn, Mass.; one sister, Elizabeth McPheters of Phoenix, Ariz.; three grandchildren, a foster granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by one sister, Loretta White and a grandson, Aaron Clough. Memorial information: A prayer service was conducted June 29 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home, with burial in Dummerston Center Cemetery. Donations to American Cancer Society, Astrazeneca Hope Lodge Boston, 125 South Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130 To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Nyoakla Lynn “Nikki” (Conley) Hartley, 45, of Brattleboro. Died June 21, 2018 at the home of James and Cynthia Griffus in Brattleboro after a short but fierce battle with lung cancer. She was born Aug. 14, 1972 in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, the daughter of the late Edward Dale Conley and Lois (Farrell) Mech. She was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1992. She is survived by her four children, William and Amanda Conley of Brattleboro, Christina and Miranda Hartley of Laguna Beach, Calif., and the light of her life, one-year-old grandson Jordan Conley. Other survivors include her stepfather Duane Mech, sister Ronette Malone, longtime companion Randy Johnson, best friend Judy Anderson McCormack, Auntie Alice Richardson, caregiver Cynthia Griffus, three brothers, several nieces and nephews, and an extended network of friends who loved her no nonsense, sweet, and sassy ways. Her life was full of peaks and valleys. She fought hard to overcome the trials and tribulations life threw at her and came out on top, especially during the last five years. She enjoyed taking care of her customers and socializing with her coworkers at Wendy's in Brattleboro. She retired due to her illness but, during a recent visit, was warmly welcomed by customers and crew members alike. She shared her sister's love of Bon Jovi and would tag her in any Bon Jovi related post she found on Facebook. Her proudest accomplishment was her growing relationship with her daughter Amanda and her favorite activity was spending time with her new grandson Jordan. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
• John G. Kristensen, 94, of Guilford. Died May 28 at the home he loved, with family at his side. He was born in New York City on March 31, 1924, and graduated from Valley Stream (N.Y.) High School in 1942. He was the son of Kristiane Pederson, formerly of Denmark, and John G. Kristensen, formerly of Norway. During World War II, he served in the Navy from 1943 to 1945. He married Calista Ruth Elliot of Attleboro, Mass. in 1947. That same year, he graduated from Ursinus College and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School in 1950. John and Calista moved to Brattleboro shortly after that. After clerking for federal judge and former Governor Ernest W. Gibson in 1952-53, he opened a law firm where he practiced law until 2000. He was president of the Vermont Bar Association in 1985, and one of the founders of the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation. He was also the Guilford town moderator for 26 years, and served three terms in the Vermont House from 1993 to 1999, as well as in many state-appointed and elected positions. He often expressed his gratitude at having had a full and happy life with a wonderful wife and family, able and loyal business associates, and many good friends, from Guilford, Brattleboro, and the state of Vermont. He was a strong believer in community service, and encouraged all to participate. He was predeceased by his wife in 2006. He is survived by his five children, John G. Kristensen of Somerville, Mass, Calista Mosheim of Dorset, Paul Kristensen of Sharon, Kristiane Kristensen of Pawlet, and Angela Lea of Portland, Ore., as well as 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A private family gathering will be held.
• Barbara Rafuse Maynard, 87, of Wilmington. Died June 24, 2018 at the Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center. A lifelong resident of Wilmington, she was born there on April 28, 1931 to Kenneth and Arlene (Pike) Rafuse. She attended local schools and proudly obtained her GED later in life. While her children were young, she worked in the cafeteria at the Wilmington School; she later worked as a waitress at the Newfane Inn, the Old Red Mill, and the Inn at Sawmill Farm. She had been a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and active in the Mothers Club. She enjoyed gardening, traveling, and picking up shells along the beach. She leaves her husband, Roger, whom she married in 1948; her sons, Steven Maynard of Wilmington and David Maynard of Sebec, Maine; daughters Linda Maynard of North Lauderdale, Fla., and Jacquelyn Maynard of Woodstock, Ga.; a brother, Paul Rafuse of Plainview, N.Y.; nine grandchildren, many great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her daughter, Beverly Bickford, in 2016. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held June 30 at Valley Town Church in Wilmington, with burial in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to The Gathering Place or Second Chance Animal Center, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• David Valenti, 48, of Keene, N.H., formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 21, 2018. Born in Southampton, N.Y., his early years were spent on Long Island. At age 7, he and his family moved to Brattleboro. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1988 and pursued his career working in the tree service industry. David could “light up a room” with his vivacious personality and contagious smile with funny and animated stories he loved to tell. At the same time, he was a kind and thoughtful person and willing to give of himself wherever help was needed. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Maryann Valenti of Keene, N.H.; sisters Lauren Compere (Jackson) and Christina Edaugal (Michael), his brother, Greg; his nephews, Jason, Jeffrey, and Michael; and his niece, Mariah. In addition he leaves aunts, uncles, cousins, and additional extended family and many friends, including Shawn Irwin, with whom he had a special bond. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 28 at St. Michaels Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial in Meeting House Hill Cemetery.
Services
• Graveside funeral services with military honors for Robert C. Wright of Brattleboro will be held at the Old Bennington Cemetery on Saturday, July 14, at 11 a.m. Masonic Funeral Rites will be conducted by members of the Brattleboro Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons. Mr. Wright died Dec. 16, 2017 at his home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home in Bennington.