College news
• Gabriel Susca-Lopata of Brattleboro received an M.S. in environmental science and engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
• Alexa and Sabin Litchfield, both of Jamaica, were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• Emily Perry, an environmental conservation and sustainability major from Bellows Falls, was named to the University of New Hampshire's Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester, earning High Honors.
• The local chapter of the Forty and Eight, a national veterans organization, has awarded scholarships to four outstanding students in nursing programs in colleges in Vermont. One of the recipients is Angeline Trenholm of Winchester, N.H., a first-year student at Vermont Technical College in Brattleboro. A national program to help alleviate the shortage of skilled nurses in this country has long been a special interest of La Societé des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux, the veterans organization founded in 1920 and also known as the “Forty and Eight.” Since 1955, La Societé has provided more than $32 million and assisted more than 54,030 nurses in obtaining nursing degrees.
Transitions
• The Brattleboro Rotary Club recently inducted Spofford, N.H., resident Bill Vermouth as its 69th club president for the 2018-19 year. Vermouth is the owner of Vermouth Computers, based in Spofford. Rotary club members serving as officers with Vermouth this year are President-Elect Bill Daley, Secretary Ana Saavedra, Treasurer Rhonda Calhoun, Vice President Marty Cohn and Immediate Past President George Weir. Vermouth has been active in the Brattleboro Rotary Club since 1987, serving as Club Treasurer, Rotary Gateway Foundation treasurer, Gift Giving committee chairman, as well as Brattleboro Rotary Club golf tournament committee member. He founded Vermouth Computers in 1991. He received his MBA from Plymouth (N.H.) State College.
Obituaries
• Kathleen Page “Kay” Burnett, 95, formerly of Jacksonville. Died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Knox, N.Y., on June 30, 2018. Born to Carl and Edith (Morse) Page, Kay was raised, with her sister Virginia, in Jacksonville, which was always “home.” She graduated from Whitingham High School in 1940 and, in 1941, she married her high school sweetheart, Nelson “Stub” Burnett, a happy union that lasted for 46 years until his death​. Kay and Stub had two daughters, Zenith Rae and Avis Anne. Kay was interested in her community and found diverse ways to contribute. She donated gallons of blood and, for 10 years, headed the canteen which fed donors. She held every administrative office in Jacksonville Community Church at least once, sang in the choir, wrote a history of the church, spearheaded fundraisers to support the church and help ​build the Sunday School, started the Hospitality Committee ​and even preached when asked. She and Stub were active in the church-affiliated Couples Club, in which she played many roles, ​her favorite being ​creating interesting and humorous programs. She co-chaired the annual Game Supper for 15 years. She used her knack for leadership and organizing, combined with her interest in music and performing, to create and produce several variety show fundraisers for the Lion's Club and local families. In 1976, she and Stub co-chaired the Whitingham Old Home Week. In the mid-1980s, Kay discovered another passion: being her own show. She created the character of “Aunt Effie,” a daft old woman in her 80s who “tells it like it is.” Aunt Effie was invited to roast many townspeople on festive occasions, and retired only when Kay's actual age came close to Aunt Effie's. In 1992, she started the weekly Breakfast Club for women. Kay moved from Jacksonville to Knox, N.Y., in 2002 to be closer to her other life's passion: her family. She was very proud of her role as elder of five generations and was proud to call herself a Vermont Yankee. K​ay was a unique individual who, while enjoying the simple things in life, delighted in finding ways to laugh and bring a smile to others' faces. Her leadership and organizational abilities benefited many organizations. She took good care of her family and found numerous ways to take care of others in her community. She left her special mark on the world, which is a better place because of her. She is survived by daughters Zenith Burnett Gladieux and husband Russell of Berne, N.Y., and Avis Burnett of Rexford, N.Y.; granddaughter Nicole Gladieux and her husband, Daniel Richmond, of Altamont, N.Y.; great-granddaughter Aja and her husband, Ian Young, of Woodside, NY; g​reat-grandson Cal Richmond-Gladieux and his wife, Kristina; and great-great-grandchildren Makenzie and Gabriel of Berne, N.Y. Memorial information: She will be laid to rest next to Stub in Sadagwa Cemetery in Whitingham with a private ceremony. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 18, from 12:30 to 4 p.m., at her former home, the current Candlelight B&B, located on Route 100 in Jacksonville. A buffet lunch will be served starting at 1 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., there will be a short program honoring Kay's life. ​In keeping with Kay's life philosophy, come to eat and enjoy stories and memories, and feel free to bring any pictures or stories you might care to share. Contributions in Kay's memory may be made to the Jacksonville Community Church or the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry, in care of Covey, Allen and Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT. 05363.
• L. Elisabeth “Betty” Costigan, 94, of Guilford. Died July 4, 2018 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Born in Troy, N.Y., on June 19, 1924, the daughter of Thomas and Emma (Messerle) Burns, she was raised and educated in the Albany/Troy area, attending Saint Joseph's Parochial School. She was a graduate of Vincentian High School, later attending the College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y. She had been employed at Northfield Mount Herman School, working on both the Northfield and Gill, Mass., campuses. She retired at age 80 following more than 17 faithful years at the school. Previously, she worked for 17 years in administrative offices for the State University of New York at Morrisville. A devout Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro. For several years, she was a volunteer at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, working in the transportation department. Betty enjoyed gardening, reading, small animals and time shared with her family. She had the gift of finding beauty in everything and was known for being very appreciative and thankful. She was first married to Peter George Honczar, who is deceased. She later married Donald Costigan, who predeceased her in 1991. Survivors include her daughter, Suzan Brunswick of Guilford, with whom she made her home, a grandson, Dale Brunswick, also of Guilford, and a host of friends. She was predeceased by one son, Peter George Honczar Jr., and her beloved son-in-law, Lee Brunswick. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on July 13 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with burial in Baker Cemetery in Guilford. Donations to St. Brigid's Kitchen Renovation Fund, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Simonne M. Holton, 70, of Wilmington. Died July 11, 2018 at Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center after a five-year battle with esophageal cancer. Born in Fall River, Mass., on April 27, 1948, she was the daughter of Henri and Simonne (Sansoucy) Brouillette. She attended local schools, continuing her education at St. Anne's Hospital School of Nursing in Fall River, earning her R.N. In her early twenties, Simonne came to Mount Snow for a week of skiing and stayed in Wilmington the rest of her life, eventually meeting her husband and raising her two children. She first worked at Mount Snow's medical office before moving to the Deerfield Valley Health Center. She earned an APRN degree from the University of Vermont and served the community as a Nurse Practitioner at the Health Center for more than 20 years. She then served as the Director of Health at Landmark College in Putney for 15 years, retiring in 2013. She was active at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Wilmington and her children's school, taking pride in their academic and sporting achievements. She had a lifelong love of the beach - even though she could not swim - especially Point Judith, R.I., and, in later years, Myrtle Beach, S.C. She also loved spending time at the family camp in Jackman, Maine. At home in Vermont, she enjoyed long walks, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. She took pride in her beautiful flower gardens, though maintaining them was not her favorite activity. Her greatest love was her family, especially her grandsons. She is survived by her husband, Skip Holton of Wilmington, whom she married in 1978; her son Ryan Holton and his wife, Karina, of Wilmington; daughter Corey Holton of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; brothers Robert Brouillette and his wife, Sandra, of Springtown, Texas, and Paul Brouillette and his wife, Maribeth, of Myrtle Beach. She is also survived by two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on July 16 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Interment was private. Donations to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC with memo line “Holton-LINAO”), in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Robert E. Johnson, 78, formerly of Vernon. Died July 3, 2018 at his home in Wallingford, Vt. Born on Sept. 9, 1939, the second son of Lawrence W. and Ruth (Kintzel) Johnson, he grew up on the family farm in Vernon, where he attended local schools graduating from Brattleboro Union High School in 1957. He enlisted in the Air Force, serving in the Strategic Air Command. He was honorably discharged in 1961. He was employed for a few years by General Electric in Burlington in the Research and development Department. In 1963, he joined St. Johnsbury Trucking, serving the company in sales management positions until 1973. He then relocated to Palm Beach, Fla., and was employed by the 7 Santini Brothers International Moving and Storage Company, where he earned the title of certified moving consultant and served in that position. In the early 1980s, he returned to his native Vermont for employment with BDR Transport, Inc. and relocated to Modesto, Calif., as the manager of its western division. Following company expansion, he lived in Los Angeles for several years. When the company was sold in 1990, he returned to Vermont to be closer to family. For several years, he was employed by the Ker-Westerlund & Fleming and White funeral homes in Brattleboro and Townshend. In 2008, he relocated to Wallingford as an assistant and driver for the Aldous Funeral Home and for Smith Buick GMC. He was a life member of the American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro, serving as post chaplain, as well as chaplain for the Legion's Vermont Department. He was also a member of the Brattleboro F&AM, Brattleboro Shrine Club, and the Cairo Shrine in Rutland, also serving as chaplain. He was a member of the Brattleboro Elks and a former trustee and treasurer of the Vernon Union Church. He enjoyed traveling, downhill skiing, and social activities. Family survivors include sisters Lois Anne Johnson of Antrim, N.H., and Judith Tyler Bliss of Whiting, Maine, and brothers Lawrence W. Johnson, Jr. of Claremont, N.H., and Kenneth W. Johnson of Saxtons River, as well as cousins, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father in 1978 and mother in 2000. Memorial information: Burial with full military honors took place on July 12 in the family lot at Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to Shriners Children's Hospital in Springfield, Mass., in care of the Cairo Shrine, 51 Washington St., Rutland, VT 05701.
• Linda B. Kohler, 76, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died July 1, 2018 after a brief battle with cancer. Born Aug. 2, 1941 to Justin and Catherine Brown of Long Island, N.Y., where she was raised and educated. It was there that she met and married her first husband and gave birth to her two sons, Robert M. Kowalski and Steven J. Kowalski. She later moved to New Hampshire, where she met and married Ernest H. Kohler. Linda was a bookkeeper by trade, but her passions were in crafts, particularly sewing and creating custom dolls, along with gardening and a love of nature. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who will always be remembered for her kind and compassionate spirit. She was preceded in death by her father Justin, mother Catherine, brother Lee, and sister Lora. She is survived by her loving husband; her sons Robert and his wife, Sherry Spaulding, of Pepperell, Mass., and Steven and his wife, Julia, of Keene, N.H,; stepsons John and his wife, Dawn, of Pittsburg, N.H., and Matthew and his wife Patricia of Huntington, W.Va.; and her beloved grandchildren, Maxwell and Zoe. Memorial information: A service will be held on Saturday, July 21, at 10 a.m., at Atamaniuk Funeral Home, 40 Terrace Street, Brattleboro. Donationsto the New Hampshire Humane Society, 1305 Meredith Center Rd, Laconia, NH 03247.
• Clara Marie “Claire” Lavender, 72, of Brattleboro. Died July 9, 2018 at her home, following a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Brattleboro on Oct. 29, 1945, the daughter of Everett and Marjorie (Benjamin) Finnell. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale and was a graduate of Hinsdale High School, Class of 1963. She worked for many years as an office administrator for Fleming Oil Company, retiring in June 2013. Previously, she worked for Barrows Coal Company and the former BookPress in Brattleboro. She was active with United Way of Windham County, was a member of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, and held membership in the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, and the Brattleboro Elk's Emblem Club, #517. For many years, she chaired the annual Elk's Club yard sale and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital yard sale held at the Elk's Home on Putney Road. She was the proud recipient of two prestigious service awards. In 2011 she received the Home Town Hero Award honoring 40 years of volunteerism and also received a Presidential Award for her many hours of service to her community. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and a former parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Hinsdale. She was active within St. Michael's, serving on the St. Michael's School Board and the St. Michael's High School Alumni Association. Most recently, she was involved with the St. Brigid's Kitchen Renovation Committee. Her life centered around her family and she especially enjoyed time spent with her five garndsons. She was known for her spirit of friendship, pleasant personality and her generosity always willing to help anyone, or any organization in need. She was especially proud of her community. In 1967, she married Francis “Mike” Lavender, who survives. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 50 years, she leaves one daughter, Melissa McAuliffe, and her husband Paul, of Brattleboro; one son, Michael Paul Lavender and his wife, Cindy, of Marblehead, Mass.; three brothers, Larry Finnell (Ellen) of Milford, Conn., Michael Finnell (Diane) and Benjamin Finnell (Sheila), both of Keene, N.H. ; three sisters, Patricia “Pat” Finnell of Brattleboro, Sharon Ward (David) of Spofford, N.H., and Linda Haskell (Douglas) of Merrimack, N.H. She also leaves five grandchildren, in-laws Brenda Finnell and Pam Williams, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews and her extended family on the Lavender/Blanchette side as well as a number of loving friends and neighbors. She was predeceased by one brother, Ronald Finnell and her close friend, Suzi Hamblin. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held July 13 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in Saint Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Brigid's Kitchen Renovation Fund, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Oncology Department, 17 Belmont Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• The memorial graveside service with Masonic Rites/Military Honors for Charles F. “Ace” Adams will be held in Morningside Cemetery off of South Main Street in Brattleboro on Saturday, July 21, at 10 a.m. Mr. Adams, of Bratteboro, died Feb. 22, 2018 at Vibra Hospital in Leicester, Mass., following a lengthy illness. To view his obituary and sign an online guestbook, visit www.atamaniuk.com.