College news
• Amy Yannizze of Brattleboro, a communications major, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2018 semester at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C.
• Cassandra Dunn of Brattleboro, a theater major, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2018 semester at the University of Evansville in Evansville, Ind.
Obituaries
• Jean F. Ashcroft, 95, of Bellows Falls. Died Dec. 20, 2018, at Springfield Health & Rehab Center. Born in Bellows Falls on Nov. 17, 1923, the daughter of Henry and Catherine (Gallagher) Lucier, she was raised and educated in North Walpole, N.H., through the first two years of high school. After graduating with the Class of 1941 from Bellows Falls High School, she worked as a bookkeeper and cashier for Gay's Express in Gageville. She was a member of the St. Charles Rosary Society for over 50 years and served as both secretary and treasurer for 25 years. She was a long-time volunteer at the Well Child Clinic, Bellows Falls Historical Society, and the Rockingham Free Public Library. In 1946, she married Robert Ashcroft Jr., who predeceased her. Surviving are her sons Robert and James Ashcroft; her daughters Mary Ashcroft, Meg Ashcroft and her husband Donald Conklin, and Ann Ashcroft; and several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousin Mary Shaughnessy. She is predeceased by siblings Betty Richmond and Edward and Gerard Lucier, son-in-law Harold Billings, and three grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 29 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls. Burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery. Donations to Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or the Bellows Falls Senior Center, 18 Tuttle Street, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Barbara Jean Blodgett, 83, of Westminster. Died Dec, 21, 2018. She was born Nov. 28, 1935 to Howard Frohock Sr. and Gertrude Frohock. Barbara was employed at MPB for many years until her retirement. She baked and decorated many cakes over the years and enjoyed doing crafts such as cross-stitch, crochet, and paint-by-numbers. She also enjoyed reading and watching the Hallmark Channel. Her husband of many years, Robert Blodgett Sr., died in 1985. Survivors include her brother Thomas Frohock Sr. of Charlestown N.H., as well as her six children: Sandra Taylor of Cambridgeport, Terrence Blodgett of Bellows Falls, Randolph Blodgett of Waldfishbach-Burgalben, Germany, Donna Stetson of Westminster, Brenda Paige of Bellows Falls, and Robert Blodgett Jr. of Bellows Falls. Barbara was a loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She was also predeceased by a grandson, Christopher M. Squires. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held Monday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m., in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls. A reception will follow at the Moose Family Club in Bellows Falls.
• Kenneth Paul “Kenny” Chamberlin, 69, of Dummerston. Died Dec. 16, 2018 at his home. He was the son of Kenneth C. and Bertha (Wood) Chamberlin, and loved fishing, hunting, and snowmobiling. He enjoyed traveling and bowling, Christmas lights, music, and weekly calls to cousin “A.” He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Sandra, and brothers Leon and Ernest. He leaves several nieces and nephews. Kenny was an amazing man, strong-willed, loving and caring. He will be greatly missed by his many faithful friends and family. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
• Darrel L. Daley, 82, of Putney. Died Dec. 16, 2018 at his home. Born in Porterville, Calif., to Leonard and Helen (Scharlepp) Daley, he grew up in this farming community in the Great Central Valley of California. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the Navy and became a navy musician. His first “overseas post” was Kodiak, Alaska. There he met Marion Collani, who was doing her first year of teaching after graduating from Montclair (N.J.) State Teachers College. They married in December 1957. After his discharge from the Navy, he returned to California to attend Pasadena City College and then Cal State-Los Angeles. After he earned his B.S., Darrel and Marion took teaching positions in Chugiak, Alaska. Their original plan was to teach there a couple of years and then return to the “lower 48.” That time period stretched out to two decades. They both taught at the elementary level until the new Chugiak High School was built. Then Darrel took the position of music/band director. He continued at that job until retirement in 1983. Back in the early 1960s, Chugiak could be described at a pioneering community. Folks were pushing through roads, drilling wells, building their own homes on Home Site properties. Darrel undertook the building of a huge addition to their log home. This he succeeded in doing, and the family moved into their expanded quarters in 1974. By that time they had two sons, Daren and Matt. Darrel took his sons on hunting and fishing trips, camping in some of the most beautiful and rugged country that Alaska has to offer. In 1978, the family piled into their pickup and camper to drive to Putney, where Darrel was to attend a photography workshop. They discovered the beauty of the Green Mountain State and bought 10 wooded acres in Putney. Each following summer, they traveled to Vermont to work on the land. When Darrel retired, the family moved everything they owned by U-Haul and trailer to Putney where the house was to be built on land overlooking the Connecticut River and the Great Meadows. They moved into their new home in 1984, and have been there ever since. Darrel was a man of many talents: house builder, photographer, chess player, and musician. The hobby that gave him the most pleasure was ham radio. When the house was designed, there was a darkroom and a “Ham Shack” included. He spent many hours enjoying many aspects of that hobby. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marion; two sons: Daren Daley, his wife Debbie, their daughters, Kayla Daley and Brittany Parker, and great-granddaughters Caitlyn and Melynnie, all of Texas, and Matt Daley, his wife, Reiko and their daughter, Amanda, who live in Hokkaido, Japan. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held in April at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. Donations to Centre Congregational Church, or the West River Radio Club. P.O. Box 8087, North Brattleboro VT 05304.
• Lynette Ellen Dion, 73, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 23, 2018 at her home. She was born in Swanton on May 17, 1945, the daughter of Kenneth and Lucille (Thibault) Savage. She was raised and educated in Winooski and was a graduate of Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, Class of 1963. In 1964, she married David H. Dion, who predeceased her in 1999. She attended the Fanny Allen School of Nursing, where she received her LPN and later graduated from Greenfield Community College where she earned her RN degree. Following her graduation from nursing school, she went to work at Bishop DeGoesbriand Hospital in Burlington and later at Fanny Allen Hospital in Colchester. With her husband, she moved to Brattleboro in 1973 and became employed in the offices of Drs. Dean Bresnahan, Keith Sinusis, and Robert Tortolani. Lynette later joined the staff at Thompson House Nursing Home and later Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Her last position working as a nurse was at Brattleboro Primary Care and working for several other Brattleboro area physicians. She was very proud to be a bedside nurse and was loved and respected by her peers and many patients. Lynette was a member of the Brattleboro Elks, Lodge #1499 Emblem Club and held membership in the American Legion Auxiliary, Brattleboro Post 5. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She enjoyed the beach, especially visiting the coast of Maine, collecting seashells, gardening, and time spent with her family and friends. Survivors include a son, David H. Dion Jr. of Brattleboro; a daughter, Michelle Lynn Dion of Naples, Fla.; many nieces and nephews and her 'granddog' Maple, a beloved English Shepherd. She was predeceased by a son, William Dion, who died in infancy; a brother, Terry Savage; and two sisters, Beverley Rideout and Marlene Dziadul. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 28 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to VT/NH Visiting Nurse and Hospice, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001-0976. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Patricia Ann Farrington, 60, of Halifax. Died Dec. 19, 2018 at her home. Born in White Plains, N.Y. on March 31, 1958, the daughter of Bruce Brown and Suzie McCloughan, she attended schools in Connecticut and earned her associate's degree from Catherine Gibbs School. Patricia was the owner and operator of Honora Winery in Halifax for many years. She loved gardening and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved to travel - an amazing trip to Ireland with her mother was her favorite trip - and she enjoyed listening to all kinds of music. She was a New York Jets fan and an amazing self-taught chef. She is survived by her husband, Harry Farrington of Halifax, whom she married in 1978; her son, Edward Muha III and his wife, Zoe, of Halifax; daughters Danielle Wade and her husband, Derrick, of Halifax and Janice Stuart and her husband, Jared Karsch, of Wilmington; sisters Cary Brown of Darien, Conn., and Kelly Alston of Trumbull, Conn., and five grandchildren (with a sixth on the way). She was preceded in death by her sister, Tracy Brown. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Dec. 29 at Our Lady of Fatima Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington. Interment will be held in the spring in Jacksonville Cemetery. Donations to the Deerfield Valley Community Partnership, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Daniel Robert Harper, 94, of West Brattleboro. Died Dec. 24, 2018 at his home with his spouse and longtime Brattleboro Area Hospice volunteer in attendance. He was born in Bay Shore, N.Y., on Jan. 24, 1924, the youngest child of Chester and Mabel (Jandreau) Harper. His family moved a lot when he was growing up. He graduated from Grand Rapids (Mich.) High School, then joined the Navy and served in the Pacific during World War II. A man of many trades, he most recently was a living history reenactor for the past 15 years at The Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, N.H. He discovered his Native American ancestry on both sides of his family and greatly enjoyed researching and learning about his heritage. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ruthie, along with four children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A Native American Circle Ceremony to honor Dan will be held in the spring at the Fort at No. 4.
• Lisa M. Johnson, 54, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Dec. 26, 2018 at Applewood Healthcare Center in Winchester, N.H., after a long battle with cancer. She was born in Brattleboro on May 20, 1964, the daughter of David and Carol (Cousino) Johnson. She was educated in Hinsdale schools, graduating from Hinsdale High School in 1982. Lisa lived in the area her whole life. working at The Book Press and C & S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro. She loved horses and doing puzzles, needlepoint, and plastic canvas. She liked to go camping all over New England with her nephews, and traveling with her parents in their motor home. Besides her parents, she is survived by two brothers, Dennis Johnson and his wife, Lori, of Hinsdale and Edward Johnson of Keene, N.H., and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Ronald Johnson. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service at Pine Grove Cemetery in Hinsdale in the spring. Donations to the American Cancer Society at donate3.cancer.org.
• Andrew Douglas MacFarland, 70, of Dummerston. died peacefully at home in the arms of his wife on Saturday after a four-year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. He was the first son of Douglas Andrew MacFarland and Beatrice (Shine) MacFarland. Along with his wife, Nancy Polseno, he is survived by his two beloved children, Gabe and Siena, and his precious granddaughter Fiona, all of whom were with him throughout his last days. He is also survived by his mother, Beatrice MacFarland; his siblings Mary Jane Williams, Gail Turner, Kay Stringer, and Charles MacFarland; and many dedicated nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and his younger sister, Dawn. Born June 27, 1948 in Brattleboro, he attended a one-room schoolhouse in the town of Newfane, where he was raised, and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1966. A graduate of Miami University of Ohio, he served in the Vermont National Guard, and earned a masters degree in health care administration from Westfield State College. After college, he worked briefly at BUHS, The Brattleboro Retreat, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and was a founding member and later a co-director of Green Mountain Health Center where he met and fell in love with his wife, Nancy. He settled into a long career at the Retreat working with adolescents and later creating off campus programs. He concluded his career as health care administrator at Otter Creek Associates. Andrew always loved children and was perhaps most proud of the residential Families in Recovery program he created, where mothers in substance abuse recovery brought their young children with them for comprehensive treatment. In his professional as well as his personal life, he was known for his unique ability to bring people with very different viewpoints together. Andrew was deeply committed to the town of Dummerston where he lived for over 40 years, raised his family, and served in many capacities. He was a school board member, chairman and representative to the WSESU board. He was a Selectboard member, and served for several years as its chair, and was a member of the Planning Commission. In the larger community, he served on many nonprofit boards and committees, including the Winston Prouty Center, the Gathering Place, Brattleboro Area Hospice, and Windham & Windsor Housing Trust. He was a patient and loving husband, an exceptional father and an effortlessly helpful parental figure for anybody who needed one. For a gentle man, he played a fierce game of tennis. Andrew was a voracious reader and he will be remembered with a wide smile as he peppered conversations with wry, intelligent remarks. He took pride in his clear concise writing and would tell us, if he were still here, that this obituary is far too long. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 5, at 1 p.m., at the old Stone Church at the corner of Main and Grove streets in Brattleboro. A reception will follow at Otter Creek Associates, Matrix Health Systems, 80 Linden St., Brattleboro.
• Beverly June “Bev” May, 88, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 23, 2018 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, following a brief illness. Born in Brattleboro on July 6, 1930, the daughter of Henry and Winnie (McCallister) Sanborn, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and attended public schools, including Brattleboro High School. She had been employed at Holstein-Friesian Association, which she retired from in 2015 following 46 years of dedicated and faithful service. She was also a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. For many years, she was an active member of the VFW Auxiliary, Carl M. Dessaint Post #1034. She enjoyed her flower garden, attending stock car races at both Monadnock and Claremont speedways, crossword puzzles, and time spent with her family. She was known for her spirit of friendship and strong work ethic. She was first married to William H. Spaulding, who predeceased her. She later married Robert A. May, who is also deceased. Survivors include three sons, Dean Spaulding (Becky) of Vernon, Robert Spaulding (Patty) of Dummerston, and William Spaulding (Diane) of Bellows Falls, a stepdaughter, Terry Perham of Hinsdale, N.H., five grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Robert “Chip” May Jr.; five sisters, Arietta Sanborn, Virginia Harris, Gwen Waite, Beatrice Haselton, and Margaret Barcomb; and three brothers, Richard, Francis and Clarence Sanborn. Memorial information: Calling hours were held on Dec. 29 at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Donations to Pine Heights Nursing Home Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Emma Lee Person, 98, a resident of Centre Hall, Pa., formerly of Wilmington. Died Dec. 18, 2018, at Wynwood House Personal Care Home surrounded by her family. She was born in Fort Smith, Ark., on Jan. 12, 1920, the daughter of the late David Carr Murray and Rillie Cain. She was a graduate of South Huntington (N.Y.) High School and attended evening classes at Pace College in New York City. As a youth, she enjoyed playing violin, was in the drama club, and developed an interest in God and began going to church activities when missionary friends gave her a Bible. As a young adult, Emma enjoyed skating and spending time with her friends, was a model, and was employed by Standard Oil Company of New Jersey as an administrative assistant. Emma's younger years were affected by The Great Depression and World War II, yet like so many others, she endured hardships with poise and resilience. Upon marriage to Arthur I. Person in 1954, she became wholly devoted to her family and spent many years caring for her children and making yummy meals and desserts as her love for cooking was fueled by her deep love for her family. Her love for God grew also as she continued with her interest in seeking God's presence in her life and life of her family. She attended church, watched Billy Graham's crusades and read his books. The family moved to Vermont in the 1960s and started an apartment rental family business in which Emma played a key management role. She was an avid reader, wrote poetry, enjoyed listening to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturdays, and loved to attend all the musical concerts performed by her children and grandchildren. She is survived by her children Arthur A. Person, Charles A. Person, and Janet M. Humphrey; granddaughters Amy L. Johns, Heather M. Jones, Brooke E. Person and Carissa F. Humphrey; grandsons Brandon T. Humphrey and Benjamin A. Person; great-granddaughters Aubrey M. Humphrey and Aberdeen M. Humphrey; and great-grandsons Evan K. and Joseph K. Johns. She was preceded in death by her husband and her brothers Thomas A. Murray and David C. Murray. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Dec. 22 at Covey-Allen and Shea Funeral Home. Interment will be held in the spring at Riverview Cemetery. Donations to the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, Wilmington Fire Department, or Meals on Wheels in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Ann Meagher Williams, 89, of Osterville, Mass. Died Dec. 24, 2018 at her home. A lifelong advocate for public health, she received her B.S, in Biology from Chestnut Hill College. In 1952, Boston College granted her an M.S. in biology; she was the only woman in the department. Her professional career was long and varied. Upon graduation, she worked for the Air Force at Hanscom Air Force Base, outside of Boston, and at an undisclosed location in Los Alamos, N.M. In 1954, Ann married Joseph A. Williams, a theater director she first met in 1947. They made their home in Dorchester, Mass., started a family, and worked together in the theater and in running the family telephone answering service. In 1967, they and their seven children moved full-time to Osterville, forcing a change in careers. She was a broker with James Murphy Real Estate for a decade and became actively involved in committee work for the Town of Barnstable. As Chair of the Barnstable Finance Committee, she was the town's representative to the organizing committee of the Cape Cod Regional Technical High School. A year after it opened, she left the finance committee to join “The Tech” school board where she served on its Executive Committee from 1975 until June 2018. She was best known for her 20 years at Cape Cod Hospital as the first director of communications, which included designing public education programs and publications. She continued following her passion after retirement as a member of Rotary International. In 1990, Ann joined her husband in the Osterville Rotary Club. Fundraising for local scholarships and Rotary International's Polio Plus program was a shared passion until Joe's death in 1994. Instead of going on their planned trip to Rome that year, she became president of the Osterville Rotary, launching her retirement career. In 2002, she became the Rotary District Governor for the area that includes the South Shore, Cape and Islands, Southeastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. As a Rotarian, she traveled worldwide in support of childhood immunization (medical mission to Nigeria) and pure water (multiple missions to Haiti and Honduras). She was a trainer for Rotary Leadership Institute and served on the board of Pure Water for the World, a not-for-profit founded by the Brattleboro Rotary Club. She was introduced to the Brattleboro Rotary's “Water Rats” by her daughter, Mara Ann Williams, the club's first female president and, later, director/curator of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Ann served on the Cape Cod Community College Foundation board; the board of YMCA Cape Cod (where she also swam every Thursday for two decades in a program for children with special needs); and the contributions committee of the Marion Jordan Trust, which supports arts organizations; and was a volunteer for the Cape Cod Symphony. She was active in the Osterville Business Association and Our Lady of the Assumption Church. She was Cape Cod Businesswoman of the Year in 1980 and in 2008 was awarded an honorary degree from the Cape Cod Community College. In 2016 she was named the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the Year. This summer she was recognized for Lifetime Achievement by the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and the Town Council issued a proclamation honoring her years of service to the Town of Barnstable. These impressive accomplishments represent a fraction of the activities of an engaged and engaging woman - a citizen of Cape Cod and the world. In addition to her daughter, Mara, she is survived by sons Gordon Meagher of Centerville, Mass., and Mark Joseph of Hyannis, Mass.; daughters Antoinette “Toni” Zugel of Centerville and Andrea Williams Still of Trenton, N.J.; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, with one more on the way. She was predeceased by her husband and sons James Gordon and Arthur Scott. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Dec. 31 at Our Lady of the Assumption in Osterville, with burial in Mosswood Cemetery in Cotuit, Mass. Donations to Pure Water for the World www.purewaterforthe world.org, or the charity of one's choice.
• Richard E. Williams, 81, a resident of Jacksonville, Vt., and Dade City, Fla. Died Dec. 21, 2018 in Zephyr Hills, Fla. Richard was born in Whitingham on Feb. 25, 1937, the son of the late Raymond and Marion Hughes Williams, and attended local schools. He was a truck driver for 20 years and a police officer and local Constable for another 20 years. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and was a member of the American Legion. Richard enjoyed working around his home, especially making home improvements. He is survived by his wife, Marie Moore Williams, whom he married in 1955; his son, Steven Williams of Jacksonville; daughter Jacquelyn Williams of Eliot, Maine; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Williams and his great-grandchild, Kelly. Memorial information: Funeral services at the Jacksonville Community Church will be announced in the spring. Donations to the Jacksonville Community Church, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.