College news
• Four local students in Vermont Technical College's practical nursing program were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2018 semester. They are: Erin Hammond of Williamsville, Iyla MacArthur of Brattleboro, Rebecca Snow of Brattleboro, and Matthew Wright of Brattleboro.
• Jacqueline Elliott of Brattleboro earned the distinction of Faculty Honors for fall 2018 at the Georgia Institute of Technology. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have a 4.0 academic average for the semester.
Obituaries
• Erin A. Clark, 54, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 6, 2019, with her sister Bridget, her brother-in-law Daryl and her beloved caregiver Dani by her side. She will be greatly missed by her two daughters, Amelia Clark and Hillary Clark; her dad, Marty Adams, whom she loved dearly; her sisters Marta Adams and Jessica Hopkins; and her brother, Ira Leary. She also leaves behind her aunts Jeannie Leavitt and Christine Lyons and her uncle Jim Lyons as well as many nieces and nephews and cousins. Memorial information: As per her wishes, there will be no services. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital.
• Paul Eugene “Gene” Guthrie, 81, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 16, 2019 at the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro on July 30, 1937, the son of Paul and Frances (Cummings) Guthrie, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro and attended St. Michael's Parochial and High School. He proudly served his country by enlisting in the Army and serving from 1955 to 1957. He was stationed at Fort Dix, N.J., and was honorably discharged from active service at the rank of specialist third class. He returned home to Brattleboro, and spent the rest of his working life in the printing industry. He was a linotype machine operator at The Brattleboro Daily Reformer, The Wall Street Journal, and the former Book Press and American Stratford in Brattleboro. Following his retirement, Gene worked on a part-time basis as a bartender for several area restaurants and clubs that included Bob's Ponderosa in Dummerston, the Brattleboro Elks Lodge, and the Brattleboro Outing Club. He was a member of American Legion Post 5, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, and held a life membership in the B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499. He was a lifelong communicant of St. Michaels' Roman Catholic Church. He was well-known for his spirit of friendship and easy-going personality and enjoyed socializing with his friends. Survivors include one brother, Kenneth Guthrie of North Hampton, N.H., three sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, several cousins, and many close friends. He was predeceased by his parents; two brothers, James “Jim” Guthrie and Richard “Dick” Guthrie; and his sister, Mary Higley. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Feb. 23 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the spring in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest in the Guthrie family lot. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ronald Wheeler “Ron” Hudson, 91, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Feb. 18, 2019 at the VA Hospital in White River Junction, following a period of declining health. Born in Northampton, Mass., on Aug. 29, 1927, the son of Leslie and Olive (Wheeler) Hudson, he attended local schools in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1946. Following graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country in the years after World War II. Following his honorable discharge from active service in 1948, he returned home and continued his education and attended the College at Boston Institute from 1948 to 1950. He then went to work at American Optical from 1950 until 1958 and again from 1964 until the company closed its Brattleboro plant in 1981. He had also been employed at the former Maple Farms milk plant from 1958 to 1964. He was known for his excellent work ethic, rarely missing a day at work. Of his hobbies and interests, he enjoyed antique and classic cars, fishing, and watching football and baseball. He was an avid Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots, and Tom Brady fan. In 1956, he married Ruthana Farr. His faithful and devoted wife of 57 years predeceased him in 2013. Survivors include one son, Brian L. Hudson and his fiancée Anita LaValley, both of Hinsdale, one nephew, two nieces, and several cousins. He was predeceased by a son, Gary, in 2000; a daughter, Linda, in 2012; and a sister, Claire H. Grubb, in 2004. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. He will be laid to rest next to his beloved wife and son in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Mona May Momaney, 85, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 16, 2019 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. She was born in Au Sable Forks, N.Y., on Aug. 24, 1933, the daughter of Harold and Jeannette (Chamberlin) Dove. She was raised in New York and moved to Brattleboro with her family at the age of 13. She had worked as a nurse's assistant at the Thompson Nursing Home for 10 years and later at the former Linden Lodge Nursing Home for 20 years, retiring in 1999. In her earlier years, she had been employed at the former Berkshire Fine Spinning Associates, then located on Cotton Mill Hill. A woman of strong faith, she was a former parishioner of St. Michael's Catholic Church and, more recently, attended the Green Mountain Chapel of the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Brattleboro. She enjoyed arts and crafts, ceramics, and crossword puzzles. In her youth, she enjoyed playing softball. In 1950, she married Edmund Momaney, who predeceased her in 2000. Survivors include three sons, Philip of Hinsdale, Gary of Westminster, and Stephen of Hinsdale; one daughter, Sharon of Brattleboro; three brothers, Harold Dove of Wilmington, Wayne Dove of Virginia. and Gordon Dove of Georgia; three sisters, Thelma Caldwell of Athol, Mass., Lavern Corey of Halifax and Elaine Cromack of Vermont. Additionally, she leaves seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, one great-great-granddaughter, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one son, Edmund Momaney, Jr.; a granddaughter, Brie Momaney; one brother, Norman Dove; and a sister, June Grey. Memorial information: Funeral services were conducted Feb. 22 at the Green Mountain Chapel. Burial will be in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to Vernon Green Nursing Home, 61 Greenway Drive, Vernon, VT 05354. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert Earl Pearce, 80, of Windham. Died Feb. 13, 2019 at Southwestern Medical Center in Bennington from complications from pneumonia. Born on Feb. 26, 1938 in Hinsdale, N.H., the son of Earl and Beatrice (Pickett) Pearce, he attended Thayer High School in Winchester, N.H. He was a carpenter who built houses and log cabins all over the Deerfield Valley. He was also known for his registered Walker Hounds; his dogs took home many trophies in show and performance categories. He had a great sense of humor, and was known for his sarcastic attitude. In his later years, he was a bus driver for the Windham Central Supervisory Union. He loved the students and staff there, and considered them family. He leaves his daughter, Sally Prouty and her husband, Todd; two sisters, Janet Doolittle and Joyce Parrish, six grandchildren, and many close friends. Memorial information: The immediate family plans a celebration for Robert in July at the North Star Bowling Alley in Wilmington. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
• Howard Moody Richardson, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 21, 2019 in the comfort of his home surrounded by four generations of loving family. following a period of declining health. Born in Wolcott on Jan. 5, 1929, the son of William and Lucy (Moody) Richardson, he attended People's Academy in Morrisville and was active with the Stowe Ski Patrol. He proudly served his country in the Navy, stationed aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Valley Forge. Following his honorable discharge from active service in 1948, he returned home and attended St. Johnsbury Trade School. Howard worked for the U.S. Postal Service as a mail carrier for many years and, following his retirement, worked at the Guilford Central School. Known for his strong work ethic, he always worked two or three jobs at a time throughout his life, all the while keeping his family in good humor, a trait that never left him. In 1950, he married Joan M. Rancourt, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 68 years, he leaves two sons, Gary of Brattleboro and Terry and his wife Sharon of Vernon; four daughters, Gayle Higley and her husband, Peter, of Guilford, Karen Lamorder of Brattleboro, Wendy Squires and her husband, Timothy, of Guilford, and Joanie Austin and husband, David, of Hinsdale, N.H. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, a great-great-great grandchild on the way this fall, nieces, nephews, many, many loved ones, and a host of friends. He was predeceased by nine brothers and sisters. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held on March 1, at 11 a.m., at St. Michaels' Catholic Church. Committal rites and burial with military honors will follow in St, Michaels' Parish Cemetery. Friends may call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Feb. 28 from 4 to 6 p.m. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Brigid's Kitchen, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Patricia Jane “Pat” Sullivan, 78, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 17, 2019 at her home, following a period of declining health. Born in Hartford, Conn., on July 15, 1940, the daughter of Leon and Olive (Brehart) Cobb. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1958. She went on to attend the former Northampton Commercial College, where she received her associate's degree. She worked as an accountant with her husband, Paul J. Sullivan CPA, whom she married in 1974. Previously, she was a bookkeeper for several Brattleboro-area businesses. Pat was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Emblem Club, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, serving two terms as president. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Bingham Chapter #30, in Brattleboro, and a local opera club. Pat enjoyed skiing, golf, both vegetable and flower gardening, and time shared with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. During her earlier years while living on the Cobb family farm on Black Mountain Road, she enjoyed riding horses and assisting with the day-to-day duties of operating the farm. She loved to laugh, she loved to dance and listen to music, and had an exquisite eye for beautiful pieces of art. Her passion was her grandchildren; nothing gave her greater joy than spending time with them. She was always a generous person, willing to volunteer and offer support to different causes or provide for friends who could use a ray of light. Adventurous and outgoing, Patricia loved life and shared her love of life with all those who spent time with her. Besides her husband of 44 years, she leaves her children, Kelley Aither and Mark Jameson of Brattleboro, Todd and Maureen Aither, also of Brattleboro, Martin Aither of Winter Park Colo., Michael Sullivan of Southbridge, Mass., Craig Sullivan and Mark Sullivan, both of Barre, Mass., and Laurie Ward of Summerville, Ga. Additionally, she is survived by one sister, Elizabeth Harmon of Florida; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, funeral services will be private for the immediate family. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302; Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., Brattleboro, VT 05301; or New England Search & Rescue at newenglandsearchandrescue.org. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Mary Caroline Szuch, 90. Died Feb. 17, 2019 at the Springfield (Vt.) Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born Feb. 1, 1929 in Westminster to Jadwiga and Michael Narkiewicz of Poland. Caroline grew up on the Narkiewicz Farm in Westminster with her nine siblings. She often spoke lovingly of family life there - using a machine to hand-roll cigarettes for her father, milking cows with her brothers Jacob and Edward, riding horses named Dan and Lady, Dolly and Peggy. She attended classes at a one room school house on Pine Banks Road. Caroline lived for many years in North Walpole, N.H. She was a parishioner at St. Peter's Catholic Church. She enjoyed family gatherings at Putney Summit Restaurant, fishing, photography, attending church, going for car rides and spending time with family and friends. Caroline was known for her love of horses - horse statues and pictures of horses adorned her room. At Springfield Rehab, activities such as Bingo and singalongs gave her great pleasure. She was a frequent Bingo winner. She was predeceased by her parents; brothers Jacob, Henry, John and Joseph Narkiewicz; and sisters Helen Atkins and Delia Mack. Her husband, Paul Szuch, died in 1998. She is survived by sisters Frances Hutcheson of Louisville, Ky., and Theresa Schneider of Tilton, N.H., and her brother Edward Narkiewicz of Port St. Lucie, Fla., as well as many nieces, nephews, and her good friend Kathy Golec. Memorial information: Service times will be announced at a later date.
• Daniel Varilly, 55, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 17 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was born on May 26, 1963 in Turners Falls, Mass., the son of James Varilly Sr. and Patricia (Creek) Varilly. He was a graduate of Greenfield High School, Class of 1981 and, in 2005, he met his soulmate Ann (Chase) Varilly, who survives him. He was an avid Boston sports fan and rarely missed watching a Red Sox or a Patriots game. He spent several of his younger years moving around the country and loved the experiences he had during those times. He was very popular, outgoing, funny, and had more friends than he could count. Daniel also loved to play golf and spent many years of his life on the golf course with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Ann; his mother Patricia Varilly of Greenfield, Mass., his daughter Kellie Bishop and her husband Greg of Plumerville, Ark., his stepchildren Christina Chapman of St. Augustine, Fla., and Kim Johnson of Brattleboro; his soon-to-be-born grandson, Declan Daniel Bishop; his sister, Eileen Reardon and her husband Bill of Greenfield; his brother, David Varilly of South Deerfield, Mass.; and several nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts,and cousins. He was predeceased by his father; his brother, James Varilly Jr.; his paternal grandparents Michael Varilly and Helena (Sullivan) Varilly; and his maternal grandparents Robert Creek and Marjorie (Hubley) Creek. Memorial information: A memorial service will take place at the convenience of the family. Ker-Phaneuf Funeral Home and Crematorium in Brattleboro is assisting with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net.