College news
• Rory Cuerdon of Putney was recently awarded a B.S. in aerospace engineering with distinction from Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute.
• The following local students have been named to the Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire for the spring 2020 semester: Katrina Ewens of Londonderry and Alyson Jacobs of Stratton both earned honors. Nicholas Nilsen of Wilmington earned High Honors.
• Preston Stachelek of Stratton was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at the University of Rhode Island.
• Thomas Carroll of Vernon, Max Cramp of Williamsville, and Haley Covillion of Bellows Falls were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at Curry College in Milton, Mass.
• Marielle Meyer of Brattleboro and Danielle Wood of Putney were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at Springfield (Mass.) College.
• Caya Greenspan-Layman of Wilmington was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa.
• Ryan Devendorf of Brattleboro was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2020 semester at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute.
• Hadley Stine of Putney has been placed on the Gettysburg (Pa.) College Dean's Honor list for outstanding academic achievement in the fall 2019 semester.
• Allison Buckley of Brattleboro was named to the spring 2020 President's List at Dean College in Franklin, Mass.
• Wyatt Keith of Vernon has been named to the spring 2020 Dean's List at American International College in Springfield, Mass.
• Taylor Humphrey of West Townshend was named to the spring 2020 Dean's List at The College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y.
• Kade Perrotti of Vernon was named to the Dean's List at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology for the spring 2020 semester.
• Chelsea D. Lee of Vernon has been named to the President's List for the spring 2020 semester at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.
• Sabin E. Litchfield of Jamaica has been named to the Dean's List in the University of Notre Dame's College of Engineering for outstanding scholarship during the spring 2020 semester.
School news
• On Juneteenth and June 20, there was a celebration of the graduation of AWARE students from Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS) and Brattleboro Area Middle School (BAMS). AWARE is a student group primary for students of color that was started in 1998 that focuses on what they say is “consciousness raising for ourselves and our community through offering workshops and discussions.” Small backyard ceremonies were held for students and their families as they “celebrated our commonalities and offered words of appreciation for each student.” BAMS students honored included Zaira Pacheco, Kailie LaFlam, Nicole Pereira, Avery Bennett, Noah Perusse, Imani Namutebi, and Lucy Corbin. BUHS students honored included Question Ricardo, Z Muhammad, Danaysa Vargas, and Alyssa Scherlin.
Transitions
• Grace Cottage Family Health welcomes Cynthia Howes, a Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Most recently employed at Just So Pediatrics in Brattleboro, Howes will begin seeing patients, babies through age 21, at Grace Cottage in mid-August. A 1983 graduate of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at State University of New York in Syracuse, Howes received her Registered Nurse degree from New England Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Boston in 1980, and her Associate's Degree in Nursing Science from Pine Manor Junior College in Newton, Mass. Howes is a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association. She and her husband, Jim Guerra, live in Chester; they have four grown children and three grandchildren. They enjoy bicycling, kayaking, fishing, and gardening and, in the winter months, skiing and designing stained glass.
Obituaries
• Claire Anne Goodell, 76, of Westminster West. Died June 23, 2020 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H., after a brief illness. Claire was born in Bellows Falls on May 15, 1944, the daughter of Clarence Piluski and Sophie Augustinowicz. She was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School and started the Goodell Farm Cider business, which she ran with her family for many years. Most recently, she was employed at Landmark College. She was an active member of the Westminster Congregational Church, enjoyed gardening and cooking, and was well known for her delicious apple pies. Surviving are her two sons Steven Goodell of Springfield, Vt., and John Goodell of Westminster West; her brother Mitchel Piluski of Redmond, Wash.; as well as her granddaughter, niece, and two nephews. She is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Edward. Memorial information: Due to COVID-19 concerns, funeral arrangements will be private, at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Eugene Lepkoff, 101, of Brattleboro. Died June 16, 2020 at his home. surrounded by his children, family, and friends. He is survived by his three beloved children: Daniel Lepkoff, Jesse Lepkoff, and Tammy Schoeler, stepdaughters Emily Bernheim, Tamara Stenn, and Sakura Shimada, stepson Mark Schoeler, grandchildren Jacob Lepkoff, Sara Lepkoff, Noah Schoeler, and Nina Schoeler, and step-grandchildren Kory and Musi Stenn. Rebecca Lepkoff, his wife of 72 years, died in 2014. She was his soulmate. Together they created a fertile, adventurous, and improvised life for themselves and their children. Eugene was born on Sept. 12, 1918. Eugene's parents were Jewish, born in Russia, and immigrated to the United States in the first decade of the 20th century. His father died in the flu epidemic of 1919 when Eugene was 9 months old and he grew up with his immigrant mother Bertha Lepkoff and sister Joan Lepkoff. Above all else, Eugene was a devoted father, dedicated to supporting first his single immigrant mother and then his own wife and family. Drafted at age 27, Eugene served during World War II, stationed in France. After, he worked as an industrial arts teacher for the Board of Education in New York City at the Institute for the Crippled and Disabled, providing vocational training and in charge of a metalworking shop. Eugene and his family lived in Manhattan and later Teaneck, N.J., and spent the summers on 24 acres of land in Jamaica, Vt. He built a house and was part of a spontaneously created community with the Goldmans, Loewys, and Naeves. Beyond his role as the breadwinner for his family, Eugene was a quiet, prolific, eclectic, and accomplished artist. He could do anything. He is survived by a body of work consisting of water colors, oil painting, jewelry, handmade furniture, photographs, and pottery. He loved opera and also enjoyed music from all over the world. He loved to sing and burst into song at any time and in any place. He was a lover of humanity and was genuinely curious, empathetic, and compassionate towards all people. He had friends of all ages, all classes, and all races. He will be missed by many. Memorial information: None provided.
• Barbara Ellen Sand, 70, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on June 22, 2020 at Vernon Hall, where she had been a resident since last October. Barbara was born in Brattleboro on May 21, 1950, the daughter of William and Alice (Rhoades) Sand. She was raised in Brattleboro, attending Oak Grove School, and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1968. She worked as a nurse's aide employed at the former Linden Lodge Nursing Home and, later, Eden Park, which she retired from following 30 years of service with the nursing facilities. On a part-time basis, she worked at Price Chopper, retiring in 2014. Barbara enjoyed embroidery, watching old classic TV shows and movies, and time spent with her family. She especially looked forward to attending the annual family reunions at the Stark farm. Survivors include three sisters, Virginia Deyo of Springfield, Vt., Maria Martel and her husband, Mike, of New Ipswich, N.H., and Billie Stark and her husband, Doug, of West Brattleboro. Additionally, she leaves six nephews and four nieces and many great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of her life for the immediate family will take place at a future date. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory of Barbara, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Stanley J. “Stasu” Smith, 83, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly on June 21, 2020 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. He was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 17, 1937, the son of Joseph C. and Anna (Juraszek) Smith. He grew up in the Fort Dummer section of Brattleboro, attending St. Michael's Parochial School, and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School, Class of 1957. He proudly served his country in the Army at the start of the Vietnam War era and was stationed in France. Upon his honorable discharge from active service, he returned home to Brattleboro, working at the former Crosby Milling Company. He later was employed as a letter flex operator at the former Book Press in Brattleboro, from which he retired following more than 30 years of faithful service with the company. Following retirement, Stasu worked for the town of Brattleboro as a crossing guard, his post being at the corner of Clark Avenue and Canal Street. He manned his post up until the start of the current pandemic outbreak this last spring. A devout Catholic, he was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, where for several years he served as an usher. Additionally, he was a member of American Legion Post 5. Stasu enjoyed playing golf at Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford. Of his other leisure time activities, he enjoyed hunting and wood working, of which he created many bird houses to share with his friends and family. Stasu was also involved with Brattleboro's Little League baseball where he umpired, and also coached two consecutive Little League state championship teams, 1977 and 1978. He was first married to Frances Lane, who predeceased him in 1970. He later was married to Jane Richards, who survives. Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Christopher Smith and his wife, Lori, of Deerfield, N.H., and Matthew Smith and his wife Laurie of East Granby, Conn.; one brother, Michael Smith of Cranberry Township, Pa.; two grandsons, Zachary J. Smith and Bradley W. Smith; as well as nephews, Shane and Travis Smith. He was predeceased by nephew Shadd Smith. Additionally, he leaves his beloved Golden Retriever, “Brandy.” Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on June 26 at St. Michael's Catholic Church with committal rites and burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send messages of condolence to his family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Carole C. (Russell) DeFreitas Sturm, 86, formerly of South Newfane. Died peacefully June 16, 2020, after a period of failing health, at her home in Pinehurst, N.C. Carole was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 12, 1934, the daughter of Carson Russell and Helen (Matson) Russell. She was a graduate of Wellington C. Mepham High School in 1952. Growing up in Merrick, Long Island, N.Y., she met and married LeRoy “Jerry” G. DeFreitas in 1953. In 1965, Carole and Jerry moved with their family of five children to Vermont where they owned and operated the South Newfane General Store for 16 years. After living in southern Vermont for nearly 30 years, they retired and moved to Seven Lakes, N.C., in 1993. Jerry died in 1995. A few years later, Carole married Roger Sturm, a former friend from high school. After a brief move to Florida, the Sturms returned to North Carolina. Roger died in October 2018. Carole was an avid knitter. Her family, friends, and many charities were warmed by her many knitted garments. She loved to read and was an amazing Trivial Pursuit player. Carole is survived by her daughters, Lori Estey of Meriden, N.H., Elise (Sean) Boland of Haverhill, Mass., and Linda (David) Sherman of East Dover; and her sons, Lee (Lynn) DeFreitas of Freehold, N.J. and Tim (Kathryn) DeFreitas of Westmoreland, N.H.; eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her kitty companion, Miss Maddie. Carole had one brother, Carson “Mickey” Russell, who died in January 2010. She is also survived by her stepdaughters, Sheri Sturm, Vicki Sullivan of Medford, Ore.; Wendi (Kurtis) Clark of Eastham, Mass., and step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial information: There will be no services and burial will be at a later date in Vermont at the South Newfane Cemetery, where she will be reunited with “Jerry” in the small community that they loved.
• Betsy P. Temple, 79, of Putney. Died June 24, 2020 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro on March 1, 1941, the daughter of Frederick and Iris (Streeter) Perkins, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1958. Betsy did both residential and commercial cleaning in the greater Brattleboro area for numerous families and businesses that included the Greenwood School. She also was employed as an art teacher at the former Christian Heritage School. Most importantly, she was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose life centered around her family. Steadfast in her walk of faith, Betsy was a member of the Community Church in Athens and was active for several years with the church's prison ministry, a Christian outreach she enjoyed being involved in. Additionally, she was a member of the Gideons International Auxiliary, Windham County Camp. Betsy enjoyed music and singing, arts and crafts and painting in several mediums; mostly watercolors and oils. She was also an avid reader. She was known for her pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. In 1960, she married to Edward L. Temple, who survives. She also leaves two daughters, Rebecca Laitres (Peter) of Westfield, Mass., and Sharon Wenzel of Brockton, Mass.; twin sons, Daryl Temple (Ericka) of Arundel, Maine, and Dana Temple of Putney; six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Irving Perkins. Memorial information: Graveside committal services took place on July 1 in the family lot in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. A service in celebration of her life will be held at a future date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Gideons International, P.O. Box 2335, West Brattleboro, VT 05303. To share a memory of Betsy, visit www.atamaniuk.com.