College news
• William Baker of Londonderry, a member of the Class of 2020, recently received a B.A. in religion from Colgate University in Hamilton, N.Y.
Transitions
• Certified Family Nurse Practitioner Anna Olivier, APRN, has joined Putney Family Healthcare. Olivier grew up in Putney and attended and graduated from Putney Central School and Brattleboro Union High School. She received her B.A. in biology from Mount Holyoke College and her M.S. in nursing from Yale School of Nursing. She recently moved back to Putney. where she resides with her husband, Sam Quintal, and their two young daughters. Olivier said it was a lifelong goal to return to Vermont to practice medicine in her hometown. She has been a full-time family nurse practitioner for the past 10 years. Most recently, she was the first nurse practitioner hired to join the University of Pennsylvania's Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, where she provided primary care to a panel of 1,100 patients.
Obituaries
• Douglas C. Benton, 64, of Pacifica, Calif., formerly of Dummerston. Died peacefully Aug. 28, 2020 at the Stanford University Medical Center in California. Born in Concord, Mass., on Jan. 1, 1956, the son of Peter and Marilyn Benton, he was raised and educated in Winnetka, Ill., and Brattleboro. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1974, earning varsity letters in basketball and baseball. Douglas went on to attend Hanover College in Indiana earning a B.A. in 1978. He then went on to Miami of Ohio, earning a master's in science in 1980. He spent most of his adult life in California and was most recently employed as a caregiver. He enjoyed the outdoors, going on fossil digging expeditions, golfing, and sports in general. Douglas leaves his life partner, Margie Maestas; daughter Jacquelyn Medina and her husband, Raul; and grandchildren Roman, Chloe, and Gisele of Brentwood, Calif. He also leaves brothers Jeffrey Benton and Andrew Benton and his wife, Andree, all of Bluffton, S.C.; and sister Sarah Benton of Brattleboro. Memorial information: A private burial service at Dummerston Center Cemetery will be held at a later date.
• Dorothy M. Blake, 102, daughter of the late Frederick and Rhea Klose, died on Aug. 18, 2020. She was born in Johnstown, N.Y., on Feb. 16, 1918. She attended public schools and was a graduate of Johnstown High School. In 1937, she married Sydney E. Blake and together they had two children. Dorothy worked until retirement for Gates Mills Glove Factory in Johnstown as a bookkeeper. She loved to shop, travel and work in her gardens. Her sense of humor and wit were with her to the end. Dorothy was predeceased by her husband Sidney, daughter Joan Blake Chapin, and sons-in-law Al Chapin and Dale Oles. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara Oles of Guilford; grandchildren Daniel Oles and Noreen Lake, also of Guilford, Deborah and Bill Black of Camp Hill, Pa., and Rebecca and Dwayne Brown of Oneonta, N.Y. She is also survived by seven great grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Burial will be in Fern Dale Cemetery on Oct. 2. Donations to the James A. Brennan Humane Society, 437 Nine Mile Tree Rd, Gloversville, NY 12078. To share memories and send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ronald John “Ronnie” Cleveland, 71, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully Sept. 16, 2020, in the comfort of his boyhood home, following a lengthy period of declining health. Ron was born in Brattleboro on Aug. 28, 1949, the son of John and Beverly (Howell) Cleveland. At the age of four, he was stricken with polio and, for several years, attended a special school in Rutland for handicapped children. He later attended school in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969, where he served as manager for the boys' varsity sports teams. Ron went on to attend Lyndon State College where he received his B.A. in education in 1973. While at Lyndon, he was one of the founding members of C.R.E.S. (Campus Rescue & Emergency Squad), a fully-licensed rescue squad that served the college campus and eight surrounding towns. He served as the organization's second president. Following his graduation, he became a member of the faculty at Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster where he taught printing for several years before establishing his own business, Code 3 Products, a fire, EMS, and safety supply company located in Brattleboro. On a part-time basis. he worked as a dispatcher, first for the Windham County Sheriff's Department and later for the Vermont State Police at the Brattleboro barracks. Ron was an accomplished graphic artist and painted the original Colonel mascot for Brattleboro Union High School. Active civically, he served as a Little League Baseball umpire in Brattleboro for several years and was a longtime volunteer and member of Rescue, Inc. where he served as a vice president. He was an American Red Cross Advanced First Aid and CPR instructor and taught EMT classes for Vermont Ambulance District 13 in Windham County. Ron was a 32nd Degree Mason, Brattleboro Lodge #102 F&AM, and held membership in the Brattleboro Shrine Club and Cairo Shrine Temple in Rutland, where he served one term as Potentate. Ron was also a member of the Shrine Skimobile Unit, was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Shriners Hospital, and had served on the Shrine Maple Sugar Bowl football game committee. Additionally, he was a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie #2445, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499. Ron devoted much of his life helping others through his affiliation in emergency services and through his fraternal work. He always was willing to help anyone in need. In 1976, he married Susan D. Pike, who survives. He also leaves his mother, Beverly Cleveland of Brattleboro; two brothers, Douglas Cleveland and wife, Diane, of Brattleboro and James Cleveland, also of Brattleboro; and two sisters, Susan Rehbein and husband, Roger, of Putney and Pamela Amato and her husband, Todd, of Vernon. Additionally, he leaves several aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, who died in 1985. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held in Morningside Cemetery on Sept. 21. Donations to Shriners Hospital of Springfield (Patient Care), 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104, www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/springfield; or Visiting Nurses & Hospice of VT/NH, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Eleanor M. Dandrea, 86, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 17, 2020, surrounded by her family in the comfort of her home, following a period of declining health. She was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 13, 1933, the daughter of Homer and Blanche (Nadeau) Sprague. She was raised and educated in town, attending Brattleboro public schools. She had been employed in the deli at the former SuperPlace market on Putney Road, retiring when the business closed. Previously, she had worked at the former BookPress and Minshall-Estey Organ Company, all of Brattleboro. Her first job was at Hooker, Corser & Mitchell Company, then located on Flat Street. Eleanor was a faithful and devoted wife and homemaker whose home centered around her family. She enjoyed playing cards, cribbage, Bingo, and taking trips to the casinos. Most of all, she enjoyed time shared with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always looking forward to their visits. She was known for her kindness and giving spirit, always willing to help someone in need. A woman of faith, she was a member of First Baptist Church on Main Street and enjoyed greeting fellow members of the congregation, taking part in fellowship and church stewardship. In 1952, she married Donald Dandrea. The couple renewed their wedding vows in Brattleboro in 2005. Her beloved husband of 53 years predeceased her on January 1, 2006. Survivors include her six children, sons Donald Jr. and his wife, Debora, and Timothy and his wife, Patti, all of Brattleboro; and Brian and wife Tricia of Easthampton, Mass.; three daughters, Marie Waite, Cathy Dandrea and Robin Wyckoff; 10 grandsons, two granddaughters, several great-grandchildren and an adopted daughter, Joni Goss. Additionally, she leaves many nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by a brother, Homer N. Sprague, and two sisters, Joyce Wisell and Patricia Sweet. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no calling hours or formal funeral services scheduled. Her cremated remains, along with her late husband's, will be taken to the coast of Maine to be scattered. Donations to First Baptist Church, 18 Town Crier Drive, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Keith W. Illingworth, 77, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died unexpectedly on Sept. 4, 2020, in Hudson, Fla. He was born on Oct. 16, 1942, in Bellows Falls and graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1960. He went to the Cambridge School of Business in Boston, then served his country in the Air Force. After being honorably discharged, he came back home and worked for the Bellows Falls Trust Co. and then the U.S. Postal Service in Bellows Falls until his retirement. He was also a member of the Bellows Falls Fire Department, American Legion Post 37, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge 527, and Elks Lodge #1619. He loved to travel and was the “taxi service to and from the airport” for many people in the area. The neighborhood could expect to see him out and about daily, walking or riding his bike, checking in and saying a quick hello. Keith is survived by his wife, Debbie Day-Illingworth, of Hudson; son Randy Illingworth (Stacie) of Westminster; and daughter Tracie Illingworth-Harris of Bellows Falls, Vermont. He is also survived by his three granddaughters, Keigan Illingworth and Alexandra and Bradie Harris; his sister-in-law, Sue Illingworth; and nephews Geoff and Chad Illingworth and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Nancie (Ober) Illingworth; his brothers, Bobby and Gary; and his niece, Lindsey. Memorial information: In accordance with his wishes, there will be no services. The family wishes for you to gather together in safer times and raise a glass in his honor. Donations to the Keith Illingworth Fund, in care of Savings Bank of Walpole, P.O. Box 517, Walpole, NH 03608. The family will disperse the funds at a later date to the Lindsey K.J. Illingworth Scholarship and/or the Comtois Family Scholarship.
• Marie Schneider Lee, 94, formerly of Cromwell, Conn., and Guilford. Died Sept. 14, 2020, following a short illness. Marie was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 1926 to Raymond and Marie (Zurlinden) Schneider. She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Thomas F. Lee, Jr. Marie leaves behind her beloved children Michael (Pat) Lee of Massapequa Park, N.Y., Beth (Ron) Goodin of Glastonbury, Conn., Stephanie Mathews (David Krysztopik) of Madison, Conn.; and grandchilren Tom Lee III (Jordan Yew), Robert (Sarah) Lee, Harry Goodin, Allie Goodin, Scott Mathews, and Erik Mathews. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. Marie loved spending time with her family, celebrating their milestones and attending their activities. Marie graduated from St Joseph's Academy and Notre Dame College in Ohio, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She then moved with her best friend to New York City at age 21 to “seek her fortune” and pursue graduate school and a career in writing. She eventually met Tom and they raised their family in Brooklyn, N.Y. Marie worked for Standard Oil of New Jersey before “retiring” to raise their children. Marie loved acting and was an enthusiastic participant in community theater, on stage and off, in both New York and Vermont theater groups. She loved writing and contributed holiday columns to local newspapers in New York, while also journaling most of her life. She was an avid collector of stamps, coins and many other treasures. Marie and Tom frequently visited Vermont and, in retirement, moved north to Guilford, where they lived full time for more than 10 years. They loved the people and the beauty of the state and were members of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Putney. Marie moved to Cromwell, Conn., in 2016 to be closer to her children and grandchildren, and she participated in writing, acting and other activities with newfound friends at Covenant Living of Cromwell. She lived and died on her own terms and remained fiercely independent to the end. Memorial information: Services will be private and handled by Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro. She will be laid to rest with Tom in Guilford. Donations to a charity of one's choice.
• Patricia M. “Pat” Ratti, 99, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully Sept. 14, 2020 in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family, following a period of declining health. Pat was born in Brattleboro on March 13, 1921, the daughter of Samuel and Julia (Ladue) McCarthy. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1939. She worked as a claim adjustor for Richards, Hoffman & Clay Insurance Agency in Brattleboro. She retired from her position at the age of 80, following 50 years of faithful service with the company. In 1943, she married Francis “Sass” Ratti, who predeceased her in 2006. First and foremost, Pat was a devoted wife and mother. She treasured every moment she spent with family and friends and she especially cherished her time in Ogunquit, Maine, with family. Her door was always open and she was never too busy to sit and chat. She enjoyed her home, her gardens, cooking and the time she shared with family. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Pat is survived by her four loving and caring children and their families: Cheryl Hall and Andrea Ratti of Enfield, Conn., Pamela (Peter) MacKellar of Aspen, Colo., and David (Jayne) Ratti of Dover Plains, N.Y.; grandchildren Sarah (Jamison) Reece, Amy (Shaun) Oliver, Peter (Erica) MacKellar, and Samuel Ratti; great grandchildren Casey and Logan Oliver and Stella Reece, as well as a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Francis McCarthy; sisters Mary Helena Renaud and Phyllis McKenna; and son-in-law, Steven A. Hall. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was conducted Sept. 18 at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or Bayada Hospice of Brattleboro, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 107, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.