College news
• The following local students were honored for academic achievement at Northern Vermont University in the spring 2020 semester: Emmalee Waite of Brattleboro, Kaylee Gargett of Jamaica, Samantha Palmer of Newfane, and Michael Johnson of Stratton were all named to the President's List for achieving a 4.0 semester grade average. Named to the Dean's List for achieving a 3.50 to 3.99 semester grade average were Bradley Tallent and Jillian Woodard of Bellows Falls, Rachael Trill of Brattleboro, Haley Frechette of Dummerston, Benjamin Boyarko of Putney, Abigale Buedinger of Vernon, and Teya Johnson of West Dover.
Transitions
• The Brattleboro Retreat has appointed Beth Chague as the hospital's new chief financial officer (CFO). Chague has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare finance, including senior finance leadership roles in hospital and human services settings over the last 18 years. She comes to the Retreat from Trinity Health of New England Senior Communities, where she served as Regional Vice President of Finance for eight skilled nursing facilities, a continuing care retirement community, assisted living, a residential care facility, and an adult day care. Prior to joining Trinity Health, Chague served for three years as CFO and vice president of Human Resources at JGS Lifecare in Longmeadow, Mass. Between 2004 and 2015 she held positions with the Sisters of Providence Health System in Holyoke, Mass., and Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Mass., as director of finance. She holds a bachelor's in business administration with a major in accounting from Bryant College in Smithfield, R.I. She currently resides in western Massachusetts.
Obituaries
• Paul Marshall Brown, 82, of West Dummerston. Died Sept. 11, 2020 at his home, following a long battle with cancer. Born in Bridgeport, Conn. on Jan. 15, 1938, he was the son of John H. and Kathryn M. (Scott) Brown. He was raised in Redding, Conn., and graduated from Henry Abbott Technical School. In 1963, he married Gladys Christina Walsh and they moved to Vermont. Besides his wife of 57 years, he leaves his three children, Paul II and his wife, Dawn, of Brattleboro, Marshall and his wife, Devon, of Pocatello, Idaho, and Kimberly Lang of West Brattleboro; a brother, Timothy Brown of Dummerston; a sister, Linda Carcare and her husband, Sal, of Cape Coral, Fla.; six grandchildren, Randall, Kyle, Derek Alyssa, Savannah and Tucker; five great grandchildren, Kaleb, Aubrey, Zoie, Blake and Hunter; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Stephen Brown. Paul was well known for his comprehensive knowledge of the building trades. He always manifested a strong work ethic, combining hard work and a “can do” attitude. He operated a construction business, an auto recycling/repair business, and a winter maintenance service simultaneously for nearly two decades. Paul studied the Bible and loved what he was learning, becoming a member of the Brattleboro Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in 1974. He was an active member and an Elder in the congregation until his death. He loved the Bible truths and enjoyed sharing them with everyone he met. He was generous with his resources, always ready to lend a hand to those in need. Paul often led groups of volunteers in assisting others and loved caring for and maintaining the Kingdom Hall. He will be missed by all who knew him. Memorial information: Due to the current COVID pandemic, no formal services are scheduled. A Celebration of Life service will be conducted via Zoom at a later date. Donations to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, in care of DHMC, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joanne W. Dawson, 79, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 15, 2020 at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born on March 4, 1941 in Lowell, Vt., the daughter of Melvin and Marie (Mackenzie) Warner. She graduated from St. Michael's High School in Newport, Vt. Following graduation, Joanne worked for the state of Vermont in the personnel department and was the owner of the Greensboro Bend General Store and the Under the Rainbow jewelry store. In Bellows Falls, she worked for Whitney Blake, Melsur, and McGirr's Nursing Home, prior to her retirement. She loved being outdoors, enjoyed gardening and had a green thumb, loved to take long walks and hold cook outs, and loved animals, especially her cat, Oscar. Joanne was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Edward F. Dawson. She is survived by her children, Robert John Booth Jr. and his wife, Lisa, of Lowell, Vt., and Penny R. Renaud and her husband, Robert, of Bellows Falls; her brother Patrick Warner of Orleans, Vt.; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren Alyssa, Alexis LaRaine and Sierra. Memorial information: A graveside burial service was held Sept. 26 in Oakhill Cemetery in Bellows Falls.
• Mary Sibilia Grippo of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 13, 2020 with her family by her side. She was born in Jersey City, N.J., the daughter of the late Frank and Angelina Sibilia. Educated in Italy in her early years she came back to the United States via Ellis Island in 1939. She went to the former New Jersey State Teacher's College and was awarded a B.S. degree in education and also received training as a nurse. She was also chosen as Junior Miss and a member of Pi Alpha Phi society. After raising five children, she began her 20-year career as real estate professional. In 1999, she was selected by Southeastern Vermont Board of Realtors as Realtor of the Year. She was active in the community, particularly with St. Charles Chruch and the Rotary Club. She was selected as the first woman Rotarian in the Bellows Falls area. Mary's top priority was her family, and she will be forever loved and remembered for her unique brand of constructive criticism, boundless energy, love of Italian cooking, and strong religious belief. Mary was predeceased by her loving husband of 55 years, Dr. Enrico M. Grippo, in 2008. Survivors include her five children: Linda Shays of Webster, Mass., Carol Grippo of West Palm Beach, Fla., Gerard Grippo of Bellows Falls, Paul Grippo of Chelsea, Mich., and Ann Grippo of Keene, N.H.; and four grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. at St. Charles Church. The burial will follow in St. Charles Cemetery. Donations to St. Charles Church, 31 Cherry St, Bellows Falls, VT 05101
• Dorothy Eleanor “Dottie” Jones, 90, of East Dummerston. Died peacefully Sept. 19, 2020 at Pine Heights, following a period of declining health. Dottie was born in Brattleboro on June 5, 1930, the daughter of Merritt and Mildred (Severance) Fisher. She was raised on the family farm on Bonnyvale Road and attended Brattleboro public schools. Although she held several smaller jobs throughout her life, Dottie was primarily a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. Of her pastimes and interests, she enjoyed playing cards, Scrabble, taking care of her houseplants, and time shared with her family. She especially enjoyed the holidays and special family get-togethers. She was first married to Thomas Doyle in Putney in 1949. The marriage ended in divorce. She later married Maurice Jones in Brattleboro in 1978. Her husband of six years predeceased her in 1984. Survivors include two sons, Edward Doyle of Richford and Richard Doody of Keene, N.H.; one daughter, Linda Meyer of Meriden, Conn.; a stepson, Robert Jones of Halifax; one brother, Gordon Fisher of West Brattleboro; two sisters, Marjorie Ryan of Benton, Maine and Yvonne Bernier of West Brattleboro; six grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Additionally, she leaves her companion of 20 years, Joseph Caporale of East Dummerston, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two brothers, Kenneth Fisher and Burton Fisher, who died in infancy, and a sister, Evelyn Sirois. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held Sept. 24 in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ramona Elaine Shattuck, 78, of Bellows Falls. Died Sept. 18, 2020 at home, with her daughter Tracy and granddaughter Kassidy by her side, after fighting a battle with COPD for a number of years. She was born in Readsboro on Jan. 11, 1942, the daughter of George and Ruth Fortier. The family later moved to Chester, where Ramona graduated from Chester High School in 1960. After graduation, she went on to nursing school. In 1962, Ramona married Henry P. Shattuck, and they made their home and raised their family in Bellows Falls. Ramona worked as a nurse in her early years and, when she had her children, she was a “stay-at-home” mom. Years later, Ramona had a decades long career at Vermed in Rockingham, where she made many lifelong friends. She retired in 2015. In her leisure time, she enjoyed NASCAR racing, country music, concerts, and York Beach in Maine. Ramona was predeceased by her parents, her husband Henry in 2015, son Louis Paul in 2008, and daughter Tammy Sue in 2012. With each loss, part of Ramona's heart went with them. She is survived by her daughter, Tracy Lynn Shattuck of Bellows Falls; brothers George and Edward Fortier of Chester; sisters Annette Sohngen of Bellows Falls and Elizabeth and George Hazen of Manchester, N.H. Also surviving are beloved grandchildren Colin King, Michael Pecor, and Kassidy Shattuck. Memorial information: A private graveside service will be held, where she will be laid to rest with those she loved in Pleasant View Cemetery in Chester.
Services
• A celebration of life service for Joan M. Staib will be held at the West Wardsboro Cemetary on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 a.m. Mrs. Staib, a lifelong resident of Wardsboro, died Jan. 22, 2020 at the age of 75.