College news
• Mackenzie Boyle of Jamaica graduated from the University of New Hampshire in December 2020 with a BSENSC degree in Environmental Science: Geosystems.
• Mary M. Ellis of Vernon was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at the University of Alabama.
• Gabrielle Beal, a member of the Class of 2024 from Wilmington, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
• Kim Amidon, an Environmental Studies major from Vernon, was recently accepted to the Honors Program at the State University of New York at Potsdam.
• Ryan Devendorf of Brattleboro, a member of the class of 2021 majoring in Electrical & Computer Engineering, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute.
• Haley Frechette of West Dummerston was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at the Albany (N.Y.) College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
Obituaries
• Jean Ann Brewer, 93, of Hebron, Conn. Died at home on Feb. 9, 2021, with her two daughters, Pam and Jody, by her side. Born Nov. 6, 1927 in Middletown, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin and Irene Hill. Jean met the love of her life, Victor Jefferson “Vic” Brewer Jr., while attending a USO dance in Boston. Looking across the room, she saw a sailor singing around a piano. She said to her friend, “That's for me!” They married and settled in Vermont, raising four children. Jean's love of anything creative continued throughout her life, from tap dancing, to playing clarinet, to art classes at the University of Vermont. In Proctor, she pursued her artistic talent in watercolors, pastels, and oils. She taught crafts on local TV and as activities director at a nursing home in Rutland. Her compassion for the elderly was unsurpassed. Her children grown, Jean and Vic moved to California and it was there she discovered a lifelong passion of Chinese Brush Art. Travels took Jean from Nova Scotia to Scotland, from Italy to painting on the Great Wall of China. Moving to Cape Cod, Jean was involved in a book club and garden club and was a member of Cataumet and Falmouth Art Guild. Jean was full of passion, had a radiant smile, a beautiful voice that could harmonize with anyone, was always telling people to smile, and could never pass up coffee ice cream. Jean was predeceased by her husband and her sister Ruth Liscumb. She leaves her children: Pamela Richardson of Amston, Conn., Jody Brewer and her husband Rick Orsini of East Hampton, Conn., Jeff Brewer and his wife, Wendy (Icken), of Brattleboro, and Scott Brewer of Laguna Niguel, Calif. She is also survived by grandchildren Benjamin Brewer and his fiancé, Kristyn Masse, of Vernon, and Christopher Brewer of Brattleboro, and a dear cousin, Janet Wray of Chelmsford, Mass., who was like a sister. Memorial information: A private ceremony will be held later. The family asks for everyone to please show compassion and caring towards individuals who have memory loss.
• William Bennett Hutchinson IV, 71, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 29, 2021, following a long battle with cancer. Born Oct. 16, 1949 in Appleton, Wis., he grew up in Connecticut, but always regarded Vermont as his home. He spent summers at his grandmother's farm outside of White Rocks in Wallingford, and eventually attended and graduated from Vermont Academy with the Class of 1967, where lifelong friendships were created. Will attended Chapman College in southern California on a tennis scholarship. Later, while in California, Will met his future wife and stepdaughter, Maureen Wimberly and Tenaya Meaux, during his apprenticeship at Abalobadia School for carpentry and woodworking near Mendocino. After their wedding in the Colorado Rockies, the family moved to Louisiana, and welcomed their daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth. Will earned a B.A. in English at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, taught English and coached soccer at Episcopal High School of Acadiana, La., and at Plaisance High School outside Opelousas, La. Later, he pursued a Ph.D at Ohio University and the University of Nottingham, England (ABD). Will returned to Putney and Brattleboro, where he finished his teaching career at Leland & Gray Union High School. Before retiring, he established “Will's Dog House” and proudly served residents and visitors in Southern Vermont when not skiing or playing tennis. Will was predeceased by his grandparents, William B. and Viola Logan Hutchinson of Wallingford Vt.; his parents, William B. Hutchinson III and Muriel Beyea Hutchinson Crowell, and stepfather Robert L. Crowell of Newfane. He is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Elizabeth Hutchison Parker and husband, Joseph E. Parker; grandsons Desmond Joseph and Jetsun Edward Parker, of Eugene, Ore., and his two sisters, Anne H. Sutherland, and Priscilla H. Cohen. Memorial information: None provided.
• Lillian R. Martin, 87, of West Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Feb. 5, 2021 at Pine Heights Nursing Home following an extended illness. She was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on April 4, 1933, the daughter of David and Rosalee (Marshall) Hubbell. She was raised in New Jersey, attending school in Newark. A devoted homemaker, Lillian worked for the family business, always keeping things running smoothly. She enjoyed knitting, attending flea markets with her husband, and time shared with her family. On June 24, 1951, in Newark, she was married to Victor Martin Jr. Her husband of 36 years predeceased her in 1987. Survivors include a son, Donald R. Martin of Vernon; a half-sister, Renie Sibilia of Orange, N.J.; two grandchildren, Joseph Martin of Vernon and Scott Martin of Brattleboro; two great-grandchildren, Quinton and Sebastian; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was predeceased by: four brothers, Edwin, Charles, William, and Kenneth Hubbell; and two sisters, Catherine and Patricia. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites and burial will take place in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro later in the spring. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the Martin family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Linda Colleen Fisk Orton, 69, of Townshend. Died at home on Feb. 7, 2021. She was born Jan. 30, 1952 in Springfield, Vt., the daughter of Lindel and Colleen Fisk. She was the former wife of Robert Orton, whom she married in 1968. Linda was a lifelong resident of Vermont, attending school in Springfield. She worked for many years at the Inn at Grafton. She loved her cats and especially loved tending her flower gardens. She is survived by her partner, Stuart Fletcher; her sisters Carolyn Kohler and Christine Fisk; her children, Julie Hilliard, Michelle Armstrong, Kerry Orton, Jonathan Orton, and Brian Fletcher, her youngest son who cared for her the last few years so she could remain at home. She is also survived by her grandchildren Cameron, Lindsey, Dorian, Lillian, Christopher, Gisele, Jaelyn, and Kai; and her great grandchildren Karsyn, Harpyr, and Victoria. Memorial information: No formal services will be held at this time.
• Marguerite Deming Roberts, 93, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Feb. 10, 2021. She was born Nov. 6, 1927 to Arthur Wallace Deming and Christine Wheeler Deming and grew up in Whitingham. She graduated from Whitingham High School and, later, from Fisher Business School in Boston. She worked for the Singer sewing machine company. In 1947, she married her husband of 73 years, William Edward Roberts. They settled in Hinsdale in 1956. Marguerite was a devoted and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many. She enjoyed sewing and quilting, gardening, reading and, most of all, she created a home with lots of love and family gatherings. Marguerite was the treasurer and a trustee of the Hinsdale Library, she was a supporter and the treasurer of the Hinsdale Historical Society, and she was a member, Sunday School superintendent, clerk, and treasurer of the First Congregational Church of Hinsdale. For about 20 years, Marguerite was the secretary at the Hinsdale Elementary School. She always found good qualities in everyone she met or knew. In 2006, the Hinsdale Board of Selectmen dedicated the Town Report to Marguerite, along with her husband Bill, for “their many years of dedication to the town.” Surviving Marguerite are her husband William, son Kenneth (Natalee) and daughters Susan and Martha. Their son Raymond died in 1990 and their daughter Joyce died in 2012. Marguerite's brother Robert died in his youth and her dear sister Lois predeceased her in 2013. She is also survived by five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service at a later date when we can gather together safely. Donations to the Hinsdale Historical Society, 609 Brattleboro Rd., Hinsdale, NH 03451, or a charity of your choice.
• Bertram (Bert) Schwam, 92, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at his home on Jan. 10, 2021, with his beloved wife of 31 years, Margo, at his side. An only child of the late Moe and May Schwam, he was born April 18, 1928 and raised in the Bronx, N.Y. Growing up in the Bronx, playing stickball in the street and dodging cars was a favorite sport for Bert and his friends. Yankee Stadium was nearby and Bert went with his father to many baseball games, and saw many famous players. Bert graduated from Dewitt High School and attended New York University for three years. At age 18, Bert joined the Navy. He served from 1946 to 1948 as a weather forecaster. He was so proud of his job and told many a tall tale about predicting the weather. Bert loved 1940s music, was an avid reader and, after marrying Margo, traveled the world. A hard worker, Bert was a salesman for nearly 34 years for Castro Convertibles in New York City. In 2000, Bert and Margo moved to Vermont. Bert was a substitute teacher at Leland & Gray Union High School and Hinsdale (N.H.) High School. Bert was liked and loved by all who met him. He was a kind and gentle soul who only saw the good in people. Bert was predeceased by his devoted uncle, Paul Delarzedarus and his wife, Anna; and his first wife, Sheila - the mother of his three surviving children, Martin, Glenn, and Paula. He is also survived by six grandchildren, and stepson Otto Honigman, the only natural child of Margo. He will be missed by his dog Maggie, and his cat Buddy, whom he also loved, and all who knew him. Memorial information: As per his wishes, there will be no memorial or service. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Steven R. Williams, 65, of Jacksonville. Died Feb. 4, 2021 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Steven was born in Bennington on April 18, 1955, the son of Richard and Marie Moore Williams. He received his early education in Wilmington schools and graduated from Kenmore East High School. Steven worked as a truck driver for his adult life. He owned and operated his own trucks, worked for TIME-DC, S&W, Schanno Transportation, Waste Management, and for the Vermont Agency of Transportation. Steven enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson and spending time with his family. Steven enjoyed his dogs and cats and rescued Pit-Bulls from New York City. Steven is survived by his wife, Lori Winter Williams of Jacksonville, whom he married in 1978; children Danny Hillman of Caneadea, N.Y., Jason Williams of Jacksonville, and Veronica Williams, also of Jacksonville; his mother, Marie Williams, of Jacksonville; sister Jackie Williams of Putney, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kelley Williams, his father Richard Williams and brother Thomas Williams. Memorial information: At the request of the family, there are no formal funeral services. Donations to All Breed Dog Rescue, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.