College news
• Griff Waryas of Bellows Falls was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester at the University of Rhode Island.
• Adam Culver of Grafton, Silas Holmes of Wardsboro, Morgen Janovsky of Wilmington, and Samuel Thibault of Williamsville were all named to the President's Honors List for the fall 2020 semester at the University of Hartford.
• The following students were selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University's Dean's List for the fall 2020 semester: Samuel Cowles of South Londonderry, a member of the Class of 2022 and an environmental studies major; Emma Griffith of Halifax, a member of the Class of 2021 who is majoring in psychology and business in the liberal arts; and Hanako Kusumi of South Londonderry, a member of the Class of 2023.
Obituaries
• Thomas Clune “Tom” Buzby, 80, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 27, 2021 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., following a brief illness. Born in Brattleboro on May 2, 1940, the son of James E. and Myrtle R. (Hunt) Buzby, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending St. Michael's Parochial School and Brattleboro Union High School. He proudly served his country in the Army for two enlistments. Tom worked at G.S. Precision in Brattleboro, which he retired from in 2010, and previously worked at The Book Press, Bradley Labs, and at the Brattleboro Retreat. For many years, Tom attended Agape Christian Fellowship as well as Bible studies with Pastor Walter White at Faith Ministries. He loved basketball and was an avid Boston Celtics fan. He also enjoyed watching wrestling matches, competition bowling, and baseball. Tom was known for his spirit of friendship and gift of gab. In 1970, he married Irene Ruth Sherman, who survives. Besides his faithful and devoted wife of 50 years he leaves one son, Marc K. Sherman and his wife, Angela, of Hinsdale, N.H.; a sister, Joan F. Dwyer and her husband, Charlie, of Las Vegas, Nev.; an aunt, Dorothy “Dot” Belair of Brattleboro, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by siblings Shirley and James Buzby Jr. Memorial information: In keeping with his final wishes, services will be private with burial in the family lot in Locust Ridge Cemetery. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Rita M. (Thomas) Call, 65, of Rockingham. Died Feb. 25, 2021, with her family by her side, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, N.H. She was born on March 23, 1955 in Brattleboro, the daughter of Richard and Marion (Mason) Thomas. She attended school in Brattleboro and worked in numerous jobs over the years, including at Allen Brothers, Halladay's Harvest Barn, and The Current. In 1979, she married Thomas J. Call Sr., who predeceased her in 2014. She is survived by three sons, Thomas J. Call Jr. of Spofford, N.H., Christopher R. Call of Charlestown, N.H., and Mark A. Call of Bellows Falls; two brothers, Warner Thomas of New Orleans and Richard Thomas of Goffstown, N.H.; two sisters, Barbara Boyce and Eleanor Thomas, both of Vernon; grandchildren Noah, Stella, Christian, Tucker, Peighton, Kyle, Christopher Jr., Troy, and Jaxson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Memorial information: Burial will take place in the spring in the family lot in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to Visiting Nurses & Hospice of VT & NH, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302; or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Joshua H. Draper, Jr., 92, of Brattleboro. died Feb. 28, 2021 at Pine Heights Nursing Home where he had been a resident since August of 2020. A resident of Brattleboro for the past 20 years, he was born in Butler, Pa., on April 3, 1928, the son of Joshua and Dorothy (Graves) Draper. He was raised and educated in Pennsylvania, later attending Milwaukee (WI) School of Engineering, where he earned an associate's degree in Engineering. In 1951, he married Lois R. Pike. His faithful and devoted wife of 67 years predeceased him in 2018. A proud veteran, he served his country in the Army, He was stationed in Korea during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged from active service. He retired as Head Engineer from the former Kaman Aerospace Company in Moosup, Conn., following 30 years of service with the company. He and his wife he moved to Brattleboro in 2001 to be closer to his family. A lifelong member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance, he served as an associate pastor for several years. He enjoyed woodworking, was an avid reader, and enjoyed time spent with his family. Survivors include three sons, William of Gill, Mass., Paul of Cobleskill, N.Y., and James of Woodstock, Conn.; and six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren, and four nephews. Besides his wife, he was predeceased by one brother, William L. Draper; a sister, Doris Draper; and a great-granddaughter, Kaitlyn Goodnow. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with military honors will be conducted later in the spring in Christ Church Cemetery in the Algiers section of Guilford. Donations to Pine Heights Nursing Home Activities Fund, 187 Oak Grove Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Linda Anne (Dufour) Duggan, 67, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully at home on Feb. 20, 2021, one day shy of her 68th birthday. She was born in Leominster, Mass., the second of three daughters to Robert Walter and Theresa Alice Dufour, on Feb. 21, 1953. Linda was a free-spirited adventurer, who spent her early adult years living at the House of Ammon, a Catholic Worker house in Hubbardston, Mass., and hitchhiking cross-country with her lifelong friend, Maggie Motyka. During this important time in her life, Linda fostered her natural inclination to serve and advocate for those less fortunate, in need, or fellow adventurers like herself. At the House of Ammon, in the true Catholic Worker tradition, everyone was welcome, no one turned away, and Linda spent her time making food for attendees and the homeless, growing vegetables in the garden, singing and celebrating the work of Dorothy Day. The House of Ammon was also to be the place where she met her future husband, Edward Charles “Chuck” Duggan. Her Catholic Worker experiences inspired her to pursue a career in nursing, obtaining a diploma through St. Vincent Hospital School of Nursing in Worcester, Mass. She went on to serve 41 years of her nursing career at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, 23 years of which she spent in the birthing center as an integral part of the local community welcoming thousands of babies into the world. Linda shared with her two children, Hilary and Evan, her passion for life and selfless nuturing. Linda's love of culture, caring, and cuisine was cultivated by opening her home and heart to students from all over the world studying at the School for International Training. She is still known by many as their “American mother,” as she provided a home away from home for all that were lucky to obtain a room in her warm, welcoming, Brattleboro home. With her innumerable delicious meals, open arms, a shoulder to cry on, a non-judgmental ear to listen, unconditional love, and joyous laughter, she filled the life of others with her love of music and celebration, nourishing meals, humor, silly shenanigans, her infectious laughter and unforgettable smile. Linda always put others before herself, while she remained resilient in the face of all adversity. She was a breast cancer survivor and, most recently, fought her battle against lung cancer with grace and fortitude for over two years. Her last months were spent in the comfort of her home, surrounded by and cared for by her children and friends. She is survived by her stepmother, Elizabeth “Betty” Stebbins Dufour, sisters Joanne (and Tom) Rich and Elaine Foster; her brother-in-law Peter Duggan, sisters-in-law Jackie McElroy and Debbie (and Scott) Kent; her daughter, Hilary Duggan; her son Evan Patrick Duggan (and Gyulnara), her grandchildren, Felix Hulme, Fergus Hulme, London Duggan; and her “adopted” daughter and grandson, Nebras and Ayoub Elrebate. Memorial information: Consistent with Linda's wishes, her family will be holding a private celebration of life in her honor during the summer. Donations to the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program at refugees.org/donate-uscri-vermont.
• Norman Douglas Fajans, 69, of Halifax. Died peacefully on Feb. 25, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born on Sept. 28, 1951 in Amityville, N.Y., to the late Wayne Douglas Fajans and Elizabeth “Betty” Fajans. He graduated from Wilmington High School in 1969 and attended SUNY-Cobleskill and then the University of Vermont, where he graduated with a degree in animal science in 1973. He married Deborah MacMillan in 1985 and they moved to Greenfield, N.H. Norman was a great family man and a loving father. Together, the couple happily had a daughter, Erin Elizabeth, and Norman set about teaching her a love of country life, family and her many animals. His daughter remembers him as a compassionate, gentle, and patient father who encouraged her to pursue her goals. In New Hampshire, Norman attended massage therapy school and began a lifelong career as an equine massage therapist. Norman, Deborah, and Erin then moved back to Halifax in 1993 to be closer to the Fajans family. Norman was always a social and active man with many, many friends. He was a thoughtful, kindhearted, funny and dedicated individual who loved working on his farm, walking his woods, riding a tractor, gardening, watching the seasons change, sharing a memory or story with a dear friend, cheering his daughter in school sports, watching football on TV, and helping others to care for their animals. Deeply involved with horses his entire life, he enjoyed breeding and showing his family's Morgan horses under the “Brookbound” prefix and later continuing his family's breeding program with his own Morgans. His horse clients and friends across New England thought of him as a generous and gifted healer of horses, skilled in improving performance and supporting recovery in national champions and rescue horses, alike. Norman is survived by his wife, Deborah Fajans; his daughter, Erin Fajans; his sisters, Wendy Pratt and her husband, Wayne, Elizabeth “Libby” Ritthaler and her husband William, and Jean Rudolph and her husband, Robert; his brother Wayne Fajans and his partner, Charles Dow; and his foster sister Barbara Jacobs, as well as cousins, nieces, and nephews. Memorial information: A socially distant celebration of Norman's life will be held later in the summer or early fall. Donations to Forever Morgans Horse Rescue & Adoption at forevermorgans.org or in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Donald Gunnip, 85, of Brattleboro. Died Feb. 26, 2021 at Pine Heights nursing home in Brattleboro. He was born in Stamford, Conn., on April 20, 1935, the son of Sara E. Higgins and James Gunnip. His first marriage was in 1957 to Grace E. Howland, which ended in divorce. Donald worked in Connecticut for Pitney Bowes, Pepperidge Farm, and at a local garage as a mechanic before moving to Brattleboro with his family in 1964. In Brattleboro, Don enjoyed a long career as a mechanic, working at Preston Motors, Raymond S. Roberts, Brattleboro Public Works, and Georgia-Pacific. Don loved hunting, fishing, and working on cars. He could find a way to fix just about anything. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie 2445. Surviving family members include his five children, Betty Lindhal and her husband, Carl, of Manchester, N.H., Steven Gunnip and his wife, Deborah, of Rutland, Dennis Gunnip and his wife, Joy, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Kathy Patenaude and her husband, Brian, and Rick Gunnip and his partner Cheryl, all of Brattleboro. He also leaves a brother, Clarence Jennings and his wife, Barbara; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers, James, Edward, aand Robert Gunnip, and his sister, Ruth “Ann” Hale. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held later this year. Donations to Meals on Wheels, 207 Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• William Howie “Bill” Lyon Sr., 86, of Vernon. Died Feb. 27, 2021 at home. Born July 19, 1934, he was a son of Alexander and Sadie (Colvin) Lyon. He lived most of his life on West Road in Vernon, where he knew the woods like the back of his hand. In 1959, Bill married Mae Morine and they were blessed with six children. Bill spent most of his life working construction. He was a master craftsman who left his signature in how he did his work. His fingerprints are all over businesses and homes in the greater Brattleboro area. Bill loved the woods around his home. He spent much time logging, where he cut and sawed lumber on the sawmill and cut many cords of firewood. Bill also has been making maple syrup since he was a child. One of his greatest joys was having his children and grandchildren work alongside him in the woods he grew up in. He had a great love of hunting and fishing. Bill was a great deer hunter and spent untold hours in the woods each day of hunting season, coming back to the house with family and friends to “review” the day and plan for the next day. Many great stories are still being told. Bill and his family loved to camp all over Vermont and adjacent states. Good times and great memories were crafted there. Sometimes seen as a gruff person, Bill's grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew he was a softie and greatly enjoyed camping with “Gramps.” His grandchildren miss him much. Bill also had a great connection with his wife's family in Nova Scotia. The family took yearly trips where they spent time at the family farm and at the camp at Barnes Lake. There was always lots of laughter and love. He leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Mae; his children Wilma and David Patterson, Susan and Michael Longley, daughter-in-law Brenda Lyon, Katherine and David Walker, and Sandra and Shawn Draper; 12 grandchildren and their spouses; 11 great-grandchildren; siblings Gertrude Troniar, and Shirley and Robert Miller; sister-in-law Jean Lyon, many nieces and nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his children William, Jr., and Cynthia, his siblings Frances and George Harris, Alexander Lyon, and David Lyon; and brother-in-law Joe Troniar. Memorial information: Services will be private. Donations to St. Jude Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Helen H. McElwee, 97, a resident at The American House in Keene, N.H. Died at home of natural causes on Feb. 26, 2021. She was born in North Adams, Mass., on October 20, 1923 to Mr. and Mrs. Raymon C. Hastings. She grew up in Leominster, Mass., and was a graduate of Leominster High School, Class of 1941. She graduated from the New England Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in Boston as a Registered Nurse. She married Kenneth R. McElwee in 1947. They were married for 65 years until his death in 2012. After marriage, they lived in North Attleboro, Mass., where they began their family and she began her long and accomplished career in education. She started her own nursery school, the Oak Crest Nursery School on Stanley Street in Attleboro Falls in the 1950s. She later began teaching elementary education in the public schools, including the Roosevelt Avenue School in North Attleboro. She continued her career as a Special Education teacher in both the towns of Foxboro and Attleboro and retired in 1987 as Superintendent of Schools for the Attleboro School Department. The McElwees spent their retirement years in Tunbridge, Vt., as well as winters in California. They both enjoyed playing golf, visiting the casinos and most of all, time with their grandchildren. Mrs. McElwee leaves her son, David McElwee and daughter-in-law, Robin of Guilford; five grandchildren, Trisha Briand of Bristow, Va., Mark Mathis of Alexandria, Va., Molly Kropp of Westford, Mass., Beth Bristol of Guilford, and Phil Mathis of Fulshear, Texas; and nine great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jan Mathis. Memorial information: Graveside committal services in Maplehurst Cemetery in Guilford will be private for immediate family and close friends only. Donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, New England Chapter, 101A First Ave. Suite 6, Waltham, MA 02451, nationalmssociety.org/Donate. To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Lucille Irene Shattuck Prouty, 93, of South Londonderry. Died peacefully at her home on Feb. 25, 2021. She was born April 2, 1927 in South Londonderry, the youngest daughter of Curtis Earl Shattuck and Martha Irene Prouty Shattuck. Lucille attended grade school at the Four Corners School, two years of high school in South Londonderry, one year at Chester High School, and graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary in 1945. In 1946, she married Gerald Emerson “Jack” Prouty. They were married 57 years before his death in 2003. Lucille joined the First Baptist Church in 1941 and was a devoted member until her death. She was also a member of the Mt. Lebanon chapter of the Eastern Star. Lucille worked in the telephone office in South Londonderry, Stratton Mountain Inn, Birkenhaus, The Barn Children's Shop, and The Derry Pharmacy. Lucille was also a caregiver to several special people. She enjoyed birds, flowers, and spending time outside on her back deck. She was kind and loving to everyone she knew and everyone she knew loved her. She shared her quick wit with a twinkle in her eye, a giggle in her voice, and a smile on her face. Her family was her greatest joy. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Donations to the First Baptist Church of South Londonderry.
• Stuart Mark Savel, 72, of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on March 1, 2021 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., following unexpected complications from an elective heart catheterization. Stuart was born in Newark, N.J., the son of Murray and Selma Savel. Stuart and his younger sisters, Caroline and Nancy, grew up surrounded by a large, loving, extended Jewish family and community. Not particularly religious, Stuart remained a strong supporter of Judaism, Jewish history, philosophy and culture his entire life. He graduated from Columbia High School in South Orange, N.J., in 1967. He wasn't a big fan of formal schooling, but Stuart was a natural-born learner and teacher. He taught himself photography, automotive repair, chess, math, and science while growing up. He was an early student and teacher of computer science and technology, and later skillfully and lovingly taught his daughter and grandchildren mathematics along with many, many life lessons. Stuart attended the University of Wisconsin, the University of Massachusetts, and the New School in New York. He was a draft resister and peace activist and moved to Vermont after being indicted for draft evasion in Newark in 1968. He was thankful to the Vermonters serving on the draft boards of Putney and Westminster who left resisters alone. He graduated from Windham College in 1972 and taught philosophy there for semester or two. Not wanting to “Jersey” Vermont, Stuart joined the back to the land movement and became part of a lifelong community of like-minded friends and folks across southern Vermont. Stuart taught himself woodworking, furniture making, post-and-beam construction, and design. After injuring his back in vehicle accidents, he got a certificate in design from Harvard, and attended Boston Architectural Center. He worked as an architectural designer for more than 20 years. Introduced by mutual friends, he met soulmate and best friend Jean Anne Kiewel in 1976. After meeting, they rarely spent a night apart and were married for 42 years. Stuart was Jean's business, as well as life, partner. Inspired first and foremost by his mother, then many other strong women in his life, Stuart was a feminist. He enthusiastically supported and encouraged Jean's law practice, especially her work against domestic and sexual violence and poverty. Stuart found a special location in the woods of Chester and built Jean and their daughter Ilana a magical craft mahogany and oak post and beam home with Gaudi-inspired braces and beams whimsically hand-carved by a friend. Stuart worked from his wood shop and art gallery on the Green in Chester, and then his home office in Chester, while being Ilana's afterschool caregiver. Stuart was a best friend to Ilana, son-in-law Amos, and their children Abram and Lilian, too. Though often grandiose and sometimes stubborn, at his core, he was calm and wise, a peacemaker and mediator. Many sought his support and counsel on a wide variety of subjects. He had a mischievous sense of humor and was known for his joyful, infectious laugh. Stuart hugely loved the parties and gatherings at the family home and was looking forward to being vaccinated so he could resume regular potlucks, parties, family dinners, and music festival attendance with his family and community. He loved kayaking, camping, skiing, and traveling with Jean and the family. His restored vintage Volkswagen camper was his pride and joy. Stuart lived with severe back pain for many years and rarely complained. After receiving his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2011, Stuart delved into learning about cannabis as medicine. Drawing from many sources, including a whole new community that he grew to love, he trained himself in optimal growing techniques as well as the best strains and applications for targeting and controlling his symptoms. His doctors were surprised at and supportive of his success. He became an expert artisanal breeder and grower and freely shared his knowledge and plants to help others. He followed politics avidly and had strong progressive opinions. He was recovering from Trump exhaustion at the time of his death. Memorial information: Burial will be at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Stuart's life will be held when the weather permits and COVID eases. Donations to Bread and Puppet Theater.
• Maria Candida (Aschauer) Schneider, 94, of Wilmington. Died peacefully on Feb. 23, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Maria was born in Gargnano, Italy, on Aug. 29, 1926, the daughter of Sebastiano and Rocca Aschauer. She married her true love, Walter R. Schneider, in 1955 in Zürich, Switzerland. Maria was a haute couture seamstress in Zürich, where she met Walter. They immigrated to New York City in 1956 and resided in Queens, N.Y. She continued her career as a haute couture seamstress in New York for Norman Norell, the first American designer to employ couture, changing perceptions about New York's Seventh Avenue garment industry. Like many New Yorkers, the Schneiders often visited Vermont to go skiing, which they enjoyed immensely. They cherished their time in Vermont so dearly that they decided to move there after the birth of their first son, Marcel. They purchased a Victorian home in Wilmington, and opened one of the first bed and breakfasts in the area, the Slalom Ski Lodge. She and her husband successfully ran the lodge for almost 40 years, enjoying the company of many return guests who would make the Slalom their Vermont home. Their home was always full during the winter months, which was attributed to Maria's excellent cooking and the Schneiders' friendly nature, which made them well-liked by their visitors. During the hustle and bustle of running the lodge, their second son, Roland, was born in Bennington. The Schneiders bought the highly recognized A-frame on Route 100 just up from the traffic light, and ran a ski shop “Chalet Mont Blanc” for many years. When Walter retired from G.S Precision, they devoted their time to family - traveling, cross-country skiing, gardening, and walking on the beach of the New Jersey shore. After her husband died in 2003, Maria dedicated her time to making her “famous” jams and jellies, knitting, sewing, reading and spending time with her favorite person, her granddaughter Bridget. Maria and her many stories were loved and enjoyed by everyone she encountered. She will remain in everyone's memories for years to come. She is survived by her two sons, Marcel (Verena) Roberto Schneider of Munich, Germany, and Roland (Patrice) Norman Loris Schneider and granddaughter, Bridget, of Wilmington. She was also predeceased by her sister, Orsula Siligato of Italy. Memorial information: Donations may be made in her name to the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad (dvrescue.org), Deerfield Valley Food Pantry (www.deerfieldvalleyfoodpantry.org), or the Old School Community Center (osccvt.com/donate). To send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.