College news
• Hannah Aleshnick was accepted to the doctoral program at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, Ann Arbor, leading to a Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree for credentialing as Family Nurse Practitioner and Certified Nurse Midwife, for a dual focus on primary care and midwifery. Her goal is to address health inequities and structural harms in healthcare.
Obituaries
• Lucyann Duby, 83, of Putney, Died March 24, 2021 at Thompson House nursing home in Brattleboro. Lucyann was born in Putney at her grandparents' home on April 4, 1937, the daughter of Albert and Estella (Martin) Duby. She attended grade school in Dummerston, St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro and, later, the Thompson School for Practical Nursing in Brattleboro, where she received her LPN certificate. She performed private duty nursing in Wilmington and in the greater Brattleboro area for many years. She later established Duby's Tropical Fish, a well-known retail store that she operated out of her home on Schoolhouse Road in Dummerston. Born and raised Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Putney. After closing the store, she lived in Florida for many years and then moved to Arizona. She moved back home to New England in 2011 to be close to family. Lucyann enjoyed traveling, making jewelry, and her computer. Survivors include one brother, Albert W. Duby, Jr. of Putney, and many cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Lucyann was predeceased by her sister, Joyce D. Waite. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. Donations to Putney Cares, P.O. Box 108, Putney, VT 05346 or the Putney Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 875, Putney, VT 05346. To share a memory or send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Leonard Charles Hall, 94, of East Dover. Died peacefully on March 22, 2021. He was born Aug. 14, 1926, the son of the late John and Lula Howe Hall at home on the family farm in East Dover. In his youth, Leonard attended North Street and Goose City schools. He went on to attend Leland & Gray Seminary. In 1944, during his senior year, he was drafted into the Army and served with the 104th Infantry Division in the European Theater during World War II. After his service, he returned to graduate high school in 1947. Leonard played baseball in the West River League as a pitcher with his best friend of 90 years, Bob Mundell, as his catcher. In 1949, he married Beverly Wilder Bartlett. He was a tree surgeon for the Bartlett Tree Company and a sawyer at Sodaburg & Warner Mill. In the 1960s, he worked in Niagara Falls, N.Y., on the St. Lawrence Seaway Project. After that, he worked at the Mount Snow and Stratton ski areas. He became the first employee and foreman for Haystack Mountain Ski Area. He was later employed as maintenance man for two Brattleboro apartment buildings while driving the Dover school bus. He ended his long working career with the Brattleboro Housing Authority, which he retired from. Leonard was active in many capacities in Dover, serving as Town Constable, Town Fire Warden and Dover Historical Society trustee. He attended the East Dover Baptist Church and was a founding member of the East Dover Volunteer Fire Company in 1948. He served various capacities over the next 72 years, becoming Chief and then serving as trustee until his death. He and his wife spent many hours collecting and working on the annual auction. He also served on the first EMT Squad organized by Grace Cottage Hospital. Leonard loved working outdoors. He is well-known for working in his woodpile well into his 90s. Leonard was loved by his community as a kind and generous man always willing to help anyone. He was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan, and loved his family above all. He is survived by his wife of 71 years; his children Patsy Bemis (Dana), Stanley Hall, Gloria Short (William), and Kenneth Hall (Brenda); and his loving sister Flora Fitzroy of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his brothers Stanley and Guy. He also leaves five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services will held later in the spring. Donations to the East Dover Volunteer Fire Company or Deerfield Valley Rescue, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send the family condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Francis John Harris, 88, of North Bennington, formerly of Wilmington. Died on March 23, 2021. Francis was born in Wilmington on April 29, 1932, the son of the late Byron and Faith Mason Harris. He attended local schools. Francis owned and operated a refuse business for many years. He had rubbish routes in both the Brattleboro and Bennington areas and also worked as a logger. He enjoyed horse pulling events and all types of horses. He loved gambling and working in the woods with his horses. Francis is survived by his son Kenneth Harris and his significant other, Lorie Labbe, of Athol, Mass; daughter Theresa Ann Harris of Amherst, Mass., his sister Kathleen Haney of West Halifax; and grandchildren Donald, Jesse and Emily. He was preceded in death by sisters Helen and Gladys Harris. Memorial information: Funeral services for Francis will be held Saturday, April 3, at noon, at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. A visiting hour at the funeral home will be held at 11 a.m. Donations to the Eastern Draft Horse Association, Inc., in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Sylvia Lehmann, 87, of Berlin, Conn., formerly of Putney, Died March 23, 2o21, following a period of declining health. She was born in Putney on March 30, 1933 to Ralph and Sarah (Prouty) Doyle. She was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1951, and earned a degree in Business Administration from Mattatuck Community College, with additional credits toward a degree in Management and Human Services. She also took business courses at both Southern Vermont College and Community College of Vermont. Sylvia held numerous positions of responsibility and authority with companies that include the Holstein Association in Brattleboro, Hamilton Standard in Windsor Locks, Conn., and the State of Connecticut. Outside of her professional life she was Secretary of the Waterbury Art Association, a Putney Cub Scouts Den Mother, and a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose, Magnolia Rebekah Lodge, and 4-H. She excelled at wedding and special occasion cake decoration, painting, knitting, and fashion design. She also enjoyed golf, dancing, gardening, boating, and fishing. Sylvia is survived by her sons, David, Timothy, and Tracy Collins, and daughters-in-law, Kendra and Kathi. She is also survived by her brother, Thomas; sister, Corintha; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: After spending almost 60 years in Connecticut, Sylvia still considered herself a native Vermonter and will return home to Vermont for her final rest. A visitation will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 3, at Ker Phaneuf Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Interment will follow later in the spring at a date and time to be determined. Donations to the American Cancer Society or the Windham County Humane Society.
• David Edward White, 65, of Vernon. Died on March 18, 2021, after a short battle with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones. David was born on May 16, 1955 to Irene Lowell and Thomas White. He loved hunting, fishing, and nature. His generosity, kindness, and dry sense of humor touched everyone he met. His smile lives on through his children and he will be missed by many. His family would like to give special thanks to the especially kind nurses at Vernon Green, and Turning Point, who provided David with exceptional support. Memorial information: No services are planned.