College news
• Hannah Gantt of Vernon has been named to the Provost's List at Troy (Ala.) University for the fall 2021 semester.
• The following local students were named to the Plymouth (N.H.) State University Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester: Dillon Glazer of West Wardsboro, Kathleen Hodsden of Bellows Falls, Sarah Scarlett of Saxtons River, Jack Armbruster of West Dover, and Noah Rawling of Bellows Falls.
• Gabrielle Beal, a member of the Class of 2024 from Wilmington, was named to the fall 2021 Dean's List at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.
• Bradie Harris of Bellows Falls has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.
Obituaries
• Lee W. Avery Jr., 69, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 28, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Nov. 21, 1952, the son of Alice and Lee W. Avery Sr. Lee is survived by his wife of 14 years, Linda; children Wayne Avery (Amy) and Kevin Avery of Brattleboro; Holly Merrill (Joe), Lee O'Hearn (Theresa), and Jamie Salazar (Maria), all of Palm Coast, Fla.; and David O'Hearn of Acworth, N.H.; stepson Todd Capen (Tiffany) of Vernon; siblings Ruth Nelson of Hampton, N.H. and Steven Avery of Bellows Falls; 13 grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Kathy, Judy. and Donna; and a brother, Dennis. Memorial information: At Lee's request, there are no funeral or graveside services. Memorial contributions in Lee's memory can be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H.
• Robert W. Clements, 94, of Beverly Hills, Mich. Died peacefully, with his family by his side on Jan. 5, 2022. Robert is the beloved husband of the late Elaine; and father of Robert (Betsy Judson) Clements, Barry (Linda) Clements, John (Nancy) Clements, Maureen (Steve) Carlisle and Dan (Kelly) Clements. Mr. Clements is also survived by 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Robert was born the middle child to Wesley, an eighth-grade educated sheet metal worker, and a classically-trained pianist, Luella (Markle) Clement on July 16 and 17, 1927, at home in Ferndale, Mich. Upon graduation from St. James High School, he enlisted in the Navy as Seaman First Class. Much to his surprise, there was a fellow enlistee with a very similar name except he spelled Clements with a “S.” His birth certificate had been filled out by hand on the 16th, anticipating a quick delivery. However, he procrastinated and was born on the 17th. To compound the error, the last name was written with a loop before crossing the “T.” The Navy, in its bureaucratic way, changed not only the birth date, but also his last name. This might have caused one to be distressed, but Robert figured he now had two birthdays, and he was able to celebrate 171 of them. While taking his future wife's grandmother to an evening of Bingo, he had the good fortune to win enough money and buy a suit and propose to his high school sweetheart Elaine Ann Cameron, what he called the single best decision of his life. After he had completed his military service and she graduated from nursing school, they married in 1948. Together they raised five children, who later went on to be educators, engineers, and merchants. The GI Bill allowed him to earn an electrical engineering degree from the University of Detroit, and through the Chrysler Institute, an MBA from Michigan State University. During his career at Chrysler, he served as president of the Chrysler Management Club and also as president of the Detroit chapter of the Instrument Society of America. He retired in October 1989, after 42 years of service. A lifelong Catholic, he found direction and a grounding influence there. He spoke to God in the first person and received great comfort in his beliefs. He served his faith in many ways, starting as an altar boy and later serving many roles in the church. His outside interests included photography, golf, and clock and watch repair. He loved to solve puzzles and tried to learn at least one new thing a day. But the thing that gave him the greatest satisfaction was his family. Throughout most of his life, he considered himself to be of medium intelligence (actually an IQ of 129, he often pointed out) a middle child of medium height and medium weight, and had a career in middle management, and didn't do too badly for being a medium guy. Memorial information: Robert was buried with full military honors at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Mich. Donations to Sisters of St. Joseph's of Nazareth, Nazareth Center, 2929 Nazareth Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048-2611.
• Kennethea Ann Craig, 67, of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 25, 2021 at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Conn., following several months of declining health. Kennethea was born in St. Albans on Aug. 5, 1954 to Kenneth F. and Ila L. (Bennett) St. Francis Sr. She was raised and educated in St. Albans, and continued her education at Trinity College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. Kennethea served her community as a social worker with a passion to give food, clothing, rides, etc. to anyone in need. She especially enjoyed cooking hot meals for the homeless and was known locally as “Meals On Feet.” She enjoyed going to flea markets and absolutely loved all aspects of sensual wellness, including spiritual healing, holistic consulting, and Tarot cards. A very spiritual person, Kennethea followed the Wiccan traditions. She was married to Nancy Comeau, who predeceased her. Kennethea leaves two sons, Kenneth J. Craig of Brattleboro and Jeremy S. Craig of New York; three brothers, Joe Craig of Sheldon, Andy Craig of Highgate, and Kenneth St. Francis, Jr. of Brattleboro; three sisters, Audrey Roberts of Tennessee, and Ila St. Francis and Tammie McDonald, both of Brattleboro; several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: She will be buried in Meeting House Hill Cemetery at the convenience of her family. A Celebration of Life for the public will be conducted at a later date. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Geraldine Mary Harty, 103, of Bellows Falls. Died Jan. 6, 2022 at Sterling House in Bellows Falls. Gerry was born in Bellows Falls on Nov. 21, 1918, the daughter of Frederick and Lillian (Gillis) Lorange. She attended school in Bellows Falls and was a 1936 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. Gerry worked for the phone company and, later, as an aide at BFHS. In 1943, she married Norman C. Harty, who predeceased her in 1997. She is survived by Dennis Harty and his wife, Donna, of Bellows Falls; daughters-in-law Vicki Harty of Randolph and Wendy Harty of Bellows Falls; and six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Gerry was also predeceased by her son Michael Harty. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 15 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, followed by burial in St. Charles Cemetery. Donations to Parks Place Community Resource Center, 44 School Street Ext., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Delbert C. “Del” Higley, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 14, 2022 at his home, following a period of declining health. Delbert was born at home in Montpelier on Sept. 30, 1929, the son of Clarence F. and Mary E. (Neill) Higley. In his early years, he attended public schools in both Waitsfield and Bellows Falls. He later moved to Brattleboro, graduating from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1947. Delbert worked as a mechanic and welder for the Vermont Highway Department, which he retired from following 36 years of service. During the summer months, he worked on the farm at Bruce's Orchard. He was a life member of the B.P.O. Elks, Lodge 1499 and was a Golden Eagle member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Brattleboro Aerie 2445. Survivors include: one brother, Elwin Higley of West Chesterfield, N.H.; two sisters, Inez Laskowski of West Chesterfield and Jeannette Page of Florida; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Meridan Higley, Forrest Higley, and Carroll Higley. Memorial information: A funeral service, in conjunction with an Elks service, is scheduled for Jan. 20, at 11 a.m. at Atamaniuk Funeral Home. Graveside committal services will follow in the Higley family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street. Donations to Elks National Foundation, 2750 N. Lakeview Ave., Chicago, IL 60614.
• Frederick Griswold “Fred” Humphrey II, 95, formerly of Guilford. Died peacefully of natural causes on Jan. 5, 2022. Fred was born on the family dairy farm in Canton Center, Conn., on October 28, 1926, to Genevieve Stockwell Humphrey and Harold William Humphrey. Cherry Brook Farm had been home to Humphreys for eight generations and Fred took pride in his Yankee heritage. He had two brothers, Sam and Harold, both deceased, and two sisters, Ruth (deceased), and Lucy Wong (who lives in Killingly, Conn.). Growing up during the Depression, Fred walked or rode his pony to a one-room school house and was responsible for endless farm chores. He never forgot his rural roots. He was too young to serve in World War II, but enlisted at the end of the war in the Air Force Cadets, where he was trained as an electrician. Subsequently, Fred graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in social work and married his high school sweetheart Dorothy Marie “Dot” Peterson, a graduate of the Hartford School of Nursing. Fred and Dot moved often in their early years together: to Philadelphia, where he received his MSW from the University of Pennsylvania; Garrison, N.Y., where he worked as a counselor at the local veterans' hospital; Brattleboro, where he was a family counselor; back to Philadelphia, where he earned an Ed.D. at the University of Pennsylvania; then to Storrs, Conn., where he was a professor of child development and family relations at the University of Connecticut for 25 years, specializing in human sexuality. Along the way, Fred and Dot raised three children: Brian (formerly of Guilford, now deceased), Heidi (Shaftsbury, Vt.), and Alan (Ventnor City, N.J., and Ardmore, Pa.). Fred loved his work and rose to become the president of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists. He also developed a thriving marriage counseling practice. After retiring from UConn in 1991, Fred and Dot moved back to Guilford, just up the street from where they had lived 35 years earlier. Fred had a lifetime love of skiing-from conquering the headwall at Tuckerman's Ravine to ski patrolling at his beloved Hogback to venturing out west to Utah. He continued to ski into his 80s. His family shared his passion and it became the reason for many family adventures. In retirement, he became a devoted volunteer and fundraiser for many nonprofit organizations, including the Vermont Land Trust, the Guilford Fire Department, the Guilford Historical Society, and the Friends of Algiers, for which he was instrumental in raising funds to acquire and renovate the Guilford Country Store. During the 1990s, he helped to establish the Guilford 4th of July celebration and often acted as master of ceremonies. He could be found on his tractor year-round, mowing during the summer and plowing during the winter, and helped out every year on his family's Christmas Tree farm in Connecticut. He also enjoyed reading history, particularly books about World War II. He loved to meet new people and gab. Fred leaves behind his loving children Alan and Heidi, their spouses Wendy Rosen Humphrey and Ben Benedict, as well as four grandchildren: Lincoln Benedict, Ian Humphrey, Margot Benedict, and Erica Humphrey, and their spouses and partners; and his special friend Mary Sargent. He was very proud of his family and enjoyed presiding over family gatherings. Three years ago, he moved from his hilltop home in Guilford to Bradley House in Brattleboro, where he received kind attention and loving care. Memorial information: Fred's memorial service will be held when everyone can gather safely in person. Donations to Garden Path Elder Living (Bradley House), the Guilford Historical Society, or the Dr. Frederick G. Humphrey Fellowship in Family Studies at the University of Connecticut.
• Jocelynn Christine Marshall, 26, of West Chesterfield and Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully Jan. 11, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 22, 1995, the daughter of Leo and Janet (Stetson) Marshall. She was raised and educated in Hinsdale, graduating from Hinsdale High School with the Class of 2015. Jocelynn enjoyed playing unified basketball, arcades, and listening to all kinds of music, as well as singing karaoke. She especially enjoyed spending time with each and every one of her siblings and friends. Jocelynn had a heart of gold and was always smiling and laughing. She loved Disney, Six Flags, and music concerts. Survivors include: her parents, Leo and Jane Marshall and Janet and Calvin Cobb; her siblings, Melissa Santulli, Jaime Russell, twin brothers Mike and Phil Marshall, Marisa Sousie, Kramer Marshall, Denise Cobb, Rebecca Smith, Dan Cobb and Michael Cobb; and many nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles. She also leaves two very special people in her life, her uncle Tom Stetson and aunt Susan Paul. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be private for the immediate family. Donations to Monadnock Development Services, Attn: Development, 121 Railroad St., Keene, NH 03431. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Ellen C. Rounds, 95, formerly of West Brattleboro. Died Jan. 6, 2022 at Vernon Hall in Vernon, where she had resided since September 2015. She was born in Rutland on Jan. 21, 1926, the daughter of George and Adelaide (Davis) Conlin. She was raised and educated in Rutland attending Christ the King Parochial School, graduating from Mt. St. Joseph Academy with the class of 1943. In 1948, she married Robert P. Rounds. Her husband of 71 years predeceased her in 2019. Ellen worked as an office clerk at the former Erving Paper Company in Brattleboro, which she retired from in 1985. Previously, Ellen worked at the former Stephen Greene Press and The Book Cellar, both in Brattleboro. In the 1940s, she worked for the Social Security office in Rutland and purchased a car prior to her future husband being able to afford a vehicle. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro and a former parishioner of Christ the King Church in Rutland. Ellen was a devoted homemaker whose life centered around her family. With her husband, she enjoyed spending winters on the Gulf shores of Alabama for 28 years. Survivors include her five sons, Stephen of Hartland, Thomas of Windsor, Martin of Hancock, N.H., Barry of Putney, and John of Brattleboro. She also leaves eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren. and several nieces and nephews, including Janet Rounds of Keene, N.H., who provided her with much comfort and companionship for the past several years. Ellen was predeceased by one brother, George F. Conlin. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held at St. Michael's Catholic Church later in the spring or early summer, at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Donations to Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Karen DeMae (Mitchell) Towle, 86, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died unexpectedly at her home on Dec. 28, 2021, after a brief illness. Mrs. Towle was born on Nov. 30, 1935, in Huntington, Vt., daughter of William and Marjorie (Zeno) Mitchell. She worked at The Brattleboro Retreat for more than 40 years, starting as a nurse's aide in the late 1950s. In 1962, Mrs. Towle was one among 14 Retreat employees to complete and pass a specialized course sponsored by the Division of Vocational Education and the Vermont Practical Nurse Association. Upon completion of the 66-hour course, the candidates were eligible to take the licensing exam for Licensed Practical Nurses. After passing the exam, Mrs. Towle continued her work at the Retreat as an LPN until her retirement. In addition to her work at the Retreat, Mrs. Towle worked for a short time at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in the 1960s, and a few years at Woodward Assisted Living Home in Keene, N.H., after retirement. In 2002, loving “Ma”, along with her caring husband Bruce, “Pop” cared for their grandchildren while their parents worked. This gave them a wonderful retirement together. Mrs. Towle's greatest joy in life was caring for her family, friends, and neighbors. Gathering everyone together to celebrate birthdays and holidays was a big part of her giving; she always strived to make people's favorite meals for their birthdays or special occasions. Her heart knew no limits, and she invited so many people into her home when they needed to feel loved and safe. She was an anchor for anyone experiencing problems, listening non-judgmentally and giving sound advice. She was a member and secretary of the Now and Then Car Club and the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed the daily newspapers' crossword puzzles, going to car shows, and reading. She was a fountain of knowledge about one of her passions - natural, holistic, and homeopathic ways of nutrition, health, and healing. Surviving is one sister, Zoa Given of Brattleboro; also left sorely missing her are three sons, Wayne B. (Melissa) Towle of Spofford, N.H., Wade B. Towle of Hinsdale, H. Scott (Deborah) Towle of Brattleboro and two daughters, Kimberly M. (Tony Braswell) Towle of Winchester, N.H., and Susan Towle Jarvis of Fort Wayne, Ind. Also sadly feeling her loss are eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and others who knew her as “Ma” - she made a large difference in many people's lives. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, W. Bruce Towle, in 2014; a daughter, Jean Hair in 2020; two sisters, Janice Cross and Ginny Hughes; and four brothers, William, Charles, George, and Frank Mitchell. Memorial information: In keeping with her wishes, there will be no services and she will be cremated to join her husband on the mantel in the family home. Donations to a charity dear to her heart: St. Labre Indian School, P.O. Box 797, Ashland, MT 59004.