College news
• David McCooey Jr. of Londonderry graduated cum laude with a B.S. in integrative studies with a concentration in English in December 2021 from Clarion (Pa.) University.
• The following area students at Community College of Vermont were honored for academic achievement in the fall 2021 semester. Named to the President's List, which recognizes full-time students with a 4.0 GPA (grade point average), were Melissa French and Paige Rohane of Bellows Falls; Ada Brown, Emily Hurley, Jonathan Kelley, Caitlin Lonardo, Jonah Siegel, and Alejandro Toledo Cornman of Brattleboro; Erin Jewel of Putney; Madison Anyan of Townshend; and Paige Neal of Vernon. Named to the Dean's List, which recognizes full-time students with a GPA between 3.5 and 3.99, were Grace Brissette of Bellows Falls; Chelsea Hormor, Avery Witman, and Ellery Witman of Brattleboro; Lacy Slade and Skylar Tourville of Guilford; Hanna Hopkins of Jamaica; Savanna Aither of Townshend; Zachary Condon of Whitingham; Leah Madore of Williamsville; and Lorelei Briggs of Wilmington. Named to the Student Honors List, which recognizes part-time students with a 4.0 GPA: Mason Barcomb, Sandy Boyd, Cuyler Cunningham, Rena Dimes, Emma Ethier, Christina Howe, Saren Lay, Art Miess, Jade Newton, Rachel Paligo, Casey Parris, Krista Plante, Selena Scott, and Jason Shatney of Brattleboro; Krystal Martin of Dummerston; Brooke Chaney, Mark Geno and Ilene Sweeney of Guilford; Sarah Eberhard and Gretchen Rothstein of Londonderry; Abaigeal Lackey of Newfane; Laura Chapman, Christopher Clarke, Brooke Covey, and Lori Morse of Putney; Martha Jordan of South Londonderry; Paul Jerz of Townshend; Pheng Singphom and Meghan Tierney of Vernon; Alexis Grisales, Hannah Hoffman, and Elisabeth Keeler of West Dover; Angel Betit of Whitingham; and Emma Sprenger of Wilmington.
• Emma Schneider of Brattleboro achieved President's List honors in Vermont Tech's Certificate of Practical Nursing program for the fall 2021 semester, while Katelynn Baldwin of Vernon and Alysa Stephens of Brattleboro both were named to the Dean's List.
• Corey Logan of Guilford, a member of the Class of 2023 majoring in electrical and computer engineering at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute, was a member of a student team that recently completed an intense research project titled “Communication at Straeto.”
• The following students have been named to Champlain College's Dean's List in the fall 2021 semester: Ashley Bolton of South Londonderry, Laura Cunningham of West Dover, Janelle Fisher of Whitingham, Jacob Lazarek of Westminster, Hailee Mattson of Dummerston, Trina Reynolds of Brattleboro, Sasha Tschernisch of Brattleboro, John Wright of Brattleboro, and Jane Young of Brattleboro.
• Anna Seiple of Londonderry was named to the Dean's List at the College of William & Mary in Willamsburg, Va., for the fall 2021 semester.
• Meagan Kelly, a member of the Class of 2024 from Westminster, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.
• Alexander Michael Hrabchak of Putney was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2021 semester at Husson University in Bangor, Maine.
• Tyler Millerick of Vernon has been named to the President's List for the fall 2021 semester at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass.
• The following local students were honored for academic achievement in the fall 2021 semester at the University of Hartford (Conn): Adam Culver of Grafton, Owen Rounds of Westminster, William Frank of South Londonderry, Silas Holmes of Wardsboro, Nora Leggiere of Brattleboro, Samuel Thibault of Williamsville, and Ethan Williams of Brattleboro.
Obituaries
• Lee Henigan Alden, 64, of Putney. Died Feb. 6, 2022 of complications related to COVID-19. She was born on Oct. 25, 1957 in Sycamore, Ill., the daughter of the late Marion and Tom (Dunner) Henigan. Lee attended Sycamore High School and graduated with the Class of 1977. Her family hosted an AFS exchange student from Australia, Robyn Williams, whom Lee considered a lifetime sister, and who inspired her to resolve to make friends in every country of the world. Lee served as an AFS exchange student for a year in Tauranga, New Zealand, living with several families, some of whom she stayed in touch with for most of her life. After high school graduation, Lee briefly attended Illinois State University and then worked at a drive-through doughnut kiosk and as a singer/songwriter/guitar player, telephone operator, waitress, and meter maid to amass enough money to travel extensively throughout Europe, hiking, riding the trains and expanding her circle of friends. She also attended a semester abroad at Salzburg College in Austria and made many friends from Japan and the United States. Upon her return from Europe, Lee attended the School for International Training in Brattleboro. Her internship was spent at The World Friendship Center in Hiroshima, Japan, and she toured the United States as an ambassador for peace with atomic bomb survivors. She graduated from SIT with a degree in world issues. She met another SIT graduate, Peg Brigham, and they moved to Seattle and were married in the Quaker meeting house. Lee attended the John Bastir College of Natural Medicine where she studied colon therapy. Returning to Vermont with Peg, Lee worked as a sales representative for a natural foods distributor. Peg and Lee moved to Amsterdam on Peg's teaching assignment for SIT. There, Lee experienced early onset menopause and depression. It was there, too, in the Netherlands where they met and became friends with Anton Oomen, who eventually fathered their child, Anja. Anton and his family continue to play an active role in Anja's family life. Lee and Peg returned to Vermont where they established their home in Putney. Lee worked at SIT in admissions and later went back to school to earn a master's degree in web design. She worked at Landmark College in educational technology. When her marriage to Peg ended, their relationship remained amicable. Lee became a full-time caregiver to her beloved landlady, Hildamarie Hendricks, who continues to thrive at age 95. Lee traveled around the country, driving her convertible that she called “the Batmobile.” Lee spent a transformative period in Thailand with another dear AFS friend, Puangkaew Prasirtpun. She returned to New Zealand and Australia more than once to visit her friends and AFS families there, sometimes bringing Anja with her. Lee suffered a heart attack in 2011 from which she never fully recovered. She tried a myriad of traditional and experimental medical procedures and medications, extending her life by more than 10 years. During all this, Lee stayed in contact with friends and family and was known for hours-long phone calls and unending texts. Lee's search for spiritual meaning ranged far and wide. She was a Quaker and social activist for a major part of her life. Lee studied with Byron Katie at the School of The Work, and became an effective practitioner. In her last years, Lee became devoted to Catholicism. She is survived by her daughter Anja Alden, brother Nardy Henigan, and sister Zan Henigan Lombardo. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jay Henigan. Memorial information: A memorial gathering is planned in Brattleboro on Sunday, March 6, at 2 p.m.. Further details will follow. Donations can be made to the LOVING LEE memorial account at gofundme.com/f/the-loving-Lee-memorial-account. This money will go towards the funding of Anja's nursing school education and other concerns dear to Lee's heart.
• William “Bill” Schoonmaker Ames, 88, of Northfield, Mass. Died at home, with his family at his side, on Jan. 16, 2022 after a period of failing health brought on by COPD. Originally from Winnetka, Ill., Bill was the second of three children of John Dawes Ames Sr. and Charlotte Schoonmaker. The Ames family has deep roots in Chicago, but Bill went in a very different direction. His life was dedicated to service and the preservation of rural properties and enterprises - a fragile and vulnerable natural resource. Bill's interest in the outdoors was ignited in 1944 at age 11 when he spent the summer at Ralston Creek Ranch outside Golden, Colo. This remote working ranch lacked all modern conveniences and he and the other boys and girls had to grow, raise, slaughter, and cook everything they ate. Bill went back to that ranch every summer for the next 12 years and ran it between the ages of 17 and 20 while the owner's sons were serving in the Korean War. As a young man in Colorado, Bill learned the importance of self-sufficiency, sustainability, and conservation - values he came back to repeatedly during his life. Bill attended Deerfield Academy and was a third-generation graduate of Princeton University, where he played on the national championship-winning lacrosse team and majored in Soviet and Chinese history. At Princeton, Bill joined ROTC and graduated as a second lieutenant in the Air Force. First in his training class, Bill became a fighter-bomber pilot flying the F-100 “Super Sabre,” the first aircraft capable of flying faster than the speed of sound in level flight. Thankfully, he was never called upon to fulfill his mission, which was the delivery of nuclear weapons. Bill returned to Chicago in 1961, married Laura Fairbank, and had three beautiful daughters. After they divorced, he moved back to Colorado where he met his second wife, Nancy Hood. Shortly after their wedding in 1972, Bill and Nancy moved to Nancy's home state of Massachusetts where they acquired Alderbrook Farm in West Boxford, and together they adopted two sons from Bogotá, Colombia. The first of three different farming operations they ran, Alderbrook was a production hay and cordwood farm, and home to garden plots for urban families to grow their own produce. Although Bill's diverse professional journey included human resources, consulting, venture capital, and investment banking, farming and land conservation were always his passion. Bill went back to school in his forties and obtained an M.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Bill served on the Board of Thompson Island Outward Bound, an island sanctuary in Boston Harbor that fosters leadership training and outdoor education. And Bill served on the Board of Mount Grace Land Trust, helping put 32,000 acres in Central Massachusetts into a conservation trust, including four of his own properties. When Bill retired for the last time in 2005, they moved to Alderbrook Meadows Farm in Northfield where they raised sheep, goats, and chickens, cared for by Maremma Livestock Guardian Sheepdogs. In 2018, he donated land to create Alderbrook Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gunnery Sergeant Jeffrey S. Ames Accessible Nature Trail, honoring his son who served in the Marine Corps for 22 years. Bill had a high level of energy, curiosity, and optimism. He fly-fished, played golf, and went skydiving when he was 78 years old. In addition to being a pilot and a railway buff, Bill had a charterboat captain's license, sailing to Bermuda and later across the Atlantic to Spain. For nine years, Bill and Nancy lived on their 50-foot sailboat in Boston Harbor. Choral music was a passion. Bill and Nancy sang together in the Newburyport Choral Society for 18 years, and in the Brattleboro Community Chorus for three years. Bill loved bacon, cherry pie with vanilla ice cream, and eating at roadside diners. He was convinced that he invented the BLT. Bill was especially proud of his family. His last trip was just before the pandemic; he traveled by train to Chicago to visit his children and grandchildren. Bill is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Nancy Hood Ames, as well as his children, Jennifer Ames Lazarre (Paul), Mary Ames Kivell (Tom), Nathalie E. Ames, Jeffrey S. Ames (Katrina), and Peter “BB” B. Ames, 11 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Bill cherished his friendship with Bill W. for 46 years. Memorial information: A celebration of Bill's life will be held in the spring. He was a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro, where he served on the Vestry and on the Adult Forum Planning Committee. Donations may be made to St. Michael's in support of their refugee resettlement program, or to the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
• Dorothy M. Covey, 88, of Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 9, 2022. She was born in Bellows Falls on Jan. 18, 1933, the daughter of Gladwyn and Mina Newcity. She graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1951 and worked for New England Telephone for more than 20 years. She is survived by her second husband, Donald Merling, and their children, Debbie Smith of Fort Meyers and David Merling of Brattleboro; grandchildren Tara Grover and Gregory Merling; and a great-grandaughter, Stella. She was predeceased by her parents; her first husband, Robert Covey; and a son, Gary Merling. Memorial information: Funeral services will be held at a later date at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro.
• Antony B. “Chopper” Fielding, 61, of Wilmington. Died peacefully of liver failure on Feb. 7, 2022 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. For many years, Tony was a chef at the former Poncho's Wreck and, later, at Fenessey's, both in Wilmington. With many friends, Tony was a Harley-Davidson rider and played music in the area. Predeceased by his brother Will of Marlboro, he leaves his mother Esther of Guilford, his brother Peter of West Brattleboro, his niece Ali and family of Wilmington, and his beloved cat, Rocky. Memorial information: None provided.
• G. William “Bill” Hamilton, 88, of Wilmington. Died January 21, 2022 of a broken heart, just 90 days after the death of his loving wife Harriette. They were married for 60 years. He was also a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He was also preceded in death by his son, Taft Hamilton. He is survived by his daughter, Susan Carr (Gene); grandsons Brian Harrigan (Nicole) and Troy Hamilton; his great-granddaughter Aria Rose. Other loving family members include Joshua, Diane, Brenna, Lilly and Helo Carr and Deacon Holderness. Bill had a full career. He was a successful Real Estate Broker, the owner-operator of the Hamilton Inn, served the Deerfield Valley as a state representative for eight years. He was a founding member of the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry and volunteered there until moving to Virginia in 2018; he was also a volunteer at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center Pharmacy. He loved playing golf, politics and gardening. Memorial information: Mr. Hamilton donated his body to science. Plans for services are pending. Donations can be made to the Deerfield Valley Food Pantry.
• Grover Lewis Hotaling, 64, formerly of Saxtons River. Died Feb. 2, 2022, surrounded by his loving family, at River Ridge Center in Kennebunk, Maine. Lewis was born May 16, 1957, to Madlyn Sutton Hotaling and her husband, Grover Hotaling. He grew up in Saxtons River, and graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School and the Vermont Police Academy. When Lewis was young, he worked at Stickney's Farm in Saxtons River and held fond memories and a lifelong friendship with the Stickney family. He was also a firefighter with the Saxtons River Volunteer Fire Department. In 1979, Lewis married Barbara Wells and they shared 42 years together. In 1986, they moved to Fair Haven, and he was employed as chief operator of the Rutland City Wastewater Treatment Plant. In 2004, they moved to Castleton and, after retiring from his position, he enjoyed several years on his beloved Lake Bomoseen. Lewis loved being out on the lake in his boat, waterskiing, and teaching others how to water ski. He also enjoyed bowling and bowled in a league. Over the years, he grew magnificent sunflowers, pumpkins and Christmas trees on his properties. He could fix just about anything and loved working on boats and motors. He cherished all of his dogs and cats, past and present. In 2021, Lewis and Barbara moved to Kennebunk to be closer to their children. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara, and two children, Cassandra June Hahn and her husband, Adam, of Kennebunk, and Dustin Lewis Hotaling and his wife, Kerryn, of Dover, N.H. He is survived by his siblings, Gloria Henning, Gene, Terry, and Timothy; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: At Lewis's request, there will be no services. Donations to Pet Tails Rescue, P.O. Box 86, Northwood, NH 03261.
• Robert J. “Bobbo” Kelly, 82, of Brandon. Died Jan. 27, 2022 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington, after a short illness. Born in Rutland on Aug. 27, 1939, Bob was a proud alumnus of Mount Saint Joseph Academy in Rutland, where he enjoyed a storied athletic career. Bob remained a lifelong Vermont resident, later residing in Brattleboro, Newfane and Brandon. Bob's love of sports continued throughout his life, as he enjoyed golf with his friends and family at Neshobe Country Club, playing basketball and softball in several neighborhood leagues, traveling annually to New York to root for his beloved New York Yankees, and making his enthusiastic presence known throughout Vermont as he coached and rooted for his daughters and many other relatives at their numerous athletic games. Bob also loved visiting his ancestral home of Ireland. He was a gregarious host and enjoyed cooking generous meals for friends and family. Bob's professional career saw him travel extensively throughout New England with his work as a beverage salesman. Following his retirement from G. Housen & Co. in Brattleboro, Bob continued to be actively involved in his community, including as a much-loved presence in the Shoreham school system as a paraeducator. Bob is survived by his wife, Leslie; daughters, Ryan Kelly of Newfane, Mitzi Newton of Mendon, and Meg Curry (Mike) and his granddaughter Campbell Curry, all of Ossining, N.Y.; his sister, Claire Notte (John) of Rutland; sister-in-law Jeanne Kelly; brother- and sister-in-law Rob and Christina Naylor of Salisbury; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Bob was predeceased by his daughter, Kara Kelly, and brothers Jack and Francis “Mickey” Kelly. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Donations to the Leland & Gray Athletic Department (write checks to “WRED,” memo: Bob Kelly), P.O. Box 128, Townshend, VT 05353; or the Brandon Area Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 232, Brandon, VT 05733.
• Wendy Kerlin, 68, of Marlboro. Died February 5, 2022 at her home, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Wendy had the matchless ability to make everyone in her presence feel valued and at peace. Her parting leaves an enormous void in the hearts of so many who loved her dearly. She was born on Sept. 7, 1953 in Bryn Mawr, Pa., to John and Arlene Kerlin. She moved frequently as a child but spent much of her time in Glastonbury, Conn., where she graduated from high school in 1970. A natural caregiver in the deepest sense, Wendy dreamed as a child of becoming a nurse and raising a large family in a home on a hill, and that's what she did. She earned her RN from Hartford Hospital School of Nursing in 1973 and settled permanently in southern Vermont in 1980 with her partner and future husband, George Smith. Their first daughter, Leah, was born in 1981 and over the next decade they lovingly grew their family by adoption. Jesse, Joseph, Helen, Elizabeth, Anna, and Taylor joined their family and brought even more light into their lives. Wendy was deeply committed to her children. They were her purpose in life, and the absolute center of her universe. Her home was full of laughter, happiness, chaos (of the best kind that only seven children can provide), and so much love. She spent the vast majority of her nursing career in the Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, where she worked among beloved colleagues and friends. Her passion for helping others extended past her professional life into her volunteer work, her involvement in her children's lives, and her many interests. Wendy cared for so many members of the community, and her skill and compassion as a caregiver were unmatched. When she and George separated in 2010, Wendy remained in their family home at the top of a beautiful mountain in Marlboro. She had a deep connection with this space and made it a retreat for everyone she loved, maintaining an ever-changing and resplendent garden overlooking the valley. She loved the simple things in life: eating a freshly picked tomato, going for a ride in the country just to get lost. She loved adventuring with her dear sister, Arlene, with whom she traveled the world. Together they visited many beautiful places, including a special trip to Ethiopia, where four of Wendy's children were born. She loved her six grandchildren and cherished their laughter in her home. She loved the beauty of a sunrise and the magic of a full moon. That magic brought Shawn Kilcommons into her life the weekend after Thanksgiving in 2012. They met dancing to Afrobeat music at the Inferno, on the night of a full moon. From that moment, they were inseparable and measured their short time together in months rather than years. They enjoyed dancing, music, late afternoon lunches at the Marina, birds in the evening, and toast and coffee in the morning. Wendy made every day of this union a treasure, and they celebrated their full moon anniversaries until the very end. Wendy was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2014. She navigated her journey over the following seven years with courage and grace and lived every day with a renewed appreciation for life and for the people she loved. She is survived by her children, Leah (Chris), Jesse (Silvana), Joseph, Helen, Elizabeth, Anna, and Taylor; her loving partner, Shawn; her siblings, Arlene, David, and Jack; her six beloved grandchildren, Lucas, Connor, Lucy, Romeo, Jaxon, and Charlotte; and her many close friends, especially her best friend, Susan. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Arlene, and dear friends Susan and Tom.
• Keith Harold Lockerby, 66, of Athens. Died at home on Feb. 7, 2022. Keith was born Dec. 1, 1955 in Bellows Falls, the son of Richard and Ethel (Long) Lockerby. Keith's life work included roofing, carpentry, masonry and cord wood. He was self-employed and took pride in his craft. He loved baseball, hunting, and fishing. Keith's times with his son, family and friends were deeply important to him and he enjoyed the time with them. Keith is survived by his son, Seth Lockerby of Cambridgeport; his brother Samuel Lockerby of Athens; sisters Sherri Lund of Westminster and Denise Lockerby of Charlestown, N.H.; grandchildren Exavier, Aviery, Solom, Marilla, and Mozetta Lockerby; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Thomas Lockerby. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held in the spring. Arrangements are being handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Joseph Leonard “Lenny” Roberge, 107, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Dec. 25, 2021. At the time of his death, he was Vermont's oldest World War II veteran, and was proud of that honor. He was born at home on June 12, 1914 to Arthur and Hortense Roberge, the oldest of three children. At age 6, he lost his father suddenly due to illness. Until his mother could gather the family again, he was placed in a convent in Winooski, his brother at the former St Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington, and his sister with relatives. His mother remarried 2 1/2 years later, and the family was reunited and grew. Lenny graduated from Rutland High School and went to work for Central Vermont Public Service Corporation. He enjoyed 37 years with CVPS as a well-known and respected sales supervisor. When CVPS eliminated the appliance sector, he joined two of his co-workers to establish a new business, Diamond Electric, where he enjoyed continued sales success until he retired in 1978. Lenny answered his country's call to duty when he joined the Navy in 1942 and was honorably discharged in December 1945 at the rank of Yeoman first class. At the time the atom bomb was dropped, he was in San Francisco, awaiting deployment to the Pacific. In 1943, Dad married his sweetheart, Agnes. They enjoyed more than 64 beautiful years together until her death in 2007, and raised their family in Brattleboro. Many organizations attracted Lenny to their ranks: the Knights of Columbus (4th degree knight), American Legion (a lifetime member), Elks, and the Brattleboro Chamber of Commerce. What attracted him to these organizations was their mission of service to others, which was a lifelong trait for this well-loved man. He also provided transportation to church for children who resided at the Austine School for the Deaf, often treating them to ice cream after Mass. Blessed with a beautiful tenor singing voice, he sang for many years with the St. Michael's Choir in Brattleboro. His voice brought comfort to families when he sang at many funerals and joy to couples on the occasion of their wedding. Singing in barber shop quartets and local and regional choral groups was such fun for him.In 1992, they started a new chapter when they moved to Williston. They enjoyed 17 years there, making so many friends. In 2009, at age 94, Dad moved to Pillsbury Senior Living, now Harbor Village Senior Communities. He accepted that this was a more secure living situation for him and proceeded to become a friend to his new neighbors. He often drove to the drug store or grocery store for those who no longer drove themselves. He honed his culinary craft and regularly provided his neighbors and friends with a slice of pie, most notably his famous apple pie. He became known as “The Pie Man of Harbor Village.” Daily exercise was a must for Dad as was attending the concerts and sing-a-longs at his residence. At this time, he began writing his memoirs, “Memories of a Life Well Lived,” completing this family treasure in 2013. He loved knowing that so many people had read his story. As part of the “Greatest generation,” Lenny approached life's challenges head on, with no whining, with determination to solve problems and embrace the opportunity to learn and teach. He realized the value of humor; he often said, “It is better to laugh than to cry.” His friends and family could always count on a new joke and he laughed along with his audience, which always made us laugh even more. He taught everyone how to live well, with a strong faith in God always directing one's path, to love totally, and to finish well. Left to carry on this legacy are his children, Joan (Stephen) Sullivan of Foxfield, Colo., Lucille (Normand) Nadeau of South Burlington, and Edward (Jan) Roberge of Fort Worth, Texas; the “fourth daughter” and dearest family friend, Jamie Richer of Williston; three granddaughters and six great-grandchildren; and Sue Clark (Thomas), a special cousin who remained close to Lenny for so many years. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Maurice (Georgette), sisters Florence (Francis) Courcelle, and Connie (Charles) Beaudette Smith, as well as several nieces and nephews and their families. Memorial information: Services are planned for the spring and at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka KS 66675 or WoundedWarriorProject.org.
• Norma L. (Donohue) Smith, 93, of Dummerston. Died at home on Feb. 3, 2022. Norma was born on Jan. 12, 1929 in Worcester, Mass., daughter of Joseph and Vendla (Olson) Donohue. She graduated from North High School and Salter Secretarial School. After years of being a homemaker, she worked at Worcester County National Bank and then Beaman Memorial Public Library in West Boylston, Mass. She then worked as an administrative assistant for the West Boylston Public Schools, Wachusett Regional High School, and the Old Saybrook (Conn.) Public Schools. Norma had a love for and a special knack for writing poetry. She was a member and contributor to the Worcester County Poetry Association from whom she received honorable mentions. She assembled all of her poems and, in 2012, published them in her book called It's So Far from Here to There. Norma was predeceased by her husband and love of her life, Howard Morton Smith, to whom she was married for 67 years. She leaves behind three children, Lynne Irwin of Putney, Kevin and his wife, Judy, of Holden, Mass., and David and his wife, Joan, of Lunenburg, Mass.; grandchildren Andrew Smith, Jennifer Sinkus, Michael Smith, and Heather Howard; and great-grandchildren Sullivan and Keegan Smith, Jack Sinkus, and Brooke, Ivy, and Parker Howard. Memorial information: Her family will hold a private burial service at St. John's Cemetery in Worcester in the spring. To send the family messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.