College news
• Tyler Morris of West Townshend and Jessica Weiner of Brattleboro were both named to the fall 2021 Dean's List at College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, Mass.
• Zane Hlavaty of Brattleboro was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Hlavaty was initiated at the University of Massachusetts.
Transitions
• Bill Anton, Kim Benzel, Linda Blumberg, Jennifer Mack-Watkins, and Edward McCatty were all elected to three-year terms on the board of trustees of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center (BMAC) on March 22. Anton has served as superintendent of Windham Central Supervisory Union since 2016. Benzel, who previously served on the BMAC trustees from 2015 to 2021, is Curator in Charge of the Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Blumberg was a co-founder and the first program director of the radical art laboratory PS1 Contemporary Art Center (now MoMA PS1) in Long Island City, N.Y. Mack-Watkins is an artist and educator originally from Charleston, S.C. McCatty retired to Walpole, N.H., in 2020, following a 28-year career teaching British and American literature at Choate Rosemary Hall. With the election of five new trustees and the departure of three outgoing trustees - Laura Howat, Steve Lloyd, and Susan McMahon, each of whom was required to step down after having served two consecutive three-year terms on the board-the size of the BMAC board increases to 21.
Obituaries
• Richard Anthony Bonura, 77, of Brattleboro. Died April 4, 2022 after a brief battle with cancer. He was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Sicilian immigrants Anthony and Agatha (Signorelli) Bonura. He moved to New Hampshire in the early 1970s and resided in Vermont for the last 27 years. He is predeceased by his brother, Dominick Bonura of Texas. He is survived by his former wife, Mary Jane Bonura of New York, and his three children Timothy Bonura of Vermont, Diane Vomero of New York, and Carol Bonura of Massachusetts. He is also survived by his three grandchildren and his sister Rosemary Bellio of Florida. Richard was an exceptional athlete and played sports throughout his youth and into his adult life. When he wasn't playing sports, he was watching sports and it was rare not to see college sports on the television. Richard also loved the tranquility that nature provided, and it informed his interest in camping. Though Richard enjoyed his leisure time, he was an incredibly tireless worker picking up extra shifts and working holidays. He was a dedicated employee of the Vermont National Bank (now People's Bank) for more than 30 years before retiring. Those who were close to Richard knew his ability to command a room with his great storytelling and humor. He had a charisma and charm that captivated the many who knew him. Richard was proud of his deafness and being a part of the deaf community. Memorial information: Arrangements have been trusted to the Cremation Society of New Hampshire. To view an online tribute, leave condolences, or for more information visit www.csnh.com.
• Nancy Louise (Robinson) Brooks, 80, a lifelong resident of Newfane. Died peacefully on March 31, 2022 at her daughter's home in Brookline. Born in Brattleboro on May 9, 1941, she was the daughter of Paul and Esther (Daigneault) Robinson. She was raised in Newfane and resided there until 2017, when she moved into her daughter's home due to illness. Nancy attended St. Michael's High School and graduated with the Class of 1959. She worked as a payroll clerk for The Brattleboro Retreat, retiring in 2010 following 30 years of service. In 1960, she married Thomas Brooks. They later divorced. Nancy loved being outdoors and was known for her beautiful flower gardens. She enjoyed working in her yard, making gardens and stonewalls and feeding her chipmunks. She was an avid skier and worked many years as a ski instructor at Maple Valley Ski Area in Dummerston. Nancy loved time spent with her family and was always ready to be copilot on family “excursions” while keeping up with her great-grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Tracey Brooks, of Brookline; her son, Todd Brooks, and partner, Wendy, of West Wardsboro; a sister, Susan Robinson Record, of Rocky Hill, Conn.; her grandchildren, Adam Hall and wife, Nicole, and Amy Hall; five great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Nancy was predeceased by a sister, Jane Robinson Worden, of Brattleboro; and her brother, Scott Robinson, of Newfane. Memorial information: Nancy will be laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery at a private graveside ceremony. A Celebration of Life for the public will be scheduled at a later date. Donations to Cure Alzheimer's Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 (curealz.org/giving/donate). To share a memory or send condolences to Nancy's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Michele Coombs Powlison, 70, of Millerton, Pa., formerly of Townshend. Died April 2, 2022 at her home. She was born on Dec. 7, 1951 in Townshend to the late Floyd and Merna (LaMarche) Mack. She met and married Alfred Coombs in 1971. He predeceased her in 1988. After his death, Michele moved to Pennsylvania and married James “Jim” Powlison in 1991. She was a member of the Daggett United Methodist Church. Michele was a farm wife and had a great love for animals of all kinds. She also enjoyed cooking. Michele is survived by her husband, Jim; daughter Jennifer Coombs of Millerton; son Jason (Carol) Coombs of Lock Haven, Pa.; grandsons Ethan and Eli Coombs; sister Merrilee (Doug) Ficken of Springfield, Vt.; and first mother-in-law Anna Mae Coombs of Hinsdale, N.H. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Kevin Mack, in 2021. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at Daggett United Methodist Church in Millerton on Saturday, April 23, 2022, at 11 a.m. Burial will take place in Vermont with her first husband at the convenience of the family. Donations to Daggett United Methodist Church, 84 Church St., Millerton, PA 16936.
• Jane B. Stetson, 91, of Rowe, Mass., formerly of Brattleboro. Died peacefully April 4, 2022 at Charlene Manor Nursing Home in Greenfield, Mass., following a period of declining health. Mrs. Stetson was born at home in Brattleboro on Oct. 2, 1930, the daughter of Alonzo and Mary (Lynch) Bovie. She was raised in Brattleboro, attended St. Michael's Parochial School, and was a graduate of St. Michael's High School, Class of 1949. She had been a resident of Rowe since 1961. She had been employed as a telephone operator for New England Telephone, working in the Brattleboro office. She retired in 1996 following 20 faithful years with the telephone company. Mrs. Stetson was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America and a former communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She married Wendell L. Stetson in 1955; he predeceased her in 2015. Survivors include a son, Eric Stetson of Keene, N.H.; two grandsons, Tristan Stetson of Somerville, Mass., and Devin Stetson of Keene, N.H.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites were conducted April 8 at St. Michael's Parish Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A memorial tree planting for Helene Henry will take place Saturday, April 16 at 11 a.m. at Prospect Hill Cemetery, South Main Street, Brattleboro. All are invited. [A news item appears in this week's Around the Towns.]
• A graveside service for Kenneth David Giroux will be held on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m., at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Jamaica. All are welcome. Mr. Giroux, 42, of Guilford, died on Feb. 22, 2022, after a long illness.