College news
• The following local students were honored for academic achievement during the spring 2022 semester at Northern Vermont University: Tysea Kurjiaka and Eva Paré of Londonderry, and Laura Gypson of Williamsville were named to the President's List. Named to the Dean's List were Gregory Fitzgerald and Samantha Martin of Brattleboro, Johannah Parker of Grafton, Ariel Rose of Londonderry, and Joseph Rafus of Whitingham.
Obituaries
• Robert H. “Bob” Boudreau, 94, of Guilford. Died Aug. 20, 2022 at Thompson House, where he had been a resident for the past two weeks, following a period of declining health. He was born in Webster, Mass. on March 17, 1928, the son of Richard and Evelina (Torrangeau) Boudreau. He was raised in Cambridge, Vt. and educated in Jeffersonville, eventually moving to Brattleboro. He went on to proudly serve his country during World War II in the Navy. He was stationed in Virginia and took part in military operations in Europe. Bob worked most of his career as a pressman and employed at The Book Press in Brattleboro for many years. He owned and operated several Brattleboro businesses with his wife, Helen, that included Duke's Deli and Home Comfort Motel & Cabins, as well as several rental properties. Born and raised Catholic, Bob was a lifelong communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping with his wife, Helen. The couple traveled across the United States, as well as visiting several provinces in Canada. On Aug. 20, 1949, at St. Michael's Church, he married Helen Bills. His faithful and devoted wife of nearly 73 years predeceased him on June 11, 2022. Survivors include his son, Robb M. and wife Laura Boudreau of Guilford, six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by daughters Wendi Mackin and Cindi Rathbun; brothers Arthur, Albert, Rudolph, Edward, and Paul; and sisters, Eleanor, Rose, and Mae. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors will be conducted Friday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m., in the family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street where he will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife. Donations to Friends of Veterans, 28 Farmvu Drive, Suite 3, White River Junction, VT 05001, or fovvtnh.org. To send condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Billie Mae (Johnson) Manley, 90, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully, with her family by her side, on Aug. 12, 2022. She was born in Fort Worth, Texas on July 31, 1932 to Nona Hazel (Farmer) and Edward Johnson. She was married to David A Manley, who died in 2012. She is survived by her three children and their spouses: Robert and Patricia Manley of Enfield, Conn., Marc Manley of Brattleboro, and Jody and Matt Garland of Hinsdale. She is also survived by her sister, Susan and her husband, Kevin Underwood, of Palmyra, Maine. She was predeceased by siblings Eleanor Pomeroy and Phillip Boyd. She was blessed with seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Billie Mae was an independent working woman who had her own CPA business. She also worked for the Beech Bend amusement park in Bowling Green, Ky., when Ronnie Millsap's group owned it. She was a big fan of his. She worked at Ker Funeral Home in Brattleboro for 15 years and was respected and loved by her co-workers. Billie Mae was also a Justice of the Peace and facilitated the marriages of her children and grandchildren along with many others. Her door was always open and she was often referred to as “Ma Manley” by many. A well-known family story was that when she was young, she was at a bar with her mother and Bing Crosby gave her a baby doll (obviously, there were no child protection laws in the 1930s). She dedicated 70 years to the Bingham Chapter #30, Order of the Eastern Star, in Brattleboro. She served as a Star Point Esther; Conductress; Chaplain, Associate Matron, Worthy Matron, Secretary, Grand Representative to Mississippi in Vermont, and District Deputy Grand Matron of District 1. Other interests included karaoke and the love of being outdoors. She belonged to the Pisgah Mountain snowmobile club, and the trap shooting club. She also enjoyed riding on the back of a motorcycle while reading a book. Books were her passion; she had thousands and loved to share them. Other hobbies included, knitting, sewing, crafts and going to Monadnock Speedway in Winchester, N.H. She also had a soft spot for animals, especially dogs. She was very interested in ancestry and could trace her family back to the pioneer days, and enjoyed camping with her family. Billie Mae was a frequent visitor at the Hinsdale Walmart, she liked to visit with everyone she saw there, even if she didn't know them. Due to her declining health, it was a sad day when it became too difficult for her to drive and she could no longer do her walk (exercise) around Walmart at night. After moving from Hinsdale to Alpine Rehabilitation & Nursing Center in Winchester, she still kept active with coloring art books that she shared with everyone. Her pictures were displayed at the Dollar General where she left many for all to enjoy. She spent her last year at Alpine. Although her dementia took her memories, it never took her spirit. Memorial information: Billie Mae's burial service will be private. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 54 Chickering Dr., Brattleboro, on Oct. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. All are welcome. Contributions can be sent to Monadnock Humane Society, where she adopted her faithful cat, Jack. To view an online tribute or send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit phaneuf.net.
• Ada Ruth Howe Pearson, 96, of South Londonderry. Died peacefully from natural causes on Aug. 19, 2022. Ada was born Feb. 5, 1926 at the family farm on Spring Hill Road in South Londonderry. She was the last child of the late Bert and Emma (Rhoades) Howe. Ada attended the Four Corners School in South Londonderry through eighth grade. She went to the Londonderry High School, which was at the current town office building, for two years and then attended Chester High School. She graduated in 1944. In 1946, Ada married the love of her life, Charles “Red” Pearson. They were married for nearly 50 years, until Red's death. Ada and Red had six children. Ada's first job was for a family by the name of Logan, who owned a house past Glebe View Cemetery. She worked in various positions in the hospitality industry. When her children came along, she stayed at home. She retired in the 1990s from The Londonderry Inn, where she worked for many years. In her later years, she enjoyed volunteering at the Thrifty Attic. She was very proud of her work with this organization. She was a member of the First Baptist Church, and spent many Saturday afternoons and evenings helping with the church suppers, and helping out throughout the year with various fundraisers. She was a member of the Loyal Ladies, a group that met for spiritual study, as well as planning and running fundraisers for the church. Ada was an avid needlecrafter. She knit, sewed, quilted, embroidered, did needlepoint, and hooked rugs. She loved making special gifts for her children and grandchildren. In addition to her husband, Ada was predeceased by her daughter, Bonnie Lee Pearson, and her son, Brian “Chuck” Pearson, and all of her siblings: Emery, Wallace, Seth, and Franklin “Buster” Howe, Thelma Howe, Phoebe Kimball, and Roberta Bendig. She is survived by her children: Bruce Pearson (Donna Phelps) of Carbondale, Colo.; Barry Pearson (Cindy) of South Londonderry; Beverly Foster (Randy) of Londonderry; and Bettina (Tina) Labeau (Pierre), also of Londonderry; grandchildren Barry Pearson, Miranda Desilets, Renee Giroux, Beth Smith, Jennifer Lawrence, and Elizabeth Labeau; step-grandchildren Todd and Christopher Potvin; and 11 great-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A service is planned for early October at the First Baptist Church, when all of her family can be together. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Jean G. Pollard, 92, of Keene, N.H. Died peacefully at her home on Aug. 14, 2022, after a brief period of declining health. She was born in Springfield, Mass. on July 5, 1930, the first of two daughters to the late Albert A. and Dorothy (Wells) Galipault, of Colrain, Mass. She attended grammar school in Colrain and graduated from Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls, Mass. in 1948. She married the love of her life, Ronald C. Pollard, on June 18, 1954. During their marriage, Jean and Ron lived in Bennington, Brattleboro, Rutland, Greenfield, Mass, and Keene. During those years, her employment included working for Kendall Mills in Colrain, OK Fairbanks, and JCPenney in Brattleboro, and New England Telephone and Telegraph and The Ginger Tree in Rutland. Jean enjoyed sewing, reading, puzzles, traveling, dancing, and time spent with family. Jean is survived by her husband of 68 years; her sons Ronald L. Pollard (Dawn), of Keene and Jeffrey A. Pollard (Carol), of Pensacola, Fla.; daughter Lorijean Baker, of Keene; grandchildren Evan Pollard (Emily), Nathan Hoon Pollard, Brittany Robles (Adam), Alyssa Dorman (Justin), Austin Baker, Ethan Baker, and Rory Longe, and great grandchildren Addyson and Evelyn Pollard, AJ, Ezra, and Noah Robles, Sylvia Dorman, and Caleb Longe, as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews, and extended family and friends, and by sister- and brother-in-law, Joyce and Roger Tower, with whom she was very close. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister and brother-in-law, Bertina and Frederick David Richardson, and a nephew, Dean Richardson. Memorial information: Donations in her memory may be made to: Hospice, P.O. Box 564, Keene, NH 03431, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. To send condolences to the family, visit cheshirefamilyfh.com.
• Raymond E. Putnam, 88, of Halifax. Died Aug. 17, 2022 at his home, surrounded by his family. Raymond was born on Dec. 29, 1933 in Colrain, Mass., the son of the late Charles and Annie (Burnett) Putnam. He attended local schools, and Jacksonville High School. Raymond worked as a logger and farmer for many years and was the Road Commissioner for the Town of Halifax. He was a former member of the Halifax Fire Department, and was well known as a maple sugar producer. He was an avid hunter and enjoyed trapping with his father, and was a loyal Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan. Raymond is survived by his wife, Laura “Susie” (Furlon) Putnam of Halifax, whom he married May 26, 1956 in Readsboro; children Jeff Putnam (Marylee), Lori Marchegiani and her partner Paul Poissant, and Timothy Putnam, all of Halifax; grandchildren Amber, Charles, Lora, Brian, Abigail, and Leah; and several great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A graveside funeral services was held Aug. 26 in Jacksonville Village Cemetery. Donations to the Halifax Fire Company or the Deerfield Valley Rescue Squad, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send condolences, visit sheafuneralhomes.com.
• Jane Elizabeth Smith, 82, formerly of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Aug. 24, 2022 at Valley Cares in Townshend, where she had been a resident for the past two years. Jane was born in Bellows Falls on June 18, 1940, the daughter of Samuel and Gertrude (Fredette) Richards. She was raised and educated in Bellows Falls, graduating from Bellows Falls High School in 1958. She went on to attend Boston Children's Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her RN license in 1961. Following nursing school, she was employed for several years at the former Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, N.H. Jane later worked as a telephone operator for New England Telephone, initially in the Bellows Falls office and later in the Brattleboro Main Street office. She retired following more than 20 years of faithful service with the phone company. On Oct. 1, 1983, she married Stanley J. Smith, who predeceased her in 2020. With her husband, she was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. She had a quick wit and curious sense of humor. Although not able to take part in family events the last few years, she loved to hear stories about what was happening in her nieces and nephews' lives. Other than her family, her greatest love were her pets and, to her, they were her children. Survivors include her sister, Sally MacPhee (Tom) of Bellows Falls; her nephew, Scott MacPhee (Karen) of North Thetford; her niece that she lovingly referred to as “her girl,” Deborah Brown, (Alan) of Chester; stepsons Christopher Smith (Lori) of Deerfield, N.H., and Matthew Smith (Laurie) of East Granby, Conn.; step-grandchildren, Zachary and Bradley Smith; and several great nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites and burial will be conducted Thursday, Sept. 1, at 11 a.m., in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her husband. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Shirley Ruth Strysko-Covey, 92, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 16, 2022 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following an extended period of declining health. Shirley was born in Buckland, Mass., on May 11, 1930, the daughter of Edward and Lena (Pelletier) Sommers. She was raised and educated in Buckland and was a graduate of Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls. Shirley worked most of her career as a sales associate. She worked at the former Ames Department Store in Brattleboro for 18 years until the store's closure in 2002. Previously, she had been employed at King's Department Store and the former Giant Store, then located on Flat Street in Brattleboro. A resident of Brattleboro since 1993, she previously resided in Turners Falls, Mass. She was proud of her faith and was a former communicant of Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish in Turners Falls. Shirley loved her home, gardening, liked to travel, and enjoyed time spent with her family. Shirley was first married to Myron Strysko, who predeceased her. In 1994, she married Wendell W. Covey, who predeceased her in 2010. Survivors include: one son, Myron Strysko, Jr. and wife, Lorrie, of Groveland, Fla.; two daughters, Judith Dacyczyn and husband, Steve, of Buckland and Pamela Garland and her husband, Alvin, of Hookett, N.H.; stepson William Covey and wife, Lynda, of Chapells, S.C.; stepdaughter, Patriciann Grover of Bernardston, Mass.; five grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, six step-great-grandchildren, four step-great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by one brother, Richard Sommers. Memorial information: Graveside committal rites and burial were held Aug. 27 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery, where she was laid to rest beside her beloved husband. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, 185 Grafton Rd., Townshend, VT 05353. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Stuart J. Wheelden III, 75, of Hinsdale, N.H. died peacefully Friday, August 19, 2022 in the comfort of his home following a period of declining health. Stuart was born in Keene, N.H., on June 9, 1947, the son of John E. and Rita (Capen) Wheelden. He was raised and educated in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1965. Following high school he enlisted in the Army, serving during the Vietnam War. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1986. He was a member of the VFW, Carl M. Dessaint Post #1034 in Brattleboro. Stuart had been employed as a printer working for C & S Wholesale Grocers in Brattleboro, joining the company in 1999. Previously, he had worked for Zinn Graphics in West Brattleboro and PIP Printing of Burlington. Stuart had a deep love for nature and the outdoors and especially enjoyed camping. He was a “people person” well known for his spirit of friendship. On April 28, 1984, in Hinsdale, he was married to Bernita Chamberlin, who predeceased him on Aug. 31, 2021. Survivors include two sons, John E. Wheelden of Westfield, Mass., and Stuart Wheelden IV of Guilford; three daughters, Holly, Heather, and Hope; a stepson, Todd M. Page of Rock Hill, S.C.; sisters Joanne Plansker of Hinsdale and Carol Moore of Putney; and a half-brother, John Wheelden, Jr. of Vernon. Additionally, he leaves several grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and a daughter, Heidi. Memorial information: In keeping with Stuart's final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. He will be laid to rest beside his beloved wife in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to VFW Carl Dessaint Post 1034, P.O. Box 8233, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or Rescue, Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or send condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.