College news
• The following local students were honored for academic excellence in the fall 2024 semester by Community College of Vermont. Named to the President's List were Calista Cooke of Townshend, Marcias Masetlwa of Vernon, Victoria Augusta-Summers of West Halifax, Paige Mellish of Westminster, and Jasmine Cavanaugh of Westminster West. Named to the Dean's List were Skylar French of Bellows Falls, Gregory Crespo, Erika Favreau, Carley Lonardo, Iyla Neikirk, and Shabnam Sediqi of Brattleboro; Tyler McNary of East Dummerston, Calli Sprague of Grafton, Joshua Aubin of Halifax, Jada Wood of Newfane, Sierra Berrie of Townshend, Alyssa Batts and Emily Miller of Vernon, and Sara Dix of Wilmington. Part-time students named to the Student Honors List were Jacob Harrelson, James Tarvit, and Kaitlyn Whitaker of Bellows Falls; Katelyn Barrows, Eleanor Cautela-Clouet, Melissa Grover, Chelsea Hallock, Margaret Holland, Bethany Kriger, Shawna Robinson, and Hailey Taylor of Brattleboro; Krystal Martin of Dummerston, Sierra Gagnon of East Dover, David Brownlow of East Dummerston, Jessica Roy of Grafton, Bryan Hemingway, Deborah Jacobs, and Lily Quintero of Guilford; Suzanne Uvino of Jacksonville, Brittany Schubert of Jamaica, Annika Crego and Rachael Edgar of Newfane, Patricia Bills and Sarahann Byler of Putney, Kailuna Holmes of Townshend, Sage Myska of Whitingham, and Taylor Florence of Wilmington.
• The following local students were honored for academic achievement during the fall 2024 semester at Champlain College in Burlington. David Amidon of Vernon, Melissa French of Bellows Falls, and Kaley Mola of West Dover were all named to the President's List. Jordan Cable of Brattleboro was named to the Trustees' List for achieving a 4.0 grade point average for two or more consecutive semesters. Named to the Dean's List were Jayden Crawford of Wilmington, Tessa Lunderville of Londonderry, Austin Mallan of Saxtons River, Nicholas Petronic of Townshend, Abigail Pratt of Wilmington, Ritter Redfield of South Newfane, Nicholas Stratton of Putney, and Madison Wood of West Dummerston.
• Caden Haskell of Bellows Falls and Jake Moore of Saxtons River were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2024 semester at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.
• Eden Boxenbaum of Bellows Falls, Rachel Lazelle of Wilmington, Alex Margolies of Putney, Ollie Oliver of Bellows Falls, and CC Allembert of Whitingham were all named to the Dean's List for the fall 2024 semester at Vermont State University.
Obituaries
• Phillip Leslie Brown, 80, of Somersworth, New Hampshire, formerly of Brattleboro. Died suddenly on Feb. 2, 2025. He was born July 10, 1944, in Brattleboro, son of Ronald P. Brown of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and Barbara J. March of Brattleboro. He graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1962. He studied engineering at the University of Maine before enlisting in the Army in 1966. He was commissioned as an officer in 1967 and served active duty until 1975. He was stationed in southern Germany where he met his future wife, Martha Kursch of Hamburg, and married her on Oct. 11, 1969. She predeceased him on Sept. 12, 2020. He served in the 984th Engineer Company (Land Clearing) in Vietnam, including as company commander from March to September 1969, then as battalion maintenance officer until March 1970. He retired as a colonel in 1996, having served in Army Reserve units throughout New England as an engineer officer with his final assignment supporting FEMA operations. He completed his master's degree in Civil Engineering at the University of New Hampshire while working at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he worked until retirement at SUBMEPP. Phil loved the out-of-doors, the Vermont woods and its wildlife, downhill skiing, and the Harris Hill Ski Jump. He was a voracious reader and enjoyed a wide variety of fiction and history, amassing many piles of books. He volunteered with the Vietnam Veterans' group, and with the high school reunion roster. He leaves behind his daughter Barbara Cox of Gloucester, Massachusetts, his son Christopher Brown of Berwick, Maine, his sister Bonnie Brown of Halifax, his good friend Gene Riley of Brattleboro, and several cousins. Memorial information: There will be no services at this time. An interment of ashes at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro will be announced at a later date. Donations to the Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center, P.O. Box 2318, West Brattleboro VT 05303, or beec.org.
• Jane B. Clarke, 94, died unexpectedly at her home in Fayetteville, New York, on Jan. 30, 2025. Jane was born in Salem, Massachusetts and spent the first part of her life in Wollaston, just south of Boston. Jane married Ed Clarke, and they raised four children together (then apart) in central New Hampshire and, later, in Windham and Brattleboro. Jane's eldest daughter remained in Massachusetts to finish her education and raise a family. Jane was the original house flipper. Her children thought a ladder was just an extension of their mother's body, and the smell of wallpaper paste was as familiar as her homemade soups. They lived in the flip homes, which provided a myriad of different adventures for her children growing up. Jane was a Methodist, who sang in choirs for 80 years. Most recently, she was welcomed by the Fayetteville Methodist choir for a final season of song in 2024, where she had moved to spend her final years near her daughters in New York. She was a talented painter, musician, and cook, and an avid reader. She spent her last decades collecting wool, and creating spectacular braided rugs for her children, and friends. She was a graceful, eloquent, and determined woman who found herself single in the 1970s, unable to even obtain a credit card (per the law), who then built a life for herself and her girls, out of nothing. She bought and revitalized nine more houses in the ensuing decades, flipping well into her 70s. Jane worked as the administrative assistant to the Dean of Hawthorne College in New Hampshire, assistant to Janos Szapponos of Janos Technology in Vermont, and for various attorneys in Brattleboro in the 1980s. Her lightning speed shorthand and typing skills put her in high demand wherever she was. Her final position was at Snelling & Snelling in Sarasota, Florida., where she enjoyed spending time with her lifelong friends Margie and Betty. She was a true romantic and loved love. She fiercely loved and cried for those who departed before her. Jane was extremely proud of her good health, which she attributed to her "never stop moving" mantra, and healthy lifestyle. Jane truly lived and loved life, finding beauty and joy in every day. She saw life through "rose colored glasses," and that made all the difference. She was predeceased by her parents Doris Blake and Herbert Grutchfield; her brothers Lee and Doug Grutchfield; and her daughter Cheryl Ann Ryan. She is survived by her children, Stephen Albert, Robert Edward, Julia Mary, and Falana Lisa Jane; grandchildren Darinda, Christine, Konrad, and Olivia; great-grandchildren Karen, Lauren, CJ, Kerri, and Erin; and great-great-grandchildren, Rachael, Skylar, Hayden, and Colten. Memorial information: A streamed celebration service for friends and family will be held at a future date.
• Joanne Minott Hayward, 91, died in Keene, New Hampshire, on Jan. 28, 2025. A beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was born in Montpelier, Vermont, July 25, 1933, to Dr. Chauncey and Dorothy (Badger) Minott. The family moved to Brattleboro in 1944. She graduated from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1951 and attended Westbrook Junior College in Portland, Maine, graduating with an associate's degree. While there, she was active in the Outing Club, the Ski Team, and the Riding Club. On a blind date, she met Donald Hayward, a handsome young man attending Bowdoin College, who eventually became her husband. On June 13, 1954, they were united in marriage at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro. Don and Joanne started their 23 years of military adventures traveling across the world with stints at Fort Hamilton, New York, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and Washington D.C., and Los Angeles. Overseas postings included two tours in Germany and four years in Okinawa. In 1978-79, they lived in Teheran, Iran and were evacuated during the Iranian Revolution, returning to Guilford, where they lived for the next 28 years. In, 2008, they moved to Keene, where Don died in September 2014 after 60 years of marriage. When the children were young, she was actively involved in the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and PTA, and was a Red Cross volunteer at the Okinawa military hospital. Upon her return stateside, she worked at the Brattleboro Police Department and Ward Amidon Jewelers. She was also the ultimate hostess for many social gatherings with friends and family. She loved her dogs and enjoyed attending dog shows across the northeast. After learning a bit about family, genealogy became a true passion. She was an avid detective and traced ancestors back more than 10 generations, including her eight ancestors who were passengers on the Mayflower. She also researched genealogy for many family members and friends. She was a member of New England Historic Genealogical Society, Vermont Historical Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Society of Mayflower Descendents. As an Army wife she reflected on a few special adventures she had along the way - skiing in the Bavarian Alps, camping on the Danube, the beaches of Spain, and a camel riding trek in Iran. She loved exploring Venice, Italy, the joys of Tivoli in Copenhagen, the great museums of Europe and shopping excursions in Taiwan and Hong Kong. She is survived by daughters Suzanne Hayward Driscoll (Dan), Gail Hayward-Glines (Gary), and Marilyn Kozak; son Douglas Hayward; grandchildren Adam Driscoll, Erin Schwab, Natalie Glines, Grace and Lucy Hayward, Karol Kozak Lester, and Emily Kozak Hinson; and great grandchildren Palmer, Jackson, Lila, Hayes, Elijah, William, and Knox. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Her brother, Addison Minott, and her parents predeceased her. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held later in the springtime. Donations to honor Joanne can be made to the Historical Society of Cheshire County, 246 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431 or Fast Friends, 14 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Wendy W. Heavner, 75, of Brattleboro. Died on Feb. 10, 2025. A homemaker, artist, loving wife, designer, teacher, homeschool mother, grandmother, sister, cherished aunt, and friend to many, she was porn in Passaic, New Jersey, on Dec. 31, 1949, the third of five children raised by single mother Laura Wilbur. Wendy was a 1967 graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. Wendy's life changed significantly as a young teen, when her mother won a clothes dryer and sold it, so Wendy could go to a Bible camp. There, she committed her life to following Christ. On her 50th class reunion, a fellow classmate approached her table and told her she was the only student he could remember who was not afraid to boldly share her faith. At the camp, she met a lifelong girlfriend and they both went to Tennessee Temple, a Baptist college in Chattanooga. Wendy eventually graduated with an art degree. While taking classes, she worked 48 hours a week on second shift at a textile mill. In 1974, Wendy married Tony Heavner. They spent more than 50 wonderful years together. They raised a son and two daughters; then, beginning in 2000, they adopted and raised four more children. Wendy never failed to show these children, who came with all their earthly possessions in a cardboard box, a measured, quiet, and determined love. They were starved for a mother's touch. Each day was often an emotional roller coaster. However, bedtime always brought knocks on her bedroom door to fix sores, cuts, splinters, etc. Wendy never brushed a child's complaint off. Once she sat a daughter on the sink and began washing her feet. The girl said, "No one's ever done this for me." Although an art major, Wendy was not afraid to tackle and teach other subjects that were not her strengths. Once, when teaching high school-level algebra, she was having difficulty working through a problem with her two boys. A curriculum help line was provided for teachers. It so happened that day that the man who wrote the curriculum answered the help line. When Wendy began reading the equation, the man stopped her and said excitedly, "if you are on that page, shut the book and take those boys to the nearest junior college and have them CLEP first year algebra." Wendy loved politics and loved our country, but she was most passionate about studying and promoting a biblical basis for creation and a biblical basis for modern science. One of the last things she was doing before her cancer diagnosis was staying up late each night preparing for a class in Genesis. With absolute confidence and blessed assurance, she went to be with the Lord. Wendy was predeceased by one stepsister, Toni Swartz of New York. She is survived by four siblings: Carole Capenof Brattleboro, Judy Stanley of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, Diane Stedman of Florence, Alabama, and Marc and Lisa Wilbur, Douglasville, Georgia. She is also survived by her beloved husband Tony, her children, and their spouses, Jason and Cathy of Walpole, New Hampshire, Jamie Heavner of Brattleboro, Drew and Jodi Johnson of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Nicole Heavner of Brattleboro, Kelly Heavner, Tom and Olga Heavner of Ukraine, Justin and Tanya Villone-Heavner of Wilmington, North Carolina; grandchildren Robert, Josiah, Luke, Abby, Ben, Emeric, Owen, Kaleb, Karsyn, Quinton, Luna, and several others; as well as many special nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Feb. 15 at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Spofford, New Hampshire. She will be laid to rest in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road in the springtime. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Brian Pike, 64, of Bartlett, New Hampshire. Died unexpectedly in his sleep on Jan. 8, 2025. He was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 17, 1960, to the late Harry and Elfleda Pike. He leaves his wife, Catherine (Fox), whom he married on Oct. 23, 2024; a son, Zachary Pike; and a grandson. He also leaves sisters Mary (John) Rosania of Plainville, Connecticut, and Susan Cleveland of Brattleboro; a brother, Kevin (Anne) Pike of Hinsdale, New Hampshire; many nieces and nephews, best friends Vicki and Steve of Putney, and his dog, Baby Girl. He was predeceased by brothers Allen and Douglas Pike, and a sister, Carol Wells Jarret. Memorial information: In lieu of flowers and to assist with funeral expenses, donations may be sent to Catherine Pike, 120 N. South Rd., Unit C PMB 163, North Conway, NH 03860 A celebration of his life will be held when weather permits.
• Linda Carlene Raper, 70, of Brattleboro. Died on Jan. 26, 2025, of complications from MS. Carlene lived with MS for over 40 years, but her joy in living propelled her to create, play, and love. She savored every day, everything she did. Breakfast was invariably cocoa, slightly burnt toast, and a book; she could make it last for hours. In summer, she loved to go to South Pond, where she floated on her back gently kicking her flippers and watching clouds. Her left leg was stronger than her right, so she went in spirals and usually ended up tangled in the lily pads but she never looked where she was going; the clouds were too beautiful. She delighted in people and they delighted in her. Her conversations were open and sharing, generous and sincere. Carlene graduated from Wheelock College in 1977 with a degree in teaching, but instead of pursuing that career she became a self-taught fabric artist and quiltmaker. She dyed her own cloth using numerous traditional techniques and several she invented herself. She left the standard quilting patterns behind and designed her own. She filled many people's homes with beautiful pieces of functional art. Making and sharing were her main goals; she had no interest in fame. Nonetheless she was exhibited in the country's premier show, Quilt National, in 1991 and is featured in the journal Quiltfolk's Vermont edition (#10). Her commissioned public art hangs at the University of Vermont, the Vermont Jazz Center, and other sites. From the early 1980s into the 2000s, she took her work to major juried craft shows across the country, and she was a founding member of the Putney Craft Tour. Carlene was an accomplished singer in several styles: Renaissance/early music, choruses (including the Blanche Moyse Chorale), Balkan folk, Sacred Harp, and an inexhaustible repertoire of rounds. Before MS affected her legs, she was a devotee of contradance and English dance. She loved baking, hiking, sailing, and swimming; snorkeling coral reefs in the Caribbean was one of her great thrills. She traveled in Europe, South America, Turkey and Indonesia. She delighted in children, and for years volunteered at the Westminster West School, as well as serving as chair of the board at the Westminster West Public Library. Does this sound like a full life? It was a full life. She left it too soon. She was above all a dear friend to the many people in her life, a wonderful aunt for her nephews Ben and Sam Raper, sister to Jonathan Raper and his wife Susannah Chang, a beloved spouse to Julian Gerstin (whom she married in 2004), stepmother to his sons Jesse and Sam Gerstin, and grandmother to Ethan, Aidan, Leander, Carina, Eva, and Sai. Memorial information: There will be a memorial on Saturday, March 29, at 1 p.m. at the Guilford Community Church, 38 Church Drive.
• Jon P. Reed, 75, of Dummerston. Died on Jan. 28, 2025. Jon was born in Concord, Vermont, to the late Luther and Agnes (Powers) Reed on July 4, 1949, and grew up in Lunenburg, Vermont. Jon enjoyed watching the Red Sox and Patriots. He enjoyed traveling the Northeast to attend minor and major league sporting events, recently discovering the Worcester Red Sox. Jon traveled across the country to Oakland, California, to watch a Red Sox doubleheader, only to see them lose. He officiated football and baseball in Vermont for 40 years. He had the honor of working many Shrine Maple Sugar Bowls, and having the opportunity to be put on a crew with his son. Once, Jon even threw out his own son out of a baseball game. Jon was named the Vermont Football Association Official of the Year and had the opportunity to officiate a Media Baseball Game at Fenway Park. Jon was so proud of his grandchildren, supporting them throughout school events, holiday concerts, sports and Sunday morning bagel runs. He officiated many of their baseball and football games. Not every athlete can say that their Grandpa handed them the game-winning home run ball or handled the football for their kickoff. Jon was also civic-minded. He was a Boy Scout leader, and was involved in 4-H, Brattleboro Little League, the Dummerston School Board, and the Green Mountain Club. He was the commissioner of the Southern Section of the Vermont Football Officials Association, and served on Windham Southeast Supervisory Union Board and the West Dummerston Volunteer Fire Department. Jon is survived by his wife Lois, daughter Jennifer, son Matthew, grandchildren Abigail, Reed, Tucker and Jackson; his sisters Joy and Janet and her husband Bill; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jon was predeceased by his sister Joan Clack and her husband Bob, and his brother-in-law Jim. Memorial information: At Jon's request, there will be no formal services. Donations in memory of Jon may be made to your local high school and recreational sports programs. To offer condolences, visit phaneuf.net.
• TJ (William A.) Smith, 67, of Westminster. Died Jan. 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family and friends, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire. He was born in Bellows Falls on June 18, 1957, the son of Sylvester and Bette (Westover) Smith. TJ attended schools in Bellows Falls until his family moved to Florida, where he finished his education. He left school and joined the Army, proudly serving our country until he left the military with an honorable discharge in 1981. TJ held many different jobs in many different trades throughout his life. But, most of all, he loved driving trucks, which he did for many years, driving both cross country and locally for various companies throughout his career. He retired in March 2022. Upon returning to Bellows Falls in 1989, he met Carol (Frappiea) Smith. They married on July 10, 1999, at American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls, and what began in 1989 as a "one night stand" turned into 35 wonderful years together. TJ was a longtime member of Post 37, where he proudly served as its service officer for 14 years. He had the honor of being chosen Vermont Service Officer of the Year in 2008 and again in 2012. He also honored his father's'service to our country as a member of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 37. He was a member of the Polish American Club and the Loyal Order of the Moose, both in Bellows Falls, where he earned his Fellowship Degree and also became a member of the Moose Legion. TJ loved shooting guns, riding his motorcycle, cooking, and traveling. He was always up for a party! More than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. TJ loved his family and friends deeply. He was a loyal friend and a fierce protector of his loved ones. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him. TJ is survived by his wife, their daughter, Aphrael Smith, her fiancé, Brandon Vanbramer and his grandson, Jaxson William Vanbramer of Green Island, New York. He is also survived by his daughters, Shannon (Smith) Floresca, her husband, Patrick and grandchildren Annemarie and Patrick Floresca of Yakama, Washington, and Judea Smith of Tacoma, Washington; and his brother, Richard Smith and his wife, Althea of Wilmington. He also leaves several nieces and nephews along with many great-nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 1. Further details will be released by the family.
• Betsy L. Waldo, 69, of Londonderry. Died at her home on Jan. 28, 2025, following a 40-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Betsy was born in Townshend on Sept. 19, 1955, the daughter of David and Betty (Roberts) Lyman. She leaves behind her loving husband of 40 years, Marc Waldo of South Londonderry, and her brother John. Memorial information: Per Betsy's request there will be no formal funeral service or visiting hours. Private memorial services will be held in the spring. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, in care Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.