College news
• Jamie Jarvis-Stores, a media arts production major from Putney, earned Dean's List honors for the fall 2024 semester at Emerson College in Boston.
• Liliana Buettner, an inclusive elementary education major from Dummerston, was named to the fall 2024 Dean's List at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.
• The following local residents were named to the fall 2024 Dean's List at Simmons University in Boston: Grace Conety of Brattleboro, Sophia Hamm of Brattleboro, Zadie Olmstead of Dummerston, and Sam Mills of Marlboro.
Obituaries
• Cynthia "Cindy" (Parsley) Baehr, 66, of Putney. Died on March 2, 2025, in the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, after a long illness. She was predeceased by her parents, the Rev. Charles "Chuck" Parsley and Jeanne Parsley (Anderson), and leaves her husband Tom Baehr and their children, Ray Baehr and J Baehr, grandson Griffin Letourneau, sisters and their husbands Karen and Dana Baron, MarthaJeanne and Jerry Barton, brother Andrew Parsley, several nieces and nephews and their spouses, and a grand-niece and grand-nephew. Cindy was born in North Bennington on Sept. 19, 1957. Soon after, she and her family followed their father through his several church assignments, including a four year stint in India. They eventually settled in Grafton, Vermont, where Chuck was minister at the Grafton Church, and later, the Baptist Church in Bellows Falls. Jeanne taught language arts at Bellows Falls Middle School. Cindy graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 1975, and Wellesley College in 1979 with a degree in math. She went on to a career as a software engineer at Intermetrics Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she wrote code for NASA's Space Shuttle program. Health issues ended her association, but she joined Sovernet Communications in Bellows Falls in 2000. That ended in 2002. Soon after, she was granted Social Security Disability. Cindy was an avid morris dancer, and was the Fool for two teams. Cindy's love of knitting and other fiber arts blossomed at that time, leading to her fast friendship with Susan Lathrup from Cambridgeport at a knitting group at Not Just Yarn on Putney Road. She invited Cindy to assist her with her Morgan horses at Combined Driving events as a groom and navigator. Eventually, this partnership led Cindy to fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning and competing with her miniature horses, Farthing, and then Tucker. With her fiber arts, quilting, knitting, spinning, rug hooking, and cross-stitch, she won several awards for her projects as well as garnering ribbons for her horsemanship. During this time until her death, Cindy and Sue were inseparable. They were members of several fiber arts groups and horse associations. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service for Cindy on Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m. at All Souls Church in West Brattleboro.
• Lawrence John Draper, 79, formerly of Brattleboro. Died at his home in Morgan, Vermont, on March 23, 2025, from complications of COPD. Larry was born in Bakersfield, Vermont, on March 3, 1946, the son of Robert Draper Sr. and Frances (George) Draper. He attended school in Burlington until the family moved to Brattleboro in 1961. He was drafted into the Army in November 1965 and served actively in Vietnam until January 1967 and earned awards for marksmanship. The day he boarded the plane to report for duty was the first day of deer season. He came home wounded, but thankfully alive and was honorably discharged. He had been employed as a track-man for the Boston & Maine railroad for 10 years. Pounding spikes made him a very good arm wrestler, which he enjoyed and took pride in. Larry also enjoyed hunting, fishing and his camp in Holland, Vermont, and the love of several dogs over the years. On Dec. 21, 1984, he was married to Susan Cooke and they built their home in Brattleboro. Larry established and operated Spring Water Bait shop in Brattleboro from 2002 to 2012 and then NEK Spring Water Bait in Morgan from 2013 to the present. Besides his wife, he leaves behind a brother, Robert Draper Jr. and wife Carol of Benson; two brothers-in-law, Timothy Cooke and wife Cris of Southbridge, Massachusetts, and Alan Cooke of Sharon; daughters, Cindy and Sherri from a previous marriage; several nieces and nephews, many friends, and lots of stories. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors were conducted March 31 in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery. Honor his memory by thanking a veteran for their service. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Laurel Lorraine (Bills) (Carr) Ellis, 77, of Putney. Died peacefully on March 23, 2025, after a period of declining health. Laurel was born Sept. 22, 1947, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. The daughter of Alan H. and Gertrude L. (Ubbink) Bills, she attended Academy and Green Street schools and Brattleboro Union High School. She graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary in Townshend with the Class of 1965. She earned an associate's degree in accounting from Community College of Vermont in 1990. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, Laurel worked as a bookkeeper for the Experiment in International Living, Putney Nursery, Putney School, and Putney Co-op before embarking on a 25-year career with the U.S. Postal Service as a rural letter carrier. She retired from the post office in 2001, then acquired Cream of the Crop boutique in Brattleboro in 2008. She continued to keep books and prepare taxes for several small businesses and individuals throughout her working career and retirement. Laurel had a special passion for gardening (especially daylilies) and was an accomplished artist in multiple media specializing in portraits, landscapes, and flowers. She and her husband traveled the U.S. extensively by car, and made a few trips to the U.S. Virgin Islands. In recent years, she enjoyed adventures in Great Britain: England with her son Quinton, Barbara Blake, and Gail Washburn, and Scotland with her son Scott. Laurel was passionate about local history and culture and volunteered with organizations throughout her adult life. She was a member of the Putney Historical Society, serving as president (six years) and treasurer (many years). She did extensive research on dozens of local homes, cemeteries, unknown structures, public and private buildings. She co-wrote the book, Putney - The World's Best Small Town, in 2003, was named Putney Person of the Year in 2005, and was instrumental in the restoration of the Putney Recreation Center, the reconstruction of the Putney General Store, and establishment and financial management of the Putney Solar Farm. Laurel was also a sneaky-good horseshoe player, and was particularly proud that she was the Guilford Fair Horseshoe Tournament Champion of 1992, stunning several accomplished local players. Family was very important to Laurel. Upon the death of her Grandmother Laura (Nan) Ubbink in 1986, Laurel picked up the mantle of "matriarch" of her large and extended family. Affectionately referred to as "The Boss," she "herded the cats" to family functions for decades, especially the annual family reunion at The Camp on Turkey Mountain (one of her favorite places in the universe). Laurel married Paul L. Carr in 1968 and they had two sons, Quinton and Scott Carr. The marriage ended in divorce. She then married the love of her life, Douglas H. Ellis, in 1980; they remained happily married until Doug's death in 2007. She is survived by her brother, Allen C. Bills of Amity, Arkansas; sons Quinton Carr of Chester and Scott Carr of Westminster West; stepson Stephen Ellis of Newport; stepdaughters Brenda Carr of Putney and Heidi Holland of Greensboro, Georgia; grandchildren Christian Carr, Jasmine O'Connell, Manning, and Zak Ellis, and David and Olivia Holland; honorary grandchildren Jocelyne Rickey, Jannell O'Connell, and Jaeden Johndrow; nieces Annmarie Candee Hart, Mirinda Mae Petit, Cassie Wheeler, Doreen Candee Rosenlicht, Denise Candee Millane, Laura Bills-Weems, Becky Clay, Ragen Bonds, Jody Ellis, Melody Stone, Dawn and Stacey Lawrence, and Brenda Ellis; nephews Rich, Bob, and Mark Candee, and Daniel Lavalla; and numerous grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and cousins. She is also survived by countless dear friends, including special compadres Gail Washburn and Nonnie Locke. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, sisters Elizabeth Wheeler and Marilyn Pierce, brothers Norman and Marshall Bills, Warren (Bud) and Theodore (Theo) Candee, and dear friend Marilyn Loomis. Memorial information: A graveside service was held on March 30 at Maple Grove Cemetery in Putney. Donations to the Putney Historical Society, P.O. Box 260, Putney, VT 05346. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Eleanor Ann "Ellie" (Reynolds) Fisher, 83, formally of Greenfield, Massachusetts. Died peacefully, with her family by her side, on March 24, 2025, in Brattleboro. Born in South Hero on July 13, 1941, she was the daughter of John Stevens Reynolds and Harriet Lucy (Blair) Reynolds, Ellie graduated from Amherst (Mass.) Regional High School. She married Alfred Fisher Sr., who predeceased her in 1980 after 21 years of marriage. Eleanor worked at Franklin County Public Hospital in environmental services and proudly performed 16,731 hours volunteer work in the kitchen and enviromental services. Ellie will always be remembered for her kindness, unwavering integrity, generosity and her love for her family, dogs, and cats. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by two sons, Alfred M. Fisher Jr., and Frank L. Fisher. She is survived by a daughter, Joan (Fisher) James of Greenfield; sons Scott A. Fisher (Pamela) of Brattleboro and Chris M. Fisher of Greenfield; and nine grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A service took place on March 31 at Douglas Funeral Home in Amherst, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery in Greenfield.
• Willard Paul Fitzpatrick, 88, of Wardsboro. Died peacefully at the home of his daughter Parsha, with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren by his side. Willard was born on June 23, 1936, in Wardsboro, son of Irene (Bills) Fitzpatrick and Archibald (Frank) Fitzpatrick. Willard graduated from Wilmington High School in 1954. After graduating, he and his father and brother started Dover Sand and Gravel in 1955. That same year, he met and married his beloved wife, Priscilla (Brown). They were married 69 years. After his brother and father died, he went on creating his lifelong legacy of Fitzpatrick Excavating and Trucking LLC that he ran with his two sons Mike and Jeff. Willard worked from sun-up to sundown. He never missed a fair (especially the food) or cattle auctions in New York. Willard was a devoted member of his community in Wardsboro, serving on the selectboard for 27 years. Willard enjoyed going on rides with his wife and spending time with his family. He loved time around his home watching and feeding his trout that he would raise every year in the spring. He lived a full life full of love for many things. He especially enjoyed the trips to Lake George to camp and fish with Priscilla, his mother-in-law, Emma, and all the grandchildren. He would not hesitate for a second to pick up a hitchhiker and drive them wherever to wherever they wanted to go. Willard is survived by his beloved wife; their children Michael Fitzpatrick Sr. of Newfane, Jeffrey Fitzpatrick of Wardsboro, and Parsha Lovergine of Jamaica; sister Deborah Brassor of Brattleboro; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Willard was predeceased by his parents and his brother William (Bill) Fitzpatrick. Willard will be deeply missed by all, but his love, wisdom and spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew him. Memorial information: A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, April 5, at 1 p.m. at the Wardsboro Town Hall. To offer condolences, visit csnh.com.
• Shirley P. Hodgdon, 72, of Brattleboro. Died on March 20, 2025. Shirley was born in Bellows Falls and lived in Brattleboro for most of her life. She enjoyed kayaking on Sunset Lake and the West River, gardening at home, and criss-crossing New England in search of the finest ice cream. Shirley found community as a member of St. Michael's Episcopal Church, participating in post-Katrina home rebuilding missions to Louisiana and Mississippi and developing a special connection to the city of New Orleans. For many years, Shirley's smile offered a warm welcome at a local dental practice. She cherished her family and made friends wherever she went - memories of her will be treasured by many. Shirley is survived by her son Brian Hodgdon and his wife Sarah; daughter Andrea Hodgdon and her husband Ankit; and stepson Scot Hodgdon and his wife Stefanie; sister and best friend Lori Palmer and her partner Rich; brother Marc Pelow; longtime partner Harold Lafayette and his children Elisa, Sarah, and Josh; and former husband Richard Hodgdon and his wife Barbara. She was affectionately known as "Meme" to her 16 grandchildren. Shirley was predeceased by her parents Blanche (Lizotte) and Marc Pelow of Bellows Falls. Memorial information: A memorial gathering for family and friends will follow in summer, the season Shirley loved best.
• Jessica L. Jacobs, 35, of Athens. Died on March 14, 2025, at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, New Hampshire. Jessica was born on March 16, 1989, to Thomas Leary and Lori (Damon). Jessica loved sewing and doing puzzles, and loved pigs. She is survived by her mother, and her brothers Richard Lear and Joey Ainsworth, as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father and her brother, Robert. Memorial information: There will be no services at this time.
• Roger Leon LaBrecque, 91, of Winchester, New Hampshire. Died on March 20, 2025 at Applewood Nursing Home, where he had been a resident for the past few weeks. Roger was born March 12, 1934, in Collinsville, Connecticut, to Albert and Lucienne (Royer) LaBrecque, the fourth of seven children. The family later moved to Hartford, Connecticut. When Roger was nine years old the family moved again, this time to Southwick, Massachusetts, where his father, aided by Roger, had built a house. Roger attended local schools. After graduating from high school, Roger attended the General Motors Training Center in Dedham, Massachusetts, and became an automotive machinist. In 1956 Roger joined the Army and spent two years in Texas and Georgia. Upon discharge from the army, Roger returned to his family home in Southwick and began working at Parkside Auto Parts in Westfield, Massachusetts. On June 18, 1960, he married Marcia Ann Holda at St. Joseph's Church in Ipswich, Massachusetts. The newlyweds made their home in Feeding Hills, Massachusetts. In 1987, they moved to Newfane, then briefly to Punta Gorda, Florida, where Hurricane Charley destroyed their home six years later. They then moved back to Vermont, this time settling in Brattleboro. In 2016, health issues forced them to move to their daughter's home in Winchester. Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Marcia Holda LaBrecque; sons Todd (Laurie) LaBrecque of Wethersfield, Connecticut, Troy (Gabriela) LaBrecque of Vernon, Connecticut, and Darren (Noel) LaBrecque of Greenfield, Massachusetts; and a daughter, Kristen (Kristopher Parsons) LaBrecque of Winchester. Also surviving are siblings Robert LaBrecque and Lucille Dewey; grandchildren Keegan and Mia Parsons, Colton and Weston LaBrecque, and Shannon (Wesley) Gray; and great-grandchildren Charity, Elijah, Hope Ann, Enoch, Grace, Ethan and Elon Gray. Roger was predeceased by two brothers, Albert and Armand LaBrecque; and two sisters, Doris Seymour and Dorothy Hamilton. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Green Mountain Chapel on Western Avenue in Brattleboro on Saturday, April 5, at 11 a.m. Burial will be at a later date in Highland Cemetery in Ipswich, Massachusetts. Donation to Green Mountain Chapel, 480 Western Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301; Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446; or Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Keith Robert Wright, 65, of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died unexpectedly at his home on March 20, 2025, following an extended period of declining health. Keith was born in Brattleboro on October 15, 1959, the son of Randolyn and Jeanette (Thurber) Wright. He attended Hinsdale public schools, graduating from Hinsdale High School with the Class of 1977. While attending Hinsdale High, he served as manager of the basketball team. He later took courses at Keene State College. Keith had an exceptional singing voice and, with his three siblings, was part of a family singing group organized by his grandmother. The 4K's shared their talents primarily at church-related functions, during the holidays, and for residents at area nursing homes, accompanied by their grandmother on the piano. Back in those days, the family attended First Baptist Church in Brattleboro. At the time of his death, Keith was employed as a receiving clerk at Runnings in Hinsdale. Prior to joining Runnings, he had worked at Home Depot in Keene, New Hampshire. Previously, Keith had been employed for 18 years in the beverage distribution business at DeWitt Beverage and Clark Distributors. During his early years, he had worked for Sanel Auto Parts in Brattleboro. Golf was a big part of Keith's life, and he was a faithful member of Pine Grove Springs Country Club in Spofford, New Hampshire. Of his other leisure time activities, he loved bargain hunting and attending local yard sales as well as attending his grandchildren's sporting events. He was a collector of the famed Radio Flyer red wagons. He also loved to sing karaoke. Keith is survived by his partner of 22 years, Peggy Howard; his mother, Jeanette, of Hinsdale; stepmother Joy Gates of Riverview, Florida; two sons, Jeffrey Wright of Westfield, Massachusetts, and Danial Wright (Jessica) of Guilford; stepson, Ted Greenwood IV (Rena) of Holyoke, Massachusetts; stepdaughter Margaret Baker; a brother, Kevin Wright (Kim) of Barhamsville, Virginia; two sisters, his twin, Karen Henricks of Gulfport, Mississippi, and Kimberley Goodell (Jean) of Winchester, New Hampshire; and sisters-in-law, Maggie Smith and Jane Clark. Additionally, he leaves grandchildren Brittney Wright, Evan Wright, Lindsey Wright, and Madison Wright; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Randolyn; his step-father, Michael Lynch; and his step-grandson, Ted Greenwood V. Memorial information: A celebration of life service will be held at VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 in Brattleboro on Saturday, April 12, from 1 to 5 p.m. Donations to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 W. Swanzey Rd., Swanzey, NH 03446; or to a charity of one's choice. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
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