Obituaries
Editor's note: The Commons will publish brief biographical information for citizens of Windham County and others, on request, as community news, free of charge.
• Frances Helen “Fran” Cooke, 88, of Brattleboro. Died May 16 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Wife of the late Francis G. Sanborn and the late Raymond Cooke. Mother of Dainard Nelson Sanborn Sr. and wife, Mary, of Charlestown, N.H., a daughter-in-law, Barbara Frazier and husband Mark of Easthampton, Mass., stepsons Richard Cooke and wife, Diane, of Brattleboro and David Cooke and wife Paulette of Leesburg, Fla. Sister of Phyllis Kimble and husband, Elliot, of East Dummerston and Robert Tudor and wife, Julie, of Kalispell, Mont. Predeceased by a son, Randall Sanborn. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of Ray and Marion (Grant) Tudor, she was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1941. She had worked at Eden Park Nursing Home as a nurse's aide, retiring in 1985. She also had been employed at American Stratford, Maple Farms Dairy, H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop, Dunham Shoe Co., American Optical Co., Estey Organ Co., and for C.E. Bradley, all formerly of Brattleboro. She was a longtime member of First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro, where she served on numerous church committees that included the activities and social committee which she chaired for several years. For more than 20 years, she was a member of the Brattleboro Senior Singers. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 20 at First Baptist Church in Brattleboro, burial in Locust Ridge Cemetery on Black Mountain Road. Doantions to Baptist Church Homeless Shelter, First Baptist Church, 190 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301 or to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Reba Theresa O'Connor Greene, 91, of Marlboro. Died May 16. Wife of the late Col. James Barrow Greene for 63 years. Mother of James Jr., Daniel, Mary, and Rebecca Greene. Predeceased by a daughter, Blanche Greene. Born in Augusta, Georgia, she was the youngest and last surviving child of Daniel Patrick and Volumnia (Benson) O'Connor. She attended the University of Georgia, and was guided by the tenets of her traditional Irish Catholic upbringing: an unshakeable faith, a clear moral vision, fierce dedication to her family, a strict code of etiquette, and reverence for language used with refinement. Those were the high standards to which she held herself, and the inheritance she passed to her own children. To those gifts, she added her own sharp wit, unfailing courtesy, and finely observed appreciation of every individual she met. She met her husband as he left to serve in the Army Air Corps in 1941, and together they raised their five children as she accompanied him through a 30-year Air Force career, with assignments in Indianapolis, Washington D.C., Ottawa, and Omaha, Neb. His last assignment, as Air Attaché of the United States in Rome, was the great middle act of her life. She was a diplomat's wife, hostess, and dedicated and fluent student of the Italian language. Col. Greene retired to a second career in the Physics Department at the University of Texas at Austin, the family's home for the next 40 years. Active and engaged, she was studying Spanish and driving to Tai Chi classes past her 90th birthday. In frailer health, she moved to her daughter Mary's Marlboro home earlier this year. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 20 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. She will be laid to rest with her husband at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in Texas. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Stephen G. Guiheen, 74, of Bedford, N.H. Died May 13 at Elliot Hospital in Manchester, N.H. Born in Brattleboro, son of the late James and Doris (Porter) Guiheen, he graduated from St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro, Class of 1955, and graduated from the University of Notre Dame, Class of 1960. Served in the Army, stationed on Long Island, where he produced films and documentaries for the military. He returned to Brattleboro and was employed at the Experiment in International Living in Putney for many years. While living in Brattleboro, he was a communicant of St. Michael's Catholic Church and was involved in parish activities and the St. Michael's School Alumni Association. Steve moved to Alexandria, Va., in 1977 and worked in Washington, D.C., as a press secretary for the General Services Administration until he retired. Following retirement, he returned to New England, living in Bedford with his beloved cat, E.T. He was a communicant of St. Elizabeth Seton Church and was active in the parish community. He also enjoyed visiting and helping at the Bedford animal shelter, and enjoyed the theatre, politics, and watching sports, especially Notre Dame football. However, his greatest joy was sharing these interests with his family and friends. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 20 at at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, followed by burial with full military honors in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire, 545 Route 101, Bedford, NH 03110; the Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern NH, Inc., 33 South Commercial St., Suite 401, Manchester, NH 03101; or to St. Michael's School, c/o Elaine Beam, Principal, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• James Lewis Humphrey, 88, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died March 2 at the VA Medical Center in White River Junction. Husband of the late Thelma I. Humphrey for 38 years. Stepfather of George LaClair of Davenport, Fla.; Lewis LaClair of Guilford; Jeanette Benson of Derry, N.H., Opal Belville of Wesley Chapel, Fla.; Gloria Page of Zephyrhills, Fla.; Phyllis Howe of Zephyrhills, Fla.; Nancy Wright of Chesterfield, the late Joanne Maine; and Shirley Miller of Hinsdale, N.H. Brother of Archie Humphrey of Keene, N.H. Predeceased by a stepson, Richard LaClair, and siblings Eleanor Humphrey and Fred C. Humphrey, Jr. Born in Chesterfield, the son of Fred and Agnes Humphrey, he was raised and educated in Chesterfield, and served his country in World War II and the Korean War. He worked for the town of Chesterfield for several years, was a member of the Chesterfield Fire Department for 29 years, and served as Fire Chief for two years. He worked for A.C. Lawrence Leather in Winchester, N.H. for more than 30 years. He was a member of the Chesterfield American Legion for 44 years, and lifetime member of the VFW in Winchester and the Eagles in Keene. He enjoyed camping, fishing, tinkering with his old trucks and his John Deere tractor. He was faithful and devoted husband, loving stepfather, grandfather, great grandfather, and great-great grandfather. Memorial information: A military service will be conducted by the American Legion of Chesterfield on May 21, at 11 a.m., at the Poor Road Cemetery in West Chesterfield. Donations to the American Legion in Chesterfield or Home Healthcare, Hospice & Community Services in Keene, N.H.
• Marie J. (Johnson) Kelsey, 85, of Gill, Mass. Died May 13 at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, Mass. Wife of the late Gerald J. Kelsey. Mother of Patricia Babits and her husband, Don, James Kelsey and his wife, Paula, and Michael Kelsey and his wife, Jane, all of Greenfield, Mass.; and David Kelsey of Nashua, N.H. Born in Putney, the daughter of George and Hattie (Merton) Johnson, she attended schools in Dummerston, and later graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1945. Was employed for many years at the former Franklin County Public Hospital, as an aide and later in the housekeeping department. Enjoyed many activities, including vegetable and flower gardening, bird watching, home sewing, knitting, crocheting, crafts, and jigsaw puzzles. Was a volunteer at the Franklin Area Survival Center for several years, and will be long remembered for her devotion to her family, neighbors and many friends. Memorial information: A memorial service was held May 17 at the McCarthy Funeral Homes in Greenfield, with burial in the Riverside Cemetery of Gill. Donations to the Franklin Area Survival Center, 96 Fourth St., Turners Falls, MA 01376.
• Dorothea Joan (Wilson) Kelso, 78, of Annandale, Va. Died May 10 in Annandale. Former wife of Jack Kelso. Sister of Barbara, of Brattleboro, and Arnold, of Sturbridge, Mass. Born in New York City, the daughter of Addison H. and Greta M. Wilson, she was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1951. She was a student at Tufts University, but withdrew after one year to marry Mr. Kelso, then a reporter for the Worcester Telegram. Later, when her husband wrote for the Kiplinger Magazine, they made their home in Alexandria, Va. The couple divorced after 17 years. When she retired, she became active in her local Senior Center and enjoyed taking part in the planned trips to places of interest in the Washington, D.C., area. She often baked dessert specialties to share with new friends at the center. Memorial information: Memorial arrangements are pending. Per her request, her ashes will be scattered in the vicinity of Pemaquid Point, Maine.
• Joanne Maine, 66, formerly of Chesterfield, N.H. Died May 13 in Clermont, Fla. Wife of Russell Maine. Mother of Bruce Fosburgh and wife, Renee, of Florida, Timothy Fosburgh and wife, Sally Ann Fosburgh-Tenney, of Brattleboro; John Maine of Maryland; Kathy Weigert and husband, Richard, of Rhode Island; and Janet Densmore and husband, Terry, of Florida; Sister of George and Louis LaClair, Shirley Miller, Opal Beliville, Phylis Howe, Gloria Paige and Nancy Wright. Predeceased by her stepfather, James Humphrey; a son, James Fosburgh; a daughter, Tammy Fosburgh; and a brother, Richard LaClair. Born in Keene, N.H., the daughter of the late George L. and Thelma I. (Smith) LaClair, she had been the bartender at the Eagles Aerie #1413 in Keene, where she was a life member. She was a member of VFW Post 799 and the American Legion Post 4, both in Keene. . Memorial information: A graveside memorial service was held May 19 at Fletcher Funeral Home in Keene, with burial in the Spofford Village Cemetery. Donations to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd, 2nd Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814, or online at www.cff.org.
• Elaine B. Masure, 74, of Bellows Falls. Died May 13 at Springfield Hospital. Wife of Donald Masure for more than 53 years. Mother of Warren and wife, Shirley, of Springfield; and Wade and wife, Katrina, of Bellows Falls. Sister of Denison Densmore of Stevenson, Ala.; and Janice Hoffman of Wetumpka, Ala. Predeceased by a brother, Arthur. Born in Barre, the daughter of the late Lyndal and Edyth (St. John) Densmore, she attended Peacham Academy, graduating in 1956. She worked for Howard Johnson's and Gay's Express. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Bellows Falls, and was an avid Red Sox fan who enjoyed cooking and flowers. Her family was most important in her life, as she enjoyed trips south to visit family and her grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside memorial service was held May 18 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls.
• Laura Sims Miniszek, 93, of Topsham, Maine, formerly of Brattleboro. Died May 15 at Cadigan Lodge, The Highlands, in Topsham. Wife of the late Dr. James Haight Miniszek for nearly 59 years. Mother of Jane M. Weigarten of Denver; Sally M. Babcock of South Freeport, Maine, and Falls Church, Va.; Ann M. Jule of Rye, N.H.; and Nancy A. Cooper of Danbury, N.H. Born in Concord, N.H., the daughter of Burt and Alena Stevens Sims, she was a 1940 graduate of the University of New Hampshire and member of Mu Alpha Chapter of Chi Omega. During World War II, she served as a plane spotter in Palm Springs, Calif. She was a deaconess of Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro, and was also a Sunday School teacher, Girl Scout leader and member of the board of Family and Child Guidance. She was an honorary director of the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and Gift Shop chairwoman, and a member of the board of the Holton Memorial Home. Memorial information: There will be a private family service. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Robert “Bobby” Eliot Ross, 76, of Bethel, Conn. Died May 16 at home. Husband of Ana (Hulswit) Ross for 48 years. Father of Jack and Tonnette Cartin of Virginia Beach, Va.; Jeffrey and Wendy Cartin of New Milford, Conn.; Heather and Billie Hill of Bethel, Conn.; Robert and Alice Ross of Thomaston, Conn.; Jillian and Kenneth Krueger of Brookfield, Conn.; and Rebekah and Craig White of Southbury, Conn. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late James Ross and Edna Sawin, he graduated from Bellows Falls High School in 1953, where he served as the class president. He served in the Air Force as a jet aircraft mechanic, and later attended General Motors Institute in Flint, Mich., and received his certification as a transmission specialist. Upon moving to Connecticut, he was employed by Norma-Hoffmann Bearing Corp of Stamford for 10 years. In 1973, he joined the Burndy Corporation in Bethel, and remained employed there for 27 years until retiring in 2000. In his retirement, he pursued his passion of Corvettes. He proudly purchased his first Corvette in 2007, and served as an active member of the Candlewood Valley Corvette Club. Although he was not a man of many words, he leaves behind a lifetime of fond memories and life lessons that include strong, positive ethical and family values. Memorial information: A memorial service was held May 18 at Bethel Funeral Home. Donations to the Marcus Cardiac Rehabilitation Center at Danbury Hospital, 21 Hospital Ave, Danbury, CT 06810 or the American Heart Association, 5 Brookside Dr, Wallingford, CT 06492.
• William Joseph “Bill” Wojcik, Jr., 81, of Vernon. Died May 15 at the home of his daughter, Sharon Brissette. Husband of the late Virginia A. Peters for 50 years. Father of Sharon Brissette and husband, Earl, of Vernon; Kathi Niles of Vernon; William A. Wojcik of The Plains, Va.; Glenn Wojcik and wife, Kelly, of Hinsdale, N.H.; and Benjamin Wojcik and wife, Alketa, of San Marcos, Calif. Predeceased by two sisters, Eleanor Plankey and Joan Dion. Born in Adams, Mass., the son of William and Ida (Devio) Wojcik, he was raised and educated in North Adams and was a graduate of Drury High School, Class of 1948. Served in the Army in the Corps of Engineers during the Korean War. Following the war, he returned home and went to work for General Electric in Pittsfield, Mass. He had been employed by New England Power Co., working at several area hydroelectric facilities that included Shelburne Falls, Mass., Bellows Falls, Vernon, and his last assignment at Fifteen Mile Falls/Commerford in Monroe, N.H. He retired as plant superintendant in 1989, following 40 faithful years of service with the company. Enjoyed gardening, camping, boating, and time shared with his family. He was also an avid Boston Red Sox fan, and a former member of the Brattleboro Rotary Club. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors were conducted on May 19 in Southview Cemetery in North Adams, where he was laid to rest next to his wife. Donations to Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of VT and NH, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001-0976 or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), May 16, 2011, a son, Marcus Andrew-Zachariah Dascomb, to Kelsey Bristol and Jay Dascomb of Brattleboro; grandson to Shirley Kohler, Michael Bristol, and Rick Dascomb.
• In Boston, (Beth Israel/Deaconess Medical Center), May 12, 2011, a son, Garrett Matthew Haggerty, to Claire Willscher and Stephen Haggerty of Dedham, Mass.; grandson to Hugh and Betty Haggerty of Bellows Falls, Lynn Willscher of Wolfeboro, N.H., and the late Max Willscher; great-grandson to Patricia Garbarini of Ossining, N.Y.
• In Bristol, England, (Southmead Hospital), May 10, 2011, a son, Elliot James Chant, to Chris and Meghan (Ryan) Chant of Bristol; grandson to Derek and Maggie Chant of Sidmouth, Devon, and Kevin and Sara Ryan of Dummerston.
• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), May 9, 2011, a daughter, Annabell Sage, to Elizabeth (Brandt) and Real Bazin Jr. of Westminster.
• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), May 6, 2011, a son, Grayson Lee, to Sarah Brown and Jason Packer of North Walpole, N.H.
• In Keene, N.H., (Cheshire Medical Center), May 6, 2011, twin sons, Jack Devlin and Gordon Hunter, to Jessica (McQuillan) and Gordon Schofield Jr. of Chesterfield, N.H.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), April 28, 2011, a son, Benjamin Alexander Smith, to Samantha (Rec) and Nicholas J. Smith of Springfield; grandson to Cathy Raymond of Hinsdale, N.H., Steven Rec of Northfield, Mass., and Nancy Judkins and Steven Judkins, both of Virginia; great-grandson to Esther Derosia of Brattleboro, and Stanley Raymond Sr. of Bernardston, Mass.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), April 21, 2011, a son, Owyn Gene Shippee, to Kalea (Renee) and Matthew Mark Shippee of Brattleboro; grandson to Gregory and Rhonda Felumb of West Chesterfield, N.H., Chris and Jeannine Barnard of Brattleboro, and Mark Shippee of Moultonboro, N.H.; great-grandson to Gene and Beverly Miller of Mound City, Mo., Don and Barb Hall of Mound City, Jean Rawson of Brattleboro, Rena Shippee of Vernon, and Paul and Becky Barnard of Hinsdale, N.H.
College news
• During the recent Southern Vermont EMS conference, the Vermont Ambulance Association announced that the 2011 recipient of the Charles “Chuck” Hoag Scholarship was awarded to Melissa Green of Halifax. Green is studying at Greenfield Community College in pursuit of an associate's degree. She is holding a 3.9 GPA while taking classes in English, Art, and Anatomy/Physiology. She was recently accepted to the GCC paramedic program. She started her career in emergency medical services when she joined Halifax EMS in 2008, and later joined the Whitingham Ambulance Service and Rescue Inc. as an EMT.
• Judith Lawrence of Brattleboro has earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies degree from Union Institute & University.
• Rosa Palmeri, a theatre major from Putney, made the Dean's List for academic achievements during the Spring Semester 2011 at the University of Evansville.
• The following local students in the Class of 2011 were named to Elmira (N.Y.) College's Dean's List for Academic Achievement for the Winter 2011 term: Megan Lynde of Guilford, who is majoring in Nursing and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Lynde; Ryan Patterson of Brattleboro, who is majoring in Business Administration and is the son of Ann and Tom Patterson; Alison Rowell of Townshend, who is majoring in Biology and is the daughter of Robert and Susan Rowell; and Jessica Roemmelt of Wilmington, who is majoring in Nursing and is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Roemmelt.
• Ryan Joseph Turner of Putney was awarded a bachelor of science degree in Marketing during Salve Regina University's 61st commencement on May 15 in Newport, R.I.
• Dartmouth senior Adam Boardman of Brattleboro was named to the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association's Division I All-New England Senior Scholar Athlete Team on Friday.
The Scholar Athlete Team acknowledges the graduating seniors from their respective schools, who have earned over a 3.0 grade point average and have excelled on the field.
Boardman, a sociology and economics major, played in 14 games for the Big Green, tallying two goals and two assists. The two goals marked the first two goals of the defensive midfielder's career.
• The following area residents graduated from Saint Michael's College in Winooski on May 16: Heidi Elizabeth Allen, daughter of Robert and Karol Allen of Londonderry, earned a Bachelor of Science, magna cum laude in Business Administration and Accounting; Caitlin Jane Rawson Wilkins, daughter of Hal and Virginia Wilkins of Westminster Station, earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Elementary Education; Emily Alison Durkin, daughter of Thomas and Susan Durkin of Brattleboro, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology; Gael Kudemoka Shungu, son of Alex Shungu of Brattleboro, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Lucas Arthur Schultz, son of Paula Schultz of West Halifax, earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology.
School news
• Kelsey Parker, a seventh-grader at Dummerston School, received an Honorable Mention for the YouTube video she submitted to Vermont's Secretary of State 2011 Poster and Essay Contest. Honorable Mention recipients and their families were invited to an awards ceremony on May 23 st the State House in Montpelier, where they toured the State House and visited the Vermont Historical Society Museum. To view the winning entries, visit http://www.sec.state.vt.us/kids.
• Taylor Patno of Brattleboro is this year's recipient of the New England Youth Theatre's May Award. The May Award was created in 2008, and is presented to a graduating seniorsor a NEYT alumnus, who, in the opinion of the selection committee, would succeed in their chosen field of theater training. The hope would be that recipients would then give back to NEYT with time, talents, and, if possible, financial support. Patno will be attending Circle in the Square Theater School in New York City. He has had a six-year career at NEYT. Most recently, he appeared in the production of My Fair Lady, directed by NEYT founder and Artistic Director Stephen Stearns.