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.
• Louise Brissette, 100, formerly of Wilmington. Died Oct. 2o at Port Orange (Fla.) Hospice Care. Wife of the late Albert Brissette. Mother of Alberta, Caroline, Anne, Samuel, Lawrence, and James. Born in Burlington, she and her husband owned North Star Bowling Lanes in Wilmington. She taught school in Halifax and Wilmington until her retirement in 1976. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, and she enjoyed puzzles, playing cards, reading and spending time with her family. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 31 at Port Orange Hospice Care Center Chapel. Donations to Port Orange Hospice Care Center, 3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange. FL 32127.
• Wendy Lisa Brown, 46, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 18. Mother of Christopher Mercure of Gulfport, Miss.; and Matthew Mercure and Joseph Mercure, both of Brattleboro. Sister of Carl Brown of Barkhamsted, Conn., Dawn Brown of Bristol, Conn., Laurie LaPage of Connecticut, and the late Walter Brown. Born in Winsted, Conn., on May 6, 1965 the daughter of the Walter and Florence (Richmond) Brown, she grew up in the Burlington, Conn., area and later moved to Brattleboro in 1990. She was a loving and caring person who was devoted to her family and her church. She was very involved with her local parish, the First United Methodist Church of Brattleboro. Memorial information: A memorial service was held on Oct. 29 at the First United Methodist Church. Donations to the Brattleboro Area Drop In Center, 60 South Main St., P.O. Box 175, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be sent to Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Paul Frederick Butinsky Jr., 91, of Vernon. Died Oct. 10 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Longtime companion of Bruna Palmer. Father of Michelle A. Sheldon and her husband, Gary, of Troy, N.H.; Paul A. Butinsky and his wife, Sharon, of Cocoa Beach, Fla.; Craig S. Butinsky and his wife, Chris, of Palm Bay, Fla.; and the late Michael S. Butinsky. Born in Northfield, Mass., the son of the late Anne and Paul F. Butinsky Sr., he left school after completing the eighth grade to help run the family dairy farm. He served five years in the Army Air Corps during World War II as an airplane and engine mechanic, and qualified as an expert aircraft gunner. He received a Good Conduct Medal, and several campaign ribbons. After leaving the service after the war at the rank of staff sergeant, he worked for 38 years for Raymond S. Roberts in Brattleboro as an automobile salesman. He retired in 1990 at the age of 70, and lived in Palm Bay, Fla., during the winter to be closer to his sons. He was an active member of the Elks Club, American Legion, Moose Lodge 478, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was a passionate hunter and expert marksman with a gun and bow. He loved dancing with Bruna, and they spent much of their time gardening, fishing and enjoying life with their children. Memorial information: At Mr. Butinsky's request, a private burial service was held.
• Timothy Wayland Cole, 50, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Oct. 24 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Son of Francis and Elaine (Arms) Cole. Brother of Christine Cole of Newfane, Kevin Cole of Townshend, Jennifer Cole of Newfane, and the late Matthew Cole. Born in Townshend, he grew up in Brookline and attended schools in Townshend and Brattleboro. He made his home in Wardsboro, Wilmington, Brattleboro, and, finally, Hinsdale, N.H. He was employed in the food service business, most recently for Sodexho at the Brattleboro Retreat and in the kitchen at the Brattleboro Food Co-op. He was an avid Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia fan. He loved the time he spent with his dad in the woods, hunting and enjoying nature, and he loved spending holidays and other anniversaries with his family in the northeast kingdom. He was baptized and joined the Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro in 2004, and he took great joy in being a part of this church community. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 11 a.m., at Centre Congregational Church, with a gravesite service at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to Health Care and Rehabilitation Services (HCRS), 39 Elm St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or the Winston L. Prouty Center, 20 Winston Prouty Way, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Susan Davis, 64, of Guilford. Died Oct. 26 at home of liver and kidney failure. Wife of Richard Davis for nearly 35 years. Mother of Keith Baker and his wife, Kim, of Mashpee, Mass. Sister of Anne Silvius and her husband, Craig, of Londonderry, N.H.; Nick Capron and Marion Rogers of Caanan, N.H.; Lucien “Chug” Capron and his wife, Marilyn, of Enfield, N.H. Born in Rockingham, the daughter of the late John and Uldene (Ufford) Capron, her life was dedicated to helping others as a registered nurse and as a caring human being who understood the pain and suffering of others too well. In 2004, she started Guilford Cares, an organization that helps the elderly and vulnerable in her community remain independent at home for as long as possible. It was her vision to have an organization that filled in the gaps and shortcomings of the health care system by organizing friends and neighbors to provide nursing care, transportation and support. She was the organization's nurse and coordinator until the time of her death. As her illness progressed, she was assured that the mission of the organization would be carried on because of the dedication and commitment of the board members who recently expanded services to provide a food bank for Guilford residents. She worked as a nurse at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Hilltop House, Thompson House, and The Visiting Nurse Association of Vermont and New Hampshire, where she ran the Brattleboro hospice program as a nationally certified hospice nurse. She was a teacher at the Thompson School for Practical Nursing for eight years, instilling the values of compassion and caring in her students, many of whom work as nurses in the local communities. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 1 p.m., at Guilford Community Church. Donations to Guilford Cares, c/o Dick Stewart, 756 Packers Corner Rd, Guilford, VT 05301.
• Thelma F. Frederick, 93, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 23 at The Village at Cedar Hill in Windsor. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Herbert and Sadie (Frazier) Frederick, she was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School and attended Bay Path Institute in Boston. She was an accountant for 43 years at New England Kurn Hattin Homes in Westminster. She was a devoted member of the United Church in Bellows Falls and also an Incorporator with New England Kurn Hattin Homes. She happily spent the last eight years of her life at The Village at Cedar Hill. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Oct. 25 at the Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial to follow in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls.
• Harriet Catherine Gates, 88, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 27 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of the late Chester Moore and the late Henry E. Gates. Mother of Carl Moore of White River Junction. Predeceased by two brothers and a sister. Born in Denville, N.J., the daughter of John and Hazel (Palmer) Moore. She attended the Lincoln School and Washington School, both in Rockaway, N.J. She was a former resident of Nashua, N.H., and Bellows Falls, before moving to Brattleboro. She had been employed by the former Deyo's Laundry and previously worked at the former Estey Organ Co., Bradley Labs and Murray Heel Co., all in Brattleboro. While in New Hampshire, she worked for International Shoe Co. and at Nashua Hospital. She enjoyed day trips, collecting figurines and plates, Country & Western music, and old-time gospel hymns. For the last few years, she especially enjoyed attending the Gathering Place every Friday. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Oct. 31 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with burial in Locust Ridge Cemetery. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Messages of condolence may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Leif K. Hervold, 75, of West Wardsboro, formerly of Morganville, N.J. Died Oct. 26 at the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington. Husband of Malfrid Somme for 54 years. Father of Penny Defilippo and her husband, Joseph, and Glenn Hervold and his wife, Jane, all of Jackson, N.J. Brother of Gerd Trockel of Sparta, N.J. Born in Lista, Norway, he was the son of the late Lars and Lotte (Andresssen) Hervold. Leif received his early education in Norway. He was a U.S. Army veteran. The Hervolds lived in Morganville, N.J. for many years until moving to West Wardsboro in 1998. He was the co-owner of Springstead Construction in the New York/New Jersey area for many years. A member of the Sons of Norway, he also enjoyed boating, visiting the ocean and playing the accordion and organ. Memorial information: A memorial services will be held at the Wardsboro Methodist Church at a time to be announced. Donations to either the Wardsboro Methodist Church or the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, in care of Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201. Messages of condolence may be sent to www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.
• Joyce W. Pelos, 84, formerly of Jamaica. Died Oct. 26 at McGirr Nursing Home in Bellows Falls. Wife of John L. Pelos. Mother of Barbara Garfield of Townshend, Leslie Randall of Jamaica, and Jacqueline Peck of Brooksville, Fla. Sister of the late Jacqueline Hill, her twin. Born in Trenton, N.J., the daughter of the late Albert and Edna (Ditrich) Walsh, she was raised in Westport, Conn., and graduated from Stapples High School in 1944. She went on to study classical music and opera at Bridgeport University. Joyce composed and published On Christmas Eve, The Christmas Waltz, On Winds of Time, and Once and Only Once in a Lifetime. She worked for the Westport Bank & Trust and Miss Pauls' Nursery School. She had spent time at her summer home in Vermont since the 1950s. In the summer of 1986, she retired to Jamaica, where she served 15 years as town librarian and was a member of the Jamaica Congregational Church, where she played the piano and sang in the choir. In 2006, due to her health, she moved to McGirr Nursing Home. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Nov. 2 at Jamaica Community Church.
• Elaine Sullivan, 59, of Whitingham. Died Oct. 20 after a lengthy battle with pulmonary disease. Wife of Jerry Sullivan. Mother of Brigite. Daughter of Theresa Bouthillette. Sister of Ruth, JoAnn, Rick, Aaron, and Bill. She brought beauty, love, and gentleness into the countless lives she touched. Memorial information: No formal service plans were announced. Donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Condolences may be sent to Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Mildred L. Ward, 93, of Westminster West. Died Oct. 26 at Elm Wood Center in Claremont, N.H.Wife of the late Leslie A. Ward. Mother of Linda Robbins and her husband, Loren, of Charlestown, N.H.; Ethan A. Ward and his wife Judi of Poultney; and the late Sherrol Ann Ward. Sister of the late Robert, Arthur, and Oliver Simpson. Born in Royalton, the daughter of the late Clarence and Florence (Culver) Simpson, she grew up in Royalton and Waterbury, and was a graduate of Castleton State College. She worked as a teacher for 30 years, 26 of those years at Austine School for the Deaf. She was very active in the Maple Grove Grange and also the Westminster West Church, where she was the organist for over 30 years. Memorial information: A service was held on Oct. 31 at Westminster West Church, with burial in Westminster West Cemetery. Donations to Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Oct. 14, 2011, a daughter, Elayna Marie King, to Anne-Marie Muscari and Robbie King of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Meredith Muscari, Diane Unwin, Robert King Jr. and Vincenzo Muscari.
• In Brattleboro, (Memorial Hospital), Aug. 25, 2011, a son, Evan James Hutchins, to Tasha L. Powling and Dustin J. Hutchins of Newfane; grandson to Calvin and Toni Powling of Newfane, Randi and Donald Lafrance of Westminster, Gary Hutchins of New Hampshire, and Lisa Hutchins of Massachusetts.
College news
• Meghan S. Stock of Londonderry is participating in St. Lawrence University's International Study Program for the fall 2011 semester. Stock, a member of the class of 2012 at St. Lawrence, is studying in England.
• Cristy Sugarman of Brattleboro has earned a Doctor of Education from Union Institute & University.
Awards
• Barbara Sondag, Brattleboro Town Manager, was presented with the Brattleboro Development Credit Corp.'s Founders' Award at its 58th annual meeting at World Learning on Oct. 25. Sondag was presented with the award, BDCC's highest honor, for her leadership during the Brooks House fire and Tropical Storm Irene. She was also recognized for her leadership in bringing Commonwalth Dairy to town and in leading SeVEDS, the Southeastern Vermont Economic Development Strategy.
• Brian Remer of Guilford, a local consultant with The Firefly Group and project manager for the Center for Health and Learning in Brattleboro, was the recipient of the Ifill-Raynolds Award for Lifetime Achievement awarded by the North American Simulation and Gaming Association (NASAGA), at their annual conference in Valley Forge, Pa., last month. An annual honor by NASAGA for outstanding contribution to simulation gaming, the Ifill-Raynolds Award recognizes individuals who have lifelong experience in several areas: facilitation, design, training, research, and writing.