Obituaries
• Shayne Michael Baker, 16, of Wardsboro. Died Sept. 29. Son of Mindy Fitzpatrick of Wardsboro and Michael Baker II of Rockingham. Brother of Brynna Baker. Grandson of Jeff and Wendy Fitzpatrick of Wardsboro, Karen Baker Wolfe of Rockingham, and Michael Baker Sr. of Keene, N.H. A student at Leland & Gray Union High School, he took joy in doing the things he loved, such as snowboarding, hunting, playing soccer, skateboarding, and body building. He was loved by all whose lives he touched. With his winning smile and over-protective heart, he will forever be missed. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held at Wardsboro Town Hall on Oct. 7. A scholarship has been established at Leland & Gray Union High School in his memory. Donations to be payable to LGUHS, in care of Frank Rucker.
• Matthew Glen Brownell, 46, of West Chesterfield, N.H. Died Sept. 26. Husband of Pennie Bronson for 15 years. Father of Brian of Bellows Falls, Zachary of Westminster and Whitney of Westminster. Son of Franklin Brownell Sr., and his wife, Pamela, of Michigan, and Nina Brownell of New York. Brother of Franklin Jr., and wife, Deb, of New York; BreezeAnn, of South Carolina; David and his wife, Tina, of New York; Vickie and Rusty Coon, of Vermont; Daniel and his wife Gina, of Michigan; Michael, of New York; and Jonathan and his wife, Shannon, of Vermont. Stepbrother of Jason and his wife, Marcy Smith, of Vermont, and Randi Copeland of Michigan. He touched many lives personally and professionally. He owned and operated Stop & Go Instant Oil Change. He donated to many local charities; among the proudest, the Brattleboro Retreat's Ride for Heroes, which helps veterans and service personnel and their families; Project Feed the Thousands, Empty Bowls, and the Monadnock Speedway, among many others. He was a member of the Eagles and the Elks. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held Oct. 7 at the Eagles in Brattleboro. For information on donations, visit www.stopngooil.com.
• Henry West Crosby, 90, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 2 at Thompson House from complications of Alzheimer's disease. Husband of the late Thelma Anderson Crosby for 70 years. Father of Jeanie Crosby and Cynthia Baldwin of Brattleboro, Laurie and Robert Chiperfield of Brattleboro and Lake Worth, Fla., and Martha and Ronald Tompkins of Lighthouse Point, Fla. Brother of Norman Crosbt of Orlando, Fla. A son of the late Henry Scoval Crosby and Florence Adelaide West Crosby, he was a descendant of Capt. John Stanley, a founder of Hartford and New Britain, Conn. He grew up in Stratford and East Haven, Conn. He and his wife lived for a number of years in Stamford, Conn., before moving to Hinsdale, N.H. in 1951, and to Brattleboro in 1966. A born salesman, he worked to improve the lives of people in his communities and the state. For many years, he was a real estate agent in the region and especially delighted in helping families find homes. He also served as assistant to the presidents of Marlboro College and of Windham College, worked for the Connecticut General and Allstate insurance companies and, after serving in the US Navy in World War II, developed a company that provided new business machines to corporations and distributed their older machines to schools and other organizations. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a Shriner and a 50-year member of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut. Governors Salmon, Kunin and Dean all appointed him to positions in which he served Vermont, including the State Board of Medical Practice, where he was the consumer member, the Board of Professional Engineers, and the Real Estate Commission. For the past six years, he resided at Thompson House where he enjoyed life greatly, especially the many musical events. Prior to moving to Thompson House, he participated in research about Alzheimer's and in the training of physicians to treat others with this disease. Memorial information: Graveside services for family and friends were held at Meeting House Hill Cemetery on Oct. 5. Donations to the activities fund at Thompson House, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Vermont Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 300 Cornerstone Dr., Suite 128, Williston, VT 05495.
• Robert H. Johnson, 94, of Brattleboro. Died Oct. 1 at his home surrounded by his family following a period of declining health. Husband of the late Janice Graziola Johnson for 56 years. Father of Robert G. Johnson of Bryan Road, Md.; Albert Johnson and his wife Sharon of Hinsdale, N.H.; Patricia Payne of Brattleboro; Billy M. Johnson and his wife, Angela, also of Brattleboro; and the late Johnny E. Johnson. Born in Wilmington, the son of the late Mason and Marjorie (Temple) Johnson, he was raised and educated in Wilmington and was a graduate of Wilmington High School, class of 1938. While attending high school, he was a star pitcher for the Wilmington varsity baseball team. He had been employed as a truck driver for Crystal Ice & Fuel Co., making ice and fuel deliveries throughout the area. He retired from the company following more than 40 years of faithful service. In all the years he made deliveries, he survived three rollovers due to icy road conditions. Previously he had worked at the former Margolin's Pocketbook Shop, Crosby Milling Co. and managed the Eunice White Farm on Guilford Street. In his earlier years while residing in Wilmington, he managed the Pinkham Dairy Farm. For 43 years, he served as a volunteer fireman with the Brattleboro Fire Department, attaining the rank of lieutenant. An ardent outdoorsman, he loved hunting, fishing, and family outings, and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. A devoted family man, he cherished time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. He was known for his spirit of friendship and his wonderful sense of humor. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held on Oct. 5 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street, where he was laid to rest next to his beloved wife. Donations to the Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot Street, Brattleboro, VT 05301. or to The Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice of Vermont & New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Jct., VT 05001. Condolences may be sent to Atamaniuk Funeral Home at www.atamaniuk.com.
• Suvia “Sue” Whittemore Judd, 87, of Marlboro. Died Sept. 25 at home. Wife of the late Richard “Dick” Judd. Mother of Suvia Thayer Judd of Moscow, Idaho, and Katharine Richard Judd of Brattleboro. Sister of Elizabeth W. MacArthur of Marlboro and the late Arthur “Pat” Whittemore. Born in Boston, Mass., the daughter of the late Suvia and Arthur Whittemore, she grew up in Hingham, Mass., where she attended Derby Academy. Her summers were spent in Marlboro. She went to Smith College, which her mother had also attended. Through a college friend of her mother, she met her husband, whom she married in 1944. She graduated from Williams College with her husband in 1945, having been one of the first female students to attend what was then an all-male institution. The Judds moved to Vermont in 1950, where Dick began his long teaching career at Marlboro College. During the decades that followed, she taught French and art at Marlboro Elementary School, and was very involved in the school's Parents and Friends group. She sang for many years in the Community Chorus under the baton of Blanche Moyse, and took piano lessons with her. She took classes at Marlboro College, including one on Japanese printmaking, and one on Bible studies. In the 1970s Sue studied pottery with Malcolm Wright and became a serious potter, specializing in Korean style white slip ware. When arthritis forced her to give up potting, she took up painting for a time. She was an avid organic gardener and shared in her husaband's college life, hosting dinners and the annual Wendell Cup ski race, presiding over afternoon tea at his weekly seminars, and employing many college students to work with her in the garden and around the house. She always welcomed unexpected dinner guests, including those brought home by her husband and children. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at Marlboro College at a date to be announced. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Dorrit Sillitoe Merton, 97, of Westminster West. Died Sept. 25 at her home. Former wife of Rolf Merton. Mother of Susel Merton Fagan of Fairfield Iowa, Timothy Merton of Westminster West, and Lisa Merton of Marlboro. Born in Lichfield, England, one of seven children, she traveled to Cape Town, South Africa in 1933 when she was 18, intending to stay for six weeks. She stayed for 17 years. There, she met her husband, who had left Nazi Germany. Together they had three children. The family returned to Europe in 1952 and lived in England, Germany, and Switzerland. In 1956, they immigrated to the United States, arriving by ship in New York. She moved to Putney with her three children in 1963 after she divorced. Two years later, she bought an old farmhouse in Westminster West, and lived there ever since. She was a free spirit and a progressive, original thinker. From food, to child rearing, to social justice issues, she was far ahead of her time. She was self-educated and highly creative. Over the years, her home became a haven for young people and others who relished her open-mindedness and quick wit. For many years, she had a wonderful partnership with Edward Dodd. They shared their passion for literature, music, art, and nature. They also traveled widely together, and lived part of the year in Moorea, French Polynesia. Their families continue to be an integral part of each others' lives. For more than 10 years, she was the librarian at The Grammar School in Putney, a reflection of her love of children and children's literature. Later, she curated art exhibits at the River Valley Performing Arts Center in Putney, and was always enthusiastically involved with the Southeastern Vermont Audubon Society. Memorial information: There will be a celebration of her life at Calder Hall at the Putney School on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. Donations to the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association, the Brattleboro Music Center, or Sarasa Ensemble (sarasamusic.org).
• Clyde A. Reed, 68, of Whitingham. Died Oct. 2 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. Husband of Annmary Block-Reed of Whitingham. Father of Scott Reed and his wife, Aimee, of Jacksonville and Steven Reed and his wife, Larue, of Westfield, Mass. Stepfather of Travis Block and his wife, Chris, of Jacksonville. Born in Springfield, Mass., the son of the late John and Marion (LeBeouf) Reed, he was raised and received his education in Springfield and moved to his Burrington Hill home 30 years ago. He learned the art of carpentry from his father and spent his life doing what he loved. Memorial information: As per hos wishes, there are no formal services. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. Condolences may be sent to www.sheafunertalhomes.com.
• Diane Shepard, 66, of Charlestown, N.H. Died Sept. 30 at her home. Wife of Arthur Shepard for nearly 11 years. Mother of Rodney Lique and wife, Deborah, of Charlestown; Gary Lique and wife, Sara, of Grafton; and Brad Stillwell of Kentucky. Stepmother of Wendall L. Shepard. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Francis and Marguerite (Donzello) Seymour, she was a 1963 graduate of Bellows Falls High School and worked for Bell Telephone. She later worked seven years at Whitney Blake and, from 1997 to the present, she worked for Whelen Engineering. She was a member of the Polish American Club, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Women of the Loyal Order of the Moose. She loved to dance and go to horseshoe tournaments with her husband. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Oct. 2 at St. Charles Cemetery in Westminster.
• Nathan Smith, 96, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 30 at Hilltop House in Brattleboro. Husband of the late Florence Smith for 64 years. Father of Barbara Charkey and her husband, Stan, of Brattleboro, and Betty Smith and her husband, Peter Korn, of Portland, Ore. Born in New York City, he graduated from New York Technical High School and attended City College. He was employed in the photography industry and as a free-lance photographer. He lived in New York City until 2005, when he moved to Brattleboro with his wife to be closer to family. His many interests included world affairs, opera, and chess. In 1960, he took up sailing and, during the next 15 years, had many adventures navigating the waters around New York City. He was a talented inventor and throughout his life applied his skill to developing creative improvements for the work place and home. He will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his belief in the importance of civic engagement, and his sense of humor. Memorial information: No information available.
• Georgina Mae Thomas, 56, of Bellows Falls. Died Oct. 2 at home. Wife of the late Steven Thomas Sr. Mother of Edgar Simpson, Chad Simpson, Steven Thomas, Jr., Todd Thomas, Melissa Simpson, and the late Tyron Thomas. Stepmother of Tracy Smith. Sister of John Simpson, Cindy Burnham, Roxanna Hicks, and the late Harold and Jerry Simpson, Donna Frenette, Sandra Mack, and Gloria Simpson. Born in Chester, the daughter of the late Harold and Ruth (Chaplin) Simpson, she attended schools in Bellows Falls. She worked as an LNA at McGirr Nursing Home, and was a member of the Ladies of the Moose. She loved to spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening, crocheting, and playing Bingo. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Oct. 6 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Oak Hill Cemetery in Bellows Falls. Donations to Edgar Simpson, P.O. Box 127, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Sept. 25, 2012, a son, Gavin Wilfred Scott Carpenter, to Danielle Laliberte and Travis Carpenter of Brattleboro; grandson to Terry and Doug Gray of Hinsdale, N.H., and Deborah and Wayne Carpenter of Dummerston; great-grandson to Joyce Scott of Dummerston.
College news
• The following Brattleboro residents earned degrees from Union Institute & University: Lisa Adams, Coretta Bliss, Wendi Byther, Wendy Cluff, and Ryan Hockertlotz all earned a Bachelor Of Arts in Liberal Studies, while Barbara Vitalis of Brattleboro earned a Master Of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
• Jordan Davie-Stefanik, an Actuarial Mathematics student from Newfane, and Sarah French, an Actuarial Mathematics student from Vernon, have both started their first year of study at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.