College news
• Rosa Palmeri, a theater major from Putney, graduated from the University of Evansville (Ind.) with the degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts on May 4.
• Jonah Stoller, a sophomore from Brattleboro, received the Guy Allen Tawny Prize at Beloit (Wis.) College's Honors Day Convocation on May 1.
Transitions
• Konstantin von Krusenstiern has been appointed Vice President of Strategy and Development at the Brattleboro Retreat. Von Krusenstiern has served as Senior Director of Development since joining the hospital in December 2008. In his new role, he will expand his responsibilities to include management of the Outreach & Education department, which includes the Retreat's marketing and communications, media relations, continuing education, and strategic planning efforts. Von Krusenstiern will continue to oversee the Office of Development and remain on the Retreat's 10-member Executive Team. A native of New York with a background in marketing and communications in the music and film industries, von Krusenstiern relocated to Vermont in 2002. He has held several executive leadership positions in Windham County, including serving as Executive Director of the United Way of Windham County, Director of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, and Managing Director of Sandglass Theater in Putney.
Awards
• The Rev. Mary Hawkes of Brattleboro was named “Woman of Distinction” by the Brattleboro Branch of the American Association of University Women at their annual dinner meeting at the Putney Inn on May 7. She is currently president of the organization and was chosen by the three previous winners for her contributions to society and to AAUW. The honor was previously known as the Name Grant Honoree. Rev. Hawkes was born in Greece where her missionary parents were teachers at Anatolia College. She graduated from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska. She received a degree from Hartford (Conn.) Seminary in Christian education, and then she was granted a joint ed.C. from Columbia Teachers College and Union College. She was ordained a United Church of Christ minister in 1980 and served as director of Christian Education at several churches in Connecticut and Grand Rapids, Mich. She also worked at the UCC national office in New York City and in Germany. After her retirement, she was director of Christian Education at Centre Congregational Church in Brattleboro and held many positions in the Brattleboro Branch of AAUW.
Obituaries
• Virginia “Ginna” Mulford Barrett, 90, formerly of Grafton. Died May 1 at Valley Cares Assisted Living in Townshend. Wife of the late Commander Russell R. “Bob” Barrett Jr. for 68 years. Mother of Lynn Barrett of Dummerston Center, Russell Robinson Barrett III and his wife, Dorothy, of Northfield; and Randi Barrett and her partner, Joanne Pereira, of Elmore. Sister of Guy, Randy, and Mary Lane Mulford and the late Roy Mulford. Born in Westfield, N.J., the daughter of Eleanor Naething and Roy Mulford, she grew up in Westfield with an early Montessori education and graduated from Westfield High School where she was voted “Best Dressed.” In 1942, she married “Bob,” who was a Naval aviator in the Pacific during World War II. During the war, she lived for a short time in California and Florida where two of their three children were born. After the war, the Barretts made their home in Westfield, but always had a dream of moving to Vermont. In 1968, they bought a fixer-upper in Grafton and moved there in 1969. They made a new life together and became involved in the community. Bob opened a real estate office and Ginna became a member of the Grafton Women's Club and the Grafton Historical Society. She collected antiques and had a beautiful antique glass collection. She enjoyed skiing with her family and her extended family; many of her nieces spent time in the house in Grafton. Lasagna and brownies were a big part of the menu for the extended family. She also loved trout fishing and kept a rod in the back of her station wagon in case she encountered a likely looking stream along her way. She was a champion golfer and won numerous club championships at Echo Lake Country Club in New Jersey, at Stratton Mountain Golf Club, and Tater Hill Golf Club in North Windham. She also enjoyed skeet shooting, crossword puzzles, board games and cards, especially bridge ― and most times she was the winner. An accomplished homemaker, she was particularly skilled at making curtains and outfitted all of her husband's offices and their home and also her children's homes. She also taught others how to make curtains. She also enjoyed the Jersey Shore and spent many family summers there. Later in life, she and her husband would escape Vermont winters and spend several months each year in Boca Grande, Fla. A straight shooter, she was always encouraging and expecting the best outcome for the challenges of life's journey. She held everyone to a high level of quality and excellence, and she had her full faculties right up to the end. Memorial information: There will be a graveside memorial service on Saturday, June 22 at 1 p.m. at the Houghtonville Cemetery in Grafton, followed by a reception from 2-4 p.m. at the Phelps Barn at the Inn at Grafton. Relatives and friends are cordially invited. Donations to either Rescue Inc., Valley Cares Assisted Living, The Women's Club of Grafton, or the Grafton Historical Society.
• Joyce J. Boyd, 81, of Brattleboro. Died April 30 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital with her family by her side. Wife of the late Norman Boyd for 53 years. Mother of Anthony Boyd of Wilmington. Sister of David Johnson of Marlboro, Jean Turner of Marlboro, Dorothy Bourne of New York, and the late Victor Johnson, Eunice Varga, and Carol Johnson. She was born in Marlboro, the daughter of Leon and Shirley (Snow) Johnson, and spent most of her life in the Brattleboro area. Her younger school years were attended in a one-room schoolhouse at the Four Corner School in Marlboro. She then moved on to Brattleboro High School, where she graduated with the Class of 1950. She went on to attend Kimball School of Nursing in Connecticut, earning her bachelor's degree in 1954. She worked as an R.N. at Worcester Hahnemann Hospital in Massachusetts, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, and Linden Lodge Nursing Home. After her retirement from nursing, she worked at the Book Press and Appropriate Technology. She enjoyed fishing, family gatherings, spending time at the family's hunting camp, and loved her dog, Hailey. Memorial information: Services will be private. Donations to Marlboro Volunteer Fire & Rescue, 779 South Rd., Marlboro, VT 05344.
• Priscilla G. Dahlin, 83, of Newfane. Died May 5. Wife of the late A. Edwin Dahlin for 53 years. Mother of Eric and Thomas Dahlin, Andrea Sherman, and Heather Levengood. Sister of Geraldine Najmoski and Marcia Payne. Born in New Hampton, N.H., she moved to Middlebury in 1942 and attended Middlebury High School, where she graduated in 1947 as class salutatorian. She was married the following year. The Dahlins lived in the annex of the Middlebury Inn, where they both worked full time. They moved to Newfane in 1956. She worked as a waitress while raising kids, then went to work in the 1970s for WW Building Supply in Newfane as a bookkeeper, where she worked until her retirement. She was a member of the NewBrook Fire Department Auxiliary, and later served as NewBrook's first female trustee. She was a member for many years of the Newfane Congregational Church and sang in the choir. She was a prolific knitter, was a “wicked devoted” Red Sox and Patriots fan, and her flower gardens reflected the loving kindness that she shared with everyone. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane on Saturday, May 18, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow at the NewBrook Fire Department. Donations to the NewBrook Fire Department.
• Harriet Lucy Moore Gelfan, 101, of Brattleboro. Died May 4 at Thompson House in Brattleboro. Wife of the late Samuel Gelfan for 32 years. Mother of Carrie Gelfan and her husband, Michael Beh, of Westminster; Peter Gelfan and his wife, Rita McMahon, of New York City; Deedee Jones and her husband, Marcy Jones, of Brattleboro; Janet Gelfan of Quechee; Michael Gelfan of Brattleboro; and Stephanie Gelfan and her husband, Wolfe Lowenthal, of Amherst, Mass. Sister of the late Phillip W. and Francis D. Moore. Born in Evanston, Ill., the daughter of the late Caroline Daniels Moore and Phillip Wyatt Moore, she was raised in Winnetka, Ill and attended the North Shore Country Day School. Summers were spent in Grafton, and later at the family cattle ranch in Dayton, Wyo., where she learned to ride and shoot. She graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College in 1932 where, among other things, she was captain of the field hockey team. During the 1930s, she continued her studies at the London School of Economics and traveled to the Soviet Union to study their economic system and language. From her experiences in Russia, she wrote a book, Soviet Far Eastern Policy. After returning from Europe, she lived in New York City and worked for the Institute of Pacific Relations, the American Russian Institute and, during the Second World War, Russian War Relief. These progressive affiliations later made her a “person of interest” to U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy during his witch-hunts of the 1950s. She was called to Washington several times to testify before the Eastland Committee, in part because she had once donated a touring car to the Loyalists during the Spanish Civil War. In 1943, she married Samuel Gelfan, a professor of neurophysiology, who predeceased her in 1975. During her childraising years, she remained involved in politics and was an activist and ardent supporter of the civil rights movement. She was very proud of her role in organizing a large and controversial civil rights fundraising event in Scarsdale, N.Y., in the early 1960s, featuring prominent entertainers Pete Seeger, Ossie Davis, and Ruby Dee. She organized the concert to raise bail for the Freedom Riders, then jailed in Mississippi, and she did it in the face of vociferous opposition. In 1966, she earned a Masters Degree in sociology from Columbia University and then went to work as an administrator at the Westchester Community Opportunity Program, In the mid 1980s, she left Westchester County in New York and moved to Vermont, first to Grafton and then to Brattleboro, where she continued to be active and very involved in the community. She founded The Grafton News, served for a term on the Grafton Selectboard, earned a home-study certificate in accounting and bookkeeping, and became the bookkeeper for several community organizations, including New Beginnings in Springfield. After moving to Brattleboro, she became involved with BCTV and the Vermont Citizens Campaign for Health. In 2002, she received the Successful Aging Award from the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont. She stayed active well into her 90s, until the limitations of age and macular degeneration curtailed her activities. Memorial information: There will be a private family burial in Grafton. An informal gathering to remember her life will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• John “Jeff” Figgis Jewett, 66, of Temecula, Calif. Died April 27 in La Mesa, Calif. Father of Ivan Jewett of Cambridge, Mass., Phoebe Jewett of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Alexander Jewett of Boston. Brother of Paul Jewett and his late sister Martha Kay Jewett. Born in Boston, he was raised in Needham, Mass., and attended schools there and in Dedham, Mass. He received his B.A. from Dartmouth College in 1968, and attended a year of seminary training at Union Theological Seminary in 1969. In 1971, he married Susan (Good) Jewett, moving to Saxtons River in 1973, where they raised three children. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1994, he moved with Norene Ennis to East Putney, where they made their home until moving to Temecula in 2010. The couple married in 1996. He loved people, words, sailing, bicycling, found objects and philosophy. He worked for the state of Vermont, the U.S. Postal Service, and for cabinet design firms until retiring. Memorial information: No service information provided. Donations to Oxfam International, The Fistula Foundation, or a favorite charity.
• Thomas R. Lockerby, 53, of Saxtons River. Died May 7 at his home. Partner of Laura Taylor of Saxtons River for 24 years. Father of Michael Lockerby of Bellows Falls, Brandon Lockerby of Burlington, and Jennifer and Eryn Lockerby, both of Bellows Falls. Brother of Keith and Samuel Lockerby, both of Athens, Sherri Lund of Westminster, and Denise Lockerby of Charlestown, N.H. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of Richard and Ethel (Long) Lockerby, he attended Bellows Falls Union High School and worked locally in roofing and as a woodsman. He was an avid hunter and woodsman who loved being at home with his family. Memorial information: A graveside funeral service was held May 10 in the Cambridgeport Cemetery.
• Rebecca (Foster) Russell Lyons, 88, of Arvada, Colo., formerly of Putney. Died May 3 at the Lakewood Meridian after a long illness. Wife of the late Donald B. Russell for 18 years and the late William R. Lyons of Putney for nearly 30 years. Mother of Dawn Russell Sullivan of Brimfield, Mass., and Lissa Russell Gallagher of Arvada. Brother of the late Stephen Foster. Born in Salem, Mass., the daughter of the late Chandler H. and Dorothy M. (Perkins) Foster, she graduated from Salem High School at the age of 16 in 1940. She went on to graduate from National Park College near Washington, D.C. She found great joy throughout three very distinct chapters in her lifetime: nearly 50 years in Salem, the next 30 in Putney, and her last years in Arvada. Her resiliency and her ability to cope with the changing circumstances in her life never ceased to amaze those around her. She was employed as a bookkeeper at various firms in the Boston area, was controller at Windham College, a lister for the town of Putney, dabbled in the antiques business, was active in the Brattleboro Garden Club, played bridge with friends, and travelled extensively. She was most well known for the miniature floral arrangements she crafted and sold at Dollhouse and Miniature shows all over the country. She and her husband Bill were known as “Lyons Crafts and Collectables.” He created dollhouse furniture and she made intricate floral arrangements which were sought after by many. After her second husband's death in 2003, she moved to the Arvada Meridian, a retirement community. She made many wonderful friends there and became an active member of her community. She most enjoyed being able to spend time with her younger daughter and her family. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 15 at Harmony Grove Cemetery in Salem. Donations to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 1150 17th Street, NW Suite 850, Washington, DC 20036, or to The Jimmy Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
• Jane Elizabeth Collins Pike, 76, of Middletown, Va. Died May 6 at her home. Longtime partner of Norman T. Paust of Middletown. Mother of Barry Pike and his wife, Diane, of Lillburn, Ga., and Lisa Pike Gilbeau of Salisbury, N.C. Sister of Joan Collins Ballou of Inverness, Fla., Caroline Andrews Kontos of Alton, N.H., Patricia Farnum Hemingway of Brattleboro, Richard Farnum Jr. of Guilford and the late Leland 'Bud' Andrews, Jr. Born in Wilmington, the daughter of the late Walter and Jeanette Johnson Collins, as a child, she grew up in Brattleboro and was educated in the Brattleboro school system. She served as a Guardian ad Litem for Windham District Court, acting as a voice of the child in the court system. In her capacity as an advocate, she made a great difference in the lives of many troubled children. After she retired in 1997, she moved with her partner to Middletown where she had been active in the local quilting guild. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 10 at Jones Funeral Home in Stephens City, Va. Burial will be at a later date in the Meeting House Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of choice.
• Olive C. Reed, 74, of Brattleboro. Died May 6 at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston following a period of declining health. Wife of the late Gary P. Reed. Mother of Lynne Olson of Hinsdale, N.H. and Laurie Given of Brattleboro. Sister of Carl Chandler, Alma Rounds and and the late Herbert Chandler and Charlotte Olney. Born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of the late Earl and Agnes (Bell) Chandler, she was raised and educated in Springfield, attending Springfield High School. For approximately 10 years, she was activities director at Eden Park Nursing Home in Brattleboro, a position she thoroughly enjoyed. She was also a volunteer at Hinsdale Elementary School for several years. She took great pride in her home and was a devoted homemaker who cherished time spent with her family. She was a member of the American Legion Brattleboro Post 5 Auxiliary and sang with the Brattleboro Women's Choir. She enjoyed shopping, arts and crafts, and vacationing in Cancun and Cozumel. She was known for her gracious hospitality and spirit of friendship. Memorial information: A graveside committal service was held May 14 in Morningside Cemetery, Donations to the Brattleboro Fire Department, 103 Elliot St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Joyce Jeanette (Bosley) Russell, 80, formerly of Readsboro. Died May 8 at Vernon Green Nursing Home. Wife of the late Stanley “Mike” Russell. Mother of Candace Redin and her husband, Michael, of Wilmington and the late Richard Dean Bowen and William Alfred Bowen. Stepmother of Anthony Russell of Gardiner, Maine. Sister of Robert Bosley and his wife, Isabel, of Readsboro; Jane Boyd and her husband, Donald, of Whitingham; and the late Betty Ann, William Jr., and Edward “Pat” Bosley. Born in the Valley Hospital in Readsboro, daughter of the late William and Myrtle (Berard) Bosley, she attended grade school in South Readsboro and two years of high school in The Village of Readsboro. She was employed at the Readsboro Chair Shop at the age of 16. She worked for many years as a waitress at the Whitcomb Summit restaurant on the Mohawk Trail. Her last employment was at Hogback Mountain and Southern Vermont Nature Museum in Marlboro. She loved her family and all types of animals, especially birds, dogs, and cats. Memorial information: At her request, services will be private. Donations to the Vermont Chapter of the American Cancer Society, in care of Covey, Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.