Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital) June 8, 2013, a daughter, Elodie June Sebold, to Jessica Lindoerfer and Nathan Sebold of Putney; granddaughter to Nancy Lindoerfer and Armando Robles, Paul Lindoerfer and Mary Randolph, Cheryl Neal and Kathy DeJohn, and John and Eileen Sebold; great-granddaughter to Bonnie Neal.
Engagements
• Stephen and Carol Farrington announce the engagement of their daughter Catherine M. Farrington of Brattleboro, to Mihnea Tudoreanu of Northampton, Mass. Tudoreanu is the son of Liliana and Nicolaie Tudoreanu of Bucharest, Romania. The bride-to-be just received her Master of Science degree in Social Work with emphasis in Public Policy from Columbia University. The bridegroom is a doctoral candidate in economics at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. The two met while attending St. Lawrence University in upstate New York. They will be getting married on June 30.
College news
• The following students recently graduated from Castleton State College during its 226th commencement on May 18: Samantha Barrale of Brattleboro, Bachelor of Social Work; Tarryn Bolognani of Whitingham, Bachelor of Science, Athletic Training; Jacki Capponcelli of Newfane, Bachelor of Social Work; Michelle Clews of Vernon and Katie Derrig of Putney, Associate of Science, Nursing; Valerie Gero of Putney, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration; Ava Hernandez-Kenyon of Cambridgeport, Bachelor of Arts, Multidisciplinary Studies; Zachary Howe of Westminster, Associate of Science, Nursing; Emily Keopraseuth of Brattleboro, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Karen Martin of Vernon, Bachelor of Arts, Multidisciplinary Studies; Eric Pollica of Brattleboro, Bachelor of Science, Exercise Science; Haley Staats of Brookline, Bachelor of Arts, Multidisciplinary Studies; and Lindsey Weaver of Brattleboro, Associate of Science, Nursing.
• Miranda Breau of Vernon received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Drew University in Madison, N.J., on May 18.
• Alexander C. Breau, a computer science major from Vernon, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass.
• Louise Grace “Lou Lou” Terwilliger of Putney, a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School who will be majoring in engineering studies, and Andrew David Parsons of Vernon, a graduate of Leland & Gray Union High School who will be majoring in engineering & management, will be members of the Class of 2017 at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
• The following local students were honored for academic achievement in the spring 2013 semester at Nichols College: Lucas Bogdanski, a member of the Class of 2015 from West Dummerston, and Devon Spirka, a member of the Class of 2013 from Wilmington, both achieved Dean's High Honors, while Kylie-Blu Crawford, a member of the Class of 2014 from Wilmington, achieved Dean's List.
• Landen T. Elliott-Knaggs, a history major and member of the Class of 2013 from Brattleboro, and Bridget M. Shea-Gander, a neuroscience major and member of the Class of 2014 from Brattleboro, were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y.
• The following local students were named to the spring 2013 Dean's List at St. Michael's College in Burlington: Samantha R. Harris, a junior classics major from Brattleboro; Megan E. Majonen, a junior English and French major from Guilford; Devan W. Piniewski, a junior biology major from West Dover; and Sophie R. Zschirnt, a sophomore business administration major from Whitingham.
• Kerry A. Howard, a member of the Class of 2015 from Londonderry, and Emily C. Mangan, a member of the Class of 2016 from Marlboro, were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• Sarah French, a sophomore in actuarial mathematics from Vernon, and Stacy Stockwell, a senior in marketing from Brattleboro, were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I.
• The following local students were named to the spring 2013 Dean's List at the University of New Hampshire: Nicholas Haskell and Rebecca Procter of Brattleboro and Amanda Oles of Vernon earned Highest Honors; Amy Smith of Brattleboro, Kvehl McDermott of Putney, and Jane Sayner of South Newfane earned High Honors; and Quentin Young of Westminster Station and Drummond Biles of Putney earned Honors.
Obituaries
• Kay Ellen Cowan Akins, 70, formerly of Brattleboro and Newfane. Died June 10 at her home in The Villages, Fla. Wife of Zane Akins for nearly 50 years. Mother of Michael Akins, and his wife Tricia, of Superior, Colo.; Deborah (Dave) Parsons and her husband, Dave, of Vernon; and Christine Bristol and her husband, Travis, of Dummerston. Born in Oshkosh, Wis., the daughter of the late Phil and Nina Cowan, she graduated from Oshkosh High School and then The Cradle in Northwestern, Ill., where she was trained in pediatric nursing. She was employed at an orphanage in Chicago, and as a private governess for several years prior to marriage. She raised three children and supported her husband throughout his business careers. A great organizer, she managed to aid the communities where she lived and found ways to enhance the outcomes of events and activities. She visited more than 35 countries and was her husband's best advisor. She set records and won awards for selling home-based products while balancing home and family responsibilities. She was well known as the “Electrolux lady” in southern Vermont. She was a prankster to friends and, to others, a fun-loving card player. Friends and family knew her to be a humble, sincere, caring presence in their everyday lives. Memorial information: A celebration of her life was held at Newfane Congregational Church on June 16. An additional service will be held on July 2 in Florida, with a private burial in Oshkosh at a later date. Donations to the Newfane Congregational Church, where she had been a member and a Sunday school teacher, to assist the fundraising efforts for the new elevator addition.
• Donna Marilyn Beck, 60, of Londonderry. Died June 8 at Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center in Windsor. Wife of Wayne Thomas Beck. Mother of Matthew Gregory Beck and Jeremiah Russell Beck. Sister of Philip Hanson, Scott Hanson, and Doug Hanson. Born in Queens, N.Y., the daughter of Virginia and the late Harold Hanson, she graduated from Peabody (Mass.) High School in 1970, and attended North Shore Community College in Beverly, Mass. She lived in Beverly prior to moving to Londonderry in 1988. She was employed at Parker Brothers as a supervisor in Massachusetts, and later worked for AppleJack Art Partners in Manchester Center in art sales. She also worked out of her home as a business consultant and in software and office equipment sales. She especially enjoyed animals, nature, and time spent at the Weston Priory. She also enjoyed crochet, knitting, cooking, music, gardening, camping, learning, and traveling. Memorial information: A memorial celebrating her life will be held Sunday, June 23, at 3 p.m., at the Weston Priory. Donations to Mount Ascutney Hospital and Health Center Acute Ward, 289 County Road, Windsor, VT 05089; or Central Vermont Humane Society, 1589 Route 14S, E. Montpelier, VT 05651.
• Richard Rhodes Dexter, 85, of Southington, Conn., and West Townshend. Died June 5 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. Husband of Mary Wollenberg Dexter for 59 years. Father of Wendy Needham and her husband, Tom, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., Holly Barrett of Salem, Mass., and Lynn Dexter and her husband, Patrick Gibbons, of Littleton, Colo. The youngest son of the late Walter and Anna (Dusick) Dexter, he was born in New Britain, Conn., and lived in Southington for most of his life. He served in the Army and was stationed in Frankfurt, Germany as part of the reconstruction forces following the end of World War II. In 1954, he began Dexter Caterers, a business he owned and operated for more than 30 years. A self-made man, he built both his family home in Southington and later a ski chalet for his family in West Townshend, where he spent many weekends teaching his girls how to ski and where he retired after closing his business in 1987. He hoped for many years to become a teacher, going so far as to complete all of his college courses with the exception of student teaching. Ever a student himself, he was a voracious reader of American history, especially the Civil War period and the American West. An avid outdoorsman, cowboy and hunter, he traveled throughout the United States and Europe and instilled an appreciation of different places and diverse cultures in his children and grandchildren. His sense of humor was loved by all and was one of his many endearing qualities. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 15 at the Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Townshend. Donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
• Raymond E. Finnegan, 69, of Wilmington. Died May 30 at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., where he was traveling to a family reunion. Husband of Mary Jane (Quigley) Finnegan. Father of Marie Finnegan. He was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, serving from 1966 until 1968, and received two Purple Hearts. A master electrician, he had worked for Don Ward Electric and in his own business, Old Guy Electric. For 28 years, he assisted his wife in the operation of the Wilmington Village Pub, Holiday Giving Tree, and Twice Blessed Community Thrift Shop. He loved baseball and was an avid Yankees fan. He was a former member of the Wilmington Lions Club, but his real passion was his family and his daily involvement with his grandchildren. Although his last days were difficult, his mission was to see family in Florida and take his family on their planned vacation. Before his last adventure, he was able to spend time with many treasured friends. He maintained his strength and humor until the end. Memorial information: A memorial service was held June 17 at Memorial Hall in Wilmington. Donations to the Bay Pines VA Fisher House, in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Carl H. Flemer Jr., 99, formerly of Rockingham. Died June 11 at Langdon Place of Keene, N.H., where he had resided since 2005. Husband of the late Kay Flemer for 67 years. Father of Marjorie March of Williamstown, Mass., Edward Flemer of Nevin, Minn., and William Flemer of Marblehead, Mass. Brother of the late Albert and Donald Flemer. Born in Springfield, N.J., the son of the late Carl and Carrie (Bishop) Flemer, he attended schools in New Jersey and graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a member of the Society of American Professional Engineers, and retired to Rockingham in 1970. Memorial information: Services will be private at the convenience of the family. He will be buried with his wife in the Meeting House Cemetery in Rockingham. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• John P. “Jack” Gausch, 86, of West Townshend. Died June 3 at Thompson House in Brattleboro where he resided since 2011. Husband of Alice Gausch for 33 years. Former husband of Deloris Gausch. Father of Eric Gausch and his wife, Sandra, of Merrimack, N.H., and Karen Gausch and her spouse, Michelle, of Jamaica Plain, Mass. Stepfather of Chris Paige of Florida and Trish Coyne of South Newfane. He grew up on a farm in Chester County in Pennsylvania. As a teenager, he was a truck driver, delivering steel from the Phoenixville mill to Brooklyn Navy Yard. He served in the Army during World War II, and fought in Belgium and Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1950. Graduating from Penn State, he started working at Merck, Sharpe and Dohme in Philadelphia. That entry-level job included facility and employee safety, leading to his lifetime work. Always learning, he took courses at the American Management Association in New York City and became a lecturer for the AMA. He joined EBASCO Services as a consultant with expertise in both management and loss prevention. He related equally well with senior management and hourly workers. A dynamic speaker and creative educator with a national reputation, he established his own consulting firm in the late 1970s. Clients included Fortune 500 companies and the military. His lifelong loves included his family, playing guitar, wood working, hunting with friends, and skiing in Vermont. He bought a house in Jamaica Village in 1976 and permanently moved from Connecticut with his wife Alice in 1983. Together, they provided a wide range of client services until retiring. Both members of American Legion Post 5 and VFW Post 37, they were regulars at club dances. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, June 22, 1-5 p.m., at the Brattleboro American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St. Donations to The Gathering Place, 30 Terrace St., Brattleboro VT 05301, or Thompson House Activities Fund, P.O. Box 1117, Brattleboro VT 05302-1117.
• Charles P. Gouger, 86, formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 9 at Messiah Village in Mechanicsburg, Pa. Husband of the late Doris Mae Parker and his second wife of 45 years, Jane (Reagan) Gouger. Father of Kathy G. Hunter of Camp Hill, Pa.; Joyce M. Gouger of Harrisburg, Pa.; Mary and her husband, Dr. Frederick Seidel of Halifax; and Jane and her husband Daniel J. Hartman of Camp Hill, Pa. Stepfather of David J. Ludwig and wife Susie of New Bloomfield, Pa. Brother of the late Pauline Gouger, Mary Gembarowski, Veronica Herrick, Jeannette Margaret Irene Jarvis, and Henry Gouger. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Alphonse Gouger, Jr., and Eva Marie LaForest, he was a 1944 graduate of St. Michael's High School in Brattleboro where he played basketball. He also loved to ski jump and enjoyed the Vermont outdoors where he grew up with a fishing pole always at hand. Over the years, he also dabbled in stamp collecting, history, and wine-making. He served in the Army Air Force during World War II, and after the war, attended the University of Vermont and University of New Hampshire. He focused his career on managing credit for an agricultural cooperative. He retired in 1989 as credit manager of the Southern Division of Agway, after which he and Jane bought a second home in Surfside Beach, S.C. In addition to enjoying the ocean, he was an avid golfer, and loved gardening and working on the family genealogy. Famous for his spaghetti sauce and soups, he also liked to grill and cook. He was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church, American Legion Lodge 109 and Knights of Columbus. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 14 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mechanicsburg, with burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Mechanicsburg. Donations to New Hope Ministries, P.O. Box 448, Dillsburg, PA 17019; or to St. Joseph Catholic Church, P.O. Box 2012, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055.
• Stephen Sumner Hill Sr., 71, of West Halifax. Died June 14 in Brattleboro. Father of Stephen S. Hill Jr. and his wife, Ginger, of Swanzey, N.H. and daughter Melissa E. Hrabovsky of Brattleboro. Born in Wilmington, the son of the late Burton and Grace (Sumner) Hill, he grew up in West Halifax. He attended schools there and graduated from Whitingham High School. He resided in West Halifax most of his life, where he operated a small engine repair and lawn care business. He enjoyed gardening and fishing. He was an avid stamp and baseball card collector. He always followed his favorite baseball team - the Dodgers - starting when they were still in Brooklyn. He enjoyed maple sugaring with his dad and cousin, Malcolm. One of his favorite winter activities was to go snowmobiling, and he played softball on various teams. He attended the West Halifax Bible Church. His family was his life, and he was devoted to his children, grandchildren and his cousins. Memorial information: A funeral servces was held June 18 at Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, with burial in the Marlboro Center Cemetery. Donations to the Halifax Fire Department in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Robert Macie, 71, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died June 6 at home. Husband of Marie Anne Macie. Father of Kenneth Robert Macie and his wife, Vikki ,of London, England. Brother of Juanita Andrew and her husband, Florin, of Hinsdale and Brenda Wizzel and her husband, Stuart, also of Hinsdale. Born in Brattleboro, he was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1961. He served in the Air Force for 6 ½ years, with one tour of duty in Vietnam. He retired in 2002 from the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. Memorial information: Services will be private. Donations to St. Jude Children's Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements under the direction of Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Stephen Richard “Steve” Rinfret, 64, of Vernon. Died June 8 at his home. Father of Michael Rinfret of Saxtons River. Brother of Joseph Rinfret III and David Rinfret, both of Vernon, Patrick Rinfret of Denver, and the late David and Eileen Rinfret. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Isabelle (Annis) and the late Joseph Rinfret, Jr. He was raised and educated in Vernon and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1967. He went on to attend New Hampshire Technical College in Manchester. He served in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He had been employed for almost 20 years by the town of Brattleboro as a plant mechanic at its municipal water treatment plant. Previously, he worked as a logger for Rinfret Logging in Vernon. He enjoyed tinkering on his trucks (always a GM product), hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Memorial information: Graveside committal services with full military honors were held on June 15 at Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302, or to the Vernon Volunteer Fire & Rescue, 2842 Fort Bridgman Road, Vernon, VT 05354. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Timothy A. “Tim” Sanderson, 61, of East Dummerston. Died June 10 at Pine Heights Nursing Home following an extended illness. Father of Darcy Day of West Rutland, Joleen Sanderson of Brandon and the late Tara Jean Sanderson-Lyon. Brother of Diane McCue and her husband, Jay, of Brattleboro; Gloria Perusse and her husband, Bob, of Westminster; and the late Larry Sanderson. Born in Brattleboro, the son of Lawrence and Elizabeth (Benjamin) Sanderson, he attended local schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1969. A lifelong resident of the area, he worked at Putney Paper for many years and previously had been employed at the former Georgia Pacific in Brattleboro. He was an avid New York Yankees fan and held a longtime passion for baseball. Memorial information: In accordance with his final wishes there will be no formal funeral services. A memorial gathering will take place at a later date. Donations to the American Cancer Society, Vermont Chapter, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495; or to ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, 10 Ferry St., Suite 309, Concord, NH 03301. Atamaniuk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Bernice Annette Davis Sullivan, 83, of Wilmington. Died June 9 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of the late Kenneth Edward Sullivan for 58 years. Mother of Linda Farnum and her husband, Dick, of Guilford, with whom she resided for the last 18 months; Kenneth G. Sullivan and his wife, Ann, of Wilmington; Jannette Finck of Shelburne, Mass.; and son-in-law Tom Finck of Colrain, Mass., and Jody Kelleher of Shelburne, Mass. Born in Wilmington, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Annette (Howard) Davis, she graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1948. She worked for many years as a cook at the Red Mill, the Long Jim, and Skyline Restaurants. She also worked with her husband at Molly Stark State Park. She was an avid New England Patriots fan and longtime member of the Eastern Star. She most enjoyed time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 15 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Wilmington, with interment in the family lot in Riverview Cemetery. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, P.O. Box 1117, Brattleboro VT 05302-1117.
• Richard Lee Sykes, 82, of Englewood, Fla. Died June 5. Husband of Mary Adelaide Flanders for nearly 60 years. Father of Rebecca Lee Sykes and her husband, Cary Butler, of Moretown; Katherine Chase Sykes Goulet and her husband, Jacques, of Manchester, N.H.; Franklin Thomas Sykes of Wolfeboro, N.H.; and the late Sarah Ann Sykes. Born in Haverhill, Mass., the son of the late Thomas Holmes Sykes and Viola Frances Sprague, he grew up in Portsmouth, N.H. and Suffolk, Va., where he graduated from high school in 1949. He graduated from Duke University, where he was a varsity letterman and outstanding sprinter. Moving to Brattleboro in 1956, he was a developer and partner of the Brattleboro Shopping Plaza. Active in community affairs, the Vermont Jaycees voted him Outstanding Young Man of the Year in 1967. He was appointed by Gov. Deane Davis to the Vermont Development Commission, where he served from 1969 until 1974. In Brattleboro, he was president of the Rotary Club from 1962-1963, served on the Zoning Board of Adjustment from 1962 until 1975, was a member of the Vermont Board of Realtors from 1960-1970, was a trustee of the First Baptist Church, and participated in countless other community and state activities. He moved to Weare, N.H. in 1975, and was a founding partner of Sykes and Flanders Antiquarian Booksellers and of New Hampshire Book Auctions. He retired in 2000, and moved to Florida in 2003. Memorial information: None provided.