Milestones

College news

• Shannon Weatherup, an international studies major from Vernon, received her Bachelor of Arts degree from American International College in Springfield, Mass., on May 19.

• Lawrence Farley of Brattleboro received a Bachelor of Arts from Emory College of Arts and Sciences of Emory University in Atlanta, at its 168th commencement ceremony on May 13.

• Evan Johnson of Marlboro graduated Cum Laude from Ithaca College's Roy H. Park School of Communications on May 19 with a degree in journalism and a minor in writing, with concentrations in environmental studies and German. He is also a member of Delta Phi Alpha German Honorary Society. He is currently working for The Orton Family Foundation in Middlebury as their online content producer.

• The following local students received academic honors for the spring 2013 semester at the State University of New York-Canton: Christopher R. Woodworth, a mechanical technology major from Brattleboro, made the Dean's List. Courtney L. Casey, a legal studies major from Brattleboro, and Daniel S. Elliott, a mechanical engineering technology major from Brookline, both were named to the President's List.

• The following local students made the Dean's List for the spring 2013 quarter at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology: Kathryn Annis of Dummerston, a third-year student in the film and animation program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; Evan Darling of Brattleboro, a third-year student in the biomedical photographic communications program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; Katherine Given of Brattleboro, a fourth-year student in the industrial design program in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences; and Ashley Moran of Westminster, a second-year student in the diagnostic medical sonography program in RIT's College of Health Sciences and Technology.

• Monika Grist-Weiner of Brattleboro and Sarah Hawksley of Jamaica were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2013 semester at the Savannah (Ga.) College of Art and Design.

Transitions

• Deborah Potter has been named the Executive Director of Green Mountain Crossroads (GMC), a nonprofit organization that supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community. In her official role, she will assume responsibility for planning and implementation of programming to meet GMC's mission of supporting the rural LGBTQ community in becoming stronger, healthier and more visible. Since moving to Brattleboro in the fall of 2007, she has devoted many hours to service and knows the local nonprofit world well. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Arkansas, and her professional background in administration includes employment at People's Bank in Brattleboro. Prior to moving to Vermont, she worked in radio, small business, sales, and for an extended period as a Department of the Army civilian employee at Fort Chafee in her home state of Arkansas.

Obituaries

• Joan Bolton Barry, 87, of West Brattleboro. Died June 23 at the Holton Home on Western Avenue. Wife of the late Dr. Herbert Barry Jr. Stepmother of Herbert Barry, III of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Patricia Baker of Newburyport, Mass. Sister of the late Gerry Bolton. Born in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., the daughter of the late Joseph and Dorothea (Dix) Bolton, she was raised and educated in Sara­toga Springs and later graduated with a degree from Ohio State Uni­versity. She worked most of her career as a medical secretary and for many years was the receptionist for the psychiatric practice of her husband. A former resi­dent of Boston, she eventually moved to Brattleboro to reside at her summer home with her husband on Ames Hill Road. The Barrys also wintered in Orleans, Mass., for many years. She enjoyed needlepoint, attending the symphony, gardening, bird watching, and spending time with her beloved cat Pearl. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted June 29 in King Ceme­tery in Marlboro, where she was laid to rest next to her late husband. Donations to Wind­ham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the direc­tion of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

• Millicent Page Bushnell, 92, formerly of Brattleboro. Died June 23 at Johnson's Care Home in Hancock. Wifeof the late J. Paul Bushnell for 33 years. Longtime companion of the late Thomas Arrison. Sister of the late Malcolm and Ernest Page. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., the daughter of the late Christine Fyfe Dempsey Page and Leo­nard Page, she spent her youth in the Warren, Mass., area and moved, with her family to Brattleboro in 1938, her se­nior year of high school. Af­ter graduating from Brattleboro High School, she was em­ployed by Jason E. Bushnell at the Bushnell Grocery. She married J. Paul Bushnell in 1941 and, after his military serv­ice in World War II, they formed a part­nership for the family business which lasted 25 years, un­til the business was sold in 1971, and Paul and Millicent retired. They moved to Woodstock in answer to an SOS from a general store damaged by fire. They accept­ed a temporary managerial posi­tion at F.H. Gillingham & Sons. Twenty years later, she retired (again) from her association with Gillingham's. During her Brattleboro years, she was active in the Women's Evening Club. She bowled in Women's Evening Club and the Elks La­dies bowling leagues and was a member of the Spofford Yacht Club. She held offi­ces in these various organizations and assisted her husband with in­door and outdoor catering. She was a longtime member of the Hartford Emblem Club, and was past president of the Ver­mont State Association of Emblem Clubs and held various offices at the national level of Emblem Club. She was instrumental in establish­ing a scholarship program for both the Hartford Emblem Club and the Vermont Grocers Association (VGA). For many years, she served as a director of the VGA and, in 1986, she became the first woman to be elected to Chair its board. She also served as a direc­tor of the Associated Grocers of New England, a cooperative whole­sale grocery business. During her tenure as VGA chair, she was honored with the “Spirit of America” Award, presented by the National Grocer's Association. She also received the Carl Smith Me­morial Award for excellence in service to her fellow members. Memorial information: Private burial will be at the Hall burial ground in Woodstock at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Hart­ford Emblem Club #150 Scholar­ship Fund, P.O. Box 68, Hartford, VT 05047.

• William Harry Knight, 88, of Ja­maica. Died June 21, after about a year of failing health, at the Vermont Veteran's Home in Bennington. Husband of the late Gertrude Knight for 60 years. Father of Virginia and her husband, Ellery, of Jamaica; Ronald Knight and his wife, Patricia, of Jamaica; and the late William Knight Jr. and Lucille Young. Brother of Irene Smith, Catherine Dauchy of Jamaica, Virginia Varnam of Supply, N.C., and the late Harry, Frank Jr., Normand, Lucille, Georgia, and Bar­bara Knight. He owned his own excavating business for many years. He built beautiful ponds all over Windham County. Some covered two to three acres of land. He also built many beautiful stone walls. He loved hunting and fishing since he was a little boy, when he went with his father. He was the best bear hunter in the state of Ver­mont, where he shot more than 60 bears in his lifetime. Music was his passion and he loved to dance. Whereever there was music, he couldn't keep his feet still. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service at Pleasant View Cemetery in Jamaica on Saturday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m. Donations to the charity of one's choice.

• Shirley Bell Largess, 83, of Bran­dywine, Md. Died June 15. Wife of the late Louis Largess. Mother of Karen Haynes and her husband, John, of Brandywine, Md., Randy Largess and his wife Cindy, of Claremont, N.H., Brian Largess of Townshend, Gary Largess of Tipton, Ohio, and the late Bruce Mario. Born in Baldwinsville, Mass., the daugh­ter of the late Charles Henry Bell and Bertha Wright Bell, she was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. She taught in the Westminster schools through the Title 1/Chapter 1 program from 1971-2001. Her love for education was the primary focus of her life. The biggest joy she had was the im­pact she made in these children's lives. In semi-retirement, she enjoyed working at the Fort at No. 4 in Charlestown, N.H., and the Augustus St. Gaudens historic site in Cornish, N.H. She enjoyed play­ing Bingo, and spending time with her family members. She especially enjoyed her trips to Maine with her good friends. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Cemetery in Drewsville, N.H. on Friday, July 5, at 11 a.m. Donations to the American Heart Association.

• Diana Regina Loiselle, 95, of Brattleboro. Died June 25 at Pine Heights Nursing Home fol­lowing a period of declining health. Wife of the late Joseph E.M. Loiselle for 45 years. Mother of Mendoza “Ron” Loiselle and his wife, Kaysone, of Hinsdale, N.H.; David Loiselle and his wife, Lori, of Simi Valley, Calif.; Joseph (Mary) Loiselle and his wife, Mary, of Bristow, Va.; Joanne Wojchick and her husband, Michael, of Hinsdale, N.H; Donna (Mark) Sou­sa and her husband, Mark, of Buford, Ga.; Ruth (Joseph) Pogoda and her husband Joseph of Chelmsford, Mass.; and Clau­dia Loiselle of Swanzey, N.H. Sister of Doris Paquette of Harrisville, R.I., and the late Roland LaRoche, Delia Lapan, Noela Branca, Dora Belisle, and Imelda LaRoche. Born in Highgate Cen­ter, the daughter of Albert and Leo­na (Bilodeau) LaRoche, she was raised and educated in Highgate, where she attended local schools before eventually mov­ing to Brattleboro in 1940. She was employed for 25 years at American Optical and retired in 1980. Previously, she worked at Bradley Laboratories. During World War II, she was em­ployed by A.G. Spaulding Co. on Birge Street. Fondly known as the “Cake Lady,” she created beautifully dec­orated cakes for generations of families. It was common for her to have made baptismal, birthday, graduation, and wedding cakes for the same individual. Her love of flowers shone through in her cake designs, for it was often difficult to determine whether the flowers were natural or confection due to the intricate detail of her work. She was a member of the former Sodality (Confraternity of Christian Mothers) and was a member of the Floral Arts & Gar­den Club of Brattleboro where she frequently took home the Blue Rib­bon Award for Best Floral Arrange­ment using floral cuttings from her own gardens. She enjoyed flowers and work­ing in her gardens that surrounded her home. She received many compliments by those passing by and would often share her beauti­ful flowers with anyone who asked. A devout Catholic, she was a longtime communicant of St. Mi­chael's Roman Catholic Church. Throughout the years, she touched many lives and will be remembered for her generosity toward others and her kind heart. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held June 29 at St. Mi­chael's Catholic Church with burial in St. Michael's Par­ish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, attention: Elaine Beam, Principal. Arrangements were under the direc­tion of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.

• Ethel M. Macie, 74, of Brattle­boro. Died June 23 at Concord Hospice House in Concord, N.H. She was born in Irasburg, the daughter of the late Victor and Florence (Gerow) Macie, she had been a Brattleboro resi­dent since 1955. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1959. She is predeceased by two broth­ers and three sisters. She is survived by brothers Alexander Macie of Hudson, N.H. and Maurice Macie and his wife, Alice, of Newport, Vt. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held on Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m., at Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to Rescue, Inc., 541 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or Con­cord VNA Hospice, 240 Pleasant St. Concord, NH 03301. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

• Shirley J. Meade, 87, formerly of West Dover. Died June 24 at Crescent Manor Care Cen­ter in Bennington. Wife of the late Tom Meade. Mother of Scott Meade and his wife, Ka­tie, of Shelburne, Vt.; Tallu Pelletier and her husband, Ray, of Wilmington; and Nancy Gordon of Kalamazoo, Mich. Stepmother of James Amodio. Born in Wethersfield, Conn., the daughter of Edwin and Madeline Johnson, she attended local schools. Along with her husband, they built, owned and operated the Red Cricket, now the Red Oak Inn, the Iron Stone Lodge and the Mountain Ski Shop, now Equipe Sport. She re­tired to Florida where she loved playing golf. She loved to walk, socialize and loved follow­ing her children and then her grand­children in sporting events such as skiing, softball, soccer and was a horse show mom, travelling week­ends to many shows with many families from the Deerfield Valley. She was a ray of sunshine in the Deerfield Valley and loved by so many. Memorial information: A funeral serv­ice will be held Saturday, August 3, at 11 a.m., at West Dover Congregational Church. Burial will be private. Donations to the Bryan Hampshire Schol­arship Fund, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilming­ton, VT 05363.

• Nicholas A. “Nick” Nebelski, 65, of Halifax. Died June 22 at his home follow­ing a lengthy illness. Husband of Dawn Akeley for nearly 27 years. Father of Terry Nebelski of Col­chester, Conn., Joel Nebelski of Halifax, Amanda Aguilar of New Mexico, Nikki Macie of Brattleboro, and Kassia Nebelski of Texas. Brother of Patricia Shepheard of Connecticut, Jean Mahoney of Brattleboro, and the late Joe Nebelski, Rus­sell Mears, and Christine Rudolph. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Joseph and Mar­ie (LaValley) Nebelski, he was raised and educated in Brat­tleboro, and was a graduate of Brattleboro Un­ion High School. He later attend­ed Marlboro Col­lege, eventually transferring to Unity College in Maine, where he earned his B.A. in Social Science. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War, with 2 1/2 years in Vietnam. He was honora­bly discharged from active duty at the rank of Staff Sargeant with a service connected disability on 1973. He was the recipi­ent of the Purple Heart medal, five times awarded the Army Commen­dation Metal with valor and the Vietnamese Cross Gallantry with Palm and Star awarded by Premier Thieu of South Vietnam. He had been employed for Gen­eral Dynamics in Groton, Conn., and had worked for several general con­tractors in the greater Brattleboro area including Zaluzny Construc­tion in Vernon.With the skills he acquired, he built his own home from frame to finish, some­thing he was very proud of. He was a member of the Amer­ican Legion Post 5 of Brattleboro, VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034 of Brattleboro. and DAV John Blake Chapter 15 in Bellows Falls. He was also an ac­tive volunteer with the Halifax Volunteer Fire Department up until the loss of his legs from complications of diabetes. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunt­ing, fishing, puttering around his home, and quality time shared with his family. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were held July 2 at Niles Cemetery in Halifax. Full military honors were accord­ed at graveside. Donations to Disa­bled American Veterans, John C. Blake Chapter 15, P.O. Box 294, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, or to the Halifax Volunteer Fire Company Inc., P.O. Box 27, West Halifax, VT 05358. Arrangements were under the di­rection of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.