Births
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Oct. 30, 2014, a daughter, Elizabeth Theresa Taylor, to Susan (Chubbuck) and George L. Taylor Jr. of Winchester, N.H.; grandaughter to the late Ralph and Carol Chubbuck, Marguritte LaCasse, George Taylor Sr., and Theresa Taylor.
College news
• Patrick Hauer of Newfane will have a principal role in the production of “Urinetown,” beginning Nov. 19-23, at Dean College in Franklin, Mass. Hauer is part of Dean College's Theatre Department.
Transitions
• Gina Pattison has accepted the position of Director of Development and Marketing Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and will start on Dec. 1. Pattison has been employed by the American Cancer Society for the past 13 years, first as a Community Executive on the development team and then as Senior Director of Distinguished Events. Her fundraising experience includes coordination and execution of signature ACS initiatives such as Relay For Life, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and Daffodil Days, as well as major gift campaigns, galas and golf tournaments. A lifelong resident of Windham County, Pattison has served on the Development Committee at BMH as well as the committees and boards of several other local organizations, including Youth Services, Brattleboro Retreat, and United Way of Windham County.
• Margaret Atkinson of Brattleboro is the new Executive Director of the Windham Child Care Association, a Brattleboro-based child care community support agency. She replaces outgoing director Elizabeth Raposa. She has worked for many years as a fundraiser and administrator for a variety of nonprofit organizations focusing on poverty and social justice issues. Her past professional experiences include working as the Director of Development at The Institute For Community Economics in Springfield, Mass., as the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator at the Monadnock Humane Society, and in donor communications for Covenant House in New York City. She gained experience in the small business arena as one of the worker-owners of Green Mountain Spinnery Cooperative in Putney, acting most recently as marketing director. She also served from 2002-2013 on the Brattleboro Town School Board.
• Janet McClelland, RN, DNP, CHPN - an expert in hospice and palliative care - has joined Bayada Hospice team as associate director for its Brattleboro office. She brings extensive hospice experience to her new role. She served as Hospice Director and Clinical Supervisor for VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire, Inc. in Massachusetts and as Executive Director of Hospice of Western & Central Massachusetts. McClelland achieved a doctorate of nursing practice from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and also holds a certification as a hospice and palliative care nurse.
Obituaries
• Margaret “Peggy” Vaetsch Barry, 91, formerly of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 5. Wife of the late Charles Jay Barry for 67 years. Mother of Dewey A. Barry and his wife, Lynda, of Newfane; Karl Barry and his wife, Elise, of Paxton, Mass.; and Susan Barry of Dummerston. Sister of the late Jessie “Jay” Buckley and Lois V. Miller. She was born in the family house on Linden Street in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Carl and Katharine (Martin) Vaetsch. She graduated from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1941, and continued her education at the Bouve School in Boston, graduating in 1944 as a physical therapist. She served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps at the rank of first lieutenant from 1944 to 1946. She was a gentle, kind person with a good sense of humor and a loving heart. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. Memorial information: At her request, services will be held privately with her immediate family. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353.
• Ted Castine, 84, of Vernon. Died Nov. 9 at his home, following a courageous battle against Alzheimer's disease. Husband of Arlene Weatherhead LaFlam. Former husband of Ruth Annie DeRoche and Marion J. (Adams) Tuttle. Father of Diane E. Carroll and her husband, E. Lindsay, of Brattleboro, Susan Jane Easterday and her husband, David C., of Saint Xavier, Mont., and Michelle Castine Livingstone of North Ferrisburg. Stepfather of Dave LaFlam and partner, Kathy, of Vernon, and Timothy LaFlam and his wife, Missy, of Hinsdale, N.H. Brother of Marilyn Momaney, Karen Robert, Bud and Fred Castine, and the late Rita (Shallow) Howe and Maurice H. and Robert Castine. Born in Champlain, N.Y., the son of the late Fredrick J. Castine and Elizabeth W. (Eddy) Castine, the Castines moved their young family to Brattleboro when he was two. He attended Brattleboro schools, quitting at the early age of 13 to go to work. In his early teens he worked at Gunzingers Market and a poultry farm on Meadowbrook Road. Later, he went to work for Chusman's Construction, learning the building trade. In the 1940s, he went to work at Brattleboro Sand and Gravel and, from there, moved on to work at Brattleboro Roofing and Sheet Metal Company. Here, he learned the trade of welding. He was a self-made business man: the sole proprietor of “Ted Castine Welding” for more than 40 years. He was well known in the tri-state area as a man who took pride in his craft, who had integrity and worked hard. Over the years, he built four of the houses he lived in, the final two in Vernon, where he had lived since the early 1970s. He was happiest in his garage and workshed, unless he was attending an auction or playing a game of Pitch with friends. He was an accomplished harmonica player,which he learned to play from his uncle, Bion Eddy. Always willing to help anyone, even a stranger; he believed there was good in every person. Memorial information: Interment will take place on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m., at the North Cemetery on Route 142 in Vernon. Afterward, there will be a Celebration of Life at the Church of Christ on Western Avenue in Brattleboro. Donations to the charity of one's choice.
• Sophie V. Grover, 97, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 6 at Thompson House Nursing Home. Wife of the late Clarence “Buster” Grover for 68 years. Survivors include several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. She was predeceased by siblings Brony Smoski and Phyllis Polaski. Born in Winchester, N.H., the daughter of the late Frank and Stella (Chmielewski) Smoski. She was raised and educated in Winchester, attending the former Thayer High School. She was a devoted homemaker who loved her family. For several years, she worked at the former Dutch Bake Shop on Main Street in Brattleboro. She was a longtime communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church. Always smiling, she was known for her gentle, pleasant personality and kindness. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Nov. 13 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, with committal rites and burial in Saint Michael's Parish Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her beloved husband. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Marion A. Holway, 70, of Putney. Died Nov. 12 at her home following an extended illness.Wife of Ronald S. Holway for nearly 53 years. Mother of Cindy Russell and husband, Thomas, of Newfane; Darcy Whitworth and husband, Kevin, of Brattleboro; and Deborah Shumlin of Putney. Sister of Richard Aither of Walpole, N.H., Robert Aither of Newfane, Harold Aither of Ludlow, Rebecca Lambert of Sanford, Maine, and the late Gordon Aither, Jr. Born in Townshend, the daughter of the late Gordon and Florence (Brown) Aither, she attended Kurn Hattin School, Bellows Falls High School, and later graduated from North Brookfield (Mass.) High School, Class of 1962. She had been employed as a licensed nursing assistant working at Thompson House and Hilltop House, both in Brattleboro, retiring in 2006. Previously, she operated her own daycare center in Putney which she ran for 15 years. A devoted caregiver, one of her passions was taking care of those in need. She enjoyed cooking, walking, and time shared with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were Nov. 16 in Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to Kurn Hattin Homes for Children, P.O. Box 127, 708 Kurn Hattin Road, Westminster, VT 05158, or to the Putney Volunteer Fire Department, 14 Main St., Putney, VT 05346. Arrangements were under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Edith E. “Edie” Ives, 89, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 9 at Thompson House, following a brief period of declining health. Wife of the late Wesley D. Ives for 67 years. Mother of Wesley P. Ives and his wife, Linda, of Dummerston; Timothy J. Ives and is wife, Beth, of Northfield, Mass.; Jonathan P. Ives and his wife, Carolyn, of Essex Junction; Vicki Jordan of Dummerston; Kathy Avant and her husband, Roy. of Palm Bay, Fla.; and Leslie Ives and her spouse, Bethany Perry, of Rockingham. Sister of the late Minnie Pollica. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Paul and Olga (Carlson) Ericson, she attended Brattleboro schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro High School, Class of 1943. She baby sat for area children for many years and thought of those children as her very own. After retiring from babysitting, she worked for 30 years as a paraprofessional at both Oak Grove and Academy schools. She was an excellent cook and a gracious hostess, and was known for her beautiful birthday and wedding cakes. She never forgot a family event and always sent cards for all occasions to family members and friends. She was a faithful and devoted wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose life centered around her family. She enjoyed time spent at the family's second home at Holland Pond and loved taking trips to the coast of Maine and Massachusetts. In her earlier years she was a member of the Swedish Covenant Congregational Church and held membership in the former Dennis Rebekah Lodge #1 in Brattleboro. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading, and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted Nov. 14 in the family lot in Morningside Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, P.O. Box 1117, Brattleboro, VT 05302-1117. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• June M. Kelly, 87, of Brattleboro. Died Nov. 11 in Brattleboro. Lifelong friend and former wife of Edward J. Kelly of Dummerston. Mother of Susan M. Kelly of West Halifax and the late Brian and David Kelly. A graduate of Simmons College, her career as an interior designer took second place to her devotion to her family. Originally from Boston, she greatly enjoyed the last several years of her life in Brattleboro, thanks to the boundless friendship and generosity of her neighbors, especially Annie Lafantano and Tom Singleton. She delighted in being unconventional. She was equally at home in the cockpit of a Cessna 150 or behind the lens of a camera, face to face with a baby gorilla at the Franklin Park Zoo. She enjoyed travel and befriending people from all walks of life. Memorial information: In accordance with her wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial. Donations in her memory can be made to the MSPCA-Angell Memorial Medical Center, 350 S. Huntington Ave., Boston, MA 02130.
• Preston John Martin, 59, of Wardsboro. Died Nov. 9 at his home. Husband of Donna Martin. Former husband of Mary Martin. Father of Ethan Martin. Stepfather of Heather and the late Timmy. Brother of Cheryl and Ted Cook, Cindy Martin, Debbie and Bret Johnson, Carlotta and Forrest Woodruff, “Kit” Martin, and the late Mary and “Butch” Martin. Born in Jamaica, the son of the late Winchester and Sybil Martin, he grew up in Jamaica and Newfane where he attended local schools. He was an expert machinist, beginning his career under the leadership of Bob Crow in Westfield, Mass., and later working for many years for G.S. Precision. He retired from Janos Optical due to illness. His artistic nature led him to excel in whatever fancied his interest. An avid bluegrass fan, he was an accomplished guitarist, writing many songs about his friends and his life's experiences. He loved the outdoors and spent many days hiking and climbing throughout the wilderness, always seeking the next adventure. His love for animals was demonstrated by his protection of them all. Memorial information: A private burial service will be held at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Janice G. Page, 57, of Springfield, Vt. Died Nov. 9 at her home. Wife of Reginald M. Page for 25 years. Mother of Alaina M. and Courtney A. Page, both of Springfield, and the late Ian Coleman. Sister of Raymond Coleman and his wife, Josephine, of Springfield, and Melvin Coleman and his wife, Grace, of Londonderry. She was born in Townshend, the daughter of Joyce E. (Kingsbury) and the late Kenneth Coleman. She graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend. She worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 30 years as a clerk at the Chester Post Office. She was a member of the Eastern Star, sold Mary Kay products, and was a hostess at the Miller Art Center in Springfield. She enjoyed the outdoors, hiking, gardening and flowers; she also enjoyed reading and loved animals. She was a wonderful wife and mother, devoting her life to her family and supporting her daughters in every way. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Nov. 14 at Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Donations to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, or to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156.
• Josephine R. Potter, 89, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died Nov. 12, 2014 at her residence. Wife of the late Frederick S. Potter Sr. Mother of Fredrick Potter, Jr. and his fiancee, Debora Newport, of Hinsdale, Ruth Owen, also of Hinsdale, and the late Mary Howe. Sister of Laura Whittemore of Hinsdale and the late Raymond and Chester Rowe, Louise Rowe, and Ethyl Stoddard. Born in Chesterfield, N.H., the daughter of the late Percy and Alice (Dobson) Rowe, she was a Hinsdale resident since 1953. She was employed by American Optical for 25 years. She then did daycare at her home for more than 20 years. She enjoyed sewing, knitting, crocheting, hunting, fishing, and camping. Memorial information: A graveside service will be held in the spring at Chesterfield West Cemetery in West Chesterfield, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Josephine's name to the American Cancer Society , 55 Day Ln, Williston, VT 05495 or to the American Diabetes Association of Vermont, 77 Hegeman Ave., Colchester, VT 05446. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.