Births
• In Greenfield, Mass., (Baystate Franklin Medical Center), Jan. 3, 2015, a son, Silas James Tefft, to Thomas and Kimberly Tefft of West Halifax; grandson to Malcolm and Monica Sumner of West Halifax, and Richard and Sue Tefft of Jacksonville; great-grandson to Jim and Connie Billiel of Colrain, Mass., and Carl and Audrey Ebbetts of Brattleboro.
• In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), Nov. 30, 2014, a son, Avery Plenty Euphrat, to Jennifer O'Donnell and Michael Euphrat of Dummerston; grandson to Ned and Sue Euphrat, Vance O'Donnell and Carole Plenty.
College news
• Madison M. Hinrichs, a mathematics major and member of the Class of 2015 from West Halifax, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H.
• Alexandra Morrow, a member of the Class of 2016, from Townshend, has achieved Dean's High Honors for the fall 2014 term at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.
• Kerry A Howard, a member of the Class of 2015 from Londonderry, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2014 semester at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• William Bourque of East Dover and Alexander Breau of Vernon were named to the fall 2014 Dean's List at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass.
• The following local students were named to the fall 2014 Dean's List at the University of Rhode Island: Jennifer A. Spero of Londonderry, Dustin Powell of Westminster, Joseph M. Sawyer Shaw of Brattleboro, and Beau Doucette of Wilmington.
• The following local students were named to the fall 2014 Dean's List at the University of New Haven: Katherine Nopper of Newfane and Megan Walker of Brattleboro.
• Amy Aldridge of Athens has been selected as the first recipient of the Jesse M. Corum IV Scholarship. Aldridge, a student at the Community College of Vermont, will receive a $2,500 medical assisting scholarship. The Brattleboro Rotary Club Gateway Foundation established the scholarship in September of 2014 to honor the late long-time Brattleboro Rotarian Jesse Corum.
Transitions
• Kristin Barnum, RN, BSN, MBA, has been promoted to Division Director at Bayada Hospice. She will oversee hospice care offices that provide a comprehensive array of end-of-life services to patients and their families in Vermont and New Hampshire.
Obituaries
• Traci Jane Bergeron, 49, of Jamaica, Died Dec. 25, 2014 at her home after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Wife of Richard Bergeron for 28 years. Mother of Amber, Nicholas and Michael Bergeron. Born in New Haven, Conn., the daughter of the late Jane and Frederick Valalik, .she was a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in physical therapy. She was the director of rehabilitation at Grace Cottage Hospital for 15 years, and continued to work as a physical therapist for eight more years after stepping down. Upon moving to Jamaica with her husband in 1990, the two self-planned and hand-built their home, all the while raising their three kids. She had a strong passion for all she did and took pride in her work. She loved spending time in her gardens, tending to flowers and vegetables, and happily reaped the rewards of her efforts every fall. With a creative eye, she was continuously crafting quilts, handbags, hats, socks, and Halloween costumes for her kids during their youth. She was an avid adventurer and loved to play outdoors, whether it was biking hundreds of miles on the East and West coasts, camping, hiking Mt. Washington, cross country skiing, or snowboarding. Before her diagnosis, she was working to obtain her Doctorate in Physical Therapy through the University of Montana and continued her studies during treatment. Memorial information: A celebration of life service will be held in the spring. Donations to VNA & Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 976, White River Junction, VT 05001-0976.
• Karen B. Bucher, 62, of Brattleboro, Died Dec. 29, 2014 at her home, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Survived by a brother, David Bucher and his wife, Mary Lou, of Lititz, Pa.; and a nephew, Colin and his wife, Nicole, of Alexandria, Va. Born in Lancaster, Pa., she graduated from Penn Manor High School and attended Millersville State College for two years before making the decision to become a clockmaker. She was the first female graduate of the renowned Bowman Technical School in Lancaster, a town that was a center for clock and watch making since colonial times. Following her graduation, she left Lancaster for Vermont and a multi-year apprenticeship with a noted regional clockmaker. Completing that apprenticeship, she opened her own clock shop in downtown Brattleboro where it remained until her death. She was a certified Master Clockmaker. In addition to her technical and business skills, she was an accomplished musician. A classical flutist, she was often found locally in jam sessions during her earlier days in Brattleboro. She was also a member of a number of bands, most notably the all-girl group “No Regrets,” in which she also played the electric bass. For many years, she was a member and chef at the Common Ground co-op in Brattleboro. Fiercely independent, with a wry wit, she was also known for her caring and generosity. A rabid sports fan, she loved the Red Sox and Patriots, but kept a spot in her heart for the Phillies. Known widely in the community, throughout her time in the Brattleboro she stayed attuned to and active in downtown affairs. Memorial information: A memorial tribute is being planned for the spring and the family wishes anyone with recollections of Karen, and/or interest in attending the tribute to email [email protected], subject “KB."
• Floyd Lyle Grover Jr., 60, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 13, after a long battle with multiple illnesses, one day before his 61st birthday. Husband of Samantha (Perry) Grover. Father of Keri M. Roberts and her husband, Christopher, of Brattleboro, Jessi Grover of Brattleboro, and Amanda McAuly of Los Angeles. Brother of Janice Perkins of North Walpole, N.H., Dorothy Grover Read and her husband, Stewart. of Bellows Falls, and Michael Grover of Newfane. Born in Brattleboro to the late Sylvia (LaFlam) and Floyd L. Grover Sr., he grew up in Chesterfield, N.H., roaming the woods and hills freely with his siblings, fishing the brooks with his father and friends, climbing trees, and living a childhood of seemingly endless days of curiosity and imagination. He attended elementary school there, followed by Keene High School, and later in life, after a few detours, earned his computer programming degree from Springfield (Mass.) Technical Community College. He served six years in the Army with a maintenance battalion stationed in Fort Lewis, Wash., and then in Mannheim, Germany, serving as a chaplain's assistant. Once back in the civilian world, he worked as a supervisor at ABF Freight, a courier for Vermont National Bank, and as a mental health worker for the Brattleboro Retreat. He created his computer programing business, “Phloid's P.C. Phix,” which occupied his attentions until his retirement. He was also a gifted, humble artist, hopeful musician, entertaining storyteller, nurturing cook, and a man grateful for every moment he spent on this beautiful planet. Everyone in his family knows the exact last words he said to them all, “I love you,” because he never ended a conversation to any of them without saying this. Memorial information: Calling hours will be held at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A gathering will follow, and a celebration will be held later this year. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Susan Marie Johnson, 53, of Weathersfield. Died Dec. 25 at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, N.H. Daughter of Robert and Elinor (Dalrymple) Johnson. Sister of Colleen Carleton of Brattleboro. Born in Brattleboro, she was raised and educated in Brattleboro and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1979. She especially loved animals, crocheting, crafts, and trips to Hampton Beach, N.H. Purple was her favorite color. Memorial information: Graveside committal services and burial will be conducted in the Johnson family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro later in the springtime at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Mildred R. “Millie” Manley, 94, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 11 at Thompson House, where she had been a resident since August 2008. Wife of Howard “Bill” Manley for more than 74 years. Mother of Ronald Manley of Waco, Texas, William Manley of West Chesterfield, N.H., and the late Lawrence Manley. Born at home on Fairview Street in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Andrew and Anna (Peterson) Swenson. She was raised and educated in Brattleboro, attending Brattleboro High School. She worked for many years as a full-time seamstress in Brattleboro and also as an Avon sales representative. For many years, she also baked special occasion cakes for area families and friends. She was a former member of the Dennis Rebekah Lodge #1. A woman of faith, she was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Keene, N.H. She enjoyed photography and was a past member of the Brattleboro Camera Club. She also liked to hunt and held membership in the former Brattleboro Rifle Club. She took great pride in being a devoted homemaker and enjoyed cooking, canning, and gardening. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Jan. 15 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Keene, with committal services and burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to the Thompson House Activities Fund, 80 Maple St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Melvin “Mel” Meyer, MD, 83, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 8 in Brattleboro. Former husband of Elizabeth “Betty” Boss Meyer for 33 years. Father of Christopher Meyer of Brattleboro, Robert Meyer of Harvard, Mass., James Meyer of Gloucester, Mass., and Elizabeth Meyer of Melrose, Mass. Brother of the late Stanley Meyer and Lois Chapel. Born in Moxee, Wash., the son of the late Cornelius and Maude Meyer, at the height of the Great Depression, the family was forced to move and live meagerly while his father looked for odd jobs to make ends meet. He graduated from Seattle West High School in 1949 with high honors and was awarded a full scholarship to Yale, from which he graduated in 1954 with a degree in English. He returned to the West Coast for his medical education at the University of Washington Medical School. After graduating in 1956, he moved to Atlanta for his residency in both internal medicine and clinical pharmacology at Grady Memorial Hospital. Following residency, he served in the Navy for three years as a commissioned medical officer. He then worked for Astra Pharmaceutical for 10 years in medical research both in the United States and in Scotland. While in Atlanta, he was introduced to his future wife, through a mutual church friend. They married in 1964 in Asheville. Beginning in 1979, the Meyers served as missionaries through the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries. For nearly eight years, their family lived in rural communities in the Commonwealth of Dominica and Nepal. The Sudbury (Mass.) United Methodist Church served as their home base during this time. While in Dominica, he oversaw the opening of the Marigot Hospital, a new hospital replacing one destroyed by Hurricane David in 1979. He served one-half of the island and was the only doctor in that region. In Nepal, he served with the United Mission to Nepal (UMN) in the Tansen Hospital located in rural Palpa Tansen. The Meyers returned to the United States in 1986 and settled in Tuftonboro, N.H. For 10 years, he managed a private practice there, then moved to Nashua, N.H., and worked with the Harvard Vanguard Associates until his retirement in 2002. He was actively involved with his home church, Main Street United Methodist Church, in Nashua. He was appointed by the city's mayor to serve on Nashua's Conservation Commission, which he served as chairman in 2007-08. He moved to Brattleboro in 2013 to be closer to his family, spending his last year as member of the Guilford Community Church. He loved fishing, spending time with his grandchildren, traveling to far places, sailing, camping, and enjoying the outdoors. He challenged himself to study and to write Hebrew. He read extensively on the interplay of science and religion in our lives. He lived a full life until his last couple of years when Parkinson's disease took over his body. Memorial information: A funeral service was held on Jan. 17 at the Guilford Community Church. Donations can be made to the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries, P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087-9068.
• Howard Van Powell, 86, of Whitingham. Died Jan. 12 after a brief battle with cancer. Husband of the late Gladys Powell for 53 years. Father of Van Powell and his wife, Beth Marr, of Vergennes; David Powell and his partner, Kendy Slade, of Whitingham; Faith Powell of Whitingham; Susan Powell Davison of Old Saybrook, Conn.; Mark Powell and his wife, Beth Gilpin, of Waterbury; Joy Powell of Whitingham; and Jonathan Powell of Easthampton, Mass. Younger brother of Robert Powell of Jacksonville, Fla. He was born and grew up in Stratford, N.J., just around the corner from his future wife, whom he married in 1951. He graduated from Philadelphia Bible School (now Cairn University) in 1953. The Powells lived on Sky Farm for 45 years. He worked for the U.S. Postal Service for much of his lifetime and, for the past two decades, served as relief postmaster in Jacksonville, Whitingham, and Readsboro. He served as the pastor of many churches, including Agape Christian Fellowship and Community Bible Chapel in Brattleboro, and several churches in Southern New Jersey. He also served as a missionary with his family in the Philippines. He was active in local churches and preached frequently in Jacksonville, Whitingham and Readsboro, and in Walpole, N.H. He was a deeply devout man with a strong love for his God, his family, his home, and his community. His favorite pastime was working around his farm; he was still mowing local fields last summer. He was an avid reader and loved feeding and watching his birds. In the past 10 years, as he lived alone on Sky Farm, one of his greatest joys was visiting with his children and grandchildren. He was a proud member of the Whitingham Historic 85 Club. Memorial information: A funeral service was held Jan. 17 at Jacksonville Community Church in Jacksonville Village. Donations to Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, the Community Church of Whitingham, and the First Baptist Church of Readsboro.
• Barbara Ruth Williams, 74, formerly of Grafton. Died Jan. 4 at Agrace HospiceCare in Madison, Wis. Wife of Herbert E. Williams III for 45 years. Mother of David and Heather Williams. Sister of Morris Epp, Paul Epp, Ed. C. Epp, and Rachel (Epp) Goossen. Born in Henderson, Neb., to Edward H. and Alma (Doell) Epp, she was a member of the Henderson High School Class of 1958 and graduated from Bethel College in Newton, Kan., in 1962. She taught kindergarten and first grade until 1969, when she married. She and her husband established their home in Kansas City, Mo. She worked at Country Club Christian Church and at Shop Beautiful in Brookside during her years in Kansas City, establishing lifelong friendships in both places. Her primary vocation, however, was her family, both immediate and extended. In 2002, she and her husband moved to Grafton, where she embraced volunteer work that helped the community in lasting ways. She was president of the Grafton Women's Community Club, and acquired 501(c)(3) status for the organization. She also was active in the church and community fundraising events. As a lifelong and voracious reader, perhaps her favorite activity was her volunteer work at the library. She loved to socialize, and would strike up warm and welcoming conversations with every friend and any traveler who walked through the door. She will be remembered for her persistent optimism, her sharp wit, and her sense of humor. She loved playing bridge with close friends throughout her life, and she presided over countless rounds of the card game “Oh” with family members. She valued love above all, and that love filled any room she was in. In 2012, she and her husband moved to Wisconsin to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held Jan. 31, at the Combs Chapel at Country Club Christian Church in Kansas City, Mo. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Agrace HospiceCare or the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center.
• Mary C.A. Wright, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 13 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Wife of John R. Wright for more than 61 years. Sister of Celina of Palm Bay, Fla., Claire of Georgetown, Texas, and Joseph of Intervale, N.H. Born in Turners Falls, Mass., the daughter of the late Felix and Marie (Sills) Paulin, she was a 1940 graduate of Turners Falls High School and received a B.S. in accounting from Bryant College in 1950. Early in World War II, she enlisted in the Women's Army Corps. She served in the United States for three years, then in Japan for two years after the war ended. She also served in the Air Force for three years during the Korean Conflict, including one year in Iceland. She was very athletic, and played on basketball teams in high school, college, and the military. As a young woman, she was a Red Cross-certified water safety instructor and she taught combat survival swimming in the Army. After moving to Brattleboro from Chicago in 1970, she was employed in the business office of the Windham Southeast Supervisory Union and subsequently at the Vermont National Bank, from which she retired in 1984. She was very active in the local Floral Arts and Garden Club, the Women's Evening Club, the Brattleboro Area AARP chapter, Pennywise Home Dem, and the Silver Liners dance group. For many years, she was a volunteer worker at Red Cross blood drawings and at the polls on election days. Her other interests included operatic and symphonic music, and travel. Memorial information: In accordance with her wishes, there will be no calling hours or services. She was an organ donor, and her remains will be cremated and her ashes scattered over a lake in northern Wisconsin, where she and her husband were directors of a summer camp for boys and girls during the first summer of their marriage. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements were under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Ludwik J. Wystup, 67, of Guilford. Died Jan. 9 in Burlington, Mass., due to complications following surgery. Husband of Judy Smith. Father of Louis, Tommy, Joey, and Krzysztof. Stepfather of Chris and Tyler. Brother of Anka. Son of Krystyna Mroczkowska. Stepson of Roman Minkowski. He was born in Lodz, Poland, where he lived until he emigrated to the United States in 1971. While living in Poland, Ludwik studied at the Automotive Technical College in Warsaw and received a degree in Automotive Technology/Service Management. Upon arriving in America, he lived in Forest Hills, N.Y., where he worked for Luby Volkswagen. On a trip to Vermont in 1975, he took his first ski lesson at Mount Snow with Andy Greenfield. They went on to become best friends and skied together for the next 40 years. After falling in love with skiing and New England, he packed up and moved to the Brattleboro area, where he worked as service manager at Patriot Motors. He then began his entrepreneurial phase, co-founding Autex, an auto dealership in Keene, N.H,, as well as starting a small emu ranch. Since he was an avid skier and fan of ski racing, he also worked at Mount Snow and Haystack supporting their racing program. After he retired from Autex, he worked for Owsiak Appraisal Service as an adjuster/estimator, and then finished his career as service manager at the Brattleboro Collision Center. In addition to his passion for skiing, he was a four-seasons outdoorsman who loved off-roading in his ATV, sailing his Hobie Cat, and scuba diving in the Caribbean. He believed that he had lived the American Dream, and was unwavering in his love for his adopted country. Known for his incurable optimism and generosity, he will be missed by all who crossed his path.