Births
In Brattleboro (Memorial Hospital), April 12, 2015, a daughter, Brooklynn Elizabeth Tirrell, to Katelyn Barrows and James Tirrell of Brattleboro; granddaughter to Kevin and Lori (Vigneau) Thibault of East Dummerston, and Keven and Deb Tirrell of Wilmington; great-granddaughter to Annette Vigneau of Brattleboro, Lenny and Betsey Howe of Wilmington, and Skip and Bunny Tirrell of New Hampshire.
College news
• Julia Bianconi and Brendan Patrick Long of Bellows Falls, Samantha Rose Harris of Brattleboro, Megan E. Majonen of Guilford, Dee-Jai Kasetrevatin Cowles of Putney, and Devan Woods Piniewski of West Dover all received their undergraduate degrees from St. Michael's College in Colchester during its May 10 commencement.
• Barbara Benoit of Brattleboro received a Master of Fine Arts degree during Ashland University commencement ceremonies on May 9 in Ashland, Ohio. Benoit is majoring in creative writing.
• Sarah Bemis of Brattleboro, an early childhood education major in the Class of 2015 at Eastern Connecticut State University, was recently inducted into Alpha Kappa Delta, the international sociology honor society.
• Matthieu Fortier of South Londonderry and Jack DelPriore of Brattleboro were recent recipients of Castleton State College's Dean's Scholar Award, a newly-created award developed to honor students with the strongest presentation at the annual Castleton Scholars Celebration.
• McKenzie Bover of Brattleboro was recently named as a member of the Castleton State College Student Orientation Staff for the 2015-16 academic year.
• The following students have been named to the Champlain College Dean's List for achieving a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in the spring 2015 semester: Kevin Ameden, an accounting major from Jamaica; Cuyler Cunningham, a communications major from Brattleboro; John Houk, a computer science and innovation major from Brattleboro; Jeremy Root, a game design major from Vernon; Aubrie Gillam, a creative media major from Putney; and Fletcher Hart, a computer science and innovation major from Londonderry.
Transitions
• Pam Carr of Brattleboro has joined the Board of Windham Child Care Association. She and her husband David moved to Brattleboro from Dallas, Texas, in June 2014 to retire. She taught high school English for 23 years, and is also a member of the Brattleboro Concert Choir, an avid reader, and loves interior decorating.
Obituaries
• Robert Newbern Chiperfield, 80, of Brattleboro. Died May 4 from complications from frontotemporal dementia at Applewood Rehabilitation Center, Winchester, N.H. Husband of Laurie Crosby Chiperfield for nearly 52 years. Father of Robert N. Chiperfield, Jr. and his wife, Pamela, of Chatham, N.J. and Andrew C. Chiperfield and his wife, Julia, of Brookeville, Md. Brother of Virginia Larsen and her husband, Peter, of Olney, Md. Brother-in-law of Jeanie Crosby and her spouse, Cynthia, of Brattleboro, and Martha Tompkins and her husband, Ronald, of Lighthouse Point, Fla. Born in Peoria, Ill., the son of Robert Bruce and Katherine Alice (Newbern) Chiperfield, he grew up in Washington, D.C. where both his grandfather and father served in the U.S. Congress, his father for 26 years, including several years as Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. He spent memorable summers away from the city with family, including aunts, uncles and cousins in Illinois and Arkansas. After attending Georgetown University, where he was a member of the track team, he served in the Army and graduated from Knox College. He enjoyed a 36-year career at the U.S. Department of State that included time as a Foreign Service Officer. He served as a Consular Officer in Toronto, Canada, during the Vietnam War and returned to Washington to serve in the Department of State's Immigration and Naturalization Service until his retirement. He was an avid golfer and especially enjoyed ice hockey, a passion he passed on to his sons and grandchildren, all of whom are proficient players. One of the great joys of his life was watching and cheering the sports activities of his sons and grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service was held May 9 at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. Donations to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to the Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration, Radnor Station Bldg. 2, Suite 320, Radnor, PA 19087.
• Anne Perley Jensen Griffin, 29, of Saxtons River. Died April 20 in Newport News, Va. Wife of Sean Griffin for nine years. Mother of Tess, Joe, and Elise Griffin. Daughter of Carol Perley and Paul Jensen. Stepdaughter of Dave Moore. Sibling of Susan Jensen, Kate Moore, Jamie and Willie Moore, and the late Dan Moore. Born in Danbury Conn., she lived most of her life in Saxtons River, was a graduate of Bellows Falls Union High School, and went on to attend Pine Manor College. She devoted her life to her family and was an amazing mom. She and her family lived around the globe, in Souda Bay, Greece; Virginia Beach, Va; San Diego, Calif.; Washington D.C.; Naples, Italy; and Newport News. They also traveled to Athens, Paris, Rome, Munich, Salzburg, Florence, and Venice. In addition to travel, She loved the Red Sox and animals, including her dog, Youkilis. Kind, sweet, fun, and fun-loving, she leaves behind a large family who loved her dearly. Memorial information: A memorial service was held May 9 at Christ's Church in Saxtons River.
• Barbara L. Handy, 90, of Putney. Died at home May 1 from Parkinson's disease. Former wife of H.L. Handy. Mother of David P. Handy and his wife, Maria, of Hubbardton and Carolyn Handy of Putney, Sister of the late Betsy Stein. Born in Springfield, Mass., she was the daughter of Scottish immigrants David M. and Anita D. Lindsay. She grew up in Chicopee Falls, Mass., and graduated from Springfield Hospital's Nurses Training School (now Baystate Medical Center) in 1946 as a registered nurse. In 1947, she married Mr. Handy in Springfield, Mass., and , after both working for RCA Victor in Lancaster, Pa., they moved to Dorset in 1949 where they began The Vermonter, a homemade candy business. In 1952, the family and business relocated to Putney. The couple divorced in the early 1970s. She worked at Windham College (now Landmark) in Putney in various capacities from about 1961 to 1968, when she resumed her nursing career at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She worked in the operating room until retirement in 1986. Her grandfather, William Lindsay of Scotland, was imported by Rudyard Kipling to do the indoor fine carpentry at Naulakha in Dummerston. Proud of her Scottish heritage, she enjoyed knitting for RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), loved swing and traditional jazz, and was a lifelong collector of homophones. Memorial information: She donated her brain for the advancement of Parkinson's research. Contributions may be made to Doctors Without Borders, or any organization involved with Parkinson's. A memorial service will be held later this year. Arrangements are being handled by Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro.
• Hugh Scott Higgins, 79, formerly of Hinsdale, N.H. Died April 24. Husband of Patricia Brunswick more than 52 years. Father of Kelly and Scott Higgins. Brother of William and Andrew Higgins. Born in Teaneck, N.J., he attended the Englewood School, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. Upon graduation, he sailed as an engineer for Cities Service (now Citgo) aboard super-tankers rotating between second and third engineer. His varied career took him along many paths. He was employed as a sales engineer for Johnson Control, technical director for the National Oil Fuel Institute (NOFI), vice-president of Ford Products and president of Kelscot Ltd., a petroleum distributorship, from 1972 until his retirement in 1998. He was named Man of the Month in May 1967 for his dedication and execution of endless responsibilities related to the fuel oil industry. He was also recognized at the 1966 and 1967 Oil Heating Engineering Conferences for his contributions of time, knowledge and talent in the fuel oil industry. Memorial information: Donations to the Coast Guard Auxiliary (make checks payable to CGAUX Floatilla 10-1, 172 Argent Way, Bluffton, SC 29909) or to the Kings Point Merchant Marine Academy, Class of 1958 Memorial Fund, 14 Bond Street #1000, Great Neck, NY 11021.
• Mark Edward Laselle, 57, of Londonderry. Died April 20 in Phoenix, Ariz. Fiancée of Cippy Seidler of Phoenix, Ariz. Brother of Chris Laselle and his wife, Polly; and brother Bryan Laselle, all of Londonderry. Born in Townshend, the son of Marion (Walker) Laselle and the late Maurice Laselle Jr., he grew up in Vermont, attending Burr and Burton Seminary and Keene State College. He was an athlete and avid basketball player, scoring more than 1,000 points for his college career at Keene State. He also was a much-requested league volleyball player throughout New England. He was an adventurer, including striking off for Alaska in his teens. He was an avid hiker who loved being outdoors and enjoying nature. He enjoyed woodworking of all types and log cabins. He relocated to Arizona in 1995, where he worked as a construction foreman and framer. Memorial information: Donations to the National Parks Foundation at nationalparks.org.
• John Michael “Pendy” Prendergast, 85, of North Walpole, N.H. Died April 30 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Husband of the late Laura May (Willard) Prendergast for 57 years. Father of Deborah Smith and her husband, Jack, of Springfield, Vt.; Linda Stewart and her husband, William, and Mary Kinson and her husband, Kenneth, all of Charlestown, N.H. Brother of Nancy (Roddy) Caissie and husband, William, of Manchester, N.H., and the late Helen McAuliffe and Gail F. Roddy. Born in Torrington, Conn., son of the late James W. and Mary E. (Landers) Prendergast, he attended the Elisha Keep and John Kilburn Schools and Bellows Falls High School before enlisting in the Army. He was extremely proud of his Irish lineage and military service. He was a master sergeant in the Army during the Korean War-era, and was a life member and past post commander of Pierce-Lawton American Legion Post 37 in Bellows Falls. He was a drum major for the Lancers American Legion Drum and Bugle Corps. He also was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and past Commander of VFW Post 10037, a life member of the Bellows Falls Polish American Club, and a former member and captain of the North Walpole Fire Department. He worked 38 years for Green Mountain Power, starting as a lineman and retiring as assistant superintendent of GMP's Southern Division. He was a 60-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 300. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 7 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in North Walpole, N.H., with burial at St. Peter's Cemetery in Drewsville, N.H. Donations to Pierce-Lawton American Legion Post 37 - Legion Baseball Program, P.O. Box 377, Bellows Falls, VT 05101, or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.
• Franklin Rounds, 94, formerly of Rockingham. Died April 28 at Springfield Health & Rehabilitation Center. Husband of the late Freda Foster Rounds. Father of Elaine Gordon and her husband, George; Pauline Laselle and her husband, Christopher; and Bonita Rounds and her husband, Michael Savage. Brother of Bernice Woodard, and Wayne, Henry, Esther, Inez, and Joe Rounds. Born in Grafton, he was the third of nine children of the late Inez (Perry) Harland Rounds Sr. In his younger years, he worked as a logger and farmer. Before and after World War II, he worked as a machinist for Bryant Grinder in Springfield, setting up internal grinders in cities such as Chicago. He enlisted in the Navy during the war and was very proud of his ship, the USS General H.W. Butner, on which he was a machinist. He was owner/operator of Rounds Trucking Company, driving coast-to-coast for well over 25 years. Always needing to have a set of wheels under him, he also worked as a mail carrier for many years and enjoyed traveling with his longtime companion, Elizabeth Eckler, in his motorhome out West, to Vermont and down to Florida. Memorial information: A funeral service was held May 9 at the Chester Congregational Church, with a military burial at the Burgess Cemetery in Grafton. Donations to the Holistic Care/Hospice Suite Fund, White River Junction VA Medical Center, 215 North Main St., White River Junction, VT 05009; or St. Christopher Trucker Fund (truckersfund.org) or a charity of your choice. Arrangements were handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.