College news
• Luke Drabyn of Grafton graduated from Bowdoin College on May 23 with a major in government and legal studies and Russian.
• Jocelyn Lovering of East Dummerston was recently honored by Keene State College with the Fred Fosher Excellence in Writing Award.
• Ashley C. Moran of Westminster graduated magna cum laude from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a B.S. in diagnostic medical sonography.
• Molly Ann Rice of Brattleboro, a junior and interdisciplinary liberal arts major, has been named to the president's list at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va., for the spring 2015 semester.
• The following local students received degrees from the University of Vermont on May 17: Ruth Rowell of Saxtons River, B.S. in business administration; David Gagnon of Brattleboro, B.S. in civil engineering; Zachary Gruver of Dummerston, B.A. in economics; Hannah Borochoff-Porte of Putney, B.A. in anthropology; Ali Frothingham of East Dummerston, B.A. in studio art; Ruth Shafer of Williamsville, B.A./B.S. in environmental sciences; Meagan Borofsky of Putney, B.A. in global studies; Colleen Goldberg of Putney, B.S. in nutrition and food sciences; Dylan Staats of Brookline, B.S. in business administration; Amie Schiller of Brattleboro, B.S. in wildlife & fisheries biology; Abigail Axtell of Putney, M.A. in education; Anna Pirog of Brattleboro, B.S. in psychology; Rachel Lundsted of Marlboro, B.S. in animal sciences; Charles Kepler of Jamaica, B.S. in mechanical engineering; Brendan Hackett of Westminster, B.S. in mechanical engineering; Cassandra Lipkvich of West Dover, B.S. in professional nursing; Asa Conway of Putney, Master of Business Administration; Eric Cummings of Brattleboro, M.S. for teachers in mathematics; Jenny Newton of Windham, B.A. in psychology; Thomas Orner of Vernon, Master of Accountancy; Alexander Swanson of Cambridgeport, B.A. in art history; Aimee Levesque of East Dummerston, M.S. for teachers in mathematics; Mickey Rentas Jr. of Westminster, B.A. in English; Savana Rentas of Westminster, B.A. in sociology; Luca Fernandez of Westminster, Master of Public Administration; Jacob Huston of Brookline, B.A. in history; Ezekiel Cain Fitzgerald of Brattleboro, B.S. in medical laboratory sciences; Analiz Cancel of Brattleboro, B.A. in global studies; Kelsey Pearson of West Dover, B.S. in exercise and movement sciences; Stephen Pearson of West Dover, M.S. in mechanical engineering; Audrey Jones of Wardsboro, B.A. in mathematics; Justin Van Backer of Wilmington, Doctor of Medicine; Samuel Stevens of Brattleboro, B.A. in political science, cum laude; Laurel Wickberg of Putney, Doctor of Medicine; Jordan Wyckoff of Brattleboro, B.S. in early childhood preschool; Jessie Woodcock of Brattleboro, B.S. in psychology; Guillaume Sparrow-Pepin of Putney, B.A. in computer science, cum laude; Abigail Blake of Wilmington, B.S. in public communication; Devan Lucier of Townshend, M.S. in nursing, Oliver Munsill of Wilmington, B.S. in ecological agriculture; Cassidy Anderson of West Wardsboro, B.S. in professional nursing; Madeleine Dery of Townshend, B.A. in sociology; and Amanda Walsh of Saxtons River, Master of Education degree in curriculum & instruction.
School news
• Tyler Clement of Vernon, a junior at Brattleboro Union High School, has been nominated to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston on June 28-30. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who are passionate about science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Clement was nominated by former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, science director of the National Academy of Future Scientists and Technologists, to represent Vermont based on his academic achievement, leadership potential, and passion for science and technology.
Transitions
• Jorda Daigneault, a family nurse practitioner (FNP), will begin seeing patients at Grace Cottage Family Health in Townshend, starting June 16. Born at Grace Cottage Hospital (she was delivered by the hospital's founder, Dr. Carlos Otis), Daigneault received a diploma from St. Elizabeth's School of Nursing in Boston, her BSN from the University of the State of New York, and her FNP from the University of Vermont. She also has an M.S. in disaster medicine and management from Philadelphia University. She has worked at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H., since 1988.
Obituaries
• David George Austin Sr., 71, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died May 9, one day before his 72nd birthday, in Evergreen, Colo., while visiting friends. Husband of Millie (Rounds) Austin for 46 years. Father of David G. Austin, Jr. of Hinsdale and Janet Austin-Frost of Brattleboro. Brother of Christine George of Chicopee, Mass., Terry Austin and Rose Austin of Westfield, Mass., Wallace Austin, Jr. of Westfield, Mass., and Mitchell Austin of Tampa, Fla. Born in Amesbury, Mass., the son of Wallace B. Austin, Sr. and Yvonne Mary Moyette, he served in the Coast Guard from 1962 to 1966 and was honorably discharged with the rank of petty officer second class. He worked for Raymond S. Roberts as a truck mechanic for 10 years, for the town of Brattleboro as a highway mechanic for 19 years, and later with Lilly Trucking. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, playing cards, and cooking. He struggled with diabetes for 15 years, but was a fighter and tried to keep it under control. He was a member of American Legion Post 5 for 37 years. Memorial information: A celebration of his life was held on May 31 at American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. Donations to The JEHH Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 797, Brattleboro, VT 05302 in the memory of David. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro was in charge of arrangements.
• Alice Jane (Call) Banning, 80, of South Newfane. Died May 21 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H. Wife of Irving Banning. Mother of Kevin and Jan Banning of Clinton, Conn., Kathleen and Barry Beeman of Pinehurst, N.C., William Banning and Gina Lauzier of Manchester, Conn., and Linda Krikawa of Bloomfield, Conn. Sister of Glenn Call and his wife, Helene, of Worcester, Mass., Patricia (Call) Fusco and her husband, Thomas, of Marlboro, Kathleen Call of Manchester, Conn., and the late Constance Botticello, Gertrude Clark, and Richard, Ronald and Vernon Call Born in Bennington, N.H., the daughter of the late Theodore and Gertrude (Cody) Call. During World War II, her family moved to Glastonbury, Conn., where she and Irving met while attending Glastonbury High School. After her graduation and his return from serving in the Marines, they married. She became a very devoted mother and grandmother who loved and cared for her family unconditionally. Favorite pastimes included cooking, baking, gardening, and sharing her recipes. She lived her spirituality daily, inspiring her children and all who knew her. A cherished memory was vacationing in Ireland with her husband in their later years. She was an active member of St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held May 28 at St. Augustine Church in South Glastonbury, with burial in St. Augustine Cemetery in South Glastonbury. Donations to the ICU, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03766.
• Robert Charles Baur, 91, formerly of the Old Parsonage in Brookline and the Smith Haven in Londonderry. Died May 30 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro, following a long period of failing health. Brother of Albert M. Baur, Jr. He is also survived by many cousins, including his first cousin and lifelong close personal friend, Warren C. Baur and his wife, Ruby, of Londonderry; first cousin Carolyn Frede Carlson and her husband, Kenneth, of Potomac, Md.; Sharon Frede of Oakland, Calif., and William A. Gast of Camp Hill, Pa. Born in Norwalk, Conn., the second son of the late Albert M. Baur, Sr. and Mary Caroline (Frede) Baur. Following graduation from Norwalk High School in 1943, he joined the Army Air Force. He trained to be a teletype operator in the Signal Corps and served with the 9th Air Force in England, Belgium, and France before being discharged in 1946. He was an avid gardener and became well-known as a writer on his specialty of terrariums. He was a longtime member of the Garden Writers Association. His published work includes his own book, Gardens in Glass Containers, (Hearthside Press, New York, 1970), and a chapter entitled “Water Jug Terrarium” in The New York Times Garden Book, edited by Joan Lee Faust in 1973. In addition, he authored many articles with photographs on terrariums for newspapers and magazines. Memorial information: He was a devout member of the Episcopal Church and, as he requested, there will be a burial service with Eucharist at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro, on Thursday, June 4, at 2 p.m. Interment will be on Friday, June 5, at 11 a.m., in the Baur family plot beside his father and mother in the Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Danbury, Conn. Donations to the Altar Guild Flower Fund at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro is in charge of arrangements.
• Elizabeth L. “Betty” Bolton, 88, of Greenfield, Mass., formerly of Northfield, Mass. Died May 28 at Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility in Greenfield. Wife of the late Arthur Bolton for 55 years. Mother of Carol Dane; Donald Bolton and his wife, Teresa; Susan Agnew and her husband, Bruce; and the late Paul Bolton. Sister of Robert Phelps and his wife, Bette, of Northfield, and the late John, Richard, Stanley, Frank, Charles, Raymond, and George Phelps, Dorothy Russell, and Ruth Phelps. Sister-in-law of June Generous of Brattleboro. Born on Huckle Hill Farm in Bernardston, Mass., the daughter of the late Austin and Florence (Messer) Phelps, she was educated in Bernardston and Northfield schools, attended Westminster Choir College and Greenfield Community College, and graduated from Smith College in 1973, and was an organ student of Harriette Richardson for many years. She was a member of the American Guild of Organists, earning certification as Colleague in 1980. She and her husband enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, and visiting historical museums. They went to York Beach, Maine, each year, and crossed the United States several times by train to visit family on the West Coast. She was an avid gardener and loved to bake pies. She worked at the Northfield Inn and Northfield Seminary before her marriage. She served as organist or organist/choir director at Congregational, Episcopal, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic churches in Greenfield, Northfield, and Northampton, Mass., and Brattleboro, from 1952 to 2003, including Holy Trinity Church and Second Congregational Church in Greenfield and Centre Congregational in Brattleboro. She taught piano and organ lessons for many years and played for many weddings. She was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Greenfield. Memorial information: A service will be held on Thursday, June 4, at 10 a.m., at the Kidder Funeral Home, 1 Parker Ave., Northfield, followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m., at Blessed Sacrament Church in Greenfield. Burial will follow in Pentecost Cemetery in Northfield. Calling hours will be Wednesday, June 3, from 6-8 p.m., at Kidder Funeral Home. Donations to Charlene Manor Activity Fund, 130 Colrain Rd. Greenfield, MA 01301, or Hospice of Franklin County, 329 Conway St. Suite 2, Greenfield, MA 01301.
• Reginald Charles Fox, 79, of Jacksonville. Died May 30 at his home. Husband of Julia Anne (Bartlett) Fox for nearly 59 years. Father of Sherrie Lind and her husband, Jerry, of Searsburg; Laurie Brown and her husband, Greg, of Whitingham; and Tommy Fox and his wife, Holly, of Halifax. Brother of the late Martha Fox. Born in Whitingham, the son of Albert and Bessie (Reynolds) Fox, he attended Whitingham schools. He was an engineer for the Hoosac Tunnel and Wilmington railroad from 1959 until the line's abandonment in 1971. He was also manager for two years in Kentucky as an engineer. He worked for Deerfield Glassine in Monroe Bridge, Mass., and later as a truck driver and grader operator for the town of Whitingham. He retired from Eilers Brothers as a truck driver in 1998 and was a meter reader for the village of Jacksonville for more than seven years. He came out of retirement to run the grader for the town of Whitingham during the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a lifelong member and past commander of American Legion Cecil A. Davis Post 17. He also was a member of the Unity Lodge #89, F&AM, and a former member of the Whitingham Fire Department and the Whitingham Ambulance service. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, spending time at his camp and cherished times spent with his family. Memorial information: Funeral services with military honors will be held Thursday, June 4, at 10 a.m., at Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home 44 East Main St., Wilmington. There are no visiting hours. Donations to the Make a Wish Foundation, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Grey Clough Goddard, 88, of Brattleboro. Died May 23 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Husband of the late Marie (Ingram) Goddard for nearly 52 years. Father of Carlene Momaney of Hinsdale, N.H., and the late Lucy Anne LaBounty. Born at the former Melrose Hospital on Western Avenue in West Brattleboro, the son of the late Carl and Hattie (Clough) Goddard, he was raised and educated in Brattleboro, leaving school early to go to work to help his family. For about 60 years, he worked as a truck driver, first for the former Shanahan Transportation in Turners Falls, Mass., and later for A.R. Sandri of Greenfield, Mass. In his earlier years, he assisted with the day to day operation of the family farm on Sunset Lake Road. He was a member of First Congregational Church and a former member of B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499. He enjoyed fishing, boating, and time shared with his family. For many years, he and his wife wintered in Lake Wales, Fla. Memorial information: Graveside committal services are private and will take place in Morningside Cemetery. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Atamaniuk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• Florence E. Pritting, 93, formerly of Dummerston and, more recently, Valley Cares in Townshend. Died May 24 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. Wife of the late Lester W. Pritting for 69 years. Mother of William Pritting and his wife, Randi, of Colchester, Conn.; Russell Pritting and his wife, Nancy, of Brattleboro; and Diane Miles of Manchester. Sister of Dena Allison of Glastonbury, Conn., and the late Gloria Kukla. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of the late William and Florence (Wister) Buck, she was raised and educated in Brooklyn and eventually moved to Vermont. For many years, she was a credit officer for the former Dunham Shoe Company in Brattleboro. Previously, she was a telephone operator for New England Telephone, working in the Brattleboro office. She was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Of her leisure time activities Mrs. Pritting enjoyed travel, especially taking day trips, was an avid reader and devoted Boston Red Sox fan. She also treasured time spent with her family. Memorial information: In keeping with her final wishes, funeral services will be private, with entombment in Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353. Atamaniuk Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
• A graveside committal service will be held for Hadley and Vivian Winn of West Chesterfield, N.H., on Saturday, June 6, at 1 p.m., in the Chesterfield West Cemetery, Poor Road, West Chesterfield. Pastor Lew Miller will officiate. A reception will follow at the Chesterfield Fire Station.
• A graveside committal service and interment with military honors for Lt. Col. (Ret.) Prentice Fisk Hammond Sr. of Bartonsville, who died March 8, 2015, will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 6, at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Chester.