College news
• Garth Blocher of Dummerston and William Parker of Guilford both received degrees at Worcester Polytechnic Institute's 147th commencement on June 5. Blocher was awarded an M.S. in mechanical engineering, while Parker was awarded a B.S. in robotics engineering with high distinction.
• The following local students received degrees from Keene State College on May 9: Annelise Kloster of Marlboro, a B.S. degree in Health Science; Jocelyn Lovering of Putney, a B.A. degree in English, magna cum laude; Raquel Moreno of Brattleboro, an M.Ed. degree.
• Elise Huntley of Wilmington was recently named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Benedictine College in Atchinson, Kans.
• Alexandra Morrow of Townshend, a member of the Class of 2016, has achieved Dean's High Honors for the spring 2015 term at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass.
• Nicole Winot of Brookline, a freshman cinema production major, was named to the spring 2015 Dean's List at Bob Jones University in Greeneville, S.C.
• Sarah Bemis of Brattleboro, a senior majoring in early childhood education and sociology, was named to the spring 2015 Dean's List at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn.
• Veronica Faro Bagundes of Brattleboro, a senior majoring in chemical engineering, was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
• Katelyn Donovan of Putney, a sophomore majoring in marketing, was named to the President's List at Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C., for the spring 2015 semester.
• Gregory DiSilva of Brattleboro, a freshman recreation and sport management major, was named to the Dean's List at Coastal Carolina University for the spring 2015 semester.
• Hannah Bailey of Putney, a history major, was named to the spring 2015 Dean's List at Nazareth College in Rochester, N.Y.
• Tyler Andrews of West Halifax and Robin Shannon of Brattleboro both were named to the Dean's List for the spring 2015 semester at Lyndon State College.
Transitions
• Brattleboro Internal Medicine, a member of BMH Physician Group, announced Amy Gadowski, MD, is joining the practice and has begun seeing new patients. She has practiced medicine at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital in a number of different capacities over the years. Most recently, she has been working as a Hospitalist as well as providing care for patients at the Center for Wound Healing.
Obituaries
• Arland R. “Skip” Amidon, 76, of Brattleboro. Died June 3 at Pine Heights Nursing Home. Husband of Sharon “Bonnie” LaRose for nearly 22 years. Former husband of Mary Lou Royce. Father of Douglas and Robert Amidon, both of Vernon. Stepfather of Shane Smith of Cranberry Township, Pa, Travis Smith of Mission Viejo, Calif., and the late Shadd Smith. Brother of Mitzie Salamack of Clifton Park, N.Y. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Averill and Arina (Visser) Amidon, he attended local public schools and was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1957. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1958, and was stationed stateside and abroad in Tripoli, Libya. He was honorably discharged from active service in 1964. He was an active member of American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro. He worked his entire career as a licensed master electrician and owned and operated his own business, Amidon Electric. Previously, he worked at Dompier Electric and Stowell Electric, both in Brattleboro. An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of the Brattleboro Country Club. He also enjoyed playing basketball, tennis, bowling, and softball. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 11, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro. Committal Rites and burial with full military honors will follow in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery. Donations to St. Michael's School, 47 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to a charity of one's choice. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Kathleen Ann “Kay” Marietta Gatz, 69, of Brattleboro. Died May 31 at home. Wife of Gerry Gatz. Mother of Katherine Rancourt. Sister of Sandra Young of Lockport, Ill. Born in Joliet, Ill., daughter of the late James Marietta and Rose Pesavento Marietta, she was a resident of Lockport, Ill., for many years. She taught English at Walsh Junior High School, where she first met her husband. After their marriage, the Gatzes moved to New England where Kay taught high school English at the Winnisquam High School in Tilton, N.H., and Ashland (N.H.) High School before settling in Brattleboro in 1982. She was an astrologer who created insightful readings for her friends and family as well as members of the community who requested them. She was also an avid reader and writer. Her most recent position was as the deli cashier at the Brattleboro Food Co-op. She worked there for more than 10 years and loved being a part of the Co-op community. After retirement, she relished time spent with her granddaughters, Harper and Paisley, and her favorite place to be was on the deck of her Brattleboro home enjoying her gardens and eating sour cherries from her favorite tree. Memorial information: A celebration of her life will be held at her home at 7 School St. in Brattleboro on Saturday June 20, from noon till 5 p.m. It will be an open house for those who wish to pay respects to the family. A time will be set aside around 2 p.m. for guests to offer remembrances. Parking is limited, use the Green Street School parking lot. Donations to Best Friends, 5001 Angel Canyon Road, Kanab, UT 84741 or Home at Last, P.O. Box 6104, Brattleboro, VT 05302.
• Cynthia “Cindy” Owens, 78, formerly of Wardsboro, Died May 23 at Middlesex Hospital in Middletown, Conn., after a brief illness. Born in Claremont, N.H., daughter of the late Dr. John Harold and Dorothy (Samson) Owens, she is survived by her brother, John W. Owens, and his family. She received her teaching degree from Southern Connecticut State University in 1959 and shared her time, talent, encouragement, and love with hundreds of her kindergarten students. She retired from the Joel Elementary School (formerly known as Glenwood Elementary School) in Clinton, Conn., in 1988. She loved to travel, both nationally and internationally. She especially loved to visit lighthouses anywhere and everywhere. She was an avid collector of those lighthouses as well as her beloved teddy bears. A longtime member of the Alpha Delta Kappa National Educators Sorority, she valued the friendship of her “sisters” until her passing. She also loved following sports, particularly her beloved UConn women's basketball team and the Boston Red Sox. A longtime resident of Old Saybrook, Conn., she lived out her last few years at The Hearth in Madison, Conn. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on her birthday, July 10, at 11 a.m., at the Congregational First Church of Christ, 55 Church Rd., Clinton, Conn. She will return home to Wardsboro, to be buried alongside her parents, later in July.
• Joan M. Provan, 89, of Titusville, Fla. Died June 1. Husband of the late Robert S. Provan for 49 years. Mother of Robert A. Provan and his wife, Maria Elena Provan, and Kenneth J. Provan. Born in Newcastle-Under-Lyme, England, the daughter of the late Frederick and Doris Barry. She was raised and educated in Newcastle-Under-Lyme. She met her future husband during World War II, when he was stationed in England with the Army. The couple was married on Aug. 11, 1945, and she returned to the United States with him and became a U.S. citizen. Mr. Provan died in 1994. She was a fun-loving, warm-hearted woman, and was known for her spirit of friendship. She always offered everyone the full hospitality of the family home. She was a dedicated wife, mother and friend. She loved the ocean, birds, and the outdoors. Nothing was more important to her than quality time with family and friends. She visited her family in England throughout the years to keep the family ties strong. Memorial information: Arrangements will be shared with immediate family and friends for her final service. Burial will take place in the family lot in Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to the American Heart Association. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Roger Erwin Schultz, 71, of Stratton. Died May 23 in Stratton. Husband of Arloa (Belisle) Schultz for 33 years. Father of Peter J. Belisle and his wife, Sandi, and Christopher J. Belisle and his wife, Jennifer. Brother of Edward and Tita Schultz of Chicago; Erwin Schultz Jr. and wife, Huguette, of Plainville, Conn.; and Sandra O'Reilly and Sally Witick, both of Terryville, Conn. Born in New Orleans, the son of Johanna (Jenny) and Erwin Schultz Sr., he completed high school in Terryville. He served in the Army from 1960 to 1964 as a wireless operator. He then worked for General Motors from 1964 until 1991, when he retired. He served as a member of the Terryville Hook/Ladder and Hose Company for 27 years. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV, Polish Club, and Ukrainian Club. For the past 15 years, he worked as the manager of Stratton's Transfer Station. He also served as Stratton's Fire Warden for 15 years. He was also known to be a very good cook, specializing in Polish cuisine. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at Ball Cemetery in Stratton on June 6. Donations to the Wardsboro Rescue Squad or to Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend.
• Graveside committal services with full military honors for Charles James “Chuck” Frost will be conducted Saturday, June 13, at 9 a.m., in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Mr. Frost, a longtime resident of Putney and more recently of Birge Street, died Feb. 15, 2015, at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are under the direction of Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• A memorial service for Maggie Lake will be held on Saturday June 20, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Green Mountain Orchard, West Hill Road, Putney.