College news
• Kristina Wittler of South Newfane, a member of the Colgate University Class of 2019, has earned the Dean's Award for academic excellence for the fall 2015 semester.
School news
• Tucker Boyd of Wilmington, a junior at the Academy at Charlemont, has been selected to participate in the 2016 New England Young Writers' Conference hosted by Middlebury College at the Bread Loaf campus. In May, Boyd will join high school students from around the country for four days of writing seminars, workshops, readings, and opportunities to work with professional writers to gain inspiration and develop skills. He was nominated by Neale Gay, The Academy's academic dean for humanities and the arts.
Obituaries
• William Walter “Bill” Ayers, 80, of Wardsboro. Died March 6 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Born in South Wardsboro, son of the late William and Marie (Paradis) Ayers, he attended school in South Wardsboro and later enlisted in the Army. While enlisted, he married Anna G. Swan in 1958. After the Army, he began logging, then went on to be a plumber. He was a member of the Masons, Mt. Lebanon Lodge #46 and many other fraternities. He was predeceased by Anna, his wife of 53 years, and sisters Maudie Slade Blackmer and June Howard Shine. He is survived by his sister, Marie Siddell, his sons, Ralph and Russell, his four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service will be held Saturday March 19, at 11 a.m., at the Wardsboro Methodist Church, with a reception to follow at the Wardsboro Town Hall.
• Diane Jean Bumford, 66, of Bellows Falls. Died March 5 at her home. She had a larger-than-life personality that was extraordinary, contagious, and affected all those around her. She was born in Bellows Falls, the daughter of Geneva (Jacobs) and Raymond Joseph Plante, Sr. She attended St. Charles School and Bellows Falls High School. It was during this time her beliefs led her to St. Rose Convent in La Crosse, Wis., which she attended after graduating from high school. She ultimately left the convent to marry the love of her life, Clark R. Bumford in 1969. They had been happily married for almost 47 years and during that time met every challenge that came their way. Together, they raised three daughters while enduring long separations when he was drawn away for the Navy. She also graduated from Twin State Beauty Academy. She spent many years working as a job cost accountant and property manager for Winterset Construction, Bazin Brothers, and Stephen L. Moore Construction. However, she would tell you her favorite jobs were being the “maid, chief cook, and bottle washer at Clark R. Bumford,” and helping to raise her nine grandchildren. Although not an official job, she was happiest when she was helping guide someone toward their right path. She had an open door policy which brought so many people to her table, regardless of the time. She was predeceased in death by her brother, Raymond Joseph Plante Jr,. as well as her parents. She is survived by her sister and best friend, Geraldine Dzialo, her daughters Amy Bumford-Rawling and her partner, James DeBell, of Westminster; Jennifer DuFault and her partner, John Osterhout, of Swanzey, N.H.; and Sara Flynn and her husband, Michael, of Walpole N.H. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: At her request, a graveside service will be held in the spring. As she was so fond of saying,“Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, 'Wow! What a ride!'”
• Dale A. Denyou, 63, of Townshend. Died on March 6 at his home. The son of the late Leona and Owen Denyou, he graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1970. He worked for Bridgeport Metal Goods for 30 years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and loved boating and camping on the Connecticut River. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Dascomb Denyou; his children, Jason Denyou and Frankie Cloutier; his siblings, Kathy Johnson and Ronnie and Scott Denyou; and his five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: At his request, there will not be a public service. In lieu of flowers and donations: Go fishing!
• Richard E. Ellison, 87, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 5 at his home following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Husband of Elizabeth Tutor for 28 years. Father of John of Jacksonville, Marilyn of New York state, and the late Debbie Young. Brother of the late Betty Perry and Robert and Murray Ellison. Born in Rutland, the son of the late Leon and Margery (Barber Murray) Ellison. He was raised and educated in Rutland, graduating as class Valedictorian from Rutland High School. It was his wish to become a physician and he attended the University of Vermont, but lack of finances prevented him from continuing his education after his first year at UVM. He then proudly served his country in the Navy during World War II as a parachute rigger. Following his honorable discharge from active service, he learned to fly, earning his pilot's license. At one point, he owned his own airplane. Richard was a member of Local 1121 for more than 30 years as a union carpenter and millwright. He was an accomplished carpenter and designed and built his own home in Hinsdale, something he was very proud of. He was a member of American Legion Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034. He was an avid hunter and fly fisherman who learned to tie his own flies as a young boy. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside services with full military honors will be conducted later in the spring in East Clarendon Cemetery at a date and time to be announced by the funeral home. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Louisa L. Frechette, 92, of Brattleboro. Died March 8 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Born in West Dummerston, the daughter of the late Frank and Laura (Phillips) Leonard, she was a lifelong Brattleboro resident. She was educated in the Brattleboro school system, graduating from Brattleboro High School, Class of 1942. She was employed as a floor manager at Holstein-Friesian Association for over 34 years until her retirement. Louisa enjoyed square dancing, making wedding cakes for family and friends, playing Bingo and cards, and watching Lawrence Welk on Saturday nights. She loved spending time at Lake Seymour at the family cottage. She was an avid sports fan, and enjoyed watching the Red Sox, Patriots and NASCAR driver Jimmy Johnson. She was a charter member of the VFW Post 1034 Ladies Auxiliary and the Brattleboro Emblem Club #517. She is predeceased by her husband, Paul Frechette, in 2002; a brother, John Leonard; and two sisters, her twin, Luella Frechette, and Lilla Adam. She is survived by two sons, Thomas Frechette and his wife Tracy of Westminster, and Randy Frechette of Brattleboro; a daughter, Brenda Emery and her husband Douglas of Vernon; eight grandchildren; 10-and-a-half great grandchildren,and one great-great granddaughter; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: There are no calling hours. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 19, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge on Putney Road. Donations to Silver Towers, in care of Elks Lodge #1499, P.O. Box 8051, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Everett S. Harlow Jr., 84, of Putney, Died March 5 at Thompson House in Brattleboro after a period of declining health. The son of the late Everett S. and Inez (Scott) Harlow, he was a lifelong resident of Putney. He was educated in Putney schools and graduated from Brattleboro High School in June 1950. Throughout his school years, he sang in numerous choirs and ensembles and was well known for his lovely tenor voice. He proudly volunteered for military duty, serving as a military policeman in the Army from 1955 to 1957. In 1962, he married the love of his life, Mary E. Aplin of Putney. The couple settled on Pine Banks Road, where they raised two daughters. He worked as a master well-driller for Green Mountain Well Company of Putney, and later was employed by the Putney Paper Company. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, he enjoyed day trips with his family to areas of interest throughout Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. After his daughters married and settled out west, he liked visiting Utah and hiking in its beautiful mountains. He also found great pleasure in spending time at Harlow's Sugar House, where he would regale the tourists with tales from the sugarbush. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; a brother, William; a sister, Rachel and her husband, Olier Valliere. He is survived by his brother, Donald Harlow and his wife, Margaret, of Putney; daughters Donna Harlow of Putney and Michelle Hernandez and her husband, George, of Taylorsville, Utah; 12 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; as well as a large number of nieces, nephews, and extended family. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held March 12 at Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home in Brattleboro. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Blanche Rose Nadeau Higley, 79, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died March 8 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H., after a period of failing health. The daughter of the late Armedos and Antoinette Cote Nadeau, she graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1954. She worked at Chromerics and Amp Inc. for many years. Her passions were her family, cats, and growing beautiful flowers. After the murder of her son, James, in 1985, depression recovery allowed her to organize a chapter of Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) in New Hampshire through the Attorney Generals office in Concord. She later organized a POMC chapter in Rutland. She remained president for several years until her health began to decline. She met Carl (Duke) Hamilton, a Long Island native, through a close friend, Kathy Trelewitz Dader, Carl's sister. They helped each other through the loss of his wife from cancer and the loss of her two sons: James to murder, and Meridan to suicide. They remained partners for over 30 years until his death in February of this year. She is survived by a son, Jacque of West Chesterfield, N.H.; and siblings Arthur Nadeau and Dennis Nadeau and his wife, Diane, all of Hinsdale. She was predeceased by her sister, Julia A. Page. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: There will be a graveside service in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale later in the spring, at a time to be announced. Kidder Funeral Home of Northfield, Mass., is in charge of arrangements.
• Paul M. Hubner Sr., 78, of Chesterfield, N.H. Died Feb. 26 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., after a period of declining health. He was born in Chesterfield, the son of the late Anna (Delohery) and Frank Hubner, Sr., and attended Chesterfield School. He was a graduate of Brattleboro High School where he was a member of the Future Farmers of America. After high school, he attended the Vermont Technical College where he received an associate's degree in farming. He went on to serve his country as a cook in the National Guard, where he perfected his skills for feeding large groups of people, a talent that would serve him well throughout the years. He was dedicated to his community and was a charter member of the Chesterfield Lions Club, where he was a fixture at the annual pancake breakfast. He also helped with the Chesterfield American Legion Post 86 Christmas basket program, served as a volunteer firefighter, and was the longtime Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 286. He was a partner with his late brother, Frank A. “Bub” Hubner, Jr., in Hubner Bros. Inc. in Chesterfield, NH. He was a highly skilled bulldozer operator who helped to shape the landscape of Southern New Hampshire and Vermont. When not working construction, he could be found tending the cows and working the land of his family farm in Chesterfield. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and family, and made several trips to Europe and to Walt Disney World, among other places. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Donna Tacy Hubner; three sons, Paul M. Hubner Jr. of Winchester, N.H., Scott Hubner of Sutton, Vt., and Devon P. Hubner and his wife, Brooke, of Boothbay Harbor, Maine; three daughters, Judith Lovelace and her husband, Richard, of Port Hueneme, Calif., Diane Hubner of Winchester, and Amanda Kinson and her husband, Joel, of Marlow, N.H.; a sister; Cynthia “Cindy” H. Clark of Guilford; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three sisters, A. Shirley Tyler, Elizabeth “Betty” Whitehouse, and Jean Hubner and his brother, Frank. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial will be held at the Chesterfield Town Hall on Route 63, on March 19, at 1 p.m. Burial in the West Cemetery will be private. Donations to the Daniel Webster Council Boy Scout Campership Fund, in care of Jenn Bean, 300 Blondin Road, Manchester, NH 03109; or to the Chesterfield Lions Club Charities, Attention: Bob Lester, P.O. Box 151, Chesterfield, NH 03443-0151. There are no public visiting hours.
• Yvonne Hager Jillson, 96, of St. Cloud, Florida, formerly of Whitingham. Died Feb. 16 at her home in Florida. Wife of the late Carl W. Jillson for 61 years. Mother of Carl W. Jillson III, Ann J. Butterfield, and Jean H. Davies. Sister of Madeline Burnett and the late Donald Hager. Also survived by six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Born in Jacksonville, Vt., daughter of the late Fordyce and Edna Hager, she was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1936 at Whitingham High School. She attended University of Vermont. and transferred to Simmons College in Boston, where she studied home economics and dietetics. She got married in 1939; she and her husband owned the Jillson Brothers Store and then Sadawga Springs Antiques. She became Whitingham postmaster, a post she held for 31 years. She was a Girl Scout and 4-H leader, a founding member of the Whitingham Historical Society, and helped form the “85 and Older” Club. She served on the School Board, The Board of Elders, and played piano for services and the Old Home Week Shows. The Jillsons retired to Florida, where she was involved with NAPO, NARFE, Garden Club, and The Alligator Lake Chain Group. After her husband died in 2000,, she became a volunteer at St. Cloud Hospital and joined the “Golden Girls,” a widows support group. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of life at The Community Church of Whitingham on Saturday, April 23 at 2 p.m. Donation to the Whitingham Historical Society, P.O. Box 125, Jacksonville, VT 05342.
• Richard A. Morton, 73, of Keene, N.H. Died March 4 at Pine Heights Nursing Home in Brattleboro. The son of the late Floyd and Geraldine (Hayes) Morton, he was a lifelong Brattleboro resident. He was educated in the Brattleboro school system, graduating from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1961. He then went on to serve his country in the Air Force. He was employed as an equipment installer for Verizon until his retirement in 1996. He enjoyed shopping, traveling, photography, being on the computer, riding his motorcycle, and was an avid collector of Fenton Glass. He is survived by two daughters, Kendra Novick and her husband, Joe ,of Wardsboro, and Kelli Morton and her husband, Matthew Spicer, of Hinsdale, N.H.; two brothers, Bernard Hayes and his wife Carol of Chittenden, and Michael Morton and his wife Pam of Brattleboro; two sisters, Linda Young of Brattleboro and Tamara Weatherby and her husband, Dale, of Winchester, N.H.; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; his partner, Mitch Slomiany of Keene, N.H.; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
• Judith A. Pierce, 71, formerly of Putney. Died March 3 at Allegan General Hospital in Bloomingdale, Mich. Mother of Vernon Pierce Jr. of Perkinsville, Vt., Regina Brownell and her husband, Daniel, of Bloomingdale, Kyle Pierce and his wife, (Shari Lynn) of Westminster, and Shannon Pierce and spouse, Jessica, of Gobles. Predeceased by her husband, Vernon A. Pierce Sr., and an adopted son, Braden Bezanson. Also survived by 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and many brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. Born in Brattleboro, the daughter of the late Ivan and Jackie Hallock, she worked at Landmark College in Putney for more than 25 years. She enjoyed gardening, her miniature dachshunds, and spending time with her children and family. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Gobles, Mich. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside committal services were held March 12 in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Donations to a dachshund rescue of the donor's choice.
• Betty Rafus, 73, of Halifax. Died Feb. 19 at the home of her sister, Jean, in Brattleboro. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Graveside services will be held May 7 in the family lot in West Halifax Cemetery. A full obituary will appear in a future edition of Milestones. Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home of Wilmington is in charge of arrangements.
• Kenneth F. Tassie Jr., 82, of Bellows Falls. Died March 7 at his home after a period of declining health. Husband of the late Jacqueline M. (Drew) Tassie. Father of Curtis Tassie of Nashua, N.H., Christian Tassie of Bellows Falls, Jennifer Burton of Merrimack, N.H., Penelope Tassie of Derby, Vt., Kimberly Tassie of Nashua, Sandra Cantor of Bellows Falls, Heidi Groff of Lee's Summit, Mo., and the late Jason Tassie. Brother of Donald Tassie and his wife, Nancy, of Epping, N.H., David Fahey of Nashua, and the late Barbara Lillious. Born in East Berkshire, Vt., son of the late Kenneth F. Tassie Sr. and Doris (Thebodeau) Tassie Fahey, he lived most of his life in the Nashua, Merrimack, and Amherst, N.H., area, before moving to Bellows Falls more than 12 years ago. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was a lifetime member of Merrimack VFW Post 8641. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Following cremation, burial will be private in Edgewood Cemetery in Nashua.
• Joanne “Betty” (Morrison) Tenney, 81, of Brattleboro. Died March 1, following a short period of declining health. Born in Springfield, Vt., the daughter of the late John Andrew and Helen Sarah (Graham) Morrison, she graduated from Springfield High School in 1952. She then went on to earn an education degree from Castleton State College in 1956. Education was very important to her. Early in her career, she helped to establish the Head Start Program in the Brattleboro area, and then went on to teach first and second grades in West Dummerston for more than 35 years. In 1955, she married Carl Alexander Tenney and they enjoyed 43 years together before his death in 1998. She had a loving family life with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She was an incredibly supportive and proud mother and “Nana” who rarely missed any event that her children or grandchildren were involved in. She was an avid Red Sox fan who also enjoyed oceanside vacations from Maine to Florida with family and friends. His early childhood was filled with days swimming and boating with her family at their camp on Lake Sunapee. She had many wonderful gatherings with her two sisters and their families during Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. She will be missed dearly. She leaves a daughter, Sally Ann Tenney and her husband, Tim, of Brattleboro; two sons, Carl Andrew Tenney and his wife, Sheri, of Manassas, Va., and Shawn Eric Tenney and his wife, Tina, of South Burlington; four grandchildren; a sister, Florence and her husband, Ted Lindgren, of Springfield; as well as many adored nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Eileen Austin Neal. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service was held March 12 at the Eagles Club in Brattleboro. A fund in her name has been established to purchase books for children. Donations may be made to the Betty Tenney Fund, in care of Oak Grove School, 15 Moreland Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. Ker-Westerlund Funeral Home is charge of arrangements. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.