College news
• During the week of March 7, Caitlyn Reilly of Wilmington and 17 other student from Emmanuel College in Boston participated in the college's annual Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip to New Orleans. ASB is a week-long, faith-based service trip held during the College's traditional spring break that bridges volunteer work with education and reflection on larger social issues. The New Orleans group continues to focus on rebuilding a city still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers worked on destroyed homes with the St. Bernard Project (SBP), a national long-term disaster recovery organization.
• Castleton University student Patrick Cote-Abel of Londonderry, recently presented at the International Organization of Social Science and Behavioral Research (IOSSBR) Conference in Atlantic City, N.J. IOSSBR is an international society of scholars, academicians, and practitioners who exchange ideas and collaborate in a conference setting. It has a wide range of participation from various countries. Cote-Abel's paper, entitled “Poison in Paradise: Creosote Contamination in St. Marie's, Idaho,” was voted the best paper in the Social Science section of the conference.
• Emily Cuerdon of Putney, who is majoring in Stage & Production Management at Emerson College in Boston, is part of Emerson Stage's production of Guys and Dolls.
• Soren Pelz-Walsh of Brattleboro, a senior on the Castleton University men's tennis team, was recently honored as the North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Week. Pelz-Walsh collected five wins in doubles and singles competition to start the 2016 season, including a perfect 3-0 mark in doubles play.
• Wynona Meyer, a first-year student from Guilford, was named to the fall 2015 Dean's List at Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Mass.
• Orrin Amsden of Chester, a senior at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y., was named to the fall 2015 Dean's List.
Obituaries
• Regena “Reggie” Cote, 82, of Westminster. Died March 20. Born in Chester, the daughter of the late J. Henry and Lois (Earle) Ruston, she was a 1951 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. In 1960, she married George W. Cote, who predeceased her. She is survived by her daughter, Wendy Speid, and her son, Paul “Fiddle” Cote; three grandchildren; two great grandchildren; her brother Ronnie Rushton and his wife, Beth; her sister, Gail Coburn; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jane. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Per her request, there will be no services. She loved to have fun and laugh and wants you to remember her that way. Donations to Westminster Cares, P.O. Box 312, Westminster, VT 05158; the Westminster Fire Department, P.O. Box 111, Westminster, VT 05158; or to the First Congregational Church, P.O. Box 122, Westminster, VT 05158.
• Ellen (Kinsman) Forrett, 79, of Vernon. Died March 21, after a lengthy illness. Wife of the late Franklin R. Forrett for 42 years. Mother of Lisa J. Forrett of Vernon, Timothy G. Forrett of Vernon, and Darren K. Forrett of Brattleboro. Sister of Ernest D. Kinsman of Chesterfield, N.H., Elton P. Kinsman and his wife, Alice. of Vernon, and the late Joy K. Aquadro and Marilyn K. Tobey. Also survived by six grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Born in Montague Center, Mass., the daughter of the late Ernest G. and Dorothy (Brissette) Kinsman, she was educated in Greenfield, Mass. She attended the Four Corners School and graduated from Greenfield High School, Class of 1955. She was employed as a legal secretary for Richard Gale Sr. for many years; and as an administrative assistant at The Book Press/Quebecor Printing until retirement after 25 years of employment. She enjoyed reading, gardening, golfing, camping, and her winters spent at the Blue Parrott Campground in Lady Lake, Fla. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A graveside service was held March 26 at Tyler Cemetery in Vernon. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, 916 West River Road, Brattleboro, VT 05301. Condolences may be offered at www.kerwesterlund.com.
• Dirk Nakazawa, 46, of Brattleboro. Died March 7. Born in Nyack, N.Y., the son of Maria and Hiroshi Nakazawa, he was raised in Valley Cottage, N.Y., and attended Green Meadow Waldorf, Dwight-Englewood, and The Hill schools. He graduated with a B.S. in international political science from Middlebury College. Hewas passionate about many things and took a keen interest in helping others. He was an active volunteer and dedicated member of NAMI Vermont. In 2009, he became a Connection Recovery Support Group facilitator and he started the first in-hospital NAMI Connection meeting at Rutland Regional Medical Center. The weekly meeting continues today and has branched out to other hospitals. He was a member of Grace Congregational Church in Rutland and was a friend of many throughout the greater Rutland community. He had a vision to plan a proactive community event and as a result he organized the Vermont Motorcycle Rally in June 2008 at the Vermont State Fairgrounds in Rutland. He was a member of the Nyack Field Club where he enjoyed playing tennis. He also loved hockey and skiing. He leaves his parents, Maria and Hiro Nakazawa; his sister, Aniko DeLaney; and his former wife, Rosangela Borey. He will be greatly missed. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 2, at 2 p.m., at Grace Congregational United Church of Christ, 8 Court St., Rutland, VT 05701. Donations to NAMI Vermont, 600 Blair Park Rd., Suite 301, Williston, VT 05495; or Grace Congregational Church. Arrangements are under the guidance of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Ernest W. Hogan, 87, of Westminster. Died March 21. Born in Bellows Falls, the son of the late Ernest and Gladys (Bushway) Hogan, he was a 1948 graduate of Bellows Falls High School, served in the Army during the Korean War, and worked for many area businesses, including Walpole Wire and Westminster Auto. He was a member of the American Legion, the Bellows Falls Senior Center, and was a volunteer driver for Meals on Wheels. In 1987, he married Dorothy Crane Wickberg, who survives. Also surviving are his stepsons, Richard Wickberg, Robert Wickberg and his wife, Lynn; Russell Wickberg and his wife, Britta; and Charles Wickberg and his wife, Jennifer; his brothers Bernard Hindes and Edward Hindes; five grandchildren and four nieces and nephews. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral mass was held March 29 at St. Charles Church in Bellows Falls, with burial in St. Peter's Cemetery in Walpole, N.H. Donations to the Bellows Falls Senior Center, 18 Tuttle St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls handled arrangements.
• Edith Ida Elizabeth Houle, 100, of Greenfield, Mass. Died March 19 at Charlene Manor in Greenfield. Wife of the late Arthur Houle. Mother of David Houle and his wife, Jane, of Glastonbury, Conn., Joanne Dupuis of Whitingham, and June Martinetto and her husband, Timothy, of Silver Springs, Fla. Sister of Vera Desaulniers of Atlanta. Also survived by 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. Born in Worcester, Mass., the daughter of the late Louis and Hilda (Nordbeck) Renaud, she attended schools in Quincy, Mass., graduating from Quincy High School. She enjoyed camping with her family and traveling, as well as doing crafts and playing the organ. She was very actively associated with the Shelburne Falls, Mass., congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and found deep satisfaction in sharing her faith with others. She was very family-orientated and cherished times spent with her family. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of her life was held March 26 at at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Greenfield. Donations to the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Shelburne Falls, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Ella Marguerite Ada (Gilman) LeFevre, 90, of Westminster. Died March 20 at Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center. Daughter of the late Simon Ervin and Carolyn (Harrison) Gilman of Shrewsbury, she graduated from Rutland High School in 1943. She attended Fitchburg (Mass.) Business College before returning to Rutland to work as a bookkeeper at Freeman Haskell Jewelers. In 1953, she married Gerald Richard LeFevre. They lived in Rutland for four years before moving to Westminster. She served as a 4-H leader for more than 25 years. She was a member of the local Women's Club and Christmas Club, and St. Charles Parish in Bellows Falls, and was a longtime catechism teacher. She worked for the town of Westminster for 32 years, starting as assistant treasurer and moving up to town treasurer before her retirement in 1996. She was also the treasurer and dispatcher for LeFevre Ambulance Service, a business that she and her husband began after his retirement from the Vermont State Police in 1983. She is survived by her three children, Joan Bort, Mary LeFevre, and Thomas LeFevre; her sister, Elizabeth Gilman; five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, John Gilman, and her husband, who died in 2011. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A funeral service was held March 24 at St. Charles Church with burial in New Westminster Cemetery. Donations may be made to Kurn Hattin Homes, P.O. Box 127, Westminster, VT 05158. Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home handled arrangements.
• Randi E. Lott, 64, formerly of Townshend and Putney. Died March 12 in Santiago, Guatemala. Born in Montclair, N.J., she and her family moved to Vermont in 1969. She graduated from Leland & Gray Union High School in 1970, then attended Green Mountain College. She was married to Peter Grant VanIderstine in 1971, and had two sons, Adam and Ryan. Later, she married Raymond “Otto” Tarbell and gave birth to a third son, Jared B. Tarbell. She attended and graduated from the nursing program at Greenfield (Mass.) Community College. She worked for many years at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, as a maternity nurse. She later she moved to Prince Edward Island to be with her sister, Junellen. After a rescue mission, she fell in love with Guatemala and moved to Santiago on Lake Atitlan where she started volunteering in the local hospital. She was an avid gardner and loved reading on her screened-in porch, making sun tea and caring for her golden retrievers. She loved the ocean and trips to the coast of Maine for diving. She loved to entertain dinner parties with friends and family, where, in her raspy voice, with charisma, she told stories of growing up in Vermont with her family and boys. She was also deeply loved for her nursing abilities in Brattleboro, and abroad. She was predeceased by her brothers, Howard and Steven Lott. She is survived by her three sons, Adam VanIderstine and wife, Tina, of Guilford; Peter Ryan VanIderstine of Newfane; and Jared B. Tarbell of Townshend; her parents, Norman and Junellen, of Marathon, Fla., and her sister, Junelle Clausheide of Montague, Prince Edward Island. She also survived by two grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A celebration of her life will be held at the home of Adam VanIderstine, 560 Sweet Pond Rd, Guilford, on Saturday, April 16, at 2 p.m. For more information, contact Adam or Tina at 802-254-2921.
• Sandra D. Morrison, 75, of Grafton. Died March 23. Born in Laconia, N.H., the daughter of Lawrence and Kathryn Dalton, nee Poire. She attended schools in East Hartford, Conn., attended the University of Connecticut, and worked as a Montessori school teacher. She took great pleasure in raising her family and was an active volunteer in the Grafton community. She enjoyed gardening, sewing, kayaking, knitting and apologizing for her exceptional cooking. She was also a member of Grafton Cares and Grafton Knitters. In 1960, she married Lyle K. Morrison, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Rebecca Clark and husband, John, of Overland Park, Kan.; David Morrison and wife, Irene, of Prescott Valley, Ariz.; and Sarah Levitt and husband, Stuart, of Phoenix, Ariz.; her brother, Edward Dalton and wife, Barbara, of Rocky Hill, Conn.; and five grandchildren. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: Per her request, there will be no services, but she will be remembered fondly, with love.
• Lorraine Meyer Schoellhorn, 75, of Townshend. Died March 18 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend. Born in Rahway, N.J., the daughter of Hans and Mary (Lorang) Meyer, shhe graduated from Leland and Gray Seminary, Class of 1958. While attending the University of Vermont, at 20 years of age, she accepted her father's offer to move to Germany to open a German off-shoot of their Vermont toy company, Mary Meyer Manufacturing. It was in Germany in 1964 where Lorraine married her husband, Josef “Poldi” Schoellhorn. They settled in Mindelheim, Bavaria, Germany, where they had two sons, Gunther and Kurt. After Poldi's death in 1983, she would continue to run Mary Meyer Gmbh for another 10 years. Always with a sharp mind toward business, She filled her later years as a real estate broker and entrepreneur in the Mindelheim area. She loved horses and, for years, supported her son and granddaughter as they competed in jumping competitions throughout Europe. Any free time was spent doting on her three grandchildren. She is survived by her brother, Walter Meyer and his wife, Elaine, of Townshend, as well as two sons, Gunther and his wife, Ulrike, of Germany, and Kurt of Switzerland. She also leaves three grandchildren. In September 2015, she traveled to Vermont, wishing to reconnect with her Vermont family. In addition to her brother and his wife, that family includes five nephews and one niece and their families. Everyone will miss her dry wit and sly smile. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service was held March 22 at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Townshend. Burial followed at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 216, Townshend, VT 05353. Arrangements were under the guidance of Atamaniuk Funeral Home of Brattleboro.
• Nelson W. “Dick” Smith, 85, of South Londonderry. Died March 19 at his home. Born in South Londonderry, the son of the late Nelson M. and Gertrude (Clark) Smith, he attended local schools. He graduated high school from Manlius Military Academy, then received his bachelor's degree from Norwich University. In his earlier years, he worked for General Electric as a cost analyst. For most of his life, he owned and operated Smith Inc. in South Londonderry. He was an avid golfer, loved to travel, and enjoyed dining out. He is survived by his wife, the former Shirley Langille, of South Londonderry; sons Jeffrey Smith and his wife, Stephanie, of South Londonderry, and Scott Smith and his wife, Ana, of Stamford, Conn.; daughter, Kimberly Tenner and her husband, Art, of Arlington.; a sister, Joan Savina, of Londonderry, N.H., and two grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Francis; a sister, Carolyn Wilcox; and a sister, Marjorie Smith. MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Donations to the Londonderry Rescue Squad, in care Brewster & Shea Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT.