College news
• Zephyr Pope-Mcgraw of Brattleboro graduated with a B.A. in public relations in May as part of the Class of 2018 at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
• Daniel Richardson of Vernon received a B.S. in finance in May from Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
• Jonathan Elwell of Brattleboro, a student at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., was recently awarded an Independent Research Fellowship. These fellowships are awarded to enable qualified students to carry out independent research activities in any field taught at the college or to undertake projects in the creative and performing arts.
• Jacqueline Elliott of Brattleboro earned Faculty Honors for spring 2018 at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta. This designation is awarded to undergraduate students who have a 4.0 academic average for the semester.
• Emily B. Cowles, a history major from South Londonderry, has been selected for inclusion on St. Lawrence University's Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester.
• Tyler Clement, an electrical engineering major from Vernon; Molly Dufault, a health sciences major from Saxtons River; and Brennen Zolnoski, a biomedical engineering major from Brattleboro, were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester at Western New England University in Springfield, Mass.
Transitions
• Margaret B. York, Esq., recently joined the law firm Corum Mabie Cook Prodan Angell Secrest & Darrow, P.L.C., in Brattleboro as an associate attorney. Her primary practice areas are family law, LGBTQ law, and juvenile law. Attorney York is a member of the Windham County Bar Association, the Vermont Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the National Lawyers Guild, and the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Before joining the firm, she worked as a juvenile defender, handling delinquencies and representing families in abuse and neglect proceedings. York graduated magna cum laude from Vermont Law School, where she studied family law, sexual orientation law, and criminal law.
• Ruth Flore has been appointed CEO of the Grafton Village Cheese Company, a subsidiary of The Windham Foundation, effective Aug. 20. Presently, Flore manages marketing and business development of several partner brands for Norseland Inc. - the sales and marketing agent for Jarlsberg and other specialty cheeses. She has over two decades of experience in the industry, including early in her career with Vermont Creamery. and has been a leading member of the American Cheese Society since its early days serving as president and on the board of directors.
Obituaries
• Brian A. Haskell, 70, of Bellows Falls. Died July 1, 2018 at his home. Born in Fitchburg, Mass., on Dec. 6, 1947, the son of LeRoy and Catherine (Cavanaugh) Haskell, he was a 1965 graduate of Bellows Falls High School. He was a graduate of the University of Vermont and earned his master's degree in education from Keene State College in 1974. He was a teacher at Riverside Middle School in Springfield, Vt., for 42 years. He was a member of the Elks and was a past exalted ruler in 1977-1978. He was also a member of American Legion Post 37, the Polish American Club, and the Polish Roman Catholics of America. He had a lengthy career officiating high school sports and was a member of the Southern Vermont Baseball Umpire Association and was the Southern Commissioner of the Vermont Football Officials Association. He also coached in the Connecticut Valley Pee Wee Football League (CVPWFL) for 37 years. He is survived by his wife, Brenda Pease McGowan and her children, Eric and William; his sons, Casey Haskell and his wife, Misty, of Bellows Falls, Cory Haskell and his wife, Janelle, of Rockingham; siblings Kent “Grump” Haskell and his wife, Rose, of Bellows Falls, Brenda Stack and her husband, Michael, of Saxtons River, Judith Haskell-Patch and husband, David, of Wallingford; four grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his first wife, Susan (Mellish) Haskell, brother Gary “Moe” Haskell, and stepdaughter Elizabeth McGowan. Memorial information: Calling hours are Wednesday July 11, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Fenton & Hennessy Funeral Home in Bellows Falls. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 12, at 1 pm at the United Church of Bellows Falls, with a reception immediately following at the church. A burial will be at a later date. Donations to the CVPWFL, c/o Ed Vancor, P.O. Box 703, Bellows Falls, VT 05101 or to the EIk's Scholarship Fund c/o George Bennett, P.O. Box 367, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Francis “Franny” LeClair, 88, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died June 27, 2018 at Cheshire Medical Center in Keene, N.H., after a brief illness. She is survived by her brother Edward “Bucky” Rice, her sons Willard Knight and Josiah Knight; sister-in-law Dorla Rice; four grandchildren, Nick, Mike, Gina and Kayla; nieces Phyllis Shemchuk, Christine Fusaro, and Joyce Coombs; nephew James Rice, and many cherished friends. Memorial information: A celebration of life gathering for Franny will be a potluck on Saturday, July 14, at 2 p.m., at the Millstream Community Center on Main Street in Hinsdale, N.H. Opportunity will be given to share your memories of Franny.
• Patricia C. Mousel, 71, of Putney. Died June 29, 2018. She was born in Mt. Vernon, N.J., on June 4, 1947, the daughter of Albert and Isabelle (Cavanagh) Bucholtz. She attended schools in New Jersey, attended the University of Nevada at Los Vegas, and completed her education degree from Johnson State College. In 1971, she married Paul E. Mousel, who predeceased her. She worked as a librarian, was a devoted teacher at the Putney Central School, and owned and operated, with her husband, Mountain Paul's General Store in Putney from 1979 until 2015. Her passions included hosting and entertaining her friends and family, spending time with her grandson, taking care of her dogs, and visiting her sister in Cortland, N.Y. She is survived by her son Benjamin Mousel and his wife, Emily, of Westminster; her daughter Leah Austin and her fiance Jesse Moore of Alstead, N.H.; her brother Jeffrey Bucholtz and his wife Sue of Verona, N.J.; her sister Susan Evans and her husband, Jesse, of Cortland, NY; and her grandson Quinn Healy. Memorial information: There will be a graveside service on Sunday, July 22, at 3 p.m., in Mt Pleasant Cemetery in Putney. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home of Bellows Falls.
• Kathleen Laurie “Kay” Slate, 95, of Sarasota, Fla., formerly of Newfane. Died June 9, 2018. Born Feb. 4, 1923 in Newfane to Edward N. Beaudry and Violet E. Bills, she spent much of her life as a proofreader for American Stratford printing in Brattleboro. She and her husband, Fred E. Slate, lived on Newfane Hill where they raised her only son, Army First Lt. William J. Bassignani, who was killed in action during the Vietnam War in 1969. She loved to be outside in all seasons, especially during the summer months working in her flower and vegetable gardens on the hill. She also loved to host summer parties and Christmas gatherings each year for family and her many friends. In Newfane, she was active in town functions. She was a member of the Elks, an auxiliary member of the VFW, and was instrumental in establishing a Democratic Party presence in rural Windham County. Where she could lend a hand, she would. In 1986, Kay and Fred moved to Windward Isles in Sarasota, where they would live out their lives. She was active there, serving as treasurer for the Women's Club. She very much enjoyed her life, her friends, and her family. She was a devout Catholic and a staunch defender of the working man. She is survived by her daughter in-law, Mary Ann Bassignani; two grandsons, Peter and Derek Bassignani, three great-grandchildren, William, Gabriella, and Joshua; her god-daughter Lillian Fowler, as well as many nieces and nephews and extended family. She was well loved. Kay was preceded in death by her husband Fred in 1998, and her four sisters, Theresa Reynolds, Betty Gould, Patricia Fowler, and Bernice “Bunny” Hogan. Memorial information: A funeral Mass will be held July 21, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Brattleboro, with burial immediately following at Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane. A gathering for family and friends will also take place from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Elks Club on Putney Road in Brattleboro.
• Alice Madeline Turner, 85, of Marlboro. Died June 12, 2018 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass. She was born on Oct. 4, 1932 in Plymouth, N.H., the daughter of the late Harry Keith Davis Sr. and Inez Brown Simpson. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Gordon Hugh “Bummy” Turner Sr. of Marlboro; sister Alvora Walsh of Virginia; son Gordon Hugh Turner Jr. and his wife, Rebecca, of East Dover; daughter Jessica Turner and her husband, Derrick Gammon, of Marlboro, seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Alice attended schools in Keene and Chesterfield, N.H. She worked at Skyline Restaurant in Marlboro and the H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop in Brattleboro. She had a strong love of family and was a strong woman both in body and spirit. She loved music and liked to sing. She loved animals and nature and spending time with her family. Memorial information: At the request of the family, services will be private. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date. Donations to the Susan G. Koman Cancer Foundation for Breast Cancer or Windham County Humane Society, in care of Covey-Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Julia M. Winter, 93, of Brattleboro. Died June 28, 2018 at her home, following a period of declining health. Born in Windham on April 1, 1925, the daughter of Edward and Ruth (Giles) Fontaine, she was raised and educated in Windham before moving to the Brattleboro area. She worked as a stitcher for H. Margolin Pocketbook Shop for 24 years. She later worked at Mailrite in Putney, working right up until her retirement at the age of 80. She also took great pride in her home and was a devoted homemaker. She enjoyed puzzles, fishing with her grandson and spending time with her family. In January 1943, she married Roswell Winter, who predeceased her. Survivors include one daughter, Julia “Judy” Grover and her husband Clayton “Bob” Grover of Brattleboro, with whom she made her home; one grandson, Timothy Grover of Brattleboro; two great-grandchildren, Travis Grover and wife Morgan Grover, Stephanie Grover, and their mother Mary Grover; two brothers, Ronald and Edward Fontaine, both of Swanzey, N.H.; one sister, Irene Gordon of Andover, Vt.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves a very close friend, Pat Yeaw of Brattleboro. Besides her husband, Julia was predeceased by two sisters, Isabel and Louise. Memorial information: Graveside committal services were conducted July 6 in Locust Ridge Cemetery in Brattleboro, where she was laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to the Guilford Volunteer Fire Dept., 108 Guilford Center Road, Guilford, VT 05301. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Sheila Mae Wunsch, 54, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died unexpectedly July 1, 2018 at her home. Born in Sioux City, Iowa, on Jan. 2, 1964, the daughter of Edward F. and Edna (Johnson) Wunsch, she was raised and educated in Hinsdale, attending public schools including Hinsdale High School. She had been employed at Omega Optical in Brattleboro, Janos Optical in Townshend, and previously worked at Bromley Ski Area in Peru. She also worked as a nursing assistant at Vernon Green Nursing Home. With her family, she attended North Hinsdale Community Church. She enjoyed making jewelry, shopping, and time shared with her family and friends. She was known for her spirit of friendship, pleasant, easy-going personality, and devotion to her family. Survivors include her parents, of Hinsdale, one sister, Paula Howe and her husband, Stephen, of Hinsdale; two brothers, Theodore “Ted” Wunsch and his wife, Kelly, of Vernon, and Edward A. Wunsch of Hinsdale. Additionally, she leaves one aunt, two uncles, several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a beloved nephew, Jacob Wunsch, who died in 2015. Memorial information: Graveside committal services will held July 7 at Pine Grove Cemetery. Donations to North Hinsdale Community Church, 105 Meeting House Road, Hinsdale, NH 03451, or to the Hinsdale Volunteer Fire Department, 13 Depot St. Hinsdale, NH 03451. To sign an online guestbook with messages of condolence, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• Graveside funeral services for Adam J. Reynolds of Whitingham will be held at the family lot in Sadawga Cemetery on Saturday, July 14, at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Brigham officiating. The son of Timothy and Sharon (Ezzo) Reynolds, Reynolds died Jan. 25, 2018, following an illness. He was 32. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home.