College news
• Carolina Curvo of Brattleboro, a member of the Class of 2019, was named to the Dean's List at Regis College in Weston, Mass., for the spring 2018 semester.
• Maya Sutton-Smith of Brattleboro graduated with a B.A. in history from Connecticut College in New London, Conn. She was also named to the Dean's List for the spring 2018 semester.
• Gaia Uman of Brattleboro graduated with a B.S. in behavioral neuroscience from Connecticut College in New London, Conn.
• Katelyn Donovan of Putney graduated from Bloomsburg (Pa.) University in May.
Obituaries
• Joyce B. (Slade) Ameden, 91, of Bondville. Died July 21, 2018 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, following a long illness. She was born February 2, 1927 in Jamaica, the daughter of Robert B. and Hazel I. (Lackey) Slade. She received her early education at the Rawsonville and Grahamville schools. She graduated from Chester High School and went on to receive a bachelor's degree in education from Castleton State College. She was an elementary school teacher at the Grahamville and Dorset schools until she married Alwin W. Ameden in 1948 at the Bondville Methodist church. She worked with her husband in the operation of his caretaking business along with raising her family. Joyce enjoyed square dancing, was a member of the Mountain Home Grange, served the town of Winhall as a School Director, was a member of the Beautification Committee, and also assisted with establishing the Winhall Veteran's Memorial. Joyce enjoyed gardening and the beauties of nature, especially the birds. She also enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, her puzzle books, and cherished time with family and grandchildren. She is predeceased by her husband Alwin and her siblings Ora Slade, John Slade, and Ola Balch. She is survived by her children, Nancy Oakes and her husband, Robert, of Bondville, Randy Ameden and his wife, Teresa, of Bondville; Ron Ameden and his fiance, Debbie Nadeau, of Jamaica, and Robin Ameden of Jamaica; and six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A graveside service was held at the Bondville Cemetery on July 26. Donations to the Grace Cottage Foundation or the Winhall Fire Department, in care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Service, P.O. Box 885, Manchester, VT 05255.
• Evan Richard Bolivar, 67, of Brattleboro. Loved by many and unofficially and affectionately known as the “Mayor of Brattleboro,” died on July 19, 2018 after a brief, but fierce, illness. He was surrounded by family and friends. Evan was born on July 31, 1950 and raised on the Upper West Side of New York City. It was a time before gentrification, when a worldwide music revolution was taking place. He appreciated all genres of music and loved playing the drums. In his youth, Evan excelled in sports, especially baseball and gymnastics. He attended City College of New York and later studied audio engineering while working in the health food industry. In 1994, he moved to Brattleboro, where he started his family with the birth of his beloved daughter, Raphaela. He worked at C&S Wholesale Grocers, Amy's Bakery Arts Café, the shoe department of Sam's Outdoor Outfitters', and In the Moment Records. He could often be found hanging out at Turn It Up! engaged in music conversation, strolling Main Street looking for a friendly or philosophical chat, or discussing science and politics with friends and passersby alike at the Brattleboro Food Co-op or Amy's Bakery. His passions included listening to and playing music, reading, studying physics and Buddhism, and appreciating film and literature. He was on the board of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust for many years and volunteered at the Brooks Memorial Library. He was a peaceful and loving soul and his lively presence will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughter, Raphaela. and her mom, Amy, and many cousins and family members. Memorial information: A memorial service is being planned for August. Details will be announced at a later date.
• T. David “Dave” Glabach, 75, of Bondville, Died July 22, 2018. Born in Brattleboro on Nov. 6, 1942, the son of the late Theodore and Marie Amidon Glabach, he attended local schools in Brattleboro and graduated from Northampton (Mass.) Commercial College. For 50 years, Dave owned and operated D. Glabach Associates. He also worked as a certified ski instructor at Stratton Mountain Resort in the late 1960's and 70's. Dave was very proud of the town of Winhall and was active in the Winhall Community the entire time he lived there. Until his death, he was a member of the Winhall Selectboard and was the town's Health Officer. He was a 40-year member of the Winhall Volunteer Fire Department. He was a past member of the Winhall Planning and Zoning Commission and the Winhall Industrial Society. He was also a member of the Mount Lebanon Lodge #46. David loved fishing with his son, son-in-law, and grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, was an avid Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan and loved NASCAR. His passion though was spending time with his family and following his grandchildren at their many sporting events. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Klee Glabach of Bondville, whom he married at the Chapel of the Snows at Stratton on Nov. 22, 1973; children Christopher Glabach of Manchester and Jennifer Wright and her husband, Jamie, of Arlington; his sister, Nancy Ellis of Dummerston; and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Steven Glabach of Dummerston. Memorial information: A funeral service will be held Wednesday, Aug. 1, at 1 p.m. at Brewster-Shea Funeral Home in Manchester Center. Mt. Lebanon Lodge #46 of the Free & Accepted Masons will conduct their Ritual Service. A visitation hour at the funeral home will be held from noon to 1 p.m., just prior to the service. Interment will follow in the family lot in Bondville Cemetery. Friends are welcome to join the family at the Red Fox Inn in Bondville immediately following the internment for a celebration of David's life. Donations to the Londonderry Volunteer Rescue Squad, in care Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
• Gaila S. Gulack, 60, of Townshend. Died peacefully July 21, 2018 at her Townshend home surrounded by friends. Born on Dec. 27, 1957 in New York City to the late Marjorie Mae (Opotowsky) Gulack and Irving Gulack, she earned her bachelor's degree from Vassar College in 1979 and her master's from Harvard University in 1981. She loved Vermont deeply and made it her home for almost 30 years. She was grateful for the beauty of the land, the people and her community. She loved animals, especially horses. Riding was one of her favorite pastimes. She was active in her community as a member of NewBrook Fire Department and the Townshend Emergency Management Team. She was also employed by the Windham County Sheriff''s Department as a deputy and dispatcher. In addition, she was on the NewBrook Fire Department's Silent Auction committee. Aside from her community involvement, Gaila was a true friend. She is survived by Jen Komitee and family, and cousins Daniel Padovano and Vikki Gulack, and Selma Gulack, all from New York. Memorial information: A graveside service was held July 26 at the Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to the Townshend Library or the NewBrook Fire Department.
• Georgia Etta “Jo” Harris, 77, of Brattleboro, formerly of Saxtons River. Died July 24, 2018 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. She was born in Bellows Falls on Dec. 19, 1940, the daughter of George T. and Dorothy (King) Powers. She was raised and educated in Bellows Falls, graduating from Bellows Falls High School, Class of 1958. She went on to attend Concord (N.H.) Business School. She had been employed for many years as a bookkeeper and payroll clerk for HCRS in Bellows Falls where she retired from. Previously she worked for the former Cray Oil Company in Walpole, N.H. A woman steadfast in her walk of faith she attended First Congregational Church in Hinsdale, N.H., and was a former member of West Brattleboro Baptist Church. Of her leisure time activities, she enjoyed crossword puzzles, needlepoint, drawing and coloring and time shared with her family. She especially loved her home and her life centered around her family. She is remembered for her witty personality and her spirit of friendship and generosity always willing to assist anyone in need. In 1962, she married Kenneth C. Harris Jr. who predeceased her in 1985. Survivors include five daughters: Deborah Lynch of Hinsdale, Pamela Harris and her partner Christopher of South Burlington, Wendy Stearns and her husband Chip of Springfield, Vt., Heidi James and husband Brian of Elkhart, Ind., and Heather Mounsey and her husband, Jeffrey, of West Brattleboro. Additionally, she leaves one sister, Mary Spooner of Charlotte, Vt., 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Frederick King, and a sister, Nancy Butler. Memorial information: A service for family and close friends will be held at Christ Church in Saxtons River on Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Westminster Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest next to her husband. Donations to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To sign an online register book or send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Deborah Ann Bittner Howe, 62, of Keene, N.H. Died July 18, 2018. She was born in Brattleboro on Feb. 28, 1956, the daughter of Dale and Beatrice (Petrovsky) Bittner. She attended schools in Brattleboro, worked as a teller at the Granite Bank, and was an LNA for Cedar Crest, Home Health Care, and Genesis Elder Care. She was also a Relay for Life Team Captain. In 1990, she married Chris Howe, who survives. Also surviving are her children, Christopher J Howe of Bellows Falls and Mandy Alley of Swanzey, N.H.; brothers Martin Bittner of Brattleboro and Alan Bittner of Agawam, Mass.; sisters Selena Emery of Winchester, N.H., Cindy Montgomery and Mildred Robinson, both of Chadbourn, N.C.; six grandchildren and a great-granddaughter; stepsisters Ronda Anthony of Franklin, Wanda Dale Campbell of Orwell, Juanita Bushey of Burlington, and stepbrother John Ballentine of Radford, Va. She was predeceased by her brother Chip Bittner, and her sisters Jean Robinson and Toni Bittner. Memorial information: A memorial service was held July 28 at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls, with burial in Saxtons River Cemetery.
• Janet W. Schwarz, 87, of Keene, N.H. Died July 16, 2018 at the Homestead at Langdon Place. Born on Jan. 10, 1931 in Cambridge, Mass to Herbert and Inez West, her parents soon moved to Tenafly, N.J., where she lived until 1952. She graduated cum laude from Middlebury College in 1952 and summe cum laude from Columbia University School of Library Service in 1977. In 1956, she married Walter “Red” Schwarz, also of Tenafly, a union that lasted for 63 years. She and Walter returned to Tenafly with their young family in 1963 and lived there for 25 years. Janet was a kind, patient and supportive mother and very talented domestic engineer. She threw terrific multi-generational parties throughout her life and planned picnics, day trips (the Bronx Zoo was a favorite) and vacations with friends and family that created wonderful memories that we will cherish all our lives. She worked as a children's librarian in Tenafly and Westwood, N.J. Later, she worked for her brother - she was in charge of the Group Health Insurance department at the Circle Consulting Group, located in the Chrysler building in New York City. She was very committed to social responsibility throughout her life. On issues such as civil rights, women's rights, and environmental activism, she worked hard to bring about concrete changes. She played a central role in successfully advocating for legislation protecting the Hackensack Watershed. She was an active member of the League of Women Voters and the Unitarian Church's social responsibility committee for years both in New Jersey and Vermont. She continued her activism in Brattleboro into her 80s, hosting meetings for Post Oil Solutions and the Restorative Justice program and pursuing classes and educating herself, family and community in voluntary simplicity and the localvore movement. She had many hobbies and interests including travel, folk dancing, and cooking. She was an avid reader of literature and history and enjoyed music and theater throughout her life. Janet is survived by her husband, Walter Schwarz; and daughters Mary Schwarz and Megan Hawthorne and her husband, Denis; brother David West, whose wife Carol is deceased, brother-in-law Jack and his wife, Dorothy; brother-in-law Bob and his wife, Linda, two grandchildren and many nephews, a niece, great nephews and nieces. Memorial information: A funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, at 3 p.m., at All Souls Church in Brattleboro, with a reception to follow at the meeting house. All are welcome to attend. Donations to The Homestead, Langdon Place, 136 Arch Street, Keene, NH 03431. Condolences can be sent to csnh.com/obituaries or in care of Hawthorne, 850 Meadowbrook Rd, Brattleboro, VT 05301.
• Gudrun Weeks, 83, of Brattleboro. Died May 29, 2018. She was born in Baden Baden, Germany, on Jan. 26, 1935. After World War II, she went to George School in Pennsylvania, the Trappsches Conservatorium in Munich (1953-54), then Sarah Lawrence College (1955-59). With her first husband, Larry Gay, and their two children, Jennifer and Carl, she lived in Zurich, Switzerland; Eugene, Ore,; and then Marlboro, Vt. (1969-1979). With her second husband, Sheldon Weeks, and their child Kristina, she lived in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (1980-1991) and Gaborone, Botswana (1992-2013) before coming to Brattleboro. Gudrun was a passionate musician and classical violinist. She enjoyed singing, teaching students, making chamber music, and playing in orchestras. With family, she loved tending a garden, going for walks and hikes in nature, and having adventures in new places. She was engaged in her community and was an active Quaker, organizing fundraising concerts for women's shelters and healing communities, and most recently mobilizing a neighborhood to welcome a family seeking asylum. She was an inspiration to many. Gudrun is survived by her sister Sonia Segal, her spouse Sheldon Weeks, her three children, Jennifer Odegard, Carl Gay, and Kristina Weeks, five step-children, 13 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. We will miss her smile and laugh, passion for music, sense of adventure, zest for life, love of nature, and concern for social justice in the world. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held at the Putney Friends Meeting House on Saturday, Aug, 18, 2018, from 3 to 4:30 p.m., followed by refreshments. Please RSVP to [email protected]. A remembrance concert will be held at the Brattleboro Music Center at a date to be scheduled. Donations to either the Community Asylum Seekers Project or the Brattleboro Music Center's student scholarships.