College news
• The following local students received degrees in May from Vermont Technical College: Jacob Deweerdt of South Londonderry, A.A.S., Automotive Technology; Colleen Doyle of West Wardsboro, A.S., Nursing; Eric Fenton of Londonderry, A.A.S., Diesel Power Technology; Benjamin Fontaine of Brattleboro, A.E., Electrical Engineering Technology; Nicholas Fontaine of Newfane, A.A.S., Automotive Technology; Natalie Freeman of Putney, A.S., Nursing; Ashley Kane of Guilford, A.S., Nursing; Eric Kimball of Bellows Falls, B.S., Electromechanical Engineering Technology; Madison Sommers McNary of Vernon, A.S., Nursing; Megan Merritt of Vernon, A.S., Nursing; Jennifer Moyse of Brattleboro, A.S., Nursing; Jonathan O'Connor of Bellows Falls, A.E., Mechanical Engineering Technology; Bethany Walker of Vernon, A.S., Nursing; and John White of West Dover, A.S., Nursing.
• Kristina Wittler of South Newfane, received a B.A. in Physics (magna cum laude), with a minor in Art and Art History at Colgate University's 198th Commencement on May 19 in Hamilton, N.Y.
• Christian Kennedy of South Londonderry, graduated from Colorado College on May 19 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
• Renbourn Chock of East Dover graduated from New College of Florida on May 17 in Sarasota, Fla. Renbourn received a B.A., with double areas of concentration in Psychology and Anthropology, and a focus on Deception.
• Nicole Schneeberger of Vernon received a B.A. in Writing (cum laude) from Ithaca (N.Y.) College.
• Sophia Cardini of Saxtons River has been named to the Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester at Emmanuel College in Boston.
• Emma E. Griffith of Halifax has been awarded a St. Lawrence University Tanner Fellowship for a summer 2019 research project. Griffith, a member of the Class of 2021, is majoring in psychology. Her project is titled “Smith Island, Spoken: A Collection of Stories from Maryland's Vanishing Island.” The Tanner Fellowship seeks to enable students with potential to make a difference and make a positive and creative mark on the world through pursuit of educational experiences not otherwise available to them.
• Alexa Litchfield, a member of the Class of 2019 from Jamaica; Cameron Baldwin Wright, a member of the Class of 2020 from West Dummerston; and Sabin Litchfield, a member of the Class of 2020 from Jamaica were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester at Stonehill College in Easton, Mass.
• Anthony Mueller of Bellows Falls, Bridget Duff of Brattleboro, Kaleigh Orsucci of Grafton, and Quinn Lawrence of Saxtons River were all named to the Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine.
• Owen Schneider of Wilmington and Preston Stachelek of Stratton were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester at the University of Rhode Island.
• Grace MacFadyen of East Dover and Gabrel Vanni-Phillips of Newfane were both named to the Dean's List for the spring 2019 semester at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
• Kazui Kusumi of South Londonderry is completing Colby-Sawyer College's internship requirement this summer with Atomic Ski USA. Kusumi is majoring in business administration and is a member of the Class of 2020.
• Jacqueline Elliott of Brattleboro earned the distinction of Faculty Honors for spring 2019 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.
School news
• Julia Barton, a senior at Leland & Gray Union Middle and High School, was chosen by 3 Generations Collaboration to receive this year's 3GC Award. Seniors nominated by Leland & Gray staff were invited to submit an essay or video about their community service experiences. The award check may be applied toward toward higher education, career preparation, or equipment needed for a job or apprenticeship. Barton plans to attend The University of New Haven this fall.
• Madison Streeter, a Bellows Falls Union High School Class of 2019 graduate, is the ninth recipient of the Dr. E. Sherburne Lovell Health Career Award. This award contributes $1,000 annually toward a student's academic pursuit of a career in health care. It is funded by the proceeds of the Apple Blossom Cotillion, a project of the Development Office of Springfield Medical Care Systems. Streeter will be a nursing student at Rivier University in Nashua, N.H., in the fall. She became interested in health care when she was young, and she attended the Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) MedQuest program.
Obituaries
• Brent Allen Corliss, 67, of Brattleboro. Died June 15, 2019 at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., following a period of declining health. Born in Newport, N.H. on Jan. 18, 1952, the son of James and Rita (Pepin) Corliss, he was raised and educated in Sunapee, N.H., and graduated from Newport High School with the Class of 1970. He later went on to attend Keene State College, earning a B.S. degree in Computer Science and Geography in 1993. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force, enlisting in 1975. He was stationed in Germany for 2 1/2 years and was honorably discharged from active service in 1986. He worked as a computer engineer for TJX Corporation of Marlborough, Mass., and previously had been employed by several other high-tech firms in the greater New England area. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, skeet shooting, and board games. He was an avid Star Trek fan and had the privilege of meeting several cast members of the television series. He was also known for his culinary skills and was an excellent cook. He was first married to Jean Johnson and later married Judith Sanborn Legere. Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Croteau of Leominster, Mass.; two sons, John Corliss of Leominster and Carl Corliss of Norwalk, Conn.; a brother, Kevin Corliss of Newport; a sister, Brenda Corliss of Londonderry, N.H.; four grandchildren; and Linda Stuhldreier, Ian Torrey, and their daughter Marta, his best friends with whom he lived in Brattleboro. Additionally, he leaves one niece, three nephews, and several cousins. Memorial information: Burial with full military honors took place June 25 at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 or www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
• Sally (Foster) Parsons, 85, formerly of Spofford, N.H. Died June 17, 2019 at Langdon Place of Keene, N.H., following a period of declining health. Born in Winchester, N.H., on Nov. 29, 1933, the daughter of the late Junie (Wilson) and Rodney H. Foster, she was educated in Vermont and graduated from Wilmington High School, Class of 1951. In 1953, she married Earl J. Parsons, who died in 2012 after 59 years of marriage. Sally and Earl were the owners and operators of the Old Mill Stream Country Store in Spofford until her retirement in 1973. She worked part-time after that at TD Bank as a bookkeeper. Over the years, she also worked as a representative for Tupperware and Sarah Coventry Jewelry. Sally had a lifelong interest in all types of crafts, decorations, and self-made gifts. Bingo was another hobby she truly enjoyed, especially the comradery of fellow players. She is survived by her son, Rodney Parsons and his wife, Joanne, of Spofford; two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She was predeceased by her sister, Faythe Haight. Memorial information: A funeral service was held June 21, followed by burial at Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene.
• Elaine A. Robinson, 79, formerly of Newfane and, more recently, of Hudson, Fla. Died June 16, 2019 at Grace Cottage Hospital with her family by her side following a courageous battle with cancer. She was born in Montpelier on July 4, 1939, the daughter of Clarence and Eunice (Goden) Aither. She was raised in Jamaica, where she attended school, later graduating from Leland & Gray Seminary in Townshend, Class of 1957. She owned and operated the Newfane Ceramic Shop for many years. Previously, she had worked at the former Lawrence's Smoke Shop. Elaine loved crafts and quilting. She made quilts for all of her children and grandchildren. Her life centered around her family, which meant the world to her. Elaine also enjoyed cooking and spending time in her home. In 1958, she married Bernard W. Robinson, who survives. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 61 years she leaves three sons, Michael of New Port Richey, Fla., Douglas of Orford, N.H., and Kenneth of Newfane; two daughters, Jeanette Perra of Brattleboro and Julie Glover of Monroe, Va., two sisters, Carol Hodge of Londonderry and Cheryl DeChamps of Okeechobee, Fla. Additionally, she is survived by 16 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Stuart Aither, and a sister, Marjorie Cook. Memorial information: Graveside services will be private for the immediate family only. She will be laid to rest in the family lot in Woodlawn Cemetery in Newfane. Donations to Grace Cottage Hospital, P.O. Box 1, Townshend, VT 05353, or to Bayada Hospice, 1222 Putney Rd., Suite 203, Brattleboro, VT 05301. To send messages of condolence to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Robert E.“Bob” Sanderson, 67, of Jamaica. Died June 19, 2019 at home, after a prolonged illness. He was born to Frederick E. and Noma G. (Perry) Sanderson in Townshend on July 20, 1951. He was educated at Newfane Elementary School and graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary in Townshend. Bob was a heavy equipment operator for Cersosimo Industries in Brattleboro for more than 45 years. During his early 20s, he was a member of the Vermont National Guard. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed watching the Patriots, Red Sox, and Celtics. He married Sophia Eaton in 1972, who survives him. He also leaves his son, Brud Sanderson of West Townshend; two daughters, Kera Jones of Swanzey, N.H., and Loni Austin of Belchertown, Mass.; a sister, Rebecca McKenny of Brattleboro; two brothers, Curtis Sanderson of Bridgewater, Vt., and Ron Sanderson of Townshend; and five grandchildren Clayton, Jairen and Raena Sanderson, Savannah Westcott and Bailey Austin. He was predeceased by his parents and two sisters, Elizabeth Putnam and Dorothy Hilton. Memorial information: A private family service will be held at a later date. Donations to the Oncology Department at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, a place where he spent way too many hours in the past year-and-a-half.
• David Charles “Dave” Stratton, 79, of Chilhowie, Va. Died May 2, 2019. He was born and raised in Townshend, and graduated from Leland & Gray Seminary in 1957. He entered the Navy, where he served 21 years and retired at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He then worked as an Electrical Foreman for the Potomac Electric Power Company in Maryland, retiring after 22 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maynard and Gertrude Stratton, and his brother, Dana Stratton. He is survived by his wife, Clara Stratton, siblings Richard and Edward Stratton, and Sharon Roberts, children Roxanne O'Regan, Vicki Stratton and Kevin Stratton; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Memorial information: None provided.