College news
• Sean R. Donovan of Putney recently received an A.A.S. degree in heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pa. Donovan was also named to the school's Dean's List for the summer 2020 semester.
• Hannah Oxholm, a psychology/Spanish and Hispanic studies major from Brattleboro, was named to the 2020 Dean's List at Union College in Schenectady, N.Y.
Obituaries
• Ilse Maria (Fink) Cobb, 85, of Jamaica. Died peacefully with her children at her side, after a brief illness, on Aug. 20, 2020 at Grace Cottage Hospital in Townshend, Born in Goppengin, Germany to Luisa Fink, on Oct. 15, 1934. Ilse met and married Earle H. Cobb on Sept. 2, 1959. They moved to the United States and lived in New York and Florida before moving to Vermont. She was a regular at local Bingo games for many years and loved to crochet for her family and friends. She worked at Snow Lake Lodge at Mount Snow, and co-owned and worked as cook at the Family Kettle in West Townshend for many years. She was an excellent cook and made many German meals for her family. Christmas Eves were spent at her house with her family for many years. Ilse was predeceased by her husband; brothers Ralph, Werner, and Herbert Fink; and a sister, Ruth Teeke. Ilse is survived by her sister, Heidi Swartz of Pennsylvania; brother-in-law Gerry Teeke of Jamaica, and many nieces and nephews. Ilse will be fondly missed by her children: Elke Tuttle of Stratton and Harry Cobb of Dummerston; and her five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Memorial information: There will be no services at her request. A private family burial will be at a later date. Contributions may be made in her name to Jamaica Fire and Rescue, Rescue, Inc., and Grace Cottage Hospital.
• Janet Irene (Marley) Durkin, 84, of West Dover and and Falmouth, Mass. Died peacefully in her sleep on Aug. 14, 2020. She was born Oct. 15, 1935 and the life she had already lived, and the more she had planned to live, gave no indication of her actual age. She was quick-witted, compassionate and a dear friend to many. Janet lived a life full of love, adventure, fun and with a community of friends - what she fondly referred to as “the Good Life.” After early years working as a registered nurse and later as an educator in the early years of special education, Janet and her husband, Thomas, raised four children, sailing from and enjoying their beloved Falmouth on Cape Cod and skiing in Vermont in the winters. Janet and Tom ran several successful businesses together, first in Falmouth with The Good Life Frozen Yogurt Shop, and later received acclaim at The Longwood Inn in Marlboro, having been named “the ultimate inn” by New England Magazine and earning a three-star review in The Boston Globe for the restaurant there. The Durkins continued their hospitality at Waquoit Bay Bed & Breakfast in Falmouth. For nearly three decades, they also greeted those from near and far as the friendly and welcoming couple that sold tickets at the base of the Mount Snow Ski Resort in West Dover, After “retiring” they continued to welcome travelers to their Air B & B on Locustfield Road in Falmouth. Janet was passionate about her hopes and love for our country. She was always quick to offer help to those in need. In the past several months, Janet sewed more than 400 face masks for donation to help combat the coronavirus. It would be difficult to find a mother prouder of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Despite her disdain for contact sports, she had recently become an avid hockey fan while cheering on her two great-grandsons on Cape Cod and delighted in everything about her three newest great-grandchildren in Vermont. Her nursing background helped her earn the nickname “the baby whisperer” for her expertise in calming infants. Janet will be sorely missed by her immediate and extended family, including her devoted husband, Tom, and their children: Thomas and his wife, Susan, of Brattleboro; their daughter Pattee of Newport, Vt., and their daughter Tracy of Thermopolis, Wyo. Their son Peter died in 2011. Janet is survived by her grandchildren: Michael T. Durkin and his wife Brianna; Emily (Durkin) McFadden and her husband Brandon; and Caitlin Durkin, all of Burlington, Vt. Pattee's daughter Kerry Lardner, whose two boys (the avid hockey players), Cole and Bode Jensen, live in Falmouth. Peter's son, Andrew Milligan and his wife, Crystal, live in Redmond, Calif., with daughters Alyssa and Amelia. All of Janet's great-grandchildren took an immediate shine to their “Gigi,” including Bennett and Everett McFadden and Callum Durkin, all of Burlington. Janet is also survived by very beloved nieces, nephews, and her last surviving in-law, William Durkin of Winchester, N.H. Memorial information: Services and a memorial are in planning and will be announced at a later date.
• Cameron Robert Parker, 21, of Bellows Falls. Died unexpectedly on Aug. 5, 2020 while serving his country in the Air Force. Born in Springfield, Vt., the son of Richard and Brina Parker, he graduated from Bellows Falls Union High School in 2016 and joined the Air Force shortly after graduation. Cameron became a crew chief for the U-2 reconnaissance plane. He was one of only four selected to work on the U-2 out of his basic training class of more than 1,500 airmen. He was stationed at Beale Air Force Base in California, with a one-year deployment to Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. Cameron became a senior airman in 2019 while stationed at Beale with the 9th Reconnaissance Wing. He had just finished the exam for promotion to staff sergeant, but died before getting the test results. Cameron enjoyed weightlifting, baseball, paintball, fishing, kayaking, playing video games, cooking for fellow Air Force brothers and family, vacationing in Maine, and shooting and collecting guns. He was studying to become a gunsmith after he completed his six-year enlistment. Cameron is survived by his parents; two brothers, Corbin and Coty Parker; sister Courtney Parker; grandmother Tina Parker and significant other Jan Reinus; grandmother Barbara Smith and significant other Bruce Tenney; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by grandfathers Allen Leonard Parker and James Lawrence Smith. Memorial information: A private graveside funeral will be held for immediate family only. Donations can be made to the Monadnock Humane Society, Wounded Warrior Project and the USO in care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster St., Bellows Falls, VT 05101.