College news
• Elizabeth Day of Brattleboro has been awarded a Bachelor of Arts from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts.
• The following local students recently graduated from Lasell University in Newton, Massachusetts: Sophia Mark of Brattleboro, B.A. in fashion design and production; Kaie Quigley of West Wardsboro, B.A. in communication (sports communication); and Olivia Zschirnt of Whitingham, B.A. in fashion design and production.
• Lucas Forthofer of Dummerston was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2023 semester at Quincy (Ill.) University.
• Michelle Marchica of Westminster was named to the President's List for the spring 2023 semester at Siena College in Loudonville, New York.
• Julia Belyung, an economics major from Brattleboro, and Elijah Burdo, a computer science major from Brattleboro, were named to the Dean's Honor List for the spring 2023 semester at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
• Anna Seiple of Londonderry was named to the Dean's List for the spring 2023 semester at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.
School news
• The University of Vermont named the following local graduating high school seniors among this year's Green & Gold scholarship recipients: Mary Wallace of Saxtons River, Ainsley Meyer of Newfane, Ruthie Wright of Townshend, Aurelia Ponzio of Brattleboro, and Matt Hammond of Wilmington. UVM's Green & Gold Scholarship is an academic merit scholarship program which considers the nomination of the most academically talented rising seniors from every eligible Vermont secondary school, and Vermont residents attending select border schools. The members of the Class of 2027 attending UVM this fall mark a 30-year record high in academic achievement, with the 39 Green & Gold scholars representing more than 60% of the most academically talented students in the state.
• Phoebe Weinberg of Putney received a Land Stewards Award presented by the Vermont Land Trust, along with a check for $300. Nine other students across the state also received awards. A senior, Weinberg has been a Future Farmers of America state champion in winter forestry, Vermont soils, and land judging. In 2022, she participated in the Kroka Expeditions' Arctic to Manhattan semester. She works for Sidelands Sugarbush in Putney and has been a member of Brattleboro Union High School's environmental club. Next year, Weinberg will attend Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, where she plans to major in ecological forestry.
Obituaries
• Dorothy Sexton Christie, 99, of Halifax. Died in her home on Dec. 11, 2022. She was well and active and in full possession of her own mind until just a few days before she passed gracefully. Born Dorothy Leicester Sexton in New Haven, Connecticut in 1923, she earned a master's degree in English Literature from Yale University and married John Aldrich Christie, another Yale graduate student, in 1946. The couple lived and taught at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and in Marlboro and, later, Halifax, during the summer. They raised three sons together, David, John, and Rod Christie, who grew up living at Vassar during the school year and in Halifax each summer. Since 1975, Dorothy has lived full-time at the family homestead in Halifax, often with her sons' families and six grandchildren in residence. Dorothy loved exploring, first on the Connecticut seashore where she grew up and later in the Vermont countryside on her beloved Morgan horse. She taught her children and grandchildren to love exploring too. Memorial information: A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m., at the Halifax Union Society, 44 Stowe Mountain Rd., in Halifax Center.
• Dorothy K. Druke, 84, of Newfane. Died peacefully at her home on June 14, 2023, following a lengthy illness. Dorothy was born on December 25, 1938 in Lex, West Virginia, to the late Noah McKinley Addair and Bessie Ruth Hughes Addair. Dorothy graduated from the Woodrow Wilson Business School in Fisherville, Virginia in 1958. While attending, she met and later married Joseph Druke of Williamsville. They settled in Williamsville, where she was the postmaster for 27 years, retiring in January 1998. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by four siblings, Mary Phillips, Jack Addair, Danny Addair, and Roger Addair. She was also predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Joseph Druke, and her granddaughter, Dina Mariano. She is survived by her children, Christine (John) Mariano of South Newfane, Stephen (Lori) Druke of St. Johnsbury, and Theresa (Paul) Chapman of West Dummerston; three grandchildren, Rebecca Chapman, Joseph (Erica) Mariano, and Manika (Mitchell) Chase; her brother, Bill (Bonnie) Addair; sisters-in-law, Donna Addair, Patsy Addair, Mindai Druke, and Martha Druke; her dear friend and spiritual advisor, Rev. Patrick Crane; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorial information: A graveside service and committal rites will be conducted June 21, at 12:30 p.m., at the Williamsville New Cemetery. A reception will follow at the NewBrook Fire Department. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, attn: Elaine Beam, Principal; or to NewBrook Volunteer Fire & Rescue, P.O. Box 77, Newfane, VT 05345. To share a memory or offer condolences to Dorothy's family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Geoffrey Lincoln Holt, 82, formerly of Hinsdale, New Hampshire. Died June 6, 2023 after a prolonged illness. Over the past year, Geoffrey had resided at Langdon Place and Alpine Healthcare Center, both in Keene, New Hampshire, and lived for many years prior at Stearns Mobile Home Park in Hinsdale. Geoffrey was born on March 27, 1941 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Margaret (Goddard) and Dr. Lee Holt, who pre-deceased Geoffrey three weeks apart in January 2004. As a child, Geoffrey, and his parents and his sister, Allison Holt, moved from Indiana to Springfield, Massachusetts, where Geoff attended public school until the fifth grade and then transferred and graduated from the Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut in 1955. Geoff then attended and graduated from the George School, a Quaker boarding secondary school in Newtown, Pennsylvania in 1959. He then attended Marlboro College and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1963. Geoffrey served in the Navy following his graduation from college. After serving his country, Geoffrey earned an M.A. degree from American International College in Springfield in 1968 and then taught social studies and drivers' education at Thayer High School in Winchester, New Hampshire. Following his brief teaching career, Geoffrey worked for many years for a division of Agway in Brattleboro as a production manager. He retired from full-time work following the closing of this operation. Geoffrey lived most of his adult life in southern New Hampshire, mainly in Hinsdale. His longtime life partner, Thelma Parker, predeceased him in 2017. While fundamentally modest and demure, Geoffrey is remembered as an intellectually curious, humorous, and somewhat eccentric gentleman who made friends easily. He was an authority on automobiles and an aficionado of diecast metal cars as well as model railroading. He was additionally a lover of animals, especially dogs, and demonstrated a knack for understanding market economics. He was also known for decades as the ever-passionate groundskeeper at Stearns Mobile Home Park. Geoffrey leaves his sister, Allison Holt of Laguna Woods, California, as well as his best friend Edwin O. “Smokey” Smith and his wife Sharron, as well as his dear friend, Mary Desmond, daughter of Thelma Parker. Memorial information: A private memorial service for family and friends is planned. To offer condolences, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Maurice William “Bob” King, 88, of Vernon. Died June 13, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his loving family, after a period of declining health. Maurice was born in Enosburg Falls on Aug. 2, 1934, the son of Carl Harrison King and Eva Bushey King. He attended schools in Enosburg Falls, followed by proudly serving in the Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. He trained as a master barber and enjoyed this profession for more than 40 years. In Brattleboro, on March 29, 1957, he married Marilyn Rena Slicer, and they celebrated 66 wonderful years together. Faith and family were of the utmost importance throughout their married life. He was a member of Tri-State Bible Baptist Church in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, and a devout man of faith who read his Bible daily. He always had a giving heart, turning his ideas into actual creations for the grandchildren. Singing with his grandchildren brought him much joy. Many memories were made hunting, fishing, and camping. He loved the beautiful Northeast Kingdom, where he and Marilyn built a home, where many happy times were spent with family. He is survived by his wife; daughter Tammy Osborne (Mark) of Vernon; son Mark (Sylvan) of Westmoreland, New Hampshire; grandchildren Melissa Daniel (Kelly), Sarah Gardner (Joshua), Benjamin Osborne (Jaque), Katrista Osborne, Joshua Osborne, Caleb Osborne, Susanna Osborne, and Laura Osborne; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents; sisters Lessie Farnsworth, Janet Garfield, Betty Ennis, and Wilma Aplin; and brothers Newton and Fred. Memorial information: A graveside service was held on June 17 at Oakwood Cemetery in Townshend. Donations to the Pregnancy Resource Center of the Monadnock Region, 100 Washington St., Keene, NH 03431.
• Christine Elinor (Norman) (Harrington) Page, 85, formerly of Newfane. Died June 6, 2023 at Vernon Green Nursing Home in Vernon. Chris was born in Brattleboro on Dec. 26, 1937 to Charles Emmet Norman and Mildred (Prescott) Norman. She grew up in the Centerville section of Brattleboro, on Brattle Street and Western Avenue, moving to Ames Hill with her parents as a teenager. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1955 and went to work for Barrows Coal Company, then later for Dunham Brothers. On Aug. 9, 1957, she married Bruce Harrington, and they lived in Newfane for most of their married life, during which time Chris worked for the Riverbend Inn in Townshend. On Oct. 23, 1960, Bruce and Chris welcomed a son, Brent Charles Harrington, who died in an accident in 1980 at the age of 19. Chris loved her gardening and her chickens as well as the time she spent with son Brent and his young friends and relatives. During these years she also was very close to her mother, taking many day trips together to entertain Brent. The marriage to Bruce ended in divorce in 1973. On Dec. 21, 1974, Chris married Richard Page and moved to Amherst, Massachusetts, where Dick was the director of sports information at the University of Massachusetts. In 1980, they moved to Florida, where they lived until Dick's death in July 2014. In May 2016 Chris returned to Newfane, where she renewed her relationship with her first husband, then became a resident at Vernon Green Nursing Home in February 2020. Chris was very artistically talented, engaging in many creative craft pursuits and producing incredible scrapbooks documenting her life with Dick. She did one amazing album per year, each filled with evidence of her talents, her love of life, love of many, many friends, and careful attention to detail and scrapbooking artistry. She also created wonderful costumes throughout her life for various Halloween and other theme gatherings. Dick and Chris were avid travelers, going on many cruises and visiting many cities, including an especially memorable trip to New Orleans, where Chris earned a diploma from a class in Cajun and Creole cooking at the New Orleans School of Cooking. Because she was celebrating Christmas, her birthday, and her anniversary all in the same week, she was chosen to assist with the class. Her beautiful scrapbooks include numerous certificates and letters acknowledging her involvement in countless volunteer activities and the enormous assistance she provided to others in everything she did. She was an avid golfer as well as line dancer, and taught numerous line dancing classes. Her students honored her with a line dancing retirement party in 2006 in thanks for all the fun they had had with her. A major accomplishment in her work life was completing a lengthy course with the Parker College of Chiropractic to become a Certified Chiropractic Assistant in 1989, which included becoming licensed as a Florida basic x-ray machine operator, the only one in her class completing the rigorous course with a grade of 100%. She continued her work in a chiropractic office until retirement in 2003, then continued working at home doing transcription of records for several more years. In addition to her parents, her son Brent, and her husband Dick Page, Chris was predeceased by her brother, Donald Prescott Norman, her stepdaughter Deborah Page, stepson Donald Page, and ex-husband and lifelong friend, Bruce Harrington. She is survived by her sister Thelma Norman Underwood of Brattleboro, nieces Sheila U. Blecharczyk of West Roxbury, Massachusetts and Sharon U. Viarengo of White River Junction, and stepdaughter Dale Page Morrow of Leominster, Massachusetts. Memorial information: At Chris's request, there will be no funeral. Donations in Chris's memory may be made to an Alzheimer's research foundation of one's choice.
• Janet Reardon, 79, of Brattleboro. Died unexpectedly May 31, 2023 in the comfort of her home. A lifelong resident of town, Janet was born in Brattleboro on June 12, 1943, the daughter of Emil M. and Anna (Branka) Kozlowski. She grew up in the Fort Dummer section of Brattleboro, attending Brattleboro schools. She was a graduate of Brattleboro Union High School. Janet was an avid reader and enjoyed working at Brooks Memorial Library for many years. Janet was a feisty, stubborn woman who would let you know she was the boss. In her later years, she enjoyed visiting with her friends at the VFW on Black Mountain Road. She loved animals, especially her beloved bulldogs. On Dec. 21, 1959, during a simple wedding ceremony for family and close friends, Janet married David Francis Reardon. Her husband of 63 years predeceased her on Aug. 11, 2022. Survivors include three sons, Timothy (Kim) of Hartford, Vermont, Vincent (Joanne) of Fletcher, Vermont, and Michael of Brattleboro; one brother, James Kozlowski (Donna) of Hinsdale, New Hampshire; grandchildren Connor, David, Dani, Teagan, and Micheala; and many nieces and nephews. Janet was also predeceased by her sister, Stacia Bialowski. Memorial information: In keeping with Janet's final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. Donations to Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
• Kevin D. Wilcox, 70, formerly of Guilford. Died June 11, 2023 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Kevin was born on June 12, 1952, son of the late Frank and Ada (Benware) Wilcox. The youngest of seven children, he attended Charlestown (New Hampshire) schools. He spent much time outdoors, working and then later in life just sitting or watching his grandkids. Kevin worked as a property maintenance manager in Claremont, New Hampshire for many years. Kevin loved being a father. His children, when young, could get him to spend a whole day at a brook easily, swimming and fishing. He enjoyed his simple days at home and could find humor in the best and worst of times. He made friends in any community and talked to people of any walk of life. He could find those good at heart by often finding some common ground human connection over his 70 years of experiences. He liked rock & roll music and keeping up in his grandkids' lives, attending sports and school ceremonies as well as giving as much undivided time and attention as possible. Kevin is survived by his wife, Nancy Wheeler Wilcox, whom he married on July 17, 2007 in Wilmington; son Frank Wilcox of Putney; daughter Alisha Wilcox-Kaeppel (Robert) and granddaughters Colleen and Natalie of Guilford; and his brother Donald Wilcox (Sarah) of Springfield, Vermont. He was preceded in death by his other siblings, as well as a young niece and several nephews as well. Memorial information: Graveside funeral services for Kevin will be held Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m., at Forest Hill Cemetery in Charlestown. A reception potluck celebration to follow at noon, located at the Charlestown Town Hall, 29 Summer St.. To send condolences, visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.