Milestones

Milestones

College news

• Kiley Owen of Dummerston and Conall Sullivan of Jacksonville both graduated in August from Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston.

The following local students achieved academic honors during the summer 2019 semester at Community College of Vermont: Allyson Wolski of Newfane and Alexandria Felsted of Wilmington were named to the Dean's List. Selected to the Honors List were Dakoda Carter of Bellows Falls; Marshall Lazar, Chelsie Poplawski, Michaela Russo, Ryan Weeks, and Jessica Weiner of Brattleboro, Jane Young of Dummerston, Donald Stone of Guilford, Katharine Bricker and Mary Lachenal of Putney, Frances Cornick of Saxtons River, Christina Dryden of South Londonderry, William Bass of West Dover, Emily Neumann of Westminster, and Taryn Lawrence and Lisa Ryan of Wilmington.

Transitions

Family Nurse Practitioner Summer Burch has joined Grace Cottage Family Health in Townshend. Burch started her healthcare career in 2004 as a mental health worker at the Brattleboro Retreat. She went on to attain her nursing degree in 2009 and completed a nursing residency at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. A recent graduate of the George Washington University Family Nurse Practitioner program, Burch completed her NP clinical rotations at Cheshire Medical Center, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Grace Cottage. Prior to joining Grace Cottage, Burch was an Administrative Clinical Nursing Supervisor and Critical Care nurse at Cheshire as well as an adjunct nursing instructor at River Valley Community College. Burch lives in Brattleboro with her husband and daughter, two cats, and a dog.

Obituaries

• Stuart F. Anderson, 90, formerly of Brattleboro. Died peacefully on Sept. 23, 2019, in the presence of family, at Durgin Pines Nursing Home in Kittery, Maine. He was born on Jan. 21, 1929 to the late Robert and Frances (Day) Anderson. The youngest of seven children, he grew up attending Brattleboro schools and graduated from Brattleboro High School in 1948. He proudly served his country in the Army as a company clerk during the Korean Conflict. Stuart had anextraordinary eye for detail and was meticulous in everything he did. This talent led to a lifelong career with Harcourt, Brace and Company, organizing textbooks for publishing. Stuart spent most of his working career in New York City, where he lived overlooking Central Park. He would eventually retire to Largo, Fla., where he lived a quiet life with his cats, and often served as treasurer for his condo association. Stuart was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry and Robert, and sisters Betty Semararo, Dorothy Fowler, and Mary Nessen. He is survived by his sister, Virginia Ammons, of Eliot, Maine. and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial information: Funeral services were held Oct. 5 at Morningside Cemetery.

• Janet Anne “Jan” Corry, 64, of Brattleboro. Died Sept. 30, 2019 at her home, surrounded by her family, after a lengthy and courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Jan was born in Teaneck, N.J., on April 11, 1955, the daughter of Robert H. and Alice C. (Fallucchi) Corring. She was raised and educated in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., graduating from Academy of the Holy Angels, where she was a member of their championship Color Guard team. She attended Windham College in Putney, where she graduated summa cum laude with her B.S. in special education, and studied for her master's at Antioch College in Keene, N.H. At Windham College, she met her beloved future husband, Charles C. Corry Jr., who was the Student Body President. They married in 1979. Jan worked as a special education teacher for more than 30 years in Brattleboro, first at Academy School and then at Oak Grove School. She also served eight years as a director of Community House in Brattleboro, ultimately becoming its chair. She retired early due to the progression of her illness (2009). She was a respected and beloved teacher adored by students spanning two generations. Jan would often tutor children with learning disabilities for free in her spare time, and brought meals to school for hungry students with a scarcity of food at home. She had a smile and word of encouragement for everyone. An avid reader, Jan also enjoyed cooking, gardening, quilting, knitting and above all else, spending time with her family. She was known for her excellent recipes and dishes, always preparing extra for her kids' friends who strategically stopped by around dinner time. Besides her faithful and devoted husband of 40 years, she leaves behind one daughter, Megan Elizabeth Corry Rebelly, two sons, Charles Christopher Corry III and Tucker Swift Corry, and her beloved dog Lucy. She will be forever missed. Memorial information: Friends are invited to her wake at Atamaniuk Funeral Home in Brattleboro on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Oct. 11, at 11 a.m., at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 130 Summit Rd., in Keene. A reception will follow in the church's fellowship hall. Donations to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT, 05302.

• Ernest J. “Bud” Nadeau Jr., 68, of Bartonsville. Died unexpectedly at home on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2019. Born on Jan. 29, 1951 in Brattleboro, the only son of Ernest J. Nadeau Sr. and Marguerite (Garrapy) Nadeau, he was a member of the last class to graduate from Chester High School in 1970. His mother was a member of the first class to graduate from there in 1939. Bud was a self-employed master craftsman, specializing in Sam Maloof-style furniture, most notably his beautiful rocking chairs. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, and trapping in his younger years and metal-detecting in later years. He belonged to the Chester Historical Society and was well-versed in Chester and Bartonsville history. He was predeceased by his parents; a half-brother, Alan J. Nadeau; a granddaughter, Grace Falconer; and his nephews, Jeremy Gomez and Eric Underhill. Survivors include his daughters Sarah West (Chris) of Washington state and Amy Davis (Matt Falconer) of California; his grandchildren, Brittany West and Jack and Ella Falconer; his sisters Marigene Purcell (Howard), Jerrilyn Gomez (Mark), Judith Lidie (Roy); and his brother-in-law Danny Clemons, as well as several nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of Bud's life will be held at American Legion Post 67 in Chester on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. His family is wearing flannel shirts to honor Bud and invite you to do so, too. Arrangements are being handled by Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home in Bellows Falls.

• Stanley E. Smart Jr., 67, of Westminster. Died peacefully on Oct. 4, 2019, surrounded by loved ones. His family said that he was “an absolute champion; no doubt carried us through and gave us his best self in his last days. We are so proud of him and how he was able to go through this journey with dignity, clarity, and grace.” In his last words, Stanley praised Vermont and Act 39, which made it possible for him to take control of his own transition. “I am proud of my state,” he said. When diagnosed with a terminal illness, the feeling of control can be fleeting. When options are limited, having some control over your journey can be enough to carry you through. It was important to him to have this option and to share about the opportunity that we all had because of it. The message that his family said he wanted us to share with everyone is simple: “Thank you. You have each had a direct impact on my life. I love you all and wish you the best lives.” Surviving are his children, Derek and Leah Smart; his sister Nancy Dunham; his brothers, Robert and Steven Smart; and his former wife, Nancy Gordon. He is predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Irene (Long) Smart. Memorial information: There will be a memorial service on Thursday, Oct. 10, from 4 to 8 p.m., at his home on 24 James Rd. Donations may be made to Visiting Nurse Association/Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, P.O. Box 881, Brattleboro, VT 05302. For more information on Act 39, visit www.patientchoices.org. Arrangements are in the care of Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home.

• Peter J. Smith, 54, of Barre, Died Oct. 3, 2019, following a brief illness. Peter was born on July 28, 1965 to Esther and James Smith in Townshend. At age 4, he moved to Brandon Training School where he lived until he moved to the greater Central Vermont area in 1976. He lived in Barre from 2004 until his death. Peter was dearly loved by his family, most especially by his mother, Esther, and his sister, Mary, who were devoted to him. Peter touched the lives of many people during his lifetime. He will be remembered fondly by all who ventured into his life. Peter was a lover of old-time country music, going to the ocean, eating seafood, and chocolate. He particularly enjoyed frequent trips to Dunkin' for iced coffee. So great was his love of coffee and other drinks that others had to be careful should he find an opportunistic moment to enjoy their drinks as well as his own. Peter was a free spirit moving to his own inner harmony. In the early 1990s, Peter was introduced to Facilitated Communication (FC). Through this alternative means of communication, he was able to share his thoughts, opinions, likes, and dislikes. FC broadened his life making it possible for him to communicate regularly with his caregivers. Peter's voice was critical to his ability to live life to the fullest and on his own terms. He is survived by his mother, Esther Squires, of Townshend; his sister Mary Pratt of Tulsa, Okla.; his father, James Smith; and many extended family members. He is also survived by many friends and caregivers who loved and supported him through the years. Memorial information: A private burial is being planned at the convenience of the family.

• Colleen A. Timney, 61, of Richland, Wash. Died July 16, 2019 at Chaplaincy Hospice House in Kennewick, Wash., after a courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. Although a longtime resident of Richland, Colleen was born in Brattleboro on July 11, 1958 and always considered herself a “Green Mountain Girl.” She was raised in Vernon, daughter of Frank and Millie Timney, graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1976, and continued on to Greenfield Community College. After college, she started working at nuclear power plants, where she met and married Ed Champagne, who predeceased her in 2018. She is survived by her children Sean and Amy Champagne of Seattle, Wash., her sisters Kathy (Steve), Patty (Robert), brother Francis (Sue), several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and her rescue dogs and faithful companions, Odie and Sammy. Colleen enjoyed time with her family in Vermont and always took two yearly trips back “home” - for Christmas and a summertime family tradition to Hampton Beach. She was a diehard New England sports fan, always striving to attend games on both coasts. In her 20s, she enjoyed motorcycle trips to bike week in Loudon, N.H., as well as cross-country including Yellowstone National Park. Friends and family will most miss her feisty personality, sense of humor, willingness to fix anything herself, adventurous nature, and lighthearted zest for life. Memorial information: A burial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, at 1 p.m., at North Cemetery on Route 142 in Vernon. A celebration of life gathering will immediately follow.

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