College news
• Madison Derosia of Guilford recently graduated from Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I., with a Master of Business Administration degree in business analytics.
• Taylor Humphrey of West Townshend, a psychology major and member of the Class of 2021, was honored during the spring 2021 Honors Convocation for the School of Mathematics and Sciences at The College of St. Rose in Albany, N.Y.. Humphrey received the Outstanding Senior award, which recognizes graduating seniors who have at least a 3.5 GPA and who meet other criteria specified by faculty in the department in which they study.
Obituaries
• Kathalene Evelyn Anson (Couture), 84, of Brattleboro. Died, with her family by her side, on Aug. 30, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. She was born in Reading, Calif., on November 8, 1936, to John and Otis Hector. She worked for various manufacturing companies, lastly for Chromerics prior to retirement. Kathalene had a love for puzzles, her bird Mr. Bossman, and loved spending times with her son and friends. She was predeceased by her husband William O. Anson Jr., her daughter Toni Watson, and her brother Warren Hector. She is survived by her sons Kenneth Anson and his wife Tracie of Connecticut, Victor Olivera of California, Jason Tucker of Texas, and Kyle Tucker of Tennessee; daughter Sharron Taylor of Oregon; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorial information: A cemetery committal service will be held on Sept. 11, at 11 a.m., at Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery in Brattleboro. A celebration of life will follow.
• Phoebe Chamberlin, 81, of Brattleboro. Died on her birthday on Aug. 26, 2021, following a 20 year struggle with Parkinson's Disease. Born on Aug. 26, 1940, Phoebe grew up and lived nearly all her life on the farm in West Brattleboro that had been in the Chamberlin family since the late 1800s. Her parents, May and Henry Chamberlin, were poultry farmers, but she turned the farm into a horse farm. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1958. Phoebe was a member of the First Congregational Church in West Brattleboro. One of her greatest pleasures was treating a wide range of friends to the annual sugar on snow supper at the church, where she held court at her own large table. Phoebe made a career of working with horses and was a licensed trainer of Standardbred race horses. She was a genius with horses and could create magic with them where others failed. She was most at home at racetracks and had friends at all of them. In addition to training, she also boarded and trucked horses for others. Her travels to racetracks and to transport horses took her all over the East Coast and into Canada. She never got lost and didn't use maps for her travels. She had GPS in her head long before it was invented. She seemed unaware that she was a woman in a man's world. She was a perfectionist when it came to horses, and competitive in everything she did. She always wanted to be the best. Phoebe was one of a kind - outspoken, generous, and a raging extrovert. You always knew where you stood with her. She had hundreds of friends and was loyal beyond belief. She could keep confidences, absolutely. Though she had no children of her own, everyone's children became her children. Her door was always open and if it wasn't, friends knew the way in. She was a great cook and loved to feed people. She was a super athlete, excelling in gymnastics and basketball when she was young. She loved to watch sports, most of all her beloved Red Sox and Patriots. Phoebe was always surrounded by animals; horses, dogs, cats, wild turkeys, and chickens. Her pet rhea (ostrich) Diamond, and Gabby the goose startled and delighted many travelers on Sunset Lake Road. After the work horses on the farm died, she continued to log using her race horses. Phoebe was tough, and broke every bone in her body, some more than once, in her work with horses. One mud season, when conditions on Sunset Lake Road wouldn't allow her to get her trailer in or out, she walked 2 miles with a horse, a 5 gallon bucket full of supplies, and a race cart to the trailer, then turned around and went back to the farm to get the other horse and cart to go to the racetrack in Yonkers, N.Y. She did it in reverse when she returned. She made this trek several times that mud season. Phoebe was predeceased by her parents, her brother Carl Chamberlin, and the love of her life, Harold Story. She will be dearly missed by her many friends who live here as well as those far and wide. Memorial information: Memorial donations can be made to the Windham County Humane Society.
• Lori Damian Lockaby Clark, 51, of Schaghticoke, N.Y., formerly of Vernon. Died unexpectedly on Aug. 26, 2021 in Albany, N.Y. She was born in Brattleboro on March 2, 1970 to Cheryl (Franklin) and Donald Damian, Sr. She was predeceased by her husband Bill Lockaby and her father. Lori graduated from Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1988 and began her working life at Brown and Roberts Hardware in Brattleboro before becoming an integral part of Damian Flooring, the family business. From there, she continued in flooring for many years, working in South Carolina and Pennsylvania. She also ran a flourishing eBay business and was successful enough to make it a full-time career after leaving the flooring business. Lori married Bill Lockaby in July 2000. They had a very close bond and loving marriage until he died in 2015. In 2020, she met and married Gregory Clark, who survives. She was a very generous person with a wild and crazy sense of humor. She was also strong-willed and known to her family and friends as the “cruise director.” She enjoyed taking actual cruises, going to beaches and being in the sun. She and Bill went on many cruises together, including to Italy, Greece and Turkey, as well as the Caribbean and Central America. Lori loved her cats, which were like her children, until she and Bill adopted their three beautiful children. She also loved music and interior decorating, which was her dream career. Lori is survived by her husband and their children Samuel Lockaby, Juliana Lockaby, and Halee Lockaby, all of Schaghticoke; mother Cheryl Damian of Vernon, stepmother Eva Bushee of Hinsdale, N.H., sister Karen Damian and her husband, Larry Knowlton, of Greenfield, Mass.; brother Donald Damian, Jr., and his wife, Lisa, of Vernon; nieces Alissa King and husband, Andrew, and Katelynn Baldwin and her husband, Alec, all of Vernon; and numerous grandnephews, grandnieces, aunts, uncles, and cousins. In Lori's words, “go far, and when you come back, go farther.” Memorial information: A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Sept. 25, at 12:30 p.m., at the pavilion at the Vernon Recreation Area, 607 Pond Rd. For information, email [email protected]. Donations to The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) or The Humane Society of the United States (www.humanesociety.org).
• Ryan Lloyd, 45, of Brattleboro. Died at home on Aug. 27, 2021 after courageously living with Stage 4 cancer for several years. Ryan was born on May 24, 1976, in Randolph, Vt., where he was raised and graduated from Randolph Union High School. For a short while Ryan lived in San Francisco and in Springfield, Mass., He lived in Brattleboro at different times before making it his home. Ryan's initial move to Brattleboro came after he accepted a railroad job. After working a couple of factory jobs, he went to school at Greenfield Community College where he earned a degree in solar energy. After graduation, he worked at Integrated Solar and Outer Limits Health Club. Ryan loved his work. His employers and coworkers became an extended family over the years. Throughout his illness, continuing to work was very important to him. You could not find a kinder or more generous soul than Ryan. He accepted everyone as they were. Through his gym, he mentored and encouraged many youth and young adults. He also took care of those that he saw needed help in his community, like those struggling with illness and the elderly. Ryan had a quick wit, and sometimes dark sense of humor, which he often used to navigate his journey living with cancer. When recently asked by the hospice nurse if he had considered what he would like to wear upon his death he answered, “Well, I am not having a funeral service and I am being cremated, so I guess just something flammable.” Sports and outdoor activities were a huge part of Ryan's life. Ryan enjoyed playing basketball in high school and became a dedicated fan of all New England pro sports teams (although he did have a soft spot for the Oakland Raiders). He loved spending his summers camping with his family and really enjoyed kayaking and running. He participated in several marathons over the years. One of his favorite pastimes was riding his motorcycle on the back roads of Vermont, taking long leisurely rides ending with enjoying a maple creemie! Ryan leaves behind many family and friends who will miss him dearly. He is survived by his mother and father, Cheryl and David Lloyd, his partner, Wendy, the daughter of his heart, Moyra, his sister, Fawn, his brother-in-law, Michael, and his beloved cat, Stanlee. Memorial information: Two Celebration of Life gatherings are planned. The first is on Sept. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m., at the Kiwanis Shelter in Living Memorial Park in Brattleboro, If you would like, bring a dish to share. No alcoholic beverages allowed (park rules). On Sept. 18, from 2 to 6 p.m., another gathering will be held at 426 Hebard Hill Road in Randolph. Soda and snacks provided. BYOB. Donations to Brattleboro Area Hospice, 191 Canal St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, or to Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Colorectal Cancer Research, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168.
• Jean Marie Mears Mahoney, 76, of Brattleboro. Died Aug. 29, 2021, after a brief illness. She was surrounded by loved ones. She was born in Brattleboro on Nov. 1, 1944, and grew up in the Fort Dummer neighborhood. She spent time working at Margolin's in Brattleboro and at her aunt's diner in Ellenburg Depot, N.Y. Jean later raised and cared for 10,000 chickens when living on “The Farm” in Connecticut. She cooked Sunday dinners for family, who would regularly gather. She enjoyed fishing at Sunset Lake, made the best grilled cheese sandwiches, French toast, and deviled eggs. She was a loyal New England Patriots fan, loved a good yard sale and was a fierce Pogo player. She happily volunteered at Turning Point and The Drop In Center. She loved and lived for her family. She will be missed. She was predeceased by her mother and stepfather, Marie and Joseph A. Nebelski Sr.; her father, Russell Mears; brothers Russel Mears, Nicholas Nebelski, and Joseph A. Nebelski Jr.; a sister, Tina Mears Manning Rudolph; and her stepbrother, Michael Freitas. She is survived by her son, Michael, daughter, Tammy Mahoney, grandchildren Blake Vonasek, David Mahoney, Jamie Mahoney, and Mikaelie Lee; and great-grandchildren, Ethan and Logan Vonasek. She also leaves her sister, Pat Shepard; brothers, Alan, Doug, Kevin, Greg, Dana, and Scott Mears; stepbrother Dave Freitas; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: In keeping with her wishes there will be no service. A celebration of her life will be at a later date due to COVID-19 risks.
• John “Jay” D. Mosbaugh 78, of Keene, N.H. Died at home on Aug. 13, 2021, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born on March 17, 1943 in Hartford, Conn., son of the late John S. and Virginia T. Mosbaugh. He grew up in West Chesterfield, N.H., where his parents owned and operated Riverside Motel and Cabins. He also lived in in Boston, and in Durham and Spofford, N.H. Jay graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1961. In 1968, he married Lee Hanna. They have lived in their current home in Keene since 1976. Jay is survived and will be missed by his wife of 53 years, Lee (Hanna) Mosbaugh of Keene; his two daughters, Katherine Thomas and her husband, Brett Thomas, of Spofford; Megan Merritt and her husband, Joshua Merritt, of Vernon; grandchildren Margaret and Samuel Thomas of Spofford, and Colby Merritt of Vernon; and sister-in-law Lynne Mosbaugh of Frisco, Colo. Jay was predeceased by his younger brother, Robert S. Mosbaugh. Memorial information: A burial service will be held Oct. 1, at 1 p.m., in Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene. Friends and family are invited to attend a celebration of life reception afterwards at the Summit Winery, Route 12, Westmoreland, N.H. Donations to Amazing Grace Animal Sanctuary, 161 Centre St., Sullivan, NH 03445 or to Parkinson's Research Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014.
• Douglas James Sylvester III, 30, of West Brattleboro. Died Sept. 1, 2021. He was born in Brattleboro, the son of Douglas and Cecelia (Parker) Sylvester II and grew up in Dummerston and Putney. He attended Brattleboro Union High School and followed his dream of becoming a chef. He earned his degree in baking and pastry arts at the New England Culinary Institute. Doug was fondly referred to as “The Bread Dude” at the Vermont Country Deli, where he was employed. He was a kind and gentle soul who enjoyed nature, hiking, and spending time with his family and friends. Douglas was predeceased by his grandfather, Allen L. Parker, and cousin Cameron Parker. He will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends including his grandparents; Tina (Jan) Parker/Reinus, Reginald (Dolores) Sylvester, and Carlyn Parker; uncle Richard (Brina) Parker; aunt Lisa (Brian) Mleczko; cousins Corbin, Courtney, Coty, Emily, and Rebecca; and his lifelong friend who was like a brother, Jesse Johns. His favorite quote was, “Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each.” Memorial information: There will not be services at this time. A memorial donation may be made to the Putney Foodshelf, P.O. Box 337, Putney, VT 05346.
• Bernita C. Wheelden, 77, of Hinsdale, N.H. Died peacefully on Aug. 31, 2021 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Bernita was born Dec. 26, 1943, the daughter of Thomas D. and Bernice (Fairbanks) Chamberlin. She graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1961. She continued on to Thompson School for Practical Nurses where she earned her LPN, graduating in 1963. She worked 11 years as a fabricator for Clear Solutions in Hinsdale. Previously, she was employed as an LPN at Fletcher Allen Hospital in Burlington. Bernita was first married to Howard Page, who predeceased her in 1976. In 1984, she married Stuart J. Wheelden III, who survives. Besides her husband of 37 years, she is survived by a son, Todd M. Page and his wife, Jamie, of Rock Hill, S.C., and a brother, Bruce Chamberlin and his wife, Eileen, of Stoneham, Mass. Bernita was predeceased by her sister, Brenda Chamberlin. Memorial information: In keeping with Bernita's final wishes, there are no formal funeral services scheduled. A private graveside service for the immediate family will be held in West Brattleboro Cemetery on Mather Road. Donations to Bradley House, 65 Harris Ave., Brattleboro, VT 05301. To share a memory or send condolences to the family, visit www.atamaniuk.com.
Services
• A combined graveside committal service for siblings Carl M. Anderson, Hazel J. Anderson, and Florence A. Robertson, all lifelong residents of Brattleboro who died in September 2019, January 2021, and July 2021, respectively, will be held Friday, Sept. 10, at 11 a.m., at Meeting House Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street in Brattleboro. Rev. Audrey Walker of the First Congregational Church will officiate.
• A graveside service for Michele Gauthier Lemnah, who died on May 7, 2020, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m., at the West Chesterfield cemetery located on Poor Road. Following the service, all are invited to Rick and Chris Gauthier's home for light refreshments. Masks are appreciated.