College news
• The following local students were December 2013 graduates at Castleton State College: Josephine Barrale of Brattleboro earned a B.A. in sociology, Casey Bemis of Brattleboro earned an A.S. in criminal justice, Keighan Chapman of Jamaica earned an M.A. in education, and Julia Lesure of Vernon earned a B.A. in health science.
• The following local students were December 2013 graduates from Union Institute and University's New England Academic Center in Brattleboro: Kelly Therieau, Alyssa Bingham, Kelly Wheatley, Rheannon Sicely, Margaret Harris, Regina Amidon, and Avantikea Waleryszak.
• Jacob Castine, an architecture major from Vernon, and Dillon Sparks, a marketing major from Guilford, both were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester at Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I.
• Elizabeth Aekus of Whitingham has been named to the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester at Curry College in Milton, Mass.
• Andrew Jenzer of Brattleboro, a fourth-year student in the School of Dentistry, was named to the fall 2013 Dean's List at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.
• William Parker, a junior majoring in robotics engineering from Guilford, was named to the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester at Worcester (Mass.) Polytechnic Institute.
• Veronica Bagundes of Brattleboro, a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering, and Bryce Bandish of Dummerston, a junior majoring in chemistry, were named to the Dean's List for the fall 2013 semester at Clarkson University in Potsdam, N.Y.
• The following local students were named to the Fall 2013 Dean's List at Champlain College in Burlington: Benjamin Wilson of Putney, Seth Jerz of Townshend, Cuyler Northup-Cunningham of Brattleboro, and Aubrie Gillam of Putney.
• Isaac Avenia-Tapper of Cambridgeport and Rachel Greenberg of Saxtons River were named to the Fall 2013 Dean's List at the University of Hartford (Conn.)
• The following local students were named to the Fall 2013 Dean's List at Ithaca (N.Y.) College: Sam Colleran of Vernon, Jacob Huston of Brookline, and Jenna Jordan of Londonderry.
• Benjamin Jerome-Lee of Dummerston was named to the Fall 2013 Dean's List at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn.
School news
• The Brattleboro Lodge of Elks has honored three students from Brattleboro Union High School as its Students of the Month for December 2013. Charles Densmore, a 12th-grader from Wardsboro, hopes to study diesel engine maintenance this fall at Vermont Technical College or the State University of New York at Cobbleskill. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 428 in Townshend and the Wardsboro Volunteer Fire Department. Rebecca Mleekzko, a ninth-grader from Putney, enjoys writing and reading and is eager to learn all she can in the hope of getting into college. Andrew Downs, a 10th-grader from Brattleboro, enjoys cooking, construction, and working on cars. He hopes to get into the Culinary Institute of America and eventually open his own restaurant.
Obituaries
• Mabel W. Baxter, 85, of Wilmington, a resident of Rivers Edge Community Care Home. Died Jan. 26 at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington. The daughter of the late Bradley and Edna Graham, she was born at home in Albany, Ky. She married Wilford Laycock in 1948 who had seven children prior to his marriage to Mabel. They had one daugher, Linda Lou, in 1949. She treasured her lifelong relationships with Mr. Laycock's prior children. She lived most of her life in Indiana, where she married Thomas Baxter in 1974. During the late 1970s, they relocated to Rockford, Ill., and, for many years, she was active with her husband running their business, North American Van Lines. Mr. Baxter died in 1999, which was a particularly difficult year for her as she also endured the death of her only child, Linda Shepherd. She was a stylish woman who loved attending social events and dancing, especially with her husband Tom, who was an accomplished dancer. In 2001, she relocated to Florida for a few years, and with health concerns, she moved to Vermont to be near her granddaughter Stacy Crawford, whom she had resided with for some time and then at Fillmore Pond, the Vermont Veterans Home, and the past year and a half at Rivers Edge. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Jan. 31 at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest with her husband Tom in Sunset Memorial Garden in Rockford, Ill., at a later date. Donations to the Vermont Veterans Home – North Wing Fund in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, P.O. Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363.
• Lawrence G. “Beanie” Benson, 82, formerly of Bellows Falls. Died Jan. 15 at Maplewood Nursing Home in Westmoreland, N.H., after a period of declining health. Husband of the late Angela Capron. Father of Larry Benson, Jr. and his wife, Tina, of West Lebanon, N.H.; Ann Marie DuFresne and her husband, Alan, of Keene, N.H.; and the late Gary P. Benson. Brother of Richard Benson, Jon Benson, and Barbara Locke, all of Florida. Born in Putney, the son of the late Robert and Dorothy (Weeden) Benson, he grew up in Saxtons River and was a graduate of Bellows Falls High School. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in Great Britain with the Third Motor Transport Squadron. He was a Teamster and drove for regional trucking companies, retiring from St. Johnsbury Trucking in 1992. He was a member of the American Legion, the Elks, and the Loyal Order of the Moose, all in Bellows Falls, and was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Hinsdale, N.H. Memorial information: A graveside service will take place in the spring at St. Joseph's Cemetery in Hinsdale. Donations to The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284-9168, or to the Third Floor Open Staff, Maplewood Nursing Home, 201 River Rd. Westmoreland, N.H. 03467.
• John (Jack) A. Connell, 91, of Newfane. Died Jan. 27 while in hospice care at his home. Husband of Rose Marie “Ree” O'Connell for 67 years. Father of Susan Bachmann and her companion, Kris Hansen, of Lunenburg, Mass.; Bruce Connell and his wife, Jinx, of Santa Fe, N.M.; John G. Connell of Shelton, Wash.; and George Connell and his spouse, Thad Bennett, of Newfane. Brother of Anne Egan of Scottsdale, Ariz.; Alan Connell and his wife, Phyllis, of Delaware; and the late Julia Ashton. Born in Govan, Scotland, the son of the late John and Cecelia Connell, he came to America as a schoolboy and settled in Bay Ridge, N.Y. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was an aerial gunner on a B-24 bomber during World War II. While training at Westover Air Base in Massachusetts, he met the love of his life, and he and Ree got married after the war. He immediately went to work for New England Telephone, where he started as a lineman and retired as a manager after 38 years. They moved to Dunedin, Fla., in 1989. He was a life member of the DAV, American Legion Post 275 in Dunedin, and the Elks Lodge 1525. He was a member of the Scottish American Society and the Dunedin Boat Club. In July 2013, he and Ree moved to live with their son and his spouse in Newfane. He started hospice care immediately and he and Ree enjoyed a wonderful summer, fall, and early winter in Vermont. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at American Legion Post 5 in Brattleboro on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 2 p.m. Donations to VNA and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, 1 Hospital Court, Bellows Falls, VT 05101.
• Chester Andrew “Chet” Deaett, 93, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 25 at Pine Heights Nursing Home, where he had been a resident since December. Husband of Marion (Towle) Deaett for nearly 68 years. Father of Michael Deaett of North Kingston, R.I., Douglas Deaett, M.D. of Hanover, N.H., Francis Deaett of Hinsdale, N.H., Sr. Janet Deaett, S.N.D. of Lowell, Mass., and Mary Deaett of Danville. Brother of Peter Deaett of Romona, Calif., Alice Shread of Falmouth, Mass., Marjorie Wallace of Hueytown, Ala., and the late Harold Deaett. Born in East Providence, R.I., the son of the late Elton and Alice (Fournier) Deaett, he was raised and educated in Providence, graduating from Providence Trade School. He served in the Army during World War II in the China, Burma and India Theater of Operations. Upon his honorable discharge at the rank of staff sergeant, he moved to Brattleboro. He worked all of his career as a licensed plumber for several Brattleboro companies, including Loney Construction, Cote Plumbing & Heating, Gilbert Plumbing, and Morton Plumbing. He was a communicant of St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church and, at the time his children were being raised, he served as a Scout leader. Memorial information: A funeral Mass was held Jan. 31 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Burial in St. Michael's Parish Cemetery with military honors will take place in the springtime when the cemetery reopens. Donations to St. Michael's School, 48 Walnut St., Brattleboro, VT 05301, Attn: Elaine Beam, Principal, or to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Andrew “Pete” Gregg, 66, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 28 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, following a period of declining health. Born in Brattleboro, the son of the late Andrew and Norma (Fillion) Gregg, he always considered George “Bud” Stebbins his true “heart' father. His love and affection for Norma and Bud continued until the day he died. Throughout his life, he was very fortunate to make friends wherever he went. He especially enjoyed his visits to the Brattleboro Elks Club and American Legion where he could visit with all his friends. His favorite lunch spot was Sportsie's (The Sportsman's Lounge) and time shared with the owner, Barbara “Barb” Faridoni. Survivors include his twin sister, Sue Strong, and her husband, Steve, of Brattleboro, and his two nieces, Stephanie Huestis and Jennifer Rain. Memorial information: Burial in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery will take place in the springtime. No formal funeral services are planned. Donations to Silver Towers Camp, in care of B.P.O. Elks, Brattleboro Lodge #1499, P.O. Box 8051, Brattleboro, VT 05304. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Martha Ann Miller, 73, of Brattleboro. Died Jan. 30 at Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, after a short battle with cancer. Mother of Katherine Palles of Charleston, S.C., Emily Wolff of Paris, France, Beverly Downen of Portland, Ore., and Michael Flores of Berkeley, Calif. Sister of Richard Miller, E. Reed Miller, David Miller, and John Miller, all of Vermont, and the late Mark Arms Miller. Born in Burlington, the daughter of the late Ellwyn E. and Beverley Hubbard Miller, she grew up in Northfield, Mass., and Putney. She graduated from Northfield School for Girls in 1958. After high school, she attended the University of Vermont and then Windham College, where she earned a teaching certificate in 1962. She pursued graduate coursework at the University of Vermont in childhood education. In the 1960s, she taught art and music in local schools. A very intelligent and talented woman in many domains - poetry and short story writing, sewing, and singing - she was also an entrepreneur. In the early 1970s, she worked as an independent seamstress and created KatieDid, Inc., a support system for battered women. In the early 1990s, she created, owned and ran ElderWise, Inc., an in-home care-giving service. Over a 15-year period, she developed a comprehensive collection of courses to develop in-home certified caregivers. In its day, ElderWise Inc. employed 44 caregivers and additionally trained many more to become independent, professional caregivers. Her caregiving course is the only comprehensive training program for certification in Vermont. Besides her work as founder and director of ElderWise, Inc., she produced several television shows, including “Getting Older and Wiser,” on BCTV. She also wrote a column, “Close to Home,” for the Brattleboro Reformer and the Vernon Newspaper. Well-known for her beautiful soprano voice, she sang with different groups and churches throughout her life. A former member of the Burlington Oratorio Society, she later joined the Church of Latter Day Saints in South Royalton, where she acted as choir director before committing herself to the church's genealogy research. Memorial information: A memorial service was held Feb. 3 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in South Royalton. Burial will be in the spring at the Miller family plot at the Dummerston Center Cemetery. Details to be announced. Donations to Gifford Medical Center Hospice Care, 44 South Main Street, Randolph, VT 05060. Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home.
• Kenneth R. Shield Jr., 50, of Guilford. Died Jan. 28 at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Son of Jeanette Squires Shield and the late Kenneth R. Shield. Father of Christopher Shield. Brother of the late Kendra Shield. A graduate of Brattleboro Union High School, Class of 1981, he was an avid hunter who loved taking the kids out for youth day. He enjoyed snowmobiling and his Kubota tractor, but most of all, he loved the outdoors. Memorial information: A memorial service was held at St. Michael's Catholic Church on Feb. 1. Donations to Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.