College news
• The following local residents were named to the spring 2025 Dean's List at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts: Tori D. MacKay of South Newfane, Roxanne Burt of Marlboro, Lydia Hazzard-Leal of Brattleboro, and Freddie Learey of Brattleboro were all named to first honors, and Solan Homestead of Putney was named to second honors.
• Grace Conety of Brattleboro, Sophia Hamm of Brattleboro, and Zadie Olmstead of Dummerston were named to the spring 2025 Dean's List at Simmons University in Boston.
• The Brattleboro Rotary Club recently awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Kailuna Holmes. The Jesse M. Corum IV Scholarship is awarded annually to one local Community College of Vermont student for their second year of studies in the Early Childhood Education program.
School news
• Maeve Tholen of Brattleboro and Asher Jackson of Putney were among 192 students, from 24 states and 25 nations, who graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon on May 25.
Obituaries
• Anne M. Henry, 68, died at Conway (S.C.) Medical Center on July 17, 2025. Born on Oct. 23, 1956, in Bangor, Maine, she was the daughter of Paul Ignatius Coughlin and Caroline Bigelow Rand Coughlin. Anne was employed by the Vermont District Court, and later owned and operated Rooney & Wood Reporters in Brattleboro, before being selected by the Hon. J. Garvan Murtha to work alongside him for the U.S. Federal Court system. Anne retired in 2021 after 20 years of service. In 2009, Anne locked down her soulmate, Jay, who was her best friend and the love of her life. Together, they were the kind of couple that were constantly laughing, taking many trips and adventures together and Anne always ensuring she kept Jay in line with his eating habits. Anne loved to watch birds of all kinds, especially hummingbirds and cardinals - probably because they matched her colorful, feisty energy while bringing her relaxation. Her flower gardens were straight-up magical, as if she was secretly a wizard with a green thumb. She was known for her work ethic and perseverance throughout her life, and her wit and beyond funny sense of humor. The older she got, the less filter she had, and it brought many laughs to all. Her children and grandkids were her entire universe, her pride and joy. Anne's love for them was wild and unconditional, and so intense it could probably power a small city. She would move mountains for them. Seeing her children all successful and strong in their adult lives brought Anne comfort and pride that was immeasurable. Anne was the life of the party at Elks Lodge #1499 in Brattleboro, and "The Tavern" crew in Myrtle Beach. Her posse was massive, and she kept the good times rolling with all of her friends whom she treasured. When illness tried to cramp her style and knock her down, Anne was surrounded by a dream team of compassionate and supportive folks who kept her spirits high. Anne may be gone, but her legacy is louder than a cardinal's song and brighter than her gardens in full bloom. She was preceded in death by her cherished parents and her dear sisters, Christine (Coughlin) Dunn and Kathleene (Coughlin) Lancto. She now rests peacefully, reunited in heaven with her beloved fur babies, Max and Callie. Surviving are her husband, Robert "Jay" Henry; three children, Jenna Wood DiMarino (Brian), favorite child Patrick Wood (Pember), and David Wood; stepchildren Kyle Henry and Jared Henry (Stephanie); 10 grandchildren, Cooper Hawley, Collin DiMarino, Garrett Wood, Peyton Wood, Brady Wood, Abigail Wood, Madelyn Wood, Chelsea Wood, Alex Henry, and Harper Henry; and two brothers, Matthew Coughlin (Brenda) and Michael Coughlin (Muggy). Memorial information: Services were held July 24 at Goldfinch Funeral Home. Donations to Conway Medical Center Foundation (cmcfoundationsc.com). To offer condolences, visit goldfinchfuneralhome.com.
• Stuart W. Hunt II, 71, of East Dummerston. Died July 19, 2025, in the comfort of his home, following a courageous battle with cancer. A lifelong resident of the area, he was born in Brattleboro on February 1, 1954, the son of the late Stuart W. and Barbara (Malcolm) Hunt. Stuart was raised and educated in Guilford and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School with the Class of 1972. Following graduation, he worked as a meat cutter and in construction. Additionally, he worked at the Dunklee Farm in Vernon and later was employed at Cianbro Construction Corp. based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. More recently, Stuart operated a sawmill which he co-owned, and worked as a handyman. Stuart was a fantastic gardener, had a great mechanical aptitude and was hard-working at whatever he did. For many years, he was a social member of American Legion Post 5 and VFW Carl M. Dessaint Post 1034. He enjoyed spending quality time at his family's two camps in Jamaica, gardening, hunting, fishing, and puttering around his home. Stuart leaves his devoted wife, Jill Leonard Howe of East Dummerston; one son, Samuel Hunt of Brattleboro; stepchildren, Jennifer Tacy of Marlborough, New Hampshire, Richard Howe of Summerfield, North Carolina, and Kimberlee Howe of Brattleboro; three siblings, Jane DeCosmo of Brattleboro, Douglas Hunt of Guilford, and Thomas Hunt of Manchester, New Hampshire; and a special aunt, Ina Cassidy of Rutland. Additionally, Stuart is survived by several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held at American Legion Post 5, 32 Linden St., on Sunday, Aug. 3, starting at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to a charity of one's choice. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Raymond Charles Kellett, 74, of Brattleboro. Died on July 17, 2025, after a short illness. Ray was born in Staten Island, New York, on Jan. 27, 1951, the son of Charles and Katherine (Kripinski) Kellett. Ray graduated from Iona College and earned his MSW at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Ray thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his wife of 30 years, Meghen Clancy. Together, they spent many hours in the garden as well as exploring new places in Vermont. As part of his retirement, Ray enjoyed his job at Meals on Wheels in Brattleboro. He found helping people to be very rewarding and enjoyable. Ray's spirit of optimism, generosity and friendship made him a valuable member of the Brattleboro community. Ray spent his leisure time running, walking, gardening, traveling throughout Vermont and watching sports. He was a lifelong fan of the Yankees and the Giants. Ray also spent plenty of time with the Clancy family. He was an admired and respected member of the Clancy Clan and always enjoyed his time during the holidays and summer vacations. In addition to Meghen, Ray is survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Ray also leaves behind an extensive and loyal group of friends. Ray made a friend wherever he went. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Robert Kellett. Memorial information: In keeping with Ray's final wishes, a celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, Aug. 24, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Brattleboro Elks Lodge on Putney Road. Donations to the Meals on Wheels Program, in care of Brattleboro Senior Meals, 207 Main St., Brattleboro, VT 05301. And smile for Ray. He would like that. To offer condolences, visit atamaniuk.com.
• Edward S. McCatty, 71, died on June 14, 2025, in Keene, New Hampshire. A committed educator and lifelong patron of the arts, Ed was born June 10, 1954, and grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where he attended Wingate High School, graduating in 1971. In 1975, Ed earned a B.A. in English and biology from Amherst College. He went on to receive a master's degree from Yale Divinity School in 1979 and a master's in literature from University College London in 2005. After teaching for seven years at Brentwood School in Los Angeles, California, Ed returned to the East Coast in 1992 to join the faculty of Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut, where he would remain for 28 years. A literary enthusiast and logophile with high standards for his students, Ed was fully engaged in campus life, serving as dorm adviser, rowing coach, Adviser to Students of Color, and Faculty Adviser to the Judicial Committee. Ed was the consummate teacher, described by a faculty colleague as "both a teacher and a student: someone well equipped by virtue of his learning and his ability to communicate, to lead others to the discovery of, and excitement for, ideas." Throughout his career at Choate, Ed received numerous awards from students and the administration for his teaching and contributions to the school community. As one student declared, "Mr. McCatty is passionate and devoted to bringing literature to life." Upon his retirement from Choate in 2020, Ed moved to Walpole, New Hampshire, where he remained an active member of the Amherst College Alumni Association and joined St. Michael's Episcopal Church of Brattleboro. In addition, he served on the board of the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center. Ed cherished the many communities he lived in throughout his life and once proclaimed in a service at the Seymour St. John Chapel at Choate, "I am not a self-made man…having received loving gifts from God, and love and nurture from my family and from the communities in which I have been fortunate to live… And if I am not alone, neither are you." Ed is survived by a brother, Nico, of Brooklyn, and numerous friends, colleagues, and former students whose lives were made better by his high standards, compassion, and grace. Memorial information: A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 11 a.m. at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro.
Services
• A memorial service and celebration of life for former Vermont Gov. Thomas P. Salmon, who died Jan. 14, 2025, at age 92, are set for August. A funeral Mass is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bellows Falls. It will be followed by burial at St. Charles Cemetery and a celebration of life at the Bellows Falls Country Club. Earlier, calling hours will take place at Fenton & Hennessey Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Thomas P. Salmon Scholarship Fund, UVM Foundation, 411 Main St. Burlington, VT 05401.
• A memorial service for John H. Carnahan, longtime Brattleboro attorney who died on May 7, 2025 at age 96, will be held at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Brattleboro, on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 11 a.m. The service will be followed by a light lunch.
This Milestones item was submitted to The Commons.