Shirley M. Pemantel

BRATTLEBORO -- Shirley May Pemantel, 83, of Southern Avenue, died unexpectedly late Tuesday morning, Oct. 30, 2007, at her home.

Mrs. Pemantel was born in South Kingston, R.I. on Sept. 9, 1924, the daughter of Earl and Doris (Tefft) Peck.

She was raised and educated in Rhode Island, later moving to Vernon and then to Brattleboro in the early 1950s.

On April 10, 1943, in Vernon, she was married to Albert E. Pemantel, who survives.

Mrs. Pemantel attended the Thompson School For Practical Nursing where she received her LPN.

She went on to earn her associate's degree in nursing from Greenfield (Mass.) Community College and later graduated from St. Anselm's College in Manchester, N.H., where she received her bachelor's degree and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she earned her master's degree.

She was employed for nearly 30 years at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital working in the Medical-Surgical Unit. For several years, she taught nursing at Cheshire Hospital School of Nursing in Keene, N.H.

During her earlier years in Brattleboro, she had worked for the Holstein-Friesian Association.

Following her retirement, she was employed on a part-time basis for H & R Block in Brattleboro. She was also active with the Windham County Chapter of the Red Cross, working at the monthly blood drawings.

For almost 50 years, Mrs. Pemantel was an active member of the Order of Eastern Star, Bingham Chapter #30 in Brattleboro. She held membership in the Past Grand Matron and Past Grand Patron Association of the Eastern Star. One of her greatest achievements was attending all of the Grand Chapters in the United States and showing her traveling companions the sights.

She was a longtime member of First Baptist Church in Brattleboro, where she served as treasurer and was very active with many church activities.

Mrs. Pemantal was a member of the Now & Then Car Club and enjoyed participating in area parades and functions that featured antique and classic cars. All of their vehicles were restored by her husband.

Of her pastimes and interests, she enjoyed gardening, caning chairs and travel. Annually, she looked forward to planting and harvesting her Gilfeather turnips. She was a tireless worker in the Brattleboro community and many residents will have memories of her selfless giving.

Besides her husband of 64 years, she leaves two daughters, Carol Hubbard and husband Stuart of Huntington Beach, Calif., and Tess Dunhoff and husband Don Fairley, also of Huntington Beach; a grandson, Nathan Dunhoff of Anaheim, Calif.; one brother, Donald Peck of West Kingston, R.I.; a sister, Lenore Allen of Norwich, Conn.; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

She was predeceased by two sisters, Blanche and Thelma, and a brother, Upton.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be conducted Saturday at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church on Main Street with the Rev. Suzanne Curtis, pastor, officiating. An Eastern Star Service will be conducted at the church. Burial will be in the family lot in Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery on Orchard Street.

There are no calling hours at the funeral home.

Contributions in Mrs. Pemantel's name may be made to Vermont Eastern Star Home, Inc., c/o Deborah Litchfield, PGM, Sec. Board of Trustees, P.O. Box 1113, West Townshend, VT 05359; Shriners Children's Hospital, 516 Carew St., Springfield, MA 01104-2396; or Rescue Inc., P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT 05302.

Arrangements are under the direction of the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME.u