Eben Dodd

Eben Dodd of Putney, Vermont, died November 15, 2025. He was approaching his 58th birthday when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma. He underwent surgery but decided not to pursue further medical intervention. He was treated with thoughtful palliative care by Bayada Hospice.

Eben was born August 2, 1967, in Boston. He grew up in Mission Hill, Roxbury. After three years at Montessori Educare, he attended Boston Public Schools. He was a Red Sox fan and played first base on his Little League team. He also studied music theory and classical violin at the New England Conservatory of Music. In 1982 Eben moved with his family to join his paternal grandfather in Westminster West, VT, and graduated in 1985 from Bellows Falls Union High School. While there he attended the Governor’s Institute on the Arts.

After high school, he studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and at the Studio School in New York, graduating from RISD in 1989. He moved to New York City, earned a diploma at the Swedish Institute in massage therapy, and began practicing massage in 1993. Art, music, and massage were lifelong passions. Eben played fiddle and guitar, wrote songs, and painted and drew on a daily basis, preferably in the company of friends.

In the 1990s he met his future wife, Dina Tomasetti. Together they composed and performed original songs, appearing at open mics. Eben also joined a prayer group and began a lifelong devotion to his Christian faith. In 1999 Eben moved to California, where Dina had become a Montessori teacher. He practiced massage at Kabuki Springs and Spa in San Francisco for the next 18 years.

Eben and Dina were married in 2001. They purchased a home and raised their two children, Ian and Lea, in the peaceful town of Alameda, forming many enduring friendships. While their children were attending Otis Elementary School, Eben spearheaded a community music festival called Owlapalooza, an annual tradition which continues to this day.

In 2018, their marriage ended and Eben returned with the children to Vermont. He practiced massage therapy in several studios around Brattleboro, VT and Keene, NH. In January 2025, Eben participated in a trip to Thailand with a group of fellow massage practitioners. In July he received his cancer diagnosis and underwent surgery. He had one last summer playing music, drawing, swimming, doing massage, and attending church and Bible study.

During this time he fell in love with Heather Way. She brought him happiness and helped to care for him until his passing. In the fall Eben was confined to his bed and found joy in rest, prayer, music, and good company. The family is grateful to all who came to visit, sent food, cards, emails and texts, and helped in myriad ways. We are especially grateful to those who cared for Eben day and night, and for his Bayada Hospice team. Eben died peacefully in the early morning of November 15, 2025.

Eben leaves his parents, Ted and Elena Dodd of Putney, sister Angie Dodd (wife Amy Young Harlow) of Westminster West, his beloved children, Ian Dodd and Lea Dodd, and their mother, Dina Tomasetti.

A memorial gathering will be held on August 9, 2026, at the Community Church of West Swanzey, NH at 2pm.