To the Editor:

I wrote this letter to the members of the Guilderland Board of Education.

Pete and Pat Wachtel of Averill Park are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Deanna Wachtel, to Juan Valerio, son of Kelly Valerio and Mike Kaiser of Averill Park.

Pete and Pat Wachtel of Averill Park are proud to announce the engagement of their daughter, Brittany Wachtel, to Edward Anthony Perry, son of Ed and Adriana Parry of East Islip.

Ms. Wachtel is a 2006 graduate of Guilderland High School. Mr. Perry is a 2005 graduate of East Islip High school.

WESTERLO — Mr. and Mrs. Kevin McDermott of Westerlo announce the engagement of their daughter, Courtney McDermott, to Eric Markson, son of Jeffrey Markson of Guilderland and Sylvia Cirilo-Flethcher of Ballston Spa.

Doris Dee (née Lansing) Kirk, an identical twin and a lover and creator of art, died peacefully on Thursday, July 10, 2014, at Alpine Nursing Home in Little Falls, New York. She was 87.

The superintendent offered an apology and called for a spirit of trust and cooperation as Altamont villagers continue to advocate for their school in the face of a proposed closing.

GUILDERLAND — Craig Joseph Odeen dutifully worked for New York State for 40 years but his passion was for the people he loved.

“He was warm and gregarious and committed to his friends and family,” said his wife of 40 years, Linda Walsh Odeen, noting that over 250 people attended his wake.

ALTAMONT — Dorothy D. Barker, a strong-willed woman who loved her family, died on Monday, July 14, 2014. She was 98.

Mrs. Barker was born on Nov. 15, 1915, in Amsterdam, to the late Fred and Bessie (née Cline) Dopp.

GUILDERLAND — David E. Sherry, a man whose compassion knew no bounds, died on Friday, July 11, 2014, after injuries sustained from a motorcycle accident. He was 57.

Mr. Sherry was born in San Antonio, Texas, the son of Edmond A. Sherry and Carol Ganley.