It takes persistence, research and passion to be an author. Now toss into the mix a very curious mind, and you wind up with Kathleen Brunelle.
Known by many as “Mrs. Brunelle” at Old Rochester Regional High School, Brunelle has written several books in the narrative, nonfiction style. Her latest effort titled “She’s Gone: Five Mysterious Twentieth-Century Cold Cases” came out in May. On July 30, the author gave a presentation at the Elizabeth Taber Library in Marion, in which she not only shared the processes she employs but the devotion to telling the lost women’s stories.
Brunelle extensively researched the lives of five women who seemingly disappeared without a trace, leaving behind bewildered and bereft friends and family. She said more than once in her hour-long talk, “someone knows something.”
In a follow-up, we delved a bit more deeply into how the lives of Dorothy Arnold (disappeared 1910), Jean Spangler (disappeared 1949), Anna Locascio (disappeared 1918), Agnus Tuferson (disappeared 1933), and Simone Ridinger (disappeared 1977) were researched and Brunelle’s desire to keep the women’s lives from slipping into oblivion.
Of particular note, Brunelle said that the Ridinger family stays in contact with police authorities …”1977 wasn’t that long ago relatively speaking. … It’s still an open case for the Sherborn Police Department.”
Inspiration for “She’s Gone …” came indirectly.
“I was inspired to write the book when reading about Anna Locascio’s story in an old newspaper. I was researching material for a different book at the time. I then looked into Agnes Tufverson’s story and wrote a book about her before going back and deciding to use a series of cases for this book,” she said.
The research Brunelle undertakes would be daunting for most but not for the author.
“I spent years researching these women and their stories. Also, when possible, I spoke to their families. I came to know them and their lives on a very personal level, and I felt responsible to get their stories right and to do them justice in this book,” she said.
We asked what Brunelle hoped would be the readers’ main takeaway. Given her intense feelings for her subjects, we weren’t surprised by her answer.
“The first takeaway is that the women in these cases are more than victims. They were talented and accomplished women whose stories were ended and taken away,” she said. “I want to give their stories back. The second takeaway is that even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, people can find strength and persevere. Throughout my research, I was amazed by the families of these missing women, and I continue to be inspired by their resilience.”
Given Brunelle’s busy schedule, which not only includes being an English teacher at ORR but also a mother with a family to care for, how does she find time to write?
“Writing is a very important part of my life and who I am,” she said. “It defines me in many ways. That being said, I don’t often have a lot of time to write, so I write when I can. I am, however, always thinking about my books and whatever I am researching or writing at the time. I would also say that working as an English teacher inspires my writing, as I have the chance to work with and discuss literature (and) writing every day.”
Brunelle is drawn to female subjects.
“I wanted to focus on relationships as they related to each woman’s character and her case, also her family dynamic,” she said. “I focus on history, particularly women’s issues. I suppose I try to right the wrongs find the answers where I can. That was certainly the case with ‘Bellamy’s Bride’ and certainly is the case with ‘She’s Gone.’ I like to speak up for those who can no longer speak for themselves.”
And what about those final segments of the writing/publishing process?
“The hardest part is that final push to the writing deadline – when I am editing down and sending off years of research and writing in its final form,” Brunelle said. “The book has become like a part of you by that point, so it’s hard to narrow it down and it’s hard to let it go.”
By Marilou Newell