Cornelia Sanderson

Cornelia Sanderson, 82, died November 10, 2018 at the Mertens House in Woodstock, Vermont.

She was born on February 18, 1936 in Springfield, Vermont the daughter of Gerald and Rachel (Pollard) Bushway.

Cornelia went through the 8th grades at Reading School and was active in the school band, the 4H Club, and the church. She graduated from Springfield High School in 1953 and married Howard Sanderson of Brownsville later that same year. Howard and Cornelia lived in Reading and raised their two children. Cornelia was active in the PTA, helping to start the first hot lunch program and being the treasurer of the group. She also taught sewing in the 4H Club. She was active in the church serving on the Executive Board and as the treasurer for many years.

Cornelia was always willing and able to work on any fundraiser, no matter the cause. She helped with roast beef suppers put on for the library, church, Historical Society, fire department and the South Reading Church. She enjoyed helping with jeep rides, food sales, rummage sales and chicken barbecues to further raise funds. Cornelia was employed by the Ellis family at the South Woodstock Country Store and did house cleaning for several people in Reading. In later years, she worked as a clerk at her son’s Reading Hardware Store. Before Alzheimer’s disease robbed her of her ability to do anything, she enjoyed reading, knitting, sewing and going to yard sales.

Cornelia is pre deceased by her parents, her husband Howard, and her daughter Kathleen. She is survived by her son Howard, Jr. of Reading, VT, a brother Charles Bushway of Ascutney, a number of extended family on both her and her late husbands side.

Special thanks to those who helped care for Cornelia; Jessica Martin, the staff at the Merten’s House, and the staff of Bayada Hospice

There will be no services at this time. Those wishing may make memorial donations to the Reading Public Library, P.O. Box 7, Reading, VT 05062or to the Merten’s House, 73 River Street, Woodstock, VT 05091

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

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Rachel Bibens Watkins

Rachel Bibens Watkins, 100, formerly of Reading and Springfield, Vt., passed away with her children by her side, on Nov. 5, 2018, in Plattsburgh, N.Y. Rachel was born on May 21, 1918, in Springfield, Vt., the daughter of Gladys and Burnham Bibens. She was predeceased by her husband of fifty-five years, Kenneth Watkins; her parents and her siblings, Eric Bibens, Merrill Bibens, George Bibens, and Nellie Reed.

She is survived by her son, Dale (Judy) Watkins of Bedford, Mass., and her daughter, Diane (Robert) Smith of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; her grandchildren, Mark Watkins, Meghan (Anthony) Caiazzo, Kristin (Dominick) Pangallo, Lindsey (Luke) Carapezza, and Michael Smith and his fiance, Lourdes Gonzalez; her great-grandchildren, Aurelia and Lucy Pangallo, Parker and Ella Carapezza, and Hudson and Cora Caiazzo; her sister, Elizabeth Wallace and many nieces and nephews.

Rachel graduated from Springfield High School and from the University of Missouri in 1940. That fall, she married Kenneth Watkins. They owned and operated Watkins General Store in Reading until 1971.

Rachel was also the Town Auditor and Town Clerk for Reading for several years before opening her own Real Estate business, Watkins Real Estate in Reading. She received the Realtor of the Year Award for Windsor County in 1975. In addition, Rachel was an active member of her community, held offices and served on numerous boards. She was especially dedicated to the Reading Christian Union Church and the PTA where she was an officer at the state level. After moving to back to Springfield in her eighties, Rachel was an active volunteer at the Senior Citizen Center and the Springfield Hospital.

Rachel enriched the lives of those around her. She was an influential role model, especially for girls, on how to be a strong and independent woman. Her love of family, integrity, work ethic, practicality, graciousness, frugality, dry sense of humor, her fabulous apple pies and her memorable "one-liners" define Rachel. She was loved by many, a testament to a life well lived.

The family extends thanks to the excellent caregiving lovingly provided at The Vilas Home and Meadowbrook Healthcare. There will be no calling hours, rather a memorial service will be held in Vermont in the spring, at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Rachel's memory may be made to the Vilas Home, 61 Beekman Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

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Larry Vittum

Larry Vittum, 83, died Saturday Oct. 13, 2018 at his home in Reading, Vermont

Larry was born on Sept. 13, 1935 in Springfield, Vermont the son of Jerald, Sr. and Thelma (Cady) Vittum.

Larry graduated from Springfield High School in 1956 and then served in the U.S. Navy until 1960. On Aug. 17, 1972 he married Audrey Griggs, and they lived and raised their family in Reading, Vermont. Larry worked for Fellows Gear Shaper for many of those years.

Larry enjoyed fishing, bowling, hunting, softball, and playing cards. He was a proud member of the Reading Fire Department.

He is survived by his son, Dan McFadden; four grandchildren, Arnold, Ariel, Marcus, and Jaxon; his brother Richard and sister Judy Henning. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his wife Audrey, a sister Donna, and a brother Jerald, Jr.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday Oct. 20 at 2 p.m. in the Felchville Cemetery in Reading, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Reading Fire Dept., P. O. Box 42, Reading, Vermont 05062.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont an on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com

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Gerald B. Vittum Jr.

Gerald B. “Jerry” Vittum Jr., 82, of Resding, died Jan. 3, 2017, at Springfield Hospital.

He was born Dec. 17, 1934, in Springfield, the son of Gerald and Thelma (Cady) Vittum. He graduated in 1951 from Springfield High School in 1951.

Mr. Vittum retired from Bryant Grinder Co. after 43 years of employment, starting as a co-op student in high school. He served as chairman of the Reading School Board and volunteer for the Reading Fire Department.

He was a well-known softball pitcher for many teams, including The Wild Bunch in Claremont, New Hampshire, and one of the founders of Little Ascutney Snowmobile Club. He enjoyed hunting and time spent at the family camp.

Survivors include his wife, Evelyn “Pat” Rowlee Vittum; four children, Gary Vittum, of Reading, Kelly Vittum, of Proctorsville, Barry Vittum, of Chester, Penny Webster, of Barnard; stepdaughter Dawn Rowlee, of Cavendish; three siblings, Larry Vittum, of Reading, Richard Vittum, of Springfield, and Judy Henning, of Chester; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Vittum was predeceased by his first wife, Norah (Tink) Vittum; daughter, Cindy; and sister, Donna Aldrich.

The celebration of his life will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the Hartness House in Springfield. Burial will be at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Reading Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box 42, Reading, VT 05062; or Little Ascutney Club, P.O. Box 114, Reading, VT 05062. Arrangements are by Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield.

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Barbara W. Stevens

Barbara Winona (Matthews) Stevens, 93, of South Reading, died Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016, at Elm Wood Center in Claremont, New Hampshire.

She was born May 19, 1923, in Greensboro, the daughter of Arthur Alonzo Matthews and Inez Jeanette (Wilkins) Matthews. She attended the Old Stone School House in South Reading.

She married Maurice Clifford “Barney” Stevens on March 15, 1941. Mr. Stevens died July 14, 2000.

Mrs. Stevens is survived by her daughters Pauline Addie Bostock of Ludlow and Peggy Ann Stevens of South Reading; her twin brother, Basil Matthews; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by two children Winona Jeanette Roundy and Matthew Morris Stevens; her brothers Oral, Clifford, Howard, Leon, Guy, Ellsworth and Gerald; her sister, Marion Brooks; and three great-great grandchildren.

Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, 2016, at Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, at the Old Stone Church in South Reading, with the Rev. William Sheldon officiating. Burial will follow in the South Reading Cemetery.

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