Abelina G. Reid

GREAT NECK, LI, NY – The committal and graveside service for former Barre, VT resident, Abelina G. Reid, 94, who died July 23, 2015 at the North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY will be held Friday, July 31, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Elmwood Cemetery in Barre.

Family and friends may call at the Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre prior to the committal service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Abelina was born in Barre on March 28, 1921, the daughter of the late Jose and Francesca Garcia. She attended Barre public schools and graduated from Spaulding High School in 1939. She excelled in academics, was an honor student and member of numerous school activities including Spanish club, typing, shorthand, orchestra and Glee club.

In 1941, she passed the entrance exam and went to work for the Federal Government at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. She advanced to a top level secretary/office administrator who worked directly for those in command of the U.S. military response to the enemy attack at Pearl Harbor. She was instrumental in organizing and communicating incoming military information for all facets of the U. S. armed forces. After the war, she was promoted to an administrative position in Brazil, where she would use her bilingual ability and experience to continue her career with the Federal Government for the next few years.

On June 28, 1952, she married William E. Reid at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. William grew up in Barre, also and he and Abelina graduated from Spaulding High School together. After living in DC and Virginia for a short time, they moved back to Barre, Vermont. She had two sons, Bill and Bob, and was a homemaker in Barre until the Reid family moved to Harrisonburg, Va. in 1969.

Abelina went back to work at Madison College (Now James Madison University) in 1971. She was chronologically secretary/office manager for the college Psychology Department, Library and ROTC.

Abelina and William retired in 1983 to Kill Devil Hills, NC. They loved to walk along the ocean, were very involved with the local Senior Center and local politics. She was on the town committee that petitioned for the town’s first hospital. She and William were always gracious hosts to family and grand kids who all enjoyed the Outer Banks. After William passed away in 1996, Abelina moved to Bethesda, Maryland to be near her sister, Deloros. Here, she became involved in national politics and enjoyed the fine art available in the Washington DC area. In 2007, she moved to Great Neck, NY, where her son Bob and his family resided. She spent the next eight years enjoying visits with her family and following the New York Giants and New York Mets on television.

Abelina was affiliated with the Hedding United Methodist Church in Barre. Her interests included singing, writing, travel, opera, politics and baseball. She will be remembered for her smile that lit up a room, her kind nature and her dedication to her family.

Survivors include sister Anna Garcia of Harrisonburg, Va., two sons. William A. Reid of Harrisonburg, Va. And Robert J. Reid of New York City, NY., three grandchildren and three nieces.

She is proceeded in death by her brother Robert Garcia and sister Delores Wickers Hoffman.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Vermont Historical Society, Old Spaulding School, 60 Washington Street, Barre, VT 05641.