Almerida "Tiny" Josefina Pirie

BARRE CITY - Almerida “Tiny” Pirie was born in Barre, Vermont, on November 21, 1928, and passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 11, 2015, at Central Vermont Hospital. She was the daughter of Jose and Almerida (Lastra) Perez, immigrants from Spain who arrived in the United States through Ellis Island in the early 1900s. For the last year, Tiny was a resident at the Brookside Nursing Home in White River Junction, VT, and most recently at Rowan Court Health and Rehab in Berlin, VT.
Tiny married Robert Pirie on September 8, 1947, in the First Universalist Church in Barre, VT. They lived in the same house on Hill Street in Barre for over 60 years, where they were surrounded by great neighbors. Bob passed away on March 8, 2015.
Tiny leaves their children: Jo Ellen Pirie of Hampton Beach, NH; Robert Pirie, Jr. and his wife, Theresa Ouellette-Pirie, of Castleton, VT; Catherine Pirie Merrill and her husband, Scott, of Cape Coral, FL; and Christine Pirie Martuscello and her husband, Bill, of Westerly, RI. Tiny adored her grandchildren, Sarah Churchill and her husband, Chris Gokey, Christopher and Amanda Grearson, Danielle Pirie, Cristin and Cayla Merrill, and Maria and Amelia Martuscello; and great-granddaughters, McKenna and Addison Gokey. Tiny is survived by her brother Joseph Perez and his wife, Doris, of Graniteville, VT, sisters Regina “Lola” Perez of Barre, VT, and Esperanza “Titi” Ozanne of Virginia. She also is survived by her brother-in-law and his wife, the Rev. James G. and Lucille Pirie of Durham, NH, and her sister-in-law, Ellen Pirie Robbins, of Barre Town, VT, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Louis Perez, and sisters Tomasa Remele and Carmen Lopez, sisters-in-law Ruth Pirie, Albina “Bina” Perez, brothers-in-law Elliott “Junior” Pirie and Robert Robbins.
Tiny’s father, Jose, worked in the Barre granite sheds and was one of the sculptors who created the Youth Triumphant monument located at the Barre City Park. Jose was one of many granite workers who contracted the lung disease silicosis due to poor ventilation in the sheds. Tiny was seven years old when he died, leaving behind his widow and seven young children. Tiny grew up one of the rough-and-tumble North End kids and would share stories of hardship, pranks, and life-long friendships made in her youth. She spoke only Spanish at home and learned English by immersion when she entered North Barre Graded School. She continued to speak Spanish to her mother and siblings as an adult, especially when she didn’t want little ears to know what she was saying.
Tiny graduated from Spaulding High School with the class of 1946 as one of the fastest typists and stenographers in her class. A friend in her high school yearbook fittingly tagged her as a “spitfire.” Upon graduation from high school, Tiny worked as a secretary for Montgomery Ward and later at the former Capacitor Plant in Barre, where she was well-known for her organizational skills and meticulous record-keeping.
Tiny took great pride in her home and family, and enjoyed nothing more than to prepare large holiday meals and be surrounded by her ever-growing family. She loved to bake and her family and neighbors were often the recipients of her wonderful creations. Friends of her children fondly recall her ever-present chocolate chip cookies.
Keenly interested in local politics, Tiny was known for her tenacity once she took on a cause. She was instrumental in banning dogs from the City’s cemeteries and kept the Elmwood Cemetery commissioners up-to-date on the condition of the American flags that indicated fallen soldiers. She was steadfast in her beliefs and vocal about them.
Tiny thoroughly enjoyed singing and had a beautiful soprano voice, which she shared with the Universalist Church Choir, the Barre Choraleers, and at the annual Vermont Philharmonic holiday concerts as a member of the Messiah Chorus. She would often sing along with records of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, and various show tunes while doing housework. You would never know she could not read music.
A long-time member of the First Universalist Church, Tiny was previously active in many aspects of Universalist Church life. She was the past Chair of the Music Committee, and past Chair of the House and Grounds Committee, which coincided with the renovation of the minister’s residence. She took great pride in the appearance of the church and vestry during her tenure and beyond. She was past President of the Association of Universalist Women, past Advisor to the Universalist Alliance, and past President of the Barre Area Church Women United. For twenty years, Tiny volunteered at the Central Vermont Medical Center as a “gray lady” for the American Red Cross.
A private committal service will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Good Samaritan Haven, 105 North Seminary Street, Barre, VT 05641, or The American Legion Barre Post 10 Flag Committee, P.O. Box 198, Barre, VT 05641-00198.
Tiny’s family would like to thank the staff of Brookside Nursing Home for their care and kindness during the last year of her life, as well as the staff of Rowan Court and CVMC for their compassion during the past few weeks.