Linda W. Thow

BERLIN - Linda Wright Thow, 79, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at her home.

Born on November 27, 1940 in Randolph, she was the daughter of Maynard L. and Marjorie (Ketchum) Wright. Linda grew up in Randolph and graduated from Randolph High School in the class of 1958.

On February 13, 1960, she married Gordon Thow in Randolph. Following their marriage, they made their home in Barre, with a brief stay in Maine. They later divorced but continued their lifelong relationship as best friends to the very end, along with Gordon’s wife Brenda. For many years Linda lived in Barre where she raised her two children, Jon and Julie. She spent the remainder of her life with her partner, Jerry Fessenden.

In 1979, to her great joy, she built a home in rural Berlin. Her home was her pride and joy, where she enjoyed gardening in her plentiful flower beds and warming herself in the summer sun. Linda was a live wire with a quick wit, an easy laugh, and a strong sense of humor.  She had a contagious zest for life and enjoyed indulging in her favorites past times; which included browsing small roadside shops along her travels, chowing-down on spicy food, reading mystery and crime novels, and eating as many malted milk balls as possible while watching true crime shows. She traveled across the continental United States with Jerry in search of beautiful sights, warm weather, steel guitar shows, and desert-themed treasures, but she was happy calling Vermont home.

Of all of her pleasures, Linda enjoyed her time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren. She had an unforgettable smile and charisma that drew others in. For all of her working life, Linda took pride in her hospitality.  She enjoyed making connections with her community and used her hospitality skills throughout her career working across central Vermont as a waitress, hostess, bartender, and manager. She worked with many local establishments including The Justin Morgan Room at the Tavern Inn in Montpelier where she worked for about twenty years. In later years she was employed at The Country House, and Sambel’s Restaurant prior to her retirement.

Survivors include her long-time partner Jerry Fessenden; her lifelong best friend Gordon Thow and his wife, Brenda; her brother Larry Wright and wife Loretta; her children Julie Thow Lafleche; and Jonathan Thow and his wife, Trish; her nephews Chris and Jeff Wright; her grandchildren Kiana Lafleche and partner, Craig Wells; Ashley Lafleche and her husband, Brandon Dyer; and Jonathan Thow; along with numerous other family members and a tight-knit community of friends and family in the Randolph area that she adored.

She was predeceased by her parents Maynard and Marjorie Wright.

The service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre. Family and friends may call from 11:30 am until the time of the service. Interment in the Brookhaven Cemetery in Orange will take place in the Summer and details will be announced at a later date.

Memorial contributions in Linda’s name may be made to the Arthritis Foundation of New England Region, 6 Chenell Drive, Suite 260, Concord, NH 03301.