Lucille L. Aja

BARRE – Lucille Linton Aja, 84, of Snow Avenue, passed away Saturday, June 13, 2015, at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.
Lucille (Ceily) was born on August 27, 1930 in Corinth, the daughter of George and Beatrice (Miles) Linton. She attended local school, Thetford Academy, and after moving to Barre in 1945, graduated from Spaulding High School in 1948. During her school years and until her marriage in 1950 to Gabino “Benny” Aja, she was employed at the former Tots and Teens and Town Shop clothing stores in Barre.
Lucille and Benny operated Aja’s Television Service in Barre and were among the first to bring television to Central Vermont. After the business was sold in 1967, Lucille was employed at the former People’s Bank and later worked for many years at the Granite Savings Bank, both in Barre. She retired in 1992 as the manager of their branch bank at the former Howard’s Market in South Barre. In later years, she worked at the Rock of Ages Visitors’ Center in Graniteville.
Lucille was very active in local affairs, had served as Justice of the Peace, was co-chair of the Vermont Bicentennial Celebration and was on numerous committees for Homecoming Days. She had served on the boards of Studio Place Arts, Project Independence, and the Barre Historical Society. She was also a volunteer for the Barre Partnership, the Vermont Historical Society, the Aldrich Library and a tour guide at the State house in Montpelier.
Lucille was an active member of the Barre Universalist Church and had served on the church’s Board of Management and numerous other church committees. Her other memberships included the Friends of the Library, where she had served as president, RSVP of Central Vermont, and was honored to become a member of the Barre Rotary Club in 2004.
She and her husband, Benny were recognized by Barre’s Joint Service Clubs in 1989 for their contributions to the city. Whenever she was asked why she was such an active volunteer, her answer was always, “I live here”.
Lucille and Benny traveled to many countries including Spain, Russia, and Cuba. They loved dancing and were happiest listening and dancing to “Big Band” music. She was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time in the garden and writing poems and short stories.
Survivors include her son, Gabino “Ben” Aja, Jr. and her favorite grandson, Nick; her sisters, Hazel Lewis and Margaret Varney; and numerous very special nieces and nephews of the Linton and Aja families.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 53 years, Benny; brothers, Fenton and Franklyn Linton; and sister, Helen Mclam.
A memorial service celebrating her life will be held in late July in the Barre Universalist Church with the date and time to be announced. Interment will be in the Hope Cemetery in Barre. There are no calling hours.
Contributions in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.