Margaret Vercoe

SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT - Margaret Isabelle Batchelder Vercoe passed away on Friday, May 31, 2024.

Born on July 1, 1924, in Barton, Vermont, she was the daughter of  Carl Jacob Batchelder and Hildred Lyster Batchelder. She spent her childhood in St. Johnsbury and Montpelier, Vermont, and graduated from Montpelier High School in 1941. Margaret went on to attend the University of Vermont, graduating in 1944. She pursued additional studies at Boston University and Emerson College for her teaching certification. After graduation, Margaret taught English and Drama for several years at high schools in South Royalton, Morrisville, and Montpelier, Vermont.

On June 25, 1949, Margaret married Maurice Vercoe, and they traveled around the country for Maurice’s job, moving every six months with the General Electric Test Engineers’ Program for mechanical engineers. In 1951, Maurice was called back into military service as a captain in the Marine Corps, and after spending six months at Camp Pendleton, Maurice was assigned duty at the Cold Weather Battalion at Pickel Meadows in the High Sierras. Margaret and Maurice lived in nearby Bridgeport, California for the next 18 months and enjoyed their time in California, making sure to visit the redwood forests.

In 1953, Margaret and Maurice returned to Vermont where Maurice continued his work for General Electric Co. They settled in Burlington, where they raised their two children, Rick and Cheryl.

Maurice and Margaret were active in the Methodist Church and the church school. Margaret also put on musical programs and plays, started a knitting group, and was a Girl Scout Cookie chairman for many years.

Margaret had a talent for piano, and taught her children and grandchildren, at young ages, to play the piano.  She was also persuaded to teach neighborhood children and adults to play piano and gave piano lessons for over 30 years.

Margaret’s knitting, sewing, and other crafts were treasured by her family members, particularly her special sweaters, “hand-holding” mittens, and handmade quilts. She enjoyed collaborating with Maurice to create patterns and making sweaters and mittens with her knitting club to sell at the Champlain Valley Fair, raising money for the church. She won many blue ribbons for the sweaters she made.

She also had a special talent for baking and made many memorable and delicious cookies, pies, cakes, and special holiday treats, like her gumdrop bread and forgotten cookies, which she lovingly shared with family, friends, and neighbors. She particularly enjoyed creating special holiday meals for her family and treasured having the entire family together whenever possible.

Margaret’s family was very important to her.  Especially memorable to Margaret and Maurice were the frequent visits of their four grandchildren, and the many family get-togethers. Margaret and Maurice felt so blessed that their children and grandchildren lived nearby and that they got to see them often.

After Maurice retired in 1984, Margaret and Maurice spent the winter months in Florida, always returning home to Vermont in December for holidays with the family. While in Florida, they made many dear friends, and enjoyed putting on theatrical programs for their condo community. Margaret put special care into creating the musical arrangements, costumes, and dialogue, while Maurice would build sets and props for the programs.

Margaret is survived by her children Richard Vercoe and his wife, Robin and Cheryl Fatnassi and her husband, Ezzeddine. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jennifer Ruggiero (Eric), Hethba Fatnassi (Tony Kaigle), Kellie Mellish (Mac), and Aziz Fatnassi; her great-grandchildren Mason, Megan, and Max Ruggiero, Maeve Mellish, and Idris Fatnassi Kaigle; her nieces Jade Gale Northrup and husband, Kerry, Ashley Coker and husband, Michael; and Susan Steele and husband, Reggie; and sister-in-law, Carolyn Granai Vercoe.

In addition to her parents, Margaret was predeceased by her husband of 72 years, Maurice, her brother Carl Batchelder, Jr., her brother Harold Batchelder, and Harold’s wife, Eleanor, her special “sister,” Phyllis Gale, and Phyllis’ husband, Burton, and Maurice’s siblings, W. Norman Vercoe and Charlotte Fleming, and Charlotte’s husband, James.

Margaret’s family would like to give a special thank you to her care providers, nurses, and doctors.

A service to honor and celebrate Margaret’s life will be held at the convenience of the family at Hope Cemetery in Barre, Vermont.