Marion Mabel Hatch Heath

BARRE – Marion Mabel Hatch Heath, 96, of Perry Street, went to her final rest in the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at the Mayo Rehabilitation and Continuing Care Facility in Northfield. She had moved to Mayo Assisted Healthcare in October 2015.
Born on October 31, 1919, in Peacham, Vermont, Marion was the third child of Lee Brewster Hatch II and Ethel Howe Hatch.
At the age of 2 ½ years, her family moved to Walden, Vermont. She had some memory of the trip, as her mother who was pregnant was very uncomfortable in the wagon seat so she and her mother walked part of the way. They moved to this larger farm so her father could support a larger family.
Marion grew up with her sister Hazel and brother Lee, walking miles to their designated school at the 4 corners. On very cold days neighbors invited them to stop in to warm up. Marion began her schooling at age 4, as her brother was beginning school and she wished to go with her playmate. It was allowed and she spent most of her time on the teacher’s lap.
Marion graduated from Danville High School, as Salutatorian, in 1935. On September 30, 1936, she and Herbert “Bernard” Heath of Cabot were married in Morrisville. Bernard was a farmer on the South Walden Road. Marion and Bernard had three children: Ida Marion married Mayo Sanborn of Barre; Bernardine Ethel, widow of Gordon Haslam, of Essex Jct.; and Herbert Bernard, Jr., married to Tina Heath of Barre and Naples, Florida.
Her children all attended the Cabot Village School, graduating from Cabot High. She was a past president of, and a very active member of, the Cabot PTA, and began a dental program for Cabot students and transported them to Dr. Romanos, in Barre, for their care.
To fund the dental program, Marion was very instrumental in starting the Cabot 4th of July parade and celebration, still an annual event.
She was the bookkeeper for the Cabot Creamery for 16 years, then went on to become the bookkeeper at the former Harry’s Discount Store on the Barre-Montpelier Road, for 16 years. Marion retired in 1977, at the age of 62.
She had belonged to the Cabot United Church and after moving to Barre, in 1994, had attended the Barre Congregational Church and belonged to the Women’s Fellowship there.
Marion had served in many capacities on the Committee of the Cabot Fall Foliage Festival.
She attended senior activities in Cabot and had belonged to the Montpelier Senior Center where she enjoyed line dancing lessons and teaching. Currently, she had belonged to the Barre Area Senior Center.
She had enjoyed being a long-time member of the Order of the Eastern Star and had filled all the Star Points and served as Worthy Matron.
Marion and her husband enjoyed being in Florida and, in 1988, bought their home in Naples. She spent 30 winters there and took part in the Hitching Post Recreation Center activities. She square danced and line danced and took part in their annual talent night.
In retirement, she had crocheted hundreds of afghans, one for every relative and in law, friends and some given for fundraising purposes.
Marion was an attentive, supportive, and loving wife to Bernard and mother to her children, and enjoyed her family which consists of many grandchildren; Jeffrey Sanborn of Morrisville; Scott Sanborn and wife Chong Kyu of Gainesville, VA; the children of Bernardine and the late Jack Barnett: Rick Barnett and wife Lynn of St. Albans; Julie and husband Todd Emmell of Essex Jct.; Pamela and husband Steve Fontaine of Williston; Jaci Barnett and partner Lisa Bindas of Wareham, MA; Theresa (Gokey) and husband Mike Muir of Colchester; Debra Lee Heath and husband Rob Carr of Northfield; Jessie Heath and husband Rick Swan of Fairfax; Laurie Haslam Brewer of Grapevine, TX; Tracy Haslam and husband Dan Reed of Essex Jct. She leaves 19 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband Bernard, her siblings including an infant brother, Clarence, and 3 grandsons: Steve Barnett, Timothy Barnett, and Scott Haslam and wife Jane; also by her son-in-law Gordon Haslam, and daughter-in-law Noreen Bashaw Heath.
Marion’s family thanks the staffs of the Mayo Assisted Healthcare, the Central Vermont Medical Center 2 South Wing, the Rowan Court Nursing Home, and the Mayo Rehabilitation and Continuing Care for her care during her last few months.
Family and friends may call from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the Barre Congregational Church, with the funeral service at 3:00 p.m. A time of fellowship to follow the service downstairs at the Church. Burial will take place in the Spring at the Cabot Village Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Book of Remembrance c/o Barre Congregational Church, 35 Church Street, Barre, VT 05641.