Barbara Emch

SHELDON - Barbara Emch, a longtime resident of Sheldon, passed away on Thursday November 27, 2014 at her home peacefully with her loving husband by her side.

I was born on September 11, 1943 in St. Albans, Vermont to the late Ladd and Doris (Sanborn) Lewis. I attended grade school in St. Albans and I attended one year at Franklin high school. One of my big accomplishments was completing my GED at the age of 50.

I worked for Century International Arms and Peerless Clothing both located in St. Albans. In my spare time I enjoyed sewing and baking. I loved to knit anything from mittens to sweaters. I spent most of my final months knitting. I enjoyed going to the Fryeburg fair in Maine every year with my husband Crow. I enjoy the company of good friends and family as long as they came with some gossip. I loved spending time with my family although crazy at times. In my final months I enjoyed visiting with old friends and listening to the stories of what my youngest daughter Shana and granddaughter Danielle did when they were kids, the trouble they caused and the things they did to the younger grandchildren.

I am sadly leaving behind half of my heart, my loving and devoted husband Crow Emch. We married on August 4, 1984. He has been a great husband, father, and grandfather to our daughter and his step-children whom he always treated as his own and all our grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He retired from his job when I became sick to become my care taker. He has taken great care of me since I became sick in 2009 and I can never thank him enough for that.

Besides my husband Crow, I leave behind my children Michael Sweet of East Highgate, Deborah Hoburn of Sheldon, Robin Rushlow and husband Kent of Highgate, Stephanie Sweet and partner Suzanne Stevens of Norwood, NY, John Sweet and wife Cathy of Sheldon, and Shana Emch and boyfriend Claude Desautels of Richford. I also leave behind my grandchildren Danielle Dragon and husband Davy of Sheldon, Richard Hoburn Jr. and wife Monette of Bakersfield, CA, Autumn Hoburn of Sheldon, Ashley Hoburn of Sheldon, Amber Benware and husband Eric of Berkshire, Zachary Sweet and fianc Tessa Tibbits of Enosburg, Joshua Sweet of East Highgate, Chad Johnson and wife Miranda of Sheldon, Brittany Rushlow of Highgate, Emma Lew and Sophia Realle Emch-Desautels of Richford, and "JW" Hunter Sweet of Sheldon. My great grandchildren Sheila Ann, Tyler and Brayden Dragon, Skyler & Caliegh Sweet, Keyli Sweet, Erin and Mason Hoburn, Madison and Jackson Rainville, Gage "Shotgun" and Ava "Gabor" Domina, Alivia and Harper "Valley PTA" Johnson.

I also leave behind my siblings and their spouses Fredrick Lewis and wife Annette of Concord, NH, Diane Pilon of St. Albans, John Lewis and his wife Sandra of Middlebury, Judith and her husband Harold Buck Mayo of Champlain, NY and Donna and her husband Marcel Gervais of Swanton. I am also leaving behind my in-laws Reginald Brownie Emch and wife Lynda of St. Albans, Patsy Barnett and husband Patrick of Canton, CT, Marilyn Mansfield and husband Gary of Lakeview, MA, Donald Emch and his wife Charlotte of Windsor Locks, CT, and Eileen Arnold of Canaan, CT. I also leave many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
I am leaving behind some very special friends. My "little buddy" Carol Teague, Pauline Minkler, Connie Curtis, Ruby Jones, Vanessa Robb, Sue Bilido and Rita Howard.

Besides my parents Ladd and Doris, I was predeceased by my brother Francis Lewis, my brother-in-law Arthur Pilon, my mother and father-in-law Winthrop and Vera Emch and two of my best friends Stella Blaney and Edna Britch.

My family and I would like to thank Lynn McMorrow and the staff at Cold Hollow Family Practice, Dr. Ann Dixon and Dr. Bonita Libman of FAHC. I want to send a very special thank you to Terry Poirier, Kim Volk, Sophia Greenia and the rest of the staff at Franklin County Home Health. I also want to thank my special first born grandchild, Danielle Ann Dragon for being there and caring for me right until the end. Gram loves you!

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at 3:00 PM at Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls. Interment will be held at the Sheldon Village Cemetery at the convenience of the family. A time of visitation will be held at the Spears Funeral Home on Wednesday from 1:00 PM until the hour of the funeral.

For those who wish, contributions in my memory may be made to St. Jude Childrens Hospital, P.O. Box 1000 Dept. 142, Memphis, TN. 38101-9908.