Edith Kamerling

RICHFORD - Edith Burnham (Smith) Kamerling passed away early in the morning of July 4, 2010 at Ave Maria Community Care Home in Richford, Vermont, where she had resided since July 2009.

She was born January 16, 1916, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Sands) Smith in Paterson, New Jersey.

Edith attended Public Schools in Paterson as well as Paterson State and Douglas Colleges. Early in her career, she was employed as Bookkeeper by the Harris Brothers Silk Company in Paterson. On September 26, 1941, she married Marinus (Rin) Kamerling and shortly after moved to Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where she became a homemaker while raising their son Fred. Her later career was with the Borough of Fair Lawn, first as administrative assistant to the Police Chief and later to the Tax Assessor, retiring to Vermont in 1981. A lifelong desire to live in the north country inspired her to purchase property and have a small but very cozy log home built in East Berkshire overlooking the Missisiquoi River valley and the Jay range. While residing in East Berkshire, she was fortunate to enjoy many Vermont activities; skiing at Jay Peak, snowshoeing and hiking with her beloved English Setter, Belle, swimming and canoeing with her grandchildren and especially cherished holidays with family and friends.
She also enjoyed participating in services with new friends as a communicant at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Enosburg Falls and as a volunteer at the Franklin County Food Shelf. While the effects of dementia were increasingly evident, Edith seemed to enjoy canoeing with her son until last summer.

Edith was predeceased by her father Frederick in 1934, her mother Mary in 1962 and her Husband Rin in 1968. She is survived by her son Fred and his wife Eileen of Essex, Vermont; granddaughters Erika L. LaClair and her husband Kevin of Jackson, Wyoming, Elizabeth A. Mansfield and her husband James of Hampstead, New Hampshire and her grandson Michael F. Kamerling of Richmond, Vermont. She is also survived by her great-grandson Eli LaClair as well as many friends and extended family members.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 1:00 P.M at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Church St., Enosburg Falls. Interment in the Smith Family Plot in Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, New Jersey will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no visiting hours.

The family is especially thankful to the staff at Ave Maria, Richford Health Center, Franklin County Home Health Agency, Dian Duranleau and Ken Minck and her many friends and families who have been so supportive during Ediths final days.