Elaine Reirden

RICHFORD - Elaine Cole Reirden, age 88, went home to be with her Lord, Friday, October 9, 2009 at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington.

Mrs. Reirden was born at home in Morrisville, VT on September 25, 1921. She was the daughter of George & Winnifred (Foss) Cole. Elaine graduated from Peoples Academy in 1939 and faithfully attended her schools alumni banquets, including this years 70th class reunion.

As a young woman, she worked for Atlas Plywood in Morrisville, a job that originally brought her to the Richford office for a two week temporary position. Much to her surprise, this is where she met her future husband and where she made her home for more than 60 years. Elaine was married to Burton W. Reirden on June 1, 1948. He died suddenly on October 30, 1963. Their first child, our brother Jimmy, died at the age of 20 months, in 1951. She was also predeceased by her parents and her brother, Francis Cole.

Elaine was a longtime member of the Richford United Methodist Church, where she willingly and lovingly served the Lord. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, played piano and served on many committees and boards. She also served her community working as an election official and was the meal site manager for several years. She spent most of her adult life as a homemaker and a mother.

Mom loved to play the piano, spend time in her garden, she always fed the birds, enjoyed her weekly trip to the senior meal site, playing cribbage, and her favorite game of cards, 500 . She easily made many friends over the years.

Most of all she was devoted to her family. Mom is survived by her four daughters and their husbands, whom she considered her sons: Sharon and Bruce Patterson of Fairfax, VT, Jane and Frank Williamson of Media, PA, Sue and Dan McNayr of Burlington, VT, and Patricia and Robin Grier of Forest, VA. She also leaves to cherish her memory her grandchildren, whom she adored and was so proud: Nicky Patterson, Heather Patterson Klee and Matt Klee; Chadd, Jessica, Samuel and Timothy Williamson; David and Kellie McNayr; Robert, Joseph and Julia Grier. To her delight, she was blessed with three great-grandchildren: Owen, Cole and Emrys Klee. She also leaves her dear friend Shirley Mudgett. Mom was a courageous, determined, loving, kind, devoted, strong women of Christian faith and will be remembered as a beloved Mom, Grammy, and Great-Grandma.

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held Friday, October 16, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Richford United Methodist Church, 86 River St., Richford. Interment will follow at the Hillside Cemetery in Richford.

A time of visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 1:00 PM until the hour of the funeral.

For those who wish, contributions in Elaines memory may be made to Richford United Methodist Church, ATT: Carolyn Smith, 86 River St., Richford, VT 05476 or to the Franklin County Home Health Agency, 3 Home Health Circle, St. Albans, VT 05478.