CAMBRIDGE/JEFFERSONVILLE - Frances (Thomas) Westman, age 96, passed away at the home of her daughter in Cambridge on Saturday evening, October 18, 2008.
Frances was born in Belvidere on July 1, 1912 the eldest of three children of the late Ralph & Cassie (Wescome) Thomas.
Frances spent her early childhood in Belvidere and also received her early education there. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1929; and went on to graduate from University of Vermont in 1933 with PHB in the Literary Scientific Course. She married Charles Cota in 1938 and they had one daughter, Barbara in 1946. Barbaras father predeceased her in 1951. Frances married her second husband, Homer Westman in 1952 and she and Barbara made their home with Homer in Pleasant Valley on the farm. Along with being a farmers wife, Frances taught high school languages in Milton, Bakersfield, Essex, Cambridge, and Fairfax for almost 30 years.
Frances was a member of the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville, The Crescendo Club, The Jeffersonville Cemetery Association, and the Retired Teachers Association of Vermont in the Franklin/Lamoille District.
Frances most enjoyed spending time with her family and watching her great grandsons grow. She also enjoyed receiving many visitors from near and far at Jeffersonville Senior Housing where she resided.
Frances is survived by her daughter, Barbara McCuin and her son-in-law, Bruce of Cambridge; her 2 granddaughters, Kate Clark and husband Russ of Cambridge, and Carrie Selby and husband Dean of Cambridge; 5 great grandsons, Travis, Tyler & Ryan Clark, and Nathan & Matthew Selby. She also leaves a step granddaughter, Melanie Carmichael and family; and long time friend and care giver, Patty Langlois; Frances leaves several nieces and nephews as well. Besides her parents Frances was predeceased by her husband Homer in 1999; her brother, Chauncey Thomas; and sister, Phyllis Pettengill.
There will be a memorial service at the Second Congregational Church in Jeffersonville on Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Margaret Tooker officiating. Interment will follow in the Jeffersonville Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours.
For those who wish, contributions in Francess memory may be made to the Second Congregational Church of Jeffersonville, PO Box 40 Jeffersonville, VT 05464, the Jeffersonville Cemetery Association, C/O June Dodge, 1175 VT Rt. 108S, Jeffersonville, VT 05464, Cambridge Rescue Squad, 18 Williamson Ct., Jeffersonville, VT 05464 or Lamoille County Home Health & Hospice, 54 Farr Ave., Morrisville, VT 05661.
Assisting Francess family with arrangements is the Spears Funeral Home in Enosburg Falls.
Condolences may be sent to Francess family on-line through www.spearsfuneralhome.com