FRANKLIN - Irene Martha (Hunt) Tatro, age 90, passed away Tuesday afternoon March 18, 2008 at Franklin County Rehab in St. Albans with her loving family at her side.
She was born August 8, 1917 in Middlebury, VT the daughter of the late Harry E. & Cora (Hurlburt) Hunt.
Irene graduated from Beeman Academy in New Haven, VT in 1935 and then graduated from Johnson Normal School in 1937. She visited Franklin in 1936 with her friend and college roommate Martha Sarah (Richard) Olmstead where she met her future husband Arthur W. Tatro. They were married November 19, 1938 and she made her home in Franklin for the past 70 years. Her teaching career started in Victory, Concord and Berkshire, Vermont finally teaching 3rd grade in Franklin from 1968 until she retired in 1978. Following her retirement Irene became an accomplished tourist and traveler going to many places in the United States with many friends. She spent her winters in Deland, FL with her good friend Kathleen Greenwood. She also spent many years camping and fishing at Lake Carmi.
She was the director of the Franklin Modern Woodman Junior Club for 17 years; a member of the Franklin Lamoille and Vermont State Retired Teachers Associations; a former member of the Board of Directors of the Franklin Homestead where she was one of the original residents. She was also a member of the Franklin United Church where she taught Sunday school, Franklin Historical Society, Franklin Senior Citizens Club serving as secretary & treasurer, and the Lake Carmi Campers Association.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Albert H. & Gisela Tatro of Copperas Cove, TX, Dwight W. & Paulette Tatro of Highgate, and John W. & Pamela Tatro of St. Albans; her grandchildren, Casey Tatro his wife Erin, Sara (Tatro) Rainville her husband Justin, Julie Beyor and Mike Laroche, Lisa Martin her husband Tom, and Brent Beyor; her great grandchildren, Brooke Rainville, Liam Tatro, Jessica Savage, Michaela & Nicholas Martin and soon to be born Nora Jo Tatro daughter of Casey & Erin; Several nieces and nephews including, Maurice Mannings and his wife Beverly of Essex Jct., and Marvin Mannings of Westford; Also her many friends at the Franklin Homestead and the Franklin & East Franklin Church community. Besides her parents she was predeceased by her husband Aurthur W. Tatro on July 26, 1977. She was also predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Hunt, Mrs. Wallace (Gladys) Otis, and Mrs. Robert (Ethel) Mannings, and; and a nephew, Duane Otis.
Funeral services will be held Saturday March 22, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Franklin United Church with Pastor Jason McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in the Franklin Village Cemetery.
Visiting hours will be held Friday evening from 6-9 at the Spears Funeral Home, 96 Dickinson Ave., Enosburg Falls
For those who wish, contributions in Irenes memory may be made to the Franklin Rescue Service, C/O Polly Gadbois, 3764 State Park Rd., Enosburg Falls, VT 05450