Betty Chamberlin

Betty J. Chamberlin, 86, of Danville, Vt. passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital after a short illness.

Betty was the daughter of Gifford and Vieda (Pilotte) Robinson born May 31, 1932. She graduated from Danville High School in 1950.  She married Kenneth D. Chamberlin on October 1, 1950 in Danville.  They were later divorced.  She was employed at the USDA office in Danville and also took on a second job waitressing at Aime’s Restaurant.  When the USDA Danville office closed, she was offered another job in State College, PA.  Mom had never lived anywhere else; she found the strength to pick up stakes and move her family over 500 miles away to start a new chapter in her life. She again started a second job waitressing at Dante’s Restaurant.  She enjoyed the work and meeting new people.  In 1989, she retired to Danville to be with family.  She worked at Danville Video Store and the Creamery Restaurant. After a few years, she owned and operated the Danville Video Store until she closed it in 2011.  In the last few years, she worked at the Danville Inn.

She continued to be active in the community volunteering at the Open Door. She was a lifetime member of the Danville Congregational Church attending church services and singing in the choir since childhood. She loved to sing and play all kinds of music whether playing the piano, organ, or just singing along.  Before working at the USDA, she gave piano lessons to local children, and made cakes for weddings and other celebrations. She had a strong work ethic, continually holding down two jobs throughout her life. In addition, she loved gardening, her many cats and dogs, and baking sticky buns for family and friends. She once said in a newspaper article written about her life, “I don’t like feeling bad. I’m a happy person generally. I have two great jobs, I enjoy working hard, being with people and sometimes being alone. It’s a good life; it’s rewarding and satisfying.”

She is survived by three of her children, their spouses and children: Rick Chamberlin of Danville, Vt., Mark and Cheryl (Reeves) Chamberlin of Raymond, ME, and Linda and Russell Wells of Plainfield, Vt.; grandchildren: Carrie (Ben) Strick of Portland, ME, Carl (Laura) Chamberlin of Annapolis, MD, Michelle and Samantha Wells of  Burlington, Vt., and Scott “Scooter” Chamberlin, II of Stark, FL, Erica Hollingsworth of FL, and Suzette Chamberlin of NH; and several great-grand children.  She is also survived by siblings: Sally Chamberlin and Michael Robinson of Danville; and several nieces and nephews.

Betty was predeceased by son: Scott D. Chamberlin; brothers: Gifford Robinson, Jr., and Jack Robinson; sister: Evelyn O’Leary; and granddaughter: Ashley Chamberlin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Danville Congregational Church, 87 Hill St, Danville, VT 05828, or the Open Door, 29 Hill St, Danville, VT 05828.

Funeral services will be held at 2PM on Friday, March 1, 2019, at Danville Congregational Church on Hill Street in Danville, Vt.

There will be no calling hours.

Memories can be shared with the family online at www.saylesfh.com