Betty Baird Nickerson

Betty Baird Nickerson passed from this life on November 18, 2022 following a period of
failing health. Born November 5, 1924 at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, she was the
younger daughter of Colonel George Hathaway Baird and Florence Taylor Baird.

As an Army brat, as she often called herself, their family was stationed at Newport, Rhode
Island, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and Governors Island, New York City, where she completed
her high school years. She later attended schooling in Orange, Florida before going on to earn
her Bachelor of Arts from Brown University in 1946. She briefly attended Pennsylvania State
towards her Masters.

The years following brought her to Weston, Vermont where her older sister Nancy owned the
Weston Inn. Her teaching career began in the Springfield, Vermont school system and it was
shortly after where she was introduced to a fellow teacher, Harold Otis Nickerson. After their
courtship, they were married in January 1965.

Later in the 1960s, with the opening of the Blue Mountain High School in Wells River, Betty
and Harold accepted local teaching positions. Betty taught art in the schools around Caledonia
County and Northfield, VT. She retired in 1989 following her sister Nancy’s passing.

Hal and Betts, as they were fondly known, purchased their beloved Macks Mountain Farm in
Peacham in May of 1970. Their interests included charolais cattle, teaching and participation in
the North Country Chorus as tenor and soprano. They enjoyed seasonal performances, travel to
Europe and Madrical Dinners. Betts also authored two books entitled: “Does A Stone Grow?”
and “Visitation of Our Muses”, which reflected upon her career as an elementary art teacher
and her love of verse.

In November of 1997, Betty was predeceased by her beloved Harold. She remained involved
in chorus events and community functions, residing on the farm until 2016 when failing health
relocated her to Canterbury Inn in St. Johnsbury, and briefly at Surrogate Son Hospice in
Concord, Vermont. She peacefully passed, surrounded amidst her beloved countryside. She will
be greatly missed in the community.

A memorial service is tentatively planned for May 20th, 2023 at 12pm at the Peacham Cemetery.

Donations may be made to the Peacham Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 112, Peacham, Vermont 05862-0112, or the Peacham Library, https://peachamlibrary.org/, PO Box 253, Peacham, VT 05862, in Hal and Betts' names.

Rest peacefully Betty

*** A graveside service for Betty will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at the Peacham Cemetery.