Laura Rivers

Laura S. Rivers

1921-2019

Laura S. Rivers, 97, of Concord VT, passed to the next world after a brief illness on January 19, 2019.  She was born in St. Johnsbury and lived most of her life in Concord.  She graduated from Concord High School and attended UVM and Lyndon State College.  She moved to East Hartford, CT during World War II and worked at Pratt & Whitney making airplane parts with several Vermont friends.  She became a teacher after moving back to Vermont, and taught in several area elementary schools, including the one-room schoolhouse in Granby.  She taught Adult Basic Education in St. Johnsbury later in her career, retiring at age 70.  She loved her students, and they loved her.

She was predeceased by her much-loved husband, Carlisle, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, and her husband’s sister, brothers-in-law, niece and nephews.  She is survived by her daughter Nancy, her sister-in-law Beryle, and nephews and nieces and their spouses, their children and grand-children, and close friends.

Mrs. Rivers and Nancy were often in Kirby visiting dear friends Mr. and Mrs. Albert Taylor and their family.  She spoke fondly about the summers when her brother would bring her young nieces and nephew from Concord, NH to spend time with their aunt and uncle and grandparents.  She enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and Canada with Carlisle and Nancy, and vacationing in Maine with family and friends.  Later in life she also enjoyed driving around the Northeast Kingdom with her friends, stopping for coffee and donuts and visiting greenhouses.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Sayles Funeral Home, to Kris from Concord Fire & Rescue, to Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, to the teams of wonderful people who cared for Mrs. Rivers at NVRH and Cottage Hospital and to the ambulance EMTs and paramedics who were so kind to her.  We are grateful beyond words to Bill Kilgour, of SurrogateSon.org for his amazing, personalized end of life care and his compassionate and sustaining nature.

At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral or calling hours.  Burial will be in Concord, Vermont on May 8, 2019 at 2:00 p.m.

Donations in her memory may be made to Concord Fire & Rescue, P O Box 113, Concord, VT 05824 or Caledonia Home Health & Hospice, St. Johnsbury, VT, 05819.

Sayles Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.  Memories and condolences may be shared at www.saylesfh.com.