Shirley Lay

Shirley Ann (Carey) Lay of Sutton passed peacefully from this mortal coil on Sept. 18, 2015 at the age of 87. She will be forever remembered as an indomitable woman with a no nonsense, straightforward approach and a proud Irish spirit!

She was born on Nov. 10, 1927 in Montpelier, Vermont, the daughter of William and Theresa (Failey) Carey. She married Nelson Lay in Montpelier on October 4, 1952 and together, they raised five children, living in multiple VT communities including Bradford, Rutland and Waterbury Center; finally building their "dream home" in Sutton where Shirley's favorite pastime (when she wasn't immersed in household chores) was tending her famously enormous gardens. Shirley attended Catholic Schools in Montpelier and in addition to some of the finer points of disciplinary techniques for unruly children she adopted the beautiful flowing handwriting of her nuns/educators. Her children always looked forward to her handwritten cards and notes, both for content and aesthetics. To augment household income, and undoubtedly to maintain her sanity for she was a social creature at heart, Shirley worked at many different jobs over the years, eventually retiring from the Farmers Home Administration in Newport, Vt. where she earned a reputation for hard work, fairness and frugality. In addition to gardening, she enjoyed sewing, church functions, friends and family. She was renowned for her seemingly inhuman endurance when it came to churning out French fries in 90 degree weather at the Barton Fair in support of her church. She was a fiercely devout Catholic. She loved to spend time at the family camp on Lake Seymour and enjoyed (yes enjoyed) picking rocks and building jetties to make for a sandier beach. She loved her children. She loved her grandchildren. She loved animals; especially her dogs. She loved in the manner of her generation which was not so much in words, as deeds. She lived an active and full life! She is survived by five children: Douglas Lay and wife Kathy of Newport Center, Maureen Russell of Quechee, Theresa Lay-Sleeper and husband Ron of Cabot, Daniel Lay and wife Staci of Brunswick ME, David Lay and his partner Shannon of Danville; and eight grandchildren: Devin and Derick Lay; Morgan Russell; Ethan, Orion, and Theron Lay-Sleeper; and Declan and Hannah Lay. She was predeceased by her husband Nelson Lay, beloved brother Francis Carey and sister Margaret Larned. She is survived by her Sister Elizabeth Blouin of Montpelier, and many nieces and nephews. Visiting hours will be held at the Guibord Funeral Home in Lyndonville Friday evening, Sept. 25, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be celebrated in Lyndonville this Saturday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Church. Committal services will follow at the Sutton Village Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared privately at www.guibordfh.com. The Guibord Funeral Home is located on the corner of Main and Center streets in Lyndonville.