Vera Sjolander

St. Johnsbury, VT: Vera M. Sjolander of Coffin Road in the Stark District, passed peacefully in the presence of her family at her home on Sunday, April 14, 2024. She was 95.

Vera was born in Northborough, MA on June 7, 1928, daughter to the late Everett C. and Marion C. (Collins) Mentzer.  She grew up in Northborough graduating from Northborough High School in the Class of 1946 and attended Burdett College, graduating in 1948. On December 17 of that year, she married Charles D. Sjolander and they resided in Worcester, MA.  They moved to Charleston, VT in April of 1962, then to Springfield, VT in August of 1968 and finally settled in St. Johnsbury in August of 1970.  Vera worked at the National Bank of Derby Line (CNB), 1^st National Bank in Springfield, secretary for lawyer Kyle Brown in St. Johnsbury before going to St. Johnsbury Trucking for the remainder of her working career, retiring in 1988. Following retirement, Vera and Charles were able to travel across the United States and even make a few trips to Europe.  She always had cats throughout her life, loved gardening and was very particular about her asparagus beds. Vera was strong-willed, to put it mildly.  Her family was the most important thing in her life, helping the kids & grandkids at every opportunity.

She is survived by her daughter: Holly Wetherell and husband Michael, of Middlesex, VT;  her 2 sons: Charles I. Sjolander and wife Kathy, of St. Johnsbury, Curtis Sjolander and wife Joan, of Wheelock; 9 grandchildren: Kenneth Wetherell, Miriam Rice (Christopher), Rebecca Blouin (Tyson), Karen Sjolander (Larry Sargent), Karl Sjolander, Christy Mann (Kyle), Ethan Sjolander (Laura), Seth Sjolander (Mariann), Teala Sjolander (Michael Costable), 20 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband of 63 years, Charles D. Sjolander in 2011; her father, Everett in 1976; mother, Marion in 1958; daughter, Nadine in 1949; great-granddaughter, Abigail Sjolander in 2007; sister, Eleanor Bessom in 2009; brother, Floyd Fitts in 1980; brother, Robert I. Mentzer in 1938; and sister, Barbara Lurvey in 2015.

The family would like to thank Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice for providing great care.  In lieu of flowers any memorial contributions should be sent to Caledonia Home Health Care & Hospice, 161 Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Services and burial will be private.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.saylesfh.com