NORWICH, Vt. – Geraldine Evelyn Reynolds Bender Huston, died peacefully Jan. 23, 2007, at her home. Mrs. Huston was born Feb. 18, 1918, in Marion. Although she lived most of her adult life in Vermont, she was and always will be a daughter of the Maine coast. What a remarkable mother. She was loving, spirited and resilient. She loved music whether playing “Stardust” on the piano or listening to the concerts of her grandchildren. She was athletic, too, reminiscing about basketball and field hockey teams while skiing well into her 70s. And, she loved to travel and relive her memories of camping at the base of Kilimanjaro, browsing the bazaars of Cairo, and lounging on the Bahamian beaches with her granddaughters. She held high standards for herself and her family and welcomed everyone with open arms. At the age of 19, Gerry left Maine to work for the newly formed Social Security Administration in Baltimore. There she met and fell in love with a fellow recruit from Maine, Raymond Bender. They danced the night away to Glenn Miller, married and filled a house with five children. They raised their five children at their home in Rutland, Vt. Her children are married and reside in Vermont, Dennis and Sandy Bender of Johnson, Bob and Cathy Bender of South Burlington, Bonnie and Russ Ayer of Charlotte, Marie and Rick Toro of Grand Isle and Bill and Mary Bender of Norwich. Add in ten grandchildren and one great-grandchild. When Gerry became a widow in 1969, she resumed work for the Social Security Administration, managed her income properties and finished raising her family. Then, returning to Maine to care for her mother, Gerry met and married George Huston. The family grew larger, adding a daughter and husband, Dorothy and George Thomas of Sarasota, Fla.; five more grandchildren, nine more greats, always room for more and always with open arms. Gram loved “going home” to the Maine coast and visiting her extended family. She taught us how to love, to accept the passage of time, to face adversity with a positive attitude and to count our blessings. We will honor her life during visiting hours 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Ready Funeral Home, South Chapel, 261 Shelburne Road, Burlington, Vt. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Shelburne United Methodist Church. Burial will take place in the spring. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a food shelf in your community. For directions or to send online condolences please visit www.readyfuneral.com
GERALDINE REYNOLDS HUSTON
