Eloise M. Thurston

Eloise M. Thurston, 98, a lifelong resident of Waterbury Center, died peacefully in the comfort of her family at The Manor in Morrisville on Tuesday, May 19, 2015.

She was born in Waterbury Nov. 29, 1916, daughter of Harold and Claire (Bettis) Marshall.

On June 16, 1947, she married Donald E. Thurston in Waterbury Center. He died March 11, 1982.

Eloise was a 1934 graduate of Waterbury High School, continued her education at the Johnson Normal School, then embarked on a career as an educator, starting at the Wiggins School in Walden, Vt.

During World War II, she took accelerated classes through the University of Vermont to earn a teaching certificate and in 1958 she received a bachelor’s degree in education from Johnson State College.

Her teaching career took her from the small school in Walden to Morrisville, then to the Waterbury Center Seminary, and finally to Waterbury Elementary School. With time off to raise her family, Eloise’s career as an educator spanned over 32 years.

She was active in community and fraternal organizations. Eloise was a senior volunteer who delivered Meals on Wheels in the Waterbury area, and was a member of the Waterbury Senior Citizens and the Washington County Retired Teachers Association. She was a member for more than 50 years of Waterbury Grange 237 and Emerald Rebekah Lodge 33. She was a member of the Rebekah Past Officers Club of Vermont, and had been president of the Rebekah Assembly and of the Ladies Auxiliary Patriarchs Militant in both Vermont and Quebec.

She joined Waterbury Center Community Church on April 21, 1935, and remained an active member and volunteer. She was the church treasurer for more than 14 years, a church trustee, and a member of the Ladies Aid.

Eloise was a diehard fan of the Boston Red Sox. She rarely missed watching a game on TV; if she did, she listened to it on the radio or watched a rebroadcast the next day.

Throughout her life, she remained an avid bridge player.

Survivors include her children, Marcia Dill of Morrisville, Don Thurston and wife Cindy of Williston, and Dean Thurston of Waterbury Center; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and nieces, nephews and extended family. Two brothers, Dwight Marshall and Dwaine Marshall, died earlier.

The family would like to extend deep appreciation to Eloise’s granddaughter, Heidi Dwyer, for her immeasurable care, dedication and love to her grandmother throughout the years. It made a world of difference on many levels.

A service celebrating the life of Eloise Thurston was held Tuesday, May 26, at Waterbury Center Community Church, followed by a reception in the church dining room. Burial was in Waterbury Center Cemetery.

Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury is assisting the family. To send online condolences: perkinsparker.com or the funeral home’s Facebook page.

Donations in memory of Eloise Thurston may be made to Waterbury Center Community Church, P.O. Box 216, Waterbury Center, VT 05677, or to The Manor, 577 Washington Highway, Morrisville, VT 05661 (themanorvt.org).