Obituary for Arlene (Rogers) Bickford
Arlene (Rogers) Bickford, 91, of Essex Junction, VT, passed away peacefully at home July 12, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer.
Arlene was born to Richard and Effie (Lafont) Rogers on May 24, 1931, on the family farm in West Glover, VT. She graduated from Barton Academy and earned a BS in Home Economics from the University of Vermont. Arlene started her career as a home economics teacher and taught at UVM, Castleton College and Essex Junction Middle and High Schools. She later retired from IBM after 15 years as a manufacturing engineering technician.
Arlene’s true passion in life was spending time with and helping her family. She was a wonderful cook, baker, cake decorator, knitter, personalized photo greeting card creator and archivist of her family’s memories. She was strong, sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving, nurturing, considerate, patient, creative, fun, smart, organized, hardworking and generous, especially with her time. Her love, incredible spirit and wonderful examples will continue to be passed down as she will always be in her family members’ hearts. Arlene was a long-time active member of the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction, VT.
Arlene is survived by her husband of more than 71 years, Willard (Bill) Bickford, Sr.; her children, Bill & Mindy Bickford, Holly & Bill Ashe, and Bob & Heather Bickford; many grandchildren and great grandchildren! Arlene is also survived by many nieces and nephews to whom she was very close. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Effie, brother, Raymond and sister, Rena.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church at 39 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM, with a reception to follow. The family is grateful for the special care given to Arlene by Dr. Dennis Sanders and his staff at Champlain Valley Hematology/Oncology, and by the caring staff of Bayada Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, or the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, VT.
Arlene was born to Richard and Effie (Lafont) Rogers on May 24, 1931, on the family farm in West Glover, VT. She graduated from Barton Academy and earned a BS in Home Economics from the University of Vermont. Arlene started her career as a home economics teacher and taught at UVM, Castleton College and Essex Junction Middle and High Schools. She later retired from IBM after 15 years as a manufacturing engineering technician.
Arlene’s true passion in life was spending time with and helping her family. She was a wonderful cook, baker, cake decorator, knitter, personalized photo greeting card creator and archivist of her family’s memories. She was strong, sweet, kind, thoughtful, loving, nurturing, considerate, patient, creative, fun, smart, organized, hardworking and generous, especially with her time. Her love, incredible spirit and wonderful examples will continue to be passed down as she will always be in her family members’ hearts. Arlene was a long-time active member of the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction, VT.
Arlene is survived by her husband of more than 71 years, Willard (Bill) Bickford, Sr.; her children, Bill & Mindy Bickford, Holly & Bill Ashe, and Bob & Heather Bickford; many grandchildren and great grandchildren! Arlene is also survived by many nieces and nephews to whom she was very close. She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Effie, brother, Raymond and sister, Rena.
There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church at 39 Main Street, Essex Jct., VT on Sunday, August 21, 2022, at 1:00 PM, with a reception to follow. The family is grateful for the special care given to Arlene by Dr. Dennis Sanders and his staff at Champlain Valley Hematology/Oncology, and by the caring staff of Bayada Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the American Cancer Society, the American Red Cross, or the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction, VT.