Reita Mary Eliza (Cross) Raymond

Jeffersonville

Reita (Cross) Raymond, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday December 18, 2010 at The Manor in Morrisville. She was born in Milton on October 7, 1923 the daughter of the late Charles and Margaret (Lucia) Cross. Much of her childhood was spent in Waterville on the family farm. Talking about those years in Waterville always brought a smile to her face and stories about walking to school. When she was a teenager her parents bought a farm in Cambridge. She attended Cambridge High School and graduated at 16 as Salutatorian, Class of 1940. Reita then went onto work at a boarding school in Charlotte where she met Robert Raymond. They were married in St. Mary’s Church on October 18, 1943. After living in Vergennes and Fairfax, Reita and Bob moved to Cambridge and took over the family farm where they lived until 1968. They retired from farming and moved to the remodeled tenement house until 1979 when they moved to Jeffersonville Village. Reita’s kind and gentle heart was evident in everything she did. She had a passion for flowers and always enjoyed working in her flower beds. Her favorite season was fall. She loved watching a beautiful sunset and enjoyed a good piece of chocolate. Reita devoted her entire life to her family caring for them in her kind and patient way and loving them all unconditionally.

She will be remembered as a gently, soft spoken, loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed.

Reita is survived by: Her son Robert C. Raymond of Morrisville; Four daughters: Sandra Pepin of Fairfax; Cheryl Williams and husband James of Johnson; Deborah Williamson and husband David of Jeffersonville; Lori Barry of Johnson; Two foster sons: Robert Kittell and wife Linda of Texas and Richard Kittell of Morrisville; Ten grandchildren: Norman, Michael, Michelle, Wendy, James, Jr., Brian, Amy, Corey, Adam and Brooke, eighteen great grandchildren and ten great, great grandchildren.

She was also predeceased by her husband Robert Raymond, grandson Tyler Barry, sisters Harriet Brennan and Helen Cross.

Visiting hours will be held on Wednesday December 22, 2010 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday December 23, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s in Cambridge with Reverend Rick Danielson officiating. A private burial will be held in the Spring in the family lot in Jeffersonville Village Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Reita’s memory can be made to Cambridge Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 431, Jeffersonville, VT 05464. Arrangements are by John D. Workman, A. W. Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel, 1176 Main Street, Fairfax, VT 05454. The family invites you to share your memories and online condolences by visiting www.awrichfuneralhomes.com.