Edith M. Ackerman

FAIRLEE – Edith Marie Ackerman, 93, of Fairlee, Vt, left this world made comfy under blankets galore looking at the large windows of the Jack Byre Center/DHMC after them singing “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” and being told she made it to her 93rd “on the mark”. This was on December 22, 2022.
Edie was born in Massachusetts to Charles J.C and Edith (Beaton) Dorian. Her parents were born in Aberdeen, Scotland and immigrated to the U.S. through Ellis Island, marrying in Grace Church in NYC upon their arrival in August 1921. Raising three children: Charles, Norman, and the youngest Edith. Over the years the family moved several times from Natick, MA, to Pawtucket, RI, to finally settle in West Springfield, MA, where Edie graduated high school. She still kept in touch with two girlfriends from her graduating class: Ann and Rachel.
She then went on to nursing school where she met Patricia Crafts. Patty had family connections to Bradford, VT, so that following summer the two went north for summer jobs at the Kettledrum Restaurant, where the Fairlee Public Library is now. They came for jobs, found love, and married the Ackerman brothers. Edie married Lloyd that September 13, 1948, in the Methodist Church in Bradford. Lloyds youngest sister Shirley was Maid of Honor, Kenneth Piper was best man. This began 68 years of marriage and a daughter Laurie-Ann, born June 1950. Patty married Calvin in October 1950.
Lloyd built Edie 2 houses. Before house 1 was finished, they rented Grace and Dick Naughtons Summer house at the end of the road for the winter. House 2 was built on the parcels next door and moved in the summer of 1966 – 2 car garage, fireplace, Edie kept spotless and happily enjoyed forever after.
Over the years Edie worked as a photographer for the Times Argus and Bradfords Journal Opinion, sold Avon, and a short stint at the Norwich Post Office. For decades after going to Auctions (Bill Godfrey) and Rummage Sales she started her own antique business specializing in collectibles and depression glass selling at flea markets, booths at Burlwood, Timber Village, and would mail order to all 50 states! They loved travelling/buying trips to the Lake Champlain Islands, St.J, Northeast Kingdom and Quebec and spending a couple weeks each summer in Coastal Maine.
Edie and Cig loved playing cards up to Bath and Lisbon with the Baileys. Later in life Alice Adams and Eunice Cahill taught Edie Skip-Bo.
Numerous concerts were enjoyed seeing Johnny Cash, Eddie Rabbit, and Charlie Daniels (front row)!
Edie sewed quilts, smocked dresses, knit fancy sweaters, numerous Afghans, endless mittens and hats with pompoms who she would give every year to school kids. She enjoyed annually checking off names on the voting list at the Town Hall next to Hazel Flanders in “the Old Days”.
Predeceased by her parents, brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, and nieces and friends and her husband Lloyd.
Edie is survived by daughter Laurie-Ann Ackerman, granddaughter Alena S. Campagna and husband Edwin Gonzales of Santa Clara, CA, great-grandson Taran Gonzales NYC, and many nieces and nephews. Thank you to neighbors Squeak, Georgette, Charlotte, Naughtons and Andress and friends Edythe in Jonesville, Kathy in Texas, Rudy in Ct. and caregivers Alisha and Paige. Edith will be buried beside Lloyd in Arlington, VA National Cemetery Section 76 Grave 1556.
Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford, Vermont.
Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.halefuneralhome.com