Mary Annett Claflin

EAST ORANGE- Mary Annett Claflin, 84, of East Orange passed away peacefully on January 29, 2025 at the Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin.
Born on November 22, 1940, she was the daughter of Lawrence and Hannah Downing (Wilcox).
On September 18, 1959, Mary married Ralph Claflin and they built their home in Orange where they raised their family and resided until their passing. Mary attended a one room schoolhouse in East Orange through the eighth grade and graduated from Bradford Academy.
Mary worked as a receptionist for Dr. Parnagoni and later at the law firm of Monte and Monte, both in Barre. She also worked as a school bus driver and school director for Orange Center School. She worked for USPS, delivering mail in Graniteville and Washington. She also served as Tax collector for the Town of Orange for 38 years until she reluctantly retired at the age of 80. Mary was very involved in her community.
Mary loved gardening, knitting, sewing, cooking and traveling. She enjoyed snowmobiling and camping with her family. She always had a smile and a laugh for everyone around.
Mary leaves behind her two Daughters, Connie Simendinger of Williston and Kathy Claflin of Washington. Her five grandchildren, Travis Harrington and fiancé Elizabeth Newton of Orange; Jeffery Simendinger of Waterbury; Amy Simendinger and husband Jake of Burlington; Amanda Merrill of Northfield and Mark Simendinger of Winooski. One great-grandson Jake Harrington of Orange.
Besides her parents and her husband Ralph, Mary is predeceased by her grandson Eric Simendinger.
There are no calling hours.
There will be a graveside service on Monday May 12, 2025, at the East Orange Cemetery at 12pm in East Orange.
Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford