Elaine Piper Hibbard

Elaine Piper Hibbard

Bradford, VT - September 20, 1934 – December 25, 2025

Elaine Martha Piper Hibbard, 91, of Bradford, VT passed away peacefully on December 25, 2025, at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH, after a short illness. She had not resided in Bradford for several years; during the pandemic, she lived for a time with two of her daughters and then lived at Grafton County Nursing Home after a time of declining health. She missed her home a great deal but understood the necessity and dealt with it with acceptance and grace.

Elaine was born on September 20, 1934, to Wendell and Doris (Noyes) Piper in an old sugar house that had been renovated into a small home on upper South Road in Bradford, VT. They moved into another home on South Road soon after she was born, which was to become the family home for the rest of her life. She was the youngest of three children; growing up with two older brothers, Lawrence and Carlton, who often said that she was spoiled, to which she usually smiled, and agreed. She attended schools in Bradford and graduated from Bradford Academy in 1952.

She met and dated her husband, Neil Hibbard, after graduating high school and they were married in Bradford on April 11, 1953. She became a housewife, and then eventually a mother of four, which she enjoyed a great deal. They lived for a time at his family home in West Fairlee, VT and then in Post Mills, VT for a while before they returned to the Bradford family home after her parents passed away. She and Neil were together for many years until his passing in September 2012.

Elaine also worked for many years as a housekeeper at a few homes in the Hanover/Norwich area. Eventually she went to work in the Housekeeping Department at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, which then became Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for more than twenty years. She enjoyed working and retired before she was ready to care for her husband during an illness. But once he had recovered, she had more time for her favorite activities.

Elaine enjoyed going to yard sales and flea markets a great deal and provided many useful items to her children and grandchildren. She almost always included friends or family on these excursions, which usually always included stopping somewhere for lunch. She loved holidays, especially decorating her home, preparing special foods, and spending time with family and friends.

Elaine is survived by three of her children; Sheryl Whitehill and companion Scott Robie, Sandra Elliott and husband Tom Elliott, Sylvia McLeod and husband Emery McLeod. Four grandchildren; Matthew Elliott and wife Alisha, Camden Elliott and wife Elizabeth, Kristina Bogie, Alyssa Thornton and husband Matthew Thornton. Seven great-grandchildren; Ava, Callie, Benjamin, Natalie, Gabiel, Charlotte, and Mirabella. Also, her brother, Carlton Piper, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Neil Hibbard, her son Steven Hibbard, her brother Lawrence Piper, and her twin great-grandsons, Samuel and Andrew. She was also predeceased by her dear lifelong friends Lurlene Hurlbert and Miriam O'Donnell.

No flowers please, per the family's request. Anyone wishing to donate in her memory may do so to the charity of their choice.

Calling hours will be at Hale Funeral Home in Bradford on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 1 - 3 PM. Burial will be private later in the spring.

Arrangements are in the care of Hale Funeral Home, 187 Upper Plain in Bradford, VT.

Those wishing to express online condolences may do so at: www.halefuneralhomes.com