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Nancy Chard Obituary
Born in Point Pleasant, N.J., July 14, 1933, she was the daughter of Burtis Rue and Thelma Risden Imlay.
A graduate of Upsala College, she earned her master's degree in history at Rutgers University.
Mrs. Chard taught at the secondary level in Roselle Park and Westfield, N.J., Tachikawa Air Base, Japan, and Brighton, N.Y. She taught at the college level in Adana, Turkey. In Brattleboro, she founded the Adult Basic Education program and worked for Community College of Vermont as a counselor, teacher, regional director and academic dean. She was the founding director of Vermont State Colleges' Southern Vermont Education Center, and most recently, conducted a history club at Thompson House in Brattleboro.
She served Windham County in the Vermont Senate for eight years as chair of the Health and Welfare Committee and the Education Committee and as a member of the Natural Resources, and General Affairs and Housing committees. From 1990-1994, she served in the Vermont House of Representatives on the Health and Welfare Committee. Previously, she was elected to Brattleboro Union High School Board of Education and, for many years, as a Brattleboro town representative.
She served on several boards including as chair of the New England Board of Higher Education and of Brooks Memorial Library; president of the National Organization of Women Legislators; and as a board member of Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Vermont Public Television, Winston Prouty Center, Vermont Community Foundation, Brattleboro Community Television, Vermont Center for Independent Living and Vermont Adult Learning. She was a trustee of Grace Cottage Hospital and Fletcher Allen Health Care and an incorporator of Austine School for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired and Brattleboro Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Chard enjoyed reading, teaching, traveling, cooking, camping and boating.
Survivors include her husband, Dr. John Turner Chard, whom she married in Athens, Greece, Aug. 31, 1961; her children, Sara Pease, Burtis Chard, both of Brattleboro, and Dr. Joshua Chard of Avon, Conn.; and five grandchildren.
Calling hours will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at St. Michael's Church, Walnut Street in Brattleboro.
The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Cottage Hospital Foundation, 185 Grafton Road, Townshend, VT 05353; or Vermont Adult Learning, 60 South Main St., Waterbury, VT 05676; or Vermont Center for Independent Living, 11 East State St., Montpelier, VT 05602.
To sign an online guest book, go to www.atamaniuk.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Atamaniuk Funeral Home Inc.
View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Nancy Chard
Arnold Rosenberg
January 6, 2017
I was a student of Nancy Chard's in Brighton, NY in the early 1960's. I just came across her obituary and though her death occurred more than six years ago, I thought I would add my memory.
No teacher ever meant more to me than Mrs. Chard. I became a Harvard-trained lawyer and law professor, and I attribute my achievements largely to her skills as a teacher. She treated students as human beings with rights and responsibilities, adults in miniature. I also will never forget that I was in her class the moment when John F. Kennedy was shot.
Thank you, Mrs. Chard. You have my eternal gratitude.
Arnold Rosenberg
Mary Tier
March 5, 2010
Dr. Chard and family, I am so sorry for your loss. What an accomplished person she was. May God Bless each of you during this difficult time. Love and Prayers, Mary Tier
Karen Gartner
February 27, 2010
Dear Dr. Chard
I was so sorry to hear of your wife Nancy's passing. I had known of her involvement at the State house, but did not realize her contributions in education and other areas as well. She truly was a remarkable woman who cared deeply about the rights of everyone to quality health care, education and life. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Trampas Farrell
February 26, 2010
Mrs. Chard always made me feel welcome in her home and her family. Everytime I came into her home, she made time to talk to me. She was always interested in how I was doing in school. Needless to say, I usually sugar-coated the truth a little. My deepest thanks to my older brother Travis, who was kind enough to let me hang out with him and his friends when I was a mere freshmen in high school. Without that, I would have never made friends with people like Burt, Josh, Gary, Pete, and all the rest. Mrs. Chard will be greatly missed, a true champion of the women and children of Vermont, and indeed, this country, is gone.
Robert Block
February 25, 2010
John,
I was so sorry to hear of Nancy's death. She was such a gift to you and to the Vermont community. She will be missed. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Bob Block, Bennington
Liz Patch
February 25, 2010
I have so many memories of Nancy when we worked together at the Community College of Vermont in Waterbury. My first day at CCV was the all-college Convocation at Lake Morey Inn. Nancy immediately came up to me, shook my hand and introduced herself. That memory is so vivid. Her laughter was infectious! My sympathies to her family; she will be greatly missed.
February 25, 2010
John - Please accept my condolences regarding Nancy's passing.
Ben Rosenberg, MD
February 22, 2010
We are so sorry tohear of your loss.
Nancy & Richard Gramling
Baxley, Georgia
Buddy and Canetti O'Brien
February 22, 2010
Burt and family, so sorry about your mom. She was precious and you will miss her. We have been praying for you and your family. We love you.
Bethany Knight
February 19, 2010
Senator Nancy Chard! So brave, so smart, so funny, so much fun. A great listener, collaborator, creator, leader. Nancy resisted cliques, simplistic thinking and surrendering her power to anyone. As someone who lobbied Nancy in the House and Senate, I considered her a true and rare gem. She was incredibly fair minded, quick and determined...a great woman, a shining star at the State House. I respected her when she was in office, and will continue to respect and treasure her memory.
Nancy dear, you were a fine woman, and we miss you already.
Cheryl M. Hooker
February 19, 2010
I will always remember Nancy as a woman of intelligence and integrity who could cut-to-the-chase on any issue at hand. It was an honor to serve with her in the Legislature. She was an inspiration and a great public servant.
With sympathy,
Todd Andrews
February 19, 2010
Burt, sorry to hear about your mom. Our thought's go out to you, Sara Josh and your Dad . Todd , Kelly (Gilbert) Andrews ...God Bless...
Trish Hain
February 19, 2010
For the Chard Family,
May the love and strength Nancy gave to you and countless others, continue to comfort you.
Terri Feeley
February 19, 2010
Dear John and Family, I am so sorry for your loss of such an extraordinary wife, mother and friend. I was privileged to know Nancy while I served on the VSC Board of Directors and also when she was in the Legislature. Nancy was a great influence in my life -- always supportive and willing to talk about things that were difficult to understand and accept. I was blessed to have known her.
Laurie G
February 19, 2010
Sara and boys
I am so sorry for your loss, I wish I could be with you to help in this time of sorrow. Nancy was a wonderful lady with a heart of gold. My prayers are with you.
Don, Kim, Kyle, Ryan, and Blake McAuliffe
February 19, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Sarah Launderville
February 19, 2010
Nancy was a board member at the Vermont Center for Independent Living and helped us push forward disability rights. She was a beautiful person and will be missed.
Chrys Peck
February 19, 2010
Sara (and family)
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
The Staff of Atamaniuk Funeral Home
February 19, 2010
Offering our deepest condolences during this time.
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