Avis Rebecca Coburn

Mrs. Avis Rebecca Coburn of Orleans lost her battle with cancer on April 6, 2007 when she died peacefully, in Newport,Vermont. Avis was born in the Village of Orleans on January 23, 1930 to Gordon and Ida (Lathe) Austin. She lived most of her life in Orleans Village, becoming a well-known person in the town due to her participation in the Christmas Club and her dedication to the Orleans Federated Church. She will mostly be remembered by town members, though, as just being Avis, the sweet woman who worked behind the counter at Austin’s Drug Store for over 35 years. In November 1949, Avis married Lewis Coburn and together they had four children. Avis lived for her children and was delighted each time a new grandchild or great grandchild was born into the family. She felt very strongly about family bonds and she was a wonderful matriarch to the entire Coburn family,becoming peace-maker and voice of reason whenever it was necessary. Avis is survived by her brother Dwayne Austin and his wife Shirley of Jericho, and by a sister Evelyn Ross of Danielson,Connecticut. She is also survived by her four children: Doug Coburn and his wife Patricia of Warner, New Hampshire, Don Coburn and his wife Joyce of Orleans, Diana Reed of Orleans, and Dolores Stoddard and her husband Richard of Orleans. Avis is survived by seven grandchildren: Susan Coburn of Orleans, Jeff Coburn and his wife Denise of Orleans, Randi Morse and her husband Scott of Coventry, Jeremy Reed of Orleans,Larry Reed of Orleans, Ashley Reed and her fiancee Nelson Beauchesne of Clairemont, New Hampshire and Holly Coburn of Warner,New Hampshire. Avis was known as “Little Grammie” by her beloved great grandchildren: Allison and Destiny Hall of Orleans, Austin and Averi Morse of Coventry, Donovan and Callista Reed of Orleans, William and Annabelle Coburn of Orleans, and Abagail Beauchesne of Clairemont, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by her beloved sister Wanita Burkewitz and her husband Rodney and her beloved brother Dale Austin and his wife Mary. Friends may call from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Tuesday April 10,2007 at the Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Road, Newport. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday April 11, 2007 at the Orleans Federated Church with the Rev. Gerry Piper officiating. Spring interment in Pleaantview Cemetery,Olreans. Should friends desire, contributions in her memory may be made to the Orleans Federated Church,Orleans,Vermont 05860. On-line condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at www.curtis-britch-converse-rushford.com. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis-Britch-Converse-Rushford Funeral Homes,locally family owned and operated.