Joyce W. Hamilton

BRATTLEBORO -- Centre Congregational Church on Main Street was filled to over- flowing Friday morning for funeral services conducted for Joyce W. Hamilton.

Officiating was the Rev. George E. Nye Sr., interim pastor of the East Dover Baptist Church, and the Rev. John Brigham, pastor of Whitingham Community Church and Readsboro Community Church.

Music for the service was under the direction of organist Christopher Lewis, who offered prelude hymns “Jesus Calls Us,” “Faith of Our Fathers,” “In the Garden,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “The Church's One Foundation,” “Sweet Hour of Prayer” and “Amazing Grace.”

Words of welcome and greetings were extended by Rev. Nye, who then led the call to worship and offered selected scripture readings that included passages from Ecclesiates, Romans and the Book of Matthew.

Following the opening prayer, Rev. Nye led the congregation in reciting the 23rd Psalm, followed by the singing of hymns “Blessed Assurance” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Words of remembrance were given by Pastor Brigham.

Special tributes and reflections were shared by Barbara T. Giard, a daughter who also offered a reading entitled “Simple Tribute to Honor My Mother.”

Mrs. Giard also gave testimony to her mother's spirit of hospitality, always wanting to please others, and her love and appreciation of nature. She concluded her remarks by saying her mother never grew up to be an old person but was young at heart.

Memories were shared by granddaughter Erika Bachand, who gave testimony to the many of life's lessons she learned from her grandmother through examples and stories of the ways of the Skyline Restaurant and how important family is in life.

Cody Bills, a grandson, spoke of his grandmother's joy, respect and honor she held by annually honoring the war veterans by placing an American flag on all the veterans' graves in the Marlboro cemeteries every Memorial Day.

Pastor Brigham then led the congregation in the singing of the hymn “Because He Lives.”

Other memories were shared by Dr. Jean Blacketor, a former co-worker at the Skyline Restaurant, who learned many lessons in customer service from Mrs. Hamilton, speaking of her as a woman who took the time for others.

Mrs. Augusta Bartlett of Marlboro gave testimony to Mrs. Hamilton's extensive contributions that she gave to the town of Marlboro through her many years of civic involvement. She remembered Mrs. Hamilton as the “welcome wagon” of the community.

Steve Giard, a son-in-law, read selected scripture verses from the Book of Romans and gave further testimony of Mrs. Hamilton's deep love for her family.

The eulogy was given by Pastor Brigham, who spoke of Mrs. Hamilton's compassion and for being a faithful and devoted wife and loving mother to her children. He concluded his remarks with a reading from Proverbs 32.

Rev. Nye gave scripture readings and the message that was centered on hope, which was followed by the prayer of thanksgiving. The congregation joined in reciting the Lord's Prayer followed by the singing of hymn, “When the Roll is Called Up Yonder,” featuring Alan Bills of the Bills Band on trumpet.

The service concluded with closing prayer and the benediction given by Rev. Nye and postlude hymns offered by Christopher Lewis.

A reception followed the services held in the church's parlor hosted by the members of the Thursday Night Club and East Dover Ladies Aid Association.

Serving as pallbearers were Roland D. Rylander, Erika J. Bachand, Molly S. Tyler, Belle T. Skwirut, Jonathan R. Tyler, Morgan L. Bills and Cody H. Bills, all Mrs. Hamilton's grandchildren.

Of the many that attended both the visiting hours at Atamaniuk Funeral Home and the funeral services, delegations present included the Vermont chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Brattleboro High School, Class of 1943, former employees of Skyline Restaurant, Gideons International, and the Marlboro Town Offices and Historical Society, and members of the Marlboro Meetinghouse, Centre Congregational Church, St. Michael's Episcopal Church and First Congregational Church of West Brattleboro.

Committal services and burial in the family lot in King cemetery in Marlboro will be conducted in the spring.

Mrs. Hamilton, 79, of Hughes Road in Marlboro, died Sunday, Feb. 20 at her home.

Arrangements were under the direction of the ATAMANIUK FUNERAL HOME.u