Lucille Bigras "Bunny" Beard

1930 - 2018

Lucille "Bunny" Bigras Beard

Burlington - Lucille "Bunny" Beard, passed away July 2, 2018, at 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, Vermont, where she lived happily for the past fifteen years. As a young wife and mother, Bunny lived in Laconia, New Hampshire and in Chelsea, Vermont. She once served as Chelsea's Deputy Sheriff.

In the late 1960's, the family moved to South Burlington, and Bunny worked at the University of Vermont's Agricultural Department testing soils and seeds. She also began her most favorite career as an antique dealer and appraiser. She and her son, Gary Beard, began setting up and selling antiques together.

Bunny was an avid collector and antique dealer. She especially enjoyed attending auctions and scouring ReSource North, the Salvation Army, the Waterbury Flea Market, the WOKO Flea Market and even Macy's Department Store looking for special deals!

She also kept a sharp eye on people and businesses on Church Street and its side streets. While living at Cathedral Square, she often traveled by electric wheelchair to her favorite locations. Well-known by the police surveilling the paths she traveled, she often tempted them to issue her speeding tickets for how quickly, yet skillfully, she raced around in her chair!

She was also an active and very outspoken member of the Democratic Party. She volunteered for many political campaigns, including those of Bernie Sanders. She loved debating issues and advocating for people in need.

Before moving to Cathedral Square in 2003, Bunny and her husband Harlan lived in St. Albans Bay, Vermont, for many years where she was the co-owner of Traders Way at both St. Albans Bay and on Main Street with her daughter Annette Beard. Bunny would sell anything including dishes belonging to other family members, brought to her house for holiday dinners holding her favorite foods!

Bunny was born on June 13, 1930, in Barre, Vermont, the daughter of Canadian immigrants, Camille and Isabella Nadeau Bigras. She graduated from Spaulding High School in 1948, and married Harlan C. Beard of Bradford, Vermont, on January 29, 1949. Harlan passed away in 1998 in Pompano Beach, Florida, their winter home.

Bunny is survived by her four children, Linda (Lynn) B. Currier and her husband Allen; Gary B. Beard and his wife Mary; Annette B. Beard; and John H. Beard and his partner Patty Gilbert; six grandchildren, Sam and John Currier; Travis, Brandy, Luke and Connor Beard; and two great grandsons, Noah and Nathan Currier; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, an infant daughter Pamela, her sister Annette Bigras Parle, and her brother Maurice Bigras.

Bunny asked that people remember her in their own special ways. In lieu of flowers, contributions, in Bunny's name, can be sent to the Residents' Activity Fund, % Manager Christine Lyon, 3 Cathedral Square, Burlington, Vermont, 05401.

Stephen Gregory & Sons Cremation Services of South Burlington is assisting the family. Bunny will be cremated, inurned in her favorite Heisey Glass tobacco jar, and buried next her husband in the St. Albans Bay Cemetery at the family's convenience.

Bunny's immediate family wishes to express their deep appreciation to all the caring people who live and work at Cathedral Square and especially to those in Assisted Living and to her Hospice nurses and assistants, all of whom she considered part of her extended family who worked tirelessly to make every day as dignified and comfortable as possible for her.

A Celebration of Bunny's Life will be held on Thursday, July 5, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at Cathedral Square's 9th Floor, On Top of the Square.