Eleanor C. Emery

Eleanor C. Emery, 97, of West River Road in Dummerston, a lifelong resident of the area, died early Tuesday morning, September 30, 2025 in the comfort of her son's home in Fair Haven, VT surrounded by her family following a brief period of declining health. Eleanor was born on October 28, 1927 in West Guilford, the daughter of Sidney and Gladys (Weatherhead) Coleman. She was raised and educated in West Guilford and graduated from Brattleboro High School with the Class of 1945. Limited transportation during the WW II years necessitated Eleanor's boarding with guest families in Brattleboro for her high school years. Also, during that time, she worked at Wright's Diner on Putney Road where she began corresponding with her coworker's brother, Keath, who was away at war in the Army Air Corps. On November 30, 1946, in West Guilford, she married Robert "Keath" Reay, who predeceased her on May 26, 1964. She later married Clifford Emery in Dummerston on October 27, 1979. Mr. Emery passed away in 1992. She worked as a sales associate for JCPenney and began her employment when the store first opened on Putney Road in Brattleboro. Eleanor retired from the store following 30 dedicated and faithful years of service with the JCPenney Company. Previously, she worked at Dwight Miller Orchards, in the kitchen at the School for International Training, and for Emerson's Furniture Store. Eleanor served on the Dummerston School Board and was a longtime member of Dummerston Congregational Church, where she was active with numerous church activities. She will be remembered for her pleasant personality and spirit of friendship. Many of today's elder church members will remember her affectionately as "Mother Reay" when she was a Youth Group advisor. Her family and friends knew her as a strong woman and loving mother, who successfully raised three children by herself after losing her husband at an early age. Those who beeped while passing the first house north of the Brattleboro-Dummerston town line could often see her raking leaves or mowing her lawn yet into her late 80s. The decorative plate on her kitchen wall that says, "It's my house, and I do as I darn please" is a fitting example of her independence and determination. Survivors include her three children, sons, Russell (Donna) of Chesterfield, NH and Roderick (Teresa) of Albuquerque, NM and Fair Haven, VT; daughter, Wendy Allen (Jim) of Olathe, KS; step-children, William Emery (Nancy) of TX, Janice Tucker of ME, Wayne Emery (Dale) and Kenneth Emery (Phyllis), all of Dummerston. Additionally, she leaves eight grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, many nieces and nephews, and longtime dear friends and neighbors, Roy and Collette Gangloff. She was predeceased by her brother, Norman Coleman, her sister, Sadie Kenny, and step-sons, Donald and John Emery. A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00pm on Sunday, October 19th at Dummerston Congregational Church with a reception to follow. She will be buried in Dummerston Center Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Eleanor's name may be made to Dummerston Congregational Church, 1535 Middle Road, East Dummerston, VT 05346; Lydia Taft Library, P.O. Box 70, W. Dummerston, VT 05357; or to the Windham County Humane Society, P.O. Box 397, Brattleboro, VT 05302. To share a memory or offer condolences to the family, please visit www.atamaniuk.com.