Veronica Alewyn Brelsford

1935 - 2025

Veronica Gabrielle Alewyn Brelsford passed away peacefully on the morning of October 31 2025 surrounded by her loving children, at the age of 90.

Veronica was born In Bad Ischl, Austria on October 21, 1935, to Richard Wolfram Alewyn and Nelly Margaret Ferch. Richard was a scholar and lecturer of German literature at the University of Berlin and the Sorbonne in Paris. With the rise to power of the Nazi party, he moved the family to Ascona, Switzerland, and in 1939 emigrated to the US, where he secured a professorship at Queens College, NYC. Veronica, her older sister Christianne, and Nelly soon followed, sailing from Genoa in 1940.

The family settled in Douglaston on Long Island, where they were joined by the girls' devoted nanny, Maia Kramer. Veronica and Chris quickly absorbed English in school. Summers were spent at their off-grid farmhouse in Westminster West, Vermont, where a life-long love of nature was nurtured. The sisters reveled in long days outside roaming the woods and fields with a book or drawing supplies, caring for neighbors' farm animals, and riding their retired war horse "Sarge."

Veronica attended Pembroke College at Brown University and graduated with a B.A. in French in 1956. She spent the following year in Europe where she attended the Sorbonne in Paris, worked at Skira, an art book publishing house in Geneva, and learned to ski in the Alps.

Veronica completed an M.A. in French language and literature at Middlebury College, where she met a certain handsome young classmate who asked to borrow a pen. Later that evening he serenaded her in French below her dorm window. Edmund M. Brelsford quickly became the love of her life and the two were married at City Hall in NYC, in November, 1960.

The Brelsfords settled in southern Vermont in 1961, where they had homes in Marlboro, Newfane, Westminster West and eventually Putney. Veronica, an adventurous spirit herself, was a steady wingman for her equally adventurous husband, and the two raised their five children with an abundance of travel (in a converted school bus), competitive sports (skiing, cycling, running and more); the arts (music, dance, theater); and many more wonderful activities and adventures. Several summers were spent on their 300-acre farm in South Newfane growing organic produce, keeping horses, chickens and rabbits, and taking in Marlboro College students who often became life-long friends.

Veronica was a natural athlete and began competitive running, cycling and cross country skiing in her 30s. Cycling and ski racing were a family-shared pursuit, and Veronica both supported her kids in their athletic endeavors and made a name for herself throughout New England as a serious competitor. She also greatly enjoyed hiking - a highlight of her life were the 6 weeks she spent on the Appalachian Trail at the age of 62 under the trail name "Granny Fox." Accompanied by her beloved German Shepherd, Sam, she reveled in the simplicity of being able to carry everything she needed on her back, particularly after having run a household of seven for decades.

Veronica and Edmund composed part of a small, vibrant community of professors at Marlboro College, where they taught languages for 40 years, including leading several memorable study abroad trips in Italy. Veronica taught French and German language and literature, and touched the lives of generations of students as an unassuming role model, resource and mentor. Always warm and encouraging, she approached every situation assuming everyone's best intentions.

Veronica was an avid reader, and could often be found curled up with a book by the woodstove, or in later years, in her recliner with her "just a cat", Daisy. She cared deeply about social justice and attended demonstrations and marches well into her 80s, including the anti-Vietnam March of 1965 with three toddlers in tow. Veronica was a founding member of the Brattleboro Food Co-op, drove for Meals on Wheels, and was recently feted as the longest-standing volunteer at Brattleboro Area Hospice's Experienced Goods.

As a mother, Veronica was a quiet, yet indomitable source of love and protection-she nurtured and comforted, fed, read to, played with, and guided her five children with wisdom and practical common sense. Veronica cherished her grandchildren, and was blessed with 10, some of whom she played an important role in helping to raise.

Veronica is survived by her five children: Allegra Alewyn Brelsford (David Arnstein), Oliver Brelsford (Virginia Brelsford), Carlotta Brelsford Cuerdon (Don Cuerdon), Cecelia Zaz Brelsford (Hawk Metheny) and Alicia Brelsford Dana (William Dana); ten grandchildren: Jillian Brelsford Rasza (James Rasza), Jeremy Croft (Sara Croft), Emily, Rory and Luke Cuerdon, Chandley, Jocelyn and Jess Brelsford, Willa Dana, Lyla Metheny; three great grandchildren: Aiden and Leah Croft, Warren Rasza; nephew Peter Wallace and niece Jocelyn Wallace. She was predeceased by her husband, Edmund M. Brelsford, her sister Christianne Wallace, and her parents.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Congregational Church of Westminster West on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 11 a.m. Contributions in Veronica's memory can be made to Center for Solace (Brattleboro Area Hospice), the Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association or the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.