Laura C. Edwards

WEST PAWLET, VT. * Laura C. Edwards passed away peacefully at her home in West Pawlet, Vt., on Thursday, Jan. 18, surrounded by her family.

Laura was  born on Dec. 9, 1922, in Danby, Vt., the daughter of William M. and Violet (Benway) Hicks.

She retired from Telescope after 23 years of service, in 1971.

On April 27, 1957, she married Francis J. "Cubby"  Edwards at the home of her parents. She devoted her life to her family and their dairy farm. Laura baked the best Texas sheet cake ever made, her most sought after maple sugar candy, and baked beans. She enjoyed cooking many delicious meals for her family. Laura was a wonderful loving mother and grandmother. She enjoyed every minute she spent on their farm together with her husband and family.

Besides her parents she was predeceased by her  husband, Francis J. Edwards, her  son, Robert W. Croff, her siblings: Marguerite "Peggy" Pember, Willis Hicks, John Hicks, Harriet "Curly" Roberts, and Mary C. Hurley; her brother-in-law, Charles Edwards and his wife, Mary Edwards.

She is survived by her children,  Patricia  W. Folger, Diann (Croff) Hammond-Mason and her husband, Kevin, Estella  Leach and her husband, Doug, John Edwards and Michelle Bishop; and her sister, Ethel "Pat" Croff of Bennington, Vt.  Also surviving are  10 grandchildren: Helena Croff-Clairmont, Arlene Dewey, Laurie Folger, Richard Folger,  Christina DiTullio, Bert Dennison, Jason Hammond, Justin Edwards, Nicholas Edwards and Myles Bishop. Also, 15 great-grandchildren  and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007, at 4  p.m. at the Robert M. King Funeral Home, 23 Church St., Granville, with the Rev. Robert Boutwell officiating.

Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2 p.m. until the time of the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Pawlet Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 87, W. Pawlet, VT 05775.