Joyce B. Haggarty

EAST MIDDLEBURY - Joyce Bean Haggarty died peacefully in her home on April 17, 2013, with her cherished family at her side.

Joyce was born August 4, 1929, in Hartford, CT. In 1947, she married her husband of 57 years, Francis Scranton Haggarty. They moved to East Barnard, VT, in 1950, and then to Orwell, VT, in 1959, where she worked side-by-side with Francis on a registered Holstein dairy farm.

Joyce and Francis founded the Mt. Independence 4-H Club. Many young girls learned to cook and sew in her farmhouse kitchen. In 1973, Joyce became the executive manager of the New England States Holstein Association. She retired from the association in 1995. In 1988, she assumed the position of Treasurer of the First District #1 in East Middlebury and retired from this position in 2011.

Music was an integral part of Joyce's life. During the years her children attended the Orwell Elementary School, Joyce served as music teacher. She wrote and directed many music programs for the school and the church, where she was the organist and choir director. Her love of music continued throughout her life and she always looked forward to listening to the choral performances and joining in the hymns at the Middlebury Congregational Church.

Joyce was passionate about flowers and took great pride in her gardens. She also loved to travel and two trips with Fran were the highlight of her life: one to Alaska and another to Africa where they made life-long friends.

Joyce was an active volunteer serving in the following capacities: Secretary/Treasurer of Vermont Agricultural Fairs Association and secretary for the VT/NH Fair Association; organizer of the first Vermont Products Dinner at Addison County Fair; volunteer at Porter Hospital; director on the board of Addison County Home Health & Hospice, Hospice volunteer, member of the advisory board of RSVP; reading mentor at Mary Hogan School; Red Cross Blood Drive volunteer; Tri-Coordinator of Community Suppers; and member Addison County Board for Home Share.

Joyce was predeceased by her husband, Francis, who died in 2004. She is survived by daughters Janet Hood of New Haven; Barbara Nelson and husband Kenneth of East Ryegate; Linda Haggarty of Wells River; and son Bill Haggarty and wife Denise of Brentwood, TN. Surviving grandchildren are Michael Berthiaume and wife Denise of PA; Karen Ruffle and her husband Andreas of Toronto; Sam Berthiaume and wife Kim of Middlebury; Marcy Singleton and husband David of Plainfield, N.H.; Katie VerLee and husband Graham of Falmouth, ME; Alexandra Haggarty of Wells River; and Victoria and Nicolas Haggarty of Brentwood, TN. She is also survived by 5 great-grandchildren.

"Her heart is like her garden, old fashioned, quaint and sweet."

~Alice E. Allen

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 26, at 1 p.m. in the Congregational Church, Middlebury, VT.

Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Congregational Church Community Suppers and Lunches, c/o Kathy Chase, 27 No. Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT; or Hospice Volunteer Services, PO Box 772, Middlebury, VT 05753.