Lenna M. Flanders

BERLIN - Lenna M. Flanders, 82, of Berlin died Friday, May 13, 2016.
She was born in Fairfax, Vermont, on August 15, 1933, the daughter of Gerald and Helen (Archambault) Flanders. A special needs person, she was dedicated to her schooling at Bellows Free Academy of Fairfax. She moved to Connecticut with her parents and continued until she left at the age of 16 to begin taking night classes.
Lena was extremely independent and a diligent worker. She was employed for many years as a kitchen staff person at Vermont College in Montpelier. After retirement, she moved to Pioneer Apartments in Montpelier where she enjoyed interacting with other tenants and having the ability to be as independent as possible. As her health needs grew, she relocated to the Rutland area to be close to family who were able to support her health and cognitive needs. After a brief illness in 2015, she moved to Berlin Health & Rehabilitation Center where she lived until death. She enjoyed participating in the many projects and programs they offered and often mentioned how nice the staff were.
Lenna had a special love for animals, in particular her own cats, Special and Bear. She also looked forward to receiving the many letters sent to her by a special niece, Joan Belanger, who was raised as her sister when Joan's mother (Lena Flanders) passed away. Lenna often shared stories of time spent, independently, with each of her nieces and nephews who she loved as she would her own children.
Survivors include her sisters, Alberta Buroker, of Texas; and Joan Belanger and husband Paul, of Connecticut; a sister-in-law Polli Flanders, of Fairfax, Vermont, and a former sister-in-law Rebecca Flanders, of Salisbury, North Carolina; as well as her many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her parents and her siblings, Lena Flanders, Leola (Flanders) Flood and husband Albert and their son, Steve Flood, Ernest Flanders, Roy H. Flanders, and Francis Buroker.
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the aides, nurses and residents of Berlin Health and Rehab who were extended family, as well as the Intensive Care Unit staff at Central Vermont Medical Center.
There will be no calling hours. A funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, May 18 at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 16 Barre St., Montpelier. A burial service will follow the Mass at Binghamville Cemetery in Fletcher.
Memorial contributions may be made to your local humane society.
On-line condolences may be sent to www.guareandsons.com.