Marie M. Pomainville

Marie M. Pomainville, 91, of Avon, Conn., and formerly of Rutland, Vt., passed away peacefully at her home on Oct. 20, 2025.
Born on Sept. 3, 1934, in Florence, Vt., she was the daughter of Andrew and Julia (Zdut) Macek, Czechoslovakian immigrants whose courage and forthrightness left an indelible mark. From them she inherited a natural strength and a belief that perseverance could see her through just about anything.
Raised in Proctor, Vt., she graduated from Proctor High School in 1952 and built a life rooted in family, service, and community. She cherished any occasion that brought loved ones together-packing the car with kids for spontaneous trips to her mother's house whenever a sibling was in town and treasuring annual family reunions.
She worked as a bookkeeper for several Rutland County businesses and was a joint owner and unofficial comptroller of Valley View Farm in Pittsford, Vt., a 600-acre family enterprise.
Never one to sit idle, Marie launched a second career working alongside U.S. Senator Jim Jeffords for 19 years-10 of them managing the Vermont office with characteristic efficiency. She took great pride in helping fellow Vermonters navigate the complexities of government and went the extra mile to ensure they received the support they deserved.
Marie believed in showing up for others in ways both big and small-lending her time, talent, and energy to get the job done right. For 28 years, she served on the Otter Valley Union School Board, where her insight and steady leadership made a lasting difference. She taught Sunday school and coordinated youth programs at the Pittsford Methodist Church and led 4-H and Brownie groups with dedication and care. Active in the Rutland County Home Extension at both the local and state levels, she helped neighbors put knowledge to work for their families, farms, and communities and lent her keen mind to the Town of Pittsford Planning Commission.
When some might have slowed down, Marie kept going-helping run bingo nights at the American Legion and joining Grace Church in Rutland, where she delighted in its choral music. A lifelong tennis lover and devoted player, she was fiercely competitive, a quality that never dimmed with age.
Gifted with patient hands and an artistic eye, Marie crocheted snowflakes that still adorn family Christmas trees, decorated pillowcases with colorful cross-stitch, and hand-braided rugs that balanced beauty and function. She was an expert seamstress who could turn a bolt of fabric into a perfectly fitted dress-and later used those skills to craft elaborate American Girl doll outfits for her granddaughters. She mended favorite clothes until they could no longer be saved, her every stitch an act of love. In the kitchen, she was just as deft-a baker whose oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies were unmatched.
Marie found joy in simple, everyday things-tending her garden, gathering for weekly card games with good friends, and puzzling over a jigsaw until every piece fell into place. She delighted in the birds that flocked to her many feeders and began each morning with a little coffee in her milk and a crossword at hand. She enjoyed a Harlequin romance and never met a pin too big or too bright.
Those who knew Marie best saw a woman of quiet faith and fortitude. She met life's challenges with resolve and its gifts with gratitude, staying true to her sometimes stubborn, always spirited self.
She is survived by five daughters-Bonnie Baird of North Chittenden, Vt.; Gail Speers of Avon, Conn.; Kathy Pomainville of Newington, Conn.; Lori Coates of Sarasota, Fla.; and Julie Williams of West Simsbury, Conn.-and by a son, Edward J. Pomainville III of Rutland, Vt. She also leaves eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Arlene Skinner Macek; and many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her beloved companion of 15 years, W. William Martinez; her sisters Susanna Valach, Helen Howe, Julia Cawley, and Judith Kelley; and her brother, Andrew Macek Jr.
A private burial will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Church Music Program, 8 Court Street, Rutland, Vt. 05701. A link to donate can be found below. Friends are also invited to honor her memory with an act of service in their own communities.