Bridgewater, Vermont

Marjorie Elaine Bridge, 94, died early Friday morning April 1st at the Rutland Regional Hospital in Rutland, Vermont.

Marjorie was born on June 18, 1921, to Roy Earle Carbino and Nancy Adelaide Goodnough, at the family farmhouse on Bridgewater Hill Road.

Marjorie spent most her life on Bridgewater Hill, except a brief period at Twenty Mile Stream, during the depression and after her husband died, when she and her daughter Debbie spent winters with her daughter Valerie, first in Newbury Park, CA and more recently in Plymouth, MA. She was educated at the Riverside School, Black River Academy, Woodstock High School (Class of 1939, graduating 2nd in her class), the University of Vermont, at a Correspondent Writing Course resulting in articles published in Reader' Digest and Woman' Day, and later by Real Estate, Appraisal courses.

Marjorie enjoyed many things in life including sitting and chatting with family, friends and neighbors on the porch was a way of life, especially enjoying family gatherings on birthdays and holidays, Bird watching was a favorite pastime, as well as watching deer, foxes, turkeys, bear, woodchucks, moose, ducks, etc., all from the same front porch of the house in which she was born. Gardening and gathering of edible weeds were one of her passions, as it kept her outdoors from spring-fall and gave her an excuse not to worry about the housework.
Fishing and hunting was a pastime earlier in life, but only for food. She was a sharpshooter with her Winchester rifle, often showing up her husband and sons. Reading all types of books, but always started her day with the bible. She had a wealth of knowledge and enjoyed doing crossword puzzles. She also loved doing jigsaw puzzles.
She was a member of the Bethany Mennonite Church in Bridgewater Corners.

Keeping in touch with many people was a daily occurrence, writing thousands of cards and letters over the years. Painting for fun began in her 80ies, when in CA; she saw what a friend had painted and decided she would try painting; she was self-taught, experimenting after reading a few books on painting. Her preference was acrylics. Coupon clipping and bargain-hunting was a passion. No one human or animal ever came to the door and left her hungry. At one point she was feeding 30 stray cats and over the years adopted many animals.
She had a wry sense of humor and when reminded her blood was 95 years old and tired the day before her passing, she responded, not yet. A true example of a tough Vermonter.

1996 Marjorie was selected as Vermont Health Care Association's volunteer of the Year for her years of letter writing weekly to her "Friends at Cedar Hill". She was also a member of the Vermont "251 Club", having visited every town in VT, with her husband Ferris.

Marjorie is survived by her five children: Colin Bridge and Jackie, Gastonia, NC, Valerie Garges, Plymouth MA & Bridgewater Corners, VT, Kirby Bridge and Maureen, N Ferrisburgh, VT, Deborah Bridge, Plymouth MA & Bridgewater Corners, VT, Jeff Bridge and Audrey, Bridgewater Corners, VT and one granddaughter, Hannah Bridge, Gastonia, NC. Her husband Ferris Bridge predeceased her in 2004.

A memorial service will be held on Friday April 15, 2016 at 2:00pm at the Bethany Mennonite Church in Bridgewater, VT. A reception and time to share stories will be held at the Bridgewater Grange following the memorial service. Burial will be in the Heselton Family Cemetery on Bridgewater Hill.

Those wishing may make donations to: Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc, P O Box 39, Bridgewater, VT 05034, or VT Volunteer Services for Animals Humane Society, PO Box 100 Bridgewater VT 05034 www.vvsahs.org 802-672-5302*, or the Bethany Mennonite Church, 169 Vt Route 100a, Bridgewater Corners, VT 05035

Arrangements are under the direction of the Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock, Vermont an online guest book can be found at cabotfh.com