East Barnard, Vermont

Virginia Lee Glass Schlabach, 79, of East Barnard, Vermont, died of ovarian cancer on November 11, 2019 at DHMC. She was born to Forrest and Esther Eby Glass on February 25, 1940, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Virginia was married to Abner J. Schlabach on June 16, 1962. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with a degree in English and served as a long-term trustee on their board. She was a beloved English teacher in Pennsylvania in the 1960s-1970s and continued her career as an editor and writer.

Before moving to Vermont in 2003, she resided in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Perkasie, Pennsylvania. After retirement she and Abner spent 3 years in voluntary service at the London Mennonite Centre, in London, England.

In their 57 years of marriage, Abner and Virginia traveled to 48 states and numerous countries. The travel journals she wrote are a prized family treasure. Virginia was active in Delectable Mountain Quilters, and enjoyed supporting her grandchildren at their school and sport events. She was the editor of the East Barnard Crier, a regular e-newsletter that links villagers throughout the year. She liked connecting people.

She loved a good cup of strong British tea, was an accomplished doer of New York Times crossword puzzles and word games, and read widely and avidly. Family history was a passion. She and Abner created a home of hospitality, welcoming AT hikers, volunteers, and other travelers to their home. Throughout their lives they gave support to families who had lost young children.

She was a member of Taftsville Chapel where she taught preschool children (who loved and will miss her) and participated in the East Barnard Church.

She is survived by her husband Abner of East Barnard, her brother, Richard Glass of Paradise, PA, her children Fred (married to Janet North) and Sue (married to Ryan Newswanger) and grandchildren Micah North Schlabach, 18, and Lowry Newswanger, 17, all of East Barnard. She is predeceased by an infant son, Brian Spencer.

A memorial service will be held at the Barnard Town Hall on Saturday, December 7, at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Virginia's memory to Norris Cotton Cancer Center or Bethany Birches Camp in Plymouth, Vermont.

The Cabot Funeral Home in Woodstock is assisting with arrangements. An on line guest book can be found at cabotfh.com