Mary Alice Carter
Richmond, VT

Mary Alice Carter, long time resident of Richmond, VT, passed away on September 28, 2021 at the UVM Medical Center at the age of 98.  Born in Waterbury, VT on April 6, 1923 to Frank Carl Lamb and Caroline Amelia Carpenter, she was the 7th of 9 children.  At the age of 4 she survived the 1927 flood as their home was rapidly inundated by floodwaters and spent the next several years living with relatives in the Castleton, VT area while her parents labored to restore their home to a livable condition.  She attended schools in Waterbury and Middlebury, VT, graduating with a high school diploma.  She joined the US Navy during WWII and served as a Pharmacist’s mate serving at Ft. Sampson in the Finger Lakes region of NY.  She met her future husband Clyde Paxman Carter when her sister was courted by and married to his brother Harold.  When Clyde was injured on the island of Saipan in the pacific theatre and sent home for treatment of a broken back, they renewed their acquaintance in Springfield, MA and were married there on April 26, 1945.   They lived in Essex, VT while Clyde attended Champlain Business College and then moved to Jonesville, VT where they purchased a farm on Wes White Hill Road where they raised 4 children.  Clyde passed away on May 12, 1980.   Mary continued to live at the farm for many years.  She was an independent, outspoken and courageous woman who was well known for her hospitality, service and for making the best pies and donuts in the territory.  She worked at Harrington’s in Richmond for many years.  She was a fantastic cook, loved to grow flowers and won many awards at Champlain Valley Exposition over the years for her beautiful flower arrangements.  She was a leading member of the VT Green Mt. Girls and was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for the Chapel at the VT Veteran’s Cemetery in Randolph, VT and enjoyed working with VT Governor Jim Douglas on that project.   She delighted in her many grandchildren and was delighted when her great granddaughter was born on her own birthday.  She had a great sense of humor and was a force to be reckoned with when something wasn’t right.  Always willing to do whatever needed to be done, lend a hand and provide for those in need.   She was a longtime member of the Richmond Congregational Church.

Mary is survived by her children and their spouses:  Carol Newbeck and husband George of Maryville, TN, John Carter and wife Colleen Flynn of Cassville, MO, Melissa Carter of Richmond, VT and Ruth Goodrich and husband Glenn of Cabot, VT; grandchildren Fred and Steven Clark, Vickie Carter, John Carter Jr., Jaime Cameron, Michelle Ovitt, Jean Goodrich and Sarah Porter; great grandchildren: Aerial Brown, Aidan Frosolone, Victoria Pike, Emma Ovitt and Chad Orban.   

Services will be held on Sunday, October 3,2021 at 11:30 am at the Richmond Congregational Church on Bridge Street in Richmond, VT with a graveside service shortly thereafter at the Riverview Cemetery west of Richmond Village on Rt. 2

In lieu of flowers, Donations may be made to the Richmond Congregational Church, PO Box 302, Richmond, VT  05477.