Glenna Cleveland Carpenter

Glenna Cleveland Carpenter, a long-time resident of Colchester, Vermont, passed away on Wednesday, July 13 at the age of 95 at the McClure Miller Respite House after a life filled with family and friends. When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure in your heart and it lives forever. 

Glenna was born in Burlington, Vermont on August 15, 1926, The daughter of Robert A. and Esther (Chapin) Cleveland. Growing up in Moscow VT, she also lived in several other Vermont towns including Stowe, Charlotte and Colchester. She graduated from Burlington High School in 1944 and married Neal W. Carpenter, Jr on April 24, 1948 at the United Church of Colchester. They were married for 61 years when he passed away in 2009.

Glenna was in the Ladies Aid Society through the church and was also active in a Home Dem group through the UVM Extension Service for many years while she raised their two daughters, Pamela and Linda. The ladies in these groups have been life-long friends. Several of them became the “Eaters Club”, and some still meet for lunch as much as they are able.

She worked alongside her husband at Carpenter’s Greenhouse, which they sold in 1972, and  Lone Pine Campsites, which they built in 1967.  During the winters, they would travel the country in their RV and go on several cruises. In 1992, they built Meadow Run Equestrian Center, and Meadow Run Miniature Horses, which was sold in 2010. They also enjoyed eating out, snowmobiling and square dancing with a group of friends.

Glenna spent her time in recent years reading, watching old westerns, and filling many intricate coloring books. She was always up for going anywhere, near and far. She joined Pam's family in Wells, Maine for 7 years for their family vacations. She went to New York City and Austin, Texas once each with Linda and Harry to visit their daughter Becky and her family. Glenna was a very willing dinner companion as well. She was a great conversationalist and had a knack for making friends anywhere. She and Neal made several “restaurant” friends’ they got to know over the years.

She leaves two daughters and their husbands Pamela and Craig Cushing of Colchester, Linda and Harry Norton of Round Rock, Texas; five grandchildren, Lisa Bortz and husband Seth, Susan Cushing, Becky Blackwell and husband Christopher, Sarah Norton, and Mary Kidd; seven great-grandchildren, Tyler Neal and girlfriend Olivia Leo, Jessica Bortz and boyfriend Austin Combs, Ashley and Haley Ingham;  Emma, Clara, and Caleb Blackwell. She also leaves her sister-in-law Joan Cleveland; niece Nancy Peperissa and husband Ken and families, and nephew Tom Cleveland and wife Terry and families. She also leaves close family friends Lee Tuure and all his family who called her Gramma C.  

She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Neal and her brother Richard Cleveland.

A special Thank You to her Hospice nurse Nancy Carlson and her whole hospice team, also the staff at the McClure Miller Respite House for their compassionate care they provided.

The family will hold visiting hours for family and friends on Friday July 22, 2022 between 9:00am and 10:00am followed by a service at 10:00 at Corbin & Palmer Funeral Home, 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, Vermont. Burial will be at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in her name to UVMMC Home Health & Hospice (1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446) or the Respite House (3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT 05446).