Aleda Dorothy (Traynor) Desrochers of St. Johnsbury, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2019, at St. Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was 92. Dot was born July 21, 1926 in St. Johnsbury, the daughter of William Craig and Madge Stevens Traynor.
She joined South Congregational Church in 1940 and was actively involved as a Deaconess, President of Search Light, countless committees and outreach programs, and enjoyed playing in the Hand Bell Choir. She graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1944 and from Mt. Auburn Hospital School of Nursing in Cambridge, MA as a Registered Nurse in 1947.
In 1951 Dot married Leo Desrochers, co-owner of Desrochers Pharmacy. She was an emergency room scrub nurse at Brightlook Hospital and later worked at St. John’s Hospital. In 1971 she joined the St. Johnsbury School District as School Nurse providing health care and attention to countless children for over twenty years.
Dot’s life was characterized by outreach, compassion, and helping others. She was a Girl Scout leader, President of the Vermont State School Nurses Association, served on the Board of Directors of the Caledonia Home Health Care Agency, was an active volunteer for NVRH Mammography, Reach to Recovery (breast cancer support), Fairbanks Museum, Ladies First, and Hospice. She received wide recognition for her humble service including; the 1989 Umbrella Recognition Award, 1992 VT School Nurse of the Year, 1998 St. Johnsbury Center Grange Community Service Award, 1999 St. Johnsbury Academy Northeast Kingdom Community Service Award, 2003 Teresa Lasser (founder of the Breast Cancer Reach to Recovery Program) National Award, as well as several recognitions from the Vermont Cancer Society.
Dot loved her family and spending time with friends. She enjoyed quilting, reading, traveling, swimming, organizing the quinquennial Traynor Family Reunions, time at Joe’s Pond, and was an avid Red Sox fan. Dot was predeceased by her husband Leo (1989), son Thomas (2004), and sister Rose Mary (2017).
She is survived by her daughter Susan (James) McLaughlin of Wallingford, CT, son James (Karen) Desrochers of Sugar Land, TX, daughter-in-law Patricia Desrochers of Waterford, VT, grandchildren Jill (Kris) Kaider, Benjamin McLaughlin (Kate Bunce), Laura Desrochers, Kristen Desrochers, step grandsons, Benjamin Lomasney, Matthew Lomasney, great-granddaughters Eleanor June and Lucille May Kaider, step great-grandchildren, Madison and Stanlee Kaider, and Killian and Jakob Lomasney. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Lorette Desrochers of St. Johnsbury, many nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, and cousins. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation for the loving care Dot received by the staff at St Johnsbury Health and Rehabilitation Center during her stay, as well as the additional hospice workers in her final days.
A memorial service will be held Saturday March 2, 2018, 1:00 pm, at the former South Congregational Church building at 1000 Main Street in St. Johnsbury. Burial will take place at the South Walden Cemetery at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the St. Johnsbury History & Heritage Center, 421 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www. saylesfh.com.
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