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Obituaries 05/25/10

Elise Helen Ludeke Barash

SHELBURNE - Elise Helen Ludeke Barash, a resident of Wake Robin in Shelburne, Vermont, died peacefully with family at her side on May 14, 2010. Born in Hoboken, NJ on November 14, 1915 to Henry and Alma Ludeke, the second of four children, Elise had a very long and full life that touched the lives of many people. Early in her life Elise embarked on a career of writing and editing – fields where few women were working at the time.

    In 1942 Elise enlisted in the military. She volunteered for the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service), a branch of the US Navy). During this time she was responsible for training fighter pilots. She was proud to serve and she rose to the rank of Lieutenant (jg) by the end of her service. After the war she returned to her career in magazine publishing.

    In 1951 Elise married Theodore Barash, a widower with three children. They made their home in Pennsylvania. A fourth child was welcomed into the family soon thereafter. Elise and Ted raised their family in the Quaker (Society of Friends) tradition. Her life was guided at home, at work, and in the community by Quaker principles and values. The Barash family were longtime members of Buckingham and Wrightstown Monthly Meetings in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

    In her early years Elise loved to sail with her father. Throughout her life Elise loved gardening and passed on this passion and knowledge to her children. She also loved tennis and developed many friendships with Ted around this sport. Finally, she adored children of all ages, particularly her grandchildren, and quickly developed rapport and special relationships with each of them. Elise conveyed through her example of community service to her children, grandchildren and all those she came in touch with the importance of being aware of the myriad of social injustices in the world and contributing in some way to righting them.

    While raising a family Elise continued her career, expanding it to include Director of Development and Public Relations at George School, a private Quaker secondary school in Pennsylvania. Elise was one of the founders and later Board Chair of Pennswood Village, a Quaker Continuing Care Community.

    Elise and Ted moved to Monkton, Vermont in the late 1980s to be closer to their family. They enjoyed several years there and became active members of South Starksboro Friends Meeting. Ted predeceased her in 1993. Elise continued to live on Monkton Pond until 2003 when she joined the Wake Robin Life Care Community.  

    Elise is survived by her sister Helen Ludeke Walker of Newtown, PA; her four children Mahlon A. Barash of Lima, Peru (former wife Leah Hancock of Brightwood, VA), Timothy W. Barash of Andover, MA, Phoebe Barash (and Bob Donnis) of Bristol, VT and David D. Barash (and Juliet Barash) of Waterbury Center, VT.; her seven grandchildren Adam T. Barash (and Cresta Amor Barash) of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Leo J. Barash (and Tokuko Barash) of Kurayoshi, Japan, Amanda Barash of New York City, Nicholas Barash of Andover, MA, Kate Barash-Engel of Burlington, VT, Cole Barash of Wellfleet, MA, and Molly Barash of Waterbury Center, VT; her two stepgrandchildren Erica Donnis (and Don Slish) of Burlington, VT and Emily McCann (and Aidan McCann) of Westborough, MA; one great grandchild, Alex Barash of Kurayoshi, Japan; and one step great grandchild, Jack Slish of Burlington, VT. More great grandchildren are on the way.

    Indeed, there is a large circle of friends and family that Elise’s life has touched.

    Remembrances can be made in Elise’s name to three organizations that she was especially passionate about:
Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, AL
Paralyzed Veterans of America
South Starksboro Friends Meeting (VT)

    A memorial Quaker meeting for worship will be held on July 24 at 11AM at South Starksboro Friends Meeting, followed by an open house at 1PM at Mary’s Restaurant in Bristol.

Rita M. Bumps

Rutland/Middlebury - Mrs. Rita M. Bumps 88, formerly of Middlebury died early Thursday morning May 20, 2010 at the Sunset home in Rutland after a brief illness.

    She was born April 10, 1922 in East Barnard, VT the daughter of Harold & Merle (Loura) Potwin.  
Rita was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Middlebury and the Home Dem club.  She was a Daycare provider for many years in Middlebury and was well known as Mommy Bumps. Rita opened her home for many years to visitors and family that needed a place to stay. Rita enjoyed braiding rugs and had taught rug braiding classes, she enjoyed dancing and taking rides visiting family & friends.  

    She is survived by her son Thomas Bumps & his wife Janis of Cave City, KY, by her two daughters, Kathryn Shortsleeves & her husband Stephen of Pittsford and Norma Manning of Port Henry, NY, by her brother Romaine Potwin of Royalton, by her two sisters, Ramona Davenport of Halifax, MA and Vera Dickinson of Sharon, by her eight grandchildren and her four great-grandchildren and several nieces & nephews.  

    She was predeceased by her parents and several brothers & sisters.

    A mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday May 24, 2010 at St Mary’s Catholic Church at 11 AM.  The Rev. Brian O’Donnell will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery.  

    In lieu of flowers memorial contributions will be made to Rutland Area Visiting Nurses & Hospice at 7 Albert Cree Drive, Rutland, VT 05701 or to  Project Independence @ 112 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753 or to St. Mary’s Catholic church at  326 College Street, Middlebury, VT 05753.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home.
www.sandersonfuneralservice.com

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