Dorothy Violet (Johnson) Baldwin, age 89, of Meadowbrook Road, West Brattleboro, passed away peacefully Thursday morning at her home.
Mrs. Baldwin was born in Bronx, NY on March 24, 1917 one of three children to Rev. Percy and Dorothy (Weschrek) Johnson. Raised in Englewood, NJ, she attended local schools and was a graduate of Englewood High School. Prior to her marriage, she was employed as a secretary at Bucyrus Erie Co. in Manhattan, NY.
She was married to John Noller Baldwin Sr. at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in Englewood. Mr. Baldwin died in 1998.
In 1940, the Baldwin’s left city life to pursue a lifelong dream, purchasing a small farm in rural Charlestown, NH with no electricity or running water. Together, they operated the farm which they affectionately referred to as “Belly-Acres”, until the summer of 1965 when they purchased the Washburn Vault Company in West Brattleboro, where Mrs. Baldwin served as bookkeeper of the family-run business until her retirement. The business thrives today under the watch of the second and third generations of family.
In their spare time, they enjoyed traveling, visiting England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, Alaska, the British Isles, St. Martin and Grenada. An avid gardener, Mrs. Baldwin took great pride in her extravagant terraced gardens around her home, particularly her cherished roses. A lover of nature, she also enjoyed passing time watching wildlife around her home, particularly the deer and the birds.
A longtime active member of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, she served on the altar guild and on various church committees over the years. She was also a co-founder of the church’s 8am service coffee group. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time at the family home in DeLeon Springs, Fla.
Known for her love and devotion to her family, she is survived by her children, John N. “Jack” Baldwin Jr. and his wife Linda of Spofford, NH and Lois Kenan of Vancouver, WA; her brother, Richard Johnson of Pahrump, NV; 11 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her son, Rev. Scott Wilson Baldwin and a brother, Edwin “Bob” Johnson.
A Funeral Eucharist will be celebrated at St. Michaels Episcopal Church, corner of Putney Road and Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro on Monday at 11am with the Rev. Judson Pealer, Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Windsor, VT, officiating. A reception will follow in the church undercroft.
A committal service will be at 2pm in the family plot at Hope Hill Cemetery, No. Charlestown, NH.
Donations in Mrs. Baldwin’s memory may be made to St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 18 Bradley Ave.; Rescue Inc., PO Box 593, Brattleboro, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
To send a message of remembrance/condolence to her family, please click the link below.
POST SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Requiem Holy Eucharist for Dorothy Violet (Johnson) Baldwin was celebrated Monday morning at St. Michael's Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Judson Pealer, rector of St. Paul Episcopal Church in Windsor, officiated. Cross bearer was George Lewis, who assisted on the altar.
Music for the service was under the direction of church organist Susan Dedell.
The service opened with prayer followed by the first reading from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, offered by Erica Baldwin Greenwood, a granddaughter, followed by the reciting of Psalm 23 by the congregation.
The second reading from Romans 8:14,34-35, 37-39 was read by Richard Johnson, Mrs. Baldwin's brother.
The gospel from John 14:1-6 was given by Rev. Pealer, who then gave the sermon followed by the prayers of the people lead by Linda Kunelius Baldwin, a daughter-in-law.
The offertory gifts were presented at the alter for holy communion by Kelly Kenan Scott and Matthew Baldwin, both grandchildren.
Following the great thanksgiving, the eucharistic prayer was said by Rev. Pealer, which was followed by the Lord's Prayer, recited by those attending the service.
The postcommunion prayer was lead by Rev. Pealer, followed by the commendation anthem and final commendation.
The blessing was offered by Rev. Pealer, then the dismissal and procession from the altar.
A reception followed the service held in the church fellowship hall, hosted by the Episcopal Church women.
Committal rites and burial followed in the Baldwin family lot in Hope Hill cemetery in North Charlestown, N.H., where Rev. Pealer offered the committal prayer.
Serving as pallbearers were Nathan Reil, Skip Baldwin and Matthew Baldwin, all grandsons, Grant Johnson, a nephew, Philip Greenwood, a grandson-in-law, and Cecil Bell, a close friend of the Baldwin family.
Family, friends and neighbors gathered at the Baldwin family home on Meadowbrook Road later in the afternoon for refreshments and fellowship.