Obituary of Rachel Ellen Jarvis

RACHEL ELLEN HERBIG JARVIS Rachel died on April 3, 2017 in her home with her loving family by her side. She was born on October 12, 1926 to Edmund & Ellen Herbig in Madison, Wisconsin where she spent her childhood. Rachel married Dealton (Dan) M. Jarvis, Jr. in May, 1945 in Rantoul, Ill. They moved to Vermont in 1946 and lived mostly in Essex Jct. & So. Burlington until her retirement in 1988. They moved to Clearwater, Florida and eventually to Plant City where she resided for the next 17 years. She enjoyed the yearly Strawberry Festival held in Plant City and traveling around the state. She also looked forward to visitors from the “north” coming down to grab some sunshine for a few days. Rachel & Dan worked with his parents – De & Lita Jarvis from 1953 to 1961 running the Old Board Restaurant in Burlington. Rachel also worked for the University of Vermont for 27 years serving 24 of those years in the Chittenden County Extension Service office. Rachel joined the Order of Eastern Star in Madison, WI in 1945 and the Bethany Chapter in Essex Junction in 1953. She served several offices before and after being elected to serve as Worthy Grand Matron for the Grand Chapter of Vermont OES in 1970 to 1971. She traveled the state and made many life long friends. Rachel was a member of the First Congregational Church of Essex Jct. for 53 years where she had been active in the choir in the past. In recent years, she enjoyed the visits from the “church ladies” who would come to spend an afternoon. Rachel loved to travel, and during her 15 year companionship with Griff, they traveled extensively throughout the United States visiting every state including Alaska & 5 provinces of Canada. Rachel is survived by three of her children & their families – Dealton Jarvis (Sandra) & their sons Eric & Brent (Melissa); Julie Green (Ron) and her children Shawn (Danielle) & Jennifer Patrick and their father Gene Patrick; Amy Roy (Mike) and her son Jeremiah Tinker (Crystal). She leaves six great grandchildren - Aidan & Owen Jarvis, Madison and Makenna Patrick, Jeremiah Tinker and Hayden Pike and her special grand dog Henry. She is also survived by her dear friend Jackie Knapp and enjoyed a weekly coffee hour with her for over 50 years. Over those years, they celebrated many New Year’s Eves together and shared many good times. It was a friendship that lasted a lifetime. Rachel was predeceased by her husband Dealton, her son Louis, her sisters Ilda and Lorna and her friend and companion in her later years Griffin Smith. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the VNA, Dr. King and Dr. Rimmer and his dialysis team at Joy Dr. who took great care of her, always making her feel special. Services to celebrate her life will be held on Friday April 7th, 2017 at 11am at the First Congregational Church in Essex Junction with a reception to follow in the church hall. Donations in her memory can be made to the Chittenden County Dialysis Unit, 35 Joy Dr., South Burlington, Vt. 05403. Online condolences may be made to www.minorfh.com May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You