Mary Pratt

NORTH BENNINGTON—Mary L. Rice (Sawyer) Pratt, 80, died Sept. 30, 2006 at Southwestern Medical Center Hospital in Bennington.

She was born Aug. 20, 1926 in Utica, N.Y. to Henry and Nellie (Harrington) Rice.

She was a foster mother and VISTA volunteer, and was a writer for the Sunshine Club, writing to the terminally ill and elderly in nursing homes. She was a member of the Rebekahs of South Royalton and a member of the American Legion in Bennington.

She will be remembered for her smile and her willingness to help friends, family, and strangers alike. She enjoyed cooking, singing, swimming, reading, flowers, writing, her friends, children, animals, and holidays.

She married Donald Arthur Pratt April 1, 1995 in North Bennington.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Julius W. Sawyer in August, 1969; a daughter, Albertine Quillia; and a son, William J. Sawyer.

Survivors include five sons: Dennis Sawyer and his wife of Canaan, N.H.; Edward Sawyer and his wife of White River Jct.; James Sawyer and his wife of Morgan, Stephen Sawyer of Montpelier, and Joseph Sawyer of Montpelier; four daughters: Dona Locke of Bethel, Fay Sawyer of Montpelier, Kathy Sawyer of South Royalton, and Cheryl Andrus and her husband of Contoocook, N.H.; 37 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces.

Memorial donations may be made through the Hansal Walbridge Funeral Home in Bennington.

Burial took place at the Chapel Road Cemetery in Bennington Thursday, Oct. 5. The Hansal Walbridge Funeral Home in Bennington handled the arrangements.

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