REBECCA JUNE ORVIS FIFIELD

MIDDLEBURY — Rebecca June Orvis Fifield, 87, of Middlebury passed away early Sunday morning, Jan. 8, 2023, at the Estuary Room, UVM Porter Medical Center, surrounded by her loving family.

Rebecca was born June 3, 1935, in Burlington, Vt. She grew up in South Starksboro, Vt., and was the daughter of Sherman and Irene Atkins Orvis.

Rebecca graduated from the University of Vermont with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She married Joel Fifield on Aug. 17, 1957, in the Baptist Church in Bristol, Vt. They honeymooned in Niagara Falls, and then settled into the farm house on the Border Acres farm in Middlebury, Vt., where they raised a family of five children.

Rebecca was a school teacher at Shoreham Elementary. Rebecca was a dedicated volunteer for the community of Middlebury. She was a 4-H leader for 45 years and a lifetime member of the Congregational Church of Middlebury. She was active in the Extension Homemakers and Christian Women’s Club. She taught church school and was director for 10 years. She served on the pastoral care committee and was the president of the Women’s Fellowship. She served on the County Extension Advisory Board and was a Downer 4-H trustee.

Rebecca is survived by her sister Joan Turner; by her children Sharon Cram and her husband (Bruce) of Cornwall, Vt.; Amy Jo Shute and husband (Raymond) of New Haven, Vt.; Steven Fifield of Vergennes, Vt.; Sue and (Lee) Baker of Goshen, Vt.; and Jeff and Lise (Plouffe) Fifield of Middlebury, Vt.

She is also survived by eleven grandchildren: Allison (Larry Shippee) Cram; Benjamin (Nichole) Cram; Jeremiah Hayes, Joshua (Deborah) Hayes; Ashley (Michael) Lafirira; Cheyenne Brown; Skyler (Makayla) Shute; Victor (partner Riley McGee) Fifield; Daniel Fifield (Dr. Kathleen Gill); Eric (Lindsey) Fifield and Patrick Fifield. Rebecca is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren: Carysn, Alexis, Liam and Noah Hayes; Oliver and Margaret Brown; Evelyn and Hadley Fifield; Fallyn Lafirira; Joel, Blair and Reese Fifield; Elizabeth Shute and Eileen Fifield, plus anticipating the arrival of two additional great-grandchildren. She is survived by these special individuals, Myrdith McKinley, Shirley Pomainville, Patrick Deering, Jeffery Hayes and Eric Gracie.

She was predeceased by her loving husband, Joel Fifield, her parents, a sister Earlene Wheeler, and brother Eugene Orvis.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, Jan. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Sanderson Funeral Home.

A memorial service will be held at the Congregational Church on Friday, Jan. 13, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson officiating. Burial will be held at the Middlebury Cemetery on a later date to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 60 Kimball Ave., South Burlington, VT 05403.

Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊