JUANITA BABCOCK HORNBECK

WHITING — Juanita Babcock Hornbeck, age 85, passed away peacefully on Aug. 27, 2024. Juanita was born in Rutland, Vt., on May 9,1939. She was the daughter of Francis Babcock and Lucy (Moore) Babcock. Juanita’s Dad passed away when she was five years old. Lucy later married her stepfather, Floyd Munger. They resided in Orwell, Vt.

Juanita graduated from Fair Haven High School and later attended McGill University, Montreal, Canada, studying Nursing. Juanita married Ronald C. Hornbeck on June 6, 1959. They lived at Mount Independence on his parents’ family farm. In 1967 Ronald and Juanita bought their own dairy farm in Whiting, where they raised their six children.

Juanita was the backbone of the farm, she kept everything and everyone in check.

She worked tirelessly on the farm, raising kids, gardening and doing numerous crafts. Her flower gardens were very special to her, including her daylilies and peonies. In 1998 Mom and Dad sold their cattle and equipment, at that time Mom decided to step back into the caregiving field. She took a course in CHHA and started taking care of people privately at first, then went to work for Addison County Home Health and Hospice. Juanita loved caring for people as she traveled around the roads of Addison County. Mom excelled at her new career, which was not a surprise.

Juanita is survived by her children, Jeffrey (Sue) Hornbeck (Nicolas and Sarah, Molly and Corey); Vanessa VanDerHeyden (Jack and MacKenzie, Alison); Daphne (Stephen) Hard; Donna (Matthew) Severy (Eric, Ashley and Tyler); Susan (Brent) Wetmore; Randy (Audrey) Hornbeck (Chris, Travis and Robert); step-grandchildren, John, Michelle, Carter and James; great-grandchildren, Bryce, Braelynn, Hudson and Maverick; brother Dwight Munger (Donna); sisters-in-law Mickey Hornbeck, Anne Hornbeck and Carla Hornbeck; brother-in-law Micheal MacIntyre; and many nieces and nephews and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Ronald C. Hornbeck; her parents; brother David Munger; sisters-in-law Patricia and Janice; and brothers-in-law Edward and James. She leaves several special friends.

There will be a celebration of life on Oct. 5, at the Whiting Community Church, Whiting, Vt., at 1 p.m.

Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers may be made to Elderly Services Inc., Middlebury, Vt.; Addison County Home Health & Hospice; and The Whiting Volunteer Fire Department and First Response Squad. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller and Ketcham Funeral Home in Brandon. ◊