SCOTT MORGAN NEEDHAM

MIDDLEBURY — Scott Needham of Middlebury, age 79, died of pancreatic cancer on Dec. 11 at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. He was born at Porter Hospital in Middlebury on June 5, 1945, to parents Pauline “Polly” (Morgan) Needham and Charles Reynolds “Rennie” Needham.

Scott was raised in Middlebury and was a 1963 graduate of Middlebury Union High School and was one of the first classes to enter the new building as a 7th grader. He also attended the new Mary Hogan Elementary School and was proud to say that Mary Hogan had been one of his teachers.

His college education took him to Massachusetts, where he graduated from Boston University and where, while teaching, he met his wife of 53 years, Marilyn (Ruggiero) Needham. Their first date was at a party of The AFT Teachers’ Union.

They were married on Aug. 29, 1971, and lived and worked in the Boston area until retirement. Scott worked at a few different jobs in his life — security guard, teacher, retail manager. His first job as a teenager was at Lazarus Department Store in Middlebury and his last employment was at Middlebury’s Elderly Services.

While there, he drove a bus, helped raise money for the new building and began ESI College. He always said his favorite job in his lifetime was driving a bus for Elderly Services.

In 2003, Scott and Marilyn took advantage of early retirement opportunities.

They sold their house in Massachusetts and moved back to Scott’s homeland, Middlebury. They bought a new home and built a mother-in-law apartment for Scott’s mother. Polly lived with them for six and a half years until her death in 2009 at the age of 91. Scott and Marilyn thrived in their new environment. Scott reconnected with old friends, where he headed up MUHS Class of 1963 reunions and annual breakfasts. He was very active in the Middlebury Rotary Club, and for many years he was the President of Friends of Panther Hockey, a fan group that provided support for Middlebury College Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Teams.

Scott loved to host parties and gatherings and was a great cook. He always had a new plan and idea, was a great organizer, and was very generous to all he met.

Scott and Marilyn had a passion for travel. During their time together they visited over 80 countries on six different continents. Their last trip in March 2024 was to Japan and South Korea. Scott always pushed Marilyn to go to exotic places. One of the most exotic was their trip to Myanmar in 2014. They did four African safari trips, which were Scott’s favorites, and visited many countries in Europe, Asia, and South America.

Scott leaves behind his wife Marilyn; a few cousins; fur babies Lily and Daisy; and many wonderful friends. He was predeceased by his parents, brother Stephen, Marilyn’s parents and sister-in-law Carol Ruggiero.

A Memorial Service will be held at the Middlebury United Methodist Church, 47 North Pleasant Street, on Saturday, Dec. 28, at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, 254 Ethan Allen Hwy, New Haven, VT 05472.

We want to thank those who supported us during the past seven months of Scott’s illness; ACHHH and nurses Emily and Wayne, Porter Hospital Emergency Department, and all our friends and neighbors. Thanks, too, to Scott for being so strong right to the end. ◊