KAY ELLYN BROTHERS BUSSIERE

MIDDLEBURY — Kay Bussiere passed away on July 24, 2025, at the age of 72, surrounded by her family, after a long courageous battle with cancer. She was born Oct. 31, 1952, the daughter of William Wesley and Ellyn (Throckmorton) Brothers of Columbia, Mo.. Kay graduated from Hickman High School in 1970, Columbia College in 1974, and later earned her master’s degree from Saint Michael’s college.

In 1974, she was commissioned into the United States Air Force, serving four years of active duty at St. Albans Air Force Station, in St. Albans, Vt. During this assignment, she met her love, Leonard “Buzz” Bussiere, whom she married in 1977. Kay served in the Vermont Air National Guard’s medical squadron and was deployed in the first Gulf War. She proudly retired as a lieutenant colonel after 20 years of service. Kay was employed by the United States Postal Service, serving as postmaster in Middlebury, then Hancock, Vt. She was also an active member of The Kings Daughters and was chosen to attend the national Kings Daughters convention as well.

In her retirement, Kay was an active volunteer at the Porter Medical Center and was the bookkeeper for the volunteer hours. She was an active member of Middlebury Congregational Church, where she also served on the board of pastoral care, coordinated meals on wheels and contributed to other church committees as well.

Kay loved Sudoku and crossword puzzles, Louis L’Amour books, and her family. She was a gentle soul with quiet strength, never overbearing and put the needs of others before her own. Kay was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and beloved friend.

She is survived by her two daughters, Myrna Montminy and husband David and Elizabeth Donoho and husband Dave; by her grandchildren, Michael and Kaitlyn Montminy and Hazel Donoho; her nephew, Darran Brothers; and cousin, Ellyn Bess and her family. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and brother, William T. Brothers.

Graveside services will be held on Oct. 11 at 11 a.m. in the morning, at Farmingdale Cemetery in Middlebury, Vt. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Middlebury Congregational Church Board of Pastoral Care, in her honor.

Arrangements under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, Middlebury, VT. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. ◊