THELMA MINER

BRANDON — Thelma Miner, 94, passed away March 14, 2024, at the UVM Medical Center in Burlington. She was born Jan. 16, 1930, in Goshen, Vt., to Hawley Hathaway and Mindwell Cross Hathaway. She graduated from Brandon High School, class of 1948.

Thelma went to work for the Ayrshire Breeders’ Assn. in Brandon. She married Leo Miner on July 22, 1950, and farmed alongside him, raising five children together. The farm later passed to her son Jim. Leo then created a snack wagon from a small transit bus and Thelma’s Snacks was born. They traveled to auctions, festivals and fairs selling their food. They were also maple producers producing some mighty fine syrup.

Leo passed away in 1998 and Thelma carried on with her snack wagon and maple syrup. She made her maple products, syrup, cream, sugar and candy and set up once a week at the Farmer’s Market in Brandon. Generations have grown up enjoying Thelma’s Bread Dough with Maple Cream as she was a staple at July 4th festivities and served the people at Addison County Field Days for 20 years.

She loved being a maple producer and would “talk maple” with anyone who asked about syrup or visited her sugarhouse during boiling. She was an active member of the Addison County Sugar Makers Assn. for many years. Thelma was also a 59-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Marble Chapter 80 in Brandon.

Thelma is survived by her children, Marie Perry, Ernest Miner and wife Deborah, James Miner and wife Kim, Marsha Hesse and Edward Miner and wife Lynn; sister-in-law Gertrude Hathaway; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Leo, and two brothers, Ralph Hathaway and Burton Hathaway.

The OES and Funeral Service will be held March 23, at 11 a.m., at the Brandon Congregational Church. Refreshments and fellowship in the Rectory will follow the service.

Thelma was a big supporter of the Brandon Town Hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to “The Friends of the Brandon Town Hall,” PO Box 181, Brandon, VT 05733.

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