Madaline M. Kingsbury, 94, a lifelong resident and vibrant member of the Mad River Valley, passed away peacefully at Woodridge Nursing Home in Berlin on Thursday morning, April 28, 2016. Born in Warren on August 29, 1921, she was the daughter of the late Roy and Blanche (Richardson) Eurich.
Madaline was a 1939 graduate of Waitsfield High School and on September 14, 1939, she married Mervin M. “Mert” Kingsbury in Plainfield. With a strong work ethic and sense of purpose, Madaline began employment as a clerk at Mehuron’s Market for several years before she and her husband purchased the M&R Country Store and State Liquor Store in Irasville as well as ran a dairy farm on Kingsbury Road in Waitsfield, both of which they operated for many years. Following the sale of their business, she and Mert continued to operate the State Liquor Store at the Mad River Green in Irasville. Even in semi-retirement, Madaline worked several years part time for Bisbee’s Hardware in Irasville. In addition, she and Mert helped develop the Ski Valley Acres development in Waitsfield.
Later in life, Madaline enjoyed traveling annually with her three sons visiting Alaska twice, wintering several years in Texas and spending many winters in Kissimmee, Florida. More recently Madaline enjoyed a winter with her sister Christine Crill in Rome, New York.
A woman of strong faith, Madaline was an active member of Waitsfield United Church of Christ, a founding and active member of the Couples Club in Waitsfield, a member of Mad River Valley Senior Citizens and in earlier years, a longtime member of the Mad River Ridge Runners Snowmobile Club. In her leisure time she enjoyed knitting, playing cards and cribbage, her weekly visits to Three Mountain Café with her coffee friends as well as living up to her motto, “Shop Till You Drop.”
Madaline is loved and mourned by her sons, Gary Kingsbury and his wife Lynn of Waitsfield, Michael Kingsbury and his wife Lynne of Waitsfield, and Richard “Dick” Kingsbury and his wife Laura of Fayston; her six grandchildren, Todd Kingsbury and his wife Lisa, Kim Calbert and her husband Greg, Lori Harris and her husband Phil, Scott Kingsbury and Jeannette Kingsbury, Travis John “TJ” Kingsbury and his wife Madaileine, Jamie Wylie and her husband Josh; her 12 great-grandchildren, Skyler and Reese Kingsbury, Griffin, Gavin and Owen Calbert, Caiden and Greyson Harris, Caleb Kingsbury, Killian, Duke and Morgan Kingsbury, and Sawyer Wylie; her sister, Christine Crill of Rome, New York; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Madaline was preceded in death by her husband, Mervin “Mert” Kingsbury, on January 17, 1988. She is also predeceased by a sister, Marion Neill, and three brothers, Clesson Eurich, Edward Eurich and her twin, Roger Eurich.
The family extends their deep appreciation for the love, care and dedication shown to Madaline by the staff at Woodridge Nursing Home, Rev. Nancy McHugh and Rev. Susan McKnight, Dorothy Peck, Kevin and Sheila Eurich and Gordon and JoAnn Eurich.
A celebration of Madaline Kingsbury’s life will be held from Waitsfield United Church of Christ on May 9, 2016, at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the church dining room. Inurnment will take place in Waitsfield Common Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to Waitsfield United Church of Christ (for the Capital Campaign), P.O. Box 16, Waitsfield, VT 05673. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury. To send online condolences visit www.perkinsparker.com.
