Retired Postmaster Sue A. Belanger passed away peacefully in the comfort of her home January 11, 2017, surrounded by her family and closest friends. Sue, wife, mother, grandmother and friend, courageously battled a rare stomach cancer. Sue was born April 7, 1958, in Belleville, IL, to Beverly Brothers and the late Kenneth Brothers.
Growing up within an Air Force family Sue's passion for travel sparked early. In her teenage years, her family settled in Fayston, VT, where she graduated from Harwood Union High School. Shortly after, she married Hadley Gaylord Jr., together they had three daughters and she grew to love the many labors of his family farm. She later married the late Bruce Howard, who brought into her life three boys and then together adding another son to become the "Brady Bunch plus one." In 1985, she began her career at the Warren Post Office as a clerk, soon transferring to the Waitsfield Post Office but later finding herself in 2000 as the Warren Postmaster. On July 7, 2007, Sue married Bill Belanger, the love of her life. Sue eventually retired from the Warren Post Office in May 2015. Sue and Bill fulfilled many of their shared goals which included travel to 38 national parks in their RV. Sue traveled to all 50 states and many places outside the U.S. as well.
Sue faithfully cared for her growing family and friends through her love of cooking and baking, cake decorating, crocheting and gardening. Dancing with her husband Bill and friends and enjoying the company of her children and grandchildren were only some of what brought her tremendous joy. Her memberships included the American Legion Auxiliary, Canadian Club and Couples Club of Waitsfield.
She is predeceased by her father, Kenneth Brothers, and she is survived by her mother, Beverly Brothers of Fayston. She is survived by her husband, retired postmaster William Belanger; daughter Connie Gaylord, grandson Jonathan O'Brien, fiancé Rob Beall, his children Ian, late Seamus and Emma; daughter Amy Brooks, her husband Scott, granddaughter's Cailin and Addison; son Todd Howard; daughter Jennifer Pemberton and her husband Chris; son Scott Howard, his wife Sara and grandsons Connor and Cody; son Shiloh Howard and fiancé Frida Barba; son Adam Howard, his fiancé Brianna Bowen and granddaughter Heaven; stepdaughter Mariah Zagarella, her husband Dan and step-grandson Owen; stepdaughter Elyse Belanger; brothers Larry and Steve and sisters Linda and Ruth; plus many nieces and nephews; and last but certainly not least, her dogs, Bella and Sassy.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Sue's memory be made to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641, online at www.cvhhh.org; or the Palliative Care Program fund at Dartmouth-Hitchcock – gifts may be made by check payable to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Health, 1 Medical Center Drive, HB 7070, Lebanon, NH 03756, or by phone to Jen Nelson, (603) 653-0758.
