Loretta “Rett” Madeline (Backus) Wimble, 92, of Waitsfield, passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020, at the McClure Miller Respite House in Colchester. Born May 10, 1928, in Montpelier, she was the daughter of the late Harry Backus and Elizabeth (Bisbee) Backus she married Edward “Bunker” Wimble on January 16, 1954, in Moretown.
Rett grew up in South Duxbury and graduated from Waitsfield High School in 1941. As a young woman she helped take care of her parents on the farm, worked six seasons at the Mount Mansfield Trout Club in Stowe and delivered groceries for Bisbee Grocery Store. She also worked at the Mad River Glen ski area, mainly on weekends, selling lift tickets and in the cafeteria, at the same time she continued to care for her parents and young family. The next several years included employment at local lodges, Mehuron’s Supermarket, Waitsfield Telephone Co. as a bookkeeper and after the birth of Jamey and Merrie-Beth, she worked part time at several Valley gift shops. She also owned and operated a thrift shop in Waitsfield. She worked part time for five years as a teller at the former Howard Bank in Waitsfield, and then several years full time until her retirement.
Rett was a member of the South Duxbury Church, the Boy Scouts of America, serving as treasurer and secretary for the Green Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts, American Legion Auxiliary MRV Unit #75 of Waitsfield, and Harry N Cutting Unit #59 of Waterbury. She enjoyed doing needlework, knitting and crocheting, vegetable gardening and collecting knickknacks, mainly horses. She loved life and the outdoors and Camel’s Hump, and every day that was below 70 degrees. She was a lifetime caregiver and in her own words really just enjoyed being a mom.
She is survived by her son James B. Wimble of Waterbury; five grandchildren, Natasha Wimble, Linda Wimble, Anne Touchette, A.J. Wimble and Tabor Wilson; nine great-grandchildren, Alicia, Hannah, Ashley, Nico, Luzenia, Nathalia, Ryan, Jayden and Corbin; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. She was predeceased by her husband Edward in 2003, her daughter Merrie-Beth in 2006, and her son Kendall (Peanut) in 2007, as well as five sisters and one brother.
A celebration of Rett’s life will be held at a later date when conditions are more favorable to having a public service. Memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waitsfield Community Fund, P.O. Box 353, Waitsfield, VT 05673 or visit MRVcommunityfund.org. Assisting the family is Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation service in Waterbury. To send online condolences, visit www.perkinsparker.com.
