Frances E. "Sparrow" Calkins, 58, of Waterbury, passed away on March 29, 2007, following a long, valiant battle with Crohn's Disease at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington in the comfort and security of her children. Born in Portland, Maine, on August 28, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Francis W. and Dorothy A. (Goodhue) Gilbert. Sparrow was previously married to William Calkins.
Sparrow was a 1968 graduate of Harwood Union High School in Duxbury. For the past 30 years, she was employed by the state of Vermont as a specialist in child support services. In her leisure time, she enjoyed knitting, crocheting, shopping with her daughters, and flower gardening. Her most cherished times were spent with her daughters and their families.
Sparrow is survived by her children, Lisa Catchapaw and her husband Robert of Barre, Debra O'Connell and her husband Chris of Bolton, and Donna Storti and her husband Joe of Barre; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Stephanie Ostiguy of Lowell and Janie Stafford of Waterbury; four brothers, Clayton Gilbert of Rutland, Todd Muzzy of St. Johnsbury, Donald "Peeper" Muzzy of Nashville, TN, and Frederick Muzzy of Barre; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family.
Funeral services were held from the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home in Waterbury on Wednesday, April 4, at 11 a.m. Friends called at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Interment will take place later this spring in the Holy Cross Cemetery, Duxbury. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1460, Williston, VT 05495. To send online condolences, please visit www.perkinsparker.com.
