Alberta Joslin Stafford, 91, a lifelong resident of Waitsfield, passed away in the comfort of her home and family on Saturday, March 5, 2011. Born in Waitsfield on April 23, 1919, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Floy (Bettis) Joslin. On July 28, 1940, she married Harold R. Stafford in Waterbury. Harold predeceased Alberta on February 27, 1992, after 52 years of marriage.
Alberta is survived by her children, Morris and Gail (Berthiaume) Stafford of Fairfax, Michael and Lynne (Stafford) Kingsbury of Waitsfield, James and Myrna (Stafford) Bass of Mineral, VA, and Harley and Lily Stafford of South Duxbury; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Eugene Joslin and his wife Edith of Middlesex; a sister, Janet Perry and her husband Bill of Sudbury, MA; as well as nieces, nephews and extended family. Alberta was predeceased by five siblings, Vercil Joslin, Guy Joslin, Dorothy Joslin Livingston, Mark Joslin and Lewis Joslin.
Alberta will be remembered for her many years of teaching in The Valley elementary schools, notably in the one-room schools of Fayston and in Waitsfield where she was a teaching principal. In 1973, she was awarded the honor of State Teacher of the Year. Her memberships included the Mad River Valley American Legion Auxiliary Unit #75, the Waitsfield Federated Church Ladies Auxiliary and the Couples Club.
Alberta enjoyed doing all types of crafts and was an expert at crocheting and embroidery. In her later years, she very much enjoyed making baby quilts for each of her great-grandchildren as well as for church bazaars.
Alberta is fondly remembered for the love she gave to her husband and family and the happy home she provided everyone at the farm on Waitsfield Common. The family also spent many enjoyable summers at camp on Lake Champlain at Keeler Bay. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought her much joy and love, right until her passing.
Memorial services will be held this spring, at a date and time to be announced, from the Waitsfield United Church of Christ. Inurnment will take place in the Irasville Cemetery, Waitsfield. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Waitsfield United Church of Christ, P.O. Box 16, Waitsfield, VT 05673, or to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). To send online condolences please visit us at www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook. Assisting the family is the Perkins-Parker Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Waterbury.
