Madeleine Appleton ‘Lili’ Howes
Madeleine Appleton “Lili” Howes, 61, of North Fayston, passed away in the comfort of her home and family on Monday, July 30, 2012.
A light has gone out and we will never be the same. Lili was a mother, grandmother, wife, lover, friend, sister, teacher and mentor, as well as so many other things to so many people. She lived life, sometimes on the edge, but always with joy, gusto and love. She took care of almost everyone at some time and they in return took care of her. She didn’t follow the rules but they were never made for her anyway.
Lili was the daughter of Kenneth Howes Jr. and the late Augusta (Wolcott) Howes. She found the love of her life in Bruce Dunbar who in return not only understood her but allowed her to soar and picked her up when she fell.
Her girls, Anna Gebhardt and Molly Ciminello, have her strength, beauty and brains and will learn to use them as they age, just as their mother did.
Her grandchildren, Immanuel, Angelo, Leviah and Augustus, each carry within them an essence that is her. She is loved and missed by her siblings, Frances Valiente, Anna Betz and Kenneth “Obie” Harrington-Howes.
When Lili learned that she had cancer, she fought the disease with a calmness and peacefulness that left most of us behind. She approached death with dignity and grace, taking care of those around her and loving everyone who called or showed up to visit. She genuinely liked and brought out the best in everyone she met. She was truly someone who added zest to living. The world may be a little dimmer without such a bright spirit, but now we are all shining twice as bright having known her. Lili was so alive, so wonderful, we will miss her always.
Services will be private for family. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports (www.vermontadaptive.org) or to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641 (www.cvhhh.org). To send online condolences please visit www.perkinsparker.com and Facebook.
{loadnavigation}
