Obituary of Bertha-Florence Chicoine

BERTHA FLORENCE (MARTIN) CHICOINE - BURLINGTON - Bertha Florence (Martin) Chicoine, 82, of Burlington, died peacefully on Oct. 4, 2012, in the Vermont Respite House, following a short illness. Bertha "Bunny" was born Sept. 20, 1930, in Montpelier, the daughter of George E. Martin and Bertha F. Parsons. She married Norman F. Chicoine on July 28, 1960, and they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. Bertha was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She attended school in Montpelier and later took college courses. She worked at GE, Fletcher Allen as an LPN, and for many years at the Salvation Army, helping others in need. She also had a love of animals. She fed the ducks, birds, chipmunks and neighborhood squirrels. She enjoyed watching her kittens play and took special care of them. What Bunny loved most was having a houseful of people and being surrounded by her family. She also enjoyed vacationing in Maine, on the ocean, over the years. She was predeceased by her husband, Norman, on Dec. 23, 2011. He was the love of her life and she missed him dearly. She is survived by her children, Brenda Fitzgerald, Ron Roberts and wife, Laura, Marty Chicoine, Cherie Chicoine, Shelley Chicoine and Noreen Nichols; grandchildren, Carrie, Hilary, Elliot, Krista, Kyle, Nikki, Ryan, Amber, Jade, Jasmyn and Jacob; 12 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Hazel and Kayette; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Martin, Connie Booska, Eleanor Campbell, Beverly and Jim Forest, and Irene Chicoine; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her father, George Martin, and mother, Bertha Parsons; daughter, Donna Roberts; son-in-law, Mark Nichols; brother, Richard Martin; sister, Maxine Phillips; and many brothers and sisters-in-law. The family asks that you join them in a small celebration of Bertha's life at 74 Village Green, Burlington, on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012, from 2 to 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Vermont Respite House; or The Humane Society.