Obituary: Mildred Rita Badger
November 6, 1934 - June 16, 2024
June 25, 2024Mildred Rita Badger passed away at Central Vermont Medical Center in Berlin, Vermont, on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with her loved ones by her side.
Mildred Rita Badger, 1934-2024. Courtesy photo
Milly (as friends knew her) was born in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, on November 6, 1934, to Louis and Albertine (Jacques) Smith. She is survived by her five children: Deborah Badger of Barre, Vermont; John Badger and partner Debbie of New Port Richey, Florida; Diane Badger of Waterbury Center, Vermont; Steven Badger of Oakland Park, Florida; and Jacqueline and Richard Powers of Wells, Maine; and a sister, Lorraine Baker of Huntsville, Alabama.
Milly and her family’s journey to Vermont began when she and John W. Badger Sr. purchased a dairy farm in Canaan in 1966. In 1978, Milly began to pursue her educational goals. She obtained her associates degree from Champlain College in Burlington, and in 1982 she completed her bachelors in accounting from New Hampshire College in Manchester, New Hampshire.
After college, Milly moved to Tucson, Arizona, and was employed at Ronstadt Hardware. She returned to Vermont in 1984 and worked at Hearthstone Stoves in Morrisville for a short time. She began her career at Ben & Jerry’s in Waterbury, Vermont, in the mid 1980s and enjoyed her role as assistant treasurer until her retirement in 1999.
Milly loved visiting Maine and enjoyed many cultural events in the greater New England area. Some of her interests included gardening, reading, music, travel, and homemade cooking. Her applesauce was a hit with her grandchildren, and her chocolate sauce recipe remains a guarded favorite. She also enjoyed a holiday tradition, baking with her granddaughter Samantha.
Milly has six grandchildren and one great-grandchild: Jack and Megan Badger of Vergennes, Vermont; Jared Badger and partner Alicia of Georgia, Vermont; Jonathan Badger of Waterbury Center, Vermont; Jeffrey Badger of Medford, Massachusetts; Samantha Powers of Fairfax, Virginia; and Geraughty Badger of Kansas City, Missouri. Her one great-grandchild, Owen Badger, also resides with his parents in Vergennes.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in honor of Mildred at Saint Andrew’s Church, 109 South Main St., Waterbury, Thursday, August 1, at 11 a.m. A celebration of Milly’s life will immediately follow at the church. Burial will take place at a later date in a private service with family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name can be made to the Ronald McDonald House in Burlington, Vermont.