Marion Fulton (Wade) Fletcher, 87, of Jeffersonville, VT passed into the arms of her heavenly father May 18, 2016. Marion was born December 23, 1928 in Braintree, MA, daughter of the late John and Marion (Redfield) Wade. Marion met her late husband, Gordon Arthur Fletcher, in Williamsville, VT. They were married May 25, 1947 in Randolph, MA after Gordon returned from World War II. They initially lived in Washington, D.C. before they moved to Hinesburg, Vermont. In Hinesburg, they built Chittenden County’s first Free-Stall barn. Marion had always said that she never wanted to marry a farmer, but her love for Gordon and animals transformed the cultured city girl who loved ballet and opera, into a willing and hard-working partner on the farm, as they raised seven children together. After 20 years in Hinesburg they moved to Sheldon, where they farmed for another 20 years. After Gordon’s retirement from farming they moved to Jeffersonville in 1999. Marion was always an active part of her churches and community. She had many interests including a deep love of learning, reading, flower arranging, all animals and insects (including daddy long-legs and ladybugs). Music was foremost in her everyday life. To her, life was not as enjoyable without it. An accomplished vocalist, Marion had the honor of being invited to sing at many functions in Chittenden and Franklin Counties. She was a member and youth director of several choirs. A social butterfly, Marion loved meeting new people and especially enjoyed visiting elder friends at home and care facilities to share in their stories and wisdom. She was so adept at engaging people in conversation that Gordon joked she should have worked for the IRS or the Secret Service. She loved humor, which helped her maintain a positive and inspiring outlook while overcoming cancer and the loss of her hearing. Coming from a close and loving family, Marion’s greatest love was for her own family. She was the focal point of family gatherings, where she found comfort and joy in being surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. She will be greatly missed by many beyond her family. She never met a stranger; everyone was a friend. Marion is survived by six of her seven children: Dale Cota Fields of Jeffersonville, Ronald Fletcher of Fairfield, Melissa Fletcher of Phoenix, AZ, Mark Fletcher and wife Sarah Phillips of Fairfax, John Fletcher of Missoula, Montana, and Eric Fletcher of Brandon, FL, her grandchildren – Chawna Cota and partner Christopher Page of Winooski, Ginger Fletcher-Santillan of Mexico City, Mexico, Nicholas Cota of South Burlington, Amy Fletcher and partner Kyle Conger of Fairfield, Steven Fletcher and partner Kaitlynn Heflin of Eugene, OR, Christina Fletcher and partner Tony Munsell of Fairfield, Wade Fletcher and girlfriend Dillyn Klemchuk of Indianapolis, IN, Sara Gabaree and husband Bruce of Essex, and Stacey Fletcher of Antelope, CA, as well as her great-grandson, Neill Arthur Bullis of Fairfield. Marion is also survived by her brothers John Wade Jr. and wife Ondina, of Chula Vista, CA, and Reverend James Wade, Sr. of Oakland, CA, as well as her daughter-in-law Mary Allard (Fletcher) Stanley and husband Jeff of Swanton, and late daughter (Margot)’s partner John Yarbrough, of Las Vegas, NV as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Marion was predeceased by her husband of 65 years, Gordon, sister Elizabeth “Betty” Fox, sister Helen Wade, daughter Margot Fletcher, daughter-in-law Nancy (Dow) Fletcher, grandson Alexander Fletcher, sister-in-law Christina Wade and brother-in-law Walter Fox. Marion’s family would like to extend their heart-felt thanks for the excellent care and concern she received from Lamoille County Home Health, Dr. John Dunn, Northwestern Medical Center, Franklin County Rehab, and Holiday House. Visiting hours will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Swanton on Thursday, May 26, 2016 from 4 p.m. until the service at 6 p.m. A reception celebrating Marion’s life will immediately follow the service. Graveside commitment will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marion’s memory may be made to Franklin County Animal Rescue, 30 Sunset Meadows, St. Albans, VT 05478. The family also invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com. Love Lives On Those we love are never really lost to us; we feel them in so many ways - through friends they cared about and dreams they left behind, in beauty they added to our days in words of wisdom we still carry with us, and memories that never will be gone. Those we love are never really lost to us; for everywhere, their special love lives on.