Gloria Van Derzee

Gloria VanDerzee, 89, a resident of Valentine St. in Bennington, VT died August 17, 2022 at the Bennington Health and Rehabilitation Center following a long illness. She was born in Croton on Hudson, New York on December 24, 1932. She was the daughter of the late Angelo Vallotti and Viola (Folgherhait) Vallotti Packard. She received her education at the Saint Augustine and Mary Immaculate Academy for Girls in Westchester County. She later attended Vassar College, Marist College and Dutchess Community College. She was the wife of the late George Boyle VanDerzee. Gloria was Executive Director of the Poughkeepsie New York Downtown Council and helped to create their pedestrian mall. She was responsible, as Director for the Dutchess Mall in Fishkill, New York and also South Hills Mall in Wappinger Falls, N.Y. for creating the image and grand opening for both malls. She came to Bennington in 1978 and took care of her step-father Russell Packard for one year, then became the Executive Director of the Greater Bennington Chamber of Commerce where she was responsible for marketing. During that three year period, statistics revealed the tourists business in Bennington tripled. While at the Chamber, she was given a National Award from the Future Farmers of America for creating the first downtown farmers market in downtown Bennington with Richard Lutz of the Mount Anthony Union High School Vocational Department. Together they were responsible for the restoration of the rose garden at Southern Vermont College. Upon retiring in 1992, she worked part time for Lotti and Dave Morris at Small One’s Children’s Store in Bennington and later at the Four Corners East Antiques for five years until the death of its owner Russell Bagley. She also worked in the office of the Old Castle Theatre in Bennington for several years. Gloria was the first woman to serve on the BCIC Board, was an original member of the Better Bennington Board and was a past board member of the Bennington Recreation Center and Old Castle Theatre. Gloria enjoyed classical music, opera and jazz, gardening, reading and cooking. She was a longtime contributor of the Bennington Free Library and the Bennington Opera Club. Survivors include her son, Scott Jay VanDerzee and his wife Nancy of Devils Lake, North Dakota. A granddaughter, Alexandra. Along with several nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by a brother, John Vallotti. Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. The burial will take place in the family lot at Park Lawn Cemetery. If friends desire contributions in memory of Gloria may be made to either Old Castle Theatre, the Bennington Free Library or Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Church through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home 628 Main St. Bennington, VT 05201. Guest book condolences may be made at www.maharandsonfuneralhome.net.