Jeanne A. Mcwaters (Velon)

January 6, 1927 — March 4, 2021

Jeanne A. McWaters 1927-2021

Jeanne, age 94, passed away peacefully at home with her children at her side on March 04, 2021.
She was born January 06, 1927, in Mount Vernon NY. She was the daughter of Henri and Josephine (Miick) Velon. She grew up in North Pelham NY. She was a 1944 graduate of Pelham Memorial High School and a 1947 graduate of Parson's School of Design. She received her teaching degree from Vermont Department of Education in 1972.

While still living in New York, she worked as a Corrector for The Sanborn Map Company in Pelham, where she would visit subscribers' offices to paste the correction slips on top of the old maps; later worked at a luxury department store, B. Altman & Company, in NYC; and taught as a Teacher for the Orienta Point Nursery School in Mamaroneck.

She married Robert J. McWaters in Pelham, NY on May 20, 1950. The summer of 1956, Jeanne persuaded her husband to move their young family to North Bennington VT where they resided for past 65 years, where many memories happened, remembered, and loved in the expansion of four generations of families, friends, and neighbors, who were her extended families.

In 1965, after all her children were in schools, Jeanne returned to work as a Librarian for the Ford Foundation's The Cooperative Project for Curriculum Development. In 1967, she became an Assistant, then as the Director of the Curriculum Workshop for SWVSU in Bennington VT. In the 1980's, she began as an Art Teacher for North Bennington Graded School and then at Catamount Elementary School, where she retired in 1990. During her teaching years, Jeanne had presented workshops and graduate courses throughout New England highlighting Art as part of any integrated curriculum. She had been a student advisor for several colleges including Antioch New England. From 1998 to 2002, she was the Educational Director for the Vermont Arts Exchange in North Bennington VT. From 2004 to 2009, she helped the Prospect Center, prepared the archives to be moved to UVM.

Jeanne was a member of the National and Rural Teacher's Center Network, NEA, VT Retired Teachers Assoc. She had belonged in The Village Homemakers, Mount Valley Artists Assoc., Bennington Arts Guild, and the Corridor Art Gallery at the local hospital, SVMC (formerly Putnam Hospital).

She had served on the following boards: North Bennington Graded School, SWVSU, McCullough Library, Park McCullough House, Bennington Museum, and VT Girl Scout Council. Also served on the Independent School Investigating Study Committee for North Bennington Graded School. And was Trustee for Village School of North Bennington.

Jeanne loved being with children, especially her grandchildren. Her home was always open to friends. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, grand aunt, friend, gardener, baker, quilter, paper artist, and always a teacher.

She was predeceased by her husband, Robert and two infant sons, Robert and Scott, and her sister, Denise Sweeney. She is survived by two sons Bruce (Lisa) of Media PA and Alan of Ann Arbor MI; daughter Kathy Velon of North Bennington; Fresh Air daughter, Dr. Diane Siegel of CA; four grandchildren, James and Christopher Branagan, Joshua (Julia) and Sara McWaters. Nieces and nephews. Great nieces and great nephews. And her very special extended "The Lane" families.

A Celebration of Life will be determined later.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Jeanne A. McWaters to: Village School of North Bennington, John G. McCullough Free Library, Vermont Arts Exchange, or the Fund for North Bennington, Inc., or a local favorite charity of your choice would be appreciated. Donations may be made through the office at Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201.

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Jeanne A. Mcwaters (Velon)

January 6, 1927 — March 4, 2021

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