MORRISVILLE – Virginia Mae Cochran, 82, of Morrisville passed away peacefully, in the comfort of her home, on Monday, February 2, with her loving family at her side.
Virginia, known to many as “Ginny” or “Mema,” was born November 3, 1943, in Newport, daughter of the late Douglas and Sylvia (Sanville) Niles. She was a graduate of Craftsbury Academy.
In her earlier years she worked as a stitcher at the stitchery in St. Johnsbury.
On August 11, 1962, Virginia married Carlton Howard Cochran in Craftsbury. Together they raised three children. In 1965 their family relocated to Alaska where they began a new adventure living in the great north for more than 24 years. During their time in Alaska, Virginia held several seasonal positions until she started working year-round for Skagway Air Service and Skagway Hardware. Virginia was also an active member of the Skagway Assembly of God, acting as youth leader, choir member and a variety of other titles.
In 1989 their family returned to Vermont where Carlton and Virginia purchased the Waterville Market. They operated the business for several years and sold the Waterville Market in 1996, when they moved to Morrisville. During this time, Virginia sewed for Black Diamond Flannel. In 1998, Carlton and Virginia made the decision to return to Alaska seasonally, in which Virginia worked as a seasonal employee at the Alaska Christmas Store. In Fall of 2006, both Carlton and Virginia retired and moved back to Vermont full-time.
Virginia was a member of the Trinity Assembly of God Church in Hyde Park where she took great pride in the holiday decorating and annual bazaar. She enjoyed spending time crafting, scrapbooking and taking care of her flower beds. She spent lots of time in the kitchen baking her well-known donuts, pies and cookies, which she shared at her church’s annual Christmas bazaar. She also loved to cook, hosting family Sunday dinners every Sunday night, with dessert of course. Virginia loved her family unconditionally, spending time with her family and attending as many of her grandchildren’s events as possible. She also spent countless hours helping her children and grandchildren with school projects, fundraisers, making costumes and contributing in any way she could.
Survivors include her husband, Carlton, of Morrisville; three children, Randy (Dawn) Cochran of Kingsland, Ga., Renee (K.J.) Myrtvedt of Graham, Wash., and Renita (Paul) Dubie of Morrisville; eight grandchildren, Ryan (Ciara) Cochran, Kaylin (John) Connors, Nina (Matthew) Kueter, Kjersti Myrtvedt, Avery (Devaney) Cochran, Dakota (Abby) Dubie, Darian (Hayden) Brown and Landon Dubie; many nieces and nephews; 14 great grandchildren, Roxy, Kalub, Delanie, Brayden, Talon, Kylan, Ember, Layah, Ford, Jace, Millie, Beckett, Rivie, and Hudson; brother, Robert (Irene) Niles of East Charleston; sisters, Beverly Nadeau of Essex and Sandra Gutzmann of Craftsbury.
In addition to her parents, Virginia was predeceased by four siblings: Ronald and Reginald Niles, Gloria Stevens and Shirley Kibbee.
A Memorial Service was on Sunday, February 8, at Northern Vermont Funeral Home, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick, with Rev. Avril Cochran officiating. Visiting hours were held from 1 to 2 p.m. The service immediately followed. A burial will be held in the spring at the Craftsbury Village Cemetery, Craftsbury.
Virginia and her family are forever grateful for the care she received from her nurses, aides, PCAs, chaplain and caretakers, who helped ensure her wish to stay home was honored. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to Lamoille Home Health & Hospice, 54 Farr Avenue, Morrisville, VT 05661.
Arrangements are in the care of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at northernvermontfuneralservice.com.
