Rhoena B. Longley

SAXTONS RIVER — Rhoena Barnes Longley, 95, of Pleasant Street, passed away Sunday, December 17th 2006, at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. Rhoena was born November 12, 1911, in a farmhouse on the Westminster West Road, the daughter of Harlan and Carrie (Cater) Barnes. She attended the Saxtons River Elementary School for eight years and graduated from Vermont Academy in 1929. She trained for her teaching career at the University of Vermont where she was a member of Epsilon Sigma Sorority. She graduated in 1931. In 1972, she received a B.S. in education from The College of St. Joseph in Rutland, VT. She was married to Raymond Longley of East Wallingford in 1935. They lived in Ludlow, VT, prior to moving to Saxtons River in 1942. Mrs. Longley taught all eight grades in "one room schools" in Mount Holly and Ludlow, VT. For several years, she operated The Tiny Tots School for preschool children at her home in Saxtons River. For 22 years, she was a well-known teacher in the first grade at the Saxtons River Elementary School, retiring in 1976.

Mrs. Longley had many interests. She enjoyed baking and taking "goodies" to friends and "shut-ins." She was a good seamstress and sewed a great deal for herself, her daughter, grandchildren and friends. She always made many crafty articles for Christ's Church Bazaar. She enjoyed people and especially liked to play bridge.

She is survived by two children, Russell Longley of Lenexa, KS, and Jeanne Beam and her husband David of Rutland, VT; five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; one brother, Ralph Barnes of Springfield, VT; and one sister, Beatrice Fisher of Grafton, VT. Beside her husband, she was predeceased by two brothers, Leighton Barnes and Joseph Barnes.

She was an active member of the Congregational Church and later Christ's Church and its Women's Fellowship. She also belonged to the local, state and national education associations, Saxtons River Nature Club, Club 39, Bridge Club, Bellows Falls Women's Club and the former Bellows Falls Garden Club and Rockingham Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

A graveside service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 27th in the Saxtons River Cemetery in Saxtons River, VT. A memorial service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Christ's Church in Saxtons River, VT, with Rev. Catherine Cadieux officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Christ's Church, Saxtons River, VT 05154; or to Vermont Academy, Maintenance Department, Community Service, Saxtons River, VT 05154.