Jeannette (Jay) Van Blarcom passed away peacefully on Friday, February 21 with John, her faithful husband of 64 years by her side. She was 90 years old. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Elian and Deibe Battit in 1934, the youngest of nine siblings, Jay learned the importance of communication, an essential skill that served her well throughout a life spent connecting with people. Jeannette graduated from Cambridge High and Latin School and embarked on a secretarial career becoming the secretary to the President of Arthur D. Little Corporation, Inc., the research and consulting firm in Cambridge.

It was in the choir at First Church of Cambridge that she met her husband, John. They started harmonizing with one another almost immediately and their duet lasted 64 and a half years, a testament to love, patience, and good humor.

They were married in the same church in 1960, and then moved to Vermont the same year and began their odyssey in Stowe. It was there that they would go on to raise their two children, Heather and Ian, and become deeply woven into the fabric of the community. They built a beautiful and full life marked by a loving family, countless friends, and dedicated service to the community they loved.

From working at the original Stowe Country Club to innumerable hours volunteering at the Rotary Auctions or hosting Up Your Knickers cross-country ski gatherings, Jay was an ambassador of grace and good will and an indefatigable hostess, whether she was throwing legendary New Year's Eve parties, baking cakes for every conceivable occasion (weddings, sports banquets, high school theater or Lamoille County Players' cast parties, birthdays, anniversaries), or offering a kind word or sympathetic ear (and probably a homemade cookie) to anyone who needed one. To know Jay was to witness a masterclass in warmth, hospitality, kindness, and care for others.

Her career was as lively and multifaceted as she was. Aside from being an extraordinary homemaker and supporter of her kids throughout all of their athletic and extracurricular endeavors, she cared for countless toddler skiers in Pooh's Corner at Toll House and later looked after infants in Kanga's Pocket at Spruce Peak, proving that no mitten would go missing on her 15-year watch. Later, she brought her trademark charm to Shaw's General Store, where she welcomed both tourists and locals with her infectious energy and encyclopedic knowledge of where to find just about anything.

A gracious competitor, Jay was a longtime member of the Stowe Tennis Club, particularly fond of the "Lunch Bunch"—a dedicated group of women who battled on the court in the morning during Ladies Day and recounted their skirmishes over sandwiches in the afternoon, proving that the real game was in the storytelling and friendship.

She and John were also fixtures at Stowe Performing Arts for over 40 years. Jay would frequently be found at the Sunday concerts, welcoming musicians, setting up chairs, and taking tickets with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything else. No one left an encounter with her without feeling just a little bit brighter.

Perhaps no role brought Jay more joy than that of beloved grandmother. She adored spending time with her four grandchildren - always at the ready to play, sing, or bake together - and she cherished their visits beyond measure. Jay is survived by her husband John, their son Ian, his wife Sarah, and their daughters Emma and Riley.

She was predeceased by her daughter Heather but is still survived by Heather's husband Gary and their children, Gordon and Calista. She is also survived by her beloved older brother, Dr. George Battit, his wife Judy, their four daughters and their families. She was the adored aunt to a sprawling collection of nieces and nephews.

A service will be held at the Stowe Community Church on Saturday, March 29, at 11:00 AM, followed by a Celebration of Life at Trapp's beginning at 12:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the Stowe Community Church or Stowe Performing Arts, and come share a story, a drink, or a laugh in Jay's honor—preferably all three.