ESSEX JUNCTION – Rebecca "Becky" Hayes Blanchard, age 90, of Essex Junction, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, following a brief illness.

She was born November 15, 1934 in Enosburg Falls, VT to the late George B. & Geneva A. (Barry) Hayes.

Becky graduated from Enosburg Falls High School in 1952 and Johnson State College in 1956, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Education. While attending Johnson State, Becky played basketball and a enjoyed a highly successful career that ultimately resulted in her being inducted into the Johnson State College Athletic Hall of Fame for her "outstanding athletic achievements and citizenship." Also, while attending Johnson, Becky met the love her life and future husband, Rene' L. Blanchard.

Throughout all of Becky's rich and rewarding life, Rene' was always at her side providing steadfast support, love and encouragement. Their marriage of 50 years was testament to their mutual dedication, love and true friendship for one another and provided a beacon of inspiration to all those who knew them.

Becky spent her entire professional career in the service of others when she began working as a teacher at the Williston Central School in 1956. Not long thereafter, she took a teaching position at Shelburne Middle School where she would remain until her retirement in 1990. Shortly after retiring, she found herself back in the classroom once again, this time working alongside her (also retired) sister Mary as they substitute taught at the Albert D. Lawton School in Essex Junction. In her almost 40 years of teaching, Becky touched the lives of hundreds of children enriching their lives by sharing with them her excitement for learning, always providing positive encouragement and fostering growth in so many inquisitive young minds.

Also in her retirement years, Becky enjoyed spending time and visiting with friends and family, volunteering in the community in a variety of ways ranging from working at the polls during elections, her membership in the local Grange and her work with the Catholic Daughters of the Americas of which she was most proud. Of special interest to Becky was her love of being outside, working in her yard and gardening. She always took meticulous care of her lawn and made sure every leaf was picked up in the fall, the walkways and driveway were shoveled down to bare pavement in the winter and that the flowers she planted in the spring and summer always had the most spectacular blooms.

Becky was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Rene'; her brother James Hayes and his wife Helen; her sister Veronica (Hayes) Brooks and her husband Robert, and her Irish twin sister Mary Hayes Read and her husband Edmond. Aunt Becky, as she was known to so many, is also survived by several nieces and nephews and many grandnieces and nephews all of whom she loved so very much especially her nephew, Rene J. Read, his wife Lee McNeil Read, and their sons Nate and Landon with whom she spent every Christmas, numerous holidays and birthdays and many special milestone events.

Aunt Becky, with her wonderful sense of humor, was always fun to be with and whenever her nieces and nephews would visit, she always took the time to make sure that every visit with her was truly special. While we will all share in the sorrow of her loss, we will always remember her for who she was – the most fun-filled, caring, generous and loving aunt we could have ever wanted.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 17, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Corbin & Palmer Funeral Chapel, 9 Pleasant St., Essex Junction. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 18 at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Essex Junction. In lieu of flowers, and because of Aunt Becky's tremendous love for the dogs and cats which were always an important part of her life, the family requests that contributions be made to the Humane Society of Chittenden County, 142 Kindness Court, S. Burlington, VT 05403 or on-line at: https://www.hsccvt.org/donate

The brightness of her smile, her tremendous love for so many and her warm embrace will always be missed and never forgotten.