Eleanor L. Ahlers

MORRISVILLE: Eleanor Louise Ahlers, 96, of Morrisville died peacefully on January 15, 2026, at Copley Hospital in Morrisville, surrounded by family.

She was born August 15, 1929, in Townsend, MA; one of three children born to the late Edward A. and Florence (Dauphinais) Lancey. She also had a second sister from her mother's second marriage. Eleanor attended Townsend MA Schools, and received her GED in Morrisville, Vt.

In June of 1949 she married Kenneth Raymond and they had six children together.

As a young mother, Eleanor attended Johnson State Teacher's College. She graduated in the class of 1965 and accepted a 2nd grade teaching position in Barton, where she was a dedicated teacher until she retired from her full-time position in 1977.

In 1978, she married Eugene Ahlers in Athol, MA. He died in 2001 and in 2003, Eleanor returned to Vermont to be near her children, making her home in Hyde Park and later in Morrisville.

Eleanor never truly retired—she simply found new ways to stay busy and useful, prioritizing lifelong learning, adventure, and care for her family and community. She served as a substitute teacher and loving caregiver to several of her grandchildren for many years. She expressed care through cooking for family, friends, neighbors, and church members throughout her life. In addition to being a talented seamstress, she also enjoyed puzzles, gardening, creative writing, dancing, and watercolor painting. She satisfied her "gypsy feet" with travels stateside to Maine and Florida, and across the ocean to Spain, Aruba, Italy, Austria, Greece, and Turkey, always accompanied by a daughter or granddaughter.

Survivors include: three daughters Linda Harriman and her husband Gary, of Enosburg Falls, Hope Sturtevant and her husband Lee, of Morrisville, and Robin Rollins and her husband Michael, of Laconia, NH; 11 grandchildren: Jennifer Williams, Jessica Harriman, Ashley Harriman, Juli-An Placek, Denise Eagan, Rae Marie Paranto, Lance Richard, Katherine Robertson, Patrick Raymond, Jeremy Raymond, and Benji (Sarah) Raymond; many great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, sisters Florence Laughton and Claudette Esposito, brother Roger Lancey, and husband Eugene, Eleanor was predeceased by three sons: Paul (Stephen), George and Randall Raymond.

A time of visitation will be held at 1 PM on Saturday January 24, 2026, at the United Methodist Church in Wolcott, immediately followed by a Funeral Service at 2 PM, with Pastor Pat Thompson officiating. As Eleanor always wore pink, please join us in wearing something pink for the services. Refreshments and fellowship will follow in the church dining hall.

Eleanor's family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Lamoille Neighbors, especially Kevin Bracie and Beth Springsten, and Home Health and Hospice. Additional thanks to the extraordinary palliative care team at Copley Hospital who eased Eleanor's way as well as caring for the family professionally and most of all, compassionately.

In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to Morristown Centennial Library, P.O. Box 727, Morrisville, Vt. 05661 or to the Lanpher Memorial Library, P.O Box 196, Hyde Park, Vt. 05655.

Arrangements are in the care of Dian R. Holcomb of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick. Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com.