Louise Rowell. Kinsey

Louise Olive Rowell Kinsey (age 98) died on August 4, 2025, at The Manor nursing home in Morrisville VT (where she had resided since November 2022).  Louise Olive Rowell was born on October 24, 1926, in South Albany, Vermont.  She was the first of eight children born to Harry and Helen (Urie) Rowell.  Louise grew up on the family farm in South Albany, and she attended elementary school at the one-room schoolhouse in South Albany.  She graduated from Craftsbury Academy in 1943.  After she graduated in 1946 from Lyndon Normal School (which later became Lyndon State College and is now part of Vermont State University) in Lyndon, VT), she taught elementary school at the former one-room school in South Barton, VT for the 1946-1947 school year.  Louise married Frederick Kinsey Jr. in East Craftsbury on June 7, 1947, and they began their life together on a small farm (Echodale Farm) less than a mile north of the village of South Albany.  She continued to teach school as a substitute teacher (including some time at the school in South Albany, which she had attended as a child) during the 1947-1948 school year.  Her first child (Helen) was born in September 1948, and she then ceased employment as a teacher to devote her time to helping her husband to operate their farm, and to raising a family.

In October 1952, Fred and Louise and their three (at that time) children moved to a new farm on the County Road between South Albany and West Glover.  Despite losing their barn and some cows to a fire in 1954, they persisted in building and expanding their dairy farm and their family.  In July 1968, facing a large debt, and with the realization that their two older sons would soon be leaving home for college, Louise and Fred made the very difficult decision to cease dairy farming.  After her older children left home to attend college, Louise began working at home to provide childcare for other families.  Many children benefitted from her new career. and many of the parents of those children became lifetime friends of Louise.

Louise took her responsibilities as a parent thoughtfully, and her children were fortunate to receive her consistent love and guidance.  Louise's children also benefitted immensely from her natural talents as a teacher.  Louise loved reading books about a wide variety of subjects, and among other activities, she enjoyed watching the many different bird species that frequented her birdfeeder and the countryside surrounding her home.  Religion was always a central part of Louise's life, and from childhood until her death, Louise was a faithful member of the United Presbyterian Church in East Craftsbury, Vermont.  Throughout her adult life, she performed many activities in service to her church.  She also tried to live her life in accordance with her religious beliefs, and most of the people who knew her would agree that her religious beliefs were practiced sincerely and sensibly.

Louise was predeceased by her parents and by her husband, Frederick Kinsey (to whom she was married for 66 years).  She was also predeceased by her eldest daughter, Helen Kinsey, and her eldest son, Leland Kinsey.  Another son, Nolan Kinsey, died shortly after his birth in 1955.  Four of Louise's five brothers have died: George Rowell, Morris Rowell, Hollis Rowell and Wilbur Rowell.  Louise is survived by her two sisters, Eunice Rowell Kinsey (who was born on Louise's first birthday) and Harriet Rowell Grenier, and by one of her brothers, Marvin Rowell.   She is survived by three of her children: Blaine Kinsey of Montpelier, VT (and his wife, Rachel Menard), Natalie Kinsey of Albany, VT (and her husband, Tom Warnock) and Kyle Kinsey of Sugar Hill, NH (and his wife, Kristen Trahan).  Louise is also survived by Leland Kinsey's widow, Lesley Pike Kinsey, and by Leland and Lesley's children (Harris Kinsey, Hannah Kinsey and Desiree Kinsey), foster child (Hannah Orzolek) and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be arranged by the family and held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a donation to a local food shelf of your choice, or to Craftsbury Saplings (a community child-care center), P.O. Box 87, Craftsbury, VT 05826.

Online condolences are welcomed at: northernvermontfuneralservice.com