BENNINGTON- Mabel W. Baxter, 85, a resident of Rivers Edge Community Care Home, died Sunday, January 26, at the Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. The daughter of Bradley and Edna Graham, she was born at home in Albany, KY, on February 25, 1928. She married Wilford Laycock in 1948 who had seven children prior to his marriage to Mabel. Then, in 1949, they bore a daugher, Linda Lou. Mrs. Baxter treasured her life-long relationships with Wilford’s hildren. She lived most of her life in Indiana where she married Thomas Baxter on June 25, 1974. During the late ‘70s, they relocated to Rockford, IL, and for many years she was active with her husband running their business, North American Van Lines. He died on June 23, 1999, which was particularly a difficult year for her as she also endured the loss of her only child, Linda Shepherd, on September 23, 1999. Mrs. Baxter was a stylish woman who loved attending social events and dancing, especially with her husband, who was an accomplished dancer. In 2001, she relocated to Florida for a few years, and with health concerns, she moved to Vermont to be near her granddaughter Stacy Crawford, whom she had resided with for some time and then at Fillmore Pond, Vermont Veterans Home, and the past year and a half at Rivers Edge.

She leaves her granddaughter, Stacy Crawford and husband Jason, of Wilmington; grandson, Stephen J. VanDalsen (SJ), of Denver, IN; son, Thomas Baxter and wife Kim, of Rockford, IL; and daughter, Laurie Wilson and husband Calvin, of Greensboro, MD; grandchildren, Christopher, Colby, Jason, Jennifer, Joshua, Ryan, and Andrew; great grandchildren, George, Abigail, Samual, Shane, Mindy, Michelle, and Matt; great-great-grandchildren, Sophia, and Braxton. Mrs. Baxter is survived by four brothers, Campbell, James, Sheb, and Jack, and three sisters, Magdalene, Betty, and Diana. She was predeceased by brothers John and Willard.

A service to remember the life of Mrs. Baxter will be held on Friday, January 31, at 7 pm, at the Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home with Rev. L. Douglas LaPlante officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5 to 7 pm when the family will be present. She will be laid to rest with her husband Tom in Sunset Memorial Garden in Rockford, IL, at a later date.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Vermont Veterans Home North Wing Fund in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363. To send condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.