Edna Oliver Haynes

August 6, 1927 - February 16, 2018

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT – Edna C. Oliver Haynes, 90, of St. Johnsbury, Vt., and formerly of Colebrook passed away on Friday evening, Feb. 16, 2018, at the St. Johnsbury Health & Rehabilitation Center. She was born in North Hatley, Que., on Aug. 6, 1927, a daughter to the late Henry and Blanche (Ward) Clark. Edna and her seven brothers and sisters were raised on a farm, known as the round barn, in Ways Mills, Que. Growing up during a time when all farm work was done manually helped create a strong work ethic and spirit of helping each other out that lasted a life time. This also created very strong family bonds. She lost her 18-year old brother Harry to drowning and later her brother Jack was killed in World War II. She attended local schools and went on to graduate from Stanstead College. She went to work in the office at Sheard’s Mill in Coaticook. While attending her brother Percy’s wedding reception, she was introduced to Ken Oliver, whom she married in 1950. She moved to Colebrook and went to work in Fred Harrigan’s law office. In 1956 she had a son, Michael, and decided give up her job at the law office and be a stay at home mom. It was her lifelong dream to be a mom and Edna very much enjoyed each and every moment of parenthood. She raised Michael alongside her sister Rita’s family, creating a sibling-like bond between the cousins. Her very active life included St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church (the Wonder Workers), Red Cross blood drives, family fun time – sliding, baseball, golf, taking Boy Scouts hiking, and visiting friends and relatives. Edna also packed on miles of speed walking around the various roads in Colebrook. Perhaps what kept her busiest was tending to those around her as she was a caretaker of many during her long life. One of Edna’s famous phrases was to “cover that baby up!” She had a great love of music and dancing – “as long as it had a beat.” She was also proud to be Canadian. In 1970 she returned to work part time at Willard Pike’s insurance company and also with M&S printing. In 1973, she went to work full time at the First Colebrook Bank, where she worked for the next 20 years. She took pride in her work and always made time for family and friends. Ken passed away in 1985, and then Edna spent a lot of time with her granddaughters. She perfected her pot roast and oatmeal recipes, so the girls were convinced that her cooking was magical. She found comfort in her precious bird, Hawkeye, who was her companion for years. In 1998, she married longtime friend Donald Haynes. They enjoyed their years together and spent many hours at camp, traveling and attending family events. They learned how to send e-mails and enjoyed sending and receiving their daily family updates. They could often be found sitting at the kitchen table with a glass of milk and a game of Skip-Bo. Donald passed away in 2004. In 2010 Edna moved to St. Johnsbury to an assisted living facility, Canterbury Inn. She also spent a year living with her granddaughter, Kathryn and family. Edna’s last year was spent at the St. Johnsbury Health and Rehab Center. Edna is survived by her son, Michael Oliver and his wife Janice of Wheelock, Vt.; her granddaughters Victoria Emery (Jake) of Thetford, Vt., Kathryn Tousignant (Roland) of Williamstown, Vt., Kathi Grimshaw (Doug) of Torrington, Conn., Ken Frazier of Hartford, Conn., Steve Frazier of Hartford, Sandy and Greg Bouvier of Hartford. Her great-grandchildren, Oliver, Elly and Burkley Emery; Brayden, Collin and Evan Tousignant; Megan Dopart and Erin Grimshaw; and her sister Edie of Ontario; as well as nieces and nephews and some very special life-long friends. She was predeceased by step-daughter Pat Frazier in 2005. Calling hours will be on Tues, Feb. 20, 2018, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH. A funeral service will follow the next morning, Wed., Feb. 21, at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Colebrook. An interment committal service will take place later in the spring at the Colebrook Village Cemetery, of which notice will be given. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mrs. Haynes may be made to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 85, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.