Eleanor J. Houghton, 93

Eleanor J. Houghton, 93, a longtime resident of Springfield, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 10, 2017, at the Springfield Health and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield.

She was born May 13, 1923, in West Windsor, the daughter of Louis and Myrtle (Clay) Merrill. She received her schooling in West Windsor and Windsor, graduating from Windsor High School in 1942. She married Frank H. Houghton on May 9, 1952 in North Springfield. She and her husband operated the family farm in West Windsor for many years. Mrs. Houghton was an active member of the 4-H Club, winning many awards over the years. She was also a member of the Happy Homemakers Club in Ascutney, the 251 Club and had attended the North Springfield Baptist Church for several years.

Eleanor enjoyed crafts, crocheting and sewing. She was fond of animals, especially her cats, and greatly enjoyed spending time with her family. Her husband passed away in 2009. She was also predeceased one son, David Houghton in December of 2016.

Survivors include one daughter, Judy Spaulding and her husband, Carl, of North Springfield; one daughter-in-law, Nancy Houghton of South Charlestown; six grandchildren, Tracy Benedict, Kevin Spaulding, Todd Houghton, Toby Houghton, Tanya Frady and Lori Altfather; several great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. A prayer service will begin at 3:30 p.m. with Rev. George Keeler, Pastor of the North Springfield Baptist Church, officiating. Committal services will be held in the spring at the Brownsville Cemetery in West Windsor.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Humane Society, 401 Skitchewaug Trail, Springfield, VT 05156. Condolences may be expressed to her family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.