Hildagarde G. Searle, 90

Hildagarde G. Searle, 90, passed away at her home at 123 Reservoir Road, Springfield, Vermont, on her 71st wedding anniversary on Dec. 31, 2016. She was born in Northfield, Vermont on Sept. 27, 1926, to C. Arthur and Charlotte (Brown) Goodrich. She graduated from Northfield High School and attended Westbrook Junior College.

She married Richard H. Searle on Dec. 31, 1945. Following his graduation from Stevens Institute of Technology, they moved to Springfield, Vermont in 1949. The family lived in Perkinsville and Springfield for the rest of her life. She was predeceased by Dick on Nov. 27, 1993.

Hildagarde worked for Stevens Institute, the Springfield Chamber of Commerce and the Eagle Times, retiring in 1988. The family were lifetime skiers at Okemo, where she and her husband were members of the Okemo Ski Patrol for over 30 years. Hildagarde was a member of the Springfield Senior Center, and led the exercise group for 10 years. She was also an avid bicyclist, snowshoer, hiker, and she sailed on Lake Champlain and to the Bahamas.

She is survived by sons Andrew and Scott (wife Lai Kum) and daughter Nina (husband Tim Chan) and grandchildren Brian Searle, Eric Searle, Craig Searle, Stephanie Searle, Christopher Chan, Paula Chan, Jeremy Chan and Madeline Chan, as well as six great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many good friends. She was predeceased by her parents, sister Lauraine Goodrich and brother Charlie Goodrich.

Hildagarde will be cremated and her ashes will join those of her husband and siblings in the Goodrich family plot in Northfield, Vermont. There will be a celebration of life for her many friends and family members in June 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Springfield Humane Society or to VNA Hospice of the Upper Valley.