Kathryn Janet "Kathy" Somers, 81, of Danville, Vermont, passed away on June 15, 2026.

Born on February 27, 1945, at Hardwick Hospital and raised in Greensboro, Vermont, Kathy was the daughter of Ruth Clark and Herbert Peel. She grew up in a farming family and carried the values of hard work, self-reliance, and caring for those who depended on her throughout her life.

On February 10, 1968, Kathy married Wendell R. Somers. Together they built a life in Peacham, where they spent many years working side by side on the family dairy farm and raising their daughter, Mary. Farm life was not simply a job but a way of life, requiring dedication every day of the year. Kathy understood that responsibility well and devoted countless hours to caring for the farm, her family, and the animals that depended on them. Many of Kathy's fondest memories were rooted in the Peacham farm she called home for so many years, where family, hard work, and the rhythms of farm life shaped the course of her life.

Kathy was known for her love of baking and cooking. Her shelves were filled with cookbooks, magazines, and handwritten recipe cards, many marked "Must Try" in her own hand. When friends, neighbors, or family members experienced illness, loss, hardship, or celebration, Kathy often expressed her care through food. Whether it was a homemade casserole, a freshly baked dessert, or one of her apple pies and apple crisps made from apples grown on the trees in her Peacham yard, sharing food was one of the ways she connected with others. One of her greatest pleasures was knowing something she had made was enjoyed by someone else.

She had a special fondness for her many houseplants, particularly her Christmas and Easter cactuses, and an enduring appreciation for lighthouses. Over the years, she also shared her home with more than a few beloved cats, many of whom seemed to find their way to the farm on their own. Kathy enjoyed collecting mugs, dishes, jewelry, and other treasured keepsakes. Family members often joked about the size of her collections and wondered what they would someday do with it all. Those collections, much like Kathy herself, reflected a lifetime of memories, interests, and simple joys.

Kathy enjoyed her daily conversations with her dear friend, Viola, treasured keeping in touch with her brother, Frederick "Fred" Peel, and appreciated the friendships she formed throughout her years, especially those later in life. She valued the companionship and kindness of the friends and neighbors she came to know at her Danville apartment community, particularly her close friend, Deb Peck.

Those who knew Kathy knew she appreciated life's simple comforts and preferred things done her way. She was known to grumble about winter weather and disliked having to scrape snow from her car before heading out. She could be reserved and often kept to herself, but she also possessed a dry sense of humor and an ability to make people laugh with an unexpected comment or observation. Beneath her sometimes gruff exterior was a kind-hearted woman who cared more deeply than she often let on. Though she could be private, she valued her connections with others and found quiet satisfaction in knowing she had brightened someone's day.

Following a devastating stroke suffered by her husband, Kathy became his primary caregiver while also raising her teenage daughter. The years that followed brought challenges that would test any family. While the road was not always easy, Kathy continued to meet the responsibilities before her, caring for her husband and family through difficult times. She was protective of those she loved and took pride in being a mother and grandmother.

Kathy is survived by her daughter, Mary (Somers) Cote and husband Mark Cote; her grandchildren, Falon Cote and husband Devin Fontaine, Merrick Cote, and Albert Vieira; her brother, Frederick "Fred" Peel; her dear friend, Viola; her close friend, Deb Peck; her niece and nephew; and friends whose companionship she valued throughout her life.

She was predeceased by her husband, Wendell R. Somers, who passed away on December 15, 2002; her mother, Ruth Clark; and her father, Herbert Peel.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Peacham Village Cemetery. A gathering for family and friends will follow. Additional details will be announced.

In memory of Kathy and her lifelong fondness for cats, memorial contributions may be made to a local animal shelter or rescue organization that provides care for homeless and abandoned cats.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the friends and neighbors who welcomed Kathy into the Danville apartment community, offering friendship, companionship, and kindness throughout her later years. Your care and support meant a great deal to her and to her family.

Kathy will be remembered for her homemade pies and casseroles, her Christmas cactuses, her fondness for cats and lighthouses, her treasured collections, her dry sense of humor, and the many small acts of kindness she shared with others. Her memory will live on in the stories, smiles, recipes, and memories she leaves behind.