West Barnet, VT Virginia Irene Somers, 90, of Mosquitoville Road, died Friday, September 12, 2014, at the St. Johnsbury, VT Health & Rehab, with her husband Gilmore and family comforting her at bedside. Virginia was born in Barre, VT, December 1, 1923 a daughter of Forrest A. and Stella (McMaster) Ashford. She attended McIndoe Falls graded school, Barre schools, and Spaulding High School. She began working at an early age. During World War II she moved to Connecticut and worked for Pratt & Whitney as a lathe operator. Returning to the area, she married Gilmore K. Somers on March 24, 1946 and continued to work at several retail stores in St. Johnsbury, including Peck s Hardware, W.T. Grant, and Ben Franklin, eventually retiring from 3 W s. She also worked at the South Peacham Store, and the Schoolcraft Egg Farm. Virginia s interests included crossword puzzles, reading, playing cards, such as, poker, solitaire, and gin rummy, dancing, 40 s & 50 s music, flower and vegetable gardening, humming birds and chickadees, raking leaves and shoveling snow. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband and family as always providing a good home, and taking great care of each of them. Virginia is survived by her husband of 68 years, Gilmore K. Somers, Sr., her children Marcy Myers and husband Marvin Gene of Newport News, VA, Mallory Hacking and husband Robert of Strongsville, OH, Gilmore K. Somers, Jr. and wife Cora of Wells River, VT, Carrie Dunbar of Barnet, VT, Lee Somers of Orford, NH, and Jeffrey Somers and wife Kris of Woodsville, NH, 13 grandchildren and several great and great great grandchildren. She is also survived by three sisters Stella LaFountain, Isabelle Evarts and husband Ed, and Dorothy Ashford, three brothers John Ashford, Erban Ashford and wife Claire, and Edward Ashford, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a son in law, Harold G. Dunbar, two sisters Lila Poulen and husband Daniel, and Elizabeth Plunkett, two brothers Robert Ashford and wife Elaine, Forrest Ashford and wife Judith, a sister in law Gerry Ashford and a brother in law Nelson LaFountain, Sr. Also predeceasing her were Gilmore s siblings, Leland Somers and wife Dorcas, Lawrence Dwight Somers, Eunice Jurentkuff and husband Karl, Gwendolen Hagen and husband Oscar, Beulah Gormley and husband Charles, Ruth Chandler and husband Sam, and Neverlie Murray and husband James. There were no calling hours. A graveside service was held on Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at 2 PM in the Walter Harvey Cemetery, Mosquitoville, VT, with Rev. Dr. Howard Gaston of the West Barnet Presbyterian Church officiating. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of one s choice.