Catherine J. Lamarre

It is with deep sadness the family of Catherine Jennette McHale Lamarre announce her passing on May 1, 2025, at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, after a brief illness. Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, Aunt and friend will be dearly missed.
She was born in Derby, Connecticut, on May 17, 1940, to Francis and Jennette Burr McHale. She did not spend too much time standing still as a child, and that trait remained with her throughout her life. She lived in many places- the Pacific Northwest, the Southern states. However, she found New England to be her favorite part of the U.S. She settled in Bennington County over thirty years ago and this is where she considered herself most at home.
She worked hard her entire life. She was particularly drawn to social work. She had been employed at Bennington Rutland Opportunity Council, at the Northern Berkshire Mental Health agency (now Breen Center), and at the Bennington Coalition for the Homeless. In the 1970's and 1980's, she helped establish the first Battered Women’s shelter in Bennington, along with her dear friends Bunny Thompson and Gary Briggs. She has touched the lives of countless souls through service to others, and this will be her legacy.
Catherine loved her pets, spending time with her friends, and crafting. She was a member of the Red Hat Society and of the Bennington Lodge of Elks #567. She was a fan of Country music and attended many concerts over the years. When her husband was alive, they would camp every weekend. She loved fishing, just like her father did. She loved quilting, as did her mother. She travelled internationally after she retired and especially loved her trips to Ireland. She found joy in life, as hard as it was for her at times.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Frank and Jennette, her husband, George, her grandsons Jacob and Kevin, her granddaughter, Courtney, and her daughter, Irene.
She is survived by her brother, Francis McHale, Jr. and his wife, Darlene; her children, Catherine “Rusty” Johnson, Veronica Johnson Oldham, Jessica Steller (Howard), William Gordon, Sean Gordon, Gina Condo, Guy Condo, and Bryan Condo; her niece Patricia Wilmot; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The calling hours for Catherine will begin at 1pm on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Hanson Walbridge Funeral Home in Bennington, VT. followed by the service at 2pm by the Reverend Pastor Michael Twardy. The Elks #567 will conduct their ceremony at 1:45pm. Her grandson, Christopher Oldham will be offering the Eulogy.
If loved ones so desire, they may make donations in Catherine’s memory to the Pownal Rescue Squad and Bennington Project Independence.