Margaret Van Geons

Margaret VanGeons, 94, a resident of Silver Street in Bennington, passed away January 24, 2021 at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center. Born Margaret Patricia Richdale on April 14, 1926, in Stamford CT. Margaret and her twin sister Mary were the youngest of four children born to Zetta Pearl Bouton and Herbert Richdale. They grew up in Ridgebury, New Canaan and Darien, CT. Margaret married Edward “Ned” L. Baldwin Jr. in 1943, before his deployment to the European front during World War II. When he returned, they resided in Danbury where they raised three children, Patricia Dale Senecoff, Edward Leavensworth Baldwin III and Lee Todd Baldwin. As young mothers, Margaret and Mary raised their families together. Margaret taught Sunday school at the United Church of Christ and ran the household while Ned operated his television and radio repair shop until his death in 1976. Margaret later married Robert “Bob” VanGeons, and the two eventually settled in Spring Hill, FL, where they were active members of their retirement community and avid travelers. In her leisure time, Margaret enjoyed playing the accordion and the organ, painting with watercolors, shopping and visiting with family and friends. After Bob’s death in 1995, Margaret relocated to Bennington, VT, to be closer to her family. Margaret was predeceased by her three siblings, John Richdale, Christine “Cindy” Ready and Mary King, and by two of her grown children, Patricia and Lee. She is survived by her son Edward and his wife Sharon, grandchildren Beth, Chad, Ashley and Zachary, and many beloved nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren and friends. She will be greatly missed by all. A memorial service will be planned for a future date, to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Margaret’s memory to Meals on Wheels, whose services helped her to live independently in her home in her later years, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington. VT 05201.