Alona Ella Payette

It is with deep sorrow that we, the loving family of Alona Ella Payette, 90, of St. Johnsbury, VT, share the heartbreaking news of her passing. Alona left us peacefully on July 8th, 2025, at Northern Vermont Regional Hospital, surrounded by loved ones, after a quick decline in her health.

Alona was born in Holland, VT on October 13th, 1934 to the late Rena & Carroll Pearsons. She went to school in Newark & attended Lyndon Institute. On July 30th, 1951 she married William Payette, with whom she shared 61 and a half years with, until his passing in 2013. William & Alona had two children together; Deborah & Michael. Together, William and Alona purchased a home in St. Johnsbury in 1959 and it was in that home that they raised their family and they happily remained in that home until their respective passings.

Alona spent 50 years working for C.H. Goss Company as a secretary. She always enjoyed her job & the people she worked with. Alona was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who found immense joy in her family. She loved to crochet and knit. Over the years she donated 2,905 mittens, 136 hats & 121 head bands to the St. Johnsbury Santa Fund. Alona loved to entertain friends and family at her home and she always made sure no one left her home hungry. Her portions were large and she always put so much love into her cooking. Sitting in her gazebo, birdwatching and berry picking was some of her favorite things to do. Camping trips to Saco River, Barton, Alton and the Big E always brought her happiness and joy. Any activity where she was with her beloved family, she was happy to be doing. You were sure to be called “dear” in her presence and if you were leaving her home, she would always wave to you from her kitchen sink window.

Alona is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; William, her siblings; Wallace, Dale, Lois, Elaine & Donald, her brother-in-law, Walt & Art. She was also preceded in death by William’s seven siblings.

Alona is survived by her daughter, Deborah and son-in-law, Mark Harpin, of Waterford, VT, her son, Michael and daughter-in-law, Laurie Payette of Westbrook, ME, her two granddaughters; Tanya and her husband, Ethan O’Brien, Tiffany and her husband, Jonathan Murray, grandson, Kevin Payette, and her great-grandchildren; Kaylee, Avah, and Gunnar Ward, Aubriella Holden, Emmah O’Brien, Conlin Murray, and her namesake; Alona Murray. She is also survived by her chosen sister; Arlene Jewell & Arlene’s daughter’s; Linda, Pam, Jan and Nancy & their families, who affectionately called her “Aunt Nonnie.” She is also survived by many nieces & nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Alona’s memory to St. Johnsbury NEK Santa Fund, C/O Passumpsic Savings Bank, PO Box 38, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819 or to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 21, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819. Meals on wheels delivered meals daily to Alona the last few years & the drivers always brought a smile to her face.

A graveside celebration of Alona’s beautiful life will be held on Saturday; July 19th at 10:30am at The New St. J. Center Cemetery, 2154 Memorial Drive, St. Johnsbury, VT.

Memories and condolences may be shared with family at saylesfh.com