Ferne Loomis

VICTORY, VT: Ferne Ellen Loomis, 82, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital after a courageous year long fight with cancer.

Ferne was born in St. Albans, VT on June 1, 1943, daughter to Edric and Olive (Greene) Loomis. After graduating from BFA high school, she was proud to begin her life-long career as a nurse; after achieving Graduate of Nursing at Fanny Allen and Mary Fletcher Hospital School of Nursing.

Ferne worked at Brightlook Hospital later known as NVRH (Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital) as the head nurse for several decades. She later continued working in home health care, as well as Genesis and Easter Seals.

She also worked at Lyndon State College (Northern University) in Lyndonville, VT.

While holding a full-time job, she always made sure she was there for all five of her children’s school events, including after school activities in Dance, Baseball, Basketball, Volleyball, church events, choir, 4-H, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

If there were any fundraising events or families in need, she made sure her family was there to help in any way. Her house was always full of family and friends talking around the table with a cup of coffee. All her children’s friends called her “Mama Ferne."

Ferne was very active in her community. She was a long-time member of the Lyndonville School Board and Lyndonville Fire Department Women’s Auxiliary. She was also a Selectwoman for the town of Victory, VT, as well as a member of the Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

She decided in her late 50’ to go back to school and get her bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology at CCV, Springfield College in St. Johnsbury, VT. Ferne moved from Lyndon Center to Victory, VT in 1990 spending the next 35 years with her beloved partner, John MacDonald.

Recently she received an award by the local community for all her volunteer work feeding those with food insecurities.

She is survived by her partner John MacDonald, Victory VT. Children Scott & Darcy Townsend, Ocoee, FL. Gayle & Tom Donahue, Rutland, VT. Howard & Janet Townsend, Erwin, TN. Tani & Joe Welch, Concord, VT. Two brothers, Rick (Trish) Loomis, Snellville, GA and Kevin (Louise) Loomis, Swanton, VT. She was Nana to 10 grandchildren: Ryan (Robyn), Danielle (Chris),James, Sean (Katie), Michael, Cassandra (Chris), Brian (Jennifer) Samantha (Derrick), Megan (Dana), Chandler (Morgan). Nine step grandchildren, Christoffer, Lyndsay (Paul), Sara (Raymond), Josh, Jake (Emma), Jeb, Josiah, Javen Welch & Arlena (Jeric) Tyler and 27 great grandchildren along with multiple cousins, nieces and nephews who were all very special to her.

She was predeceased by her parents, Edric and Olive Loomis, and two children Pamela (Punki) Regione & Dean Townsend.

Services will be held at Lyndonville Methodist Church, Lyndonville, VT on June 4, 2026, at 9:00am. A Christian burial will be held immediately following, at the Lyndon Center Cemetery, Lyndon Center, VT. All are welcome and invited to attend.

If you’d like to make a donation in her name, please sent to NEKCA Food Shelf, where she volunteered, care of St. Johnsbury Outreach. 1197 Main Street, St. Johnsbury, VT 05859 or Vermont Association of the Blind and Visually Impaired, 60 Kimball Ave, S. Burlington, VT 05403.

Arrangements are under the direction of Guibord-Pearsons and Sayles Funeral Homes, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury VT 05819.