Yolande Chamberlain

Yolande Louise “Yolie” Chamberlain was born on June 29, 1934, in Glover, Vermont, to Ernest and Maria (Gagnon) Perron, at their home on Shadow Lake Farm. She passed away peacefully on May 24, 2026, at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, at the age of 91, just weeks shy of her 92nd birthday.

Yolie was one of nineteen children, the tenth child born to Ernest and Maria Perron, who had immigrated from Quebec to Vermont in 1924. Raised in a lively and loving household, she often shared fond memories of her childhood, shaped by the closeness of such a large family. French was spoken at home, and she gradually learned English as she began attending the one-room schoolhouse up the road, alongside many of her siblings and a cousin.

After graduating from the Center School following eighth grade, Yolie continued her education at Sacred Heart High School in Newport, where she also worked during the summers at the Willoughvale Inn in Westmore. Upon graduating in 1952, she began her career as a bookkeeper, working for Purina and later for St. Johnsbury Trucking.

On August 22, 1959, Yolie married Dale H. Chamberlain of Lyndonville, Vermont. Together they built a life in St. Johnsbury, where they raised their family. They were the devoted parents of three children: Stephen, who lived only one day; Mark, and Diane. Yolie and Dale shared 57 years of marriage, until Dale’s passing in 2016.

After her children were grown, Yolie returned to the workforce, contributing her time and talents in many roles. She worked for several years at Hovey’s Shoe Store in St. Johnsbury, later delivered orders throughout the town for Tim’s Deli, and spent time preparing food at the Surf & Sirloin. She also worked stuffing advertisements for the Caledonian and selling tickets at the Star movie theater.

Yolie embraced life with energy and curiosity and was rarely idle. She found joy in music, playing both the piano and harmonica by ear, and loved dancing, crafting, sewing, and trips to the casino. She delighted in puzzles—the more challenging, the better—as well as embroidery, card games, and reading. Yolie and Dale volunteered their time for several years to organize a Reach Out Youth church group.

While Dale did most of the cooking, Yolie was well known for her coleslaw, homemade spinach dip, and rum cake. She was always active, taking daily walks throughout town. She kept close connections with family and friends through phone calls and heartfelt notes and cards, each filled with her distinctive, space-filling script.

In later life, she made her home in an apartment at the St. Johnsbury House, and then lived with her son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Lana Chamberlain. As her health declined, she moved to the Pines nursing home.

Yolie will be remembered as a woman of great spirit and energy, guided by a strong faith, whose lively nature and love of life were especially evident in the joy she found in bringing family and friends together. As she often said, her family was everything to her.

Yolie is survived by her children, Mark (Lana) Chamberlain of Lyndonville and Diane (Mike) Twombly of East Middlebury; by her grandsons, Justin Chamberlain of Londonderry, NH, Joshua Chamberlain of St. Johnsbury, and Steven (Andrea) Poulos of Whiting ME; and by her granddaughter, Katie (Chad) Weikel of Danville. She is also survived by her great-granddaughters, Chandler and Vivienne Weikel, who were the light of her life and brought her immeasurable joy. She cherished them deeply and held them especially close to her heart. She leaves behind many nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss her dearly, and she shared a special bond with her godson, Wesley Alexander, and her niece, Joanie Alexander.

She is also survived by two sisters, Cecile (Ernest) Davignon of West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Estelle Paremeter of Westminster, Massachusetts; and one brother, Nelson Perron of Mesa, Arizona. She is further survived by her sisters-in-law, Carole Perron, Deanna Perron, Susan Cooper, and Brenda Ham and her brothers-in-law, Ernest Davignon, Dennis Choquette, and Donald Chamberlain.

She was predeceased by her parents; her siblings, Marcel, Jean Yester, Leo, Louis, Rita Haag, Martha Alexander, Jacque, Eddie, Walter, Richard, Rachel Choquette, and Alan; as well as three sisters who died in infancy, Estelle Rita, Marie Lorraine, and Claire Lucile.

A graveside service at Lyndon Center Cemetery in Lyndonville will take place at the convenience of the family. There will be no calling hours.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.guibordfh.com.