Resources

Why not get started on writing your own obituary? This is your chance to say what you want others to know about you. Do it for yourself: for peace of mind knowing that you have had your say. And do it for your family and friends: that you have helped them cope with a difficult time. 

Your best chance of having your wishes honored is to write them down. Writing your own obituary can be part of your life and end-of-life planning. The way you would like to be remembered is part of a careful arranging for yourself should you not be in the best of health.

Just get started. No matter how incomplete it is, it will be of benefit to others. Read other obituaries for ideas. Every day there are heartfelt obituaries in newspapers and web sites across the nation. Many are well thought out and give homage to a precious life lived. Say what your life means to you. This part may be hardest for others to describe if you don't. Find Three Words. Think of the right three words that would aptly sum up your life and conclude your obituary.

Use this project as an opportunity. You can, for example, expand your work into a longer autobiography that you can leave to your descendants. You can also use this as an opportunity to make those other arrangements such as a “living will” and funeral wishes. 

Inspire yourself. Write an inspiring obituary, then live up to it! 

Include a recent photo. As well as one of a younger you, if you wish, with the other information. Leave your composition in a place where it can be readily accessed when it is needed. Inform your next of kin where this information is, as well as your funeral wishes. If you prearrange your funeral, an obituary and picture can also be kept on file for newspapers and family. 

Plan for an exceptional obituary. Create as interesting and meaningful a life as possible while you can. 

There is no single way to write an obituary.  Most of the time, obituaries are pretty standard. Occasionally, there is one that really goes outside the lines and breaks all the norms. (Google “9 Of The Most Incredible Obituaries Ever Written”.) For those not born with the creative writing gene or who like to color in the lines, below is a list of what is typically included in an obituary and examples of each section. Remember, any of this can be changed to fit the personality and style of the person.

Name, Age, Place of Residence, Date, and Place of Death

George W. Lincoln, 92, of Spring Street in Waterford, VT died on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at his home, after a long illness.

WATERFORD, VT: George Washington “GW” Lincoln, age 92, passed away April 8, 2025, at UVM Medical Center.

Daisy Rose Winston, 101, of St. Johnsbury, VT passed at her daughter’s home on April 25, 2025, just days before her 102nd birthday.

ST. JOHNSBURY, VT: Daisy R. (Gardener) Winston died on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital surrounded by her children and grandchildren.

Birth, Parents, and Education

George was born on December 16, 1933, in Peacham, VT, son to Abraham and Mary (Ball) Chester. He attended local schools and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy, Class of 1951.

GW was born in his grandparents’ living room on December 16, 1933, to Abraham and Mary Chester. He graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Lyndon State College and a law degree from Harvard University.

Daisy was born in St. Johnsbury, VT on April 28, 1923, daughter to the late Basil and Ivy (Potts) Gardener.  She attended local schools and was among the very few women of that time to study science in college, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology from Northeastern College in 1945 and a master’s degree in molecular biology from Tufts in 1947.

Marriage, Military Service, and Employment

Following graduation, GW served in the US Air Force stationed in Korea until 1958 when he returned to Waterford.  He married Mary Gwendolin Jefferson on June 25,1959 in Peacham, VT.  He worked as a mechanic at Jefferson Garage from 1958 until his retirement in 1998. He was past-Worthy Patron of the local Eastern Star.

George served in the Air Force from 1952-1958.  He married Mary G. Jefferson. Mary died in 1962. GW married Edith S. Franklin in 1968. He worked as a mechanic before starting his own trucking company. He was a member of the Masons and volunteered with a program that helped high school students get work experience.

Daisy married Harold F. Winston in St. Johnsbury on May 28, 1946.  She was a housewife and mother.  When her children were adults, she worked part-time at Winston Market helping Harold. Daisy was a member of the South Church Choir, Friends of the Athenaeum, and was past secretary and board member for Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. 

Hobbies, Church Affiliation, and Unique Achievements 

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and watching his grandchildren’s sports events.

She was a skilled seamstress and made quilts every year to raise money for the local food bank. She enjoyed traveling with her sisters to a new location every year.

This is where to list those unique things that characterize your loved one.

Survivors and Predeceased

The survivors list is usually done in this general order: spouse, children, siblings, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

If the parents are still alive, they can go after the spouse.  If the decedent is young, parents go first.

If there are a large number of grandchildren and/or great grandchildren, you can either use a number (7 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren) or list names – first names only or full names.  

Many/several nieces and nephews can be added after grandchildren.

Special people can be added at the end. 

Predeceased can be listed in the same order as survivors.

Ultimately, the choice is yours.

Services and Contributions

Friends may call on the family on Tuesday, November 29, 2024, 3-5PM at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street in St. Johnsbury, VT. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on November 30, 2025, 11AM with burial immediately following at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, St. Johns Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.  

Memorial donation can be made to Good Shepherd Catholic School for tuition.

There will be no services at this time. / At George’s request there will be no services.

Memorial donations in George’s name can be made to your local animal shelter.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, November 29, 2025, 1-2PM with a Memorial Service directly after at Sayles Funeral Home, 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, VT.  A private burial will be held in the spring.

The funeral home will be happy to assist.

Our staff are available to help in whatever way you want. From writing up a draft for you to simply looking over your writing for punctuation, again, the choice is yours.

I. Death information

a. Full name

b. Age

c. Town/city and state of residence

d. Where death occurred (home, hospital, nursing home, etc.)

e. Day and date of death

Example

1. Mrs. Mary Jones, age 92, of Our Town, VT, died peacefully at Our Town Nursing Home surrounded by her family on Wednesday, February 1, 2017.

II. Life information part 1

a. Place of birth

b. Date of birth

c. Parents

d. Education

e. Career

f. Marriage

Example

1. Mary was born and raised in Other Town, VT, on January 1, 1925, daughter to John and Anne (Doe) Smith.  She attended Other Town School graduating from Other Town High in 1943.  Mary married Don Jones and they moved to Our Town, VT, where they raised their family. Mary worked in Housekeeping at Our Town Hospital until her retirement.

III. Life information part 2

a. Hobbies

b. Likes

c. Memberships

Example

1. Mary enjoyed gardening and knitting.  She was a member of Our Town Tennis Club, Our Town Knitting Ladies and the Red Hat Society.  Mary volunteered at the local elementary school as a reader for the kindergarten classrooms. Her favorite activity was weekly dinner with the family.

IV. Survivors

a. Relationship 

b.    Name

c. Town/city of residence

Example

1. She is survived by 2 sons:  Michael Jones and his wife, Jane, of Another Town, VT and Matthew Jones and his wife, Martha, of Somewhere, NH; 2 daughters: …;  a sister: ….; 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

V. Predeceased by

a. Relationship

b.    Name

Example

1. She was predeceased by her husband: Don Jones; a brother:…..; 2 sisters: ….

VI. Service Details

a. Visiting hours : day, date, time, place

b. Services and burial: day, date, time, place, cemetery, officiant

Example

1. Friends may call on the family Thursday, February 9, 2017 between the hours of 6pm and 9pm at Sayles Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, February 10, 2017 at 11am at St. John Church with burial to follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

VII. Other

a. Memorial, ‘In lieu of flowers’

Example

1. Memorial donations may be sent in Mary’s name to Our Town School, 1 School Way, Our Town, VT, 05999.

2. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Our Town School, 1 School Way, Our Town, VT, 05999.

b. Online condolences

Example

1. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.CaledoniaLifeServices.com.