EDITH BURNHAM KAMERLING

Edith Burnham (Smith) Kamerling passed away early in the morning of July 4, 2010, at Ave Maria Community Care Home in Richford, where she had resided since July 2009.
She was born Jan. 16, 1916, the daughter of Frederick and Mary (Sands) Smith in Paterson, N.J.
Edith attended Public Schools in Paterson, as well as Paterson State and Douglas Colleges. Early in her career, she was employed as bookkeeper by the Harris Brothers Silk Company in Paterson. On Sept. 26, 1941, she married Marinus (Rin) Kamerling, and shortly after moved to Fair Lawn, N.J., where she became a homemaker while raising their son Fred. Her later career was with the Borough of Fair Lawn, first as administrative assistant to the Police Chief and later to the Tax Assessor, retiring to Vermont in 1981. A lifelong desire to live in the “north country” inspired her to purchase property and have a small but very cozy log home built in East Berkshire overlooking the Missisquoi River valley and the Jay range. While residing in East Berkshire, she was fortunate to enjoy many Vermont activities: skiing at Jay Peak, snowshoeing and hiking with her beloved English Setter, Belle, swimming and canoeing with her grandchildren, and especially cherished holidays with family and friends.
She also enjoyed participating in services with new friends as a communicant at St. Matthews Episcopal Church in Enosburg Falls and as a volunteer at the Franklin County Food Shelf. While the effects of dementia were increasingly evident, Edith seemed to enjoy canoeing with her son until last summer.
Edith was predeceased by her father, Frederick, in 1934; her mother, Mary, in 1962; and her husband, Rin, in 1968. She is survived by her son, Fred and his wife, Eileen, of Essex; granddaughters: Erika L. LaClair and her husband, Kevin, of Jackson, Wyo., Elizabeth A. Mansfield and her husband, James, of Hampstead, N.H.; and her grandson, Michael F. Kamerling of Richmond, Vt. She is also survived by her great-grandson, Eli LaClair; as well as many friends and extended family members.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at 1 p.m. at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Church Street, Enosburg Falls. Interment in the Smith Family Plot in Cedar Lawn Cemetery, Paterson, N.J. will be held at the convenience of the family. There will be no visiting hours.
The family is especially thankful to the staff at Ave Maria, Richford Health Center, Franklin County Home Health Agency, Dian Duranleau and Ken Minck and her many friends and families who have been so supportive during Edith’s final days.
Private condolences may be sent to Edith’s family on-line through: www.spearsfuneralhome.com.