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BAILEY, RACHEL H., 94
BAILEY, RACHEL H., 94, formerly of Woodbury, died October 24 at Heritage Hall North Nursing Home in Agawam, Mass. She was born November 26, 1917, in Walden, one of eight children of the late Joseph R. and Myrtie (Wilcox) Houston. She attended Walden public schools, Hardwick Academy and graduated from high school in Portsmouth, N.H. Rachel continued her education at the Heaton Hospital Nursing School in Montpelier. On January 15, 1939, she married Earnest Henderson in Danville. In her earlier years, Rachel stayed at home to care for her children. She later was employed at Digital Electronics Co. in Westfield, Mass. Following the couple's retirement, she and Earnest returned to Vermont and made their home in Victory. During their marriage, Rachel and Earnest went on wonderful vacations with their children. After the children were grown, the couple traveled the U. S. in an RV, making true and lasting friends in every state. Earnest died on August 23, 1986. Rachel later married Sprague Bailey on June 22, 1988, in Las Vegas, NV. The couple returned to make Woodbury their home. Rachel and Sprague loved Woodbury and after Sprague's death on January 25, 1998, Rachel stayed. In later years, Rachel received much care from family, friends and neighbors, in particular her daughter, Michal and son-in-law Steve Carlton, her sister Bev and friend Shirley, neighbors Richard and Liz Paton and many others who showed kindness and concern. In 2004, she moved to Louisville, Ky., to live with her son, Stan and his wife Peggy. She moved to Agawam, Mass. in 2011, where she received care at Heritage Hall Nursing Home and was cared for by her son Steve. She was a member of the South Walden Church; affiliated with Woodbury Center Church and a member of the Woodbury Bible Study Group. She enjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, Scrabble, spending time with her family and her Bible Study Group. Rachel's charm, her sense of humor and most of all her gentleness will be greatly missed. Survivors include two sons: Stanley Henderson of Louisville, Ky., and Steven Henderson of Indian Orchard, Mass.; a sister, Beverly Cook of Zephyrhills, Fla.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a daughter: Michal Carleton; six siblings: Leona Stratton, Joyce Popodopoulis, Jody Houston, Hugh Houston, Olive Robertson and Louise Hale Salls.
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