Doris Pratt

BENNINGTON - Doris A. (Thompson) Pratt, 92, a longtime resident of North Bennington, died peacefully at Brookdale Fillmore Pond on Thursday, May 26.
The daughter of Frank D. and Selma (Rubesan) Thompson, she was born in Bennington on April 21, 1930. Doris grew up in the North Bennington area, attending schools in North Bennington and Shaftsbury, and graduating from North Bennington High School in 1948. She married Lloyd W. Pratt at the Shaftsbury Methodist Church on September 11, 1948. They made their home in North Bennington where they raised their family of six children. Lloyd died on September 1, 1997.
Doris had worked as a waitress at many area restaurants, including the Heritage House, Shirkshire Restaurant, and Sugar Maple Inn. She had also worked at EZ Mills, Chem Fab, and Schmeltzer. Doris was a longtime member of the North Bennington Congregational Church where she taught Sunday school for many years. She served her community as a Girl Scout leader, trustee for the village of North Bennington from 1983 to 1988, and active member of the PTA of North Bennington schools, and Home Dem Group. As an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers, she enjoyed pickling and freezing vegetables and making jam and chili sauce for her family.
She is survived by her children Laura Lane (Peter), of Marlboro, MA, Karen Pratt (Robert Perrone), of Jacksonville, Wendy Ivie, of Schenectady, NY, Alan Pratt, of North Bennington, Ronald Pratt (Trina), of Arvada, CO, and Robert Pratt (Melonie), of Schenectady, NY. Grandchildren include Jennifer Townsend, Amy Rusiecki, Carlton Lane, Morgan Arbisais, Victoria Pratt, and Meredith Pratt. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Maya and Calvin Townsend as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by siblings Helen Harrington, Albert Thompson, Nora Coonradt, and Louise Harvey.
Funeral services will be held at the North Bennington Congregational Church at a later date, with Rev. Penny Rich Smith officiating. Friends may call at the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 8, from 11am to 2 pm and from 5 to 7 pm. Memorial gifts may be made to either the American Red Cross, McCullough Library or North Bennington Congregational Church in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. To send personal condolences to the family visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.