LUDLOW, Vt. – Edris Lorette Bonneau, 97, passed away on Oct. 9, 2024, in Ludlow, Vt. Born on March 19, 1927, to Oscar and Marguerite Bryant (née Kingsbury) in Cavendish, Vt., Edris was the second of six siblings, with her sister Ethelyn as the eldest, and her brothers Roy, Stanley, David, and Glenn following. Edris grew up observing her father’s farming, and her mother’s caregiving.
As a child, she attended the Tarbell Hill One Room School House in Cavendish, Vt., Black River Academy in Ludlow, Vt., and later graduated from Black River High School in 1945. At the young age of 6, Edris could be found participating in the Ludlow Baptist Church choir. After graduation, she worked for the Ludlow Telephone Company until she married Leonard Gendron Sr. on Nov. 1, 1947, with whom she had four children: Leonard, Diane, Paul, and Nancy. Following her separation from Leonard, she pursued her nursing career, graduating from Thompson School of Practical Nursing in Brattleboro, Vt. Edris then dedicated her career to nursing at Springfield Hospital, Poet Seat in Greenfield, Mass., and Belchertown State School in Belchertown, Mass.
In 1969, Edris met her late husband Earl Bonneau while square dancing, and they remained inseparable from that moment forward. Earl and Edris wed on Oct. 3, 1970. Edris had an immense love for her family, always eager to hear about their travels, new classes, and relationship experiences. As a woman of faith, she maintained a nightly prayer list for those in need, which varied in length but remained a consistent part of her routine. Edris treated everyone with equal love and fairness. Edris possessed a radiant glow; her smile could illuminate a room, complemented by her infectious chuckle and sense of humor.
Edris is survived by her children Leonard Gendron Jr., Diane Haskell, Paul Gendron, and Nancy Carle (Richard); grandchildren Michael Gendron, Renee Gendron-Potwin, Amanda Gendron-Roese (Michael), Christopher Gendron, Stephen Carle (Marina), Rick Carle (Becky), Karen Carle, Melissa Kowalsky (Bryan), and Cami Koski; great-grandchildren Jaxson, Ryelee, Tristan, Noah, Alton, Jacob, Abigail, Juliette, Rylan, Adalyn, and Caleb; and brothers David Bryant (Vicki) and Glenn Bryant (Eydie). She is predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years Earl Bonneau; parents Oscar and Marguerite Bryant; and siblings Ethelyn Dever, Roy Bryant, and Stanley Bryant.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 5-7 p.m., at Davis Memorial Chapel. The Funeral Service will be Thursday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m., at the United Methodist Church located at 10 Valley Street, Springfield, Vt. Entombment will follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, 37 North Depot Street, Ludlow, Vt.