LUDLOW, Vt. – Oftentimes in recent years, when Laura (Bennett) Caravatt explained where she lived on Andover Road in Ludlow, the person asking would exclaim, “Ah, yes, the house with the beautiful gardens.” Indeed, the blooms were eye-catching. They also offered a perfect picture of how Laura lived her life – with energy, beauty, and grace, plus hard work and determination. She found joy in her garden, and she brought joy to others by sharing its bounty.
On Monday, Nov. 24, surrounded by her loving family, Laura peacefully passed from this Earth to be with the Lord. Just shy of 103, Laura enjoyed a remarkably long and healthy life, maintaining a positive outlook and undying zest for life right up to her final days.
The youngest of four children, Laura was born on Dec. 16, 1922, to Minnie (McMahon) and George Bennett. She grew up in Ludlow, and graduated from Black River Academy in 1940. Laura often spoke fondly of her childhood and teen years, recounting how, on cold winter nights, she and her friends would ride a traverse sled from the top of Terrible Mountain all the way to the village, reaching thrilling breakneck speeds.
Her mother instilled in her a great appreciation of nature, and they would take frequent walks along wooded trails, admiring and identifying various trees and wildflowers, searching for the first signs of trailing arbutus or lady slippers in the spring, collecting butternuts and wintergreen berries in the fall. She loved the mountains and crisp, clean air of Vermont, and was always proud to trace her roots to the Green Mountain State.
After graduating from Rutland Business College, Laura was hired to work in the business office of Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H. As the country entered World War II, Hanover was transformed from a college town to a training center for naval officers, and Laura found herself in the midst of a turbulent but exciting time in U.S. history. As the students began to return from military duty, she met her future husband Paul Caravatt while attending the Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, and the two were wed on June 22, 1946.
After graduating from Dartmouth and its Tuck School of Business, Paul accepted a traveling sales job with the Vermont Dairy Association, and the two spent a year traveling through every state east of the Mississippi with a trailer in tow. In later years, the family was often regaled with tales of their adventures on the road. They settled down in Bayside, N.Y., where Paul embarked on a career in advertising, and Laura worked as the film librarian in the national headquarters of Girl Scouts of America in New York City.
In 1952, their first child, Cynthia Diane, was born. The family moved to Norwalk, Conn., in 1954, and here, as they welcomed their second child Suzanne Laura, Laura embraced raising her family, caring for her aging mother, and creating her first perennial gardens. She also served in a variety of positions at the First Congregational Church on the Green in Norwalk. In 1962, the young family moved to nearby Wilton, Conn., where, as a member of the Wilton Garden Club, she became an award-winning flower arranger.
Laura had a huge heart for others, as was evident in her role as a deaconess at the Wilton Congregational Church. She often visited those who were ill or shut in, offering cheerful conversation, homemade cookies, and a bouquet of flowers to brighten their day. As a homemaker, Laura clearly had the gift of hospitality, making people feel welcome and at ease, and treating overnight guests to delicious breakfasts of warm blueberry muffins. In the late 1960s, Paul and Laura renovated Laura’s childhood home in Ludlow into a family ski house, and here Laura generously welcomed many of her daughters’ high school and college friends to enjoy memorable ski weekends with wonderful, lively conversations around the dinner table. She enjoyed many years of both downhill and cross-country skiing with her family, even getting out on her cross-country skis at the age of 100.
Laura was also known for her sense of style, always looking elegant and well put together, whatever the occasion. Over the years, she had the opportunity to travel extensively with her husband and family. She enjoyed reading and learning about U.S. history, and always supported the historical societies in both Wilton and Ludlow. After selling their home in Wilton in 2005, Laura and Paul split their time between Ludlow and Southbury, Conn., where their daughter Cyndie lived. In Ludlow, they were warmly welcomed into the United Church of Ludlow, and here Laura once again graced the church altar with her lovely floral arrangements.
When Paul passed away in 2009, the couple had enjoyed 63 years of marriage. Although her eyesight was failing due to macular degeneration, Laura continued to plant and plan gardens throughout her 90s. Over the last few years of her life, she was lovingly cared for by her daughter Cyndie in East Wallingford. Having passed on a love of gardening and bird watching to both of her daughters, here Laura was able to enjoy the beautiful gardens surrounding Cyndie’s home, and to enjoy the constant activity at numerous bird feeders. She also had a lifelong love of music, enjoying a variety of genres, and took much joy in listening to her favorite hymns, big band music, choral music, and more.
Laura is survived by her daughters Cyndie Holden and Suzy Andrews (Kevin), six grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by her son-in-law Richard Holden. A service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 27, at 1 p.m., at the United Church of Ludlow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the United Church of Ludlow, 48 Pleasant Street, Ludlow VT 04149.
The Tossing Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.