Theresa Aylward

Catherine "Theresa" Aylward

Theresa Aylward, a lifelong resident of Alburgh and a woman known for her hard work, sense of humor, and love of family, passed away peacefully after a long and full life on the evening of August 31, 2026, missing her 99th birthday by hours.

Theresa was born on September 1, 1927, the first of three daughters born to George and Amelia (Duchaine) Blair. She grew up in Alburgh and learned the meaning of hard work at an early age. As a young girl, she worked aboard the Ticonderoga steamboat selling soda and later cooked meals for hired men on a farm in Grand Isle. She was a 1945 graduate of Alburgh High School.

As an adult, Theresa continued to work and keep busy. Over the years, she sold Stanley Home Products, operated a 4,000-turkey farm on Hog Island, worked at Prouty's Market, and later sold Avon. Through her many years of working with the public, she made countless friends and connections, many of whom she held dear throughout her life.

In her late teens, Theresa entrusted a friend to paddle her across Lake Champlain to meet a young Arthur Edward Aylward. That meeting marked the beginning of a lifelong love story, and Theresa and Arthur were married on October 29, 1945. Together they enjoyed dancing, camping, and raising their family. They were blessed with three children, Judy, Lester, and Carol.

Theresa loved being active and social. Before COVID, she enjoyed line dancing and aerobics and looked forward to going out for coffee with "the old folks"-her affectionate and humorous name for friends who were her children's age. She was a member of the Red Hats for many years and was also a member of the Alburgh Auxiliary. In the past two years she has enjoyed attending Care Partners Adult Day in St Albans.

Theresa spent much of her life in the Alburgh community. After marrying Arthur, she made her home on Hog Island in West Swanton before eventually returning to Alburgh, where she lived just down the street from her sister and brother-in-law, Georgette and Stanley Aylward, who was also Arthur's brother.

After Arthur's passing, Theresa's daughter Judy had an apartment fashioned within her own home so that Theresa could remain close to family and continue living in a place filled with love and familiar memories. Theresa remained there until July 2026, when she moved to Franklin County Rehab.

One of the most special friendships in Theresa's life began when she was just four years old. She met Esther Parrot at that young age, and the two remained friends for more than eight decades. In a fitting turn of events, they now live just rooms apart at Franklin County Rehab-a friendship that endured throughout nearly an entire lifetime.

Theresa's greatest pride was her family. She cherished the time spent with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren and leaves behind a family whose lives were shaped by her strength, humor, determination, and love.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Arthur Aylward; her sisters and their husbands, Georgette (Stanley) Aylward and Goldie (Norman) Cadieux; her daughter-in-law, Sandy Aylward; and her son-in-law, Alan Barkyoumb. As well as special friend Jake Remillard.

Theresa will be lovingly remembered by her children, Judy Barkyoumb, Lester Aylward, and Carol (Tom) St. Pierre; her 11 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; 19 great-great-grandchildren; and the many other family members and friends whose lives she touched throughout her remarkable 99 years.

A woman who worked hard, loved deeply, danced often, and never lost her sense of humor, Theresa leaves behind a lifetime of memories that will be treasured by all who knew her.

Friends & family are invited to Theresa's life celebration on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 to include visitation from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM followed with a funeral service at 12:00 PM at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT. Interment will follow in St. Amadeus Cemetery in Alburgh.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com