Heidi Ladd, 65, loving wife and mother was active in her Chester community
The Chester Telegraph | Feb 18, 2014 | Comments 12
Heidi Ladd will be remembered for her infectious laughter and sage advice.
Heidi Buxton Ladd, 65, of Chester, died unexpectedly as a result of injuries sustained in a accident at her family farm on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014.
Mrs. Ladd was born in Concord, MA, the daughter of Devena Kidder and Harold Buxton. She spent her youth in Acton, MA, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from Boston University, before moving to Denver, CO, to pursue her Master’s degree at the University of Colorado – Denver. There, she met her fellow goofball and future husband, Andrew Ladd. In 1976, the couple married, and in 1980, they moved permanently to their home in Chester, co-founding their construction company Andrew Ladd Builders.
Mrs. Ladd was an active community member, a capable CEO, a fearless farmhand and a lifelong learner. But first and foremost, she was a loving wife and mother. From her involvement in the fund-raising and construction of Chester Andover Elementary School’s Play Structure as well as the refurbishment of the Whiting Library in the 1990s, to her recent work with the Development Review Board this past year, Mrs. Ladd’s sound mind and loving hands are woven into the fiber of the Chester community.
She will be remembered by the lives she touched and the world she mothered, with tea in hand. Her robust and contagious laugh will resonate among the mountains she loved and her knowing smile and advice will continue to guide during good times and bad.
She is survived by her children, Gabe, Lily, Marguerite, Abigail and Georgia; her brother Todd, niece Michelle and nephew Craig.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at the Congregational Church in Chester, 469 Main St.
Contributions in Heidi Ladd’s memory can be made out to the Andrew and Heidi Ladd Scholarship Fund and sent to: Ladd Scholarship Fund, c/o Malcolm Summers, Chester Bookworm. 330 Main St Chester, VT 05143.
The Davis Memorial Chapel in Springfield is assisting the family with arrangements.
Filed Under: Obituaries
We lived above the big yellow house, in the log cabin, for years. I only had the pleasure of meeting (and babysitting) Gabe and Lily and haven’t been back to Chester in years. I always thought that Andy and Heidi were an awesome couple. It helps to think that they are together again.
Take care all you Ladds!
As tears fill my eyes hearing this sad news, I hear Heidi’s comforting voice and wonderful laugh and I know that she will live on in so many hearts. Heidi welcomed my family into the Chester Andover Elementary School community and we soon became friends, working together on the booster club. Our children spent days together at their farm, and grew up sharing experiences together in and out of school. I never saw her angry, and she always had words of encouragement in every situation. I will miss her greatly, and thank the whole Ladd family for sharing their wonderful parents with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, and we are here if we can be of any help. Heidi and Andy are together again. The amazing love they shared lives on … and will continue to with their wonderful children. With our greatest sympathy and a loving hug to all the family members.
Heidi was one of the first people I met when I moved to Chester, and she was always so welcoming. I will always have fond memories of our talks about raising children. I read about her “sage advice,” and this is so true, so Heidi. My heart aches for the Ladd children. You have lost so much. Your parents made a huge impact on those around them.
Dear Lily: So sorry to know about your mother’s passing. After reading this page I see her impact will continue in her community; what a wonderful, strong woman she was. Please accept my condolences.
Dearest Heidi, I will miss your annual Christmas letter updating us on all your wonderful children and goings on in Vermont. Your kind, welcoming personality and open door policy will be missed. I always felt that I had a place to visit any time I went to Vermont. My thoughts are with your family.
Always admired your mother. So sorry to hear of her passing.
My heart felt condolences go out to your family at your loss. She was a remarkable soul with amazing children.
Both Andy and Heidi will be watching over you together again.
RIP lovely lady.
I was heart broken to hear of Heidi’s passing. What a terrible, terrible loss. She and Andy were such integral parts of everything good about Chester and beyond and will be so very missed. Together they have left a legacy of love, caring, community and most of all five amazing children to carry on that legacy throughout their lives.
I pray for peace in the hearts of the Buxton/Ladd families in this very sad time. Much love to you all.
What an incredible lady she will be greatly missed! She was such a generous person who gave everything from a sweet smile, love, support and amazing advice. She lives in each one of her children who are as wonderful as she was. My heart breaks for all of you but please know that my prayers and love are with you.
I knew Heidi longer than many people; we met in junior high about 1961, and because we were close together alphabetically, we spent the next six years in the same home room and with lockers close together. Purely by chance we ended up living not far apart in southern Vermont. We kept up on each other’s news at random meetings. I spoke to her just two weeks ago.
I am deeply saddened by her death; she should have been with us far longer. Sincere condolences to all friends and family.
I am so sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. I met Heidi many years ago when I was a student in Gertrude Bennett’s child care class, Marguerite was one of my students. Please accept my condolences. Always keep her alive in your memories.
So sad to learn of Heidi’s passing. Both she and Andrew are gone far too early. Heidi was a part of what makes Chester so special and will be truly missed.