WEST ARLINGTON - Doris C. Wright 93, a lifelong resident of West Arlington died peacefully at her home on River Road on Wednesday February 22, 2017.

The daughter of Sidney and Rena (Somers) Crofut she was born in Bennington on May 19, 1923. She attended schools in West Arlington and was a member of the first graduating class at the present Arlington High School in 1941.

In earlier years she had worked at the Red Mill Battenkill Handle Company and Mack Molding, however Doris was a homemaker most of her life. She loved being home taking care of her family, working in her gardens, baking, canning or making jelly. But her favorite times at home were when she sat down at the piano to play and sing those old familiar songs. She instilled a love of music in the whole family. It was a sad day when the music stopped.

Doris was a member of the West Arlington Methodist Church and a dedicated member of the Battenkill Grange #487 since joining in 1938 at age 15. She served as their pianist until her stroke in 1994.

She spent her entire life in West Arlington, living a mile down River Road from Norman Rockwell for 14 years. She was asked to pose for him at the age of 15. She appeared on the March 6, 1948 cover of the Saturday Evening Post in the famous Rockwell painting "The Gossips". She was the red head in curlers. Her mother, Rena and several other neighbors appeared also. Her brother, Roy and paternal grandparents, Charles and Vanetta Crofut posed for numerous paintings.

Following her stroke in early 1994, Doris spent time at Rutland Hospital's Rehabilitation Center. Word quickly spread that she was a Rockwell model and she was treated like a celebrity. The poster of "The Gossips" became a best seller at the Rockwell Museum in Rutland. She autographed several of them for hospital employees.

Doris loved to gather with other Rockwell models at the Arlington Gallery. She so enjoyed visiting with people and answering questions. For several years, Doris was a NASCAR fan, she was a member of the Rusty Wallace Fan Club , she also enjoyed going to Bingo.

She leaves her children Linda A. Hoffman and husband Daniel of West Arlington, Gregory A. Wright and wife Janice of Bennington, Gayle A. Keyes of Bennington, Beverly J. Zimmer and husband Mike of Arlington and Franklin, TN and Debbie L Quick and husband Mike of North Petersburgh, NY, 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, sister in law Mabel Crofut of West Arlington and several cousins. She was predeceased by her (former) husband George H. Wright and brother Roy Crofut.

SERVICES: Funeral services will be held on Sunday February 26 at 2pm at the Arlington Chapel of Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, burial will follow in the family lot in West Arlington Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 1-2pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Arlington Rescue Squad in care of Hanson Walbridge & She Funeral Home, P.O. Box 528, Arlington, 0525





Published in Bennington Banner on Feb. 25, 2017