Aili R. Farrar
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Published: July 4, 2009
CHESTER — Aili Raitanen Farrar, 83, of Chester, Vermont, died Wednesday afternoon, July 1, 2009, at her home. Born in Chester, September 21, 1925, she was the daughter of Erland and Amanda (Kangas) Raitanen.
Aili graduated from Chester High School in 1943. She was a cartographer for The National Survey for almost 50 years. She ran the Park Theater in Chester and had her own real estate agency. She served on numerous boards of education, both locally and for the state of Vermont, along with the New England Board of Higher Education. Aili proudly served as a Vermont state legislator from 1988-1996 representing Chester, Andover, Weston and Baltimore and received the "Farm Woman of the Year" award by the State Farm Bureau. She and her husband were lifelong dairy farmers until his retirement in 1986.
Aili married Arthur Paul Farrar, who predeceased her in 2004, on November 1, 1943. They were married 61 years.
Survivors include her three sons, Ronald P. Farrar and wife Adrienne, Russel A. Farrar and wife Jacquelyn, and Roger E. Farrar, all of Chester; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and one on the way. A son, Reginald E. Farrar, two brothers and three sisters predeceased her.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 18, 2009, 1:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, Chester, Vermont. The Reverend Thomas Charlton will be officiating. A time of fellowship and reflection will be held in the church hall after the service.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vt./N.H., 38 Pleasant St., Springfield, VT 05156; or Meals and Wheels of Greater Springfield Inc. 139 Main St., Springfield, VT 05156.
View the guest book at www.rutlandherald.com/ obits.
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