Philaeta Virginia Onorato passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on May 25, 2024. She was 87 years old.

Philaeta, the daughter of Philip and Elizabeth Merriam, was born on March 1, 1937, in Worcester, MA.

She attended Robinson Seminary and graduated Valedictorian. She also graduated from the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Bridgeport, in Connecticut. She held a Masters Degree in Counseling, as well as a degree in Psychology.

She married Lawrence P. Eaton in 1958 and they had three wonderful children. She was widowed in 1972. Later, she married Fred H. Bennett and was again widowed in 1990. In 1996, she married Robert M. Onorato and they enjoyed many years of marriage.

She spent her life helping people and made that her Life’s Mission. She held positions such as, Rehabilitation Couselor, Program Coordinator, Parent Educator, and Outreach Worker. In 2002, she retired from the Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT & NH.

Since retiring, “Virginia” was often seen volunteering at schools, nursing homes, and her various churches. She started a Food Shelf in Central Vermont, which was later named after her. Virginia loved little children and would teach poetry to them. This was one of the joys of her life. She was a beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother.

She was an Artist in her own right, using Paint and the written word as her mediums. She was a published poet, and an avid painter, she wrote stories and began writing a novel on growing old.

Virginia attended the various churches, no matter where she lived. Her last church was the First Congregational Church of Westminster. God was a very important part of Virginia’s life, her faith carried her many times. She served as a Deacon in the church for many years. She set aside a daily prayer time to pray for those in need.

Virginia’s love for camping held on for her entire life. She took her children camping, and would often take her husband to State Parks for camping. She enjoyed reading, making beautiful patchwork quilts for friends and family. She enjoyed picking apples, and the smell of Lilacs in the Spring. She loved nature, and all its beauty. Virginia was Love. Virginia was Kindness, she embodied these words. She lived them. All that knew her knew of this.

She is survived by her three children, Cynthia Anderson, Linda Marcille, and Peter Eaton. She is also survived by her husband of 27 years Robert Onorato.

Memorial Services will be held at First Congregational Church of Westminster on June 22, 2024, at 3:00 PM, with a luncheon preceding the Memorial Service at 1:30 PM.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.