Theda Johnson Brighamage 88, passed away quietly in her sleep after a brief illness, surrounded by her family. Theda was born in Rices Mills, Vermont, in 1925, the youngest child of Elgin and Glendolyn Johnson.

Farm life was difficult even for a girl with two older brothers. Elementary school was spent in a one room school in Rices Mills. Her high school years were spent at Thetford Academy where she lived in the dormitory, graduating in 1944. After graduation she worked for a short time in Springfield, VT and then at the Hanover Inn in Hanover, NH.

In 1944 she married Ernest M. Brigham of Norwich, VT. They lived on the Brigham farm, Turnpike Road in Norwich for 30 plus years until they divorced. The couple raised five children, as a family. They took part in church, scout and grange activities. Theda sold needlecraft kits and supplies as well as taught people how to do needlework for many years.

She worked for about twenty years at the Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, NH as a telephone operator before retiring. After retiring she returned to Norwich to live in senior housing. Most currently she lived in Newport, NH at the Summercrest Assisted Living.

Theda is predeceased by her parents, two brothers and ex-husband. She is survived by her five children, Gloria Jewett of Northwood, NH, Marshall Brigham of Cleveland, GA, Joyce Truman of Grafton, NH, Cindy Garrow of Cornish, NH and David Brigham of Tampa, FL, 16 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and two great, great-grandchilderen.

There will be visiting hours on Sunday, June 22, 2014 from 4 to 6 pm at the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home in Hanover, NH. A memorial service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2014 at 12:30 at the Norwich Congregational Church, Norwich, VT.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover, NH.