Montpelier Frances Alice (Bliss) Brear, 87, formerly of Heaton Woods, Montpelier, died December 13, 2013, at Berlin Health & Rehab Center. Fran was born on Jan 2, 1926, in East Montpelier, VT, the daughter of George and Marion (Thayer) Bliss. She graduated from Montpelier High School in 1944. Fran was married to Chester C (Chet) Brear on October 30, 1944 in the State of Georgia while he was serving in the US Army. Fran's occupations included switchboard telephone operator at New England Telephone, sales clerk at the former Seivwright's Pharmacy in Montpelier and the former Grant's Department Store in Berlin, and many years as a childcare provider at her home, as well as, at various children's homes. As grandchildren came along she found time to care for them for various lengths of time. Fran loved to sew and made many of the clothes for the girls as they were growing, as well as, making clothes for her and Chet for dancing and for other events. She and Chet enjoyed, and were very good at, round dancing, square dancing around the new England area. They particularly enjoyed a group trip to Hawaii to dance. They spent several camping vacations in Florida and towed their camper to many campgrounds in northern New England. One of their favorite areas was along the coast of Maine. Fran was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Montpelier, where she sang in the choir for several years. Survivors include her husband of 69 years, Chet, of Heaton Woods, her daughters Elizabeth (Betty) Welch, and her husband Reg, of Montpelier and Sandra Fletcher of Northfield; four grandchildren: USAF Col Rory Welch (Nancy), USAF Lt Col Keith Welch (Sandra), US Army SFC Zebulon Farnham (Tommi) and Christina (Fletcher) White (Andrew); great-grandchildren: Ryan, Lauren, Valerie and Amanda Welch; four nieces and a nephew. She was predeceased by her parents, her daughter, Patricia Farnham in 1993, her brother Charles Bliss in 1986 and a son-in-law Arthur Fletcher in 1987. Her funeral service will be held at 3 o'clock, Friday, December 20 at Guare & Sons Funeral Home, with calling hours starting at 2 PM. Burial will be held in the spring at the Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 30 Cornerstone Drive, #120, Williston, VT 05495 or the American Cancer Society, New England Division, 55 Day Lane, Williston, VT 05495 in the name of Frances Brear. Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com.