East Montpelier, VT Marguerite (Petie) Hayes Ferris Petie Ferris died peacefully on Friday August 14, 2015 at the Arbors in Shelburne, VT under the thoughtful and loving care of the staff who have provided for her over the last five years as she struggled with a particularly difficult form of Alzheimer's disease. Petie was born in Montpelier on July 31, 1927 to AD and Margie Hayes and spent her childhood with her two sisters and dear friends on College Street, an address she would return to many times in her life. As a student at Montpelier High School she met a mentor, Miss Edwards, the drama coach, who influenced the course of her life and she went on to study drama at Scripps College in California. Local theater became one of the centerpieces of her life when she returned to Vermont. When her first marriage to Jack Ward ended in divorce in the mid 60's, she finished college attending Vermont College, Norwich University and Johnson State and subsequently earned a Master's degree at Goddard College. After serving as Admissions Director at Vermont College she was appointed Dean of the College. After her marriage to Cyrus Ferris she retired and moved to a home they built together on Cutler Heights Rd. in East Montpelier where she stayed until she moved into the Arbors. She was passionate about social justice and an outspoken supporter of women's issues. She was especially proud to have worked closely with former Governor Madeline Kunin helping to run the Lt. Governor's office during her campaign and transition into the Governor's role. Working at the Kellogg Hubbard library, both as a Board Member during the capital campaign and as an active volunteer, was one of the joys of her life. As a volunteer she especially treasured her role of selecting and delivering books to the homes of people unable to get to the Library on their own. The Hayes room and the Ferris stage in that room were named in honor of Petie and her father AD Hayes, recognizing Petie's long-time support of the library and love of learning. She would be thrilled to know that she will be remembered as a strong, gracious, articulate and kind woman and served as a role model for many younger women during a time of social change. But perhaps for many, she will be remembered for her roles with the Montpelier Theater guild, the Lost Nation Theater and many other production companies as she starred in too many productions to be recounted over a local career that spanned over 40 years on stage. She was predeceased by her loving husband Cyrus and is survived by her son Nick (Leslie) of Calais, VT and her daughter Connie Salmone of Holyoke, MA and her grandchildren Thaddeus (Daysi), Hester, Hayes, Dylan, Benjamin, Mark, Ryan and Ted as well as great-granddaughters Ariel and Sofi. She was also a loving stepmother to Cyrus's children Dale Phillips, Cyrus and the late Tikhon, with a special connection to Dale's children Gretchen, Elizabeth, Ally and Stephen. In lieu of flowers please consider a small donation in Petie's honor to the Kellogg Hubbard Library or the Lost Nation Theater.