Worcester, VT Remaining enthralled with the beauty of Vermont and nature around her, Thelma Morgan Healey, passed away in Morrisville, Vermont in the early morning hours of May 6, 2015. She was 98 years young. Thelma was born in Worcester, Vermont on January 21, 1917 to Margaret and Clarence Howieson. She attended Montpelier public schools and was permitted to "SKIP the 8th Grade", a fact recited often and proudly, and enter North Troy High School 9th Grade when her family moved to North Troy in the 1930's. Thelma graduated from Montpelier High School, Class of 1934, where she was an enthusiastic participant in the High School Drama Club. Thelma was proud of her career as a professional secretary, in particular, her employment with Attorney Johnny Stone in Montpelier, Arthur W. Simpson - Director of Old Age Assistance, the office of Governor Lee E. Emerson; and Speaker of the House, J. Harold Stacey. Politics held a special interest for Thelma. She was active in the Republican Party in Chittenden County as well as the Worcester Republican Party and the Montpelier Women's Club. In 1974, Thelma ran in the GOP primary for Senator of Washington County. She ran a good campaign on the limited expenditure of $74.13 and considering this sum, came very close to a run-off with her opponents. Thelma continued to advocate for items on her platform, particularly the universal provision of dental, eye and ear medical benefits for children and senior citizens. Thelma was married in Montpelier to Norwich University graduate, Daniel P. Healey, Jr. on February 15, 1941. They were some of the first to enjoy a skiing honeymoon at the newly opened Lodge in Stowe. They were married 58 years. Although her husband's military service took them to California, Pennsylvania and Brooklyn, N.Y., at Thelma's urging, they would always make their way back to Vermont. Upon Dan's retirement, they moved to Hampshire Hill in Worcester where they spent many happy years together. After the death of her husband in August 1999, Thelma lived for several years in Houston, Texas near her younger daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth "Bj" and Marc Kilbride. In 2011, she returned to Vermont to be back in her beloved native state where she chose to live in Morrisville, near her other daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Paul Provost of Hyde Park.. Throughout her 98 years, Thelma retained a childlike wonder at the beauty of Vermont. She enjoyed good company and could tell a good story. She was an amateur but enthusiastic artist, an avid reader and had an eye for New England antiques. She was an ardent poetry fan and could recite "Invictus", portions of the "Vision of Sir Launfal" and the "Cremation of Sam McGee" up until three weeks before she died. She was proud of her Vermont-Scottish Heritage. She was a connoisseur of homemade cake donuts, an occasional cold martini and raw oysters on the half shell. She loved and admired "all creatures great and small", Irish tenors and the bagpipes. She especially loved the United States and its Stars and Stripes. Thelma was predeceased by her parents, Margaret C. (Morgan) and Clarence C. Howieson of Worcester, Vermont; her brother, Earl ("Dick") Howieson, of Worcester and her husband, Daniel P. Healey. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands: Catherine Beth and Paul R. Provost of Hyde Park, Vermont and Elizabeth ("Bj") and Marc Kilbride of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Michelle Provost Friedel and husband, Peter, of Shokan, N.Y., Laura Provost Martin and husband, Bryan, of Vienna, Va.; Mary Kay Provost Doherty and husband, Jay, of Laconia, N.H. and Daniel Kilbride and wife, Megan, of Houston, Texas; her great grandchildren: Joseph and Andrew Friedel, Katelynn, Meagan and Brigette Doherty; Benjamin and Natalie Martin; her niece, Joanne Howieson Davis and her sister-in-law, Mrs. Gertrude Howieson, Worcester, Vermont. For those desiring, memorial contributions can be made to one of the following charities: Vermont Land Trust, 8 Bailey Avenue, Montpelier, Vt. 05602 (802-223-5234); the Worcester Historical Society (worcestervthistoricalsociety.org), WHS at P.O. Box 329, Worcester, VT 05682; Meals on Wheels of Lamoille County, P.O. Box 1427, Morrisville, VT 05661 or the Central Vermont Humane Society (centralvermonthumane.org), CVHS P.O. Box 687, Montpelier, VT. 05601. A funeral mass will be conducted at the Holy Cross Church, Brooklyn Street, Morrisville, on Saturday, May 9, 2015 beginning at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow immediately thereafter at the Worcester Village Mountain Cemetery on Route 12. Arrangements are under Guare & Sons, 30 School Street, Montpelier, Vermont 05602; 802-223-2751.