Jeanie
Margaret MacDonough, 85, of Charlotte, Vt., passed away peacefully on
Sunday, January 19, 2025, at the University of Vermont Medical Center
in Burlington, Vt., following a stroke.
Born
on January 4, 1940, in Burlington, Jeanie was the daughter of
Reginald and Margaret (Poole) MacDonough. She spent her childhood in
Charlotte, attending local public schools through eighth grade,
before graduating from Burlington High School in 1958. Jeanie pursued
higher education at UVM, earning both her bachelor of science in home
economics in 1962 and her master’s in teaching in 1970. She later
received a PhD in childhood psychology from Cornell University in
1986. She married Bruce Ladeau of South Burlington in 1985.
Jeanie
dedicated her career to Vermont’s public school system as an
educator, administrator, guidance counselor and grant writer. She was
proud to have developed the first statewide teaching curriculum for
the Vermont Department of Health and to have secured grants that
introduced some of the first computers and technology education to
the Milton School District. She aspired to make a meaningful
difference in the lives of students and teachers. In retirement,
Jeanie and Bruce restored her family farmhouse in Charlotte,
continued to make elaborate costumes for their grandchildren each
Halloween, and spent winters in Florida, where they pursued their
passion for nature and art. Jeanie cared for her brother John during
his battle with cancer in 2004 and then again for her husband Bruce
in 2011. Jeanie’s determination was evident when, at the age of 72,
she climbed Mount Abraham with her family to scatter Bruce’s ashes.
Jeanie
remained vibrant and active throughout her later years. She designed
costumes for local theater productions, maintained a flourishing
vegetable garden (most of which she donated to the food shelf) and
enthusiastically supported youth programs at her church. She spent
countless hours at her sewing machine mending winter clothing for
children, which she donated to those in need. She continued to make
her legendary mac and cheese for the Salvation Army kitchen in
Burlington, where she and Bruce had volunteered for decades. Jeanie
was a lifelong member of the Charlotte Congregational Church, where
her mother and grandmother were also members. In 2024, she was
honored as a deacon for life. She will be remembered for her
kindness, playful joy and quiet generosity.
Jeanie
is survived by a large extended family, including her cousin,
Patricia Horsford of South Burlington, Vt.; sister-in-law, Christine
MacDonough of Sunnyvale, Calif.; nieces Stacey MacDonough Wolfe and
husband Greg of Sunnyvale, Calif., and Marcie MacDonough of Sisters,
Ore.; step-niece, Mary Baker of Bristol, Vt.; eight grandnieces and
grandnephews; three great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews;
stepchildren, Rob Ladeau and wife Marsha of New Hampshire, Debbie
Ladeau of Bristol, Vt., Jim Ladeau and wife Noriko of Japan, and
Leslie O’Halloran of Florida; son-in-law, Thomas O’Halloran of
Brandon, Vt.; and step-grandchildren Alex and Thomas Ladeau, Bennett
and Sean Webb, and Eric and Jamie Cannizzaro. She was predeceased by
her husband, Bruce Ladeau; her brothers, John and Reginald
MacDonough; and her niece Deborah MacDonough.
A
memorial service will be held on Sunday, February 2, 2025, 2 p.m., at
the Charlotte Congregational Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the Charlotte Congregational Church, PO
Box 12, 403 Church Hill Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445.