Frances B. (Woodard) Hart

Frances B. (Woodard) Hart, 76, a lifelong resident of Bennington passed away peacefully at The Watson House in North Bennington following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Fran was born in Bennington on July 2, 1946, she was the daughter of Paul and Genevieve (Latif) Woodard. She grew up on East Main Street, attending neighborhood schools and graduating from Benn Hi in 1964, she continued her education at Castleton State College beginning in the nursing field, but soon realized it wasn’t for her and transferred to the teaching curriculum. She obtained her Bachelors in Education from Castleton State College (now Castleton University). Later during her teaching career she worked on her Masters, graduating from MCLA with her Masters in Education. Fran’s teaching career began at Sacred Heart School, she then became a teaching Principal at Sunderland Elementary for several years and she finished her teaching career at Mt. Anthony Union High School as an English teacher, retiring in 2008. Her retirement allowed her time to help care for her young grandchildren. Fran also assisted her husband Michael as bookkeeper for MJ Hart Electric. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart St. Francis de Sales Church and a life member of V.F.W. Post 1332 Auxiliary where she served as treasurer. Fran was an avid quilter, she enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She leaves her husband Michael J. Hart whom she married at the Bennington Monument on her birthday July 2, 1975, her sons Gary Bronson of Bennington and Darren (Lindsay) Hart of Cranston, RI , daughters Jennifer (James “Mick”) Fowler of Garner, NC and Rae Tetlow of Bennington, step son Michael J. Hart Jr. “JJ” of Middleburg, FL, brothers Paul (Priscilla) Woodard of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Scott (Todd) Woodard of Chicago IL, John “BJ” (Marilyn) Woodard of Cambridge, NY and Douglas (Judy) Woodard of North Bennington, grandchildren Luke, Mason and Reece Fowler, Avery and Madelyn Hart, Aubrey, Cameron and Brodie Tetlow, Dustin, Kasey and Kaitlyn Hart , Morganne Lawler and great grandchild Jordan Hart, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She was predeceased by her step son Wade Hart in November 2009. Funeral service for Fran will be held on Friday July 29 at 11am at the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home. Friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday July 28 from 4-7pm when the family will be present. Memorial gifts may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in care of the Hanson Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home, 213 West Main Street, Bennington, VT 05201. To send personal email condolences to the family, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.