Rhoda Mae Bedell

Our amazingly kind, dedicated, fiercely loyal, hardworking, compassionate and beautiful Rhoda Mae Bedell was reunited with her late husband Leon Alden Whitcomb, Sr. and her son who was born sleeping, Lonnie Patrick Mason, on June 17, 2025. We are overjoyed to have shared life with her and mourn her laugh, mannerisms and words of wisdom. She is now at peace after a brief but intense illness.

She was born in Morrisville, VT on October 8, 1946 to Roger and Edna Bedell.  They lived on a farm in Sterling, where she enjoyed being a dairy farmer with her siblings.

She was predeceased by family members as follows: Heber Taft, Gertrude (Neil) Lowell, Lula (Dayle) Allen, Alonzo (who was born sleeping), brother in laws Bernard Bapp (husband of Eva) and David Darrah (husband of Barb), Ron Deuso (husband of Connie) and niece Penny Bowley and nephew Jonathan Griggs.

Family came first! She enjoyed hosting Christmas celebrations and cook outs. Often, she would take us on hikes to share her love of the great outdoors.

She is survived by her step-son Leon (Rebecca) Whitcomb Jr, Julie (Richard) McCrary, sisters Barbara Darrah and Eva Bapp. Her nieces and nephews: Harold (Kum Hui)Allen, Wesley (Sue Busier) Allen, Beverly Allen, Robin (Joe) Reen, Timothy (Wanda) Darrah, David (Elaine) Darrah, Quint (Laura) Bapp, Connie Deuso, Joann Taft and Diane Earle. She was an amazing doting fun grand aunt to Susanne Allen (Mark Wuttke), Danielle Deuso, Missy (Joel) Vandyk, Thorin Bingham, Jennifer (Ryan) Graham. We all enjoyed her homemade donuts, fudge, special Christmas Candy and potato salad!

She had a passion for life, hard work and the great outdoors! She was an avid hiker, Adirondack Trail 46er, avid runner and member of the Northern VT Ridge Runners, tree hugger, as well as a political activist for the Democratic Party, snowshoer and so much more.

In addition to her career at Union Bank, she worked hard in retirement as a tree farmer and learned side by side with Leon the art of forestry. Together they built what we lovingly refer to as the Leon Whitcomb and Rhoda Bedell state park in Wolcott which is succeeded in her legacy as part of The Trust for Public land. She could usually be found hiking these trails, tending the forest, snow shoeing or gardening.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lamoille Family Center in her honor or plant a tree and hug it tight!

Friends and loved ones are invited to share in celebrating Rhoda's life on Saturday, July 5th at 12 pm at 853 East Elmore Road, Wolcott. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rhoda Mae Bedell, please visit our floral store.