Cynthia W. Fairchild of Brattleboro died peacefully, surrounded by family, on October 9, 2009, at Thompson House, after a long illness. She was born March 2, 1934, in Brattleboro, daughter of the late A. Chapin and May Saderman Wright. Her sister, Janice Wright Bodor, and her brother, Edward C. Wright, predeceased her. Mrs. Fairchild was valedictorian of the BHS class of 1951, and won the Austine Prize. She was known for her lightning speed as a typist, her shorthand proficiency and her finely-honed skills as an editor. She won a full scholarship to attend the University of Vermont, but declined the honor because she felt she was needed at home after her mother's death. In Hinsdale, N.H., on January 15, 1955, she married Clarence F. Fairchild, who predeceased her in 1999. She was proud of their 44-yearlong marriage. She leaves two children, Ellen Fairchild Martyn of Brattleboro and Fran Lynggaard Hansen of Dummerston. While still in high school and for several years following graduation she was a legal secretary to Attorney A. Luke Crispe. In 1960 she began working with then Attorney James L. Oakes as a legal secretary. She supported his political career, which took him from State Senator of Windham County to Vermont's Attorney General. She continued her work during his appointment to the United States District Court and finally in his role as Chief Judge, Second Circuit Court of Appeals, a career spanning thirty-one years. She considered the many law clerks with whom she worked to be family. She retired in 1990. She was a life-long member of All Souls Universalist Unitarian Church, and volunteered her time and talents to many organizations, some of which included Brattleboro Area Hospice, Estey Organ Museum, and The Brattleboro Museum and Art Center, for which she was awarded Volunteer of the Year in 2006. Of her many interests, she particularly enjoyed crosswords, and took pride in cracking the Sunday New York Times puzzle. She was also an avid reader. She was known to many for her brisk and regular walks. She and her husband enjoyed traveling; her favorite trip, an extended visit to Australia and New Zealand, a gift from the law clerks and the judge upon her retirement. Besides her daughters, four grandchildren survive her: Peter Martyn and his wife Jackie Billings of Brattleboro; Emily Martyn of Somerville, Mass.; Sam Fellows of Miami, Fla.; and Kate Fellows of Montpelier. She also leaves many nieces and nephews.

Published in Brattleboro Reformer on October 13, 2009