I write with the sad news that Jane W. Bingham, who worked for many years in the treasurer’s office at Middlebury, passed away Wednesday, December 22, at Porter Hospital, after a brief illness. She was 80.
Born in Whitefield, N.H., on October 17, 1930, she joined the Middlebury staff in 1965 as secretary to the comptroller, a job she held for four years. She then worked at Standard Register in Middlebury before returning to the College in 1973. She became secretary to the treasurer, working first with Carroll Rikert and then with Dave Ginevan. She was assistant to the vice president and treasurer when she retired in July 1996.
A longtime resident of Middlebury, Jane had lived for the last 20 years in Bridport. She was active in the community, serving as a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Association, and volunteering with the United Nations Children’s Fund. Perhaps most notably, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 7823 of Middlebury, and went on to hold state and national offices in the VFW Auxiliary, including national president from 1998-1999.
Bob Preseau, who works in Facilities Services, was one of Jane’s many close friends at the College. “Jane Bingham was a very friendly, kind, and energetic individual,” he said. “Jane was always a leader not a follower.” In addition to her work at Middlebury, he said, she was an inspiration to many with her volunteer and fund-raising activities. “We all have many memories of Jane and her words of wisdom,” he said.
“Jane was an old school secretary who understood her job and her boss,” said another friend and co-worker, Pam Norton, operations manager for Business Services. “She always had a sense of humor and was a dedicated Middlebury College employee. And she led a very full life outside the College.”
Jane’s family members include two sons, Kenneth A. Robillard and his wife Laura of Daleville, Ala., and D. Thomas Robillard of South Branch, Mich.; one daughter, Martha J. Dell of Wellington, Fla.; one brother, Arthur W. Wiggin of Plaistow, N.H.; 10 grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Jane was predeceased by her husband, Albert Bingham; by a daughter, Glenna J. Robillard; and two sisters, Ruth and Dorothy.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home in Middlebury. There will be no calling hours, and interment will take place in spring 2011 in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Middlebury. The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Porter Medical Center, 115 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753.
Ronald D. Liebowitz