Cora May Howe

Cora May Howe (née Wells) was born in Troy, New York in 1933 to Carrie Carlotta (Newton) Wells and Robert Looney Wells. She was one of eight sisters — Nancy, Peggy, Jane, Marcia, Cora May, Patsy, Carolyn and Barbara. She attended Troy High School, where she met her sweetheart Robert (Bob) Howe. They married shortly after and remained happily together for 73 years.

Cora and Bob lived in various places around New York and then in 1953 they settled in Bennington, Vermont, to raise their family. They moved to North Bennington in later years to live the rest of their lives. Cora May was a pillar of the community, from her early days working at The Old Bennington Country Store, to her integral role in the founding and development of K&H Products, where she worked in quality control and fostered a tight-knit supportive community of employees.

Cora May is remembered by all for the ways she cultivated beauty and creativity in the world around her. She was an avid gardner, surviving numerous tick bites to have a yard full of lilies, daffodils, primroses, and herbs. She sewed and knit uncountable items—her socks, slippers, and blankets have warmed our feet and comforted our babies. Even her handwriting was beautiful: every letter she sent you was a gift.

Cora May was a singer from childhood to her final days; it was truly one of her greatest joys. She was in the choir at St. Peters Episcopal Church from the 1960s through the 2020s, and performed many concerts with the Bennington County Choral Society.

And you cannot tell the story of Cora May without Christmas. Although she had one of the largest Christmas trees in the area, it still only fit a fraction of her ornament collection. In later years, she was known for keeping her Christmas tree up into the spring, then the summer, and finally year round. Her children recall baking Christmas Cookies while listening to Handel’s Messiah. But holidays with Cora May were really about her signature generosity—about bringing friends and family together to share food, song, laughter, and love.

Cora May is survived by her children Bart (Alison Forrest), Rick, Greg, Sarah (and Maarten) van Ryckevorsel, grandson Sam (Orli Handmaker) and great-grandson Tavi. Also surviving her are her sister Patsy and brother-in-law Jack Maddigan, along with more than 30 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6th at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 200 Pleasant Street in Bennington, Vermont.