Ann Atherton Award Recipient Kelly Thomas
by Richard Gagné
Page 2 of 6
This newsletter is dedicated to Ann
Atherton who passed away a year
ago.
I first met Ann 17 years ago as a
new Director at Vermont Dismas
House. I talked to her on a weekly
basis when she would call to let us
know what the volunteer cooks
were bringing for dinner that week.
At first the calls were short with her
giving me a list of names but over
the years we often talked about our
families. I know that I felt safe
talking to Ann about some of the
struggles and triumphs within my
family and she often shared her
thoughts about her family members
This Newsletter is dedicated to Ann Atherton
and friend’s happiness and well being.
Above all else it struck me that Ann was
someone who didn't judge others
harshly but was kind and giving.
I visited Ann several times with my
daughter over the years to bring her a
wreath or plant over the holidays.
Although my intention was to bring her a
gift because she had contributed so
much of her time to Dismas House over
the years it felt like I was the one who
left with a lighter heart and a little more
energy to my step!. Several years ago
we honored Ann at our Annual Dinner.
She tried to talk us out of it and in
retrospect I'm not sure she was
comfortable with all of the attention but I
hope that she understood how much we
appreciated who she was and that her
quiet way of supporting others didn't go
unnoticed.
When we attended Ann's funeral I was
really struck by the things that family
and friends said about Ann. The loving
The Ann Atherton Award, named afte
a long time Dismas Volunteer,
will b
presented to Kelly Thomas on May 3®
at the Burlington Dismas House’s 23r
Annual Dinner & Auction.
Kelly discovered Dismas in 199
when she was teaching at Trinit
College. She got involved right awa
by moving into the house and takin
on the role of fulltime night manager
Kelly became an integral part of ou
Dismas family. Even though sh
found love, moved out, and go
married, she has remained a vita
member of our Dismas family. Sh
has demonstrated her commitment t
be there for those who struggle b
volunteering to cook one Friday nigh
every month. The spices she uses i
her delicious meals betray he
southwestern origins. Her presence i
our community has been a real gift
Kelly was interviewed a few years ag
as part of a video production fo
Burlington Dismas House and he
words about her 9 roommates a
Dismas House have stayed with m
ever since, “I’m an only child so all o
this was like a family experience I’
never had, it wasn’t without its bump
but it was warm and it was welcomin
and it made me stay committed t
96 Buell Street · Burlington, VT 05401
802.658.0381 · info@dismasofvermont.org · www.dismasofvermont.org
Buell Street Dismas
Wish List
Pillows
Blankets
Sheets
Bureaus
Please call 658-0381 or e-mail
mary@dismasofvermont.org if you
have donations. Sorry but we do
not have storage space for other
donations
Dismas all these years…”
Kelly Thomas
Inside Kim was spinning her wool,
Carol knitting and little groups of
the gang were huddled throughout
the house. It was warm and
healing. I crocheted while a round
or two of Cranium was played. I
The closer we got the lighter I felt….
(Continued from page 1)
couldn’t help but think that my tea
would be doing better if I was playing
Eventually everyone took their wear
bones to bed. I personally didn’t wan
to leave, it was another beautiful da
in seclusion, another decaden
commitment that she had for famil
and friends was obvious in th
personal testimonies that peopl
gave. There is a quote by the founde
of Dismas House that talks abou
"...standing with those who struggle..
I think of Ann as someone who woul
"stand with others" to offer her suppor
in a very quiet way without expectin
anything in return.
breakfast was made and eaten.
We cleaned, we packed, we
descended. Back to live, work,
papers,
phones and an answer to
one soul’s prayers; television.
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