Berla Brown Cashman, 92, of Northfield passed away on Thursday , November 5, 2009 at Mayo Healthcare, Northfield surrounded by her loving family. She was born August 5, 1917 in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, to Marg aret McCaw Brown and James Blair Brown. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1929 and was a long-time resident of Rutland, VT, interspersed with absences associated with her spouse's 20 year military career. More recently she resided in Falmouth, ME and Northfield.

She married John F. Cashman, Jr. of Providence, RI in February 1944 before he departed to serve in Europe during World War II. He predeceased her in 1983.

Berla graduated from Rutland High School in 1935 and attended Boston University. As a working mother she had a variety of positions, including employment at newspapers in Rutland and Coppers Cove, Texas, Delta Airlines, Vermont Heart Association, Rutland County District Attorney's Office, and as personal secretary to former Secretary of the Navy, William Franke. She retired from the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles in 1979.

She is survived by her son John F. (Jack) Cashman and spouse, Wendy of East Roxbury, VT; her daughter, Jean Cashman Northrop and spouse, John of Falmouth, ME; her grandchildren Tara Cashman Higgins of North Kingstown, RI, Heather Northrop of Gray, ME, Drew Cashman of Thornton, CO, Wendy Northrop of Boston, MA, John Northrop of Wakefield, MA and Sarah Northrop of Portland, ME; great grandchildren Calvin and Cordella Higgins of North Kingstown, RI; and many nieces

and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother, Charles Blair Brown of South Burlington in 1991 and her sister-in-law, Jane Clark Brown, in January, 2009. Berla's passion was Bridge and Scrabble was her specialty. She loved the seacoast and her days in Maine. She will be lovingly remembered as a giving and caring "lady" by those whose lives she touched. She was grateful to the staff of Mayo Healthcare for their loving and dignified care and to her fellow residents for their companionship over the past two years. There will be no calling hours. A private burial will be held at Quidnessett Memorial Cemetery in North Kingstown, RI. Contributions in Berla's memory may be made to the activity fund of Mayo Healthcare, 71 Richardson Ave., Northfield, VT 05663 for the enjoyment and enhancement of its residents.