Known to all, whether friends or foe, as Rae M. Worthen passed away in comfort with family at her bedside on Tuesday evening, August 4, Z015 at the University of Vermont Medical Center.
Rae was born into the worldly enticements of New York City on April 14, 1928 to the revered Dr. James McTiernan and Marion Prindle Cunningham McTiernan.
At the age of 3, Rae's father died in a car accident on a snowy April afternoon in Vergennes, VT. This would have a profound impact on her path through life. Following this tragedy, her mother moved the family to St. Albans. Rae grew up on the family homestead with an extended family and attended BFA St. Albans graduating in 1946. She then went on to the University of Vermont, graduating with a BA in 1950. Rae was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, Sophomore Aids, Junior Honor Society and President of The Women's Student Government.
Rae spent many a day skiing at Mad River during her college career and was known to miss a few classes when the snow was good!
UVM Professor Francis Colburn was Rae's instructor for an art course she enrolled in. Colburn was quoted as saying "Rae you have a wonderful sense of color but you can't paint worth a damn!" His statement would in?uence Rae's career path towards an eye for women's fashion.
Rae was an amazing woman who owned her own high end women's clothing store, Rae's Suburban from 1950 to 1970 and then went on to establish The Suburban Shop at Magrams, Vermont's largest department store on Church Street, retiring in 1985. Mom helped many a forgetful husband with last minute gifts and always knew what cocktail parties the women were going to so as never to have the same dress be seen at any one event!
Rae introduced denim to women in Vermont in 1973 when she was the first to bring Calvin Klein Jeans to Burlington "so all the farm girls could now look chic!"
Mom was a fashion maven and always had impeccable style and taste. During retirement, Rae volunteered with SCORE, the Salvation Army, UVM Alumni Fundraising and was an active member in the Klifa Club.
While at UVM, Rae met her future husband and best friend of 64 years, William W. Worthen. Besides Bill, she also leaves behind her son, Bradford J. Worthen and his partner Christopher J. Copley; daughter Gail Worthen and granddaughters Emma Rae Todd and Addie Frances Todd; sister-in-law and dear friend Pat MacTiernan and her family; and sister-in-law Geraldine Cunningham. She was predeceased by her brother James "Buddy" MacTiernan and her step father Henry A. Worthiem.
Rae and Bill spent many enjoyable summers with family and friends at their cottage on Chebeague Island, Maine.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Anne Knot for hermany house calls with mom, The Visiting Nurse Association for truly demonstrating the art of "aging in place", the excellent professionals from the UVM Medical Center Baird 4 and McClure 5 team who made us all very comfortable during Mom's final days.
And a special thanks with love to Venessa, our VNA caregiver for the special care she provided mom over the past year.
A graveside service will be held Friday, August 7, 10:30 AM at the Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, VT.
Arrangements by Gifford Funeral Home, Richmond, VT.