Bethel, VT – Elsa Talbot of Bethel Vermont passed peacefully in her home on October 20th, 2025 surrounded by her two daughters and her sister.
Elsa was born at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in 1950 and brought home to the family dairy farm in South Pomfret, Vermont. The youngest of 6 children Elsa enjoyed her early life on the farm, exploring the mountains, riding horses and skiing at Suicide Six. She attended Woodstock Country School and studied Education at Oregon College of Education, although, always committed to living life on her own terms, she left three credits short of completing her degree. Elsa’s younger years were filled with adventure. She spent months hitchhiking through Europe and traveled extensively around the United States; at one point living in a teepee she sewed herself.
When Elsa settled back in Vermont with her daughters, she became a beloved preschool teacher and fixture of the community. She began as cook at The Day Care Center in Norwich, Vermont before becoming a teacher at Mount Tom Preschool, Green Mountain Children’s Center, and finally, Rainbow Playschool. Elsa excelled for over 40 years in early childhood education, making an outsized impact on generations of children in the Upper Valley. Elsa had a strong connection with young people, and children could always be heard laughing and giggling in her presence. Her preschool classroom was alive with all sorts of activities and nothing was too messy or too big of a project. This included hatching ducks, chickens, and sometimes emus every springtime as well as keeping a corn snake in her classroom that grew to be larger than many of her students. Elsa loved her job so much that she went back to school at the age of 66, when new legislation forced her to choose between finishing her degree or retiring.
Elsa was a lifelong gardener, lover of music, and advocate of equality, peace, and justice. She took these passions to new heights when she retired in 2020. She could often be found at local concerts and protests, no matter the cold and rain. Her house overflowed with rare and beautiful plants; cared for with great detail. The garden she planted every year was frequented by hummingbirds and grandchildren alike, with Elsa invariably giving away most of her harvest to friends and family.
Elsa will be forever remembered for her caring attitude, generosity, passionate opinions, and homemade bread. Elsa is survived by her sister, Sara Miller; her two daughters, Yarrow and Mika Fought; and her five grandchildren, Rye Fought, Cypress Levitt, Brio Levitt, Emry Kielty, and Brecken Kielty.
Elsa was buried at the Forest Cemetery in Roxbury Vermont. A memorial will be held in Elsa’s honor on Saturday, November 22nd from 2PM-4PM at The Artistree in South Pomfret, Vermont (Elsa’s childhood farm).
Attendees will be informally visiting, blowing bubbles, and remembering Elsa, all are welcome to join during this time. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Elsa’s name to Greenpeace or the Vermont Food Bank.
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