1931 – 2015

WELD — Caroline Bradbury Rackliffe, 83, of Weld, claimed her seat beside the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 13. With grace, comfort and peace, she passed at her family home.

She was born Sept. 22, 1931, in Newton, Mass., the youngest of five to Howard G. Reynolds and Lottie May Wetmore. The family found the perfect spot in Weld to call their home in 1936. Throughout her life, she often shared that home with family and friends who needed a place to stay, whether for short or extended visits.

She went to school in Weld and received her CNA certificate when she was in her 50s. Always helping others and never wanting to impose, she spread her happy, easygoing ways wherever she went. She was compassionate to everyone she knew. When she spoke it was with a kind word, never complaints. She always had a smile, card or gift for everyone, and never wanted anyone to feel left out.

Caroline was never idle; making crafts, cooking, fixing things, planting, and teasing Bernard. She often recorded “Dr. Oz” and always had information on what was good for you and what was not. She was generous with her time and talent. She always left you with a note, homemade item, card, recipe or magazine clipping. She was not just crafty but a very talented artist, gracing her family with her love of watercolors and acrylics, painting the beauty of God’s light that she saw around her.

Her birds, flowers, sitting in “her seat” holding hands, the view from the kitchen window and sun on her back were daily indulgences and inspiration.

Caroline was an entrepreneur with her best business partner by her side. She started Brad Craft Ceramics in Weld, in the early 1960s, with her first husband and father to her oldest four children, Clarence Bradbury, who predeceased her in 1965. She remarried Bernard Rackliffe in 1967 and had another son. They moved to Wilton in 1971, where they continued that wonderful business where she could share her love of painting. She maintained the family home in Weld, reclaiming it as a permanent residence in 1982. There, she spent summers selling produce by the road and opened a craft and ice cream shop on her porch in 1982. She and Bernard opened The Barn Lunch Wagon and Mini Golf Course in 1984, where they spent many summers enjoying each other’s company.

She enjoyed adventures in her travels to Vermont, New Hampshire, the Bahamas, Alaska, London and especially Florida, where she spent many winters.

Caroline is survived by her loving husband, Bernard Rackliffe, who has been by her side for 48 years as she battled and survived cancer three times; her five children, Calvin Bradbury of Carthage, Christine Pillsbury and her husband, Roger, of Belgrade, Clinton Bradbury and his wife, Joy, of Peru, Catherine (Johnson) Lavorgna and her husband, Dale, of Mexico, and David Rackliffe of Weld; 12 grandchildren, including Courtney (Johnson) McPherson and her husband, Cody, of Rumford and Cowen Johnson of Mexico. Courtney recalls that she had smooth skin, silky white hair, a wonderful smell, a voice that could give strength to anyone, and a willingness to try new foods. She also has 13 great-grandchildren, including Corbin Scot Hanna, whom she especially enjoyed spending time with these past three years.

She was predeceased by her first husband, Clarence Bradbury of Weld; her sister, Edie McDaniel of Needham, Mass.; and her brother, Howard “Bubs” Reynolds of St. Johnsonbury, Vt.

Condolences may be sent for the family at www.adamsmcfarlane.com.