Vera J. Piquette

Vera came from a large family and was raised in Milton, MA. Her parents were George and Hannah Johnson, and she had five older siblings: Betty(Elizabeth), Billie (Phyllis), Doris, Bunny(Harriet), & Gigi (George) and two younger: Shirley & Richie (Richard). Despite growing up during the turmoil of the Depression and World War 2, Vera developed a fun-loving, kind and caring spirit, mixed with a little impish nature. Vera met Herman R. Piquette on a double blind date and they were married in 1954, shortly after his return from military service during the Korean Conflict. They had five children of their own: Craig, Gary, Scot, Dean and Jon. Vera focused all her attention on her five boys, lavishing them with endless positivity and encouragement thru school, sports and scouting.

Vera didn’t learn to drive until the 1970’s and could often be seen riding her bicycle around Bridgewater with Jon in the children’s seat behind. She was devoted to the church and sang in the choir at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior in Middleboro. After their two older boys went off to college, Herman and Vera moved to Minneapolis, MN with the younger three in 1976. Vera returned to work full time, first at a County Library and then transitioning to a Community College Library. While working at the College, Vera obtained her Associates Degree in Audiology. Vera also joined a non-collegiate Sorority and made many lasting friendships there. Not long after, and now ‘empty-nesters’, Herman & Vera moved back to MA on their own, settling in Sandwich in 1989. Vera quickly put her audiology training into action, hiring on with the Head Start Program at the Cape Cod Child Development Center. She conducted sight and hearing testing on needy pre-school children all across the Cape. Vera was always quick to initiate a sing-along with the children, and elevated the energy level of any classroom she entered. Vera finally retired after 20-yrs with CCCDC in 2011, at age 83. Free of those responsibilities, Vera spent more time on her favorite beach at Ploughed Neck in East Sandwich and with the many friends she made on the Cape.

Even in her final months, it was not uncommon for her to be out walking the beach or shopping at a thrift store or grocery and hear a friendly voice shout out: “Vera!”. She is predeceased by all of her siblings, her husband of 53 years, Herman and her son, Gary. Vera is survived by her four remaining sons, Craig (Nancy), Scot, Dean and Jon (Mimi), two beloved grandsons, Chris and Evan, and many nieces and nephews scattered throughout the country. The family would like to thank Mom’s numerous friends that brought her so much joy. The family would also like to acknowledge the companions helping to maintain her independence over the past several years. Ready Betty? Tally Ho!

A Celebration of Life for Vera will be held on Sunday, September 20 between 1-4pm at the Daniel Webster Inn, Music Room. Her cremated remains will be scattered during a private ceremony with family at another time.