Erma J. Lowd, 81, died Monday January 16, 2017 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington. She was born August 6, 1935 in Greenfield, MA to the parents of Frederick and Hannah (Landstrom) Burrington. Erma spent her childhood growing up on the family farm in Heath, MA. Upon graduating from high school, Erma attended the Franklin County Public Hospital School of Nursing, where she graduated in 1956 as a Registered Nurse. While there, she married Frederick Lowd, Sr. on February 25, 1956 in South Easton, MA. Erma lived with her family in Middlebury for 30 years and was a Registered Nurse at Porter Medical Center working as a main floor supervisor and then moving into the OB/GYN Department. She and Fred moved to Vinalhaven, ME upon Erma's retirement from Porter Medical Center. She kept busy during retirement by working at the Islands Community Medical Services part-time and volunteering for the Wind Newspaper in Vinalhaven. She loved attending the Pleasant River Chapel in Vinalhaven, ME and was a member of the Vinalhaven Congregational Church. When Erma and Fred moved back to Vermont they resided in New Haven, and became a member of the New Haven Congregational Church and the Order of Eastern Star Libanus Chapter #47. She enjoyed crafting, sewing, quilting, knitting, puzzles and spending time with her family. At Christmas her sewing room was a whir of activity! Survivors include her children: son Rick Lowd and wife Deb of Salisbury, daughters, Sally Conway and husband Charlie of Addison, and Hilda Costello of St. Albans, her grandchildren: Jamie Conway, Erin Conway Knight, Alicia Costello, and Chris Costello; a great-grandchild Jayce Costello, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband who died in 2015, an infant son Billy, her parents, siblings Catherine, Larry, Jane, and her twin Paul, her daughter-in-law Kelly Wetmore, and sonin-law Steve Costello. A Celebration of her life will be held in the spring of 2017 at the New Haven Congregational Church. Memorial contributions in memory of Erma may be made to the Porter Hospital Birthing Center at 115 Porter Drive, Middlebury, VT 05753 Attention Development Office please reference Erma Lowd. Arrangements are under the direction of the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com