Born on March 5, 1941, in Montpelier, Vermont, to George and Kathryn (Gladding) Breer, Carlene was the second of 10 children. She lived in East Montpelier until the family moved to Graniteville when she was in the fifth grade. She attended high school in Montpelier and Williamstown and graduated from Williamstown High School in 1958. After raising her children, she decided to further her education, and did so by attending Community College of Vermont where she earned an associate's degree in accounting.
On June 11, 1960, Carlene married Charles Jerd of Montpelier. They lived in Montpelier for 26 years, where they raised their three daughters, Cheri, Marci and Jennifer. Following that, they built a house and moved to Moretown until 2001, when they built another house and settled in Warren.
Carlene was an active member of the Moretown Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. She loved studying the Bible and sharing what she learned with others. Her deep faith in her Heavenly Father Jehovah, gave her the ability to face her four-year battle with cancer with dignity and strength.
Carlene also drew strength from the love of her family; the loving "seven sisters" quilt made to comfort her was never far from her side.
She had many interests and hobbies including flower gardening, painting, landscaping and puzzles. She was a wonderful seamstress as seen by the beautiful quilts and many wedding dresses she created. Her creative talents also shone in her ability to envision, design and carry out construction projects around the house. She and Charles spent many enjoyable hours watching the variety of birds that came to their feeders. One of her favorite places to visit was the southern coast of Maine where she could sit and enjoy the power and beauty of the ocean. Her seven grandchildren brought her special joy and happiness and she made them all so happy with her love and variety of fun activities.
Carlene's large family and many friends will remember her as a special woman of strength, faith, beauty, grace and love.
She is survived by her husband, Charles Jerd of Warren, VT; three daughters, Cheri Rossi of Springfield, VT, Marci Robinson and her husband Joseph of Warren, VT, and Jennifer Laurent and her husband Keith of Cartersville, GA; seven grandchildren, Amanda Lowe, Elisabeth Rossi, Zachary Rossi, Katie Robinson, Jackson Laurent, Emmaline Laurent and Kendal Laurent; her mother, Kathryn Breer of Barre, VT; her three brothers, Richard and Donna Breer of Perry, FL, Michael and Holly Breer of Leicester, VT, and Douglas and Linda Breer of LaMarque, TX; her six sisters, Sharon and Donald Babic of Barre, VT, Janne and Earl Roberts of Middletown, CT, Bette and Dick Woodhull of Keene, NH, Nancy McMahan and Earl Isaacson of Cartersville, GA, Pamela Clark and Thomas Patnode of Onset, MA, and Kathy and Kenneth Bee of Queensbury, NY; along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and many dear friends of all ages. Her father, George Breer, died March 25, 1998.
In keeping with her wishes, there are no calling hours. All are invited to attend a memorial service to be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008, at 3 p.m. at the Moretown Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 298 Route 100 in South Duxbury, VT, followed by an opportunity for family and friends to gather for light refreshments, remembrances and support.
