Lile Sutherland Bedard

Lile Sutherland Bedard, age 77, of Milton, Vermont, passed away on August 1, 2026—her birthday—surrounded by family in the comfort of her home.

Lile was born on August 1, 1949, in Mineola, New York, to Lucy and Fredrick Sutherland. As a teenager, she moved with her family to Wayne, New Jersey, where she later studied early childhood education at Paterson State University. In 1972, her adventurous spirit led her to northern Vermont, where she began her career as a kindergarten teacher in the Milton School District. She devoted 38 years to the Milton school and generations of young students.

Shortly after arriving in Vermont, Lile moonlighted as a waitress at Zachary’s Pizza in Colchester, where she met Edward “Buzz” Bedard, a Milton native and self-employed welder. They married in 1979 and built their life together on Rollin Irish Road, raising their daughters, Lucy and Emily, while also welcoming Buzz’s daughters, Rebecca and Danielle, into their home and hearts.

Lile was a passionate teacher with a gift for helping children discover the joy of learning. She sought to understand what motivated each child and found creative ways to help them succeed. Her classroom was filled with curiosity and wonder. She amassed plush birds with authentic birdsongs to teach her students about nature, planted marigolds each winter to bloom for Mother’s Day, and surrounded herself with hundreds of beloved children’s books. Many former students—and multiple generations of Milton families—remembered having “Mrs. Bedard” as their teacher.

Outside the classroom, Lile loved to garden, tend to her home, exercise with friends at Bone Builders, and plan adventures with her daughters and grandchildren. She became a grandmother after retiring and embraced the role with the same enthusiasm she brought to teaching. During summer visits, she kept a writing table ready for her grandchildren, determined to help them get ahead in reading and writing.

Lile will be remembered as an exceptional mother, grandmother, teacher, and friend whose curiosity, creativity, encouragement, and belief in the potential of others left a lasting mark on all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughters, Lucy Lovell and Emily Bedard; her stepdaughters, Rebecca and Danielle; seven grandchildren; sister, Janet Sutherland; and her brother-in-law, Michael Dorsey. She was predeceased by her husband, Edward “Buzz” Bedard, and her parents, Lucy and Fred Sutherland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Milton Senior Center on September 5th from 12pm-3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milton Senior Center, with details to be announced.