Virginia "Binnie" Pratt

Virginia “Binnie” Pratt, 83 of South Hero, VT passed away peacefully on June 16, 2021. She was born Virginia Steuart Branch in Richmond, VA, the daughter of the late Darwin P. and M.Steuart (Newheiser). At the age of 9 the family purchased Branch’s Store in South Hero, VT from Darwin’s sister, Bertha Low where the family then lived & operated the store for many years. Binnie graduated Burlington High School, class of 1955 where she was a member of the Chorus, Glee Club, Pep Club and Prom Committee. She was also active on the Junior Varsity Basketball team. She then attended the Burlington Business College (now Champlain College) graduating in 1957 when she moved to Boston, MA to begin her secretarial career. It was there she met her long-time friend, Phyllis May of Framingham, MA. In 1959 Binnie married Robert K. Lyman of New Bedford, MA. Together they had 4 children. The family moved between Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and New Jersey before settling back in South Hero. Her career included 8 years as Franchise Coordinator for Mister Donut, Office Coordinator for Smith Bell & Thompson Real Estate, 13 years as Office Manager for UVM Behavioral Therapy Center and several years as a medical transcriptionist before retiring in 1994. For 33 years she also maintained her own business as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant always striving for that pink Cadillac. Service to her faith and community were important to her. She spent many hours volunteering at C.O.T.S. and C.I.D.E.R. among other worthy causes. She served as Deaconess at Ignite Church in Williston where she met and married Arthur H. Pratt in 2000. They shared in their love of Jesus and each other. She enjoyed traveling near and far, playing cards and board games with her grandchildren Amanda L. Benway, Shannon M. Werlin, David J. Benway Jr. and Alyssa K. Lyman. In her spare time, she also enjoyed knitting, sewing, gardening and studying the Bible. She is survived by her brother John Branch and his wife Barbara (Tourville), her 4 children Robert D.K. Lyman and wife Christa (Giddings) of Burlington, VT, Craig S. Lyman of Hinesburg, VT, Linda A. Benway of Manchester, VT, Patricia M. Lyman of Edgartown, MA and several stepchildren, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by her husband Arthur and her older brother Frederick D. Branch. The family would like to thank the staff at The Pines at Rutland for their extraordinary and compassionate care during her time with them. Funeral services will be held at Minor Funeral Home in Milton, VT on Wednesday, June 30 between 5-7pm. A service to celebrate her life and service to the Lord will be held at Ignite Church in Williston, VT on Thursday, July 1 at 9am with internment at the South Hero Cemetery, Route 2, South Hero immediately following. Memorial contributions can be made in her honor to www.cotsonline.org, www.CIDERVT.org or a non-profit of your choice.