Helen Renner

Helen Norwood Renner, 93, of Ladd Road, died on November 15, 2008 in Bennington.  She was a long time civic activist, serving Pownal in many capacities.

Born in Williamstown, Massachusetts on October 24, 1915, daughter of William N. and Sophie Norwood Thompson, she moved as a young child to Pownal with her family.  She recieved her education in Williamstown and was a  1933 graduate of Williamstown High School.  She graduated from Syracuse University (NY) in 1937 with a degree in arts and library science.  She was employed as a librarian at Syracuse after graduating, and later employed at Kent State University, and then RPI in Troy, NY.

She and her husband, George M. Renner were married on April 17, 1943 and returned to Pownal in 1947.  Helen served as town clerk for two terms, and was a poll clerk in Pownal.  She volunteered for the Pownal food pantry, Pownal Fire Protective Association Auxillary, and in 2000 recieved a certificate of appreciation from the state of Vermont in recognition of many years of service to Pownal and the state.

Helen's love of her town, its history and its future inspired her to work to fufill her dreams of a town Library and a Pownal Historical Society.
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