Meredith Evelyn (Haney) Cress-Vashon

NORTH CAROLINA – Meredith Evelyn (Haney) Cress-Vashon died March 23, 2023, in North Carolina. Born on Oct. 14, 1930 in Waterville, Maine, Meredith was the fourth of seven children of James E. and Susan M. Haney (Boles). Siblings include Margaret Kibbin (Haney), Albert Haney, Leroy Haney, Leslie Haney, and Hazel Spires (Haney).

Meredith attended grade school in Augusta. Classmate and friend Alexander Soule, daughter of then Governor Soule, would often give her a ride to school in the Governor’s limo. Meredith graduated Valedictorian from Lawrence High School in 1948 and was awarded a four-year scholarship to the University of Maine. As a teen, she could be found at a local Augusta radio station playing guitar, singing, and yodeling with her brothers Albert and Roy. She was a fantastic guitar player and yodeler!

Meredith married James K. Cress in 1949. They moved to Windsor Locks, Conn. in 1950. Meredith worked as a credit investigator for The Hartford Bank in West Hartford, Conn. for 18 years. She then worked as a bank teller in Fairfield for 15 years. She left banking to become an Executive Secretary to William Zimba of Zimba Company, retiring in 1995.

Meredith was a constant presence at Benton’s town meetings and 30 years of State and Local elections where she served as a ballot clerk. Meredith was a volunteer for various organizations from United Way, BIA and MS foundation, and could be seen at many events supporting the staff and participants. Rainbow was Meredith’s outlet for her brilliant seamstress skills. Creating beautiful gowns for both her daughter Susan and her granddaughters Samantha and Stephanie, as well as other Rainbow girls over the years. She was known far and wide in Rainbow and loved by all for her constant presence and support.

Meredith married Roy F. Vashon in 1992. Together, they served the community by donating food to the church Soup Kitchen and Community pantry from their large garden. She attended St John’s Catholic Church in Winslow and participating in church suppers and community food events.

Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. You could always expect Nana Vashon to deliver homemade cupcakes to the classroom and be in the audience during a school performance.

Meredith is survived by her children Barbara Zook of Panama, her children James Randolph, John Gannon of Virginia, Megan Major (Gannon), Kenny Zook of Tennessee, Susan and her husband Kurt Tidd of North Carolina and their children Stephanie Getchell of Connecticut, and Samantha Getchell of Maine. Meredith is great-grandmother to 10 children and great-great-grandmother to two. She is survived by her brother Leslie Haney and his wife Paula of Connecticut.

Meredith was predeceased by her husband Roy Vashon, and several of her siblings.

A celebration of our beloved Meredith will be held Wednesday, May 3 at 11:30 a.m. at Ames Cemetery in Benton, and will be followed by a reception at the Benton Grange Hall at noon. The family encourages all who attend to come in “Blue Jeans”which was what Meredith often wore and symbolized life in the country which she so dearly loved.

Arrangements are in the care of Lawry Brothers Funeral Home, 107 Main St., Fairfield where memories may be shared, and an online register book signed by visiting http://www.lawrybrothers.com.