Laura Griggs

Reading, VT – Laura Newton Alexander Griggs, 99, died on Friday, April 24, 2026, in Reading. Laura was born on August 18, 1926, to Maurice and Mildred (Pollard) Newton in Springfield, VT. Maurice owned and operated Newton’s Store in Reading and at a very young age Laura began helping her father. She continued to work at the store until her marriage to Wendall “Bud” Alexander in 1946 and they started a family.

She was a dedicated member of the Reading community, serving as the town clerk from 1971 until 1987, a library trustee, Old Time Ball committee member, member of the FAST Squad, Little Ascutney Snowmobile Club member, and in nearly every role for the Historical Society (president, secretary, historian, and board member). Back in the 50’s, she worked for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She also maintained many genealogical records and research at her home, often serving as the source of last resort when people had exhausted all other efforts. Laura didn’t give up and always seemed to know where to find the information. In 2006 municipalities were required to map all class 1-4 town highways and trails by 2015. She was instrumental in the research required in Reading for the project. For several years, she worked in Windsor and Norwich as a paralegal for multiple attorneys.

She and Bud parted ways after the children were older and she married Robert Griggs in 1992. They enjoyed one another’s company until his death.

Laura loved to walk and explore, especially in the woods, so she and her son Doug built a post and beam home with a view of Mount Ascutney in her family’s generational forest. There she lived off the grid, in a beautiful, rugged home accessible only on foot for part of the year. She loved living amongst the trees and wild animals, always with a dog to keep her company on her daily strolls.

She is survived by her daughter Virginia Barr and husband Michael of Reading; three grandchildren Stephanie Alexander, Douglas Alexander, Jr., and Christopher Barr; other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two husbands, five sons Douglas, Sr., Paul, Carroll, Arthur, and Alden Alexander, and two grandsons Rodney Barr and Leighton Alexander.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 2pm at the Alexander Family Cemetery on Stone Chimney Road in Reading, VT. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Springfield Humane Society or the Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Windsor.

Knight Funeral Home of Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements and online condolences may be expressed in a guestbook on www.knightfuneralhomes.com.