Hartland, VT – Louise M. James, 83, a longtime resident of Hartland, passed away February 14, 2019.

Born in Windsor, Vermont on January 19, 1936, Louise was the daughter of the late Wright & Alice Foster of Hartland, Vermont. Louise married her first husband, Warren E. Patriquin from Arlington Massachusetts in 1953, had 5 children and raised them in Wenham, Massachusetts. She moved back to Hartland and married Arthur (Lefty) James in 1975. Louise and Lefty were married for 27 years until his death in 2002.

She lived the majority of her life in Hartland where she was a very active member in local and state politics as a staunch conservative. At any given time, you could find the back of her car piled high with campaign signs in support of her candidates. She was a true-blue Patriot with plenty of Yankee spirit: Independent, strong work ethic, honest, fair, great sense of humor, and a tendency to complain about the New England weather ... always.

Louise loved and raised horses and they were a major part of her life. She also loved dogs and raised Alaskan Malamutes in Wenham and then Akitas in Hartland. She often said that the Akitas were the best breed because of their intelligence, fierce loyalty, and true companionship.

From 2006-2009, Louise served as a board member for the Vermont Veterans Home in Bennington working with the state of Vermont to make improvements and to fulfill America's promise to care for our country's Veterans.

She was the family Matriarch, our Mom, Grammy, Great-Gram and Loyal Friend to those who were blessed to have her in her life. She was a special person, a mixture of all of her family, parents, children and grandchildren, salt, pepper, spices and sugar. Louise was an avid outdoorsman, a great shot and held a lifetime hunting and fishing license. One hunting season she was the talk of the town (and family) when she got a buck and doe on the morning of Opening Day. "Now this is how you hunt!", she proudly announced. Maybe she reminded us a few times.

Louise was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and her son, Edward Foster Patriquin who passed in 2015.

She is survived by her longtime, loving companion, Dr. Stewart Selikowitz; Children: Marcia Newcomb (Dick) of Georgetown SC; Kevin Patriquin (Crystal) of Rock Springs, WY; Robert Patriquin (Diane) of Manchester, NH; Thomas Patriquin (Lisa) of Babylon NY; Debra Merone (Edward's surviving wife) of Wilder, VT; Grandchildren: Buck Newcomb, Heather Newcomb, Sarah Patriquin, Elizabeth Beaty, Ryan Patriquin, Tori Patriquin, Jackie Patriquin, Shawn Patriquin, Elyse Patriquin, Emma Fuentes, Natalie Patriquin, Luke Patriquin, Nina Patriquin, Natalya Patriquin; Great-grandchildren: Bobby, Jayden, Mason, Aaron, Zachary, Oliver, Alex, and Eirinn.

Louise will have a graveside service at Vermont Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Randolph Center. At Louise's request, Memorial donations in her name can be made to the Hartland Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad in Hartland Vermont. Condolences to Louise's family may be made in an online guestbook at knightfuneralhomes.com .  The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements.