Arden B. Hunter's Obituary
Arden Blake Hunter, 87, a resident of Westminster Oaks, Tallahassee, FL, died on December 6, 2022, of pneumonia.
Arden was born on April 26, 1935, to George Winthrop Blake and Hilda Anderson Blake in Englewood, NJ. Arden was widely adored for her sweet and compassionate temperament, her unselfishness, generosity, and appreciation for simple pleasures. When she died, she had only a wedding band in her possession. For Arden, treasures were not material but found in a headcount of those she loved. And the love was mutual. Her three daughters and 9 grandchildren adored and doted over her, especially in her later years at Westminster Oaks.
Arden's childhood was spent on an idyllic 19th century farm, still referred to as "The Blake House," in Wardsboro, VT. As an only child, she found companionship in the animals and participated in all aspects of farm-life, including raising the chickens and goats, gathering the eggs, shearing the sheep, and milking the cows. Her family grew all of their own vegetables, made their own butter and soap, and produced their own beef and lamb. She proudly raised and nurtured over 15 cats, feeding them daily with fresh milk from the cows. Her Irish setter, "Noelle" was like a sibling to her.
Arden was educated in Wardsboro's one-room schoolhouse before she was enrolled at Leland & Gray Union High School in Townshend, VT. She played softball, basketball, and soccer and grew up skiing on barrel staves in the mountains of Vermont.
After graduating from high school, Arden was admitted to Keuka College, a liberal arts school in Keuka Park, NY. When her father died suddenly, she transferred to Marlboro College in Marlboro, VT, to be closer to home. While at Marlboro, she took an interest in Biology and graduated in 1956. She then moved to Richmond, Virginia where she became certified in Medical Technology at Richmond Memorial Hospital. She took her first job at a small hospital in Littleton, NH, before earning a job at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston.
It was during this time that Arden agreed to a blind date and met "the love of her life," Peter David Hunter, from Port Washington, NY. Just three months later, they were engaged, and then quickly married on April 06, 1963. Their devoted marriage was an inspiration, enduring for what would have been 60 years in 2023.
Arden was the consummate gardener and was known for her beautiful perennials, first in Harvard, MA, where she and Peter raised their 3 girls, and later in Orleans, MA. She bequeathed many of her seedlings and plants to her friends, and they will be reminders of her love and generous spirit for years to come. Besides gardening, she was an avid reader and an enthusiastic knitter, leaving her daughters and grandchildren with a variety of treasured mittens, hats, sweaters, afghans, and Christmas stockings.
Arden is survived by her beloved husband, Peter, adoring daughters Jennifer Abraham, Kathleen (Peter) Swenson, Elizabeth (Dr.Stephen) Richardson, and 9 grandchildren (her heroes): Eliza (Daniel) Read, Conor Abraham, Hunter Abraham, Caroline Swenson, Anna Swenson, William Swenson, Andrew Swenson, Blake Richardson, and Kye Richardson. A memorial and burial in Wardsboro, VT will be planned in Summer, 2023.
To share a memory or view additional photos, please visit her Tribute at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/arden-hunter-obituary?id=38711506.
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