It is with sadness that we mark the passing of long, long-time member Hedi Ballantyne.

Hedi was a leader in the original Montpelier (then Central Vermont) League.  There is documentation of the League's and Hedi's engage-ment in the civic life of Montpelier in the archives of the original League.  Hedi then served on the board when we brought the League back in 2004. After leaving the board she con-tinued to be active, participating in  nearly all of our activities: Legislative Day, the Democracy Tent and Independence Day parade, the September naturalization ceremonies and reception at the State House (the reception always featuring her trade-mark raspberry tartlets) and any voter registration or public events we sponsored.

But Hedi's life went well beyond the League of Women Voters.  She was active in the Unitarian Church in Montpelier, serving on committees and working on projects until the end.  She sang in the choir and in the Onion River Chorus and Hospice Choir. She travelled widely. She made her last trip, to Vienna to celebrate her father's life and music, just weeks before her passing.

In this brief space, and because of the short time since I met her, I can barely touch on the breadth of Hedi's experience and contributions.  I only know

that I am  glad that I knew her.

                                         – Kate Rader