Elaine J. Gilman

WATERBURY — “The Candy Kitchen Lady,” Elaine Johnson Gilman, 90, of Blush Hill, died peacefully at Heaton Woods in Montpelier, April 15, 2012.

Born Oct. 19, 1921, in Montpelier, she was the daughter of Axel and Anna (Holgerson) Johnson. She graduated from Spaulding High School in 1939 and from Bay Path Institute in East Longmeadow, Mass., in 1940.

On Sept. 20, 1953, she married Albion Gilman in Barre. They owned and operated Gilman’s Candy Kitchen and Jewelry Store on Stowe Street in Waterbury from 1953 to 1982. He died Feb. 19, 1986.

Elaine enjoyed all of her store customers, giving the children penny candies and making all things good from the soda fountain.

She had belonged to the Order of the Eastern Star and will be remembered as a wonderful cook and caregiver to her mother and her husband, Albion, and so very proud of her Swedish heritage which she passed on to her niece, Linda McLaughlin.

Survivors include her niece, Linda Johnson McLaughlin, and husband Bob, of Longmont, Colo.; nephews Alan Johnson and his wife, Georgia, of Enosburg Falls, and David Johnson and his wife, Marsha, of Falls Church, Va.; and grand-nieces and -nephews.

Besides her parents and her husband, Albion, she was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Wilma Johnson, and her beloved dog, Lucy.

There will be a graveside service in the Hope Cemetery in Barre at a time to be announced.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Heaton Woods Resident Activity Fund, 10 Heaton St., Montpelier, VT 05602 or Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641.

The Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, is in charge of the arrangements.

Elaine’s family thank her many Waterbury friends, and the staffs at Heaton Woods and Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice for their care, compassion and thoughtfulness.