BARRE - Marian Morris Hanchett ,91, of Barre, died peacefully at Barre Gardens, August 7, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Clayton and Dorothea (Stillwell) Morris of St. Johnsbury, VT. She attended elementary school in St. Johnsbury and graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy in 1946. She attended Lyndon State College and began her teaching career in Groton, VT at the elementary school. In April 1951, an honor was bestowed upon the small community. Through an ingenious device, the result of the school superintendent's idea and communication engineer's work brought her classroom into a 4th grade students' home who could not attend school due to a spinal condition. This arrangement is similar to an inter-office telephone whereby a house bound student can participate in all classroom activities by listening and responding. This was the first successful home to school device in New England. Marian was very proud to have been a large part of this new device. Reporters from all of New England visited to observe it in action. In 1951 she married Philip Hanchett of Groton. Philip entered the Army in 1952. Following his service, they returned to Wells River where Marian resumed teaching in Newbury and Wells River. After a few years they moved to St. Johnsbury. Marian became active in the Jr. Women's Club, the Players Theatre group and the North Congregational Church. In the early sixties they moved to Auburn, Maine. Marian resumed her teaching career as a sixth-grade teacher. They moved to Montpelier, VT in 1970 where she continued to teach until her retirement in 1980. After her retirement they made their home in Wells River, VT until they moved to the Barre-Montpelier area. Philip passed away in 2007. Her son Stacey passed away in December of 2017. Marian is survived by three sons, Steven and Terry Hanchett of Sarasota, FL, Thomas Hanchett, his wife Lori Mattson Hanchett and their children Bryton and Kirsten of Henniker, NH; two sisters, Lillian Sweet of North Carolina and Jean of Vermont; her brother Robert of St. Johnsbury and several nieces and nephews. She was a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. One of her favorite things to do was go for rides through Vermont and whenever possible going to the "Farm" in Newbury for her strawberries. In her younger years she loved dancing, camping and was an avid reader. She particularly enjoyed reading biographies and historical events. There will be no calling hours or funeral. The family will have a graveside memorial service in Groton at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Barre Gardens, 378 Prospect Street, Barre, VT 05641.