Born June 22, 1936
Northfield, Vermont
Died March 2, 2025
Danbury, Connecticut
Details of services
A celebration of Chloe’s life will be held at Mount Hope Cemetery in Northfield, VT, on July 5th, 2025. For more information contact Sally at SalarooCT@aol.com.
Chloe Goodrich Schwager, age 88, passed away peacefully after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Maplewood Senior Living in Danbury, CT. Born on June 22, 1936, in Northfield, VT, she was the daughter of George L. and Florence (Mitzi) Goodrich, a family known for dairy farming and pioneering efforts in bringing telecommunications technology to the area. She was the second of five siblings: brothers George, Thomas, and Robert, and sister Carlie. Her elder brother, George, predeceased her.
Chloe graduated from Northfield High School in 1954 and, after studying at Boston University, married Robert Schwager in 1959. Together, Chloe and Bob lived in various northeastern states before settling in northern New Jersey, where they raised their three children. Chloe also enjoyed a seven-year stint living in Manchester, England, when her husband’s work took them there. After Bob’s passing in 2009, Chloe split her time between Henderson, NV, and Warren, VT, often accompanied by her best friend and dear sister, Carlie. Chloe and Carlie had long dreamed of living together, a dream they made come true in their later years.
A loving mother, devoted grandmother, and loyal friend, Chloe dedicated her life to her family. She selflessly cared for her children, visited her grandchildren often, and found joy in gardening, walking in nature, reading, birdwatching and coffee Haagen-Dazs ice cream. Chloe was an active and supportive member of the First Congregational Church in Park Ridge, NJ, where she worked in various capacities for many years. She was also passionate about end-of-life care and served as a Hospice volunteer.
Known among family and friends as a kind and gentle soul, Chloe was dependable, caring, and home-loving. A sensitive introvert, she devoted herself to her life partner Bob, balancing his extroversion with humor and grace (for the most part). Chloe was always willing to offer a compassionate listening ear, and her understated sense of humor delighted all who knew her. She was often described as the nicest person in any room.
While many may not know, Chloe was also an imaginative and perceptive artist. She had a gift for painting and intuitively brought beauty and order into her living spaces. Above all, Chloe was a proud Vermonter at heart. She embodied the quiet bedrock strength of New England and cherished her connection to the Green Mountain State – a love she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
Chloe is survived by her children and their spouses: Sally Schwager and Eric Lifgren, Rob and Lisa Schwager, and Carlie and Michael Cloyd. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Isabelle, Sophie, and Finn Schwager; Sam and Emma Cloyd; and Nate Lifgren, along with many nieces and nephews. Chloe’s family is deeply grateful for the exceptional care provided by the staff at Maplewood of Danbury and Regional Hospice of Connecticut.
Read the story on VTDigger here: Chloe Goodrich Schwager.