Louise (McGill) Payne , 93, of St. Johnsbury, died peacefully Tuesday, June 1, 2010. She was born in St. Johnsbury on July 8, 1916, the daughter of James and Lillian (Bishop) McGill. In 1934 she graduated from St. Johnsbury Academy. On June 27, 1942, Louise married Russell Sturdee Payne, and they celebrated their 67th anniversary before his passing last August. Louise worked for many years as a bookkeeper for the St. Johnsbury school district. She also did bookkeeping work at several area businesses and organizations. Active in her community, Louise was the first female chairperson of the St. Johnsbury School Board, where she served for many years. The picture above was taken from the 1966 St. Johnsbury Trade School yearbook, which was dedicated to her. Mrs. Payne had been a trustee of her beloved St. Johnsbury Academy for over 40 years, and, at the time of her death, was a trustee emeritus. Highly respected in the field of education, in the early 1960s she served on a National Education Initiative at the request of President Kennedy. She was an active life long member of the Grace United Methodist Church and served for many years on the St. Johnsbury Design Review Board. Louise was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who took tremendous pleasure sharing in the lives of her family. Inspired by her mother's gardens at her childhood home on Lafayette Street, she loved flower gardening; in 1989 the Academy dedicated a garden to her next to the Mayo Building on the Academy campus. Survivors include her two sons, John Payne of Winooski, and Dr. Stephen Payne and his wife Marietta of St. Albans; two grandchildren, Christopher and Meghan; a sister in-law, Betty McGill of Stowe; nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Russell last August; her parents; her brother, Dr. J. Bishop McGill; and three sisters, Marion McGill Clough, Marguerite McGill Lillicrap and Elizabeth McGill. A memorial service will be held in St. Johnsbury Sunday, June 13, at 2 p.m., at Grace United Methodist Church. The pastor, the Rev. John Marshall, will officiate. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Johnsbury Academy for an award to be established in her name (1000 Main St., St. Johnsbury VT 05819).