Elsbeth “Beth” Mode passed away on January 6, 2026.
Beth was an explorer in the purest sense, hiking Nepal and touring Russia and sighting spirit bears near Bella Bella, B.C., but delighting just the same in floating with loons in Greensboro, biking 600 miles per summer at age 86 and plotting drives to every town in Vermont.
She could paddle solo, but her friends knew to join her adventures to find the best fresh doughnuts, ski tracks, quiet walks and small libraries, all to the chorus of bird songs on CD.
Born on April 27, 1934, and raised in Dorset, Vt., she lived across the continent from California to Maine to British Columbia, where she perfected her skiing at Red Mountain. In Rhinelander, Wis., she met the love of her life, Mel (Melvin) Mode, who shared her passion for the outdoors.
Beth led with love as a mom, stepmom, wife, grandmother and friend. In 2002 she moved back to Vermont to spend time with her grandsons, Alec (Rebecca Wolff) and Chandler Jacobson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mel; her former husband, Geoffrey Parsons III; her son, Geoffrey Parsons IV; and her sister, Gertrude Horridge. She is survived by her daughters, Polly Parsons (Jim Jacobson) and Brenda Day; and also, as she loved to say, her beloved “bonus family,” Mitch (Sally) Mode, Marsha Mode-Stravos, Barb Courtney, Maggie (Darrel Byers) Mode and John Mode.
At Beth’s request, no funeral service will be held. If you wish to make a contribution in her honor, her favorite charities were local food banks, the Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy and Heifer International.