By Mike Donoghue, Senior Correspondent
Investigation continues into the suspicious death of an elderly Windsor County woman, who served three terms in the Vermont legislature representing Pomfret, Sharon and Royalton.
Noel A. Neely, 82, was found dead inside the family home on Douglas Hill Road about 10 a.m. last Saturday, Norwich Police Chief Matthew Romei said.
She has served as the longtime office manager for her husband, Dr. Donald Neely, who operates Hanover Orthodontics in Hanover, N.H.
The chief said Vermont State Police troopers from the uniform division actually arrived first at the home for the welfare check and found her deceased.
Romei said after conferring with the road troopers, and based on evidence at the scene, a decision was made to call in state police detectives and the Major Crime Unit.
Initial investigation indicates the woman’s death occurred under potentially suspicious circumstances. Everyone associated with this matter is accounted for, and there is no known identified danger to the public, State Police spokesman Adam Silverman said.
The victim’s body was brought to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.
As of Tuesday, the cause of death was still being withheld.
Neely served in the legislature in the late 1970s and early 1980s for three Windsor County towns. She and her husband have previously lived in Woodstock, Pomfret, and were residing in Norwich.
She served on the Vermont Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights when it was chaired by former Gov. Phil Hoff in 1983.
Her husband said he comes from a family of dentists and orthodontists, according to the website for his practice. Dr. Neely also said on the website that his profession has changed through the years, but he still enjoys the work.
The investigation also involves members of the Norwich Police and the Vermont Crime Scene Search Team, which processed the home looking for clues.
Silverman said investigators are working closely with Windsor County State’s Attorney Ward Goodenough concerning the circumstances.
Anybody with information on the case is asked to call the state police barracks at Royalton at 802-234-9933.
