Author: Amy Thurber

Thelma Rosalie Seamans

from the October 12, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, N.H. – Thelma Rosalie Seamans (73) of Grafton, N.H. passed away October 2nd at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.  Born June 28, 1921, the daughter of Clarence Hall and Georgia (Dorr) Hall in Sanford, Maine, she was a resident of Grafton most all of her life and was a graduate of Canaan High School.  She was married to Howard Archie Seamans on July 1, 1945.  Mr. Seamans died in May of this year.  She worked as a spinner in the Baltic Mills for many years.  Most of her life was devoted to her family.  She was known by many as “Gram” Seamans because of her interest and generosity to many children in this area.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7-9 p.m.  A funeral service was held on Friday at 2:30 p.m. at the East Grafton Christian Union Church, the Rev. Kevin Schwamb officiated.  Burial followed in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton.

Survivors include: a daughter, Sandra Mae Barker of Enfield; a son, Thomas H. Seamans of Grafton; a daughter, Anita Seamans of Grafton; a son, Alan Seamans of Grafton; a daughter, Elaine Stone of Enfield; a son, Howard A. Seamans II of Grafton; a sister, Mary Francis Miller of Los Angeles, Calif.; a sister, Marion Kirker of Center Ossipee; a sister, Alicia Roberts of Alfred, ME; a brother, Richard Hall of Alfred, ME plus many grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Eva V. Foster

from the October 12, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH – Eva V. Foster, 96, died Monday morning, Oct. 3, 1994 at the McKerley Healthcare Center in Lebanon, N.H.  She was born in South Fork Township, Iowa May 10, 1898, the daughter of the late Edward & Caroline (Bieri) Vifian.  She had lived most of her life in the Enfield/Canaan area and had been a resident of McKerley Healthcare since 1989.  IN her earlier years she was active in 4-H, and the Home Extension.  She had been a longtime member of the Mascoma Area Senior Citizens.  She loved living in the country and enjoyed family, animals, handicrafts, sewing, and helped area families with housekeeping.

Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, N.H.  Pastor Philip Anderson officiated.  Friends called one hour before the service.  Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

Survivors include: a daughter, Harriet Stevens of Canaan; a daughter, Eleanor Anderson of West Canaan; a son, Harry B. Foster, Jr. of North Willington, Ct. and several grand and step-grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.  She was preceeded in death by her Husband, Harry B. Foster; a daughter, Vivian Foster; a son, Eugene Foster; three grandchildren and several brothers and sisters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Mascoma Area Senior Citizens Center, c/o Gail Dimick, Church St., Canaan, N.H. 03741.

Allan Charles Hirsch

from the August 31, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hanover, NH – Dr. Allan Charles Hirsch, 59, of Lyme Road, was pronounced dead Sunday, August 21, 1994 at New London Hospital following a boating accident on Lake Sunapee.

He was born in Newport, June 29, 1935, the son of Joshua and Sally D. (Perelman) Hirsch and had resided in Hanover for 22 years.

Dr. Hirsch graduated from Towle High School in Newport in 1953 and received a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in New York in 1957.  He graduated as a doctor of dental medicine from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 1960 and interned in oral surgery at Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. from 1960 to 1961.  He attended one year of postgraduate study in oral surgery at Boston University School of Medicine, Division of Postdoctoral Training, Department of Stomatology, from 1961 to 1962.  He then completed a one-year residency in oral surgery at Bronx Municipal Hospital Center.

Dr. Hirsch was an instructor of oral surgery at Cumberland Hospital and Albert Einstein Medical School, an adjunct professor of oral surgery at Dartmouth Medical School and clinical instructor in oral surgery at Harvard Dental School.

Ethics in Dental Practice, co-authored by Dr. Hirsch and Bernard Gert of Dartmouth College, is used as a text in dental colleges.  Dr. Hirsch held fellowships in the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology in 1974 and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 1980.

He was a self-employed oral and maxillofacial surgeon from 1962-1991.  At different times he was affiliated with Alice Peck Day Hospital, Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, the Veterans Administration Hospital and Valley Regional Hospital.

He was a member if the American Dental Association, New Hampshire Dental Society, New Hampshire Society of Oral Surgeons, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Dr. Hirsch was a founding member of the Hanover Chapter of B’nai B’rith, a founding member of the Upper Valley Jewish Community and very active in the Lebanon Rotary Club.

He belonged to a poker group for 20 years and loved chess, skiing, and sailing.  He was a wine connoisseur and had a joke for every occasion.

Survivors include three daughters: Lisa Hirsch of Sedona, Ariz.; Audrey Hirsch of Watertown, Mass.; and Susan Hirsch of Brookline, Mass.; one brother, Dr. David I. Hirsch of Hattiesburg, Miss.; one sister, Judith P. Liss of Toronto, Canada; aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services were held Wednesday at the Rollins Chapel in Hanover with Rabbi Daniel Siegel officiating.  Burial followed in Meyer-David Cemetery in Claremont.

The family suggested that memorial donations be made to the Lake Sunapee Cruising Fleet c/o David J. Edwards, RFD 2 Box 1153, Warner, NH 03278 or the New England Handicapped Sportsmen’s Assoc., 26 McFarlan Rd., Chelmsford, Mass 01824 or the Columbia College in New York City or Vermont Public Radio in Burlington or the Upper Valley Jewish Community.

Gladys L. McDow

from the August 31, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH – Gladys L. McDown, 86, died Friday, August 26, 1994 at home.  She was born in E. Bridgewater, Mass. The daughter of George and Lillian (Willis) Goss.  While in E. Bridgewater, Mrs. McDow worked for George O’Keefe in Brockton and for Lucy Shoe in Bridgewater.  In 1969, she and her husband, Vincent McDow Sr., retired and moved to Bristol, N.H. Mr. McDow died in 1982.

She is survived by one son, Vincent McDow, Jr., of Grafton; one step-son, John McDow of Texas; and one step-daughter, Lorriane Emery of Clearwater, Florida; 11 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; two brothers, George Goss Jr. of E. Bridgewater, Mass. And Basil Goss of Franklin, N.H.; three sisters, Erma Thomas of E. Bridgewater, Mass., Muriel Andreson of E. Bridgewater, Mass., and Janice Sweeney of Concord, N.H.; many nieces and nephews.

Calling hours were Monday, August 29, 1994 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Emmons Funeral Home, 31 South Main St., Bristol, N.H. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, August 30, 1994 at 11 a.m. at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton, N.H.  The Rev. John Fischer officiated.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Newfound Area Nursing Association, 61 Lake St., Bristol, NH 03222 or the Mascoma Home Health, P.O. Box 118, Canaan, NH 03741.

Elfriede Frankle

from the August 24, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, N.H. – Elfriede Frankle, 78, died July 27, 1994 in Pforzheim, Germany while visiting family.  She was born in Niefern, Germany Sept. 45, 1915, the daughter of the late Adolf & Lydia (Nagel) Ruck.  She immigrated to the United States with her family in January of 1955.  She had lived in Grafton, NH for the last 17 years and had been a volunteer at the Canaan Senior Center for several years.  She enjoyed traveling and was visiting her sister in Germany at the time of her death.  She was the widow of Richard Frankle who died December 22, 1988.

There were no calling hours.  A memorial service was conducted Saturday, August 20, at 11 a.m. at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, the Rev. William Newhall officiated.

Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Frankle may be made to The Visiting Nurse Alliance of NH/VT, 20 S. Main St., White River Jct., VT 05001 or to The Upper Valley Humane Society, HC-63 Box 52-A, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Survivors include: a son, Bernd Frankle of Basking Ridge, NJ; a daughter, Petra Gunnerson of Canaan; a sister, Liesel Huber of Dover; s sister, Trudel Ruck of Niefern, Germany; a sister, Lore Brunn of Neustadt, Germany; four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.  She was preceeded in death by her husband, a sister, and a brother.

Millard F. LaJoie

from the August 24, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH – Millard F. LaJoie, 71, of 14 Hannah’s Mobile Home Park, died recently at the VA Hospital in White River Junction.

Mr. LaJoie was born Dec. 29, 1922, in Lebanon, and was a son of Frank and Cora (Guyer) LaJoie.

He was a lifelong resident of Lebanon, where he attended Lebanon High School and was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II.

Mr. LaJoie worked for many years at Budd’s Beverages in Lebanon and Newport before buying the company, which he owned and operated for several years.  He also worked at New Jersey machine in Lebanon for 14 years until his retirement in 1987.

He was a member and past commander of the American Legion of Lebanon and a member of the VFW of Lebanon.

He enjoyed building furniture and woodworking.

Mr. LaJoie is survived by two daughters, Diane Curtis of Montpelier and Wendy LaJoie of Lebanon; two sons, M. Wayne LaJoie of Mesquite, Texas; three sisters, Mayola Beard of Lebanon, Shirley Lanteigne of Lebanon, and Dolores LaJoie of Lebanon; 10 grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Two sisters, Anita Demers and Wylva Jennings, died previously.

Calling hours were from 9 to 10 a.m. on Tuesday at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon.  Funeral services followed the calling hours at the Ricker Funeral Home.

Augustus L. “Gus” Bushee Jr.

from the August 17, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, N.H. – August L. “Gus” Bushee, Jr. 61, died Friday morning, August 5, 1994 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.  He was born in Lebanon, N.H. May 21, 1933, the son of Augustus L. & Minnie (Follansbee) Bushee Sr.  He had been a lifelong resident of the Upper Valley and was a graduate of Lebanon High School (Class of ’51).  “Gus” was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean Conflict.  For many years he was employed as manager of KLEEN Drycleaners & Linen Services.  He was an honorary life member of the Lebanon Lodge of Elks #2099.  Mr. Bushee was a devoted and active member and Lay Leader of the Enfield United Methodist Church.  His favorite hobby was frog collectables of which he had over 200 pieces.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday evening from 7-9 p.m.  Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 p. m. in the Enfield United Methodist Church.  The Rev. Lorene Eldredge officiated.  Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

Memorial contributions should be made to: The Norris Cotton Cancer Ctr., DHMC, 1 Medical Ctr. Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756 or to The Enfield United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 463 Canaan, NH 03741.

Survivors include: his wife, Elizabeth L. (Quimby) Bushee of Enfield; his mother, Minnie Bushee of Enfield; a daughter, Sherri L. Bushee of St. Albans Bay, Vt.; a sister, Elaine Dionne of Lebanon and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.  He was preceeded in death by his father, August L. Bushee, Sr.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge of arrangements.

Laura MacLellan

from the August 17, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, N.H. – Laura MacLellan, 77, a lifelong resident, died Saturday, August 6 at the McKerley Health Care Center in Lebanon.

Mrs. MacLellan was born in Lebanon, Feb. 15, 1917, the daughter of William and Lena (Nallett) Little and attended Sacred Heart School and Lebanon High School.

She was married to Roderick J. MacLellan, who died Feb. 23, 1980.

For many years Mrs. MacLellan worked in area woolen mills.  In 1984, she retired as a nurses aide from the Veterans Affairs Hospital in White River Junction after 18 years of service.

Mrs. MacLellan was a member of the American Legion Auxillary and the Retired Federal Employees Association.  She enjoyed knitting and loved animals.  She was an avid beano player.

Survivors include a son, Roderick J. MacLellan Jr. of Cary, N.C.; a daughter, Nancy Dutile of Lebanon; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon Tuesday evening from 7-9 p.m.  A mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday at 10 a.m.at the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon.  Burial followed in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Upper Valley Humane Society, HC63 Box 52A, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Connie E. Naitove

from the August 17, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Hanover, N.H. – Connie E. Naitove, a multi-arts therapist, author, lecturer, and artist, died Saturday, August 6, at her home after a long illness.  She was 66.

After receiving a master’s degree from the MALS program at Dartmouth College in the early 19702, she began working as a multi-arts therapist and psychotherapist.

Mrs. Naitove was the founder and president of the National Educational Council of Creative Therapies, a registered art therapist, a registered drama therapist, and a certified poetry therapist.  She was a professional member of the American Dance Therapy Association, National Horticulture Therapy Association, National Parks and Recreation Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, British Association of Art Therapists, and the Drama Therapy Association of Great Britain.

She was a diplomat of the American Board of Psychotherapy and a consultant on child sexual molestation to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Mrs. Naitove was a well-known author and lecturer with more than 40 published articles and chapters in professional publications throughout the world.

As a sculptor, her works have been reviewed and exhibitied on several continents and are in collections around the world.

Locally, Mrs. Naitove served as president of the League of Women Voters, was a member of the board of the Hanover Co-op, and a contributor to the educational programs of the Hanover schools.  She worked as a director and producer of numerous children’s theater productions at the Bema and in the schools.

Mrs. Naitove helped local Cub Scout troops and was recently appointed a guardian ad litem in the Vermont Family Court system.

She was the Halloween Witch as the Rip Road Haunted House for Many years.

She was born Dec. 7, 1927, in New York City, the daughter of Ethel and Henry Epstein.  She began her education as an artist at the New York University School for Gifted Children and later studied privately with William McNulty and Kurt Seligmann.

She married Dr. Arthur Naitove in 1946 and they came to Hanover in 1955.

Survivors include her husband; four sons, Matthew of New York, N.Y., Noah of Brighton, Mass., Peter of Keene, and Benjamin of Philadelphia, Pa.; a daughter, Abby of Needham, Mass.; six grandchildren; two brothers, Alan Emory of Falls Church, Va., and Eric Emory of Katonah, N.Y.

There were no calling hours.  A memorial service was held on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Rollins Chapel in Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

The Rand-Wilson Funeral Home of Hanover was in charge of arrangements.

John F. Thomas

from the August 10, 1994 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH – John F. Thomas, 32, died Monday in Grafton.

Mr. Thomas moved to Grafton 14 years ago and had been self-employed as a satellite technician and also in the construction trade.  He was a member of the Grafton Volunteer Fire Department.

He was born in Cambridge, Mass on May 29, 1962, the sun of Joseph F. and Eleanor (Francis) Thomas, Sr.  He graduated from Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School in 1980.

Mr. Thomas was employed by J. F. Thomas and Sons Moving Co. in Cambridge for several years, living in East Cambridge.

Survivors include a son, John  F. Thomas, Jr. of Cambridge, Mass; his parents, of Grafton, NH; two sisters, Renee E. Nagle of Plymouth, Mass, and Paula Webster of Grafton, two brothers, Joseph F. Thomas, Jr. of Webster, NH, and James F/ Thomas of Grafton; the mother of his son, Susan Povio of Cambridge, Mass; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Burial was held in Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton.  Memorial contributions may be made to Farnum Center, 235 Hanover, St. Manchester, NH 03104.