Author: Canaan Town Library

Florence Atwood Guthrie

from the February 19, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Florence Atwood Guthrie, 108, died Monday, Feb. 10, 1997 at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH. She was born in Lubec, ME June 1, 1888, and was the last surviving of five children born to the late David & Sarah (Lake) Moore. She had been a longtime resident of Lebanon, NH where she attended the First Baptist Church. She loved to cook and was a devoted mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was the widow of Henry E. Guthrie who died Oct. 29, 1974.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services were conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Lebanon with the Rev. Dale Edwards officiating. Burial followed in the Valley Cemetery in Lebanon.

Survivors include: his son, Clifford Guthrie of Quechee, VT; a son, Gleason Guthrie of Canaan, NH; a son, Douglas Guthrie of West Canaan, NH; a daughter, Vivian Tinker of West Canaan (formerly Lubec, ME); a daughter, Daisy Sunn of Canaan, NH; a daughter, Jennie Biggs of North Walpole, NH; 28 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon was in charge arrangements.

Evelina M.A. Packard

from the February 19, 1997

West Lebanon, NH–Evelina M.A. Packard, 89, of Lebanon, died Friday, February 7, 1997 in Lebanon. The daughter of George & Anna (Couture) Levesque, she was born on May 30, 1907 in Lisbon, ME. She had lived in Claremont for many years where she attended St. Mary’s School. She had been a resident of this area since 1930 when she married Hersey Packard. Mr. Packard died on May 29, 1988. She was employed for many years in the patients service kitchen at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover until retirement in 1981. She was a member of Holy Redeemer Church in West Lebanon.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at the West Lebanon Cemetey with the Rev. Donald Jeffrey officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Diabetes Foundation or to the Holy Redeemer Church, Maple St, W. Lebanon, NH 03784.

Survivors include: a son, Brent Packard of Millsboro, DE; two grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

The Ricker Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Helen Irene Blanchard

from the February 19, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Helen Irene Blanchard, 79, died at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon on Friday, February 7, 1997. The daughter of Leon & Lula (Taft) Hackett, she was born on April 28, 1917 in Springfield, VT. Mrs. Banchard was an Upper Valley resident all of her life and was a graduate of Springfield High School. In 1941 she was married to Herman Blanchard, Mr. Blanchard died in 1956. For 29 years she was employed as a Nursing Associate at Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover retiring in 1982. She was a caregiver her all of her adult life. She was a member of the West Lebanon Congregational Church; The Meriden Grange; The Kings Daughters; and was a volunteer for the hospice of the Upper Valley after retiring in 1982.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Sunday afternoon from 3-4 p.m. and Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in West Lebanon. Burial will be in the spring in the Moulton Cemetery in Meriden. Memorial contributions may be made to: Hospice of the Upper Valley, Mt. Support Rd, Lebanon, NH 03766 or to The West Lebanon Congregational Church, Maple St, W. Lebanon, NH 03784.

Survivors include: a son, George Blanchard of Lebanon; a daughter, Sue Ann Gallant of Salina, KS; a daughter, a daughter, Mary Lou Hannah of Lebanon; five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, several cousins.

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

Sarah Elizabeth Nylund

from the May 14, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Sarah Elizabeth Nylund, 13, died suddenly Friday, May 9, 1997 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Lebanon on Feb. 25, 1984; the daughter of Thomas W. and Helen F. (Palmer) Nylund. A lifelong resident of Enfield, she attended the Enfield Village School and was a 7th grade student at the Indian River School in Canaan. She was an avid animal lover and inspired to become a veterinarian. She enjoyed spending time with her dog Lucy. Sarah loved swimming and rollerblading. She volunteered many hours helping her father at Enfield Lions Club activities. She was a dedicated Green Bay Packer fan. She loved life and family, and enjoyed the closeness of friends, especially her very best friend, Jaci.

Sarah was an accomplished water skier and was currently the NH State Champion for Girls Division IV. She was recently selected for the U.S. Junior Development Water Ski Team. She was a member of the NH Water Ski Assoc.; The American Water Ski Assoc.; and the Maine State Water Ski Federation.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St, Lebanon, NH on Tuesday evening, May 13th, from 6-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. in the LaSalette Chapel on Route 4A in Enfield. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield. Memorial contributions in memory of Sarah may be made to: The NH Water Ski Association, PO Box 1802, Concord, NH 03302.

Survivors include: Parents, Thomas W. and Helen F. (Palmer) Nylund, Enfield, NH; Brother, Brian Nylund, Georgetown, TX; Paternal grandparents, Walter & Louise Nylund, Enfield; Niece, Lily Frances Nylund, Georgetown, TX; Several Aunts-Uncles-Cousins; God Parents, Clayton and Donna Hutchins, Lebanon, NH.

Arrangements handled by Ricker Funeral Home, Lebanon, NH.

Laura E. (Hill) Littlefield

from the January 5, 1998 issue of The Country Chronicle

Grafton, NH–Laura E. (Hill) Littlefield, 94, of Grafton and Lebanon Genesis Eldercare Network, died December 27, 1997 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH while surrounded by love with her family members. Born on November 19, 1903 in Bristol, NH the daughter of William and Jennie (Sawyer) Hill, she was married to Fred S. Littlefield on November 28, 1927. She had a daughter, Dorothy Jennie (Duefield) on June 21, 1929. Both her husband and daughter have predeceased her. She was well knwn to the community for her old fashioned cooking style, love of family and friends alike, enjoying a good dance with plenty of singing of songs, the enjoyment of making a quilt in earlier years with her daughter, granddaughter, sister, Margaret and friends. She had an exceptional ability of embroidery which lives on in her past works of quilts, scarfs, pillow cases, etc. which family members and friends hold dear to their hearts in the memory of Laura. Mrs. Littlefield’s outdoor activities include fishing and a love of birds and all wildlife, working in the family garden and then canning of vegetables, pruning and caring for her flowers, especially her old fashioned wild roses, which can be seen each and every summer. Her favorite activity in her later years was to sit on her porch and visit with friends and relatives as they stopped by. A devout Catholic, Mrs. Littlefield, while living at home was visited by Sister Mary whom Laura and family members have the warmest regard for. She was living at the home of her son-in-law, Harold E. Duefield, Jr. and was attended by her grand-daughter-in-law, Ruth Cushing, with love and consideration before moving to Lebanon Genesis Eldercare Network. Mrs. Littlefield was also predeceased by sisters, Mary Jennie Hill, Madeline Mary Holmes, Alice Smith and brothers, William Jr., Albert, George and Joseph. Surviving sisters are Ida Young of Hampton Falls, NH, Beatrice Rollins of Plymouth, NH and Margaret Warcup of Grafton, NH who has been sharing a room with her sister, Laura, enjoying discussions and memories of their childhood and adult life while under the care of the Lebanon Genesis Eldercare Network. She is also survived by her son-in-law Harold E. Duefield, Jr., grandchildren Harold E. Duefield the 3rd, Frederick S. Duefield and Laura Ann Duefield all of Grafton, NH; great-grandchildren Philip E. Rowe (Duefield), Christy Lynn Woodard of W. Lebanon, NH, Amy Lyn Duefield of Grafton, NH and Daniel E. Duefield of Enfield, NH; one great-great-granddaughter, Samantha Ann Dole of W. Lebanon, NH; nieces, nephews and cousins; all of whom are going to miss Laura’s wonderful smile, sense of humor and devotion to family and friends. Friends called at the Chadwick Funeral Home, 174 Main St., New London on Tuesday, December 30th from 7-8:30 p.m. with a service that followed from 8:30-9 p.m. Graveside services will also be held in Pine Grove Cemetery in Grafton, NH in the spring.

Holly Sharyn Banley-Bill

from the December 22, 1997 issue of The Countrty Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Holly Sharyn Banley-Bill, infant daughter of Ritchard L. Bill and Barbara Banley, was stillborn Friday morning, December 12, 1997 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH due to complications during pregnancy.

She leaves her parents of Enfield; 3 sisters, Rebecca, Rachel, and Brenna Banley-Bill of Enfield, NH; paternal grandfather, Moses Bill Jr. of Enfield; maternal grandmother, Ruth Ann Ramsdell of Alfred, ME; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Private services will be conducted at the convenience of the family.

Memorial contributions may be made to: David’s House, PO Box 660, Lebanon, NH 03766.

The Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon, NH is in charge of arrangements.

C. Dana Christy

From the December 8, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–C. Dana Christy, 84, died Wednesday, December 3, 1997 at his home in West Canaan, NH. He was born in Westerly, RI July 1, 1913, the son of the late Bernard J. & Jessie (Smith) Christy. He was a grduate of Westerly High School-Class of 1931, and had played Semi-Pro Baseball for th Westerly Hilltoppers. He had been employeed by NEES for 44 years working in CT, RI, and MA and retiring from Granite State Electric in 1978. He had served in the NH Legislature for 14 years where he was a member and Vice Chairman of the Small Business and Consumer Affairs Committee. Mr. Christy was a WWII Veteran of the U.S.Navy and had served in the Pacific onboard the USS Palawan- one of the first ships to enter Sasebo Bay at the time of the Japenese surrender. He was active as a 4-H Leader over 40 years where he was a past President of the 4-H Foundation of NH; was on the State International 4-H Youth Exchange (IFYE); was a past President of the 4-H Leaders Assoc.; and received the 1973 National 4-H Citation for Volunteer Service to Community, County, State and Nation. A resident of Canaan, NH since 1950, Mr. Christy was a charter member of the Canaan Lions Club; a 50 year Mason and member of the Social Summit Lodge #56 of Canaan; and a member of the American Legion Guyer-Carigan Post #22 of Lebanon, NH. He attended the First Congregational Church of Lebanon where he was a member of the Christian Board of Education and was a Sunday school teacher for 10 years. He was married to his wife of 58 years, Esther (Hamilton) on October 21, 1939.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services were held Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in the First Congregational Church of Lebanon, NH. The Rev. Richard N. Slater officiated. Burial will be in the spring in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Clinton, MA. Memorial contributions in memory of Mr. Christy may be made to The NH 4-H Foundation, Moiles House, University of NH, Durham, NH 03824.

Survivors include: wife, Esther (Hamilton) Christy of Canaan, NH; daughters, Carol Jane Rickauer of Frisco, CO and Elizabeth Dianne Christy of Dover, NH; a son, John Hamilton Christy of Sparta, WI; a brother, Ralph Smith Christy of Westerly, RI; seven grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 4 nieces and 1 nephew.

Louise Irish Tobyne

From the November 24, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Louise Irish Tobyne, 73, died peacefully on November 15, 1997, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.

She was born on August 17, 1924, in Wolfeboro, the dauhter of Col. Robert Jasper and Miriam (Furber) Irish.

She was raised in Wolfeboro and had spent 35 years as a resident of Meredith before moving back to Wolfeboro in 1992. She was a graduate of Brewster Academy and an amunma of the University of NH. She had worked as a secretary for various businesses and was formerly employed by Annalee Dolls.

She was a member of the Meredith Congregational Church. She was a past matron of Ellacoya Chapter 43, O.E.S., Meredith, and a former member of the Warren Chapter 20, O.E.S., Wolfeboro. She had also been a member of the Phi Mu Sorority of UNH and a member of the Winnipesaukee Chapter of D.A.R. She had served on the Meredith Bicentennial Committee and was a member of the Wolfeboro Historical Society.

She was a World War II Army Veteran, having served in the Pentagon.

She had been living in Canaan with her daughter’s family, Chris and John Dow, and with her son’s family David and Sylvia Detcher of Meredith for the past four months.

Family members include her husband Max H. Tobyne of Leeds, MA; two sons, David E. Detscher of Meredith, NH, and Dwight I. Detscher of Las Vegas, NV; two daughters, Chris D. Dow of Canaan and Lynn D. Boyle of Centreville, VA; eight grandchildren, a great-grandchild, Madison C. Dow, who was one of Louise’s family members with whom she joyfully spent her last evening; a brother, Dr. Edwin F. Irish of Germantown, MD; two sisters, Catherine I. Dillon of Lewiston, ID and Janet I. Noland of Meredith.

Calling hours were held in the Mayhew Funeral Home, Meredith. Funeral services were held in the Meredith Congregational Church on Wednesday, November 19th, at 11:00 a.m. The Rev. James Bolin officiated. A spring burial will be held at Lakeview Cemetery, Wolfeboro. Memorial donations may be made to the Wolfeboro Historical Society, Box 106C, Wolfeboro, NH 03894.

David A. Hart

from the May 14, 1997 issue of The Country Chronicle

Kansas City, MO–David A. Hart, 46, passed away April 21, 1997, at Research Medical Center. Memorial services will be 7 pm Monday, April 28, at the Good Samaritan Project, 3030 Walnut, Kansas City, MO. Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Project.

David was born March 5, 1951 in Austin, TX. He was a graduate of Travis High School Austin, TX, and Austin Community College. He served as a Corps Man in the Navy. He was employed by the Austin School for the Deaf, Watts Regulator, Canaan, NH, and was most recently employed Transilwrap Company, Inc. He was an active volunteer with Good Samaritan Project. He loved to paint, garden, and fish in his spare time. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivors include his life partner, Harry McDonald; siblings, Richard Hart, Sandy Hart, and Kenny Riordin, all of Austin, TX; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Althea King Decato

from the May 14, 1997

Lebanon, NH–Althea King Decato, 80, passed away on April 28, 1997 at the Alice Peck Day Extended Care Facility in Lebanon, NH. The daughter of Rolland Delancy King and Josephine Segrid Monell, she was born in Canaan, NH on December 15,1916. She attended Canaan schools and was a graduate of Canaan High School. She later graduated from the Katherine Gibbs School in New York City. She was married to Gleason C. Decato, Sr. in January of 1938. Mr. Decato died in 1987. She had been a resident of Canaan most of her life and had been employed by the Canaan Reporter Newspaper. In 1976 she moved to Lebanon and was employed as a sales clerk at Currier & Company of Lebanon until the stores closing. She was a member of the Canaan Women’s Club, The United Methodist Women, and had sung in the church choir. While in Lebanon, she attended the First Baptist Church.

There were no calling hours. Funeral services were held at the United Methodist Church in Canaan with burial following in the Wells Cemetery in Canaan.

Survivors include: a son, Thomas P. Decato of Lebanon; a son, Gleason C. Decato Jr. of Orange; a daughter, Priscilla Boissoneault of Fairfax, VT; a daughter, Alicia Lowe of Hyde Park, VT; a daughter, Penelope F. Bagalio of Barre, VT; a sister, Lily Clark of Lucerne Valley, CA; 11 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were made by the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon.