Author: Canaan Town Library

Valma Bertha Coutermarsh

From the October 8, 2001 issue of The Coutry Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Valma B. Coutermarsh, 87, of Enfield died on Saturday, September 30, 2001 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. She was born in Lebanon on February 2, 1914, a daughter of Albert and Leda (Lambert) Bassett. She was a lifelong resident of this area and attended Lebanon schools. On November 25, 1937 she was married to Robert P. Coutermarsh. They made their home in Lebanon, Crystal Lake in Enfield and wintered in Florida until 1993. Mr. Coutermarsh died on May 6, 2000. Prior to her retirement she had worked at the Lebanon Woolen Mill, Baltic Mill in Enfield, and H.W. Carter & Son in Lebanon. She and her husband rented cabins on Crystal Lake in Enfield for 55 years. They enjoyed spending time with their family at the Lake.

She is survived by two daughters, Betty Daigle and Donna Roberts, both of W. Lebanon, 5 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Stanley Bassett, and two sisters, Alda Chagnon and Blanche Leonard.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Tuesday afternoon from 2-4 and Tuesday evening from 7-9. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Church in Lebanon. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lebanon.

Inez M. Cushman Colby

From the October 1, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Inez M. (Wright) Cushman Colby, 81, of Lebanon, NH and former longtime resident of Canaan, NH died Saturday, September 22, 2001 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Riley, OR. She was born in Warren, NH January 15, 1920, one of 13 children of the late Arthur G. & Nancy V. (Flanders) Wright. Mrs. Cushman Colby will be remembered by her family and friends as a gracious lady who was full of good works. She was a devoted mother and wife and she was steadfastly loyal and caring for her many friends. Inez’s cooking was legendary and her love of children and animals boundless…especially her Daschund Penny.

She graduated from Canaan High School and trained with the US Navy WAVES where she served as a nurse at Chelsea Naval Hospital during WWII. After the war, she provided private nursing care. For many years, Mrs. Cushman Colby was the Canaan Town Clerk and Tax Collector and a Justice of the Peace.

Inez assumed leadership roles in many organizations. She was Past Matron and 52-year member of the Summit Chapter #56 Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member of the Weld-Webster Post #55 of the American Legion; the American Legion Auxiliary; the Canaan United Methodist Church; the Canaan FAST Squad; Mascoma Valley Women’s Club; the PTA; Dollars for Scholars; and both the NH Town Clerks Assoc. and Tax Collectors Assoc. She was a 50-year member of the Grange and an honorary member of Kimball Chapter #38 Order of the Eastern Star in Enfield. She was also a volunteer for Alice Peck Day Hospital Auxiliary and Grafton County Senior Citizens Council.

She married Philip G. Cushman in 1949 and the couple settled in Canaan. Mr. Cushman died in 1961. She is survived by her husband, Clyde Colby of Lebanon, NH whom she married in 1982; her daughter, Barbara Baker, her son David Cushman and his wife Carole, her grandchildren Samantha Baker, Damien Cushman, and Bridget Cushman, all of Canaan, NH; her stepdaughter Carol Peck of Avon, MA; her sisters Vernie Flagg of N. Kingstown, RI, Eleanor Garland of Brockton, MA and Lula Conrey of Mont Vernon, NH; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.

Calling hours were held at the Masonic Lodge in Canaan, NH Friday evening from 7-9 p.m. Mrs. Cushman Colby’s life was celebrated at a Memorial Service on Saturday, September 29th at 4 p.m. at the Canaan Methodist Church with the Rev. Patricia Williams officiating.

Contributions in memory of Mrs. Cushman Colby may be made to the Canaan United Methodist Church, the Summit Chapter #56 Order of the Eastern Star, or the Weld Webster Post #55 American Legion, all of Canaan, NH.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home of Lebanon, NH.

George W. Morse

From the September 17, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–George W. Morse, 81, died Tuesday September 11, 2001 at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in White River Jct., VT following a long illness. He was born in Andover, MA October 12, 1919, a son of the late Harry L. & Ruby (Colbuni) Morse. A lifelong resident of Canaan, NH he was a graduate of Canaan High School – Class of 1937. He served 26 years in the United States Air Force. During WWII he served as a B-17 bomber pilot in the European Theatre where he was shot down and became a Prisoner of War in Germany until being liberated at the end of the war. He later was employed as an EPO Mail Carrier in Canaan for 15 years. Following his retirement in 1988 he delivered Meals on Wheels for several years. George was a longtime member of the Canaan Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award. He was also a member of the American Legion Post of Canaan; had served for 2 terms on the Canaan Board of Selectmen; and enjoyed gardening.

He leaves his wife Irene J. (Roullier) Morse of Canaan whom he married in 1963; and several nieces and nephews.

He was pre-deceased by a brother Richard Morse and a sister Katherine Follansbee.

There will be no calling hours. Graveside Committal Services will be held Saturday Sept. 22nd at 11 a.m. at the Canaan Street Cemetery in Canaan, NH. The Rev. Gail Dimick will officiate along with members of the American Legion Post of Canaan.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Mascoma Senior Center, Church St., Canaan, NH 03741 or to: The Norris Cotton Cancer Center, 1 Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756.

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

Helen Irene LaBombard

From the September 17, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Lebanon, NH–Helen Irene Labombard, 81, died Saturday morning September 8, 2001 at the Lebanon Center of Genesis ElderCare. She was born November 21, 1919, a daughter of the late James and Beatrice (Gee) Conroy. A lifelong resident of the Upper Valley, she attended schools in Enfield, NH and was a former longtime resident of Greensboro Rd in Hanover, NH. She was married in February 1938 to Richard N. LaBombard who died Dec. 26, 1977. Helen was a member of St. Denis Parish in Hanover, NH and had been the owner/operator of the former Midget Diner in Hanover, NH. Helen loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, nature, birds and flowers. She was an avid storyteller, and also enjoyed spending winters in Southern California.

Mrs. LaBombard was pre-deceased by her husband: Richard N. LaBombard in 1977; a son: Richard James LaBombard in 1968; a daughter: Patricia Judd in 1975; and a sister: Beatrice Daniels in 1980. She is survived by 2 daughters: Marcia West of Keene, NH and Deborah Marten of Downey, CA; 3 sons: William H. LaBombard of Lyme, NH, John S. LaBombard of Enfield, NH, and David K. LaBombard of Lebanon, NH; 2 sisters: Mary Brooks of W. Lebanon, NH and Dorothy Patnode of Canaan, NH; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School St., Lebanon, NH Tuesday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. in St. Denis Church in Hanover, NH with the Rev. Stephen Marcoux officiating. Burial will follow in the Pine Knoll Cemetery in Hanover, NH. Memorial contributions in memory of Helen may be made to: The Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Dr., Lebanon, NH 03756 or to: The American Diabetes Assoc., PO Box 2680, N. Canton, OH 44120.

Elizabeth Ellen Cattabriga

From the September 10, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Elizabeth Ellen Cattabriga, 85, died Tuesday morning September 4, 2001 at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill. She was born in White River Jct., VT October 26, 1915, a daughter of the late Fred & Agnes (Woodward) Cobb. She was married August 21, 1935 to Carl Cattabriga and they made their home in Bellows Falls, VT until 1946 when they came to Enfield, NH where she helped to run the C.P. Cattabriga Inc. Oil Company with her husband for many years. Mr. Cattabriga died in 1987. Elizabeth was an active member of St. Helena’s Parish of Enfield and the Catholic Daughters. She also was active with the Girls Scouts and served on the Enfield Budget Committee. She enjoyed quilting and knitting and was a member of the Cardigan Mountain Knitters.

She was predeceased by her husband Carl Cattabriga in 1987; and 2 brothers: William & Charles Cobb.

She is survived by 1 son: Jon Cattabriga of Enfield, NH; 2 daughters: Carol Ann Keating of Enfield, NH and Nancy Holland of Yonkers, NY; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-granchildren; 1 great-great-granchild; and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home, Rte 4, Enfield, NH Friday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday morning at 10 a.m. in St. Helena’s Church of Enfield with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in memory of Elizabeth be made to: The Enfield Public Library or to: The Enfield F.A.S.T. Squad.

Thomas O. Ireton

From the September 10, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Thomas G. Ireton, 72, of Canaan died on Wednesday evening at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon. He was born in New York, NY on April 21, 1929 a son of John and Caroline (Brinkmann) Ireton. He came to Canaan at the age of 2 where he grew up and attended schools. He enlisted in the US Air Force in 1947 during WWII and remained with the Air Force until his discharge in 1961 as a Staff Sergeant. Following discharge he moved to Fairfield, CA where he owned and operated automobile service stations and repair shops. In 1972 he moved back to Canaan and was married to Judy Arnold on Nov. 11, 1972. He has been self employed in this area operating Ireton Construction and Tom’s Used Cars in Canaan. He served as road agent and several terms as a selectman for the town of Canaan. He was a member of the Canaan arid Fairfield, CA Lions Clubs and held his private pilots license. While in California he flew with the Solano County Sheriff’s Department search and rescue air squadron. He enjoyed traveling, camping, town and national politics, and wintering in Inverness, FL.

He is survived by his wife Judy Ireton of Canaan, 2 sons Lanny Thomas Ireton of Benicia, CA, Terry Lynn Ireton of Vacaville, CA, a brother John Ireton of Canaan, a sister Louise Poell of Concord, NH, 3 grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield on Sunday evening from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at the Canaan Methodist Church in Canaan. Burial will be at a later date in the Sawyer Hill Cemetery in Canaan. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Canaan Senior Center, Church St., Canaan, NH 03741.

Donna Rae Moore

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

N. Providence, RI–She leaves her husband: John F. Moore of Canaan, NH; her mother: Alice (Castro) Bociek of Central Falls, RI; a daughter: Roberta “Misti” Rose of N. Providence, RI; a son: Donti Rosciti of Cranston, RI; a sister: Roberta Corsi of Pawtucket, RI; two brothers: Alfred Benoit Jr. of N. Providence, RI and Allen Benoit of Riverside, RI; two grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

There were no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday morning at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary’s Church in Canaan. The Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiated. Burial followed in the Canaan Street Cemetery.

The family requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions in her memory be made to: The Canaan F.A.S.T. Squad, Canaan, NH 03741; or to The Visiting Nurse Alliance of VT & NH (VNA/VNH), or Hospice of the Upper Valley, both at 325 Mt. Support Rd., Lebanon, NH 03766.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home in Enfield, NH.

Dorothy M. Evans

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–Dorothy M. Evans, 96, died Friday evening, August 3, 2001 at the Woodlawn Nursing Home in Newport. She was born on November 4, 1904 in Enfield a daughter of Peter and Adeline (Bilodeau) Evans. She attended Enfield schools and graduated from Enfield High School in 1922.

In 1930 she moved to Westwood, NJ working as a dental assistant and later as a laboratory technician for 29 years at Lederle Laboratories, a subsidiary of American Cyanamid. She served 10 years in the Mycology Department under Dr. Benjamin M. Duggar, who discovered aureomycin.

She enjoyed crossword puzzles and traveling. She drove to California for the first time in 1933 and drove 75 years without having a single accident. Her retirement years were spent between West Palm Beach, FL and Enfield until 1998 when traveling to Florida became difficult. She has experienced many enjoyable days at the Upper Valley Senior Center. She loved people and everyone she met became a friend.

She was predeceased by six bothers and five sisters. Although she never married, several nieces, nephews, and their families survive her.

There were no calling hours. A memorial mass was held Saturday, August 11 at 11 a.m. at the St. Helena’s Church in Enfield with the Rev. Paul Rainville, M.S. officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

The family suggested in lieu of flowers that memorial contributions be made in her name to St. Helena’s Church, 36 Shaker Hill Rd., Enfield, NH 03748 or to The Upper Valley Senior Citizens Center, 10 Campbell St., Lebanon, NH 03766.

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

Barbara M. Christ

From the August 13, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Harrison, AR–Barbara M. Christ, 50, died suddenly at her home in Harrison, AR on July 30, 2001.

She was born May 19, 1951 in Manchester, NH, daughter of Margaret (Connoly) and Robert G. Bressett. She was educated in the Manchester schools and graduated from St. Anselm’s College with a B.S. RN.

She enlisted in the U.S. Army Medical Corps becoming an anesthesiologist and was assigned to duty in Germany where she met her husband, Paul Christ.

After their retirement in 2000 they relocated to Arkansas.

Survivors include her husband, parents, sister, Ann Nistler of Sartell, MN and a niece and nephew.

Interment will be in Arkansas at later date.

William A. LaFountain

From the August 6, 2001 issue of The Country Chronicle

Enfield, NH–William A. LaFountain, 90, died Saturday, July 28, 2001 at the Veterans Hospital in White River Jct., VT following a brief illness. He was born in Chicopee Falls, MA on October 13, 1910, a son of the late Albert & Sophie (Murk) LaFountain, and as a young boy had lived on his father’s freighter. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of WWII and served as a canoneer with the 172nd Field Artillery. A resident of Enfield, NH since 1930, he had worked as an auto mechanic for several years and was the owner/operator of Bill’s Tidol Station. He later went into the carpentry business. He was known as a man who never said “no” to anyone, and would do anything for anyone regardless of their ability to pay. Mr. LaFountain was a member of the Elks for over 30 years. He was married June 1, 1983 to Marion L. (Smith) at St. Helena’s Church in Enfield. Mrs. LaFountain died October 19, 1993.

He was predeceased by his wife, two sisters-Sylvia LaFountain and Laura LaFountain, and a brother, Francis LaFountain. Mr. LaFountain leaves several nieces and nephews.

Friends called at the Ricker Funeral Home on Rte 4 in Enfield on Tuesday evening from 7-9 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday morning at 10 am in St. Helena’s Church in Enfield with the Rev. Paul Rainville M.S. officiating. Burial followed in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield, NH.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in memory of Mr. LaFountain may be made to a charity of one’s choice.