MacDonald – Canaan, NH History

From the September 23, 2002 issue of The Country Chronicle

Canaan, NH–Mary Alice (MacDonald) Obermyer, 92, died September 3rd, 2002 at her home on Goose Pond Rd, Canaan, NH following a short illness.

She was born on January 28, 1910 in Newton, MA, the third of five children of the late Eltie Blanche (Wallace) and Hugh Agustin MacDonald of Nova Scotia.

She was predeceased by her husband, her parents, her brothers Vincent Wallace MacDonald and Hector Agustin MacDonald, her sisters Catherine Louise Higgins and Margarite Grace Sullivan, and her granddaughter Gabrielle Murphy.

She spent many of her early school age years in the care of her aunts Electa, Catherine and Jessie MacDonald in Norwood, MA. She graduated from Newton High School in 1928 and Boston City Hospital School of Nursing in 1934.

Mary Alice married Alfred A. Obermyer October 9th 1934 in Newton where they lived until their retirement. In 1970 they retired to West Canaan, NH where she hosted numerous gatherings for family and friends and left a vast store of wonderful memories. Known and loved by many as Nana, Mum, Al, Alice, Mary Alice and Obee, she will be missed, yet remembered for her sparkling eyes and laughter, her energy, compassion, courage, graciousness and motherly wisdom.

Through the years she was involved in providing healthcare to patients, friends, and relatives. She also volunteered in many community and church activities including, 4-H, Canaan Meals on Wheels and Upper Valley Hospice. She was an enthusiastic member of the Canaan chapter of TOPS and graduated in 1999 to KOPS status.

Survivors include her four children: Jean Pearson of Center Sandwich, NH; Karen Murphy of Lyme, NH; Edward (Ned) Obermyer of Vancouver, WA; Gretchen Droesch of Canterbury, CT; 13 grandchildren, 13 great-granchildren, cousins, and many nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial service of thanksgiving on September 28, 2002 at 11 am at the Methodist Church in Sandwich, NH. In lieu of flowers and by her request, donations may be made to the local chapter of Hospice.

Canaan, NH–Rosalind Helena MacDonald, 78, died Tuesday, October 15, 1996 at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical center in Lebanon, NH. She was born in Holderness, NH, February 26, 1918, the daughter of the late Herman & Georgia (Tibbetts) Baker. She came to Canaan, NH one year ago from the Bristol, NH area where she had been employed by the International Packing Corp. for 20 years retiring in 1975. Mrs. MacDonald was a member of the Bristol Baptist Church. The greatest joy in her life was her grandchildren.

There were no calling hours. A memorial service was held on Friday a 2 p.m. at the Holderness Baptist Church. The family requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to a charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon.

Survivors include: a son, Ronald Baker of Salem, CT; a son, William MacDonald of Canaan; a daughter, Loraine Normandie of Canaan; a brother, Leslie Baker of Plymouth, NH; a sister, Carolyn Calley of Holderness, NH; a sister, Barbara Orbon of Miami, FL; a sister, Beverly Smith of Holderness, NH; a sister, Marylee Dumas of Randolph, VT; a sister, Norma Jean Baker of West Lebanon, NH; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren.