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.