InDepthNH.org scans the websites of New Hampshire funeral homes each week and selects at random some of our friends, relatives and neighbors to feature in this column. The people listed here passed away during the previous weeks and have some public or charitable connection to their community. InDepthNH.org is now offering obituaries through the Legacy.com service. We view this as part of our public service mission. Click here or on the Obituaries tab at the top of our home page to learn more. And if you know of someone from New Hampshire who should be featured in this column, please send your suggestions to NancyWestNews@gmail.com.
Dr. Meg Joanna Petersen, 69, of Plymouth, died Oct. 19, 2023. She started her career as a teacher at the Anna Philbrook Center in Concord. She also taught in Bermuda, attended UNH graduate school, then moved to the Dominican Republic. After receiving her doctorate in 1991, she taught at Plymouth State University and was a professor in the English Department for 30 years. She was awarded both the Undergraduate and Graduate Distinguished Teaching Awards (2000 and 2006); the Stevens-Bristow Distinguished Professorship (2014-2017); and the Dennise Maslakowski Education Award (2016). She founded the New Hampshire site of the National Writing Project (NWP) and coordinated summer writing institutes at PSU and managed the Scholastic Writing Contest in New Hampshire. She was a two-time Fulbright Scholar (2008 and 2015) and worked with colleagues and educators in the Dominican Republic on teaching writing in Dominican schools. She recently taught at Southern New Hampshire University, Universidad APEC in the Dominican Republic (remotely), and as an ESL and composition teacher in the Manchester School District. She was named as a feature poet by the New Hampshire Arts Council. Her father, former Gov. Walter R. Peterson Jr. (They spelled their names differently.) became the subject of continuing criticism from former Union Leader Publisher William Loeb, who according to an article published in the New York Times in 1971, after Meg returned from a White House conference on drugs in the late sixties, “Meg said she knew some young people smoked marijuana but thought it was their own business. Picturing Meg as the victim of misguided parents and part of a generation destroyed by drugs, (Loeb’s) attack continued until Governor Peterson bought space on the front page of the paper to say: ‘I am fair game, Mr. Loeb, but I must ask you to stop picking on my 15?year?old daughter, who, after all, is only a young girl with many years.’ ” (Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium)
Judith E. (Battis) Kimball, 86, of Milton, died Oct. 27, 2023. She was an officer of the New England Hereford Association and was an active member of the International Llama Association, and the Greater Alpaca and Llama Association. She helped co-found the East Coast Llama Show & Sale in Pennsylvania. She was the superintendent of the Greenwood Cemetery in Haverhill for more than 50 years. She lived in Milton 21 years and was assisted the Nute Ridge Bible Chapel summer Bible school. She was a member and president of the Milton Woman’s Club. (Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Homes)
Robert Bernard McCarthy, 87, of Tarrytown, N.Y., and formerly of Hanover, N.H., died Oct. 22, 2023. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he had a four-decade career in public education, beginning as a social studies teacher at Brookline High School. He was named principal of Hanover (N.H.) High School in 1971, becoming headmaster of Brookline High School in 1980. He established The Council in Hanover and Fairness Committee in Brookline, which allowed students and teachers to override the principal’s decision-making authority. He later joined the adjunct faculty at Brown University as a senior associate in the Coalition of Essential Schools. From 1997-2000, he was principal at the Colegio Bolivar in Cali, Colombia. (Coffey Funeral Home, Tarrytown, N.Y.)
Stella Paschal, 100, a lifelong resident of Jefferson, died Oct. 31, 2023. She taught elementary school in Stratford, mainly second grade, and substituted at Jefferson Elementary School. She was active in the Jefferson Community Church and was the present holder of the Boston Post Cane, given to the oldest resident of Jefferson. (Bailey Funeral Home)
Brenda Joyce (Frisbee) Kinmond, 83, of York, Maine, and formerly of Ossipee, N.H., died Oct. 28, 2023. She taught first grade in Maine and moved to Ossipee in 1967 and lived there for 52 years. She taught kindergarten and preschool in Wolfeboro, Tuftonboro and Ossipee, then she and her husband owned the Weathervane North Restaurant in Wakefield. She was a deacon, choir member and member of the Christian Education Committee for the Second Congregational Church in Ossipee Village. She was a member of the Ossipee Garden Club. (J.S. Pelkey and Son Funeral Home)
Andrew H. “Bud” Dempski, 81, of Fremont, died Oct. 29, 2023. He was a draftsman in his earlier career, then became owner of the Kingston Hardware Store for 10 years. He served as a substance abuse facilitator and coordinator at the Amethyst Foundation in Epping. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Barry A. Roux, 72, of Raymond, died Oct. 28, 2023. He was a 20-year member of the Raymond Volunteer Fire Department and a 15-year part-time Raymond Police Officer, where he was promoted to corporal. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Donald B. McPhee Sr., 76, of Raymond, died Oct. 26, 2023. He was employed for many years by the City of Somerville, Mass., and was a member of the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Masonic Lodge, and the Shriners. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Carlene J. Mayo, 82, of Kingston, died Oct. 26, 2023.She was the co-owner and operator for 20 years of the former Uncle Buddy’s store in Plaistow. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Lynne A. (Barnes) Silva, 66, of Salem, died Oct. 29, 2023. She was treasurer and lifelong member of Pleasant Street United Methodist Church in Salem, a regular volunteer at the church’s food pantry, and sang in the church choir. She and her husband volunteered for the Salem High School marching band, assisting at football games, parades and competitions across the country. (Carrier Family Funeral Home & Crematory)
Marilyn Libby (Sawyer) Morse, 96, of Newbury, died Oct. 25, 2023. She was a nurse at New London Hospital for more than 20 years, serving as operating room supervisor. She was the smiling face at Sunapee’s Welcome Center for many years. When she lived in Georges Mills, she was a member of the church choir, Ladies Aid, and Tri Circle. She served as the church organist for many years and was a member and past president of the New Hampshire branch of the Association of Operating Room Nurses. In Ocala, Fla., she was choir director for the Ocala West United Methodist Church and started The Troubadours, a 50-plus member choral group. She was a member of the Sunapee Seniors and the historical society. She volunteered at the thrift store and served on the recreation committee. In 2011, the Sunapee Fire Department honored her with their Outstanding Citizenship Award. (Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service)
Bruce B. Ellsworth, 85, of Hopkinton, died Oct. 25, 2023. A U.S. Army veteran, he served in the Army Reserves and retired as a colonel. He worked for the state Public Utilities Commission for 26 years, ending his career as a commissioner. In retirement, he consulted on energy and regulatory boards. He served on the Hopkinton Planning Board and as town moderator. He sang in the First Congregational Church choir for decades. (Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service)
Jeannette (Roy) Martel, 90, of Manchester, died Oct. 26, 2023. She attended Saint Pius X Church, where she was active in the Ladies Guild, Woman of Mary Rosary Group, and served as a Eucharistic minister. She also volunteered in pastoral care at Catholic Medical Center for 17 years. (Connor-Healy Funeral Home and Cremation Center)
Kenneth Burdette Dockter, 84, of Hollis, died Oct. 26, 2023. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he retired with the rank of major in 1983. He retired from Sanders/BAE in 1999. (Davis Funeral Home)
William P. Brennan, 92, of Rochester, died Oct. 27, 2023. He was veteran of the U.S. Marines, and while living in Attleboro, Mass., served on the city council, planning board, and school committee. He moved to Rochester in 1993 and served on the Rochester School Board, city council, and in the state legislature. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War, Massachusetts Retired Teachers Association, American Legion, Strafford County Retired Teachers Association, First Marine Division Association, and the Rochester Public Library. He was a corporator on the board of trustees for Frisbie Memorial Hospital. (R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home)
Norman G. Sanborn Sr., 95, of Tilton and a long-time resident of Rochester, died Oct. 27, 2023. He was a member of the Merchant Marines and served in the U.S. Navy Reserves. He worked for area car and truck dealerships and was a lifetime member of the New England Chevy Truck Club, past president of the New England Ford Truck Managers Club, and a senator in the JayCees. He was an integral liaison between the Elks, Masons, Knights of Columbus, Victory Club, American Legion (Post 7), VFW, AMVETS, and other fraternal and nonprofit organizations. He supported veterans’ organizations and was president of the Veterans Council in Rochester for many years. He hosted a television broadcast on the Rochester’s cable channel, interviewing others about veterans’ activities. He placed wreaths and flags on veterans’ graves throughout the Rochester area. In June, he was awarded an honorary diploma from Spaulding High School in Rochester, 78 years after he quit school to join the service. (R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home)
Florence MacLean, 86, of Bridgewater, died Oct. 30, 2023. Her family owned and operated Newfound Grocery. She worked as a secretary for Bristol Elementary School and volunteered with Food for Friends in Bristol, Saint Francis Inn in Philadelphia, Helping Hands in Prince Edward Island, the Day Away program in Bristol and many other charities. (Emmons Funeral Home)
Hugh F. Moran, 90, of Nashua, died Oct. 30, 2023. He was a U.S. Army veteran, he served on the Nashua Planning Board for several years and retired as personnel director for the City of Manchester. He volunteered for Charlotte Avenue School. (Farwell Funeral Home)
Jean Robert-Joseph Chagnon, 77, of Bedford, died Oct. 28, 2023. A U.S., Air Force veteran, he retired from his 50-year dental practice in 2022. He established his practice in Manchester and later moved to Bedford. (Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory)
Cynthia Kelley Herman, 75, of Chester, died Oct. 28, 2023. She was a community organizer with Child and Family Services in Manchester, working with the New Hampshire Community Action Partnership (NHCAP), a collaboration of five Community Action agencies working with state legislators to coordinate legislation beneficial for children and families. She advocated for increased pay and benefits for homecare service personnel. (Peabody Funeral Homes)
Dawn Foster Hatch, 84, of Barrington, died Oct. 28, 2023. She volunteered on Barrington’s first budget advisory committee and was involved with zoning reform that led to Barrington’s Village District and Town Center. She served on the planning board as chairperson and secretary. She was the land use clerk and two-term selectman until 2020. She was honored in 2012 as Citizen of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. She also served for several years as secretary for the Kimball Cemetery in Rochester. (Purdy Funeral Service)
Mary T. (Prince) Boucher, 88, of Dover, died Oct. 26, 2023. She and her husband created Roland’s Sub Shop in Dover in 1967, which she helped operate for more than 45 years. (Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home)
Elva S. Carpenter, 99, of Exeter, and former longtime resident of Rye, died Oct. 26, 2023. She was a seamstress and bookkeeper, and owned with her husband The Home Center of Rye. (Remick & Gendron Funeral Home & Crematory)
Ellen Patricia Leary, 94, of Exeter, died Oct. 25, 2023. She worked on rocket propulsion projects for the U.S. Department of Defense in Nevada and Hawaii. She volunteered with many charities and church-sponsored programs including Special Olympics and community outreach with the St. Vincent De Paul Society. (Remick & Gendron Funeral Home & Crematory)
Frances “Frani” Hanchett, 77, of Lebanon, died Oct. 26, 2023. She documented cemeteries in the Upper Valley and spearheaded her own project, “Adopt a Civil War Veteran,” receiving donations for military gravestones for the Civil War veterans. She was the first woman city historian for Lebanon and was also the Lebanon Historical Society president. (Ricker Funeral Home)
Cornelia “Bonnie” Wallin, 79, of Lebanon, died Oct. 26, 2023. She was a Lebanon High School English teacher, actress, and curator in special collections at Dartmouth College. She taught English in Groton, Conn., before moving to Lebanon. (Ricker Funeral Home)
Anita L. Creager, 85, of Merrimack, died Oct. 25, 2023. She served in various positions for the Boy Scouts for more than five decades, for Cub Pack 15, Boy Scout Troop 424, the Order of the Arrow, and she served as a trustee of Camp Whip O Will in Merrimack, which led to the renaming of the camp to Camp Creager. She received the District Award of Merit, Silver Fawn, and St. George emblems. She was former president of the Merrimack Historical Society and a commissioner for the Merrimack Heritage Commission. She was production supervisor at Omni Spectra/MA-COM for 21 years, retiring in 1997. (Rivet Funeral Home)
Frederick M. Jasinski Sr., 89, of Merrimack, died Oct. 24, 2023. A U.S. Navy veteran, he worked in several positions for International Paper Company, retiring as plant controller in 1989. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and co-founded the N.H. Baseball Umpires School and the Greater Manchester Baseball Umpires Association. He was past president of the N.H. Softball Umpires Association, N.H. Volleyball Association, and Merrimack Youth Association. He was inducted into the N.H. Baseball Umpires Hall of Fame in 2019 and the N.H. Softball Umpires Hall of Fame in 2004. (Rivet Funeral Home)
Gertrude Fowler, 87, of Allenstown, died Oct. 31, 2023. A former charge nurse at New Hampshire Hospital, she was president of the N.H. Hospital Chapter of the State Employees Union. She worked as a nurse at Elliot Hospital on the geriatric psychiatric unit and taught at UNH. As a Catholic Charities volunteer, she taught first-graders at the Oglala Lakota Sioux reservation in Pine Ridge, S.D. She worked most recently in the office at Granite State Orthotics. (Roan Family Funeral Home)
George “Rusty” Cofrin, 65, of Concord, died Oct. 26, 2023. He began his teaching career at Pembroke Academy, then Concord High School, where he taught mathematics until retiring in 2008. He was a distance runner who competed in marathons and coached cross country and track at Concord High School. (Waters Funeral Home)
Hector Livingston, 81, of Wolfeboro, died Oct. 27, 2023. A native of Scotland, he worked as a graphic illustrator for the U.S. Geological Survey for more than 35 years. Until recently, he was an avid painter, primarily oil paintings, but also pen and ink and pencil sketches. An exhibition of his work was featured at the Wolfeboro Public Library. He taught drawing classes at the National Zoo and the Smithsonian Institution. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services)
WORDS OF WISDOM: “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne, English humorist and originator of Winnie-the-Pooh, Jan. 18, 1882, to Jan. 31, 1956