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.
Delcie D. Bean, 83, of Dublin, died Nov. 24, 2025. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he worked in his family’s match business in Jaffrey, including in sales and leading the company’s Canadian business operations, in Ontario and Quebec. He was president of the company. He sat on numerous boards including Monadnock Bank, then Cheshire Community Bank and later CFX Bank. He was on the board of Franklin Pierce College, Dublin School and the Dublin Public Library. He was a founder and board member of a venture capital group that sought to bring businesses and jobs to the community, as well as a member of the Grand Monadnock Rotary Club. (Cournoyer Funeral Home & Cremation Center)
Richard Burdett Birch, 96, of Nashua and formerly of Hollis, died Dec. 1, 2025. A member of the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1950 to 1958, he worked for Shawmut Bank, New England Mutual, Ryerson Steel, and Edgcomb Steel. He was then a Realtor for 10 years alongside his wife Nancy at Simonds/DeWolfe Real Estate. He was president of the Nashua Kiwanis Club, ward selectman, Junior Achievement mentor, a member of the N.E. Iron League, and a charter member of the N.H. Colby Club. (Davis Funeral Home)
Cecily Clark, 91, of Ossipee, died Nov. 23, 2025. She taught at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro and the Community School in South Tamworth. She participated in the Artists in the Schools program and was poet in residence in Shaftsbury, Vt. She taught in Elderhostel and after teaching worked as an apprentice carpenter and gardener. She was a member of the American Alpine Club, an honorary trustee at Concord Academy and founded the Ossipee Children’s Fund. (Lord Funeral Home)
Dr. Owen Paul Conway, 80, of Kennebunk, Maine, and formerly of Manchester, died Nov. 28, 2025. He was a social studies teacher then principal of Southside Junior High in Manchester. He was assistant superintendent in Manchester, director of personnel in Salem and Londonderry, and superintendent of schools in Goffstown and in Barnstead and Pittsfield. After retiring, he taught at Emmanuel College and worked with the Massachusetts Department of Education. A resident if Maine since 2007, he was president of the Kennebunkport Rotary Club. (Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory)
Karen Ann (Lawson) Couture, 68, of Weare, died Nov. 30, 2025. She retired as professor emerita from Keene State College. She taught at Notre Dame College as an associate professor of psychology and chair of the Department of Psychology. She and her husband operated a family farm raising Merino sheep and producing fine quality wool. (French & Rising Funeral Home)
Benjamin Harry Creighton, 87, of Webster, died Nov. 29, 2025. He was a member of the N.H. Army National Guard for 40 years and was a first sergeant of the Headquarters Detachment. He served on the Webster Volunteer Fire Department for 20 years and was fire chief. He was a member of the North Star End 11 Independent Order of the Odd Fellows, serving as secretary for many years. (Holt Woodbury Funeral Home)
John D. “Jack” Downing, 91, of Fremont, died Dec. 2, 2025. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served as a paratrooper during the Korean Conflict. He owned JD Downing Painting. He and his wife Lorraine were longtime PTA members. He also served on the Fremont Planning Board, Zoning Board, and Open Space Committee. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Frederick J. Fuller, 77, of Manchester, died Nov. 27, 2025. He started his own business as a service oil technician and grew it into Fred Fuller Oil, operating for more than 40 years. He also owned a Ford dealership and several convenience stores. (Farwell Funeral Home)
Joyce Therese Hall Hinsley, 92, of Hanover, died Nov. 30, 2025. She was a visiting public nurse and served as staff development coordinator at Hanover Terrace before co-founding, with her friend Marsha Biggs, the first adult daycare in the Upper Valley called The DayBreak. She worked at Kendal at Hanover and Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont. At age 85, she helped establish Hanover’s Community Nursing Services and served on its inaugural board. She was also on the board of Developmental Services of Sullivan County, later known as Pathways of the Upper Valley. (Rand-Wilson Funeral Home)
Raymond C. Hetnar, 70, of New Durham, died Nov. 30, 2025. He and his family settled in Epping, where they founded R.H. Hetnar Orchards, later known as R.C. Hetnar Orchards. He grew the business and expanded its offerings to include Rudy’s Blend and Meagan’s Pride cider. He sold the orchards in 2005. (Brewitt Funeral Home)
Donald W. Stevens, 84, of Northfield, died Nov. 24, 2025. He was supervisor of bridge crews for the state of New Hampshire. He served in the U.S. Air Force and 20 years in the Army National Guard, retiring in 2000. He was a lifelong member of the Franklin Elks and the American Legion Post 49 in Northfield. He also was a coach, selectman, and budget committee member. (Thibeault-Neun Funeral Home)
Charles Joseph White, 93, of Columbia, died Nov. 28, 2025. He and his family operated Meadow View Farm, turning it into a highly successful dairy operation, one of the largest in the region and a member of the Agri-Mark Cooperative. They farmed 600 acres and operated a sawmill. He retired at age 92 He was a 20-year member of the Columbia Planning Board, 18 years as chairman. (Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home)
Jane Bennett Willingham Smith, 95, of Laconia, died Nov. 26, 2025. She headed the English Department at New Hampton School, where she taught for 17 years. She was the wife of novelist and screenwriter Calder Willingham Jr., meeting him when she worked at Woman’s Day magazine. Willingham published 10 novels, including two classic tales set in Georgia. He wrote the scripts for several Hollywood films, including his own novel, “Rambling Rose.” He died in 1995. Jane later married diplomat Frederick Smith Jr. She was an active member of both the Pemigewasset Choral Society and the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus. (Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services)
WORDS OF WISDOM: “We cannot truly welcome light until we’ve lived a darkness deeper than what nightly covers the land with its dusky blanket.” ? Luci Shaw, poet, Dec. 29, 1928, to Dec. 1, 2025