Virginia Jane Duys, 91, of Shelton, Connecticut (formerly of Hollywood, SC and Wilton, CT) passed away peacefully in her home, November 23, 2024, after a brief illness.

She was preceded in death by her husband Henry M. Duys Jr. “Bimmy”, whom she married in 1971; her stepson Noah O. Duys; her sister Cornelia Miller, brother William van den Toorn, and her first husband Robin Nauta. She is survived by her brother Pieter van den Toorn (Catherine) and sister-in-law Susan van den Toorn; two children from her first marriage: Pieter Nauta (Elaine) of Purcellville, VA and Jacqueline Nauta-DeBlois (Don) of Trumbull; and two stepchildren: Lizabeth Lewellen (Quinton) of Harrison, ID, and Henry M. Duys III (Susan) of Brewster, NY; six grandchildren: Jessica Durie (Alex), Robin Fiftal (Jeremy), Mark Nauta, Melanie Salata, Joe Salata, Sloane Duys; and her great-granddaughter Kaylen Fiftal.

Virginia was born to Dutch parents on August 22, 1933 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, but grew up alternating between the US and Holland while her father served as the Director of the Holland America Line. She immigrated to the US and became a US citizen in the 1950s.

Virginia was the guiding light of her family. A devoted wife and loving mother/stepmother to her blended family of five children; she would always say that being a mom was all she ever wanted to be, and it gave her so much joy. This combined family was her life. She and Bimmy were active residents of Wilton, CT; owned and ran Stewart Flowers in Wilton Center for 10 years, then retired to SC where they became part of an extraordinary network of close friends who they loved like family. She was the mom everyone wanted to have and was always full of love and laughter, especially love for her family and those closest to her. Everyone she knew was better for knowing her, and her light will live on in so many ways. She will be missed always and forever in our hearts.

A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held later when the family plans to inter her along with Bimmy. The family would like to thank the many professional care givers at Brightview Senior Living of Shelton, Constellation Hospice, and Harmony Home Healthcare for all they did to make Virginia’s life so comfortable in her last weeks. If you would like to honor Virginia, please donate in her honor to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

It is with a sorrowful heart that the Linda S. Maynard family announces the loss of our matriarch. After decades of managing and coping with various chronic health conditions, Linda passed away unexpectedly during a brief hospitalization on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

Linda was born June 4, 1944, in Scarsdale, NY to Lewis and Jane Stanton. She was also raised by her step-father, Robert Rannow. Growing up in Scarsdale, Linda participated in various sports and community activities. She was known by many as “Sticky Stanton” for her field hockey skills.

She moved to Larchmont, NY in 1959 and attended high school at Northampton School for girls in Northampton, MA and graduated in 1962. She attended the University of Iowa through her sophomore year; then transferred to Burdette College in Boston, MA and graduated in 1966.

Linda moved to San Francisco, CA for three years and returned to the Upper Valley, residing in Hanover, NH in 1969 where she met Frank C. Maynard at the pharmacy. They married on September 30, 1973. They were married for 46 years until Frank passed away in 2019. Frank was her world. She was dedicated to Frank despite his last several years with dementia.

Linda worked at Kiewit Computation Center at Dartmouth College from 1973-1983 and transitioned to work at Snelling and Snelling in West Lebanon, NH from 1983-1985. She eventually retired for health reasons, and to be present for her family. She helped Frank exclusively with Newton Manufacturing Company, a specialty advertising business that was worked out of their home.

Linda was heavily involved at the West Lebanon Congregational Church where she attended for 50 years. She was a dedicated trustee, served as the head of stewardship, chairman of the minister search committee and sang in the church choir. She was also involved in women’s fellowship.

Linda enjoyed spending 10+ years of her time at the local CCBA Witherell Recreation Center taking fitness and water aerobic classes. She was a longtime member of an Upper Valley women’s bowling league, in addition to the Red Hat Society/Uptown Girls with whom she enjoyed monthly gatherings for the past 22 years. These women were special to her and something she looked forward to. Linda was involved in all of these enjoyable activities and service projects despite chronic health conditions.

Linda enjoyed playing golf in her earlier years with her family and frequently visited Pinehurst, NC. She enjoyed taking walks, watching golf, professional tennis and UNC college basketball on television. She was an avid player of scrabble, backgammon and spent hours completing puzzles. She was abundantly supportive and proud of her two children. Enjoyed following their professional endeavors and spending time with grandchildren during visits up north and down south. She especially looked forward to the last 13 years for an annual week long family gathering in the Outer Banks of NC.

Since 2020, and the decline of her health, Linda has benefited from the assistance and support of devoted caregivers. Serving various roles and companionship over the years to help optimize her quality of life.

Linda is survived by her two children, Frank Maynard III (Sarah) of Durham, NC and Dr. Cynthia Ward (Chris) of Roswell, GA; sister-in-law, Catherine Maynard of Randolph, VT; and four grandchildren Laney (17), Riley (14), Logan (12) and Finn (4). She was preceded in death by her father, mother and step-father; sister, Beth Bartlett; brother, Freddy Stanton and beloved husband, Frank C. Maynard, Jr.

A memorial service and funeral will be held at a later time in the spring. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the West Lebanon Congregational Church at 18 Maple Street, West Lebanon, NH 03784.

The family is very grateful and appreciative for the love and attention that the staff at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Fresenius Kidney Care provided to Linda over the years of her life.

Known to many as resilient and spunky, Linda will be greatly missed.

Katharine Lattimore Young McCaw walked into her Savior’s arms May 29, 2024. She was born in New York City, New York, on March 18, 1930, to Alleyne and George Young.
In 1946 she graduated from Northampton School for Girls in Northampton, Massachusetts, and enrolled in Westhampton College for Women, a part of the University of Richmond. Two years later, she transferred to Baylor University in Waco, and earned a BS in Education. While a student she was a member of the university’s water ballet team. Katharine met Mack McCaw on a blind date to a NOZE Brotherhood event at the Raleigh Hotel. It was a match! Following their graduations, they married Dec. 27, 1950. She is one of sixty-four Baylor alumni in her family, with her grandmother being the first woman elected to the Board of Trustees.
After working twenty years in Dallas, Mack bought an insurance agency in Greenville, so the family moved. Katharine then returned to college, and in twelve months she earned her Masters in Education with an emphasis in special education from East Texas State University. She taught at Greenville High School, as well as Paris Junior College when it was located in the
Henson building on Lee Street. Leaving the classroom, she worked for MHMR, placing and supervising clients in their jobs. Then she managed a showroom at the World Trade Center in Dallas for several years.
When she finally retired, she turned her attention to the community; she was an organizing member of the local American Association of University Women, always chairing the scholarship committee; the Audie Murphy/Cotton Museum; the Edward Buckley Chapter, DAR; and the Cotton Patch Quilt Guild, Cotton Strippers, and Sunbonnet Sues quilt circles. She was also an active member of the Garden Study Club, Rejebian Book Review Club,
and Kavanaugh United Methodist Church.
Her husband, Mack, preceded her in death in 1985. Katharine is survived by her sister, Jean Harrison ’52 of Pennsylvania, as well as four children and their spouses: Bill and LaVonne McCaw, Alleyne and Bill Coleman, Kelly and Ron Greiner, and Mary McCaw; plus ten grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
The Lord calls us to serve Him, and she certainly did. Not only did she have the spirit of hospitality, but she also quietly and unpretentiously helped those in need. She has set an example of servanthood worthy to follow: 1 Peter 4: 8-9: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 11:30am in the Lynch Funeral Service Chapel in Greenville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Community Service Committee of the Cotton Patch Quilt Guild, PO Box 8953, Greenville, TX 75403.

Mildred (Goldstein) Eisenstock, 94, Boynton Beach, FL, and Framingham, MA, passed peacefully Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at home in the presence of her loving family.

Millie was a devoted mother to Marc Eisenstock and his wife Debra, and Phyllis Eisenstock; grandchildren: Jordan Eisenstock, and his wife Kimberly, and Lee Eisenstock; great-grandchildren: Makenna Eisenstock, William Eisenstock, and Everly Eisenstock. She leaves her nieces and nephews: Marilyn Andrews, Stuart Goldstein, Judie Ochsner, Marjorie Berg, Janine Goldstein, Donalyn Gross and she was predeceased by her nephews Marc Goldstein and Steven Goldstein. She deeply missed the love of her life, husband, and best friend, James Eisenstock; they celebrated 63 years of marriage in Sept. 2011, just prior to his passing in 2012. They met on the tennis courts in Springfield when she was just sixteen and it was love at first sight.

Born in Springfield, MA to the late Maurice and Clara Goldstein. She was predeceased by her two older brothers, Selden Goldstein and Herbert Goldstein. She was a member of Congregation B’nai Shalom in Westborough and former member of Temple Beth El in Springfield and Temple Emanuel in Worcester.

She was a graduate of Northampton School for Girls and Briarcliff College. Millie loved her time spent at Florida Hunters Run, but most especially loved spending time on the golf course in both MA and in Florida. She was a member of Mount Pleasant Country Club in Boylston. Millie also enjoyed playing tennis, bowling, Mahjong, and Canasta. She loved the Arts and enjoyed going to the theatre. Millie loved being a kindergarten teacher prior to raising her children. Above all else, she cherished her family and the many wonderful memories they shared together.

Millie’s family founded Mass. Wholesale Drug Company. The company later merged with other wholesale drug companies and formed Spectro Industries. In 1985, McKesson Corporation acquired Spectro.

Millie was an inspiration to all with her strength, energy, generosity, and with her impeccable style. Everyone who knew her was blessed with her thoughtfulness and sense of humor. She will be deeply missed by her family and her friends.

Her family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and gratitude to her caretaker and constant companion of many years, Donna Persaud, for her continued kindness, warmth, and compassion for Millie; she was like a daughter to her.

Services will be held on Sunday, June 2nd at 10:15 AM at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 S. Jog Road, Boynton Beach, FL followed by entombment at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens, 11520 State Road 7, Boynton Beach, FL. Memorial observance will be following the service at her Florida home from 1:00 PM through 4:00 PM.

Contributions may be made to the Maurice, Selden, and Herbert Goldstein Fund, 1160 Dickinson Street, Springfield, MA 01108, or to the charity of your choice.

Barbara Bruce Wicks passed peacefully away in her sleep on November 19, 2023. She was 94 years old.

Barbara was born on February 25, 1929 in Delhi, NY to Florence Herring Bruce, of Richmond, VA, and M. Linn Bruce ll of Delhi, NY. After her father’s death they moved to Northampton where she later attended Smith College.

She met her husband Robert Stewart Wicks while playing a game of pickup baseball in Westport Point, MA, only a few streets away from where they would spend decades of their lives together. From there she lived in Lawrenceville, NJ then Newton, MA where she worked as a secretary at St. Paul’s Church in Brookline, MA. In 1986 she moved to Westport Point with her husband to live year round.

Barbara was the mother of Robert Borden Wicks of Marlboro, MA, and Sue Sarah Wicks of Oxford, MA. She was “Gaia” to her 5 grandchildren: Elizabeth Lefrancois, Sarah Medeiros, Rebecca Slattery, Haley Wicks, and Eric Wicks. She also had 7 great-grandchildren and two great-great-granddaughters, along with two nieces, a nephew, and her late brother Linn Bruce of Putney, VT.

Barbara will be remembered as a poet, a lover of birds, an avid reader, a Quaker, an active member of her community, and a devoted friend. She was happiest while walking in the woods with her dog by her side, in her garden, or floating on the Westport River. She lived simply, surrounded by beauty.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Oxfam America at Oxfamamerica.org

Ann Elizabeth Hower Orr, of Gainesville, Florida, joined her husband in Heaven, July 22, 2024. She savored life to the fullest, knew no boundaries in transforming the ordinary to extraordinary and was a breath of fresh air.

She had many passions, including oil painting, hosting memorable themed parties, cooking extravagant dishes, and even writing a scene play. She studied all subjects, traveled, embraced every sport particularly tennis, baseball (Boston Red Sox), and horse racing, and the world was her stage. Ann was part of the Junior League of Gainesville and the “No Name Club” and continued to bring forth her talents and knowledge of music, theater, literacy and religion (Catholic) throughout her life.

Ann, the daughter of Dr. Charles and Anna Hower, grew up in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and Elmira, New York. She graduated from Vassar with studies in English and Theater along with the skill set of a concert pianist.

She met her adoring husband Louis McDonald Orr at Princeton and the two bonded over their zest for life and gregarious humor in any situation. Together they raised four children: Louis (Wendy Walters), Taylor (Carl Becker), Charles (Lia Brenneman), Reed (Lisa Hunt). Ann cherished her grandchildren, painting them regularly: Audrey Becker (Drew Coleman), Garrett Becker (fiancé Alexandra Ladd), Rachel Hutton-Orr Cabrera (Daniel Cabrera), Hunter Orr (Katy Shutters), Hayden Orr (girlfriend Summer Smith), and Gannon Orr who knew her lovingly as “Ninnie” or “Neenz”.

Ann admired the unique attributes of each person she encountered, refuted the norm and threw caution to the wind with profound wit and lively spirit.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held by immediate family in honor of her colorful character. Her ashes along with her husbands’ will be scattered on the ocean coast of her beloved home in Southport, Maine, her favorite place in the whole world!

Carol (Glesmann) Baker, born August 26, 1938 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, died peacefully with her family by her side on October 19, 2024. Carol was preceded in death by her parents Edward and Maryon Glesmann and her sister Susan Glesmann ’62.

At a young age, Carol worked in the family ice cream business (Glesmann Ice Cream Company that was started by her grandfather in 1927 in Holyoke, MA) helping her father experiment making new ice cream flavors and of course taste testing them all! Up until the last few days of her life, whenever she ate ice cream, she would say it wasn’t as good as Glesmann Ice Cream.

Carol graduated from Simmons College in Boston with a B.S. in Nursing and joined the Navy in 1961. After attending Officer Candidate School (where she was the honor graduate) she was commissioned as an Ensign in the Navy Nurse Corps. During her 2-year tour of duty, she was assigned to Bethesda Naval Hospital. After being introduced by her cousin, she met and fell in love with her future husband Eldon Peter Baker, Jr. They were married on October 20, 1962. Carol left the Navy when son Christopher was born in 1963. A year later they welcomed Mark to the family. After Chris and Mark started school, Carol returned to Nursing and retired after 23 years as a Pediatrics ICU nurse at Fairfax Hospital in Virginia. Her granddaughter Lauren (Chris and Laurie) and grandson Nicholas (Mark and Gwyn) were both born in the same hospital that Carol retired from.

Carol and Peter together discovered their shared joy of travel and for many years actively traveled through 49 of the 50 states, all the Canadian provinces and even the U.K. in an Airstream travel trailer as members of the Wally Byam Caravan Club International (WBCCI). They traveled as far south as Key West, FL and as far north as Point Barrow, AK on the artic circle. As a family we spent many weekends and summers touring the country. Together we shared many great adventures and memories. Later in life, Carol and Peter had an Airstream motorhome and would spend months at a time traveling around the country and spending winters in Florida. Carol was an avid member of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America (EGA) and her needle working skills are on display in many works hanging in family and friends’ homes.

Carol was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. Left to cherish her memories are her husband of 62 years, Eldon P. Baker, Jr, sons Christopher P. Baker, wife Laurie; Mark E. Baker, wife Gwyn; grandchildren: Lauren, Brian, Nicholas and Rachel, great grandson Wyatt; brother Edward Glesmann, wife Jeanette; and her nieces and many friends across the country.

The funeral service will be held at Peevey Funeral Home, Saturday, October 26th, at 2:00pm., with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery.

Susan Cross Hunter, of Exeter, NH, died peacefully at age 90 on Saturday, January 27, 2024, with family and friends by her side.

Sue was born on September 25, 1933, in Worcester, MA, to Louise Holden Cross and George Irving Cross. She was the younger sister of Brewster Holden Cross and Carolyn Irving Cross. She graduated from Sever Street Preparatory School in 1947, Williston Northampton School for Girls in 1951, and Smith College in 1955, with a degree in French.

After graduating from Smith, Sue moved to Boston in 1956 to start her career at the investment management firm Loomis, Sayles & Co. While in Boston, mutual friends introduced her to John Samuel “Sam” Hunter II, who had just graduated from Harvard Business School, and they married in 1960 near her family’s summer lake home in East Brookfield, MA. In 1961 Sue and Sam became parents to John Samuel Hunter III, followed by Alison Louise Hunter, Deborah Holden Hunter and Laura Russell Hunter in 1963, 1967 and 1971 respectively. Sue was a warm, sweet, fun, loving mother and grandmother, and was her happiest spending time with her 4 children and 5 grandchildren, especially when traveling or playing card games together, which was a long family tradition.

Sue and Sam lived in several places as they raised their kids, but settled down in Stratham, NH, in 1977. After all of their children left home, Sue went back to work and found joy in working at a local jewelry store in Exeter, NH, and eventually ended up at Timberland, a then-small boot manufacturer. Sue was very proud of her long career at Timberland, which included being the very first customer service representative, eventually heading up the customer service department where she was known as “The Friendly Voice of Timberland.” After 20 years, Sue retired from Timberland in 2005.

Sue was especially well known for her charitable activities and community service. For decades she proudly contributed to many organizations. She served as a member of the Finance Advisory Committee for the school board, was the Supervisor of the town’s voter checklist, led the local League of Women Voters, and was the president of the 76ers, a local senior citizen’s organization. Sue was a longtime active member of the Stratham Community Church, serving on the Finance board (15 years), Music Committee, Human Resources Committee, and Pastoral Search Committee. She was also a deacon, sang in the choir, served as a bell ringer, supervised the ticket sales for the annual Stratham Fair, and was part of the Women’s Guild. Sue is the only known member of the church to have been awarded the title of Trustee Emeritus. Sue especially looked forward to helping with the monthly Church Suppers given the special friendships she had with the other volunteers, and being able to see many friendly faces from across the Seacoast.

Alongside her family and community service, Sue’s true lifelong passion was travel. She was always up for a new adventure. She first caught the travel bug in college visiting France, where she perfected her French and fell in love with Le Mont Saint-Michel, biked through the Loire Valley, drank fine red wine and enjoyed French food. Then she learned to enjoy traveling via sailboat, and especially loved the summer waters of Boothbay Harbor, and Casco Bay, ME, and the winter waters of the Caribbean. In her retirement, she traveled throughout Europe and North America with family and friends, and especially relished the warm climates of Hawaii, the Caribbean, Greece and southern France.

Some of Sue’s happiest times were spent at her family’s cabins on Lake Lashaway in Massachusetts, bucolic summer homes built by her father and filled by Sue each summer with friends, family, swimming, canoeing, and laughter. She ultimately loved being on the water, but also found joy in simple day-to-day pleasures: reading mystery novels, watching Red Sox games, eating coffee Oreo ice cream, going out for a lobster, drinking Manhattans, listening to Billy Joel, and taking long drives along the beautiful New England seacoast.

“Sassy-Susie,” as was her nickname, will be remembered as someone who loved and was loved by many, who was quick to laugh and make others laugh with her dry wit, and who never got dressed without her quintessential pearls. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Sue was predeceased by her father, George Irving Cross; mother, Louise Holden Cross; brother, Brewster Holden Cross; and sister, Carolyn Irving Cross. She is survived by her four children, John Samuel Hunter III of Chicago; Alison Louise Hunter of Del Mar, CA; Deborah Hunter Bonenfant and son-in-law Brian of Richmond, VA; and Laura Russell Hunter of Exeter, NH. She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Joey, Emily, and Marie Bonenfant, and Aiden and Ryan Hunter.

Sue’s life will be celebrated on February 17, 2024, at 11am at the Stratham Community Church in Stratham, NH. All donations can be made in her name to the Stratham Community Church, 6 Emery Lane, Stratham NH 03885.

Elizabeth (Betsy) H. Holmes died at age 93 on Saturday, March 2nd. She was born in Baltimore, and was preceded by four older brothers: Gere, Jack, Tom and Tono. She leaves a sister, Mary Ball Howkins, a resident of Dighton, Massachusetts, and Mary Ball’s daughter, Thea Howkins Knotts, of San Pablo, California.

Betsy, born in 1930, was an early professional woman. On the tails of WWII, she worked for Radio Free Europe, an informational arm of the CIA. She subsequently worked as an editor for a president of Northeastern University, Asa Smallidge Knowles, and then as writer and editor, in a husband and wife team, of a grammar workbook series for D C Heath and Company publisher.

She was a Zen Buddhist by belief. Betsy and her husband, a Zen teacher and English professor, decorated their winter holiday tree with tiny buddhas to celebrate the season.

Betsy and her husband lived in Hendersonville for many decades, writing and walking miles upon miles, up and down mountains, daily. You may have encountered them on your walks.

Judith (Mason) Dittrich, 87, of Worcester, PA, passed away Saturday May 25, 2024, at Meadowood at Worcester. She was the beloved wife of the late Robert E. Dittrich.

Born March 25, 1937, in Rahway, NJ, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Evelyn (Jackson) Mason.

Judi was known for her caring nature and wicked sense of humor. Family was always her top priority! When she wasn’t focused on her kids and grandkids, she loved reading, going to the movies, traveling, and eating – especially her love for chocolate. Her happy place was at the beach, and she was also involved with her church community and volunteered in her younger years.

She is survived by her children, Jackie Dittrich of Ormond Beach, FL, Tracy Wilcox of Beachwood, NJ, Gunnar Dittrich and his wife, Kay, of Winchester, KY, Ralph Dittrich and his wife, Carolyn, of Blue Bell, PA, Rob Dittrich of Egg Harbor, NJ, and Gretchen Dittrich and her husband, Frank Polek, of Eagleville, PA; ten grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her siblings, Baird Mason, Barbara Hamrick, and Lynn Shirley.

Services will be held privately for the family. Contributions may be made in her memory to the Wish of a Lifetime at www.wishofalifetime.org.