On Saturday, December 19th at 7 p.m., the First Congregational
Church in Pittsfield will be presenting “The Story of Christmas”
through word, song and the handbell choir. The foretelling of the
coming of the Messiah and the celebration of the Birth of Jesus,
will be told in nine Bible readings, interspersed with carols and
hymns.
The public is cordially invited to attend. There is no admission
charge, but all are encouraged to bring a canned good or
non-perishable item for the local food pantry. For more information,
please call the church office at 435-7471.
The Epsom
Public Library is currently hosting an exhibit of color photographs
by local artist, Aaron Baker.
The show runs through January 9,
2010, and may be viewed during regular library hours; Monday -
Thursday, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. For more
information, call 736-9920.
Obituaries
Lillian O. Farnum
Epsom - Lillian Ordway Farnum, 98, died
peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, of natural causes. At the time
of her death, she was a resident of Epsom Healthcare Center.
Mrs. Farnum lived her entire life within 15 miles of the home
where she was born in Epsom. She was the youngest of nine, five of
whom died as children. Her mother died when Lillian was 9 and her
father raised her with help from an older sister and women from the
church.
She was a graduate of Pembroke Academy, where attendance
required taking the train to the Allenstown Station from Short
Falls, then taking the trolley or walking to the high school.
She and her husband lived in the Farnum family home on Broadway
in Pembroke. Over the years, she worked both in and out of the home,
while raising five children. At one time, she worked on the school
lunch program at Pembroke Academy. She retired from Sears & Roebuck,
located at that time on Main Street in Concord. Her children
remember her as seldom idle. Due to the hardships of her childhood,
her home and family were very important to her and she mastered the
homemaking skills of the day, including cooking, knitting and other
needlework. She was a skilled seamstress, providing clothing for the
entire family. Meals were taken in the dining room, with cloth
napkins and no milk cartons on the table!
She and her family were longtime members of the Pembroke
Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday school, was active in
the Cradle Roll and played the piano.
She and her husband moved to Concord following retirement and
joined the First Congregational Church, where she was active in one
of the women's groups. Visits from members of that congregation
meant so much to her during her later years, especially at Epsom
Healthcare. Lillian had also been a volunteer for RSVP, the American
Red Cross and the Association for the Blind.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, John
Farnum Sr., who died in 1996. She was also predeceased by her
siblings, Helen Ambrose, Leon (Jack) Ordway and Dean Ordway.
Mrs. Farnum is survived by her children, John Jr. and wife,
Helena, of Pembroke, Carolyn Covington and husband, Harry, of
Summerfield, Fla., Judith Putnam and husband, Charles, of Pembroke,
Janet Farnum of Whidbey Island, Wash., and Lynne Farnum and husband,
Stephen Boylan, of Jericho, Vt. She was also survived by seven
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, who were the light of
her life. Mrs. Farnum leaves many nieces and nephews, most living in
the southern New Hampshire area.
Lillian enjoyed a long life, full of good memories. While she seldom
traveled far from New Hampshire, she loved hearing about the travels
and adventures of her children and grandchildren. She kept her keen
wit right to the end.
Her family wishes to thank the caring, considerate staff at
Epsom Healthcare who made her last years so comfortable.
Visiting hours and services will not be held at this time.
Burial will be held in the spring.
Memorial donations may be made to First Congregational Church,
177 N. Main St., Concord 03301; or to a charity of one's choice. She
would also be well remembered by doing a kindness for a young mother
or child.
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