Concord, New Hampshire
May 21, 1932 – Apr 8, 2017
1932 - 2017
Lydia Huntington Sparrow passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the age of 84, with family at her side. Born May 21, 1932 in Charlottesville, VA to William Reed Huntington and Katrina Roelker Stokes, Lydia grew up in St. James, Long Island. She studied art at Antioch College and School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Her passion was sketching people and landscapes as well as painting watercolors of flower bouquets and the boats and the landscapes of coastal Maine, where the family summered. She shared this passion during the artist workshops she ran during those summers. She and her first husband, the late Edward G. Sparrow, Jr., (St. John's College professor and, later, dean) became devout Catholics after they were married. She believed in the importance of eating organic foods and made all the family's bread. Lydia taught her each of her 8 sons and daughters how to sew, cook, draw, paint, garden, and work with wood.
Living in Annapolis, Maryland, Lydia encouraged and counseled students as well as entertained other faculty and guests with elegant meals and parties. She was a life long member of Caritas Soceity of St. John's College, Inc. and president from 1981-82. She was also an environmental activist and participated in other political causes. In 1998, she married Edwin C. Hoyt and together they pursued their joint passions for conserving the natural lands of Vinalhaven Maine and promoting world peace, and were active members of the Thornton Oaks Retirement Community in Brunswick, ME. Lydia spent her final years in Concord, N.H. She is survived by two younger sisters, six children, and 12 grandchildren. Her family and friends will miss her generous, creative, and affectionate spirit.
Lydia's is an indelible memory, the shining spirit and heart of her whole family. I was privileged to sit for Katie, Chris and Sophie the first year they were at St. John's, and treasured her friendship for over 30 years. Artist, athlete, and great exemplar of the art of nurturing, she enriched the lives of hundreds of friends and colleagues. Lucky are we to have known her love and sympathy
Deborah Fialka
January 28, 2018 | Denver,, CO
Katie, I am so sorry you lost your mom.I lost mine 12/4/15 at 96. I hate that orphan feeling. I am still trying to weed out her collective things. The decsions are so over whelmimg. Please keep in touch, Katie. It will be supportive to hear from you. I met your mother only 0nce when you entered Key School.She seemed very concerned of your well being at Key. I immediately thought she was great. Please keep in touch. I always treasured your friendship. Take care. RIP Lydia Sparrow, and God bless.
Robin Inloes Hundley
April 21, 2017 | Sparks, MD
We are so sorry we missed her funeral, we only saw the announcement this week in the Annapolis Capital. Lydia was such a big part of our young life as a couple. She taught us a lot about generosity, patience, and hospitality. We spent many Sunday afternoons at her home on College Avenue for lovely after church dinners with long talks and long walks around town. I can still see her when she and Ed would make occasional appearances at waltz parties where they seemed like a sudden, precious...
Walter and Jo Ann Mattson
April 21, 2017 | Annapolis, MD
La Femme by Lydia Sparrow, 1995
Lydia had a gift for friendship. She shared her insights naturally and enriched the lives of many. I was one of the fortunate ones to have been included in her orbit. Five of Lydia's nuanced watercolors grace my home.
My thoughts and prayers are with her family.
Louise Raphael
April 18, 2017 | Annapolis, MD
Gone and will not be forgotten, may she R.I.P and may God's promise to us at Hos:13:14 make it easier to bear your loss at this difficult time.
April 16, 2017
Offering our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
The Entire Staff of Waters Funeral Home
April 14, 2017 | Concord, NH
My deepest condolences and sympathy for all of your families' loss. May she Rest In Peace.
L Grady Cook
April 12, 2017 | Annapolis, MD
I am so sorry for the family's loss. You may find comfort through prayer and God's loving promise found at John 6:40.
S B
April 12, 2017 | NY
So sorry for the loss of a mom,sister,wife,and friend.
Reunited with those who went before. xox
Molly Talbott Smith
April 12, 2017 | Annapolis, MD
