Jennie Conner

Jennie Blodgett Conner, born Jennie Mae Toothaker, died Friday, Feb. 13, 2015, at Pleasant View Center in Concord, two months shy of her 100th birthday. Jen grew up in Swampscott, Mass. with parents, Janet and Fred Toothaker.

In childhood, her artistic talents flourished. Inspired by her mother's talent as a hat designer, Jen began sketching, which led to a lifetime of designing beautiful clothes for family. She attended Katherine Gibbs School in Boston and proudly recalls commuting from Swampscott to work as a research assistant at Scudder, Stevens, and Clark. Jen loved reminiscing about 1920s Boston with grandchildren.

At 17, Jen met Stuart Blodgett. Jen described the Blodgetts as full of music, fun and adventure. Jen and Stuart married and had three girls, Helene, Jeannie and Marcia. Jen recounted wonderful memories of life in Kensington and Exeter; outings to New Hampshire's seacoast in Stuart's Model A and waltzing at Wentworth Hotel in the 1930s. Stuart died in 1965.

Jen later married Al Conner and lived at Sunnycrest Farm in Londonderry, the apple orchard owned by Al. Al's family was very special in her life. Jen spoke fondly of walks with Al through the orchard, and enjoyed entertaining grandchildren there. She loved making pies with her daughters, and her culinary talents will live on in cherished recipes.

Jen shared years of fun with family at a cottage in Rangeley, Maine, enjoying loons, moose, games on the porch, and spirited croquet. She travelled extensively in the 70s and 80s to many European countries and Kenya, where she and daughter, Jeannie went on safari while visiting daughter, Helene.

A selfless seeker of high ground in every human encounter, Jen had a rare, natural gift for saying kind things when needed most. She loved life, had humility, decency, good humor, and a playful spirit. Jen was instinctively caring, gracious, non-judgmental and a thoughtful listener.

Jen and her family thank the caring staff at Pleasant View Center.

Jen was predeceased by her daughter, Helene Sherburne; grandson, James Walden; first husband, Stuart Blodgett; and second husband, Al Conner.

She is survived by daughters, Jeannie MacKay (Jim Gove) and Marcia MacKay (Jim Kruse); grandchildren, David Walden (Kerry Walden), Julie Walden Howard, Geoff Smith (Jess Smith), Stuart Smith (Jenna Carter), Stuart Sherburne (Katie Sherburne) and Carrie Thurston (Micah Thurston); step-children, Gretchen Hicks (Dan Hicks), John Conner (Nancy Conner) and Trudy Christian; and step-grandchildren, Dan Hicks (Kelly), Deidre Barrett, Shelby Hicks, Greg Conner (Tiffany), Jeff Conner (Ginny), Amanda Christian and Tim Christian (Debbie); 19 great-grandchildren and great-step-grandchildren who were very fond of her, and dear friends Annie and Carl Gable.

Private funeral services will take place in Exeter.

Burial will be in the Village Cemetery, Kensington.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in memory of Jen to the Concord, NHSPCA, 94 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301.

For more information, please visit brewittfuneralhome.com.