Lois Lorraine Fitch

Lois Lorraine Fitch

Henniker, NH - Lois Lorraine (Nutting) Fitch of Henniker, died February 2, 2025. Lois was born May 21,1918 at her grandparent's farm on Sleeper Hill, Gilford, NH to Hannah Sleeper and George Parker Nutting. Her father was in France during World War I and didn't see Lois until she was a year old. The family moved to Concord when she was three and she attended school there, graduating from Concord High in 1935. Lois graduated from Colby Junior College (Colby Sawyer) in 1937 then moved to Peterborough where she worked for Ex. Governer Robert P Bass, a summer job, then the American Guernsey Cattle Club.

Lois met Clarence (Fitchie) when they were both working in Peterborough. They were there during the 1938 Hurricane, one of the hardest hit areas as a fire burned several downtown buildings next to a bridge that was destroyed.

Fitchie was offered a transfer to Merrimack Farmers Exchange in Henniker and Lois went to work at Frank J. Sulloway Law Office, now Sulloway and Hollis.

They were married April 6,1940 at her parent's home in Concord, then moved to the top of Depot Hill in Henniker.

The next 20 years were busy with 5 children, a move to "Fitch" house on Bridge Street in 1945 and other activities besides homemaking. As a member of the Congregational Church, she worked part-time as a secretary for the Reverend Robert Lewis and the Reverend John Schule. She also served as Worthy Matron and Chaplain (many times) for the Henecon Chapter of the Eastern Star. Lois attended Mother's Club, Evening Fellowship and her rug making group. In between, she did a lot of sewing (Lorraine's wedding dress) and baking. The family, cousins, and neighbors all liked her fruit tarts and sweet rolls.

Lois, Fitchie and Jim moved to Hall Avenue in 1970. Fitchie went to work for the NH Fire Service on Craney Hill, then to the Kearsarge Fire Tower in Warner. Lois worked for the Science and Engineering Faculty at New England College for about 10 years, retiring in 1985.

Lois and Fitchie took several trips, sometimes with friends Hattie and Clarence Edmunds and Lillian and Ben Ayer. They went to Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Bermuda (several time), the Western States, and a Mississippi cruise. One time, Lois came home with a T-shirt saying, "I survived the Snake River Rapids".

While living a long, happy, and healthy life, Lois was presented the Boston Post Cane of Henniker on her hundred and first birthday. She was not alone with having the honor of possessing the Boston Cane, her husband Fitchie also possessed the Cane.

Lois was predeceased be her parents and her stepmother Ruth A. Nutting, brother G. Parker Nutting, and sister Alma Prescott, 99, who passed away in 2020. Her husband Clarence died in 2009, her son Robert in 1996, his wife Nancy in 1999 and her grandson Brian Patenaude in 2010.

She is survived by her three daughters, Carolyn Patenaude and her husband Rodney of Henniker, Joanne Grendell and husband Bruce of Windsor, and Lorraine Edmunds and husband Richard of Antrim. Her son James Fitch and wife Priscilla of Henniker. She had nine grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren, who included: Thomas Patenaude and Beth with Brandon, Tyler and Carson, Mark Nutter and Ginger with Ryan, Margaret Edmunds Palango and Vern with Hannah and Thomas, Rick Edmunds and Jeanine with Andrew and Brody, Adam Fitch and Jennifer with Jack and Max, Jason Fitch, Hayden Fitch, Chelsea Prendergast with Braelyn, and several nieces and nephews.

Grave-side services TBD at a later date.

Donations: Robert N. Fitch Memorial, Tucker Free Library, PO Box 688, Henniker, NH 03242

Services are under the care of Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Services. www.holtwoodburyfh.com.