Lois Hartman

Lois Hartman, 81, died on July 29, 2025 in the home of her oldest daughter, Jennifer Hartman, from complications related to cancer. Lois was a retired veteran teacher, avid traveler, community volunteer, and beloved sister, mother, and grandmother.

Born November 6, 1943 in Wamego, KS, to Clarence and Lourine Miller, Lois was the second of four siblings-Doris Birmingham, Joy Miller, and Paul Miller. She grew up on her family's farm in Alma, KS, preferring riding the tractor for chores over helping in the house. Following her older sister Doris to the University of Kansas in 1961, Lois studied elementary education and became a lifelong Jayhawks fan.

Lois moved to Mount Clemens, Michigan for her first job teaching in 1965. There, she met Keith Hartman on a blind date, married in 1967, and had their first two children, Christopher and Jennifer. They moved to Berlin, NH in 1971, where their last child, Rachel, was born. After 23 years in rural New Hampshire, Lois was ready for a change and moved with Rachel to Haverhill, MA in 1994, where she remained, enjoying easy access to museums, concerts, and an airport that allowed her to travel the world.

Over the course of a 49 year teaching career, Lois taught elementary students at every grade level. She became particularly dedicated to helping children learn to read and learning new strategies to teach struggling readers. After getting a M.Ed. in reading at the University of New Hampshire, Lois first worked with students as a reading specialist and later became a literacy coach, helping her fellow teachers build strong readers and writers in their classrooms. From her first to last year of teaching, Lois kept seeking out new ways to teach and engage her students, believing in every child's inherent value and ability to learn.

After retiring in 2014, Lois turned her energy to volunteering and her grandchildren-Bekah, Hazel, and Levon. Her belief in service and civic responsibility led her to volunteer for Head Start, the League of Women Voters, Indivisible, and the Haverhill Cultural Council, helping organize a yearly multicultural festival in downtown Haverhill. She was an enthusiastic grandmother, always eager to read a book, play a game, offer a cuddle, and marvel over their individual achievements and talents.

Lois followed her curiosity wherever it went. She read voraciously, travelled with friends and family to learn about cultures and places that piqued her interest, and loved to dig into a good conversation with friends and loved ones new and old. She was generous with hugs, quick with a dry remark, and rolled up her sleeves to help whenever some she loved needed it the most. Above all, she was a force of love and stability for those close to her.

Lois was preceded in death by her husband Keith, son Chris, brother-in-law Frank Birmingham, and nephew Will Hartman. In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her siblings, in-laws, nephews, as well many cherished friends.

A private celebration of life will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers please send your donations to Indivisible, Room to Read, and Save the Children.