Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, July 9, 2003 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Mary L. (Clark) Cannon CONCORD — Mary L. (Clark) Cannon, 97, died on June 28, 2003 at Hospice House in Concord. Mrs. Cannon was born on November 27, 1905 in Ahmednagar, India, the daughter of Alden and May (Whitcomb) Clark who were missionaries there. A graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Mass., she also received a Master of Arts in Religious Education from Boston University. She traveled for the Student Volunteer Movement and served three years as a full-time minister’s assistant. Mrs. Cannon’s ministry was in the Congregational Church, which later became the United Church of Christ. Her early work in the church was devoted to teaching and youth work, as well as creating and directing religious drama and dance. Mary Clark married the Rev. Ross Cannon in 1934. They served parishes in Sandwich, Ill., River Edge, N.J., and Wilmette, Ill. before coming to West Newton, Mass. where they were from 1954-1972. Mrs. Cannon continued her unique ministry in the local church while being mother of two children. She was active on the United Church of Christ’s Board for World Ministries, serving as secretary for 10 years. She wrote curriculum for the Board of World Ministries on India and articles on being a minister’s wife for the Chicago Theological Seminary. She was actively involved in local and denominational work on issues of peace and justice. In “retirement” on Cape Cod, she became the chairperson of the Council of Churches Department of Social Concerns. An article in The Register on April 19, 1979 referred to Mrs. Cannon as “an emerging national leader in grass root protest of the arms race.” She was among the authors of a “pronouncement on reversing the arms race” which was adopted by the 12th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in 1979. Mary Cannon was a founding member of the Cape Cod Fellowship of Reconciliation. Mary and Ross Cannon moved to Concord in 1985 and were residents of the Havenwood/Heritage Heights Community. Mrs. Cannon continued her involvement in peace and justice work and was a frequent contributor to the Concord Monitor’s Letters to the Editor. Since 1960 the Cannons have spent summers in their beloved farmhouse in Jefferson. Mary’s gift for hospitality and her devotion to her family were joyfully expressed in that place. Mary Cannon is survived by her son, John Ross Cannon of Front Royal, Va., and her daughter, Joan Cannon Borton and husband Cameron Borton of Portland, Me., and her daughter-in-law, Helen Webster Cannon; her six grandchildren, James Clark Borton and wife Laura Sheffield; Jennifer Reid McIntosh and husband William, Mary Lawrence Williams and husband Curtiss, Jennifer Webster Cannon, Lauren Clark Cannon, Ross Daniel Cannon; and her four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be celebrated in Randolph in mid-August. Memorial donations may be made to either of the following organizations: The Fellowship of Reconciliation, P.O. Box 271, Upper Nyack, NY 10960; or New Hampshire Peace Action, P.O. Box 771, Concord, NH 03302. Calvin B. “Joe” Gross JEFFERSON – Calvin B. “Joe” Gross, 67, died peacefully at his home Monday afternoon, July 7, 2003, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Gross was born in Richford, VT, on February 27, 1936 to H. Alvin and Pearl (Perry) Gross. He moved from Vermont to the State of Maine in 1946. He came to the State of NH in 1954 where he met and married Mary L. Ingerson on January 7, 1956. Mr. Gross life’s work was spent in the woods starting at the young age of 11, working behind a twitch horse and at the age of 17, driving a log truck. He operated one of the first skidders in this area working for Chet Mclain. He worked 12 years for Coleman Kenison. In 1977 he purchased his own skidder and continued to work in the woods until his illness in 2000. He served as Chief of Police for the town of Jefferson from 1969 to 1971. His many interest included hunting, fishing, snow machining, dancing, entering and watching horse pulling competitions. He was always interested in the weather and kept daily records. He enjoyed his camp at Pike Pond in Stark, NH. Mr. Gross will be remembered for his love of family, generosity, dry sense of humor and his distinct infectious laugh. He leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Mary; a daughter, Joyce and husband Dana Roberts formerly of Littleton; son Brice and wife Ellen of Twin Mt.,; daughter Judith and husband Nathan Friend of Jefferson; daughter Tracy Gross and companion Daniel Inghram of Bethlehem,; daughter Patti and husband Linwood Roy of Dalton,; 10 grandchildren, Megan Dexter, Miranda and Trevor Gross, Justin, Matthew and Adam Friend, Connor and Carly Inghram, Griffin and Taylor Roy; a great-granddaughter Mariah Dexter of Littleton; three brothers Malcolm Gross of Bethel, Maine, Neil Gross of Jefferson, Douglas Gross of Holton, Maine; two sisters, Sandra Montgomery of Mt. Holly, Vt, Opal Bronson of Jefferson; his step-mother Mildred Gross of White River Jct. Vt; a step-brother, Glendon Marceau of Peacham, Vt; two half sisters, Millie Murgida of Brattleboro, Vt, Allison Childs of Quechee, Vt; and a large extended family. He was predeceased by both parents; two brothers, Coleman and Walter Gross; a stepbrother Kendall Marceau and his beloved grandson Jeremy Dexter in 1995. Visiting hours will be held Wednesday evening July 9, from 6-9 PM at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Thursday morning at 11:00 AM at the Jefferson Stone Church. Rev. Dean A. Stile, pastor of the Jefferson Community Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Vale Cemetery, Jefferson. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Lancaster, attention Abby Goolman, 278 Main St., Lancaster, NH 03584. Nancy Mosher LANCASTER — Nancy Mosher, 46, of 204 North Road, died on July 3, 2003 at Weeks Medical Center after a short illness. Nancy was born in Lancaster on October 4, 1956, the daughter of Basil and Everdean (Bean) Heath. A lifelong resident of Lancaster, Nancy was a 1974 graduate of White Mountains Regional High School. She loved to garden and was also a certified nurses aid. She served for many years as an active member of the Lancaster Ambulance Corps and was a member of the John W. Weeks Post VFW Auxiliary, very active in their Toys for Tots program. Nancy worked for 13 years at Weeks Memorial Hospital and more recently worked as office manager for Dr. William Lakey at the Littleton Hospital for 13 years. Family members include her husband, Tom Mosher, of Lancaster; her daughter, Carissa Flynn of Lancaster; three sisters, Bonnie Brousseau of Canaan, Vt., and Louise Lufkin and Debra Nutting, both of Lancaster; one brother, Jeffrey Heath of Jefferson; and nieces, nephews and cousins. Visiting hours were held on Sunday, July 6 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. Graveside services were held on Monday, July 7 at the Summer Street Cemetery in Lancaster. The family requests donations in her memory be directed to the Lancaster Ambulance Corps, c/o Randy Flynn, Mechanic Street, Lancaster, NH 03584. Mary Louise Noonan GROVETON — Mary Louise Noonan, 65, of Groveton died suddenly on July 3, 2003 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster. Mrs. Noonan was born on February 1, 1938 in Pawtucket, R.I., daughter of the late Elmer and Violet (Babbit) Larkin. She was a dedicated mother and retired homemaker. Family members include her husband of 13 years, John J Noonan; two sons, Anthony “Tony” Coelho of Stratford, and Jayme Coelho of Providence, R.I.; two daughters, Nancy Khomenko of Pawtucket, R.I. and Madeline Coelho of Providence, R.I.; four step-daughters, Rose-Marie Capaldi of Providence, R.I., Jayne Salum of Pawtucket, R.I., Eileen Sullivan of North Stratford, and Colette Lewis of Stratford; 19 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; one sister, Bernice Denoncour of Providence, R.I.; and several nieces and nephews. The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of arrangements. Anyone who would like to view an on-line obituary, send condolences or get directions can visit www.csnh.com. Rita S. (Poulin) Platt ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Rita S. (Poulin) Platt, 66, of 601 72nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, Fla., died unexpectedly on July 3, 2003 at her son’s home in New Port Richey, Fla. She was born on July 13, 1936, the daughter of Willie Noel and Eugene Simonne (Champagne) Poulin in Jackman, Me., and moved to the North Stratford area as a child. Rita was married to Robert H. Platt for 44 years. She lived most of her life in the Groveton-Stratford area, moving to St. Petersburg, Fla. 13 years ago. She worked at the Derby Lane Dog Track for some time, but was a housewife and mother most of her married life. She was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton and Holy Family Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rita is survived by her husband of 44 years, Robert H. Platt of St. Petersburg, Fla.; seven children, Melody J. Everette of Anchorage, Ak., Dana R. Platt of Bryan Station, Tex., Catherine L. Lunn of Berlin, Sandra L. Hand of Bloomfield, Robert H. Platt Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla., Dennis M. Platt of New Port Richey, Fla., and Mark D. Platt of St. Petersburg, Fla.; 13 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; her mother, Eugene S. Poulin of Island Pond, Vt.; two brothers, Lawrence Poulin of Pensacola, Fla., and Joseph Poulin of Hartford, Conn.; three sisters, Anita King of Island Pond, Vt., Francis Tetreault of North Stratford and Rose Morris of Manchester; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by a sister, Denise Curtis. Calling hours were held on Tuesday, July 8 at the Main-Armstrong Funeral Home in Groveton, with the Rosary recited in the evening. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, July 9 (today) at 11 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton, with the Rev. Craig Cheney officiating. Burial will follow in St. Francis Cemetery. For directions to the service or to send condolences via the on-line register book, go to www.legacy.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Rita Platt’s name may be made to The American Heart Association, New England Affiliate, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701. Robert Tucker Straw HUDSON — Robert Tucker Straw, 74, of 9 Elaine Street in Hudson, died on Thursday morning, July 3, 2003, at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center. A resident of Hudson for the past 19 years, he formerly made his home in Mont Vernon for many years. Mr. Straw was a Senior Principle Engineer with Sanders Associates and later with Lockheed Sanders for over 30 years. He was born in Lebanon on August 5, 1928, the son of the late Leon and Mildred (Tucker) Straw. A graduate of Lebanon High in 1946, he was active in football and ski jumping. He earned his degree in mechanical engineering at Lowell Tech. During the Korean War, Mr. Straw served in the U.S. Army for two tours in Korea. While residing in Mont Vernon, Mr. Straw served on its Board of Selectmen, was a member of the Planning Board, and was a volunteer fireman. He was also a charter member of the Mont Vernon Poker Club, with which he was active for 40 years. An avid hunter and skier, he loved spending leisure time at his camp in Lunenburg, Vt. Members of his family include his beloved wife, Patricia (Dolan) Straw; a daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and Peter Ouellette of Wilton; four sons and their wives, Timothy and Donna Straw of Narragansett, R.I., Jeffrey and Rebecca Straw of Wrentham, Mass., Michael and Rebecca Straw of Fairview, Wyo., and Matthew and Sara Straw of Wilton; two step-sons and their wives, David and Karen McLavey of Litchfield, Stephen and Kristin McLavey of Merrimack; two step-daughters, Kathleen MacQueen and her husband David of Nashua and Sheila Long of Keene; 18 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Natalie Sertl. Calling hours were held on Saturday, July 5 at the Farwell Funeral Home in Nashua, followed by funeral services in the evening. Friends wishing to express their sympathy may make memorial donations to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701; or to The American Lung Association, Box 1014, Manchester, NH 03105. Eleanor E. “Tootsie” Wiles GROVETON — Eleanor E. “Tootsie” Wiles, 80, of First Street, died on July 6, 2003 at her home following a period of declining health. She was born in Groveton on October 5, 1922, the daughter of Walter and Rose (Gaudette) Woodward. Tootsie was a Groveton resident all her life. Prior to retirement, she was a cashier at the former S&W Market. She was a communicant of St. Francis Xavier Church of Groveton. She is survived by five children, Norman M. Wiles of Henniker, Dean A. Wiles of Groveton, Kim S. Wiles of Kingston, SueAnn Merrill of Laconia, and MaryBeth Gibson of Stark; two brothers, David Woodward of Groveton and Robert Woodward of Cheyenne, Wyo.; four sisters, Barbara Dupuis of Jacksonville, Fla., Shirley Warren of Rochester, Doris Woodward of Tampa, Fla., and Bethany Woodward of Littleton; eight grandchildren and two great-granddaughters. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Normand “Bud” Wiles, on November 29, 1996. It was her wish that there be no calling hours. A graveside service will be held on her birthday, October 5, 2003, at Northumberland Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to St. Francis Xavier Church, 10 State Street, Groveton, NH 03582. To sign an on-line memorial book, please go to www.legacy.com. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home in Groveton is assisting the family with arrangements.