Dorothy R. Bacon

Dorothy (Ridley) Bacon passed away on January 7th at her home with her family by her side. She was the devoted wife of Kendall (Ken) Bacon, the cherished mother of Francis Bacon (Sarah) of Boxborough, Massachusetts and Christine Bacon of Gothenburg, Sweden. Dorothy was a proud grandmother to Ryan Bacon, Kyle Bacon, and Mia Romero. She was affectionately known as “Dotty” to her many friends and colleagues.

Dorothy was born on June 5, 1941, in Ripon, North Yorkshire, England to Dorothy and William Ridley. Her father was an officer in the Royal Air Force during World War II and the family moved several times due to his service. After the war, she, her mother Dorothy, and sisters, Margaret and Elizabeth, joined her father in India, where he helped with the transfer of governance from England to the new Republic of India. When she was old enough, Dorothy attended a boarding school near her grandfather’s home in Jersey, one of the Channel Islands between England and France.

At age 12, Dorothy and her family immigrated to the United States, settling in Fairfield, Connecticut. She attended Havergal, a private girl’s school in Toronto, Canada, and then went on to Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where she was awarded a BA in History.

While on a ski trip with her roommate to the Sugarloaf Ski area in Maine, she met Ken – the love of her life. They were happily married for 60 wonderful years, living in Jamaica Plain and Newton, Massachusetts before moving to Jaffrey, New Hampshire. There they restored an antique home and spent many happy years raising their son and daughter, and being an active part of town activities and organizations.

Dorothy began her career as a teacher in Avon, Massachusetts. After moving to Jaffrey, she taught at Saint Patrick’s School and the Jaffrey Grade School for several years. In the early 1980s, she made a major career shift by becoming a real estate agent, first with Despres & Associates, and then with Tieger Realty. She was honored to have been awarded the “Realtor of the Year” by the Contoocook Valley Board of Realtors in 2014.

Dorothy was a dedicated member of the United Church of Jaffrey for many years, serving as Moderator and Deacon, and as a member of Triple D, the group that sponsored the Christmas fair, Strawberry festival, and other cherished events. In earlier years, she organized a house tour during the Christmas fair, which was a must-attend event for many.

As a long-term member of the Jaffrey Women’s Club, Dorothy served several terms as president, and as head of the scholarship committee that awarded scholarships to deserving Conant High School students. She was active in other groups including the Jaffrey Democrats and the Bridges for Peace, which exchanged representatives between New Hampshire and the Baltic countries. She was part of a group that visited Estonia and, in turn, hosted a woman from Estonia.

Dorothy was an avid tennis player, and as a member of The Racquet Club of Keene, she played competitive tennis on the women’s team circuit. She also enjoyed skiing with family and friends for many years.

Most importantly, Dorothy was the bedrock of her family, bringing everyone together as often as possible, especially hosting at their beloved family lake house, Hillcrest, in Harrisville, New Hampshire. She is the reason the extended family remains close. As a wife and mother, her love was freely given - even when it meant riding an icy chairlift at a ski area, or standing on the sidelines watching one of her children’s games. Her kindness and generosity were felt by all: relatives, friends, and colleagues alike. For Dorothy, life was a joy, especially when it involved those she loved.

She was a beloved aunt to her nieces and nephews: Jean Biggs (Portland, OR), Crista Cheap (San Rafael, CA), Jaclyn Headings (Keene, NH), Zach Houle (Wellesley, MA), Josh Houle (Westmoreland, NH), Ben Mills (Highland, NY), and Rich Mills (Sydney, Australia). She also leaves her brother-in-law Richard Mills of Keene, NH. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters.

There will be a Memorial Service and Celebration of her Life on April 11, 2026, at 11:00AM at the United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main St, Jaffrey, NH.

In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, donations may be made in Dorothy’s memory to the United Church of Jaffrey.