Lois A. Hartwell

Lois A. Hartwell, 88, of Stuart, FL, and formerly of Jaffrey, NH, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024.

She was born in Peterborough, NH on August 14, 1935, a daughter of the late Nelson and Blanche (Ryder) Burgoyne. Lois was raised in Jaffrey and graduated from Conant High School with the Class of 1953. She married Richard Hartwell in 1954 while in Colorado, and upon moving home to Jaffrey, purchased her parents’ home on Peterborough Street, and raised their young family there as well.

In her younger years, Lois had babysat for about 30 local family’s children, some before enjoying the adventure of having her own. Never one to sit idle for long, Lois had also worked a variety of interesting jobs in and around the Jaffrey area, from waitressing at the Oribe Tea Barn and Monadnock Inn, to assisting at the former Ben Franklin’s in town, and helping at St. Patrick’s School Cafeteria. She was involved in the Girl Scouts as a driver, and a Den mother for the Cub Scouts, while also taking on numerous positions handling finances for different organizations like the St. Anne’s Society, St. Patrick’s 800 Club, and as treasurer for the Natalie Estates Social Club in Florida for 23 years. 

She worked away from town as well, at Monadnock Worksource and even with Millipore, Teleflex and Plumb Pak. She found a home with the Town of Jaffrey, first assisting the Town Clerk, and later at the Police Department, as a Matron and as a Crossing Guard for over 15 years. 

She eventually ‘retired’ in 1997 and Lois and her husband then relocated to the sunny south. While residing in Florida she was actively involved in Natalie Estates, where they lived, hosting their annual Yard Sale events with her husband for 17 years as well as serving as an active community volunteer. 

In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her brothers, Nelson Burgoyne, Jr., and Philip Burgoyne, her sister, Ellen Reenstierna, and by her grandson, Eric Hartwell.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Richard “Ace” Hartwell, and by their 4 children: her daughter Candace and husband Jim Chamberlain, her daughter Suzanne and husband Stephen Pickford, her son Nelson Hartwell and his wife Kathy, and her son Jamie Hartwell and his wife Jackie. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

At her request, there will be no calling hours or services at this time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jaffrey Police Association, 26 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH 03452 or to the Jaffrey-Rindge Memorial Ambulance, PO Box 107, Jaffrey, NH 03452.