Laura Washburn Verry

Orfordville, NH-Laura Washburn Verry, 94, passed away peacefully, in her Orfordville, NH farmhouse on Thursday, August 28, 2014, surrounded by loved ones. Laura was the first child of five born to Bernice (Horton) and Harvey Lovejoy Washburn on August 17, 1920 In Hanover, NH. She was raised on the family farm on Dame Hill, Orfordville, NH, where Laura acquired her lifelong passion for nature, wildlife and the great outdoors. In 1938 Laura graduated from Orford High School. Those years remain most memorable. Following secretarial studies at Concord Business School, she was employed at Shep Brown's Marina in Laconia, NH and the Bradford Bank, Bradford, VT. Her father suggested she join the military, deciding on the Womens Army Corps (WAC). After her discharge, Laura attended UNH, pursuing an Occupational Therapy career, graduating in 1950. UNH changed her life forever, having met the love of her life, Herbert Verry, who was also pursuing an Occupational Therapy career, having served in the Air Force. After a summer affiliation at the Skillman, NJ Epileptic Colony, they married there--in August, 1948. That was the beginning of their adventuresome life, deciding to honeymoon by riding their bicycles and camping across the states on their way back to NH, long before paved roads and bicycles with gear shifts Clinical Affiliations included hospitals and health centers in Cushing, VA, Framingham, MA, Jackson, Michigan, Winter, VA followed by employment in Winter, VA, Topeka, KS, and the Governor Bacon Health Center, Delaware City. Laura became the breadwinner for a year while Herb undertook Physical Therapy study/certification thus leading the way to employment in NH. Returning to NH, the Verrys purchased the Henry Washburn homestead (Laura's uncle) located on "Washburn Hill," a place they have called home for 54 years. Through those years the 4th generation farmhouse, barn, outbuildings, fields and trees have been nurtured, restored and maintained under the couple's loving stewardship, preserving the precious heritage, a mainstay in Laura's life. Laura led a life of abiding passions and curiousity, particularly in "All That Was Orford(ville)." The focus of her church life revolved around the Orfordville Church. She had a particular tradition to follow, in the footsteps of her parents, bringing the Lanakila campers to church for exhilarating music each summer while campers focused on filling pockets with refreshments. Her love of music filled her life with years of special events playing drums in the Lyme Town Band. Other endeavors such as the rededication of the Orford/Fairlee bridge and the Orford CongregationalChurch, assisting in the Orfordville library, her photography aptitude, the extensive travels are a quick glance into the life and loves of Laura Verry, In the heart of this eternal optomist was a love for family that knew no bounds. Never prone to judgment, Laura is a never-to-be forgotten wife, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, volunteer and teacher. She leaves her husband, Herbert Carlos Verry, a sister, Joyce Washburn Flint, Newport, VT; a brother, Harvey Horton Washburn and wife Geraldine Johnson Washburn,and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Bernice and Harvey Washburn, two sisters, Jeanne Washburn Chase and Lucille Washburn Brooks. Memorial services will be held at the Orfordville Church Tuesday, September 2 nd at 1 o'clock. Burial will take place at the family lot in the Orford Street Cemetery where a military service will precede the reception at the Orford Congregational Church with refreshents served by Laura's community of friends. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Orfordville Church would be gratefully accepted. The Hale Funeral Homes and Cremation Care of Bradford, VT is in charge of arrangements. To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com

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