Lois Howk Scammon

Lois Howk Scammon passed away on June 22, 2024, at Havenwood in Concord, NH. Lois was born on October 16, 1934, to Marvin and Clarissa Howk in Rochester, New York. She is survived by her husband, Larry, to whom she was married for over 67 years, and who was her soulmate and true life partner. She is also survived by many other family members: her children, Cindi (Bill), Dan (Lara), and Jim (Dorian); her grandchildren, Amanda (Aaron), Heather (Justin), Chandell (Mike), Heidi ( Dylan), Kelly, Paige, Lily, Holly, and Robert (Lexi); her siblings, Larry (Pat), Carl (Penny), and Linda; sisters-in-law, Paula and Di; four great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and her cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Ted and Dick Howk.

Lois graduated from Simmons College in Boston and married Larry shortly after on February 2, 1957. They started out in Hanover, NH at Dartmouth College, where Larry was finishing graduate school, and Lois worked as a physical therapist for Mary Hitchcock Hospital. Within a few years, they found their way to their home which Larry built for their family on Apple Tree Lane in Hopkinton, NH, where they spent many good years raising their family. She and the family belonged to First Church, where she enjoyed fellowship with many families in the community, especially the Bridge group. Lois was an active Girl Scout leader, taught Sunday School, played with the bell choir, and participated in many humorous skits for the church variety shows. She provided physical therapy for residents at the McKerley Nursing Home in Concord for several years, and then Lois found her favorite job as Assistant Librarian at the elementary school in Hopkinton. She thoroughly enjoyed her time with the students and staff at the Harold Martin School library and was especially delighted to have visits from her grandkids daily, because they just wanted to spend time with “their Grammie!” Her other job was being Larry’s assistant at the Scammon Christmas tree farm: fastening tags to the many trees and serving the families who came over many years.

As the oldest of the six Howk siblings, growing up on Oak Lane and playing happily by Lake Ontario at their grandmother’s apple orchard, Lois developed a positive, calm demeanor, with a quick wit, engaging smile, and a twinkle in her eye. She had a talent for listening and sharing wisdom with an unassuming manner, which drew people to her right up to the end. Lois had many favorite pastimes. These included watching and listening to the birds, spending summers at their camp on Lake Sunapee, sledding and cross-country skiing at Stone Camp, enjoying all the family dogs, hiking and walking through the woods year-round, reading books, tending her flowers and the garden vegetables, finding new recipes to share, and baking. Everyone looked forward to her hermits, Congo squares, peanut butter squares, brownies, and her famous chocolate birthday cake. Mostly, she loved spending time with her family: raising her kids and planning for family gatherings as grandkids came along. She looked forward to the holidays and especially her family’s annual Fourth of July reunions at Lake Canandaigua and Lake Seneca. Throughout her life, she embraced the Dr. Seuss quote, “Oh the places you will go!” to be open to new experiences; she was always determined to enjoy life. She was kind to all and held fast to what she believed to be important. Her life was well lived, and she will be missed by all who knew her, especially her family who loved her dearly and are grateful for all her good care.

SERVICES: A funeral service will be held at First Congregational Church of Hopkinton, NH on July 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM. Donations can be made in her memory to the NH Audubon Society in Concord, NH or the Harold Martin School Library in Hopkinton, NH.