Olive H. Hamilton

SOMERSWORTH—Olive H. Hamilton, 86, formerly of Warminster, Pa., died Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2005, at The Pines of Newmarket, after a long illness. Mrs. Hamilton, also known as Tudy, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., on March 13, 1919, the only child of the late Olive Thompson and William G. Hower. She was predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Albert O. Hamilton, who died Sept. 2, 2004. Mrs. Hamilton graduated from Upper Southampton High School in 1935. She worked as a secretary and bookkeeper for several companies and retired from Rayco Ball Co., Hatboro, Pa., in 1981. In 2001, she and her husband moved to Somersworth, where they lived with their daughter and her partner. Mrs. Hamilton was a talented oil painter. She exhibited her paintings in numerous juried and one-woman shows, and won many awards. She was a member of the Doylestown Art League, Oreland Art League, and was past-president of the Bucks-Mont Art League, all in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hamilton was a member of the Warminster Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania and joined the First Parish United Church of Christ (Congregational) in Somersworth when she moved to New Hampshire. Mrs. Hamilton was an avid reader and co-led a Great Books discussion group in Hatboro, Pa. She enjoyed ballet and the theater, volunteered for several civic organizations, and supported a number of charities promoting the environment, animal welfare, civil rights, and education for American Indians. She also enjoyed travel and gardening. In 1973, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by traveling to Greece and Turkey. Mrs. Hamilton is survived by her daughter, Deborah Hamilton and her partner Leila Moore of Somersworth. A memorial service is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 7, 2005, at 2 p.m. at The Pines of Newmarket, 9 Grant Road, Newmarket, N.H. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Seacoast Hospice, 10 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833, or St. Labre Indian School, Tongue River Road, Ashland, Montana 59004. Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of New Hampshire (800) 493-8001.