Hazel McNamara H'09
PLAINFIELD, NH — Hazel Howe McNamara, 95, passed away on April 1, 2020 surrounded by her family at her home in Plainfield, NH. Hazel was born May 2, 1924 to James and Marion Howe of Tunbridge, Vt. She is survived by her five children: Anne (Pooh) Sprague, Barbara (Kenneth) LeClair, Joyce (Benjamin) Judy, Thomas (Claire) McNamara, and Patrick (Mary) McNamara; nine grandchildren: Sarah (Matthew) Houde, Amy (Lance) Muzik, Raymond (Jenny) Sprague, Elizabeth (Justin) McNamara, James (Indie) LeClair, Jeffrey (Karina) McNamara, Nathan (Kaleigh) McNamara, Jason (Emily) McNamara, and Adam (Lauryn) McNamara; and eight great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill, in 2004 after 57 years of marriage.
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Hazel graduated from Green Mountain College and went on to pursue her nursing degree at Mary Hitchcock School of Nursing, graduating in 1947. She had a long nursing career, finishing it as a visiting nurse for the town of Hanover. In 1950, Hazel and Bill purchased a ramshackle farm on River Road in Plainfield and spent the rest of their lives building the thriving, multigenerational McNamara Dairy.
Hazel was the anchor of the family and the hub of all information having to do with the family and the farm. She was resilient and tough, but always had time to read to and care for the generations of kids and animals that grew up on the farm. She was a terrific cook and there was always room at the table for anyone who showed up at her door.
The family is grateful to all those who helped to keep Hazel at home throughout her life, especially Scott and Avis MacLeay, Debbie Ryan, Monique Mucheke & Kathy Watson of the VNA and all her many dear friends.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, July 25th at 11am at the farm on River Road in Plainfield.
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Hazel’s name can be made to the Community Resource Director for Senior Social Luncheon, The Plainfield Town Office, PO Box 380, Meriden, NH, 03770, or to the VNH, PO Box 881, Brattleboro, VT, 05302.
To leave a message of condolence please visit the online guestbook at www.rickerfuneralhome.com.
