Gloria F. Parkhurst

COLEBROOK – Gloria Freida Hikel Parkhurst, 82, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2016, at the Coös County Nursing Hospital in West Stewartstown, with her family by her side and after a period of failing health. She was born in Canaan, Vt., on July 16, 1933, the only child of the late Harry C. Hikel, Sr., and Dorothy ‘Dot’ (Duff) Covieo. She spent the majority of her childhood growing up in Canaan with her grandparents, Henry & Maude (Haynes) Duff. She attended Groveton Elementary School for 4 years and then returned to Canaan for the remainder of her school years. She graduated from CMHS in 1951. While in high school, she played trumpet in the band. Gloria later attended Lyndon Teacher’s College in Lyndonville, Vt, and she graduated from Faith Baptist Bible College & Seminary in Hudson, NH, with a degree in Christian education. She later earned her Master’s degree and began to pursue a Ph.D. She was married to Erwin Parkhurst in 1953 and they had three daughters, Norine, Sheila and Lori. Gloria taught in many public schools in the north country of NH and Vermont. She was one of the first teachers of the Vershire Program and also spent 9 years teaching in three different missionary schools in Costa Rica. She taught piano lessons for many years, too, and also was a church pianist in many Baptist churches, nursing homes and for many local senior activities. She played trumpet for many years in her brother, Cecil Hikel’s North Country Band, and she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. She was a member of the Independent Baptist Church in W. Stewartstown for 17 years, and lived at Colby Commons in Colebrook for 18 years. She was a member of the local HOAP program and the Metallak Retired Teachers Assn. Gloria loved to travel and had been to 40 of the 50 states, including Hawaii. She also traveled to Mexico, many of the Canadian provinces, Europe and especially enjoyed her trip to Jerusalem and the Holy Lands. Gloria is survived by her three daughters, Norine Lyn Sabine and husband Ralph of Bridgewater, Me., Sheila J. Parkhurst and partner Cathy Felch of Colebrook, and Laurice ‘Lori’ Berry MacDonald and husband James of Lisbon, NH; four grandchildren, Angela Pearson and husband John of Richmond, Me., Michael Sabine of Lebanon, Me., Melyssa Lyn Howry and husband Derrick of Berlin, NH, and Lindsay May Chase and husband Brian of Webster, NH; 13 great-grandchildren, Christopher Wright, Nicholas Wright, Danyelle Wright, Damien Wright, Amanda Wright, aAron Sabine, Ryan Sabine, kNathan Sabine, Devon and Brody Chase, Chloe Howry, Elijah Howry and Judah Howry; one great-great grandchild, Riley James Wright; her half-siblings, Harry ‘Bud’ Hikel, Jr. and wife Sue of Lancaster, Cecil Hikel and wife Linda of Canaan, Theodora ‘Teddie’ Shawver of Oregon, Marie Elwyn and husband Peter of NH; a step-sister, Debra Roakes and husband Kenneth of Colebrook; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by her half-brother George Hikel, her former husband Erwin Parkhurst in 2003, and her step-father, Willard Covieo in 2003. The family will receive visitors at the Independent Baptist Church in West Stewartstown on Tuesday, May 31, 2016, from 10 to 11 a.m. A memorial service will immediately follow at the church at 11 a.m., with interment to follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Pastor Paul Levang will officiate. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Gloria may be made to the Independent Baptist Church, Washington St., W. Stewartstown, NH 03597; or to Canaan Memorial High School, c/o Debbie Lynch, for the benefit of the music department, School St., Canaan, VT, 05903. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements in NH are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Gloria F. Parkhurst

July 16, 1933 - May 22, 2016