Marguerite H. Wiswell

COLEBROOK, NEW HAMPSHIRE – Mrs. Marguerite H. Wiswell, 94, of Colebrook, NH, passed away at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital early on the afternoon of Saturday, July 29, 2006, after a period of failing health and surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Wiswell was born Wednesday, June 19, 1912, in Colebrook, daughter of the late Thomas Hughes and Marion (Hartshorn) Hughes. Mrs. Wiswell graduated from Colebrook Academy with the Class of 1929. She continues to hold the school record in girls’ basketball for the highest number of points scored in one game (48 points). In 1933, she graduated from the Plymouth Normal School where she was the class president. After receiving her teaching certificate, she returned to Colebrook and married Arnold Wiswell. She taught for 32 years in the Colebrook schools, as well as a short time in the one-room Cone School in Columbia where there was no running water. During her teaching years, she also coached girls’ basketball teams and cheerleading squads, and served as the local driver training instructor. Although considered a strict disciplinarian by many who were her students, she will be forever respected for her sense of fairness. Mrs. Wiswell retired from teaching in 1974. Mrs. Wiswell was a long-time Red Cross volunteer, teaching the skill of mattress-making during World War II. She also co-chaired Colebrook’s Bicentennial celebration in 1970. She was one of the original lay readers and a long-time member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. One of her greatest loves was the time she spent as a voice for the North Country in the NH State House of Representatives, serving four terms from 1974 -1982. While in the legislature, Mrs. Wiswell served as the clerk for the Fish & Game Legislative Committee. Her hobbies included a variety of handiwork, including embroidery, hooked and braided rugs, as well as quilting. She loved to travel the world and regretted that she was never able to get to Australia. Mrs. Wiswell was a great care-giver to her family, as well, always attending to them in a time of need. One of her greatest joys was that she lived to see her three favorite sports teams, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox, and the Colebrook Mohawks all win championship titles, the latter as a very proud team grandmother. She will be missed by many, and will be remembered as a fun-loving wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and friend to all. Mrs. Wiswell was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the Metallak Retired Teachers’ Association, and the Colebrook Historical Association. Mrs. Wiswell is survived by two daughters, Audrey Noyes and husband Sam, of Colebrook, and Elizabeth Frizzell of Colebrook; two sisters, Virginia Lay and Kathleen Keazer, both of Colebrook, NH; seven grandchildren, Margaret Moon, Kathryn Carmichael, Deborah Noyes, Robert Noyes, Timothy Frizzell and wife, Linda, Thomas Frizzell and wife, Jane, and Jonathan Frizzell and wife, Katherine; twelve great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold; nine brothers, Arthur Hughes, Harold Hughes, Wendell Hughes, Glen Hughes, Homer Hughes, Theodore Hughes, Stuart Hughes, Charles Hughes, and Richard Hughes; and one sister, Minnie Clough. Calling hours will be held at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH, on Monday, July 31, 2006, from 6 – 9 p.m. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the Colebrook Village Cemetery with The Reverend Marlyn Neary and The Reverend Granvyl Hulse co-officiating. Expressions of sympathy in Mrs. Wiswell’s memory may be made to the Colebrook Academy Booster Club, c/o Wayne Frizzell at the First Colebrook Bank, Main Street, Colebrook NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home of Colebrook, NH.

Marguerite H. Wiswell

June 19, 1912 - July 29, 2006