Courtesy photo Three years ago, Pat Jewett gave her beloved town an early Christmas gift, when she donated this sign to be placed at the Hudson-Litchfield town line. Jewett died Saturday at age 92.

I typically devote this space to people, places and things with at least a couple of threads tied in some fashion to Nashua, but I can be persuaded to depart from that self-imposed guideline – if, that is, I’m convinced it’s worthwhile to do so.

This is one of those instances. It’s a no-brainer, as they say. No deliberation needed.

The passing over the weekend of Pat Jewett is, indeed, the “loss of a legend here in town,” as Rich Lascelles, a selectman and himself a well-known Litchfield resident, put it in an email.

An emotional Lascelles, speaking at the outset of the Nov. 23 selectmen’s meeting, said he “cannot possibly list all the things she’s done for the town … it just goes on and on.”

A full obituary appears in the B section of today’s Telegraph.

Calling hours will take place, with COVID-19 precautions in place, from 4-7 p.m. Monday at the Davis Funeral Home in Nashua.

A private funeral service will take place at Litchfield Community Church Tuesday morning, followed by a graveside service and bural at Hillcrest Cemetery.

Struggling to come up with a way that would allow as many Litchfield residents as possible pay tribute to Jewett and at the same time abide by COVID-19 safety guidelines, Lascelles said the family and town officials are inviting people to line up along Charles Bancroft Highway – Route 3A – to greet the funeral procession as it moves from the church to Hillcrest Cemetery.

Those who wish to take part should line up at about 10:15, Lascelles said, adding that the procession is expected to leave the church at about 10:30.

“We’d like to see townfolk gather, just as a final goodbye,” Lascelles said.

Born Marilyn Patricia Gordon on March 1, 1928 in Raymond, “Pat” Jewett grew up in Derry, and after graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1961, began teaching school in Nashua, then earned a masters in special education, a profession that would influence many of her future endeavors.

She was predeceased by her husband of 47 years, Willis E. Jewett, who died in 2010.

Harry S. Truman was transitioning the presidency to Dwight D. Eisenhower when Pat Jewett began what would turn out to be decades worth of community service with a seat on the town Conservation Committee.

Although a comparatively minor assignment, Jewett’s stint on the committee awakened her inner “yearn to serve,” which her family said went on to “span decades.”

Come election time each year, rare was the town or school district ballot that didn’t have Pat Jewett’s name on it. When she first ran for, and won, a seat on the Board of Selectmen, Jewett made history by becoming the board’s first female member.

It was a seat she retained for some 27 years.

Jewett was one of those rare citizens who “really did set the standard for community service and volunteerism,” Lascelles said. “It’s something that will live on far beyond her years.”

Not only did Jewett serve or volunteer or help others herself, she had a knack for inspiring others to get involved in their community, their church, or whatever organization or cause they may pursue.

Those she inspired, Lacelles said, are likely to “continue contributing for years.”

Pat Jewett was never one to seek the spotlight or solicit recognition, but when that recognition came her way – as it so often did – “I think she really appreciated it,” Lacelles said. “But she never asked for it.”

It follows that Jewett preferred working “behind the scenes,” and never shied away when called upon to lead a cause.

She was the type of leader who, Lascelles said, “would organize a trash pickup, but then she’d be the last person to leave (and have) the largest amount of trash.”

He recalled Jewett’s wide generous streak, citing an example of a selectmen’s meeting at which a local Boy Scout appeared before the board to get the OK for an Eagle Scout project.

“By the end of (the scout’s) presentation, Pat had her checkbook out, ready to write a check for the entire” cost of the project.”

School administrators, Lascelles said, knew where to go when faced with a child who needed some help, perhaps some guidance.

“They had an understanding … if there was a child in need, she’d do it. And she’d do it anonymously,” Lascelles said.

The list of Jewett’s contributions seems to have no end.

She’d put up packages for veterans, “going out of her way year after year to prepare them,” he said. Jewett served years teaching Sunday school. She was a key organizer of the town’s annual strawberry festivals, organized the Litchfield Senior Citizens, led 4H clubs, organized town Halloween parties, baked goodies day or night for assorted fundraisers.

Baking was actually one of Jewett’s favorite pasttimes, her family said. So was painting – and watching stockcar races.

Jewett, said Lascelles, “will never be forgotten, that’s for sure. We’ll never replace her.”

Dean Shalhoup’s column appears weekly in The Sunday Telegraph. He may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

Newsletter