Carolyn Y. Richards

Carolyn was born on March 14, 1932 in Wolcott, NY, the daughter of the late Charles L. and Hulda H. Younglove. Her family moved to Rochester, NY, in 1944. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Education and Child Studies from Smith College in 1953. She then worked as a second grade school teacher in Wantagh, NY, and married Thomas G. Hagan in 1955. They moved to Brookline, Massachusetts, and lived for most of their 15-year marriage with their four children in Newton Centre and Newton Highlands, MA, summering for a few years on Planting Island in Marion, MA.

Carolyn married Archie M. Richards, Jr. in 1975, in Wellesley, MA. She held jobs at Jenney Oil and Raytheon Corporation. When they relocated to N. Andover, MA, and then Andover, MA, she started her long-term business as a studio potter, selling her wares at crafts fairs such as Deerfield, and various shops in New England and subsequently in upstate New York.

Carolyn and Archie moved to Horseheads, NY in 1989. Carolyn enjoyed working for a time at the Elmira Library, until they moved to Syracuse, NY, where she found fulfillment painting theorems and taking writing courses and singing with a women’s chorus at Oasis, the Senior Center. They later relocated to Keene, NH to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

In addition to being a devoted mother and grandmother, Carolyn was a passionate crafter for much of her adult life. She applied her talent to silver jewelry, rug braiding, copper enameling, and beading, before moving on to ceramics and theorem painting. She was also an avid writer, reader, and stamp collector, who loved to sing and cook, and took great interest in American crafts. She enjoyed having family gatherings and living in a beautiful old house.

She leaves her husband, Archie M. Richards, Jr., of Concord, NH, a son, Tod Hagan, also of Concord, three daughters, Sarah Lance and her husband David, of Bedford, MA, Melissa Hagan and her husband Whitman Miller, of Annapolis, MD, and Mariel Hagan and her husband Todd Weinman, of Waterbury Center, VT, a sister, Clara Uline, of Rochester, NY, and four grandchildren.

There will be a memorial service on June 23 at 10:30 am at First Parish Bedford, MA followed by burial at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut Street, Newton Center, MA. Arrangements in care of Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The MFA Fund, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115.

Arrangements under the direction of Bennett Funeral Home, Concord, NH.