Virginia B. Gray

Virginia Edna Butterfield passed away peacefully on November 3 just shy of her 96th birthday. She was a hearty and lively woman who was able to adapt to the innovations and inventions throughout her lifetime. In her 95th year she enjoyed the great out-of- doors and looked forward to boating on Lake Sunapee!

At the start of World War II, Virginia married Donald Gray. The war separated them but later in life, she re-married Donald. They enjoyed 10 years together traveling and were competitive contract bridge champions!

Virginia grew up in Concord and was member of the Concord High School Class of 1937. In 1946, Virginia married Arthur Hicks, the “boy next door”. They enjoyed over 30 years together. They had a busy and action packed life. Together they ran the Abbott House in Concord and Pumpkin Blossom Farm in Warner both of which were popular spots for wedding receptions. Virginia and Arthur also enjoyed breeding horses for show and racing.

Virginia and Arthur raised 6 children: Diana Wilber Brighton of Pensacola Florida; Arthur Hicks Jr. of Warner; Deborah Connell of Newport; Pamela Samaha of Groveton; Cynthia Hicks of Concord, and Virginia Moran who pre-deceased her mother. Grandchildren include Matthew Samaha of Groveton, Hilary and Sarah Jordan of Windham, Christopher Moran of Concord and Sean Wilber of Pensacola, Florida. Great grandchildren include Jack Wilber of Pensacola, Florida and Blake Moran of Concord. Virginia was also predeceased by her daughter inlaw Joan B. Hicks of Warner, New Hampshire.

Virginia was a member of the Concord Order of the Eastern Star and a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Church in Concord. She cherished the friendships developed while working in the church thrift shop. She spend many hours marking clothes and was considered the expert at pricing!

On November 11 at 11:00 AM, Virginia will be laid to rest in Pine Grove Cemetery in East Concord joining 3 generations of Butterfields and the Hicks family. Virginia’s siblings include brothers Mason and Walter, and sisters Alberta Palmer, Maxcine Wyeth, and Nancy Jones. There will be a graveside ceremony. There will be no calling hours.