Ardis Dean Osborn

Ardis was born in Concord, N.H. in 1935, the daughter of Austin Osborn and Evelyn Osborn. Her earliest years were spent in Epsom, N.H. before the growing family moved to Keene around 1940. She is survived by her son, Daniel Osborn and his partner, Mary Farnsworth, of Sullivan, N.H. and by her sister, Allison Osborn Rowe of Peterborough, and her brother, Roger Osborn of Groton, MA. Her brother, Stuart Osborn passed several years ago. She also leaves her nephews, David Prescott, Paul Prescott, Scott Prescott, and Jeremy Osborn along with their wives and children.

Ardis attended elementary and high school in Keene, NH, and then went on to Smith College where she majored in English and graduated with high honors as a member of Phi Beta Kappa in 1956. In both high school and college she was on the debating teams, always loving a good argument. During these years she was an avid reader and piano student, excelling as both a musician and scholar. Her first teacher at Wheelock School soon moved her ahead a grade given her reading skills. She continued her love of books as a librarian and editor and was a member of several book clubs in Keene, while continuing to study and play the piano until the last few years of her life. She was also a regular player of contract bridge, most often with her brother Stuart as her partner.

After completing college in 1956, Ardis took a teaching position for two years at the Walnut Hill School for Girls in Natick, Massachusetts before earning a Masters Degree at Yale in 1959. She then moved to Cambridge and Boston to work as a text book editor for Ginn and Company. Following her work as an editor, she returned to teaching, first in the high school English Department in Watchung Hills Regional HS in Warren, N.J., then moving to a position in Hicksville High School on Long Island. She moved back to Keene in the late 1967 with her son, Daniel.

She raised Daniel in Keene while working several jobs in a pre-school at the Baptist Church and part time at the Keene Library. She then went on to full time work in the Keene Library until her retirement. Her love of books, music and bridge continued throughout her retirement years. She enjoyed her membership in two book clubs while still focusing on her music, often hosting a small group of local musicians at her home where they played music together. Her 91st birthday would have been April 16th, 2026.

A Burial will be in the spring at McClary Cemetery in Epsom.

A celebration of life will be planned for later in the summer, announcement to follow.