Hulda M Weeks

Hulda May Aiken Weeks, aged 86, passed away in peace and dignity June 27th at her home on Laurel Street in Marlborough, NH, following a sudden illness. Her son David and daughter Nancy were by her side.

She was born on October 9, 1924 in Bristol, NH to Carl Wesley and Gertrude May Grace Morrill. She arrived in Keene at age 13 and was a graduate of Keene High School, Class of 1942. She moved to Marlborough as a young women, at the tail end of World War II, to work at the Knit Gater Boot Mill. When that business folded, she found work at the Monadnock Blanket Mill, also in town, until it closed. Following a few years as a stay at home mom and carny beside her husband, she worked for the National Grange Mutual Insurance Company as Supervisor of the Thrift Plan Department, leaving in 1969. She began her final job in that same year, as a bookkeeper for Mason Insurance Agency, and continued there until retirement at age 63. Friendships she made during those years lasted long after she retired.

She met and married William J. Aiken November 6, 1946. They were inseparable until his death in June 1970. She later married Francis W. ‘Willie’ Weeks July 10, 1974 until his death a few years later. She never re-married.

Mrs. Weeks was a member of the Harmony Rebekah Lodge #16, where she served as Vice Grand, then Noble Grand and held the Chaplain position for many years. She was a member of the Federated Church of Marlborough, where she sang in the alto section of the adult choir. For years she and her daughter performed as guest singers and tale tellers as part of the summer concert series.

While attending Keene High School, she and her sister Muriel Lounder, performed as the 'Sunshine Twins' on a local early morning radio station every day before school. Many listeners believed she was broadcasting from Wheeling, West Virginia as part of the Wheeling Jamboree, then the hot bed of country music. Later she was recruited, and joined Freddie Masiello and His Radio Gang. Always, her crisp lyric pronunciation and spot on chord and vocal tones drew listeners into every song she sang. She loved the story tunes, the ones full of love and loss, humor and salvation. Her deep respect for music and performing continued until the time of her death. Her dexterity and clarity, even into her eighties, astounded everyone. She believed that music was God’s suave for the soul, and was happiest when she was strumming her Gibson guitar and harmonizing. As a self taught musician, she also played her granddaughter's electric organ.

Her passion for gardening was also legendary. Many of her neighbors came to view her plantings and ask advice. She was always willing to share both flower and vegetable secrets. For years she started her vegetables by seed in the spring. Each fall she would can and preserve enough to last the winter.

Many will remember her for her craft of knitting. Her dish cloths, yarn topped dish towels, baby sweaters and slippers where always in demand. Only a few months ago, she was able to complete yet another baby sweater. She was also accomplished at crocheting, needle point and rug weaving.

Her verbal talent for expression was electric, whether in the form of a joke, a story, or a song. She spent many happy hours with her friends at the Tuesday Marlborough Recreation Games playing Bingo. Her trick of standing up and circling her chair often lured the lucky numbers. She won often, many times passing her pick to other members of the group. She loved all games and shows, especially scratch tickets, Jeopardy and The WHEEL.

But her true love was the RED SOX. As if a part of the ballgame, she'd perch on the edge of her rocker and speak to the hitters, encouraging them to get a base hit, or clock one over the fence. She was thrilled the BOSOX won the series two times in recent years.

She is survived by her son David W. Aiken of Marlborough, daughter Nancy Morris and her husband Michael of Keene, step son Lennie Weeks and his wife Diane of Greenfield, step daughter Shirley Nikiforakis and her husband Leon of Keene. Grandchildren include: Bryan Aiken, Melanie Aiken, Jonathan Aiken, Jeffrey Aiken, Emilee Christensen, Katy Duranleau, Nicholas Weeks, Christopher Weeks, Bonita Nikiforakis, Karen Perkins and Lorna Rau. Great Grandchildren include; Dustin Plankey, Sarah Christensen, Jade Duranleau, Rebecca Duranleau, Olivia Aiken, Hayden Weeks, Caroline Weeks, Nicholas McPherson, and Karissa Perkins. Two of her beloved nieces, Betty Walker and Linda Frailey, also remained close throughout her lifetime, most especially as the years faded.

Services will be held Tuesday, July 5th, at 11:00 a.m. in the Federated Church of Marlborough, Pleasant Street, Marlborough. Burial will follow in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Marlborough. At her request, there will be no formal calling hours.

In appreciation for all they did during her final days, in place of flowers, donations should be forwarded to Hospice at HCS, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements.