Mary D. Cobb

She was born on November 9, 1931 in Manchester, NH, the daughter of Evelyn Holmes (Falvey) and Gerald Edger Beane. She grew up in Henniker and graduated from Henniker High School. By the age of 20, she graduated from New England College.

It was in college that Mary met Kenneth Cobb while he was also attending New England College under the GI bill after returning from serving in World War II. The two married in Henniker on September 6, 1952 and created a loving home for their four children. They celebrated nearly 37 years together before Kenneth’s passing in 1989.

Mary had a real passion for children and was employed for 25 years at Winchester Elementary School as a teacher. Upon retirement she worked for New Hope New Horizons at Southwestern Community Services. Mary dedicated much of her time volunteering and was heavily involved at Cheshire Medical for 15 years. She was an accomplished writer and published four books: Mapping Our Beautiful Earth, Practical Patterns, A Sampler View of Colonial Life, and Quilt-Block History of Pioneer Days. She also had many published poems and wrote for The Winchester Star newspaper.

A member of The United Church of Winchester, Mary participated in the choir, bell choir, and attended the community bean suppers. She was an avid quilter and was talented in sewing, embroidery, and sketching. Mary was extremely family driven and stoic in nature. She enjoyed keeping up on current worldly events and continued to attend college courses into retirement.

Mary will be deeply missed by her children: Katharine M. McIlvain and her husband Richard of Wichita, KS, Charles A. Cobb and his wife Susan of Centennial, CO, Margaret “Peggy” A. Madden of Swanzey, NH, and Marilyn J. Nelson of Concord, NH; grandchildren: Ryan D. Madden of Keene, Krista M. Sheehan and her husband Larry of Mukilteo, WA, Annika J. Cobb of Centennial, CO, Spencer R. Cobb of Centennial, CO, and Jeffrey K. Cobb of Concord, NH; great grandchildren: Owen, Calvin, and Garrett Sheehan, and Patrick, Claire, and Michael Madden; sister: Connie S. Madler of Port St. Lucie, FL; sister-in-laws: Doris Beane of Hillsborough, NH, and Dee Beane of Tampa Bay, FL; as well as many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband: Kenneth Cobb; and siblings: Peter Beane, John Beane, and Carolyn Allen.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held on Saturday, July 6th, 2019 at 55 Birch Road, Swanzey, NH at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mary D. Cobb’s name to the Keene Public Library, 60 Winter Street, Keene, NH 03431.