1928 – 2004

WESTFORD, Mass. – Harriet Coombs Oldham, 76, died Thursday, March 11, at her daughter, Julie Silton’s home in Westford, Mass.

She was born to Ellen Trufant and George Coombs in Topsham, on Jan. 23, 1928. The family later moved to Solon, where she graduated from Solon High School. She went on to school at Farmington State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1950.

She taught briefly at Canton Elementary where she also coached basketball and went on to teach at Peru Elementary, teaching fourth grade there for over 20 years. She also earned masters degrees both in psychology and elementary education.

She married John Bryant Oldham of Rumford on July 3, 1949, in Solon, and settled into the home that they built together on Worthley Pond where they raised their three daughters.

Upon retiring from teaching, she enjoyed community life by quilting with the Ladies of the Lake, being active as a member of the Dixfield Congregational Church, the Order of the Eastern Star, the Canton Fish and Game, and a local square dancing club.

Most of all, she enjoyed her children and grandchildren and traveling the country with her husband, often on the back of his motorcycle. During the years she and John traveled to every state in the union; 49 on motorcycle and finally flying to Hawaii. They were happily married for 46 years until John passed away in September of 1995.

She is survived by two sisters, Connie Hopkins and her husband Don of Solon, Shirley Jordan of Sun City, Fla.; a brother, Richard Coombs and his wife Nancy of Saco; an older sister, Lois Sicket recently passed away; she is also survived by her three daughters, Dr. Sheridan Oldham and her husband Ernest Gilbert of Waterville, Julie Silton of Westford, Mass., and Nancy O. DeMilner of Peru; six grandchildren, David Silton and his wife Sherry and Aaron Silton, both Marines, Rachel Silton, Shayna Silton, Kyle DeMilner and his wife Chrissy, and Max DeMilner; and a brother and sister-in-law, Ralph and Mildred Oldham. She will be missed by her family and many friends.