Nina H. Cranford

1924 – 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Nina H. Cranford, 85, of Livermore, died Friday, Oct. 23, surrounded by loving family members at her daughter’s home in Greensboro, N.C., after a long illness.

She was a 37-year resident of her home on River Road, Livermore, where she lived with her beloved husband, James F. Cranford, since shortly after his retirement from the U.S. Navy. Mrs. Cranford was the sole survivor of 10 children born to Henning Ludwig Theodore Karlson and Sofi Larson, both of whom emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden at the turn of the century.

She was born and raised in Arlington, Mass., and was a 1940 graduate of Arlington High School. Upon graduation, she was employed by the John Hancock Co. in Boston. Mrs. Cranford left Arlington after her husband’s return from World War II duty in the Pacific to join him at his various duty stations up and down the East Coast. She was a devoted and stalwart Navy wife for 31 years and she provided a loving, comfortable home for her family from Coco Solo, Panama, to Burlington, Vt., with ports of call in Boston, Mass., Charleston, S.C., Portland, Maine, and Norfolk, Va., as well.

After retiring to Livermore, Mrs. Cranford put her interest and knowledge of antiques to use, and she became well-known as a reputable dealer of antique miniature lamps and many other fine collectibles. Antiquing was a labor of love that she and her husband shared and that she continued after her husband’s death in 1991.

Besides running a successful antique business, Mrs. Cranford was a charter member of the Livermore/Livermore Falls Historical Society where she volunteered hundreds of hours to the restoration of the Deacon Livermore House and other local historical buildings. She was a beloved member of the Livermore Happy Hookers rug hooking group and was active in the local Neighborhood Club until it disbanded in 2008. She enjoyed her membership in the Women’s Club of Maine through which she regularly attended meetings and presentations at the Maine State Legislature and where she expressed her commitment to matters of compassion and social justice.

She also attended the North Livermore Baptist Church for many years.

Being born in 1924, Mrs. Cranford lived through the Great Depression of the 1930s. She grew up in an era where self-sufficiency and resourcefulness were a must. As a result, she was a gifted seamstress, a baker of delectable Swedish breads and pastries, and an avid gardener. She created beautiful quilts, afghans, and braided and hooked rugs, and she instilled the values of creativity, independence, service to others, and love of family in her daughters and grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Gene Sinclair, of Greensboro, N.C.; her daughter, Candace Gray, of Standish; granddaughters, Heidi Mezzatesta of Glendale, Calif., and Ruth De La Tore of Greensboro, N.C.; great-grandchildren, Bonnie Dillard of Santa Clarita, Calif., James Dillard of Santa Barbara, Calif., and Hannah Glennon, Meghan Velazquez and Amelia Pearl, all of Greensboro, N.C.; a great-great-grandchild on the way; and more than 25 nieces and nephews scattered across the country.

Mrs. Cranford was predeceased by her parents; her nine brothers and
sisters; her lifelong friend, Gloria Sanford; and her husband, Jim.

She will be greatly missed by her dear River Road neighbors, the Terrells, the Lovewells, and the Harmons, and her family will feel the void of her passing for all of their days left here on this Earth.