Louise P. Jenkins

1919 – 2009

DRYDEN – Louise P. Jenkins, 90, of Dryden, passed away peacefully at her home on Davis Court, Friday afternoon, Oct. 30.

She was born on Feb. 28, 1919, in Jay, the daughter of Daniel B. and Gertrude (Thompson) Pratt. She attended Wilton Academy where she enjoyed academics, sports and friends. She graduated from W.A., in 1937, and over the years was a valued employee at a wood-turning mill in Dryden, a lumber mill in Stratton, the woolen mill in Dryden, the woolen mill in Winthrop and finally at G. H. Bass Shoe Co., in Wilton until her retirement.

She married Edward Jenkins (d. 1982) on Aug.19, 1944. They rented a place in Wilton, then purchased their lifelong home in Dryden.

As a child, she always wanted to become a schoolteacher, but circumstances prevented this. Instead she became a teacher of life to family, friends, acquaintances and their family and friends from around the world. Louise was very active in the dowsing organizations and became well-known and respected by her peers. Through her skills as a dowser, she helped innumerable people worldwide with their problems, health issues, etc.

Louise bought a camera and developing equipment during World War II. Being a very independent spirit, she then waged her own morale campaign for “our boys overseas” by recording important family events, (births, weddings, updates, etc.) developing the film and then giving the pictures to the families to be sent to their soldier sons/husbands. Also, several local cemeteries still have pictures of beloved ones embedded on the headstones, thanks to her skills and creative problem solving.

Needlework, spinning, weaving, sewing and photography were some of her hobbies. Louise was also an artist, creating paintings that touched a memory in the heart of the recipient. She played the keyboard and learned to use a computer after her retirement. She loved to ride on the old roads, enjoying the countryside scenery and wildlife, along with frequent excursions to the Maine coast and Canada.

Louise is survived by a sister, Lillian M. Demers of Wilton; nieces, Carolyn (Demers) Burbank of Weld, Gayle (Demers) Allen of Monson and Edwina (Pratt) Wemesfelder of California; nephews, Joseph W. Demers of Weld, Daniel L. Demers of New Jersey, Marvin T. Demers of North Carolina and David F. Pratt of New Mexico; grand-nieces and grand-nephews; and Leslie Ferguson-Packard, Paul and Little Pup, whose friendship and support allowed Louise to remain independent throughout the final years of her life.

Louise was predeceased by her parents, Daniel (1993) and Gertrude (1983 Pratt); her husband, Edward Jenkins (1982); and brother, Francis Pratt (1994).