1931 – 2012

FARMINGTON — Edith Noyes Masterman, 81, of Wilton, died Tuesday, Dec. 18, at the Sandy River Center for Health Care and Rehabilitation.

She was born May 15, 1931, in Jay, the daughter of Bert L. and Madge E. (Newell) Masterman. She attended Beans Corner School in Jay and Wilton schools, graduating with honors from Wilton Academy in 1949.

She continued her education at Boston University and Woodrow Wilson Technical School in Virginia. She was secretary to three Wilton Congregational ministers, was employed as office manager and then editor of the Wilton Times; worked as dispatcher and bookkeeper for Red-E-Mix, Inc. a concrete company and in the public relations dept. at FMH from 1975-1978 and was a bookkeeper for RBH & Associates.

In 1984, she became involved with Literacy Volunteers of America, Franklin County Affiliate, first as a tutor, then newsletter editor, and finally as tutor contact and record keeper to assist  coordinators by collecting and recording volunteers’ hours via computer.

Her weekly Wilton News column has appeared in the Franklin Journal for several years.

A member of the Wilton United Methodist church, Edith served many years as treasurer of the United Methodist Women and of the Methodist food booth at Farmington Fair.

She was a former member of Franklin Grange #50 for over 62 years, serving as lecturer, secretary and newsletter editor; also Excelsior Pomona No. 5, State and National Granges. Edith was active in the Handicapped Awareness Association, which was instrumental in getting laws passed to aid the disabled in education, accessible building and public facilities.

Survivors include her sister, Beatrice Lowell of New Gloucester; nieces: Carolyn Bontkes of Brazil and Nancy Averill of Hampden; nephews, the Rev. Brent Averill of North Hampton, N.H., Brian Lowell of Portland; Mark Averill of Orono, Jeffery Lowell of Jaffrey, N.H., and Craig Lowell of New Gloucester; several grand nieces and nephews and her special friend, Engel Magrath of Wilton.

Condolences and tributes may be shared on her memorial wall at www.wilesrc.com.