LANCASTER, N.H. – Irma Lorraine Bean Sawyer, 76, of Richardson Street, died Thursday, March 24, at her home.

She was born in Livermore Falls, on Sept. 22, 1928, the daughter of Gerald Eugene and Helen Edith (Masterman) Bean. She graduated from Livermore Falls High School in 1947. She then received nurses’ training at Central Maine General Hospital, Lewiston, graduating from there in 1950. For 23 years she was a registered nurse at Weeks Memorial Hospital, Lancaster, N.H. She later worked as an assistant school nurse for schools in Lancaster, Whitefield, Dalton, and Jefferson.

She was an active member of the community. Memberships include the Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster, the United Methodist Women, the Olive Branch Order of the Eastern Star, the Coos Quilters, Whitefield, the local knitting group, the Coos County Extension and the Jefferson Chorus.

She also was a Girl Scout leader, a volunteer at Weeks Hospital, a volunteer for the CALEB Group, church junior choir leader, a senior choir member and taught quilting classes.

Her hobbies included skiing, snowmobiling, crafts, knitting, quilting and music. In 1969, she played the part of Sister Margareta in the Sound of Music with the Whitefield Summer Theatre.

She loved spending time at the beloved family cottage “Kabeyun” on Lake Wentworth, Wolfeboro, N.H.

Family members include her three children, Kathy Ann Sawyer of South Portland, Linda Sawyer O’Neil of Alton, N.H., and Kenneth Rhoades Sawyer of Philadelphia, Pa.; four grandchildren, Alyssa and Joshua O’Neil, and Kenneth and Matthew Sawyer; a sister, Carolyn Bean Merchant of Wilton; a brother, Byron Eugene Bean and his wife, Nancy, of Livermore; and nine nieces and nephews, Chris, Curt, Cynthia, Celine, Cheri, Rhonda, Kevin, Jeff and Lisa.

Her husband of 52 years, Rhoades Ferguson “Dusty” Sawyer, predeceased her on Feb. 1, 2004.