Barbara H. Dewhirst, 86

HOBE SOUND, FlORIDA — Barbara H. (Stoehrer) Dewhirst, 86, passed away Friday, Nov. 10, 2023, at the Martin Coast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hobe Sound. 

She was born Jan. 18, 1937, in Methuen, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Dr. Walter K. Stoehrer and Helen (Gilman) Stoehrer RN. She was a member of the first graduating class in 1954 of Tenney Memorial High School in Methuen, Fisher College in Boston, and received a bachelor's degree in historical and museum studies summa cum laude from Granite State College.

Barbara was a long-time resident of Methuen, Massachusetts, and Gilford, prior to retiring to Hobe Sound in 2005. While living in Methuen, she was a member of the Forest St. Union Church and the League of Women Voters. While living in Gilford, she was active in the Gilford Community Church, The Belknap Mill Society and Canterbury Shaker Village.

While living in Florida, she volunteered at the Jupiter Light House and Loggerhead Marine Life Center. She worked at the Elliott Museum on Hutchinson Island, where she was introduced to the House of Refuge, becoming the weekend manager and tour guide. She was a 63-year member of Fidelity Chapter #90, Order of the Eastern Star in Haverhill, Massachusetts.

The widow of Charles F. Dewhirst Jr., family members include her sons Richard C. and Lynn (Henry) Dewhirst of Salem, Alan W. Dewhirst Sr. and Barbara Hook of North Andover, Massachusetts, Glenn E. Dewhirst of Hobe Sound, Florida, and John C. Dewhirst of Laconia; grandchildren Alan W. Dewhirst Jr. and his wife, Brooke, of North Andover, Massachusetts, Paige and her husband, Brandon Williams, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Laura B. Dewhirst of Salem, Robert C. Dewhirst of Methuen, Massachusetts, Samantha Dewhirst and Abigail Dewhirst both of Bluffton, South Carolina, and Catalina Dewhirst and Sophia Dewhirst both of Laconia; great-grandchildren Steven, Saige, Willow and Wells; cousins Margaret Gilman and Andrew Gilman; nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life for Barbara will be held on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, at 4 p.m. at the House of Refuge, 301 SE MacArthur Blvd., Stuart, FL 34996.

A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, at 4 p.m. at The Forest St. Union Church, 15 Forest St., Methuen, MA. Friends may call on Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m. at the church.

Burial in Pine Grove Cemetery in Gilford will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amy’s Room in care of Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, NH 03249.