Laura S. Whitworth, 99

LACONIA — Laura Smith Whitworth passed away peacefully on March 23, 2018, four days shy of her 100th birthday, at Taylor Community in Laconia with her family present.

Laura was born Laura Ruth Smith on March 27, 1918, in Ashland. She attended grade school in Ashland and High School in Plymouth. She attended Middlebury College in Vermont where she met her husband, Foster. They were married in 1941 and lived in Connecticut for many years. Laura and Foster moved to Meredith in 1969 to open the Towle Hill House Gift shop and Baby Boutique. Foster passed away in the late 80s and Laura kept busy with the shop until she turned 85 and retired.

Laura was an accomplished seamstress, needle worker, rug hooker, cook, and gardener throughout her life. She also loved hosting many gatherings for her family. In 2000, Laura sold her beloved Towle Hill House and joined the Taylor Community in Sandwich where she lived for 10 years. She enjoying working at the Sandwich Home Industries and joined various organizations in town. In 2013, at age 95, she moved to the Taylor Community Assisted Living facility in Laconia, eventually moving to the community's nursing facility.

Laura was predeceased by her husband, Foster, and her parents, Florence and Arthur Smith of Plymouth. She leaves behind her three children and their spouses: Foster and Phebe Whitworth, Linda and Derek Marshall, and Arthur and Sandy Whitworth; her grandchildren: Addison and Jessica Whitworth; Foster and Amanda Whitworth IV; Amy, Marshall and Chad Levy; Crofton and Andrea Marshall; and Posie Haeger and Ellery Whitworth. Laura also leaves behind five great-grandchildren.

A service will be held in remembrance of Laura at Trinity Episcopal Church in Meredith on April 7 at 3 p.m. with a reception following. Memorial donations may be made to Central New Hampshire Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, 780 N. Main St., Laconia NH 03246.