Wilhelmina Reed

Wilhelmina B. Reed, ""Miny,"" 91, of of Northfield, NH, died on December 25th. Miny was born on April 13, 1921, in Colebrook, NH, to William J. Reed, and Berenice (Sibley) Reed. Having earned her Masters degree in Education at Plymouth State, Miny taught as an elementary school teacher in Laconia, NH, all of her professional life. She taught at Batcheler Street, Bowman Street (where she also served as principal), and Woodland Heights schools. After spending her childhood in Colebrook, Franconia, and Wells River, Miny, her siblings, and her parents moved to the Lakes Region where, in 1944, her parents bought Glen Echo farm in Northfield, where Miny lived and farmed the rest of her life. In the 1960s, Glen Echo Farm became one of the first in NH to raise and breed Brown Swiss dairy cows. She was a member of Eastern Star, NH Retired Teachers' Association, NH Farm Bureau, and the St. James Episcopal Church in Laconia, NH. Miny enjoyed her many animals, numerous of whom were orphans, such as Henry the baby chick raised to rooster-hood in the house; Sally Louise, the ewe who wandered up the driveway early one morning and was the matriarch of a family of sheep spanning several generations and some of which still live on Glen Echo farm to this day; and her infamous and much-photographed flock of geese who routinely stop traffic several times daily crossing the road to their pond. All orphans seemed to find their way to Miny's doorstep where they were never turned away. Miny leaves behind nieces Carol and Jean Keyes (partner Bob Simpson) of Northfield, Susan Knull of Red Hook, NY, and Deborah Brown (husband Steve) of Germantown, NY; nephews Robert Keyes (wife Shirley) of Pittsfield, Mass, and Jack Keyes of Manchester, NH, and Fremont (wife Marsha) and Bill Nelson (wife Jennie) of Ryegate Corner, Vermont; many great-nieces and -nephews, and great-great nieces and -nephews in NH, Vermont, and Massachusetts, including great-niece Brittni Stewart of Concord, and -nephew Brady Stewart of Dover, whom she treated as if her grandchildren; great-nieces Chrissy and Billie Jean Keyes of Danbury NH; and extended family members Steffanie Jacques of Sanborton, Amelia McQuaid-Hunt of Auburn, Maine, Jairus McQuaid-Hunt of Northfield, Patrick Elliot of Dover, and Chris Hunt and Eileen McQuaid of Northfield. She leaves behind her beloved Jack Russell terriers, Arthur and Wilson, as well as many other feathered and furry friends that gave her so much joy. She was pre-deceased by her parents, her sisters Evelyn Nelson of Ryegate Corner, Vt, and Diane Reed of Belmont, NH, and her nephew, William Keyes of Danbury, NH. The family would like to thank the St. Francis staff and the many friends who stopped in to visit with Miny along the way. A service will be held Saturday December 29th at 1:00pm at the Northfield Pines Community Center, 61 Summer St., Northfield. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements by Paquette-Neun Funeral Home, Northfield. For more information, go to their website at neunfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Miny's name to either Let & Let Live Farm ( http://www.liveandletlivefarm.org/donatec.htm ), 20 Paradise Lane, Chichester, NH or the Franklin Animal Shelter, 71 Punch Brook Road, Franklin, NH