CORNISH, NH– Mary Elizabeth Auten, longtime resident of Cornish, NH passed away at her family home on the day she turned 82 1/2. She was born in Chicago, Illinois on April 30, 1942 to Hanford Louis Auten Jr and Dawn Elaine (Seavers) Auten.
Mary moved with the family to Hanover following WWII. She attended grade school and high school in Hanover through her sophomore year, finishing high school at the Lincoln School in Rhode Island. She started college at Kalamazoo College and graduated from Shimer College in western Illinois. She lived in Boston for a number of years working as a secretary for an insurance underwriter. She returned to NH in the late 70’s where she continued working as a secretary in medical offices.
Mary was a quiet soul who lived a simple life. Her tales usually included saving an animal that needed a safe place to live. She brought home several painted turtles and placed them in the family pond (where many ancestors continue to live in all their turtle glory). She had a special sense to know when a flock of turkeys or a herd of deer were wandering in the back yard.
There was always a pet by her side and she pointedly picked the most timid from the animal shelter. Her current friends, Nikki the cat and Charlie the dog will miss her terribly.
She was most thankful for her medical care provided by Valley Regional Hospital. She was especially fond of the girls from the Kane Center. Not only was she greeted with a smile, but there was always a cup of coffee ready for her when she arrived for her weekly visit.
Mary is preceded in death by her parents and brother Jon Auten. She is survived by her brother Hanford “Skip” L. Auten III and his wife Gail Wilson of Acworth, NH, Gail’s daughter Hannah Renyi, her husband Timothy Renyi and their children, Emma and Daniel, and Skip’s granddaughter Niema of White River Junction, VT. Deborah Weurding of Kalamazoo, Michigan was not only her cousin but lifelong best friend.
As a final tribute, she will be brought by a wagon pulled by her Percheron friends, Sally and Susie, from her home at the Auten Valley Farm to the Edminster Cemetery. She will be laid to rest in the family plot with her parents, her brother Jon, and her favorite dog, Toby, by her side.
Stringer’s Funeral Home will be handling these private arrangements, as per Mary’s wishes. If you wish to make a donation in her honor, please do so with Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, 4832 Route 44, West Windsor, VT 05089.
