Daisy Dearborn, 97, of Stow, formerly of Concord, died June 15. She was born in Lexington to Rosabel Fardy Forten and raised by her maternal grandmother Isabel Wright Fardy, “Grammy,” along with her brother “Mike” (George Wright Forten).
Despite profound hearing loss, Daisy excelled academically, graduating from Boston University School of Journalism. She married Newell Dearborn on October 2, 1949. Soon after, they moved to Independence, Missouri. Homesick for family, they returned to Massachusetts and settled in West Concord.
Daisy threw herself into Concord activities while raising her family. She was a Girl Scout leader, a West Concord Women’s Club member, and on the board of 51 Walden. She was a member of the Democratic Town Committee and worked on numerous campaigns for politicians she supported. She began working part-time at Middlesex Insurance and then at Richardson’s Drug in Concord Center for many years. In 1978, she started writing for The Concord Journal. Her job at the drugstore enabled her to have her finger on the pulse of Concord, inspiring her column titled, “Dear Concord.” After retiring from the drug store, she began working for her daughter at The Concord Flower Shop, enjoying interactions with customers she had known for years.
When Daisy and Newell moved to Stow in 1980, Daisy quickly found her place in the community. She made friends, joined various committees and clubs, and became a trustee at the Randall Library. Her happiest days were spent at Small Farm, volunteering for her friends, The Siplers, and making friends with what she affectionately called “The Farm Girls.” She was actively involved in the Acton Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Women’s Faith Sharing group.
She leaves her daughters, Joelle Hanley (Jim) of Burlington and Helen Halloran (David) of Acton; granddaughters Amy Halloran of Los Angeles, California; Caroline Halloran of Acton; Susan McEachern of Burlington, and four great-grandsons, Craig and Caden; and Giovanni and Elijah.
A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 13, at 11 a.m. in the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Road, Acton. Reception to follow.
Donations in her memory may be made to the Stow Conservation Commission, 380 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775 or the Randall Library-Pompositticut Community Center, 509 Great Road, Stow, MA 01775.
Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home. To share a memory or offer a condolence, visit www.concordfuneral.com.
