When I was asked to speak about Elaine today the first thought I had was of her friendship. True, I was excited to have someone with actual library education and experience show up on the doorstep of the original Elkins Library and offer to volunteer.  She was soon hired and professionally proved her value daily, but her caring ways, warmth, humor and understanding of life’s foibles won me over immediately in the friendship department. We had common interests, learned much from each other and shared lots of laughter. In the early days of Elaine’s employment at Elkins Library, she was also employed by the Hopkinton Town Library.  Each library has their own way of doing things and it was a bit overwhelming learning the expectations of two libraries at the same time. It wasn’t unusual for a surprised patron to hear, Good afternoon, Hopkinton Library, when at our circulation desk. She was always good natured when I would jokingly remind her where she was and all three of us, Elaine, the patron and I would end up laughing. She also confided that she often answered the Hopkinton Library phone with a…  Good afternoon, Elkins Library. The original Elkins Library building was built in 1927 and aging wood and an old stone foundation made it easy for mice and such to successfully search out warmth amongst us during the colder months. One wintery evening, Elaine was talking to a patron when she spotted a vole scurrying around the library. Employing the old corn husk broom, she began chasing the vole to usher it out the door. Being elusive and frightened, it tried to find a hiding place running up walls, under the desk and finally up Elaine’s pant leg! The next day, relating the experience, outrage quickly turned to laughter as she assured me there was much dancing and screaming, hers I think… not the escaping vole’s. I never did catch it. Elaine and I worked well together both in the library and exploring our interests such as sewing, shopping, sharing recipes, luncheons, chocolate and we even included our husbands occasionally over dinners.  We had years of confiding in and supporting each other. The year my father died, knowing the holidays would be challenging, I began what became a tradition for a number of years inviting our closest friends for Christmas dinner. Elaine, Jim and Jim Jr., of course were with us.  And, once again the warmth, caring and laughter shared with Elaine and her family carried me and my family through what would have been a very difficult time. Several years ago when a colleague of ours retired as the Director of the Deerfield Library, I invited Elaine to join me for the reception. It was a beautiful outdoor celebration and Elaine was so pleased to have the chance to express her well wishes to Eveline. They had become good friends at library meetings and shared the love of quilting. After the celebration, Elaine and I went out to lunch and it felt like old times, yet made better for we had many memories to reminisce and laugh about.  I’ll always be grateful to Elaine for supporting me through the rough times and celebrations and smile as I remember her generosity, love and of course, her laughter.    

- Susan LeClair presented these words to friends and family at the time of Elaine's Memorial in the Garden.

Elkins Public Library and the Town of Canterbury have known and benefitted from Dr. Eckhardt's generosity. Long before I started at the Library, I knew Dr. Eckhardt because both of my children learned how to swim in his pool. The beautiful pool was a significant upgrade from Dudley's Pond where I learned to swim! The library was always so important to him and he recognized it as the community center and the heart of the community that it has become.
His support was felt long before he donated Gretchen, the priceless bronze sculpture by Beverly Seamans of Marblehead, MA. He donated this sculpture in 2007 to honor his beloved wife Mary. It was specifically donated to his grandchildren, a picture sits beside it taken at the dedication in 2007. (the picture was "reconstructed" on Sunday and both pictures are below).
This original picture was very helpful when a wonderful woman named Erin came in with her baby, Zoey. Soon after, the library team got to know Joseph as he used the space to apply for jobs and later work from the conference room. Later we all fell in love with Henry and we were lucky to watch them all grow as a family before moving on after taking such good care of their grandfather.
Months ago, when the family reached out to me with another very generous gift offer, I was not surprised in the least. A bench has been purchased and the plaque engraved and mounted to recognize Dr. Eckhardt. It will sit in the Rita Braskie Memorial Garden and occasionally move to the front porch for Farmers Markets. It will be used in this place of reflection and as a community gathering place during and after library hours.
On behalf of the Library staff and it's Trustees and the Town of Canterbury, we thank you for this generous gift.

Rachel Baker (remarks made during the dedication reception held in the Library)

October 13, 2024

Kathleen A. (Katie) Dunn 61, of Canterbury , N.H. died on 2/29/20 after a courageous three year battle with brain cancer.

Born in Boston, Mass, she was the daughter of Robert W. and Doris M. Dunn. She graduated as valedictorian from Kearsarge Regional High School. She continued her education at Concord Hospital School of Nursing where she also graduated as valedictorian, winning numerous awards. She earned her BS from New England College in Psychology and Sociology. She received her MPH from Boston University School of Medicine, School of Public Health.

Katie had a stellar career. She was employed by Concord Hospital for twenty years as an ICU/CCU, PACU RN. She supervised ER Admitting. She opened the New Hampshire office of the New England Organ Bank. She spent twenty three years employed by the State of New Hampshire. Beginning in Maternal and Child Health as a nurse consultant, bureau Chief of Communicable Disease, and Director of Public Health. As Medicaid Director Katie oversaw a number of reform initiatives including the transition to Managed care and a Premium Assistance Program as part of the state's Medicaid Expansion. She was Associate Commissioner of Health and Human Services. One of her career highlights was writing the CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program), a pilot program for the country, under then Governor Jeanne Shaheen. She was a tireless and compassionate advocate for the disabled and their families. Her career concluded as Senior Program Director for the National Academy of State Health Policy in Portland, Maine and Washington, DC. She was a Robert Wood Johnson Medicaid Leadership Fellow

An avid philanthropist, she was dedicated to improving the health and welfare of our entire planet. She was a former trustee of the Canterbury Public Library. Katie volunteered for the Canterbury Farmer's Market with a great supportive circle of women.

A congregant and longtime member of the Concord Unitarian Universalist Church sustained her spiritually. She and her spouse hold the distinction of the first church based Civil Union in N.H.

She loved travelling multiple times to Cambodia and extensively through the United States and Canada. Alaska, National Parks, the Canadian Rockies, and Churchill Manitoba were among her favorites. She was a longtime member of NH Audubon and a birdwatcher. Local favorites included Cape Cod, Plum Island, Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine.

Most of all, she was a dedicated, passionate, and devoted mother. She was pre-deceased by her afore named parents and mother in-law Eleanor M. Burgess. She leaves behind her spouse of thirty-seven years, Christine Burgess. Two incredible and cherished daughters, Emma Burgess-Dunn and Sophie Burgess-Dunn. Denali, the best Airedale anywhere. A chosen sister, Patrice Thomas, Father in-law Peter G, Burgess. Brother in-law, Peter F. Burgess. Four siblings, Laura(Joe)Branch, Carolyn(Jim) Valiquet, Michael(Luci)Dunn, and James Dunn. Also cousins, nieces and nephews...and a larger community all improved by her efforts.
 

Sally Dale Palmer, 58, passed away on Aug. 5, 2014, surrounded by her loving family.She was born in Manchester, on Sept. 25, 1955, the daughter of George E. and Pauline A. (Dale) Birt. Sally graduated from Manchester Memorial High School. She was employed for many years at the Puritan Backroom Restaurant, and more recently at the Canterbury Country Store. Sally loved nature, hiking in the mountains and spending time at the beach. She was a gifted painter and enjoyed reading and spending time with her BFF, Sadie. Sally is survived by her loving husband, Arthur E. Hudson Jr.; three children, Jason Palmer, Chelsy Mungere and husband Wilson, and Jillian Campbell and husband Drew; two grandchildren, Sadie Mungere and Harmony Lynch; her mother, Pauline Birt; three siblings, Judy Pilotte, Marty Battistelli, and Dawn O'Dell; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, George Birt.