Fay Sherwood Sawyer

Fay Sherwood Sawyer, 81, of Silver Ranch, Jaffrey, died peacefully while visiting for the holidays at the home of her daughter Ellen, in Jaffrey, on Saturday, January 6, 2007.

Her husband of fifty-nine years, Alfred P. Sawyer, died March 10, 2002. Fay had remained active, managing her own home and continuing her involvement with family, business, and community. Just a day and a half before her death, she was out surveying the Ranch with Ellen in their 4 X 4 Gator.

Fay was born September 29, 1925 in Pepperell, MA, one of eight children of Walter E. and Florence (Moorhouse) Sherwood. A graduate of Pepperell High School, she had been a resident of Jaffrey since 1943 when she married Alfred and came to Silver Ranch.

Family and young people were Fay's special interests. As well as raising her own five children, she and Alfred together made a home for numerous foreign students, extended family, and Silver Ranch employees over many years. Fay was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was admired for her cooking and loved by many for her gentle and generous nature. She co-managed The Stand at Silver Ranch with its scores of young workers; hosted sleigh ride parties and made mountains of doughnuts for the cold guests coming in from their rides. She taught 4-H and Sunday School and was an active participant in The United Church of Jaffrey for many years. Fay was also a correspondent for the Monadnock Ledger and the Penny Saver in the early years. She was a patient and loving supporter of Alfred's work, travels, and many varied interests.

Fay is survived by her five children: Harvey and his wife Lee (Stanton) Sawyer of Jaffrey; Lois (Mrs. Patrick) Caulfield of Delmar, NY; Lee Alfred and his wife Judith (Pratt) Sawyer, Ellen (Mrs. David) Hedman, and Jane Sawyer, all of Jaffrey; twelve grandchildren: Tyson Sawyer of Jaffrey; Martha (Sawyer) Gagnon of Rindge; Kent Sawyer of NY; Brian Caulfield of NYC; Alfred Pratt Sawyer of Jaffrey; Karolin (Hedman) Campbell of MA; Rita Sawyer of Jaffrey; Rachel (Sawyer) Hennessey of Lyndeborough; Heather Caulfield of VT; Alex Hedman in Iraq (USMC); Vanessa (Sawyer) Yararli of The Netherlands; Christopher Caulfield in Ireland; and 11 great-grandchildren. Fay has five surviving sisters: Barbara Busler and Francys Davis, both of Pepperell, MA; Nancy Huggins and Carolyn Stugard, both of Charleston, SC; and Claire Place of Milford, NH; two sisters-in-law: Phyllis Sawyer Lawn of Jaffrey and Betty Stoughton of Wellfleet, MA; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by one brother, Walter E. 'Bob' Sherwood, and one sister, Beverly Wiley.

A celebration of Fay's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 27, 2007 at The United Church of Jaffrey, 54 Main Street, with a reception to follow at the adjacent Parish Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made to The United Church of Jaffrey; Jaffrey-Rindge Ambulance Service; Jaffrey Fire Department; or Jaffrey Historical Society.