Elizabeth T. Massin

She was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of George and Alice (Baily) Trainer. She grew up in Germantown, Penn., and was a graduate of the University of Delaware, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.

Liz was passionate about her family. She was an amazing wife to her husband Frank whom she married in 1949 in Philadelphia, at the City Hall. He passed away in 1991 after 42 years of marriage. She was an extremely devoted mother, grandmother, and recently, to her delight, great-grandmother.

Mrs. Massin moved to her present home in Fitzwilliam in 1955. In June of 1963, she and her husband established the Frank Massin Insurance Agency in Fitzwilliam. Their son Charlie joined the agency in 1977. Before she and her husband started the agency she worked as assistant postmaster at the FPO, as office manager of South Pond Cabins and as a realtor at the Peterson Agency. Her shorthand skills were valued at the Monadnock Regional School District SAU where she served as the original clerk.

At the time of her death, Mrs. Massin was still very active in the agency where she was a Certified Insurance Counselor as well as the Office Manager. Work was a very important part of her life. Retirement did not appeal to her!

A very active member of her community, Mrs. Massin was a member of the Fitzwilliam Garden Club, the Fitzwilliam Historical Society, the Fitzwilliam Swim Club and the Friends of the Fitzwilliam Town Library. She was also a longtime member of the Fitzwilliam Community Church.

In addition to all of her activities within her community, Mrs. Massin loved music, particularly classical and jazz. She attended many of the musical and cultural events in the area including the Peterborough Players with her daughter-in-law. She enjoyed playing tennis often, was an avid reader and spent the weekend hours in her flower gardens with her poodle, Tasha.

She shared a love of art with her grandson Caleb and her watercolor paintings are much treasured by her family. She took many painting classes at the Sharon Arts Center and enjoyed visiting art museums wherever she went. Every year Liz traveled to Europe with a close group of friends and never missed the summer vacations to Squam Lake and York, Maine with her family.

She enjoyed entertaining friends and family at her 1770 historic home which she and her husband spent many years restoring to its original style. Their efforts were acknowledged when their home was featured in the Historic Homes of Cheshire County as well as being featured as Home of the Month in the NH Profiles magazine. Her annual holiday parties and Supper Club dinners were a staple among her friends.

She is survived by a son, Charles G.B. Massin and his wife, Susan, of Fitzwilliam, three grandchildren; Sarah Massin Short and her husband Steven of Derry, NH, Caleb Massin of Dallas, TX, Noah Massin and his wife Sarah of San Diego, CA, and a great-granddaughter, Emma Baily Short of Derry. Her husband of 42 Years, Francis C. “Frank” Massin, died January 31, 1991.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM in the Fitzwilliam Community Church, Route 119 West, Fitzwilliam. Burial in the Pine Grove Cemetery, Fitzwilliam, will be private. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers the family asked that donations be made in Mrs. Massin’s memory to the Fitzwilliam Town Library, 11 Templeton Turnpike, Fitzwilliam, NH 03447, where she had served as a trustee for many years.

The Foley Funeral Home, 49 Court Street, Keene, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements.