Lifelong resident, Bromfield Class of 1942, owned Shaker Hill Kennels
Connie Thayer. (Courtesy photo)
Constance A. Thayer passed away Nov. 10, 2014, at Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley, Littleton. She was born in Belfast, Maine, in 1925. Her parents were Dora (Smith) Avery and Fredrick L. Avery.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph Wolcott Thayer, on April 18, 1985. Connie is survived by her son, Rodney Leroy Thayer of Oakland, Calif., her daughter, Alice Louise Thayer of Harvard, and her grandsons, Lucas Avery Grimes Thayer of Ojai, Calif., and Jerry Aguero Grimes Thayer of El Monte, Calif. She was also the sister of the late Betty.
Connie lived in Harvard all of her life. She graduated from the Bromfield School in 1942 in a class of 10 students. She loved Harvard. As a young woman, she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school at the Congregational Church. Connie worked as a substitute mail carrier in Harvard and enjoyed her route around town. She was a Girl Scout leader along with Ginny Thurston and Carol Schwarzer. She was appointed town treasurer in June of 1968 to complete the unexpired term of Lillian Small.
Connie’s parents lived with the South Family Shakers and bought the farm from the Shakers when they left Harvard in 1906. For many years Connie and her uncle, Donald Smith, ran a poultry farm. They sold their eggs to Pilch’s Hatchery in Connecticut and dressed chickens and sold them to the market in Ayer.
Connie loved dogs. Her kennel was Shaker Hill Kennels where she raised cocker spaniels, Boston terriers, German shepherds and keeshonds. After she retired, she kept keeshonds as her pets. She was also active in running a local dog training school for several years.
She lived on the farm with her family until her uncle’s death in 1973. She sold the farm to Judy and Andy Warner and moved her family to the house she built across the street.
Connie was a member and a judge in the New England Regional Lily Society for many years. She traveled to shows across the United States and to New Zealand. She made many friends through her travels, and the majority of the plants in her garden were gifts from her friends. She loved quilting and gave many quilts to her family and friends as gifts.
Connie worked for several companies during her career in payroll, accounting administrative services, and training. She retired from Digital Equipment Corporation in June 1990.
At her request, there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Donations may be made in her honor to the Harvard Ambulance Service, 40 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451 (www.harvardems.org)
