Daisy Dearborn

Daisy Dearborn, 97, of Stow Ma, formerly of Concord, Ma, died on Saturday, June 15th. Born in Lexington Ma to Rosabel Fardy Forten and raised by her maternal grandmother Isabel Wright Fardy, “Grammy”, along with her brother “Mike” (George Wright Forten) 

A preemie, doctors warned the family she probably wouldn’t live long but Daisy defied the odds as she continued to do throughout her life. In spite of profound hearing loss, she excelled in academics graduating from Boston University School of Journalism. She married Newell Dearborn on October 2, 1949 in a small back yard ceremony on the farm where she grew up, wearing a wedding gown she made herself. 

Soon the newlyweds embarked on an adventure, driving a motorcycle in search of employment for Newell and ended up in Independence MO where their first daughter, Joelle, was born.Homesick for family, they headed back to Ma and settled in West Concord, where their second daughter, Helen, was born. 

Daisy threw herself into Concord activities while raising her family. She was a Girl Scout leader, a member of the West Concord Women’s Club, 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. Once the girls were in school, she began working part-time, first at Middlesex Insurance and then for many years at Richardsons Drug in Concord Center. In 1978, she started writing for The Concord Journal. In her debut column she dubbed it “a love letter to Concord.” Her job at the drug store enabled her to have her finger on the pulse of Concord, providing inspiration for her column, entitled 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 and keeping on top of the local news.

Daisy and Newell moved to Stow in 1980, where Daisy quickly made friends, joining the Stow Garden Club, The Cultural Council, The Center Village Committee, the Stow Democratic Committee, the Historical Committee, and the Stow Conservation Trust. A voracious reader, never without a book, she became a trustee at the Randall Library. Some of her happiest days were spent at Small Farm, volunteering for her friends, The Sipler’s, and making friends with who she called “The Farm Girls.” She was a parishioner in Acton Congregational Church, where she taught Sunday school and was a member of the Women’s Faith Sharing group, making more wonderful friends. 

Daisy was outspoken, opinionated, feisty, political, and full of energy for all her causes and volunteering. She had friends of all ages, endearing herself to all who were lucky enough to know her well. She leaves her daughters Joelle Hanley (Jim) of Burlington Ma, Helen Halloran (David) of Acton Ma. Granddaughters, Amy Halloran of Los Angeles Ca, Caroline Halloran of Acton Ma, Susan McEachern of Burlington Ma. and four great grandsons, Craig and Caden of Burlington Ma. Giovanni and Elijah of Acton Ma.

A Celebration of Life will be held Tuesday, August 13, at 11:00 am in the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd, Acton, MA, followed by a reception in Hartman Hall.

Donations kindly appreciated in her memory to:
Stow Conservation Trust
380 Great Road
Stow, MA 01775
https://www.stowconservationtrust.org/membership 

Randall Library:  
380 Great Road - Lower Level
Stow, MA 01775
https://www.stow-ma.gov/randall-library

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742   978-369-3388  www.concordfuneral.com