PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Connie Scovill Small, 103, of Portsmouth, N.H., died Jan. 25, 2005, at Mark H. Wentworth Home in Portsmouth. She was born June 4, 1901, in Lubec, the daughter of Ira and Mable (Myers) Scovill. She, along with her husband spent 28 years tending lighthouses on the Maine and New Hampshire coasts. Lighthouses served were Channel Light, Avery Rock, Sequin, St. Croix (Dochets Island), and New Castle Light. After her husband’s death she worked as head resident and interim dean of women at Farmington State College (now University of Maine, Farmington). At the age of 85, she wrote the best-selling book “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Wife”. This autobiography is about “people risking their own lives to help men and ships; a life of order and duty.” As a result of writing this book, she received hundreds of letters from all over the world. In addition, she received numerous citations from many influential people, including two presidents. She was honored by hundreds at a gala celebration by the American Lighthouse Foundation on her 100th birthday. She gave nearly 600 official lectures, the farthest of which took her west to Ohio, where she was invited at the age of 92, to speak to medical students at Case Western University. In addition, she appeared on every major television network. She was truly and inspiration to all who knew her. Quoting from the last page in her book, “May the sunrise bring you hope and inspiration, the sunset the comfort of a day well spent.” Connie was predeceased by her husband, Elson; two brothers, Gerald and Carlton Scovill; two sisters, Minnie Allen and Alice Ramsdell. She is survived by two nephews, John Scovill and his wife, Gail, of Houlton, Robin Scovill of Seabrook, N.H.; two nieces, Patricia Estabrook of Houlton, and Barbara Pruitt of Rockland; one sister-in-law, Lydia Scovill of Salisbury, Mass.; and special friends, Linda and Duncan Carson of Kittery. A funeral was held 11 a.m. Friday Jan. 28, at the First Congregational Church of Eliot on State Road. Her family requests donations be made in her memory to the American Lighthouse Preservation, P.O. Box 889, Wells, ME 04090. Arrangements entrusted to the J.S. Pelkey Funeral Home of Kittery.
CONNIE SCOVILL SMALL
