DEERFIELD, N.H. – Edith (Edgecomb) Hunt Graffte, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep Aug. 12, 2009, at the Inn at Deerfield, with her daughter, Ann, by her side. She was born July 9, 1918, in Dexter, to Mildred Bennett Edgecomb and Pearly A. Edgecomb. Edith attended the local schools and graduated from N.H. Fay High School, Dexter, as well as Maine School of Commerce, now Husson College, for stenography, 1937-1938. Edith was a homemaker, a gifted oil painter with a very feminine brush stroke, a quick wit with a great sense of humor and a fine writer of poetry, personal commentaries and memories. Edie was active in club work for the Eastern Star, as well as serving as president of Skowhegan Woman’s Club. She loved playing bridge and beating the guys at shuffleboard on her Naples, Fla., team. In 1943 Edie married Norman E. Hunt in Miami Beach, Fla., while Norman was attending Officers Candidate School. Together they traveled with the Army Air Force around the country, while Norman was on active duty. Edith and Norman had four children together, Kerry George of Danville, N.H., Brian Edgecomb Hunt of Costa Mesa, Calif., Norma Hunt-Allen of Los Angeles and Ann Hunt of Glens Falls, N.Y. Edith and Norman owned Hunt’s Dairy, Skowhegan, in partnership with Hazel and Orman Hunt; Norman’s twin brother. After Norman’s death in May 1975, Edie married longtime family friend, Thomas Graffte, in November 1978. The marriage was the second for both Edie and Tom. Tom’s first wife, Marion, passed away after a very long illness. Edie’s family welcomed the addition of two adult stepchildren, Edward Graffte and his wife, Joanne, of Johnstown, Pa., and Martha Graffte Sherlaw and her husband, Jim, of Manheim, Pa. Together, Edie and Tom traveled to Europe a couple of times, as well as to Africa, Bermuda, Canada and throughout the United States. They wintered in Naples, Fla., for many years before wintering in Ocala, Fla. They enjoyed the Maine summers spending time at Tommy’s cottage in East Madison, as well as in Skowhegan at Edie’s home until Tommy passed away in 2000 in Ocala, Fla. In addition to her loving children, Edie leaves behind sons-in-law, Larry George and Bob Williams; stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A private internment service took place Aug. 17 at the Maine Veterans’ Cemetery, Augusta. A memorial service is planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family would greatly appreciate donations made to the Inn at Deerfield, Deerfield, NH 03037 or to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
EDITH (EDGECOMB) HUNT GRAFFTE
