Obituary of Jean Hamilton Mulford

NEWPORT, NH - Jean Hamilton Mulford, 96, of Newport, New Hampshire, passed away October 6, 2019, with her daughter by her side. She was born to the late William and Beatrice Hamilton, November 10, 1922, in Little Falls, NY. Jean graduated as salutatorian from Little Falls High School in 1940 and received a B.A. from Vassar College in 1944. She married the late John Mulford in 1945, and they lived together in Norwalk, CT for many years before retiring to Wilmington, NC. Jean is survived by her three children: Elizabeth Howell, of South Sutton, NH, John Mulford, Jr., of Smithfield, VA, and Clark Mulford, of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Jean grew up in a loving family in a close-knit town. Love of music, the outdoors, and church, developed in childhood, were threads that continued throughout her life. She played the cello in school orchestras and sang in church and community choirs into her 80’s. Camping and canoeing skills she learned at Girl Scout Camp blossomed in her children and grandchildren. She grew up in the Presbyterian Church in Little Falls, raised her family in the Congregational Church in Norwalk, and returned to the Presbyterian Church when she moved to Wilmington. Throughout her life, Jean’s intellectual curiosity and love for literature, history, drama, and art found outlets in school, through her children, and in community involvement. She was active in drama clubs in high school and college, mentored her children in their studies throughout their school years, and contributed to various women’s study groups, presenting her research on a wide range of topics. As a key volunteer during the move and renaming of the Cameron Art Museum, Jean hosted her children and their spouses at the grand opening in Wilmington, NC. Jean combined her interests in genealogy and real estate by starting a business researching the history of old houses and their multi-generational occupants. Elmer Mulford, her father-in-law, passed the torch of family historian to Jean, which she took up with relish, continuing his research into the family’s history. In addition to her own business, Jean worked in the travel industry and as office manager of a law firm for many years. Jean was immensely proud of her family and leaves behind many beautiful memories. A family graveside service will be held at Noon, Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Rural Park Cemetery, Inghams Mills, NY. Local arrangements are by the Chapman-Moser Funeral Home, Inc., 42 N. Ann Street Little Falls, NY