Many in the Society will be saddened by the passing of Rebecca Howard. It is such a loss for our community. She was smart, funny, engaged, and was very good at picking battles and using her energy well. Her attention to detail was unmatched and she was more observant than most people could dream of being.

She served on the board of the Farmington Historical Society the entire time I've been a member and that's thirteen years. She pushed the Society, in every way, for the better, and that was true for every organization she was a part of.

For most local events and happenings you could count on seeing Rebecca there supporting our community and I will keenly miss the loss of her voice. 

Below is her obituary, links to guestbook, and where donations may be sent. 

Kyle Leach, Curator
Farmington NH Historical Society
Museum of Farmington History

C.E Peaslee & Son obituary:

Rebecca May Howard 

May 1, 1940 – June 28, 2022

Farmington, NH

Rebecca May Howard, 82, of Farmington, NH, passed away on June 28, 2022 at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH after a brief stay with multiple medical complications. Rebecca was born in Rochester, NH of Robert William Watson and Blanche Anathaliea Beale on May 1, 1940. She graduated from Spaulding High School on June 17, 1958 and earned an Advanced Secretarial Degree from Burdett College in Boston, MA on June 5, 1959. She married Ronald James Howard Sr. on May 27, 1961 at the Advent Christian Church in Farmington, NH. She worked as an Executive Secretary at the University of New Hampshire for the Department of Kinesiology and retired in 2002 after many years of dedicated service. Rebecca spent her retirement years involved in the things she loved most: her family, her friends, and activities with the town of Farmington. She enjoyed embroidery, quilt making, arts and crafts, ceramics, and especially creating special memories for her family during the Christmas holiday. Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents. Rebecca is survived by her five children: James Howard, Beth (Michael) Vaughn, Casey (Patty) Howard, Allen (Jill) Howard, and Ronald Howard Jr. She is also survived by her two brothers: John Watson and J. Hiram (Nancy) Watson. Additionally, she is survived by her eight grandchildren: Crystal (Brian) Bailey, Shannen Vaughn (Shaun Lynch), Nicholas (Lexi) Chretien, Nolan (Ella) Chretien, Benjamin Howard, Joshua Howard, Christopher Howard, and Olivia Howard. Rebecca is also survived by her seven great grandchildren: Tennly, Emmy, and Lydia Bailey, Parker and Payten Lynch, and Colton and Dallas Chretien.

Rebecca will be celebrated by her family and all those who loved her at the Advent Christian Church in Farmington, NH; Services will begin on Friday, July 8^th at 10:00 with a reception to follow. Rebecca’s family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to all her doctors at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, the Cornerstone Visiting Care Nurses, the Advent Christian Church, and the Farmington Women’s Club. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Advent Christian Church, P.O. Box 811, Farmington, NH 03835 or to the Farmington Women’s Club where Rebecca was a member and loyal friend for many years at P.O. Box 511, Farmington, NH 03835.