Mavis Ellen (Knox) Rutherford

Obituary Tilton Mavis Ellen (Knox) Rutherford Mavis E. Rutherford, 90, a longtime resident of Tilton, died Thursday, February 1, 2018 at the Belknap County Nursing Home in Laconia following a decline in health. Mavis was born in Worcester, MA, July 2, 1927, daughter of Darcy C. and Myrtle (Vousden) Knox. She spent her youth in Center Ossipee, NH and schooled there. Mavis was a graduate of the Ossipee High School, class of 1945. She continued her education at Plymouth Teachers College in Plymouth and received her teaching degree in 1951. She was a longtime teacher at the elementary school in Franklin. She later tutored at the Union Sanborn School in Northfield. She enjoyed current events and wrote often for the former Journal Transcript in Franklin. Mavis was an accomplished photographer and she and her late husband traveled the New England Countryside and shores, taking wonderful shots of wildlife and untouched scenes. Mavis would sit at her computer, producing wonderful greeting cards for family and friends. She had the gift to gab and always seemed to remember names of students from the past. She was a former active member of the United Methodist Women's Club in Tilton and was a member and supervisor of Tilton's Voter Check List. Mavis was the first woman to receive the Citizen of the Year Award in Tilton. She and her husband enjoyed the times spent with friends in camping groups, often enjoying the New England Seacoast and Lighthouses. They moved to Franklin in 1951 and later to Tilton in 1958. She was a member of the Baptist Church of Franklin at the time of her death. Mavis was predeceased by her husband, Lester "Les" John Rutherford of 66 years in 2015. She leaves, her daughter, Mari Ellen Douton and her husband, Mark of New London, CT, her son, Michael D. Rutherford and his companion, Barbara Greenwell of Plymouth, grandchildren, Michael Douton and his wife, Denise of Warwick, RI and Sara (Douton) O'Byme of Portland, OR, great-grandsons, Oliver Douton and Jack Douton. Numerous nieces and nephews. A calling hour will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home, Franklin-Tilton Road (585 West Main St.) in Tilton with a service following at 2:00 PM in the Memorial Home. Spring burial will be at Grant Hill Cemetery in Center Ossipee. Those wishing may make memorial contributions in her name to the charity of one's choice. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mavis Ellen (Knox) Rutherford, please visit our floral store.

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Mavis Ellen (Knox) Rutherford

July 2, 1927 - February 1, 2018