Longtime Francestown resident, avid quilter, beloved grandmother

Winnifred (Champney) Hoyt (‘Winnie’), 96, longtime resident of Francestown and more recently of Hillsborough, died February 11 at the Hillsborough House. 

Born March 18, 1915 in Webster NH, her family moved to Bennington NH where she grew up.  Her parents were Louis Champney and Laura (Moore) Champney.  Winnie was the oldest of their 14 children and is predeceased by 9 of them.  She graduated from Northfield Girls School in Northfield Massachusetts in 1934.  Shortly after graduating she married Donald Hoyt of Francestown and spent most of the rest of her life living happily in Francestown.

Winnie was a long time member of the Community Church of Francestown and the Women’s Guild, had been a member of the Fire Dept. Auxiliary, and served on the School Board.  

She liked to be busy, enjoyed taking walks, music, bird-watching, baking, and most especially liked to sew. She particularly liked making quilts, stuffed animals, and creating character-type dolls. Winnie had a special love of babies and children, and delighted in making people happy with her creations.  And no matter how busy, or what she was doing, she always took time for those she loved. 

She is survived by her daughters, Eleanor (Hoyt) Kiblin and Dorothy (Hoyt) Hardwick both of Francestown, 2 sisters, Florence Dodge of Nebraska and Laura Austin of Chester, NH, 2 brothers, Robert Champney of Utah and Stanley Champney of N. Carolina, by 14 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, 27 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  She is predeceased by her son, Richard D. Hoyt and by her husband. 

A memorial service will be held at the Community Church of Francestown on Saturday, February 18^th, at 2:00 p.m.   In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Community Church of Francestown.  

 The Holt-Woodbury Funeral Home & Cremation Service Hillsboro, NH is assisting the family. For more log on to www.holtwoodburyfh.com

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