Viola H. Sutton

Viola H. Sutton, 98, of Colebrook, died June 20, 2006 at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital. The youngest of seven children of John and Helen (Covill) Harding, she was born in Columbia and lived in Colebrook for most of her life. She graduated from Colebrook Academy, Class of 1924. At the age of 16, following a summer of training after high school, she taught at the Piper Hill School in Colebrook where some of her students were just a year younger than she. This first teaching experience was followed by two years at the Forbes School in East Colebrook and two more at the Young School in Kidderville. She then graduated from Plymouth Normal School, Class of 1929, and taught junior high and home economics in Hampstead for a short time. She then taught sixth grade at the Ashland Grammar School for six years and fifth grade in Essex, MA for three years. In 1938, she married John P. Sutton and moved back to Colebrook. From 1949-1950 she taught at the Columbia Valley School, followed by two years at the Grand Division School in East Colebrook. She then taught first grade at the Colebrook Elementary School for the next 18 years. After she retired, Viola began oil painting and continued the handwork she enjoyed including sewing, embroidery, quilting, and even tatting. She also was a frequent substitute teacher for many years. Viola was well known in Colebrook for managing Sutton Place, a guest house on Main Street. In 2005 Viola was the recipient of the Boston Post Cane for the distinction of being Colebrooks oldest citizen. Her family includes one son, Charles C. Sutton and his wife Elaine of North Conway, one daughter Lucille H. Sutton and her husband John Morrissey of San Francisco, and five grandchildren, Carolyn J. Iorio of Hyde Park, NY, Charles C. Sutton, Jr., John C. Sutton, Jacquelyn C. Sutton and Katelyn M. Sutton, all of North Conway and one great-grandchild. Her husband John Pitkin Sutton, predeceased her in 1957. Contributions in Violas memory may be made to the Richard J. Moore Scholarship Fund (for Colebrook Academy graduates who are pursuing a career in the creative arts) c/o Stella Edwards, Colebrook Academy, 1 Academy Street, Colebrook, NH, 03576. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 24, 2006 at 1 PM at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Colebrook. Burial will follow at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Visiting hours will be held Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Trinity United Methodist Church. The Furber and White Funeral Home in North Conway is in charge of arrangements, assisted by the Bryant Funeral Home of Berlin.