Doris F. "Dottie" (Lapan) McKoan

Doris F. (Lapan) McKoan

CHICHESTER- Doris “Dottie” McKoan

          Our beloved “Reet” Doris (Lapan) McKoan, age 96, passed away peacefully in her home on January 3, 2017, surrounded by all the love she created.

She was born on May 18, 1920 in Careyville, MA, the daughter of Arthur P. and Blanche H. (Dupre) Lapan. The oldest girl in a family of nine children, she was raised from the age of 3 in Enfield, NH where she graduated from Enfield High School. Theirs was a large close-knit family.

Her formative years spanned the entire Great Depression, which instilled the marvelous values of hard work, resourcefulness and frugality, with spirituality at its core. When an extended childhood illness limited her, Dottie channeled her energy into developing passions for painting, a love for bird study, poetry, cooking, sewing and all things domestic.

As a young woman, she worked in the court systems of Newport and Claremont, NH, where she met and fell in love with her soon-to-be husband. Thom, then City Editor for the “Claremont Eagle.” Their life of 49 years together took them on a wonderful adventure – Tom realizing multiple careers, all of which were supported 150% by Dottie.

Together, they bought and became editor and publisher of the “Valley Times,” a century old weekly newspaper, located in Pittsfield, NH, a town she continued to treasure with some of her fondest memories. In moving the location of the newspaper to a former Victorian estate, the “Wyman House,” she was given the opportunity to restore its features, thus entering into a whole new chapter, becoming an artist with a wide brush as well as a fine brush.

They continued to restore homes in Canterbury, Concord, Canaan and Chichester, a total of 9 homes; her efforts the pride of her husband, Big Tom. Dottie’s artistic and domestic efforts continued for two more generations with countless family memories and holidays, which will be cherished forever.

In her 30 years in Chichester she had the joy of presenting her only art show (a personal accomplishment that left her brimming with happiness), showing talent in all mediums she had perfected throughout her life. Dottie became involved in the Chichester Historical Society, an association that continued until her passing. She loved the projects, the creativity, their sense of community and their friendship.

It was at the Historical Society that she continued to thrive with two presentation of “Life Back When….” Shared with local resident and town historian Walter Sanborn, a later celebration of her 90th Birthday, and a final honor as recipient of the Boston Post Cane in April 2016, as the town’s oldest resident.

Dottie’s devotion to her Roman Catholic faith led her to a lifelong commitment as a Third Order Discalced Carmelite. She cherished her membership until her death.

Dottie was a wonderful cook, a self-taught artist (in many mediums), an excellent wife, mother, friends and neighbor. She was pretty, charming, smart, creative, fun, spirited and spiritual: she had it all. She was ours.

Our mother, gram and great gram will be deeply missed, but her legacy will live on in all of us – her greatest achievement.

Dottie was predeceased by her husband, Thomas F. McKoan, and survived by daughter Denise Clattenburg of Chichester, NH, and son Thomas McKoan, Jr of Sebring, FL. Dottie was the loving grandmom of Sean P. Snow and wife Pam and great granddaughter Stephanie, all of Dunbarton, grandmom to Christopher E. Snow and wife Danielle and great grandchildren, Logan, Molly and Liam all of Hillsboro, NH; granddaughter Samantha S. Clattenburg and great granddaughters, Jacqueline Arseneault of Concord, NH and Jessica Steeves of Los Angeles, CA; sisters Gloria Dumas of Swampscott, MA and Priscilla Bonner of Ridgecrest, CA.

Mother, you have been our dearest treasure. Give Big Tom a big hug.

Calling hours will be held on Sunday, January 8th, 2017 from 2:00pm-5:00pm at Bennett Funeral Home, 209 N. Main Street, Concord with a memorial gathering beginning at 4pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, January 9th at 10:00am at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Pittsfield, NH. Burial will follow in Millville Cemetery, Hopkinton Road, Concord. Donations may be made in her memory to the Chichester Historical Society, Main Street, Chichester, NH 03258. Assisting with the arrangements in the Still Oaks Funeral and Memorial Home in Epsom, NH. To share a memory or offer a condolence please visit www.stilloaks.com.

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