Lois Joann Witham

SOUTHBURY - Rev. Lois Joann Witham, 85, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home in Southbury on October 28, 2020. 

Lois was born on April 13, 1935, daughter of the late Kenneth Graham & Mamie Estelle (Farris) Hulsman. She was raised in Reading, MA and graduated from Tufts University with a degree in education. She taught school in Portsmouth, NH; West Hartford, CT; Southbury’s elementary schools, and at the Southbury Training School (STS). Lois raised her family in Southbury for 24 years. She was an active member of the South Britain Congregational Church, where she participated in their choir, the Inbetweeners, and the Primetimers. She loved selling her homemade candies, artwork, and published books at their Apple Festival. She was a Cub Scout den mother, active in Girl Scouts, and a Daughter of the American Revolution.

Upon her husband Richard's retirement from STS, they moved to a gentleman’s farm in Lumberport, WV. There, she worked at The Arc. She was later ordained, and ministered at three different United Methodist Churches. Lois found such joy in marrying and baptizing people throughout New England and West Virginia. While in West Virginia, Lois and Richard hosted a foreign exchange student, Daniela Laaks, who became “third daughter” to Lois.

Lois retired to Maine to be near her family’s cabin, where she spent the past 85 summers. The memories made with family and friends through the generations, made the cabin very special to her. She was an active member and deacon of the Oxford Congregational Church. She took first place in the North Waterford World’s Fair’s Moose-Calling competition. Her trophy has been proudly displayed on the mantle ever since for all to see. 

Lois never met a stranger, just a friend she hadn’t met yet. With love for everyone, she always had a caring word, a big smile and a tight hug for anyone. Her passions included playing cards and boardgames, working on puzzles, sewing, baking, candy making, reading and caregiving. She was an artist and the author/illustrator of her own children’s books. But her greatest passion was to spread kindness, love and compassion in everything that she did. 

Lois was predeceased by her husband, Richard Francis Witham and her brother, Robert Blake Hulsman. She leaves behind her daughters: Laura (Thomas) Fleming & Elinor (Andy) LaTouche, and son: Eric (Cindy) Witham. Her grandchildren: Richard & Alyssa Fleming, Nathan & Sophia LaTouche and Noah Paul, Jaime, Ryan, & Nicholas Witham, were her greatest joys. She also leaves behind her treasured niece, Martha Hulsman. 

A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations made in her name are asked to be directed to the South Britain Congregational Church - Scholarship Fund; or to the American Cancer Society. For online condolences, visit www.CarpinoCares.com.