Woodsville, NH Virginia Beaton Kidder, 85, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2015, at her home, following a period of failing health. She was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, May 17, 1929, a daughter of Angus J. and Marcia (Austin) Beaton. Virginia attended Woodsville schools and graduated from Woodsville High School, Class of 1947, as Valedictorian. She had also been the captain of the Woodsville High School basketball team. During her senior year of high school she worked at the First National Warehouse. As she continued to work, she was employed as the switchboard operator for New England Telephone when it was based in Woodsville. On November 12, 1948, she married Donald E. Kidder. Virginia had also worked at the Wells River paper mill. In 1965, she began work in the Grafton County Probate Office, and became the Deputy Registrar in 1971, a position she held until 1982. In 1982, she became the Registrar of the probate court, a position she kept until her retirement in 1993. Following her retirement, Virginia and Don wintered for six seasons in Brooksville, FL. Virginia was a member of the Woodsville United Methodist Church and its Women s Club, and was a former 4-H leader. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post # 5245 in North Haverhill. One of Virginia s true enjoyments was her lifelong love of horses, a passion she learned at an early age from her father Angus. She showed horses throughout the area, particularly at Camp Farwell for George Colbertson. She assisted her father with auctions for the Angus J. Beaton Commission Sales. She helped with transporting cattle from Canada and hay from New York. On their family farm, Virginia assisted Don by tending the hay fields with a team of horses or a tractor and any other chores required of a farmer s wife. Family and holiday gatherings were an important part of Virginia s life. Virginia and Don have provided a family gathering place for a Fourth of July celebration at the farm for more than thirty years. Virginia s greatest joy in life was being Meme to her three grandchildren. She was predeceased by a sister, Erlene Scheller; three brothers-in-law, Neil Estes, George Bud Scheller, and Winthrop Klark; and three nephews, John Klark, Rodney Mann, and Alfred Butch Trombley, Jr. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Donald E. Kidder of Woodsville; their three children Franklin S., Paul L., and Toni L. K. Mayo and husband Thomas W., all of Woodsville; three grandchildren Benjamin P. Kidder, Rachel P. Kidder, and Cooper A.E. Mayo; two sisters, Thelma Klark of North Haverhill, NH and Jacqueline Jackie Estes of Lisbon, NH; along with four nieces, and three nephews. A special debt of gratitude is extended to Arlene Gonthier for her kindness and the care she provided to Virginia over the past three years. Calling hours will be on Sunday, March 15, from 2-4 PM at Ricker Funeral Home, 1 Birch Street, Woodsville. A memorial service will be on Monday, March 16 at 11 AM at the Woodsville United Methodist Church, Maple Street, Woodsville, with Pastor Clint Brake, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Woodsville United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Paula House, PO Box 282, Woodsville, NH 03785.