Louisa M. (Harrington) Childs Butcher, 87, a longtime Pembroke resident, died Wednesday, September 24, 2008 at Presidential Oaks in Concord.

Born in Salem, MA on April 20, 1921, Louisa was the daughter of Frank and Marion (Tallant) Harrington. She lived many years in Pembroke, Concord, and Bow, summering on Peaks Island in Maine and wintering in Lady Lake, Florida after her retirement.

She was a graduate of Pembroke Academy, attended Vassar, graduated from Colby Sawyer Junior College in 1940 and the University of NH in 1942. Mrs. Butcher worked many years, until her retirement in 1980, as a social worker for the State of NH and was a member of the NH State Employees Association.

Mrs. Butcher was a member of both Brackett Memorial United Methodist Church on Peaks Island, ME, and the Bow Mills United Methodist Church. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star-Priscilla Chapter #51, the Mary Gordon Bartlett Rebekah Lodge #69, and was a 65-year member of the Pembroke Grange. In addition, Mrs. Butcher was with the Concord Area Christian Womens Group, the Bow Young at Heart Club, and was a member of the Merrill Follansbee Post #37 American Legion Auxiliary. She also enjoyed knitting and jigsaw puzzles in her free time.

Louisa was predeceased by her two husbands, M. Leighton Childs, Jr. and Donald C. Butcher, and a grandson, Officer Jeremy Charron.

She is survived by 5 children, Frank Childs and his wife Elizabeth of New Boston and Peaks Island; Frances Charron and her husband Robert of Hillsboro; Edythe Childs of Portland, ME; Maryellen Plante and her husband Richard of Pittsfield; and John Childs of Exeter. Mrs. Butcher also leaves 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren; a sister Marye Jane French of Durham; numerous nieces and nephews, including John Callahan of Durham, with whom she shared a special relationship.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to a fund to purchase a television for the residents of Presidential Oaks, an effort of two of Louisas great grandsons. Please make contributions to Meredith Childs-Bell, 47 Briar Hill Road, New Boston, NH 03070.

Service: A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 11 at 10:30 AM at the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home, 1217 Suncook Valley Hwy., Epsom. A reception will be held immediately following the service and burial will take place at 1 PM in Pine Grove Cemetery, Concord.