Darlene D. Piper, 81, formerly of Hudson, NH passed away Tuesday, February 2, 2016 at the Oxford Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Haverhill, MA. She was born on July 19, 1934 in Nashua, NH, a daughter of the late John and Florence (Bourque) Dean. Mrs. Piper was the owner of the Hudson Litchfield Newspaper and co-owner of Piper Real Estate. She also started the D.A.R.E. program in Hudson in the 1970’s. Mrs. Piper was named Citizen of the Year in Hudson in 1990.
She is survived by one son, Dean Piper and wife Robin, of Weare, NH, two daughters, Charlene Punsky and Darlene Merchant and husband William, all of Hudson, six grandchildren, Rhiannon Healey and her husband Michael, Jonathan Piper, Brendan Punsky, William Merchant Jr., Nicole Merchant-McCoy and her husband PJ, and Christopher Merchant and his life love Kristina Taylor, nine great grandchildren, Morgan, Madison, Brian and Thomas McCoy, Gabe Howard, Austyn, Michael and Connor Healey, and Amelia Merchant; one sister, Ruth Willy of Derry, as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by one sister, Janice “Bitsy” Ryan and one great grandson, Chance Michael Healey.
Following cremation, memorial calling hours were held on Friday, February 5, 2016 from 6 - 8 pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A Memorial service was held on Saturday February 6th at 10am in the funeral home. The burial followed in the Cemetery on the Hill, Windham, NH.