Isabel Groff Rand, 98, of Chester, NH died Sunday, September 4, 2005 in the Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH. She was born in Lititz, PA on December 4, 1906, a daughter of the late Wenger and Elisabeth (Brubaker) Groff. She was a graduate of Millersville University (PA) and Keene (NH) State College. She was a resident of Chester for 77 years. Prior to 1954 she and former husband, Loren Parker Rand, owned and operated general stores in Chester and Raymond, NH. After raising her family of five children she taught in several school districts in NH, PA, CT and MA, retiring from Lawrence Massachusetts Public Schools in 1976. After retiring from teaching she enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and in her 90th year traveled through the United Kingdom. She often traveled to Florida during the winter for brief visits to relatives. She enjoyed walking and was a member of the Golden Steppers, a senior citizen walking club. She was the subject of NH Union Leader and Boston Globe articles for having walked over 8,000 miles. She was a member of Chester Senior Citizens Club serving as the first Secretary of the group. She was a member of the Board of Directors of Granite State Telephone, Inc. retiring in April, 2005 after serving for 20 years.
She is survived by three sons, John S. Rand and his wife Sally of Chester, G. David Rand and his wife Jean of Columbia, CT, Hobart G. Rand and his wife Barbara of Manchester, two daughters, Nancy A. Zimmer of E. Hampton, CT, Elisabeth Craven of Groesbeck, TX, 14 grandchildren, 27 great- grandchildren, a great-great grandchild and one nephew. She was predeceased by her brother, Wenger Groff, Jr. in 1985.
A calling hour was held on Thursday, September 8th, from 1:00 to 2:00pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch St., Derry, NH with a funeral service at 2:00pm. The burial followed in the Great Hill Cemetery, Chester. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Visiting Nurse Assoc. of Manchester & Southern NH, 1850 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03104 or to the Chester Congregational-Baptist Church, Attn: Steeple Restoration Appeal, P.O. Box 306, Chester, NH 03036.