Hope (Peterson) Howard, age 97, died on August 16, 2014, in New London.

Hope was born in East Milton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Julius and Bertha (Mann) Peterson of Quincy, Massachusetts. She grew up in the Wollaston area of Quincy, graduating from North Quincy High School in 1935.

Hope became a nurse after attending Talitha Cumi Hospital of Nursing. After graduating, she worked as a nurse at the Quincy City Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts.

In 1942 she married Lloyd H. Darling. After her two sons were born, she worked for several companies in the South Shore area of Boston, including Weymouth Art and Leather Company and North Terminal Company, where she achieved the level of office manager after becoming a certified public accountant.

In 1974 she was married to David W. Howard of Cohasset, Massachusetts. She retired and moved to New London with her husband in 1984.

In her youth, Hope enjoyed competitive sailing, roller skating, and swimming in the South Shore area of Boston. She had a special ability to sew, make clothes, and create craft items. Also, she enjoyed researching her own family’s genealogy.

Throughout her life, Hope was an active member of her community, volunteering at the New London Hospital (as well as serving as a trustee), being the treasurer of the New London Hospital Auxiliary and board member of the New Hampshire Association of Hospital Auxiliaries.

Later, she became a member of the New London and New Hampshire Historical Societies, the Council on Aging, and ABC Quilting. Along with these, she also found time to work as a volunteer at the New London Archives, where she tirelessly researched town records and histories for 15 years.

Hope is predeceased by her husband of 31 years, David W. Howard. She is survived by her sister Jeanne Mulligan of Bedford; her two sons, Peter L. Darling and wife Lisa of Scottsville, New York and Steven R. Darling and wife Gisela of Andover; and by her three stepchildren, Elizabeth (Howard) Pike and her husband Andrew, Bradley Howard and his wife Rose Ann, and D. Scott Howard; grandchildren Melissa, Michael, Jennifer, Katherine, Caitlin, Scott, and Angela; great-grandson Logan; and great-granddaughters Kylene and Matilda. All of her family will miss her loving support and endless concern for others.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, August 30, at 11 AM in West Part Cemetery, New London. Donations may be made in her memory to the New London Hospital, 273 County Road, New London 03257.