Louise Penhallow Crane

Louise Penhallow Crane, a longtime resident of Dover, MA passed away peacefully on January 25, 2024 at 99 years of age with her loving family by her side. She was the

daughter of Charles Sherburne Penhallow, Jr. and Josephine Roth Penhallow of Waban, MA. 

Louise attended the Miss Carroll School in Newton, MA and Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, MA graduating with the class of 1942. At the end of WWII, while

volunteering at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, Louise met her future husband Chilton Crane, a vascular surgeon and professor at Harvard Medical School. They

were married on July 19,1947.

Louise loved summers spent with family and friends in Duxbury, MA and on Lake Winnipesaukee in Tuftonboro, N.H. She was an active and inspirational member of the

Dover community, dedicating time and leadership to the Dover Arts and Crafts Show, the Norfolk Hunt Club, the Dover Historical Society and the Dover Valley

Landowners Association. An avid gardener, sun worshiper, reader and painter of decorative arts, Louise cherished time spent at her family’s historic Warner House in

Portsmouth, NH, at family celebrations and cheering on grandchildren at their sporting events. She was the matriarch of a large and loving family.

There were no strangers in Louise's life, she opened her home to all and was a second mother to many. Selfless, gracious and spirited by nature, Louise loved life and thrived in

the joy of others.

She is survived by five of her six children: Sarah Chandler (Jack) of Sterling, MA; Nathaniel Crane (Lara) of Center Tuftonboro, NH; Mary Crane (Eric Morse) of

Dover, MA; Elizabeth McCarter (Mark) of Scottsdale, AZ; and Anne Kirby (Jay) of Marblehead, MA.

Her legacy lives on through 11 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Louise was eagerly anticipating the arrival of her 9th great grandchild in March. She was

predeceased by her husband Chilton Crane, her son William Crane, and her granddaughter Rebecca L’Heureux.

Most recently, Louise resided at New Pond Village in Walpole, MA. The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at New Pond Village as well as a special

thanks to Diane Vitagliano and Anne Cavalieri, for their devoted companionship over the years.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at The Dover Church in Dover, MA at 11 am on Saturday April 27th followed by a reception next door in

Kraft Hall. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Louise's memory may be made to: The Warner House, 150 Daniel St., Portsmouth, NH 03802 and

The Dover Neighbors Fund, 9 Whiting Rd., Dover MA 02030. 

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