Mallerd Maune Frye

MALLERD FRYE "ORNERY" LADY Mallerd Maune Frye passed away Saturday at Concord Hospital after a long struggle against Parkinson?fs disease. Every summer for 38 years, Mallerd, Dick, Doug and Diana spent several weeks at the E. M. Frye family cottage at 1 Driftwood Lane, across from Cow Island, or at the cottage on Dame Road. Their winter home was in Concord, NH, but they often visited Tuftonboro during the snowy months. Mallerd had a contagious laugh and was outgoing and friendly to all, but when asked, ?gHow are you,?h she?fd always say, ?gOrnery!?h As leader for Girl Scout Brownie Troop 245 and Junior Troop 230, Mallerd led her scouts in Concord City parades and camping trips. She was president of the Conant School PTA and was active in the high school PTO. Mallerd tutored part time for junior high students that had fallen behind in their class work. Mallerd devoted her life to her family, an inexhaustible reservoir of support for any and all of her husband and children?fs escapades and struggles. As her children advanced through the Concord School system, she was always there to help. There were daily trips for practice with the Concord YMCA Swim Team in winter and twice daily practice with the Wolfeboro Team. The periodic swim meets meant early morning trips to several cities, and long hours in the bleachers cheering for the multi?]age teams. Taking advantage of as much that New Hampshire has to offer, Doug and Diana packed all their non?]study hours with junior football, cross?]country track, skiing marching band, orchestra, and jazz band, and field hockey. Mallerd was indefatigable in shuttling them to all such activities. As a Missourian, Mallerd didn?ft have much experience with boating and swimming, but she bravely faced the waves of Lake Winnipesaukee. Sailboats were scary when they tipped, but she was ready to go when asked to crew the family?fs 21?]foot sloop. Several times, she jumped into shallow water when the boat missed its mooring and managed to avert a crash landing. Male visitors to the family camp had to pass her arm?]wrestling test. Mallerd loved to work in her gardens and cultivate her potted flowers, both in Tuftonboro and Concord. She was an enthusiastic bird watcher, participating every year in the Audubon bird count and attending their meetings. All winter long, she would regularly climb a stepladder to fill her bird feeders. Tuftonboro was one of Mallerd?fs favorite places. She was active in the Mirror Lake Community Church, the Tuftonboro Historical Society, Friends of the Library, and helped with the annual Wolfeboro Hospital Fair. One of her most fun times was joining with neighbors to present comedy events in the Wolfeboro Fourth of July parades. One year she was a member of the town?fs first lawn chair drill team with a routine geared to the song, ?gHokey Pokey.?h Born in Joplin, Missouri in 1929, she attended grade school in Kansas City, MO and high school in St. Joseph, MO where she played field hockey and basketball. In her freshman year at Northwest Missouri University, a large propane tank near the campus exploded. The women?fs dorm was severely shattered and burned. Mallerd suffered second and third degree burns over 70 percent of her body, but she still managed to help her roommate to escape. The roommate later died of her injuries, but Mallerd endured months of recuperation, which included several skin transplants. She returned to the campus and was active with the Barcatz Pep Club, Sigma Alpha Sigma Sorority, and the Women?fs Athletic Association. She graduated from Northwest Missouri University in 1954 and studied for a master?fs degree at Iowa University. She was physical education director for junior high school girls at Red Oak, Iowa where she was known as, ?gDucky.?h One of her students once wrote that the most noticeable thing about Mallerd was her soft blue eyes. ?gThey show all emotions as vividly as if written upon her. When she smiles, her eyes have a power that delights you, but when she glares the world falls beneath your feet. To her the most important thing in life is happiness and peace of mind. To achieve this, her goal is to help others. And that is why she is so very wonderful.?h While teaching, Mallerd was the assistant director for a Girl Scout camp. For four years, she was the Executive Director of the Midland Empire Girl Scout Council headquartered in St. Joseph, MO. In August 1962, Mallerd married Richard Frye from Melrose, MA, and the couple made their home in Sioux City, IA where their two children were born. They moved to Concord in 1968 and have lived at 255 South Street for forty years. After an active life serving her family and communities in so many ways, Mallerd faced her advancing physical ailments with bravery and without complaint. All her caregivers loved her for her patience, graciousness, and occasional wise cracks. Mallerd is survived by her husband of 46 years; her son, Douglas M. Frye and his wife, Leah, of Alexandria, VA; her daughter, Diana Frye, and her husband, Sam Jones, of Portsmouth, NH; three grandchildren: Michael Richard Frye, Emma Caroline Frye, and Morgan Johanna Martin Jones. Her brother, Martin M. Maune lives in Kansas City, MO. A memorial service is tentatively planned for July 18, 2009 in Tuftonboro. The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wolfeboro, NH is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences go to www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com