Hope L. Whitehead, a lifelong resident of Guilford, died peacefully Oct. 6 at the age of 97. Hope was predeceased by her loving husband of 64 years, Richard (Dick) Whitehead, Jr. They were lovers of music, opera, art, cooking, gardening, and travel. Hope graduated from the Eastman School of Music and was an accomplished classical pianist.
Hope was also predeceased by her brother George (Sonny) Lazarevich, her sister Olga Treat, and her granddaughter Valentina Whitehead. She and her twin sister Faith were born Aug. 4, 1921, to parents Charlotte and Peter Lazarevich, also of Guilford.
She is survived by her children Lorry Newhouse of New York, New York, Richard (Rick) Whitehead III of Barcelona, Spain, Peter Whitehead of Great Barrington, Massachusetts, and Faith Whitehead of Madison. She is also survived by her three sisters Violet Skillin, Vida Holzinger, her twin sister Faith McGann, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Hope was very involved in many community endeavors, such as sponsoring several students of the ABC program. She was instrumental in growing the Chestnut Hill Concert series, and volunteered for Meals on Wheels. Once her four children were grown, she went back to school and received a teaching degree from Connecticut College, and taught history at the submarine base in New London. She was a generous and loved woman to countless people in the area and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.
A private event in her memory and honor will be celebrated by her family. Contributions in lieu of flowers, can be made to Chestnut Hill Concert Series, PO Box 183, Guilford, CT 06437; donations will be acknowledged in all the CHC program books. Arrangements in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St., Guilford. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.