Delia Marjorie Cushing

BETHLEHEM, NH - Delia Cushing passed away at her home on April 9, 2023, shortly after celebrating her 100th birthday. A blizzard on March 26, 1923, prevented Delia’s doctor in his horse and sleigh from reaching the farm to deliver Delia. Fortunately, nurse Delia Hapgood arrived in time, hence Delia’s name.
Delia grew up in Stratford, New Hampshire, the daughter of Ervin and Hazel (Mason) Connary. She loved playing basketball and the violin. After graduation, she worked at the Legion restaurant in Colebrook until World War II began. She then went to New Britain, CT, to work at a ball bearing factory doing the jobs of men who were away fighting. She vividly remembers joyous celebrations when the Japanese surrendered.
Returning north, Deel worked as a bookkeeper at the Washburn Mill. Spending time with her sister Barbara at The Fishbowl, their camp at Maidstone Lake, Deel met the love of her life, Robert Cushing. Together they raised five children in North Stratford where she worked in the school cafeteria, was active in the First Baptist Church and its Service League, and enjoyed many friends. They later moved to Rhinebeck, NY, where she was a baker in the local schools, taking courses at the Culinary Institute of America and BOCES. Deel became an avid golfer, a sport she played well into her nineties!
Upon retirement, they moved back to New Hampshire where she golfed as a member of Bethlehem Country Club’s Ladies’ League. She joined her friends in a bowling league and enjoyed weekly bridge and cribbage games. Deel adventured to Australia, New Zealand (with a stop in Fiji where her sister was stationed during the war), and the British Isles. She loved cruising, her many golf trips to the Carolinas and Florida, and her fun-filled casino adventures.
She leaves behind her five children: Carol (Doug) Frizzell, Donna Gamble, Judy Cushing, Janet Riedinger, and Robert (Roula) Cushing. Known as Gigi, she was blessed with five grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and a dozen nieces and nephews. Delia was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, siblings Barbara Crawford and Edward Connary, and sons-in-law William Riedinger and Ernest Gamble. No formal services are scheduled. Donations in Delia’s name may be made to North Country Home Health and Hospice, the Bethlehem Fire Department, or the First Baptist Church of North Stratford.
Arrangements are entrusted to Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster NH. For more information or to send an online condolence, please go to www.baileyfh.net .