In Memory Of Louise Conway

To the editor: I recently received the news from Leslie Johnson that my dear friend Louise Conway passed away. Although I am greatly saddened, I take comfort in the fact that she lived a long and fantastic life that I got to share. If you have never had the incredible opportunity to meet her, let me tell you just a few moments about what made her special. I don’t know everything, but I will never forget what I do.

Louise's journey was a testament to resilience. An orphan who arrived on Nantucket on the boat with just $3.00 in her pocket, she found a job at the Jared Coffin House, owned by the respected Reads. She continued at Captain Toby’s, where she probably wiped the butter I spilled from the steamers at my family’s night out dinners. She reunited with her family members to whom she was devoted. Her work ethic was unparalleled. She found joy and had the love of her life, her daughter Peggy. Her devotion to Peggy to her last day expressed a mother’s pure joy in her child.

I met Louise when I became the Director of Visitor Services for the Town of Nantucket. Her daughter made sure I knew how special she was, like I questioned for one second that I didn’t immediately understand that about Louise.

Louise had her own guest house on Ashe Lane, which she never listed at the office unless nothing was available. She didn’t need to anyway because people came back for generations. She was sincere and could size up a person in a minute, which was helpful for me when an employee targeted me. She marched into the personnel office without knocking and deafeningly defended me.

There are far too many stories to tell. And they were always the truth. When Rocky Fox kindly first allowed us to have a fundraiser for her lost roof in a Florida storm at the Chicken Box many years ago, she walked confidently into the bar like she owned the place. When I met what she called my “handsome husband, Gary,” I called from his sailboat in the early morning hours to share my moment. When I told her I was rounding into the harbor to come to work, I could feel her smile as she saltily said, “You're $#*% me.” She held my hand when I got the call that my brother Ben had died, and her words began the slow journey to try to help ease my pain.

Lousie won the Massachusetts Governor's Tourism Award, with Peggy proudly standing beside her. She worked hard and tirelessly, always had a kind but honest ear, and was one of the greatest people I could ever get to know. The stories are endless, and the laughter we shared will remain everlasting.

My DAHLING Louise Conway.

Kate Hamilton Pardee