| Age 71: Suffering from diabetes, eczema on scalp, and hypertension. Began to have difficulty with hearing. Visited Dr. Dave Lovely and family in Portland, ME; niece Eleanor Ramsdell Tucker and family twice in Baldwinville, MA; and niece Minerva Ramsdell Russell in South Dartmouth, MA. Very active locally with Thrift Shop, DAR, Legion Auxiliary, Kings Daughters, Bible class, other groups, and friends. | 1958 |
| Age 72: Social Security raised from $60.80/month to $65.00/month. Visited the "Paton girls" in Cranston, RI; niece Minerva Ramsdell Russell in South Dartmouth, MA; with family at York Beach, ME; autumn vacation at Jackson, NH. Very active locally with Thrift Shop, DAR, Legion Auxiliary, Kings Daughters, Bible class, other groups, and friends. Began watching TV a lot. Very high blood sugar (diabetes) and blood pressure. Hearing difficulties. Suffered excessively from hot weather. Stricken with acute cystitis. Former beau Jerry Sullivan died in South Boston. | 1959 |
| Age 73: Hoarseness in throat with unwarranted fears of cancer. Hearing difficulties. Very active locally with Thrift Shop, DAR, Legion Auxiliary, Kings Daughters, Bible class, other groups, and friends. Upset about the smoking in the Bible class: [22 January] "We talked about the woman smoking in Bible class and they didn't like it any better than I did. Also talked to Jean about it tonight and she said people don't have any courtesy nowadays." Did not approve of new pastor, J. Edison Pike, at the Episcopalean Church: [11 September] "[John Allan] said now Pike had returned everything went wrong. Pike spoke of the evil of the world, this country, the radio and TV ads, etc." [28 October] "Mr. Pike called while I was out. Jean here and gave him some coffee and pie. He had to smoke 3 cigarettes while here-- old fool. Then made a prayer when he went. I don't care much about it." Represented local chapter at the national DAR convention in Washington, DC. Traveled by train across the continent: Visited daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands Ashbrook, 43, and her husband, Harry Lee Ashbrook, 48, and granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 22, just graduated from Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, and grandson Allan Christie Edmands II, 18, just graduated from high school, in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Comment on Chris [28 May]: "Chris very pretty but she's got the cigarette habit-- smoked once at dinner. It just made me feel awful. Wish I could be like Mrs Hawes and take things she can't help philosophically." Granddaughter Anna Jane "Janna" Edmands, 15, and Janna's foster mother Margery Jane "Janie" Doyle Hawes, 45, visited Centralia from Laramie, WY, at the same time. Comment on Janna [31 May]: "Janna is pretty, but a nervous type-- I'm kind of disappointed in her. I like Tom's daughters for they are home people." Suffered diabetes. Suffered bronchitis on trip and was prescribed penicillin, but doctor at home told her that she was allergic to it. Later diagnosed with sciatic rheumatism and nervous tension. Visited niece Minerva Ramsdell Russell and family in South Dartmouth, MA. Former Andover Press colleague George Collins died at the age of 68. | 1960 |
| Age 74: Very active locally with DAR, Legion Auxiliary, Kings Daughters, Bible class, sewing group, other groups, and friends. Friend Nellie Carter, 85, went into Cole's Nursing Home, became paralyzed and speech incoherent; Mary participated in care. Friend Lucy Gibson died from cancer at the age of 84 years 3 months 28 days. Still disapproving of the Episcopalean pastor, Rev. J. Edison Pike: [21 February] "Went down to Free ch. to Lenten service and Mr. Lindsay from B.V. for the Methodist ch, Mr. Allen from Windham, N.H. for Presb., Mr. Jenkinson for Cong. and Pike for Episcopal. I was ashamed for him-- lolled over the desk when talking and I couldn't hear all he said even though I sat in front. He had to drag out cigarette right after although they aren't supposed to smoke upstairs." Some tension living with daughter Ethel Jean Edmands Weeks, 52, and son-in-law Roland C. Weeks, 62: [13 August] "Wanted to go to Fieldstones for supper but of course because I suggested it R wouldn't go. Said he'd take me down if I wanted to but I said that would be fine wouldn't it! They got their own supper and I got mine. Stayed upstairs most of day." Suffered from diabetes, rheumatism, and salivary stones. One leg very sore continuously. Hearing difficulties. Visited niece Minerva Ramsdell Russell and family in South Dartmouth, MA; and niece Eleanor Ramsdell Tucker and family in Baldwinville, MA. | 1961 |
| Age 75: Very active locally with DAR, Legion Auxiliary, Kings Daughters, Bible class, sewing group, other groups, and friends. Suffered diabetes. One leg very sore continuously. Hearing difficulties. Participated in nursing care of friend Nellie Carter, 86. Friend Jean Wood died at the age of 69; friend Mamie Sanborn died at the age of 84. Visited niece Minerva Ramsdell Russell and family in South Dartmouth, MA. Granddaughter Mary Christine "Chris" Edmands, 24, daughter of late son Allan Christie Edmands I and daughter-in-law Mary Anna Hawes Edmands Ashbrook, and stepdaughter of Harry Lee Ashbrook, visited in Andover. Her boyfriend, Edwin Raymond Barrett III, 28, son of Edwin Raymond Barrett II and Hazel Irene Lawrence Barrett, of Seattle, King County, Washington, arrived at the end of the visit. Later in the year Chris and Ed were married in Centralia, Lewis County, Washington. Son Ernest John Edmands, 45, retired from the U.S. Navy and moved with his family to Silver Spring, Montgomery County, Maryland. Great nephew Richard "Dicky" O'Donnell, 27, married Suzie ??, | 1962 |