Greta Pauline (Esty) Craven

Greta Pauline (Esty) Craven, age 93, of Newton, NH, died early Wednesday morning, August 1, 2024, after a brief stay at the Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine.

She was the loving wife to her husband, John V. Craven, to whom she had been married for 48 years, prior to his passing on June 13, 2007.

Born in Groveland, MA, July 13, 1931, daughter of the late Ralph and Vera Esty of Esty Lumber & Sons, she graduated from Groveland High School in 1948.

Prior to her marriage to John in 1959, she lived at 425 Main Street in Groveland with her family and worked at a local bakery making pies and later at Kennedy’s Farm cleaning and candling eggs for a mere 10 cents per hour.

She used the discarded eggs to make cakes for co-workers birthdays and that is when she caught the eye of John’s brother Larry, who introduced them in 1958. They knew they were a match on their very first date.

A traditional homemaker, she supported her husband while he founded Bocra Engineering in Seabrook, NH. She and John were active in their adventures and traveled most of the country rock hunting in their airstream.

During the week they spent their time in Newton, while enjoying lake life on Lake Winnipesaukee on their weekends.

She loved cooking and gardening. She crafted and decorated the house for every single holiday. She was famous for her beautiful birthday cakes and homemade ice cream. If you were coming for morning coffee you would be greeted with freshly baked muffins and if you were coming for afternoon tea you would find freshly baked cookies. She took great pride in her 1872 farmhouse that she lived in over 60 years.

Greta was predeceased by her four brothers, Ralph Jr, Hobart, Fredrick, Roy and her sister, Barbara Maughan. She is survived by her remaining brother, Howard Esty of Groveland and her sister-in-law, Rosalie Esty of Groveland. Although they were never able to have children, she leaves several nieces and nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, close neighbors and lifelong friends who are all going to miss her big smile, zest for life, and her large generous and giving heart.

A Funeral Service for Greta will be held on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 10 A.M. at the Paul C. Rogers Family Funeral Home, 36 West Main Street, Merrimac, MA followed by burial at the Riverview Cemetery, Groveland, where Greta will be laid to eternal rest next to her beloved husband John.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make donations in memory of Greta and John Craven to the Micheal J. Fox Parkinson’s foundation.