Long-time Torrington resident, Olive (Dawson) Troughton age 92, died on February 25, 2022 at Quarry Hill in Camden Maine, where she resided for the past 9 months. Olive was born in a blizzard in a farmhouse in Jefferson, New Hampshire on December 12, 1929 and similarly departed this life during a good old fashioned New England snowstorm. Olive was a shining example of someone who made a wonderful life for herself and her family, in spite of being raised in an impoverished, broken home. Her father relocated the family to Litchfield, CT in 1945, where Olive was enrolled in Litchfield High School (LHS). There she met Helen (Harnicar) Forsythe, who became her best and lifelong friend, later serving as her maid of honor. Even as a teenager, Olive demonstrated persistence and fortitude, and when her family moved back to New Hampshire in 1947, she decided to stay in Litchfield on her own. She gained employment as a telephone operator in the Litchfield office of SNETCO (ATT) and boarded with a local woman, Mrs. Shumway, who eventually became such a close friend that she called her “Ma”.
Olive went on a blind date to a bowling alley, where she met the love of her life, Albert James Troughton of Torrington, a recently discharged U.S. Marine. They “courted” for two years and were married on May 20, 1950, in Trinity Episcopal Church. During their 66 year marriage they built a home on Mountain Road where they raised their family of three daughters and a son. They would remain on Mountain Road after relocating to their beloved log cabin until Albert's death in 2017.
Olive was an excellent cook, and the Troughton family unanimously elected her to host all major holidays, although there were disagreements over who made the better Thanksgiving pumpkin pie, so the family usually had two of them. Olive went to the YMCA to learn to swim in order to keep her children safe near the water, and went to night school to learn how to sew to keep the girls in clothes. Her repertoire ranged from back to school outfits to wedding gowns, and everything in between. She was very supportive and proud of her children, all four of whom are college graduates who have had successful professional careers. She was so pleased when Chris made the decision to follow in his Dad’s footsteps by becoming a United States Marine. She literally beamed from the moment that he enlisted until the time when the family came together to celebrate his retirement as a Captain after 20 years of service.
Olive's survivors include her daughters: Janice (m. Arthur Rousseau) of Sun City Center, FL, Ellen (m. Ray Leone) of Lincolnville, ME, Bert (Partner Joan Dempsey), of New Gloucester, ME, and her son Christopher (m. Fettouma Kaci) of Stafford, VA. Other survivors include grandchildren Sabrina, Nathan, and Ryan Troughton, all of Stafford, VA, Albert’s brother George Troughton of Phoenix, AZ, and several nieces and nephews.
Phalen Funeral Home in Torrington is in charge of arrangements. There will be a celebration of life service held on Saturday, April 16th at 10:00 AM at the Chapel in Hillside Cemetery in Torrington. Close friends and family are welcome to attend. Olive will be buried alongside Albert in Hillside Cemetery, Torrington.
To honor Olive's love of dogs and cats, memorials may be sent to the Animal Rescue Foundation (arfct.org) 366 Main St. Terryville CT 06786. The family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at Quarry Hill for their loving care of our Mom during the time that she spent with them.
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