Eleanor T. Bacon

Eleanor “Tin” Bacon passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2015, at the age of 91. She was born on February 22, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Vernon French Tinsley and Marjorie Blish Tinsley. Tin pursued a major in Applied Arts at Iowa State University, studying a wide range of craft media, then earned her Master’s degree in Applied Design at Purdue University. She was later on the faculty at UNH teaching jewelry, metalwork, and textile design as part of the occupational therapy curriculum. While at UNH, she met Chuck, her husband of 41 years. Tin first became a juried member (in metal jewelry) of the League of NH Craftsmen in 1951. She and Chuck raised their three daughters in southern Connecticut, where Chuck taught junior high. They spent summers in Amherst, NH, where she shared her love of nature with the girls, often telling stories about being a summer camp counselor in Wisconsin. 1968 brought a permanent move to Amherst, when Chuck retired from teaching. Tin became increasingly involved with the League of NH Craftsmen over the years as a craftsperson and a volunteer. She and Chuck helped to write and edit the Leagues newsletter in the mid 70s and early 80s. She was on the Shop at the Fair Committee for many years and worked in their tent at the Annual Craftsmens Fair. She established the Best In Metal Jewelry Award in the Craftwear boutique there. In fact, in 1996, she was presented with the League’s most prestigious award, the Blackstone Volunteer Recognition Award. She was quoted in 2007: "Ive been a juried member and volunteer for so long - I couldnt imagine my life without the League." Tin was predeceased by her husband, Chuck, in 1992. Five years later, she sold the family home to the Town of Amherst, and it became the Peabody Mill Environmental Center. Tin is survived by her three daughters: Liz Bacon of Durango, CO; Karen Mitchell of Mont Vernon, NH; and Debbie Bacon of Devine, TX; two grandsons: Dan Mohr of Chicago, IL and Jeff Mohr of Oakland, CA; a brother and sister-in-law, John and Kathy Tinsley of Clearwater, FL; and several nieces and nephews. No public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the LNHC at www.nhcrafts.org to help support the Best in Metal Jewelry Award; to ThePilcrowFoundation.org, which buys children’s books for rural public libraries (Tin was partial to New England); or WomenForWomen.org, which works to empower women through education and financial support.