Macy (Elkins) Morse, longtime resident of Nashua and Portsmouth, NH died Thursday, July 18th at the home of one of her 13 children. Macy has often been described as a force of nature and even though she had thirteen children of her own, many others saw her as a mother figure and sought her out for advice in difficult times. Macy was born on January 25, 1921, in Molalla, Oregon. She is the daughter of Bob and Nina (Dunton) Elkins and was raised on the family farm in Molalla. Macy graduated from Monmouth College and in 1944 married Paul H. Morse (1920-1971). They and their seven children travelled by car to Paul’s hometown of Nashua in 1953 where they raised eleven sons and two daughters.
In 1960 Macy was bitten by the political bug and worked to help elect JFK in 1960. She subsequently worked on various local, state and national campaigns. Governor John King, Senator Thomas McIntyre, congressional candidate Chuck Officer and presidential candidate Eugene McCarthy were a few of the campaigns which Macy worked. After the start of the Vietnam War, Macy became a political activist. With her three oldest sons in the military, one serving in Vietnam, Macy decided that this war was not just and eventually came to realize that no war is just. Over the years Macy has worked for peace and an end to nuclear proliferation doing such things as splashing blood in Alexander Haig’s office destroying equipment in the Wilmington-MA-based AVCO offices and most recently in 2003, “trespassing” in Judd Gregg’s office. She served jail time for all of these actions.
Macy was only 5’2” but she packed a lot of love and strength into that small frame. Macy’s children and spouses are Michael and Joan Morse, Paul Morse and Linda Edelstein, Rod Morse (deceased), Suzanne and William Hodge, Greg Morse, Loren and Dina Morse, Bill (deceased) and Celeste Morse, John Morse, Bobby and Linda Morse, Nina Morse, Peter Morse and Carol Hollis, Jim and Sara Morse and Matt and Lisa Morse. Macy also has 27 grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren; also several nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, NH, Tuesday, July 23rd from 4-7 p.m. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to AFSC-NH, Beyond Nuclear, VNA-Manchester. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
