Faith Gulick, 84, of Sandy Hook died February 13 at Masonicare in Newtown. A native of Bronxville, N.Y., Ms Gulick resided for almost 60 years at 68 Church Hill Road, the oldest house in Sandy Hook.

Her beloved parents, Kathleen and Karl, purchased the house, which was built in 1712, in 1957. They remained there even after first I-84 and then the Iroquois Pipeline cut through their property.

Ms Gulick graduated from Connecticut College in 1956 and received a MA in dance from Mills College. An accomplished dancer, she taught dance at Connecticut College, Colby College, Middlebury College, Yale University, and Southern Connecticut University. She later worked as a receptionist/secretary at an ophthalmologist's office in Danbury.

She loved early American antiques and spent weekends managing an antiques shop that had been lovingly run by her father and was housed in a barn on the property. Ms Gulick also loved gardening, working in the yard, and her treasured cat, Sheba. She served as trustee of the Newtown Historical Society and was a member of the Newtown Horticultural Club. Known as an elegant and gracious woman, Ms Gulick is greatly missed by her family and dear friends.

Her sister, Jane, survives her.

A memorial service will be at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main Street, Newtown, on Saturday, April 21, at 2 pm, with a reception to follow after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Newtown Historical Society at newtownhistory.org.