Juliet d'Lancey Morford

Rye - Juliet d’Lancey Brigham Morford, 71, of Rye, NH, passed away on April 6, 2023 from a sudden illness. She was born on June 6, 1951, daughter of the late Lindsey R. Brigham and Frances P. Brigham. Julie grew up in Newfields, NH and was a graduate of Exeter High School. She attended Smith College in Northampton, MA where she studied theatre arts. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, she spent some time in New York City and New Haven, CT before returning to Northampton to work as an admissions counselor for the college that she loved, Smith. She was extremely intelligent, was a passionate advocate for women’s education, and enthusiastically touted the benefits of women’s colleges to all who would listen. Julie worked her way up through the admissions office at Smith, eventually becoming the Director of Admissions before she retired. In 1994, Julie moved to Greens Farms, CT, where she married Doran Morford. Julie became an active participant at Greens Farms Academy, serving as a substitute teacher and volunteering in their drama department. Using her knowledge of her first love, theatre, Julie was a great asset to the department, making sets, sewing costumes, working stage crew, coaching students, and anything else that was needed. She was also active at Trinity Baptist Church as a member of the worship team and church choir. Julie moved to her family home in Rye, NH with her husband in 2003. She became an active member of Middle Street Baptist Church in Portsmouth, where she served as moderator, worked on the missions committee and sang on the music team. She was a member of Sounds of the Seacoast Women’s A cappella Chorus for many years, performing in concerts all over the east coast. She loved gardening, theatre, music, the many birds and animals that visited her yard, walks on the beach with her husband, and attending the various concerts, sporting events, and recitals of her many nieces, nephews, and granddaughters. Julie is survived by her husband, Doran B. Morford; niece Deborah Welsh Ibanez; nephews Robert L. Welsh, John D. Welsh, and Peter A. Welsh; stepsons Zachary Morford and Lucas Morford; granddaughters Melanie Morford and Grace Morford; and grand-nieces and nephews Hunter LeRoux-Porter, Emilie LeRoux, Katarina Ibanez, Miriam Welsh, Mateo Ibanez, Cyprian Welsh, Noah LeRoux, Alex LeRoux, Robert Welsh, Gemma Welsh, and Veronica Welsh. Julie was predeceased by her older sister Linda B. Welsh in 1989. In 1994, Julie and her husband Doran became the guardians of Linda’s two youngest children, who they raised through their teenaged years into adulthood. They also took on the role of grandparents for all of Linda’s grandchildren with love and generosity. She will be greatly missed. Visiting hours will be from 4 to 6 pm on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 in the Remick & Gendron Funeral – Crematory, 811 Lafayette Rd., Hampton. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, April 13 at the Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court St., Portsmouth. In lieu of Flowers contributions may be made to the Blue Ocean Society or Smith College.

Juliet d'Lancey Morford

June 6, 1951 - April 6, 2023