HANSON — A familiar face inside the snack shack at the Botieri Field, Lori Sawtelle of Hanson always dedicated her time to helping others and shared her love of baseball with hundreds of Little Leaguers.

There will be an un-fillable void as baseball season begins next week, friends have said.

Lori Sawtelle lost her courageous battle with cancer last week. She was only 47 years old. A mother to Ryan and Ashley and married for 24 years to husband Scott, who has also been a staple at the field, Sawtelle is described as a dedicated and giving woman by all who knew her.

A committed volunteer in the community and an employee of the Hanson Middle School, Sawtelle is remembered by former Hanson Little League Board member Greg Collins.

“In a global perspective she literally was there running the snack shack nearly every night,” Collins said. “We knew she was there and it was in good hands. Things ran smoothly. … As a board member we were confident things were done right. She was loved by all.”

Collins said Sawtelle “literally knew everyone” — all the kids by their first name and their parents, as well.

“She was always at the ballfield and a constant in a positive sense,” he recalled. “It was always about the kids and making a better experience about the greater good of the town. She was a baseball mom through and through but it was more than that. She has left a mark. There is a void and she will be missed.”

Hanson Fire Lt. Rob O’Brien, also a HLL board member, knew Lori as a principal at the snack shack and echoed her unwavering commitment to the youth in the community.

O’Brien’s son Chris would often volunteer to assist Lori, who welcomed the hands at the snack shack. She even gave him a few catching tips as he developed his skills at that position, O’Brien recalled.

“Chris would get a hot dog from Lori at the end of the night. It was the kind of lady she was.  She was always kind to him,”said O’Brien.

Those who remember Lori extend throughout the community at-large.

“The passing of Lori Sawtelle is a great loss to the Whitman-Hanson Regional School District and the community of Hanson,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Ruth Gilbert-Whitner said in a statement. “We are deeply grateful for her many contributions to the school system and community.  At Whitman-Hanson, we are keeping Lori’s family, co-workers, students, and friends in our thoughts and prayers”

Scott Sawtelle has also been active as a coach since his son was 4. Hanson LL Board of Directors President Mike Joselyn spoke of Scott and Lori as friends and former neighbors.

Although Sawtelle’s health was failing she made sure to attend and cheer on the boys championship games last season, Joselyn said. Photographing each player with the trophy and emailing a copy of the photo to their family.

“She was selfless.  It is just what she did and she made other people better because of who she was,” he said.

Last fall Paul Clarke of Hanson, also a board member for HLL, was a driving force in establishing a fund to assist in defraying the cost medical care for Lori. She was present at the walking event and at the finish line, which coincided with the Damien’s Freaky 5K run.

Many who participated in the event have commented through Facebook upon hearing of her passing.

Hanson Little League posted photos of Lori from last year’s fall event and commented on the tremendous loss.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Lori Sawtelle. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Sawtelle family during this difficult time. Lori fought her cancer with courage and always had an upbeat outlook. She was always there for Hanson Little League through the years. She will be missed.”

The Whitman-Hanson Regional High School baseball team, on which Lori’s son Ryan plays, attended both her wake and funeral in support of their teammate, according to Whitman Assistant Town Administrator Lisa Green, whose son is on the team.

“The entire W-H community is saddened by the passing of Lori Sawtelle, a Hanson Middle paraprofessional and most importantly husband to Scott and loving mom to Ashley and Ryan,” WHRHS Athletic Director Bob Rodgers Tweeted Friday, March 24. “Ryan is one of our best student-athletes who is loved by all of his teammates.”

Whitman’s Board of Selectmen honored her memory in their pre-meeting Moment of Silence Tuesday night.

A memorial fund has been set up in her name to reduce the financial burden on her family at the web site You Caring  at: youcaring.com/sawtellefamily-783695.

Content from Lori Sawtells’ obituary [See page 13] was used in this article.

HANSON — A farm animal perished during a barn fire at 96 Main St. on Thursday, Feb., 16 at approximately 7:30 p.m. There were no injuries to people, however, as Hanson firefighters responded to multiple 911 calls, Chief Jerome Thompson stated in a press release.

A 30-by-20-foot building was fully involved when the first arriving firefighters reached the property.

Due to the large amount of contents in the structure, extensive overhaul was required, said Thompson.

Hanson Fire Department was assisted at the scene by Pembroke Fire Department and Hanover Fire Department provided station coverage. Fire damage was limited to the building of origin.

Early estimate on damages for the building and contents is approximately $25,000. The fire does not appear suspicious however it is currently under investigation by the Hanson fire department.

There were no injuries to citizens or firefighters during this incident, but unfortunately one confirmed livestock perished as a result of the blaze.

The property is owned by John Ripley. He was currently unavailable for comment.

On a local Facebook page called Hanson Ma, Connect several members reported the Ripley family was thankful for the offers of assistances from others in the farming community, however they had extra housing for their animals and were OK.

HANSON — Behind the headline of a recent motorcycle crash that killed Hanson resident John Edwards, is a love story that endures within the warm smile and optimism of his widow Lorraine as she carries on.

Her family says she is struggling to walk now — determined she will in due time.

In a moment the pair, who were enjoying a motorcycle ride, was separated forever following a head-on crash that took John’s life on Oct. 16 in Lakeville — Lorraine lost her sweetheart of 56 years.

“I don’t know how she has such a smile on her face, but she smiles because she is thankful to be alive,” said her adult daughter Christine Moniz.

Moniz spends much of her time by her mother’s side these days. She is the youngest of three children and still mourns her father. These are the first holidays they will spend without him. She attempts to steady her emotions with wounds still fresh, yet, she is inspired by her mother’s strength.

On Oct. 16 the Edwards were out for their ride  — John and Lorraine together as usual — with son Andy, and a family friend each following behind the other. A driver struck John and Lorraine head-on and, as daughter Christine related the words of witnesses to the scene, it resembled “a war zone.”

She said off-duty Brockton fire Lt. Scott Sweet was at the right place at the right time and, with a local nurse, did all the right things immediately, rendering first aid.

“They likely saved my mother’s life. They tied her leg to control the bleeding,” said Moniz.

Lorraine was taken by medical helicopter to the Rhode Island Trauma Center where she received multiple blood transfusions, along with the first of several surgeries. Ultimately amputation of her leg below the knee was required, and she had sustained multiple breaks in the bones in all her extremities including her hands, as well as her back and ribs.

The casts have been removed in the weeks following the crash, but she is unable to walk yet as her amputation and remaining bone heal.

In an effort to ease the family’s financial burden, a fundraiser and meat raffle were recently held by Whitman VFW Post 697 to help defray Mrs. Edwards’ medical costs. Post Quartermaster Al Rainey said the fundraiser event and an impromptu “pass the hat” collectively raised $12,000, which has already been given to the family.

Whitman VFW Post employees Michelle Piers and Dan Greenwood co-organized the fundraiser for someone they remembered as a “jolly man, who told jokes and enjoyed life.”

John Edwards, by all accounts, was a lover of the open road and enjoyed going out with his wife Lorraine who joined him in motoring adventures after they raised their four children.

He was a member of the VFW post and a member of the South Shore Hogs, and all four of his children have motorcycle licenses.

Most recently, John was the veteran’s liaison for the VFW. He would occasionally add something as part of the meeting, but if he had nothing to add he would say “ride safe,” Moniz said.

South Shore Hogs traveled the route of the fatal accident one weekend later erecting a memorial sign near Tamarack Park in Lakeville the sign bearing John’s name with those very words — “ride safe.” The community has also reached out and as Lorraine advances from rehabilitation she will need accommodations to the home including accessibility.

“We want her to be healthy enough to return home,” said Moniz.

Moniz talked about her mother’s resilience, lamenting that she may never ride a motorcycle again herself after this tragedy.

“We are told (mom) is the ‘talk of the therapy department’ because she is willing to work and she is always smiling,” said Moniz. The family is hopeful the six-month time frame given from her doctors will provide an uplifting outlook on the prognosis. They will know more as time passes.

With deep roots on State Street in Hanson, three generations have resided in the home — built in 1713 — of Moniz’s grandmother, whose maiden name was Munro then Hammond.

The bridge on State Street is named in memory of Moniz’s great uncle Robert Hammond. Grandma is now 100 years old and the last surviving sibling of the Hammond’s.

Moniz has heard from numerous local residents who knew the four Edwards siblings growing up as graduates of WHRHS. Among the countless visitors  three days after the accident many of the family returned to Lorraine’s side, including her son Wayne who resides in Ohio, and son Jack who resides in Florida.

Her father worked at Halliday Lithograph Co., in Hanover for more than 18 years. He was originally from Joplin, Mo., and was a Navy metalsmith. Lorraine was set up with John on a blind double date, after which the pair began courting and married in 1960. Lorraine graduated from South Hanover high school in 1959.

“My father used to walk from the Naval Base in Weymouth all the way to see my mother in Hanson.”

Edwards bought a motorcycle and started riding early in the ’60s and Lorraine joined him after the children got older. The pair made their way across country Route 66 once to Seattle, and also to California (to see son Wayne who was stationed there at Ft. Edwards.)

“We are all dealing — in our own way,” Moniz said.

The family will host a memorial at First Congregational Church in Hanson with dates to be determined in the spring.

“The VFW graciously offered their hall.

They have been a great support,” she said. “They have also offered medical equipment, a ramp to assist in making the home handicap accessible.”

Celebrating life with 11 grandchildren Lorraine has had visitors from several states, members of the church, the South Shore Hogs, Whitman VFW, friends where she most recently worked The Christmas Tree Shop along with Former associates of past employers.

“They have all come to see her, see how she is doing,”said Moniz.

Now with the holidays upon us the family will approach each day with optimism as they celebrate the life of their father and guide their mother to recovery.