Erica Moor Brinton

Brinton—Erica Moor Brinton, 73, on January 27, 2022, at her home in Norwich, Vt. Erica was born on October 14, 1948, the youngest of four children of Arthur Brinton and Kate Brinton, who were members of Newtown (Pa.) Meeting in Bucks County. Erica was raised in Bucks County. She graduated from George School, where her father taught, in 1966. Erica spent summer vacations at her parent’s hillside farm “Wenlock Edge” in Ludlow, Vt., which her parents had owned since 1940.

After graduating from Russell Sage College in upstate New York with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, Erica took a job in the orthopedic department of Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital in Hanover, N.H. She bought a house in nearby Norwich, where she lived for the remainder of her life. Erica spent much of her free time at Wenlock Edge.

Erica was a longtime member of Hanover (N.H.) Meeting. She volunteered in the meeting’s First-day school program, served as presiding clerk and on a number of standing committees. Erica often cooked for potluck suppers where, like at all activities, she was a cheerful presence. She served on the AFSC-Vermont Committee, regularly attended quarterly meetings, and attended vigils against war and injustice as often as she was able. But most of all, Erica was a friendly face to everyone she met.

Erica joined a religious delegation to visit a Quaker church in Havana, Cuba, where she taught New England folk dances to gales of laughter and much hand-clapping and toe-tapping. Now, years later, Cuban Quakers still fondly invoke memories of “Erika” with warm smiles. In addition to Cuba, Erica’s interest in travel took her to South Africa, Peru, Prague, and the British Isles. She was an enthusiastic member of a Mark Morris Dance group, and learned African songs when in South Africa.

Erica’s life was filled with events that drew people into her circle. In the spring, she invited people to walk a local trail. Summer was a time to help weed community gardens. Her apple cider mill was grinding away on sunny autumn days. And winter would be filled with revels rehearsals and contra dances.

In 1992, Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital became Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, N.H. Erica retired from DHMC following 2010, trading her full-time nursing job for a part-time job at Kendal at Hanover retirement community to allow more time for civic engagement.

Significant health problems were present throughout Erica’s life, intensifying in her final year. Unfortunately, an exact diagnosis was elusive.

Erica is survived by three siblings, Keith Brinton (Claudia Krich), Anne Brinton (Lee Bailey), and Daniel Brinton (Karen Sechy).