Mary Byrd Platt, of Concord, New Hampshire, died May 14, 2017, after a period of failing health. Born in New York City in 1931, Mrs. Platt was the daughter of William Byrd, Jr. and Alice Luce Byrd. She grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and attended Miss Fine’s School (now Princeton Day School). Following her graduation from the Winsor School, Polly, as she was affectionately known to her friends, attended Smith College and majored in English. She married Charles Platt, 3rd in 1957. They made their home at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, where her husband was a member of the history faculty.
The Platts moved to Jacksonville, Florida, in 1971, when Mr. Platt accepted a position with Episcopal School of Jacksonville. They remained in Jacksonville with their two sons until Mr. Platt’s retirement from teaching. Thereafter, they moved to Vienna, Virginia, before permanently retiring to Concord. For many years, the Platts made their summer home at Newfound Lake, in Hebron, New Hampshire. Mrs. Platt was active with various organizations in the local community, while her husband served on the Camp Pasquaney council. In Concord, Mrs. Platt enjoyed singing with the Songweavers women’s community chorus and serving as a Hospice volunteer. The Platts loved traveling and bird watching and spent many happy years devoted to both pursuits. In more recent years, they enjoyed wintering in Titusville, Florida.
Mrs. Platt was predeceased by her husband in 2007. She is survived by her sister, Alice Byrd, and her cousin, Diana Plunkett. She leaves her two sons Charles Platt IV and his wife, Elizabeth-Anne Platt of Concord, and William Byrd Platt, also of Concord. She is also survived by grandchildren Charles Platt V and his wife Anna Lurie, Margaret E. Platt, and William L. L. Platt; her sister-in-law Rita Platt Coney and her husband, Aims Coney, Jr., and their children and families.
A memorial service for Mrs. Platt is planned for this summer at St. Paul’s Church in Concord. The Cremation Society of NH has been entrusted with final arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Concord VNA Hospice Program, 30 Pillsbury Street, Concord, NH 03301.