Lois (Waggoner) Moore
Lois (Waggoner) Moore, 92, of Ledyard, CT, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 20, 2020 at W. W. Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT. Lois was born on October 4, 1928 in Everton, Missouri to Turrell William and Bessie (Means) Waggoner. In addition to her parents, Lois was preceded in death by her loving husband, William (Bill) Moore; sisters Mavis McAvoy, Francis Roelke, Mary Kreisvelt, Joan (Ruth) Gibson, and brothers; Jack, Samuel and William Waggoner. Lois was the last surviving sibling.
Lois grew up on the family farm in Ava, MO where she worked the fields alongside her father and siblings. Her mother, she said, “was the greatest woman I ever met.” A midwife, who raised eight children until her death at the age of 49. After graduating from high school in 1946, she followed her older sisters to Washington D.C. for work and where she met her beloved Bill. They married on November 3, 1950, at the Western Presbyterian Church in D.C.
Lois and Bill settled in Ledyard, CT and became active members of the United Methodist Church of Gales Ferry. Lois attended Mitchell College, in New London, CT, where she enjoyed writing short stories for the School newspaper. She was an avid reader and was always surrounded by her books. She enjoyed painting and sewing; however, working in her yard was her refuge. Lois loved to “walk the yard,” as she took great pride in having a beautiful front yard.
In 1974, Lois and Bill opened their first restaurant, The Little Whaler, in North Stonington, CT. In 1982 they purchased a small farm in Franklin, CT. With a dream and hard work, they renovated the two hundred year old farmhouse and established the 1784 Inn of Franklin. While Bill was the chef, Lois managed the bookkeeping and made all of the homemade desserts and pies. Lois was well known for her signature chocolate pecan pie and whiskey bread pudding.
Lois was the heart and rock of her family. She and Bill loved to cook together, celebrate the holidays and family birthdays. If you met Lois, you made a friend, and left with a hug. Her pets gave her comfort in her later years, but she always looked forward to a visit from Harrah, her grandson Bill’s dog. She also looked forward to reading her hometown paper, the Douglas County Herald.
Lois is survived by her two daughters, Karen Higgins (T.C. Higgins) of Montville, CT and Dawn Moore (Jay Summers) of Gallatin, TN; five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She also leaves behind many loved nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to express their sincerest gratitude to the many people and organizations who provided loving care to our mother over the years. Due to Covid-19 a memorial service will take place at a later date in 2021. For the complete obituary, please visit www.dinotofuneral.com.
