Candace Coburn Brehm

Candace Coburn Brehm, 69, of Chichester, affectionately known as Candy, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family on Tuesday, March 16 after a courageous fight with cancer.

Beloved wife, mother and grandmother, she will be deeply missed by her best friend and husband of 44 years Stanley W. Brehm; her daughter Allyson C. Piper and her husband Joshua of Harwich, MA; her son Joshua C. Brehm and his wife Samantha of Hooksett, NH and her three magical grandchildren Summer Brehm and Cameron and Isobel Piper.

Candy brightened every room she walked into with her larger than life smile. Born in Worcester, MA, she was the daughter of Edward W. “Ted” Coburn of Hingham, MA and the late Audrey A. (Bartlett) Coburn.  Candy grew up in Sudbury and Weston, Massachusetts where she rode horses and fell in love with theatre. She had fond memories of summers spent at her grandparent’s cottage on Pease’s Point in Mattapoisett, Mass.

In college she studied Theater and English. She worked as a reporter following college and was known for her ability to talk to anyone. Her passion for theater and the arts led to a lifelong commitment to ensuring children were exposed to theater early in life. She was active in initiating the drama program at Chichester Central School and later assisted with the drama program at Bishop Brady High School. Candy was a producer for and champion of the Children’s Theater Project, part of the Community Players of Concord NH, for over 10 years. She served as a member of the Players Board of Directors and was the recipient of the Osy Strong award in June 2019 for her service to the organization.

Candy was a passionate gardener who took great pride in building and maintaining the perennial gardens at her home. One of her favorite children’s books was “Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney, a story of a woman who made the world more beautiful by planting lupines in the wild. This past spring, Candy and Stan finally had the opportunity to see the lupines in bloom in Northern NH.

She loved all things related to fairies and saw to it that all her grandchildren believed in magic.

A self-declared American history buff, she and her family traveled to many historical sites throughout the country. Candy & Stan were known to take the road less traveled to explore new areas. An avid reader, she served as a trustee for the Chichester Town Library for many years. She also contributed articles to several local newspapers over the years.

She and her husband were self-employed and ran several businesses together. It was due to their shared love of gardening that they ran a garden center and later founded a successful marketing firm for the lawn and garden industry which they have operated together for the last 27 years.

In addition to her immediate family, she is survived by her sisters, Kimberly Coburn Page and her husband Russell of Lunenburg, MA; Rebecca Coburn Bassi and her husband Ben of Newburyport, MA and Amy Bartlett Gaudet and her husband Kenneth of Upton, MA, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Known for her joyful spirit and infectious smile, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, you help spread kindness and joy in her honor.

A Celebration of Her Life will be held at a later date to be announced.  Assisting the family with arrangements is the Still Oaks Funeral & Memorial Home in Epsom.  To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.stilloaks.com

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