Obituary of Lydia L. Hale

Lydia L. Hale 

Lydia Hale, a long-time resident of Pembroke, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2023. Lydia was born in Boston on November 25, 1929 to Margaret and Joseph W. Lund. She was raised on Chestnut Street in Boston and in Duxbury. The Lunds settled into a home on Duxbury Bay that became the center of Lydia’s many childhood adventures. Street signs were known to be found in the back of her pony cart, the bounty of some shenanigans from Lydia and her brother, Jack. Sharing his passions, Joe took her duck hunting, where she shot a hole in the bottom of the boat. That was the last hunting trip she ever went on. Margaret had other plans for her older daughter; she was to be a debutante. 

Under her mother’s tutelage, Lydia reluctantly attended Concord Academy and went through the formalities of becoming a lady of Boston high society. In 1949, she married Robert Almy, with whom she had two children, Rob and Beth. After divorcing Robert, Lydia married Robert Hale in 1958; together, they had two children; Christina and David. 

Moving to Sherborn in 1970, Lydia and her family started a small farm, with Beth’s horse Lamb Chop and two dairy goats. With the purchase of her first pygmy goat, Lydia found her true calling. The family built a barn, and the farm grew, as did Lydia’s stature in the pygmy goat world. She became president of the national organization, raised multiple grand champions, and for many years published the quarterly newsletter from the dining room table. She traveled the country as a nationally recognized show judge. Lydia co-authored a guide to raising pygmy goats that is still in publication. 

Lydia and Bob moved to Pembroke in 1983, where they established another farm, adding sheep and miniature horses to their menagerie. Lydia loved all her animals, and they loved her right back. While running her farms, Lydia maintained a wide variety of hobbies. She was a fabulous cook, known for both large elaborate parties and delightful small luncheons. She spun and knit heirloom quality sweaters. Her gardens were always spectacular. She ran saws, split wood, laid bricks, and refinished furniture. With the move to Pembroke, Lydia learned to weave baskets with her mentor and neighbor, Diane Stanton. Through years of weekly sessions, Lydia created hundreds of beautiful baskets and cherished her friendships “all the gals at basket class.” 

Lydia was also involved in her community in many ways, volunteering for local political candidates (always Democratic with a capital D), restoring the herb garden at the King Caesar House, and supporting or hosting countless events for the Duxbury Historical Society. 

Lydia was a doer, up early every day, accomplishing so much with modesty. She never stopped. For those who truly knew her, Lydia was smart, honest, funny, frank (particularly when politics came up) and kind. To her children she was a beacon of strength. She raised them to be independent and hard working. 

Lydia is survived by her sister, Beth Bullock, her children, Robert Almy and his wife Pamela, Beth Buchholz and her husband Mark, Chris Regan, and David Hale and his wife Libby. Twelve grandchildren:  Jonathan, Elwin, Kathryn, Gillian, Veil, Joey, Michael, Eli, Gage, Nicolas, Ava and Forrest, as well as six great grandchildren

The family will host a memorial gathering in the spring to celebrate Lydia’s life.