To those who knew Augusta Petrone — and very few involved in Republican politics in New Hampshire or the modern conservative movement did not — it was no surprise that instructions on her death were that in lieu of flowers or charitable donations, mourners were to donate “at some level to their favorite political party.”

Conversely, it was no surprise to her wide circle of friends that mourners at her funeral included New Hampshire’s Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte and her Republican predecessor, Chris Sununu — or that a note of condolences from former liberal Democrat Gov. John Lynch was read. 

“What a wonderful woman!” wrote Lynch, whose opponents Petrone had canvassed for and contributed to. “From touring the winery, which she started in her backyard, seeing her beautiful home, and appreciating the contributions she made to us and to the Bridges House. She and her husband, Joseph, made a positive difference in our lives and to the people of New Hampshire. She will be missed.”

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