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Elizabeth Righter
Elizabeth "Holly" Carleton Righter, 74, died on Dec. 7, 2011. She was born in 1937 in New York City to the late Bukk G. Carleton II and Elizabeth Tucker Carleton. Holly graduated with a BA in 1959 and a Master's degree in Anthropology in 1961 from Harvard/Radcliffe University. She completed her year of field study in Archaeology through the University of Washington.
Holly was a practicing archaeologist until she retired in 1997. Her first professional experience, while working at Valley Forge in Pennsylvania, resulted in her discovery of the oldest minted coin in the United States, dated 1773. She worked for Jack McCormick and Associates in the 1970s as an analyst instrumental in creating the first environmentally responsible industrial park in the country, located in southern New Jersey. Holly was the territorial archaeologist for the Virgin Islands Planning Office: Division for Archaeology and Historical Preservation from 1983 until 1997. While working in St. Thomas, Holly did extensive field research at Estate Zufriedenheit, placed many sites on the National Register of Historic Places and headed up major rescue excavations at the Tutu Archaeological Village. She was a contributing author and the editor of several books, including "The Tutu Archaeological Village Site: A multidisciplinary case study in human adaptation," "The Indigenous People of the Caribbean" and "Protecting Heritage in the Caribbean, (with Peter E. Siegel)." She has been published extensively and was extremely well-respected in the archaeological and preservation professional spheres. Holly taught an archaeology class at the University of the Virgin Islands and led several Earth Watch groups in the Virgin Islands.
Holly lived in Bradenton, Fla., from 1997 until 2009, enjoyed travelling and continued to give presentations and work on archaeological digs until 2008. She was a board member of the Manatee Players and the Crosley Estate, as well as a member of the Orchid Society.
A lively and creative spirit, Holly loved vibrant colors, butterflies, orchids and listening to bluegrass music. She fondly told family how she was voted Miss Radcliffe in 1959 for her "poise, personality and general appearance." Holly was the owner of the Fancy Free Art Gallery in Bradenton, where she sold beautiful, island-inspired items, as well as her own accomplished watercolor paintings. She was one of the founding members of The Village of the Arts, always welcoming guests of the Friday Night Art Walks with warm cookies and a smile. Holly threw wonderful parties and was loved by her many friends and family.
Holly is survived by her husband, Robert Pederson; her brother, Bukk G. Carleton III; and three daughters, Amy Righter, Daphne Righter and Tracey Righter Mulligan. She also is survived by five grandchildren.
Holly will be buried on her property in East Killingly, Conn. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 7, at the Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford, R.I.
Arrangements are by Visser Funeral Home.
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