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Ava Nell Braddock Putnam of Hampton Bays died February 7, 2018, in Southampton.
Born in Pecan Gap, Texas, on November 12, 1930, she was a strong woman, according to survivors, who described her as “the Grand Lady of Hampton Bays,” remembering her for “her stature, her Southern drawl, sharp wit and friendly nature.”
She was married briefly and later divorced, before she met Bill Putnam. She divorced during a time when it was not very common for couples to divorce. Much to her father’s chagrin, she stood up and exclaimed she would not continue to be married. Not long after, she moved to Dallas, arriving on November 22, 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She recalled the guilt felt personally and that felt by Texans.
After marrying Mr. Putnam in 1965, the couple eventually moved to New York City, where her husband worked his way up to senior vice president of Seagram’s. She worked in accounting in Texas and New York City for entertainment attorneys; developing quite a dislike for the legal profession. She later worked as a personal assistant and accountant for Mrs. Engels, a niece of J.P. Morgan. She was proud, and when asked where she came from, she would always proclaim, “Dallas, Texas,” often causing her feelings of guilt to resurface.
In 1976, the couple built a home in Hampton Bays, which they used weekends and vacations. Mr. Putnam died in 1990 after 25 years of marriage. She also shared her heart with her two Malteses, Lulu and Lily.
In 2007, Ms. Putnam made Hampton Bays her fulltime home. She supported the local community, including the Hampton Bays Beautification Association, the Hampton Bays Library, the Hampton Bay Fire Department and ambulance, and Southampton Hospital. She was a member of the Southampton Golf Club.
A memorial service will be held at the Hampton Bays United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 31, at 11 a.m. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Scott-Rothwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays.
on Mar 26, 2018