New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947
Maude Clements
NORTHWOOD - Maude C. Clements, 92, formerly of Northwood, died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002, at Rockingham County Nursing Home.
She was born in Northwood on July 4, 1909, the daughter of Willie and Amy (Bryant) Witham. After being in New York for five years, she was a lifelong resident of Northwood.
Prior to her retirement she was a nurse’s aide at Rockingham County Nursing Home. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church in Northwood and was an avid horsewoman. Mrs. Clements was an Avon lady and a Stanley representative.
She is survived by several nephews, nieces and cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lawrence D. Clements, who died in 1985.
Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Maiden-Petrin Funeral Home, Four Corners, Candia.
The funeral will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Spring burial will be in the Fairview Cemetery, Northwood.
Berenice Comstock
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Berenice Comstock, 83, died Friday, Jan. 4, 2002, in a nursing home in Pennsylvania following complications from a heart attack.
Before moving to Philadelphia to live with her daughter, she lived at Langdon Place of Exeter, N.H., and previously had been a longtime resident of Durham, N.H.
She was born Sept. 24, 1918, to Alma and Robert Gray in Montreal, Canada.
During her life in Durham, she served as a Girl Scout leader and an American Red Cross Gray Lady at the Portsmouth Hospital. She was a member of the Durham Garden Club, the Durham Art Association, the Durham Community Church and in later years a member of the Lee Church Congregational where she took great pleasure in contributing to the Holiday Fair.
An avid painter, she was honored in 2000 when her painting of "Skaters on a Pond" was selected for the cover of the holiday cards for Langdon Place of Exeter where she had lived for three years following the death of her husband of 55 years, Theodore R. Comstock.
She is survived by a brother, Stuart Gray of Vineland, N.J.; a sister, Roberta Harvey of Seattle, Wash.; six children, Barbara DeVault of Media, Pa., Carol Dumais of Colorado Springs, Colo., Theodore R. Comstock Jr. of Yoder, Colo., Christine Burke of Lee, N.H., Katheryn Comstock-Dinsmore of Somersworth, N.H., and Laurie Arbour of Concord, Calif.; grandchildren, Lyndalea Breeding, Robert DeVault Jr., John Burke, Bonnie Ash, Joseph Burke, Timothy Dumais, Elizabeth Dumais, Brian Arbour and Michael Arbour; step-grandchildren, Jeananne Murray and Jackie Murray; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Lee Church Congregational.
Sheri Fecteau
FARMINGTON - Sheri L. Fecteau, 40, of 17A Spring St., died Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002, in Rochester as a result of an auto accident.
She was born Sept. 26, 1961, in Laconia, the daughter of Marion (DeHart) Fecteau and Norman Fecteau.
She attended Rochester schools and had worked as a certified nurses aide at St. Ann’s Nursing Home and private duty. She loved animals and nature.
She is survived by her son, Brandon James Fecteau of Farmington; fiancee, James D. Parcell of Farmington; her mother, Marion DeHart of Sanbornton; three brothers, David and Glenn Fecteau, both of Belmont, and Steven Fecteau of Sanbornton; two sisters, Linda Paradise of Middleton and Donna Hodgdon of Newfields; aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews; her dogs, Heidi and Buddy; and her cats, SumSum and BH.
Family and friends may visit Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester.
The funeral service will follow at 7 p.m. in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Cynthia Nickerson officiating.
Burial will be in Rochester Cemetery, Franklin Street, Rochester, in the spring.
Alvan Googins
KENNEBUNK, Maine - Alvan Percival Googins, 98, a resident of Maquire Road, formerly of Summer Street, Kennebunk, and Gorham, N.H., died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2001, after a brief illness.
He was born in Casco on July 22, 1903, the eldest of two sons of Percy Freeman and Helen Gertrude Nichols Googins.
His early childhood was spent in Casco, West Deering and Falmouth. The family moved to Kennebunk in 1913. He graduated as salutatorian from Kennebunk High School, Class of 1921. Upon graduation from Gray’s Business in Portland, he accepted a position with the Brown Paper Company.
He was a lifelong member of the Advent Christian Church at Kennebunk Lower Village (now at Sea Road), served as superintendent of the Sunday school, church representative to denominational conference and a member of the Minutemen Quartet. This group performed at many church functions and broadcasts from radio station WHEB in Portsmouth, N.H.
In 1941, Mr. Googins’ employer moved its main office to Berlin, N.H., and his family took up residence in Milan, N.H., where he became active in the Methodist Church. Several years later, they moved to Gorham, N.H., and resided there for 45 years.
As a member of Gorham Methodist Church, he served as Sunday school teacher, choir director and soloist. He was a longtime member of Gideons International and worked to fulfill the organization’s mission by placing many Bibles in hotels and prisons.
An avid gardener, he raised and sold gladiolas from his home, as well as shared the bounty of his large vegetable gardens with friends and neighbors. He enjoyed playing horseshoes, tennis and excelled at croquet.
He is survived by his son, Jonathan and his wife, Trudi, of Barrington, N.H.; a daughter, Constance Waterman and her husband, Alan, of South Hamilton, Mass; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Evelyn (Atkins) Googins; and his second wife of 63 years, Phoebe (Boothby) Googins; two sons, Merton and David Googins; and a brother, Danforth Googins.
There will be no calling hours. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Kennebunk Christian Academy, Sea Road, Kennebunk, ME 04043. Arrangements by the Bibber Memorial Chapel-Kennebunk.
Claude Maine
BARRINGTON - Claude W. Maine, 84, of 1 Oxbow Lane, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at Wentworth-Douglas Hospital after a brief illness.
Born Sept. 10, 1917, in Hopkinton, R.I., he was the son of Clarence W. and Reba (Lamb) Maine.
He was a graduate of Stonington High School in Stonington, Conn., Class of 1935.
He worked for the Westerly Sun Newspaper from 1929 to 1980. After moving to New Hampshire in 1980, he worked as a desk clerk at the Ramada Inn, the Quality Inn and the Friendship Inn until 1990.
Mr. Maine was a member of the Pawcatuck Lodge No. 90 F&AM in Pawcatuck, Conn., and was past master in 1953. He was also a member of the Westerly Forest No. 107 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, where he held the position of past grand tall cedar and district deputy supreme tall cedar. He also served on the board of trustees for the Muscular Dystrophy Charity Foundation.
He is survived by his daughter, Claudia Stuart of Malabar, Fla.; three stepchildren, Daniel Leahy of Lebanon, Maine, Thomas Leahy of Barrington and Sandra Morrison of Rochester; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Hilda Harrison of Westerly, R.I.; and his friend and companion for several years, Vicky Dawson of Barrington.
He was predeceased by his wife, Gloria (Witham) Maine.
There will be no services.
Arrangements are under the direction of the R.M. Edgerly and Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester.
William Smith
EXETER - William N. Smith, 54, of 12 Center St., died Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001, at the Exeter Healthcare, Inc.
He was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Jan. 12, 1947, the son of Mary Joe (Johnston) Smith and Lyle Smith of Oklahoma City.
He graduated summa cum laude from Casady School in Oklahoma City. He later graduated from Williams College with a bachelor of arts degree with honors in English literature, and Harvard Divinity School with a bachelor of divinity cum laude in 1971, majoring in comparative religion and minoring in the Old Testament.
Mr. Smith was an assistant dean of students and member of the faculty at Harvard Divinity School from 1971 to 1973. He attended Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences from 1973 to 1979 as a doctor of philosophy candidate.
Mr. Smith worked for Bank of New England as a investment officer from 1979 to 1983 transferring to Smith Barney where he was managing director and head of the retail trade group from 1983 to 1994, receiving the Institutional Investor Award.
He later worked for Neuberger & Berman where he worked as a senior retail analyst from 1994 to 1996. He worked as the senior vice president from 1996 to 1998 at the Peter B. Cannell & Co. managing equity investments and was employed at Phillips Exeter Academy as the regional director of major gifts, alumni affairs and development since September 2001.
He was a member of many organizations including the Church of the Heavenly Rest, where he was an active member of the Vestry since 1996, and a member of the financial affairs committee, assistant treasurer, shelter volunteer and co-director of lay reading program. He was active with the Interfaith Neighbors as a member of its board of directors since 1996, vice president since 1998, chair of annual appeal from 1999 to 2000, chairman of nominating committee in 2000, member of executive, development, long-range planning, benefit and finance committees. He was a member of the board of directors of Gottschalks since 1998, a California-based department store listed on the New York Stock Exchange, a member of the audit and compensation committees.
Mr. Smith received many awards including the Rockefeller Brothers Theological Fellowship Award, the Billings Prize in Preaching, an Alfred P. Sloan National Scholar. He was awarded the top scholar in German and Latin and the Griffin Debating Trophy from the Casady School in Oklahoma City.
He had resided in Manhattan, N.Y., for several years before moving to Exeter, four months ago.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by one daughter, Abigail V. Smith of Newton, Mass.
Graveside services were held privately in the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, Mass.
Memorial services will be held at the Church of Heavenly Rest, Manhattan, N.Y., on Monday, Jan. 21, at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, c/o Dr. Posner, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02115.
Arrangements are by the Stockbridge Funeral Home, Exeter.
Edward Taylor
ELIOT, Maine - Edward C. Taylor, 89, of Eliot, died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2002, at the Edgewood Center in Portsmouth after a brief illness.
He was born Nov. 23, 1912, in Nutley, N.J. He was the son of A. Russel and Madeleine (Barlow) Taylor.
For over 30 years, Mr. Taylor worked as an electrical engineer for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. He had previously worked for the Brooklyn Naval Shipyard and then moved to Kittery in 1948 and later to Eliot.
He and his wife, Winifred, were very active folk dancers and especially enjoyed Scottish dancing which they did throughout the Seacoast area. After retirement they traveled extensively and spent their winters in Mexico. His other interests included sailing the coast of Maine and skiing the mountains of Maine and the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He was an avid contract bridge player.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Winifred (Zinck) Taylor; and one son and daughter-in-law, Warren and Deborah Taylor of York.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Priscilla, many years ago.
The Cremation Society of New Hampshire is in charge of arrangements.
Etta Zuromskis
ROCHESTER - Etta May Zuromskis, 81, formerly of Meadowbrook Village, died Monday, Jan. 7, 2002, at Rochester Manor after a long illness.
She was born Feb. 28, 1920, in Conway, the daughter of George Albert and Katherine Abbott (Potter) Taylor.
She was a graduate of Rochester High School, Class of 1938, and worked many years at the Wyandotte Woolen Mill.
She has resided in Rochester for the past 65 years.
She is survived by her sons, John Zuromskis of Lebanon, Maine, Joseph Zuromskis of Rochester, Thomas Zuromskis and his wife, Laura (Doherty), of Boyds, Md.; grandchildren, Michael and Mary Zuromskis of Boyds; a brother, Burliegh Taylor of Rochester; nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Zuromskis, who died in 1988.
There will be no calling hours.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester.
Burial will be in St. Mary Cemetery, Lowell Street, Rochester, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Rochester Visiting Nurses Association, Farmington Road, Rochester, NH 03867.
Richard Berry
DOVER - Richard Edwin Berry, 69, of Central Towers, died early Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Manchester.
Born July 5, 1932, in Somersworth, he was the son of Martin E. and Eloise A. (Wiggin) Berry Sr.
A veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War for four years and was honorably discharge in 1955. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion of Dover.
He was employed as a cosmetologist with Edith’s of Dover and opened his own shop in Somersworth and on Wall Street in New York City, N.Y., for 15 years before early retirement.
He enjoyed playing the piano and singing. He had a beautiful voice.
He is survived by a brother, William J. Berry and his wife, Doris of Rochester; two sisters, Mary Adams and her husband, Gary of Dover and Patricia A. Roux and her husband, Paul of Dover; and a dear friend, Rose Waldman of Dover.
He was predeceased by his parents; three brothers, Martin E. Berry Jr., John Francis Berry and Thomas Berry; and a sister, Margaret Berry.
There will be no calling hours. Burial will take place in the spring in Pine Grove Cemetery, Barrington.
Arrangements under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., and Oyster River Crematory, Route 4, 2 Concord Road, Barrington.
Lois Best
BERWICK, Maine - Lois C. Best, 62, of Route 236, Applegate, died Thursday, Jan. 10, 2002, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
Arrangements will be announced by the Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, 655 Central Ave., Dover.
David Pierce
EPPING - David M. Pierce, 51, of 153 Old Hedding Road, died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at his home.
He was born Dec. 27, 1951, in Rochester, the son of Gloria (Hart) Pierce of Dover and Maurice Pierce.
Mr. Pierce lived in the Seacoast area for all of his life and was a graduate of Oyster River High School in Durham. He had resided in Epping for the past 20 years.
He was a master electrician and worked for the Exeter & Hampton Electric Company and most recently for the Kohlhase Company. He enjoyed fishing and spending time at his camp.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Nancy J. (Paul) Pierce of Epping; two sons, Jamieson Pierce of Ohio and Jason Pierce of Manchester; one daughter, Julie Pierce of Newmarket; two brothers, Michael Pierce of New Hampshire and Ronald Pierce of Vermont; four sisters, Deborah Welch of West Virginia, Cindy Herrick of Nottingham, Pamela Criss of Rochester and Wendy Rowe of Dover; one stepson, Glen S. Wise and his wife, Laren of South Hampton; one stepdaughter, Shelia H. Jamieson of North Hampton; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be private.
The family requests flowers please be omitted. If desired, donations may be made to the Seacoast Hospice, 10 Hampton Road, Exeter, NH 03833.
