New Hampshire, U.S., Marriage and Divorce Records, 1659-1947
Elizabeth Muserian
DOVER - Elizabeth "Betty" (Spellman) Muserian, 92, formerly of Green Street, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at the Riverside Rest Home.
She was born in Somersworth, Sept. 10, 1911, the daughter of John E. and Ellen (Mahoney) Spellman. She graduated from Somersworth High School and has resided in this area most of her life.
During WWII, she had worked at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and later went to work for the State of New Hampshire Unemployment Department, where she worked for 24 years. Following her retirement and after the death of her husband, she went to work for the University of New Hampshire, where she stayed for five years.
She was past state president of the Business & Professional Women’s Club, and was active through the years in the Republican Party. She was supervisor of the checklist for Ward 4. She was a member of the Silver Squares of Durham. She was a communicant of St. Joseph Church where she was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society. She enjoyed traveling.
The widow of Harry Muserian, members of her family include her brother, J. Paul Spellman and his wife, Catherine, of Dover; her nieces and nephews, Carolyn Blood and her husband, Richard, Kathleen Kenney, Janice Fartado and her husband, Stephen, Sandra Spellman, Paul E. Spellman and his wife, Joanne, J. Paul Spellman Jr. and his wife, Patricia, and Dennis M. Spellman and his wife, Alison.
She was predeceased by five sisters, Ann White, Helen Kenney, Mary M. Spellman, Agnes V. Spellman and Sarah Dutch, and by three brothers, Edward J. Spellman, Maurice J. Spellman and Thomas Paul Spellman.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Friday, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, at St. Joseph Church, 150 Central Ave. Burial will follow in St. Mary New Cemetery.
It is requested there be family flowers only. Those who wish, are invited to send memorials in her name, to Riverside Rest Home "Van Fund", 276 County Farm Rd., Dover, N.H. 03820 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Virginia Prince
YORK HARBOR, Maine - Virginia A. Prince died Thursday, Oct. 2, 2003, at Sentry Hill in York Harbor where she was a resident for the past two years.
She was born Jan. 30, 1919, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Joseph and Anna (Kowlausky) Ambrose. She graduated from the Hartford Public High School in 1937 and from the Holyoke (Mass.) School of Nursing as a RN in 1940.
She married Charles E. Prince Jr., of Kittery, on May 10, 1942, and was married for 56 years. Charles passed away in 1998.
She and her family lived in Kittery for 25 years and in the 1960s moved to a new residence on Nubble Point in York Beach. It was here that she and her family owned and operated the Cabana Colony rental cottages and motel. The business was in operation from 1951 to 1994 when she and her husband sold the business and moved to Eldredge Road in York Harbor.
She enjoyed music and church activities. It was in this setting that her love and warmth for God and church community shown forth. She
was a soloist at churches in Rye, Portsmouth, Eliot, Kittery and York for many years. She was the adult and children choir director at St. Mark’s Methodist Church in Kittery during the 1950s and early ’60s.
She was a past member of the Portsmouth community chorus and was the lead soloist for several years in events such as Handel’s Messiah. For the last 35 years of her life she was a member of the York Beach Congregational Church and a member of the choir. During her lifetime she had the distinction of singing a solo on Christmas Eve for 50 consecutive years from 1947 to 1997.
She was active as a RN at different hospitals in the local area. In the ’70s and ’80s, she worked in the emergency room of the York Hospital. For several years she participated as an EMT and member of the York Volunteer Ambulance Service. After retiring from active nursing service, she continued at the York Hospital giving hundreds of hours of volunteer service. She was a past board member of the York Senior Center and served as recording secretary. She was a past member of the Sohier Park Committee.
She enjoyed the hobbies of painting, crafts, and travel. She had a remarkable artistic flare for producing oil paintings, designing crafts, and artwork for church and volunteer efforts. She loved traveling. She had fun times with friends on local bus trips. With her family, she traveled throughout much of the United States. She loved to explore new places and experience new cultures. Included were trips to Hawaii, Alaska, the UK, Northern Africa, much of Europe, and China. One of her highlights was walking on the Great Wall of China.
She particularly loved and enjoyed her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her son, Charles and his wife, Chhom and daughter Jhen-da of Berwick; her son, Thomas of York and his four daughters, Jaime and husband, Nate, of Framingham Mass., Jennifer Ryan and daughter, Dana, of Stoneham Mass., Abigail of South Berwick, and Tessa of York. She was predeceased by daughter Linda and granddaughter Ashley in 1994 and daughter Cheryl in 1996. Both daughters were adopted at an early age from Korea. Cheryl left a son, David Perry, of Greenland, N.H.; Linda left two daughters, Angela and Justine Willey of York.
She exemplified the true meaning of love. Her spirit will be everlasting in those whom she touched.
Memorial services will be held Nov. 8, 2003, at 1 p.m. in the Union Congregational Church, Church Street, York Beach. There are no visiting hours. Memorial donations may be made to the Union Congregational Church Bell Tower Fund, PO Box 969, York Beach, ME 03910. Arrangements by Lucas and Eaton Funeral Home, York.
Frances Richard
EXETER - Frances Vicky Richard, 67, of 26 Old Town Farm Road, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at the Exeter Hospital.
She was born in Portsmouth, Oct. 26, 1935, the daughter of Raymond and Mary (DeRoche) Bennett. She attended Catholic schools in West Roxbury, Mass. Residing in Portsmouth for many years, she moved to Exeter in 1953. She worked as a fancy stitcher for the Water Street Shoe Company in Exeter for several years. She was a communicant of St. Michael Church in Exeter.
She shared 46 years of marriage with her husband, David E. Richard.
In addition to her husband, family members include two brothers, Raymond Bennett, Jr., of Acton, Ga., and Laurence Bennett of Newmarket; two sisters, Maureen Lawlor of Exeter, and Christine LeBranche of Brentwood; several nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was predeceased by five siblings, Dennis, Michael and Gary Bennett, Joan Witham and Sharon Petit.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Michael Church, Front Street, Exeter, on Saturday at 11 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call at the Stockbridge Funeral Home, 141 Epping Road, Exeter, on Saturday from 9:30 a.m., until the hour of the Mass. Burial will follow in the Exeter Cemetery, Exeter.
The family requests that flowers please be omitted. If desired, donations may be made to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Judge Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
Barbara Shay
KITTERY, Maine - Barbara A. Shay, of Kittery, died Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2003, at the Harbor Home in York after a long illness. She was 79. She was born in Lewiston, Maine, on Nov. 17, 1923, the daughter of Willis and Dorothy (Eichel) Pearson, and was educated in the Lewiston School System. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Newington.
She was the widow of Dana Lowell Shay, and is survived by a son, Timothy Shay and his wife, Joan, of Kittery; two daughters, Pamela Ann Cola and her husband, Alexander, of Gouldsboro, Pa., and Donna Louise Kuener of Gouldsboro; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
She was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and will be missed by all.
Visiting hours will be held Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Wilson Cooper Funeral Home, 21 Rogers Road, Kittery.
Services are under the direction of the Wilson-Cooper Funeral Home, 21 Rogers Road, Kittery, Maine.
Etta C. Smart
EAST WAKEFIELD - Etta C. Smart, 86, of Province Lake Road in East Wakefield, died early Thursday morning, Oct. 2, 2002, at home.
Born Nov. 6, 1916, in Sanford, Maine, she was the daughter of Wilfred and Carrie (Low) Clark. She had resided in East Wakefield since 1938, having come from Sanford.
She was employed for many years as a grocery clerk at Williams Shopping Center in East Wakefield.
The widow of the late J. Woodrow Smart, who died in 1984, she is survived by a son, Forrest W. and daughter-in-law Carol Smart of East Wakefield; a daughter, Joyce Grinnell of East Wakefield and Texas; four grandchildren, Eddie, Brenda, Scott and Joseph; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Jones of Kennebunk, Maine; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a son-in-law, Douglas Grinnell.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, 2003, at Peaslee Funeral Home, 2079 Wakefield Road, in Sanbornville (Wakefield), at 11 a.m. There are no calling hours, family and friends are welcome to the
service. Interment will follow at Woodman Cemetery in E. Wakefield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to VNA-Hospice 240 South Main St., Wolfeboro, NH 03894.
Vera Currier
EPSOM - Vera K. Currier, 94, of Epsom Manor died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at the manor after a long illness.
She was born in Beverly, Mass., on Oct. 11, 1909, the daughter of Earl C. and Harriet E. (Evans) Knight, and was a graduate of Eliot, Maine, High School. She had lived in Danvers, Mass., before moving to Rochester 20 years ago.
She was a member of the First Church Congregational in Rochester as well as The Good Ole Sports, Rochester Area Senior Citizens, AARP, The Homemakers of Strafford County and The Widowed Persons Service Organization.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening and especially working with the Rochester Fellowship Kitchen. She and her family enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Ossipee Lake.
She was the widow of Matthew N. Currier Jr.
The family includes a son, Richard S. Akerman Sr. and his wife, Sheila M., of Rochester; three grandsons and a granddaughter; three great-granddaughters; a sister, Sylvia Hett of Newmarket; and two stepsons, Denis and Phillip Currier.
The funeral service will be Monday at 11 a.m. with an hour of visitation prior to the funeral in the chapel of R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 South Main St., Rochester, with the Rev. John Davies officiating. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Eliot, Maine. Family flowers only. If desired, donations may be made to the Soup Kitchen, c/o First United Methodist Church, 34 South Main St., Rochester, NH 03867.
Frank W. Fioto
DOVER - Frank W. Fioto of Stark Avenue died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at King James Care Center in Navesink, N.J.
He was born in New York City, N.Y., and attended Polytechnic University of New York. He had been a resident of Dover for 54 years and was one of the original employees of Clarostat Manufacturing Co. from New York and worked in administration and engineering capacities until his retirement.
He was an active member of the community, serving as chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustment for seven years, Dover chairman for the election of Gov. Walter Peterson, and worked for the Republican Party in many capacities during election campaigns.
He was a past officer of the Dover Exchange Club, and director and past officer of the Cochecho Country Club. He also served on the board of directors of the Active Retirement Association of Durham.
He was an active member of St. Joseph Church, serving as an officer and chairman of the parish council. He was also an adviser for St. Joseph Catholic Youth Organization and served with the Dover Catholic Charities drives.
He is survived by his wife, Frances (Vivona) Fioto of Dover; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and Peter Lardieri of Atlantic Highlands, N.J.; his grandson, Stephen Lardieri, of Bellevue, Wash.; his grandson and granddaughter-in-law, David and Erica Lardieri, of Raritan, N.J.; a great-granddaughter, Juliet Lardieri; his sister, Amelia Pepe, of New York City; his brother, Frederick Fioto, of Boynton Beach, Fla.; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Sunday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Joseph Church, 150 Central Ave., Dover, with the Rev. Paul Ruzzo, associate pastor, as celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Mary New Cemetery.
Shirley Fournier
STRAFFORD - Shirley P. Fournier, 67, passed away Saturday, Nov. 22, 2003.
She was born in Center Sandwich on June 17, 1936, the daughter of Clarence and Luella Sturgis. She lived in Wolfeboro for 15 years before moving to her home in Strafford in 1967.
She married Ralph A. Fournier in 1966. They enjoyed visiting friends and family together. Her husband passed away in 1973.
She was an active member of the Third Baptist Church in Strafford. She enjoyed doing craftwork, particularly knitting items for the church craft sales.
She worked for many years cleaning houses. Among her many interests were gardening, reading and doing crossword puzzles. She attended Carpenter School and Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro.
She leaves four sisters, Lorraine Sprague of Dover, Edna Hart of Center Sandwich, Alice Thorne of Limerick, Maine, and Ellen Eldridge of Tamworth; and a brother, Raymond Plummer of North Conway.
She would like to be remembered as a very independent woman who was a good friend to her neighbors. Most importantly, she was a Christian who gave her heart to the Lord.
She would like to thank everyone who helped and watched over her, particularly members of the Third Baptist Church and her many friends and neighbors.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Third Baptist Church, Your VNA and Hospice, Farmington Road, Rochester, NH, or the American Cancer Society, 360 state Route 101, Suite 101, Bedford, NH 03110-5032.
A memorial service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Third Baptist Church, Strafford, with the Rev. Robert Fisher, pastor, officiating. Burial was in Center Strafford Cemetery, Strafford.
Arrangements are under the care of R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 S. Main St., Rochester.
Billie Griner
ROCHESTER - Billie A. Griner, 77, of 7A Wellsweep Acres, died Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003, at Frisbie Memorial Hospital in Rochester after a period of failing health.
She was born Aug. 11, 1924, in Michigan. She resided in Rochester for the past 10 years after living in Colorado and Texas. She worked as a licensed practical nurse for 40 years. After retiring from nursing, she worked with the Police Department taking calls for Project Hope. Her hobbies included crocheting, crafts, playing bingo and cards. She loved to travel and was well-liked by all.
She is the widow of Dale Griner and is survived by two sons, William Griner of Fountain, Colo., and John Griner of Rochester; a daughter, Marietta Lynn and her husband, James, of Houston, Texas; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
At her request, there will be no service.
Arrangements are under the care of R.M. Edgerly & Son Funeral Home, 86 S. Main St., Rochester.
Peggy K. Legere
LEE - Peggy K. Legere, 67, of Lee Hook Road died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003.
She was born Oct. 2, 1936, in Monson, Maine, the daughter of Richard and Betty Welles.
She enjoyed flower gardening and watching birds from her greenhouse was a favorite pastime. She loved her home, family and grandchildren.
She was a loving wife, a great mom and a wonderful "Gammy."
Survivors include her husband, Roger; her mother, Betty Welles of Falls Church, Va.; a son, John Legere and his wife, Kate, of Winterport, Maine; two daughters, Kathleen Smith of Portsmouth and Michelle Rouleau and her husband, Randy, of Durham; a brother, Richard Welles of Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Betty Jean Leonard of Craig County, Va., and Susan Wagner of Woodbridge, Va.; five grandchildren, Olivia, Ashley, Eli, Christopher and James; and several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her father, Richard Welles.
Friends are invited to visit her home at 15 Lee Hook Road, Lee, on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Arrangements are under the direction of Wiggin-Purdy-McCooey-Dion Funeral Home, Dover.
Cindy Jean Post
BARRINGTON - Cindy Jean Post, 51, of Partridge Drive, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
She was born Oct. 3, 1952, in Lubec, Maine.
She was employed by Suray Promotions and worked as a demonstrator. She loved shopping and will be remembered for her kindness and caring ways spent with her family and friends.
Survivors include her loving husband, Charles Post Sr. of Barrington; four sons, Charles Post Jr. of Barrington, Chuck Berry of Arizona, Mathew Berry of Marlboro and Phillip Post of Manchester; a daughter, Shannon Gendron of Barrington; four brothers, Pete Foley of Barrington, Randy Smith of Newfields, Kevin Smith of Bangor, Maine, and James Foley of Portland, Maine; two sisters, Pat Rideout of Springvale, Maine, and Maria Orlander of Texas; and seven grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her mother, Mira (Campbell) Smith; and her father, Cecil Smith.
Memorial services will be held 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2003, at the Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Road, Route 4, Lee, with Chaplain Ginny Slawnwhite officiating.
