Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, December 31, 2003 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Helen M. Anderson GROVETON — Helen M. (Couture) Anderson, 91, of Summer Street, Groveton, died on Dec. 25, 2003 at the Falmouth Hospital, Falmouth, Mass., after a brief illness. She had been “visiting” her daughter in Mashpee, Mass., since June of 2002. Born on March 10, 1912 in Lewiston, Me., a daughter of Francis Xavier and Isabell (LaChapelle) Couture, she had l ived her whole life in Groveton. Helen was a member of the Catholic Church. She was a graduate of Groveton High School class of 1931 and of Keene Normal School class of 1934. She taught Junior High Math at Groveton High School before retiring in June 1975. After retiring, she taught as a substitute, and has taught every subject including Shop class. She was a Supervisor of the Checklist for many years; a Library Trustee; and a member of the Metallic Lodge. Helen and her husband of 52 years, Wendell, wintered in Florida for many years before Wendell died on June 13, 1990. Family members include her daughter Sheila and husband Jerry Ross of Mashpee, Mass.; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Calling hours were held on Dec. 30, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Main-Armstrong Funeral Home in Groveton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Dec. 31 at 11 a.m., at the St. Francis Xavier Church, State St., Groveton. Burial will be held in the spring in the Northumberland Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Helen’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, Concord Regional Office, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 427B, Concord, NH 03301-4059. Anyone who would like directions to the service or to send condolences via the online register can visit www.legacy.com. Claire R. Bartlett GROVETON — Claire R. Bartlett, 72, of State Street, Groveton died on Dec. 22, 2003 at Weeks Memorial Hospital, Lancaster surrounded by her family, after a brief illness. Born on April 7, 1931 in Stratford, a daughter of Almon and Ruth (Christie) Curtis, she was a lifelong resident of the Stratford Hollow/Groveton area. Claire was a member of the Groveton United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School for many years. Her hobbies included taking care of her plants and flowers. Family members include her husband of 53 years, Ernest Bartlett of Groveton; four children, Kenneth Bartlett of Groveton, Sharon Bartlett of Northumberland, Charlene Bell of Whitefield and Vicki Bartlett of Groveton; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; nine brothers and sisters, Clarence Curtis of Stratford, Marilyn Sorrenty of Concord, Sally LaCasse of Groveton, Beverly Green of Littleton, Judith Bordeau of Laconia, Brenda Bryant of Littleton, Karen Newton of Gilford, Bradley Bordeau of Dalton and Anthony Bordeau of Morgan, Vt.; numerous nieces and nephews. There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Northumberland Cemetery. Main- Armstrong Funeral Home of Groveton is handling the arrangements for the family. Memorial donations may be made in Claire’s name to the American Heart Association, MENHVT Affiliate, 2 Wall Street, Manchester, NH 03101. To send condolences via the online register, friends can visit www.legacy.com. Robert B. Berube Sr. GROVETON — Robert B. “Porky” Berube Sr., 54, formerly of Salem, Mass., died on Dec. 20, 2003, at his residence on Spring Street, Groveton, after a sudden illness. Born on June 5, 1949 in Salem, Mass., a son of Richard E. And Gladys B. (Morris) Berube, he lived in Salem until moving to Groveton in 1999. Before moving to Groveton he was self-employed roofer. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. Family members include his mother, Gladys Berube of Salem, Mass.; one daughter, Jessica Caverly of Haverhill, Mass.; two sons, Ryan Caverly of Peabody, Mass. and Robert B. Berube Jr. of California; one granddaughter, Autumn Wolfe; five brothers, Richard Berube of Louisiana, Victor Berube of Beverly, Mass., Roger Berube and Raymond Berube, both of Danvers, Mass., and Thomas Berube of Beverly, Mass.; three sisters, Jeanette Berube of West Newbury, Mass., Denise Berube and Lori Berube both of Salem, Mass.; many nieces and nephews. Main-Armstrong Funeral Home, Groveton, is assisting the family. To send condolences via the online register book, friends can visit www.legacy.com. Mary A. Holcomb GUILDHALL, Vt. — Mary Anne (Newell) Holcomb, 87, of North Road, died on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2003 at the Littleton Regional Hospital. Mrs. Holcomb was born in New York City, N.Y. on August 6, 1916, the daughter of Michael and Marie H. (Fricke) Newell. Growing up in Astoria Long Island, N.Y., she attended Julia Richmond School in New York City. Her summers were spent in Southwestern Massachusetts. She eventually moved to Colebrook, Conn., (Robertsville area) and was graduated from Gilbert High School in 1934. On Sept. 14, 1936 she married Merritt H. Holcomb in Millerton, N.Y. After spending time each summer with relatives in Vermont they purchased the Mill Brook Farm, Guildhall, in 1953. September marked 67 years of marriage. Mrs. Holcomb is a former Town Auditor, Town Service Officer and former Town Planning Board member; she enjoyed “Terrier” breeds of dogs, flower gardening, sewing, cooking and watching cooking shows; she compiled the Guildhall Cook Book in 1975 and was bookkeeper for her husband’s business; she was also a former telephone operator for New England Telephone and Telegraph during WWII and a medical secretary. Memberships include the Guildhall Community Church, the Guildhall Home Demonstration Club, Guildhall Community Club, and the Connecticut Valley SnoRiders. She served on the UVM Extension Services Board for Essex County in the 1970s and received a 25-year certificate for services as a Guildhall Town Officer in 2001. She dearly loved all her grandchildren and great-grandson who were very precious to her. They affectionately called her Gay-Gay. An excellent cook they will forever remember he homemade rolls, known as “Gay-Gay’s rolls.” Family members include her husband of Guildhall; a daughter, Patricia Ellen (Holcomb) Rogers and husband Allison W. Rogers of Guildhall; a son, Dr. James N. Holcomb and wife Jean C. Holcomb of Newport; grandchildren, Thomas M. Rogers and wife Dawn, Sarah Anne Holcomb, Elizabeth K. Holcomb, James Merritt Holcomb, Meghan W. Holcomb, Rachel P. Holcomb; great-grandson, Thomas M. Rogers Jr.; five sister-in-laws; one brother-in-law; one cousin; and several nieces and nephews. Visiting hours were held on Tuesday evening, Dec. 30, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held Wednesday morning at 11 at the Guildhall Community Church. The Rev. Gerry Piper of Gilman will officiate. Burial will be in the spring in Ridgwell Cemetery, Guildhall. Memorial donations may be made to the Cardiac Unit at Weeks Medical Center, Middle Street, Lancaster, NH 03584. Beverly Hook LITTLETON — Beverly Hook, 62, Pleasant Street, died on Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at the Country Village Healthcare Center, Lancaster, after a long illness. She was born in Franklin, the daughter of Earl and Leota (Smith) Lanning. She lived a brief time in Connecticut but spent most of her life in the North Country. She and her husband Frank owned and operated White Mountain Taxi, Littleton, and she later worked for the Sweet Wood Brush Company, Littleton. Beverly loved to read, play video games, and watch movies. Most of all she loved to devote her time to her family, especially to her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family includes three sons, Gordon Hook, Dalton, Richard Hook, Hiram, Me., and Frank Hook III, Lunenburg, Vt.; a daughter, Valerie Wright, Lunenburg, Vt.; nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Her husband Frank Hook Jr. died in April 1993. A Friends and Family Gathering was held on Monday morning, Dec. 29, at the Ross Funeral Home, Littleton Chapel, with a Celebration of Life following immediately with the Reverend Lyn McIntosh officiating. Burial will take place in the spring at the Cushman Cemetery Dalton. For further information or to sign and electronic guest book please go to www.rossfuneral.com Laurence Earl Hook Sr. BRUNSWICK, Vt. — Laurence Earl Hook Sr., 69, of Brunswick, Vt. died on Dec. 24, 2003 in North Stratford. He was born on Feb. 8, 1934 in Colebrook, the son of Grant and Mildred (Jeffers) Hook. While a resident in North Stratford, he served as town road agent for many years. He was well respected for his service to the town and received the Citizen of the Year Award. He also served in the National Guard. Mr. Hook enjoyed hunting, fishing, picking berries, plowing, tinkering, his children, grandchildren and his Model A. Family members include his wife of 47 years, Eleanor (Platt) Hook of Brunswick; two sons, Robert Hook of Brunswick and Laurence Hook Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev.; two daughters, Martha Kennett and Dorothy Meunier of Brunswick; a brother, Kenneth Hook of Brunswick; a sister, Lucille King of Colebrook; 11 grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. A daughter, Janet Hook, died previously. A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in North Stratford, with the Rev. Daniel Deveau serving as celebrant. An interment service will be held in the spring at Fairview Cemetery, North Stratford. Memorials may be made to the Stratford Alumni Association, in care of Corrine Platt, RR1, Box 513, Groveton, NH 03582. To send condolences to the family on-line, go to www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. Karl E. King PITTSBURG — Karl E. King, 74, passed away on Dec. 24, 2003 at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital in Colebrook. He was born on June 6, 1929 in Concord, the son of Lester J. and Dorothy (Dicey) King. He grew up in Derry where he was employed many years by F&S Transit Mix. He retired in 1989 and moved to Pittsburg. He married Eleanor Gay Hart, Nov. 13, 1990. Mr. King was a member of the Teamsters Local 633 and the Halycon Club of Derry. He also belonged to the Pittsburg Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club, the Pittsburg Historical Society, Sons of American Legion Post 47 of Canaan, Vt. He enjoyed snowmobiling, NASCAR racing and helping others. His family includes his wife of 13 years Eleanor Gay (Hart) King of Pittsburg; a sister, Karil Betty King of Colebrook; three daughters, Bonnie Boutin and Dorothy Hamel both of Enfield and Robin Cyr of Palm Springs, Fla.; two sons, Richard King of Herndon, Va., and James Payne of Derry; a step-daughter, Lynell Berry Durn of Chesterland, Ohio, and his special aunt, Dorothy Stone of Derry; 15 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren and his faithful companion Rusty, his yellow lab. A son, George King died in 2002 and a sister, Karen Jean Bishop in 2000. Calling hours were held on Monday, Dec. 29, at the Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook. Funeral services were held at the funeral home on Tuesday, Dec. 30. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pittsburg Fire and Rescue, Pittsburg, NH 03597 or to the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital, Corliss Lane, Colebrook, NH 03576. Newman Funeral Home was entrusted with arrangements. Esther W. Monahan LANCASTER — Esther W. Monahan, 91, of 93 Elm Street, died at her home on Sunday evening, Dec. 21, 2003. Mrs. Monahan was born in Dalton, on Jan. 24, 1912, the daughter of Elmer and Winifred (Newton) Burke. Raised in Whitefield she attended schools there and married Frank H. Monahan on October 13, 1928. They resided in Jefferson for a time, moving to Lancaster permanently in 1949. Esther did housekeeping work for a time and for many years was a nurse’s aid at local nursing homes. Primarily she was a loving homemaker who enjoyed her family, especially the grandchildren. A longtime animal lover she raised many dogs and cats during her lifetime. She also enjoyed sewing, crocheting, and car rides. Family members include her son, Joseph F. Monahan of Lancaster; four granddaughters, Kim Ingerson, Jodi Welcome, Penny Bradford, and Peggy Achs; two grandsons, Rodney Monahan and Norman Monahan; the oldest great-grandchild, Andrea Glidden who was raised by Esther for many years; 18 other great-grandchildren; and 19 great-great-grandchildren. Her husband Frank died previously on Feb. 7, 1992 and two daughters, Christina and Rena also died previously. Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service was held on Wednesday morning at 11 at the funeral home. The Rev. Curtis W. Smith of Lancaster officiated. Burial will be in the spring in Northumberland Cemetery. Ralph N. Porter ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Ralph N. Porter, 80, died at his Rochester, N.Y. home on Dec. 9, 2003 after a long illness. Mr. Porter grew up in Lancaster, N.H., attended local schools and was graduated from Lancaster Academy in 1941. He was an Eagle Scout, Troop 219. He was a veteran of World War II, and had retired from Eastman Kodak Company in Rochester, N.Y. as an engineer. His family includes his wife, Eleanor (Glidden) Porter, three sons, one daughter and six grandchildren, all of Rochester, as well as two brothers, Gene and Robert. Memorial services were held on Dec. 19 at First Unitarian Church, Rochester.