Coos County Democrat Obituaries, Lancaster, New Hampshire, Wednesday, December 29, 2004 Copyright of the newspaper. Permission to include in the USGenWeb Archives was received. Cleo C. Bennett Familiar face at Balsams Gift Shop COLEBROOK -- Cleo C. (Linnell) Bennett, 85, of Route 26, died on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born on Feb. 7, 1919 in Magalloway, Me., a daughter of Claude and Mildred (Storey) Linnel Sr. Mrs. Bennett was graduated from the Gould Academy in Bethel, Me. She began working for Errol Restaurant as a pastry cook in 1972 after her husband, Lauren Bennett died. In 1981, she began working for Debbie Tillotson at The Balsams Gift Shop until her recent illness prevented her from returning to work. She was a past member of Aziscohos Grange and loved to tend to her flower gardens. She also enjoyed traveling with her son Warren and his wife Angel. She will be remembered for her love of family and her many friends. The family includes a son, Warren Bennett of Wilsons Mills, Me.; a daughter, Patricia Bennett of Colebrook; a brother, Claude Linnell Jr. of Fryeburg, Me.; a sister, Edna Williams of Stewartstown; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and cousins. Her husband, Lauren died on March 8, 1972. Two sons, Maurice Bennett and Ronald Bennett also died previously. Calling hours were held on Thursday at Jenkins Funeral Home. A funeral service was conducted on Friday at Spalding Memorial Chapel in Wilsons Mills, Me., with the Rev. Larry Clough officiating. An interment service followed at Lincoln Plantation Cemetery in Wilsons Mills. Donations in Mrs. Bennett's memory may be made to Wilsons Mills Volunteer Fire Department, c/o Mr. Warren Bennett, 16 Mountain View Road, Wilsons Mills, ME 03579. Mary D. Burke Born in Jefferson LANCASTER -- Mary D. Burke, 95, died on Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 21, 2004 at Country Village Health Care Center in Lancaster. Mrs. Burke was born in Jefferson on April 29, 1909, the daughter of Cyril and Lucy (Paquet) Samson. She was a communicant of St. Agnes Church in Jefferson, and was a member of the Jefferson Adult Citizens. Family members include many nieces and nephews. Her husband, Lawrence A. Burke died previously, as did five brothers--Thomas Samson, Louis Samson, Fred Samson, Ernest Samson and Philip Samson. Visiting hours were held on Monday, Dec. 27 at the Bailey Funeral Home in Lancaster. A Mass of Christian Burial was held at St. Agnes Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. Robert G. Levesque OMI of the Oblate Fathers Shrine in Columbia officiating. Burial will be in the spring in St. Matthew's Cemetery in Whitefield. Adela E. LeBlanc Knitted mittens for needy kids NORTH STRATFORD -- Adela E. (Bourassa) LeBlanc, 85, of 21 Baldwin Street, North Stratford and formerly of Jericho Road in Berlin, died on Monday morning, Dec. 27, 2004 at Weeks Medical Center in Lancaster, where she had been a patient for a few days. She was born in St. Hermenegilde, P.Q., Canada on July 1, 1919, a daughter of Alfred and Amanda Fortin Bourassa. A resident of Berlin most of her life, Adela was a member of St. Joseph's Parish, now known as Good Shepherd Parish. A homemaker, she was a loving and giving person who dedicated her life to her family, with which she greatly enjoyed her time. She enjoyed hunting, fishing, and knitting mittens for needy kids. At Christmas, everyone looked forward to seeing her and having some of her delicious meat pies. The family includes two sons, Leo LeBlanc and wife Lorraine of Dummer and Richard LeBlanc and friend Barbara of North Stratford; seven daughters, Lorraine Lacasse of Parker, Colo., Irene Ball of Knoxville, Tenn., Pauline Goudreau and husband Andres of North Stratford, Aline Costa and husband Don of Union, Jacqueline Langlois of Gorham, Florence Ball and friend Dick of Warner and Shirley Deth and husband Walter of Morgan, Vt.; 33 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rosario Bourassa and wife Dolores of Berlin and Leopold Bourassa and wife Olive of Berlin; two sisters, Marie Ange Bernier of Berlin and Rose Aline Kelly of Berlin; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Odias (Olive) Bourassa; several nieces and nephews. Her husband, Leo J. LeBlanc, died on July 1, 1966. Her long-time companion, Charles Fortier, six brothers--Josephat, Odias, Arthur, Philip, Freddie and Oliva Bourassa, and two sisters--Rose Alba Fortin and Rebecca Duchesnaye also died previously. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the Fleury-Patry Funeral Home, 72 High Street, Berlin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 31 at St. Anne of Good Shepherd Church, Berlin. Janet Noseworthy Enjoyed family, golf, reading WHITEFIELD -- Janet (Neal) Noseworthy, 87, died on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2004 at Morrison Nursing Home. She was born on Nov. 1, 1917 in Rochester, the daughter of Erlon and Bess (Damon) Neal. Mrs. Noseworthy attended local schools and was graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. in 1940. She was a real estate broker for many years in Ohio, Massachusetts and New Hampshire -- most recently with Morrill & Everett in Concord. Her joys in life were her husband and family; golf, tennis, knitting, singing, dancing and a good book. The family includes her husband of 63 years, Frederick A. Noseworthy; a son, Frederick N. Noseworthy of Monterey, Calif.; a daughter, Lee Williams of Franconia; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8 at All Saints Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Barbara Thrall officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Respite Community Center, 611 Sullivan St., Berlin, NH 03570. Pillsbury Funeral Homes and Cremation Service Inc. is handling arrangements. For more information, go to www.pillsburyfh.com. Geraldine Oleson Owned Oleson Tree Farm JEFFERSON -- Geraldine (Beaton) Oleson, 79, of Jefferson Highlands, died peacefully on Sunday morning Dec. 26, 2004, surrounded by her family at Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster. She was born in Groveton on Oct. 8, 1925, the daughter of Philip and Reta (Newell) Beaton. Geraldine was a longtime resident of Jefferson. From 1965 to 1989, she worked with the Cošs County Extension Office and 4-H. For many years she and her husband, Norman J. Oleson, operated the Oleson Tree Farm on the Jefferson Highlands. Norman died previously on Dec. 12, 1997. Family members include two sons, John H. Oleson and his wife Jean of Lancaster and Frederick N. Oleson and wife Renetta of Rumney; a daughter, Donna O. Hartford and husband Bruce of Jefferson; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; four brothers, Philip Beaton of Arizona, John Beaton of Rhode Island, Douglas Beaton of Lancaster and Paul Beaton of Jefferson; three sisters, Barbara Donovan and Trudy Cliche, both of Florida and Charlotte LaCasse of Kentucky. Visiting hours were held on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 29 (today) at Christ United Methodist Church, Lancaster. The Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Summer Street Cemetery, Lancaster. Donations may be made in her memory to Weeks Home Health Services, 278 Main Street, Lancaster, NH 03584, or St. John's United Methodist Church, c/o Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Bentum, 16 Church St., Lancaster, NH 03584. Merle E. Thomas Nurse's aide LITTLETON -- Merle E. Thomas, 90, of Cottage Street, died at the Littleton Regional Hospital on Tuesday, Dec. 21, after a short illness. She was born in Irasburg, Vt., the daughter of Ellery and Ethel (Hunter) Miles. She attended schools in Stark and Groveton. During World War II she worked in the Bath, Me. shipyard. Following the war, she worked as a nurse's aide in Lancaster, Whitefield and Littleton Hospital. Following that experience, she did home care for Shirl and Mildred Lakeway until her retirement at age 75. The family includes two daughters, Roselyn Wheelock of Groveton and Linda Conley of St. Johnsbury, Vt.; eight grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 13 great great-grandchildren; and a half-brother, Herbert Miles of Groveton. Her two husbands, John Conley and Vern Thomas died previously. Per her request, there will be no services. Those who wish may make donations in her memory to the Littleton Senior Center, 77 Riverglen Lane, Littleton, NH 03561. The Ross Funeral Home, Littleton Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. James E. Willard Operated Umbagog campground MARSHFIELD, Vt. -- James E. Willard, 68, of Maple Hill Road, died on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon. Born on May 18, 1936 in Plainfield, he was the son of Wesley and Violet (Halvosa) Willard. He was graduated from Plainfield High School in 1956. From July 1956 to Dec. 1959, he served in the Air Force and had been stationed in the Air Force Reserve. On June 16, 1957, he married Carolyn Eastman in Barre, Vt. Following his military service, they made their home in Plainfield, Vt., and Cranston, R.I.; and from 1975 to 1999, in Errol, where they owned and operated Umbagog Lake Camp Ground. They later wintered in Avon Park, Fla., and spent summers in Rangeley, Me. They had lived in their present home for the past three years. In earlier years, James had been employed as a forest ranger for Naragansett Boy Scout Council in Cranston. He was affiliated with Grace United Methodist Church, Plainfield. Being a York and Scottish Rite Mason, he belonged to Wyoming Masonic Lodge 80 of Plainfield and Egypt Shrine Temple of Tampa, Fla. He had been a scoutmaster for Plainfield Boy Scout Troop and was an instructor in Adult Wood Badge Training Program for Scouting. Flying was a special interest and he owned his own plane. He also enjoyed traveling and fly-fishing. The family includes his wife, Carolyn Willard of Marshfield; two daughters, Robin Brosmer of Orlando, Fla. and Cynthia Gaudette of Milford; two brothers, Thomas Willard of Hartland, Vt. and William Willard of Live Oak, Fla.; two sisters, Kay Roberts of Plainfield and Marlene Willard of East Montpelier, Vt.; a grandson; nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins. There are no calling hours. A graveside service will be held in Vermont Veteran's Memorial Cemetery, Randolph Center, in the spring. Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 12502 North Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612-9499. Hooker and Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy St., Barre, Vt. is in charge of arrangements.