BELMONT – Surrounded by her loving family, Joanne L. Ricard, 82, died at Lakes Region General Hospital on Saturday, June 28 after a lengthy illness. Joanne was born on July 14, 1931 to Eunice (Tate) and Fred S. Terrell and spent almost all of her life in Belmont, most recently living at 16 Heritage Terrace.
Joanne's family was the center of her life. Joanne married Arthur Ricard on June 28, 1952, and the two of them busily raised their five children on Concord Street amid extended family and the expectations of life until Arthur's death in 1987.
Along with raising her children, Joanne was employed outside the home in a variety of positions, including the school secretary at Belmont High School, a clerk at the Belmont Town Hall, librarian for the town of Belmont, and an assistant program manager at the Belmont Senior Center. Being involved with the senior center was a joy for Joanne, as she enjoyed the trips, the gatherings, and the many good times with friends, new and old. She especially enjoyed Old Home Day every summer, and the reunions with her Belmont High School class of 1949.
Joanne's children will miss her independent ways (who said stubborn?) and her willingness to try anything once. She leaves behind her children: Steven and his wife Elaine of New London, CT, Susan Bonstra and her husband Richard of Belmont, NH, David of Webster, NH, Douglas and his wife JoEllen of Tilton, NH, and Kathi Hurst and her husband Al of Center Barnstead, NH. She also leaves 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, her half-brother Jeffrey Smith and his wife JoAnn of Cumberland, ME, her half-sister Jackie Smith of Sacramento, CA, her sister-in-law Rachel Allen of Laconia, NH, many nieces and nephews, and her brother-in-law, Richard Orebaugh, of Mt. Sydney, VA. Joanne was predeceased by her sister Janice and her step- grandson Ronnie.
A gathering to appreciate Joanne's life will be held on Friday, July 25 from 4 to 7pm at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday, July 26 at 10 AM at St. Joseph Parish, 96 Main Street, Belmont. Burial will follow at South Road Cemetery in Belmont.
The family is grateful to Joanne’s caregivers during the recent months and would like to thank Franklin VNA, Genesis TCU, and the staff at Lakes Region General Hospital. Donations in Joanne's name may be sent to Franklin VNA, 75 Chestnut Street, Franklin, NH 03235 or to Meals-on-Wheels, 17 Church Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.