Gilmanton----- Melba Jean (Clifford) LaRoche, 84, life-long resident of Gilmanton, NH passed away on Wednesday, February 11th at the Golden Crest Senior Wellness Resort and Spa, Franklin, NH in the loving embrace of her family.
Born on May 12th, 1930 in Gilmanton, NH she was the youngest daughter of the late Earle and Nellie (Ellsworth) Clifford. She attended the Gilmanton Academy and graduated from Laconia High School, class of ’48. She worked as an administrative secretary for Sterling Engineering and Scott & Williams, as bookkeeper for Weeks Dairy and 26 years with the US Postal Service, as clerk in the Gilmanton Post Office and last as Postmaster of the Belmont, NH Post Office.
Melba’s longtime dedication to the Town of Gilmanton began with her family’s lifelong involvement in community service. Her mother taught school at two of the original schoolhouses and was librarian at the Gilmanton Corners Library. Her father was Road Agent for 22 years and her husband was Fire Chief and Commander of the Gilmanton American Legion. She held the positions of elected Supervisor of the Voter Checklist for 14 years, Library Trustee for 10 years and Trustee of the Trust Funds for 20 years. She also served as Deputy Town and School Treasurer, a member of the National Association of Postmasters, Beech Grove Cemetery Association, Gilmanton PTA, Fire Department Auxiliary and, many years ago, the Gilmanton “Coffee Club”. She was a charter member of the Gilmanton Ellis-Geddes-Levitt Unit #102 of the American Legion Auxiliary, serving as Secretary for 53 years proudly supporting the needs of Veterans at the local, state and national level.
She was an avid weather watcher and loved feeding the varied wildlife that visited her home in Gilmanton. Her favorite trip was “to the ocean” and she spent many, many wonderful vacations there with family and dear friends.
In addition to her parents, Melba was pre-deceased by her loving husband of 34 years, Alfred E. LaRoche, along with her sisters Lois McClary, Ruth Stockwell and Evelyn Horan and brother Everett Clifford.
She is survived by her three children; Candace Daigle and her husband Raymond M. Daigle of Gilmanton, Michael A. LaRoche and his wife Susan LaRoche of Hudson, NH and Stephan E. LaRoche and partner Amy Rice of Lower Gilmanton, NH. In addition Melba leaves her four adored grandchildren, Benjamin, Evan, Jacob and Victoria “Tori”, her extended family including Samantha and Jaycob Hamel and Ethan Rice; many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and dear, life-long friends including Virginia (“Ginny”) Stanley, Ned and Elaine Lawson (Bernard, ME), loved grand-dogs “Snoopy” & “Buckley” and many others with whom she shared love and laughter during her lifetime. She always considered herself blessed in her life with loving family and friends. She always had a kind word, positive outlook and a hand of support for all.
There will be no calling hours. A graveside service for the family and friends will be held at the family plot in Beech Grove Cemetery, 563 Province Road, Gilmanton on Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11:00am.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Stockwell Scholarship Fund of the American Legion Auxiliary, c/o Mary Richardson, 136 Loon Pond Road, Gilmanton, NH 03237, to further Americanism and support Veterans, military, their families and their community.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.