Lelia M. Donahue, 91, of Bedford, NH, died Tuesday April 14, 2015, in the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH. Born in Scotland on May 26, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Alphonso and Elisana (Ogni) Corti. Lelia arrived in Ellis Island on the Christopher Columbus in 1930, and became a US citizen on Sept. 5, 1956. She was a recent resident of Bedford, NH, formerly of Derry and Raymond, NH. An avid reader, she also enjoyed crocheting, knitting, dress making, completing puzzles, bowling, cooking and playing BINGO.
She is survived by four daughters, Linda and husband Jack Jenkins of Manchester, NH; Sandra Mannarini of Derry, NH; Ellen and husband Richard Moran of Bedford, NH; Susan and husband Alan Clarke of New Hampton, NH; two sons, Francis Donahue and wife Deborah of Punta Gorda, FL, and Gregory Donahue and Lorraine Sheehan of Londonderry, NH; ten grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; one sister, Elda Pierce of Peabody, MA; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Francis J. Donahue, her brother Livio Corti, and her grandson Mark Donahue.
Calling hours were held on Thursday, April 16th from 4 - 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry. A Liturgy of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday at 11:00am in St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 26 Crystal Avenue, Derry. The burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery in E. Derry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01710, or to the Community Hospice House, Attn: Development Dept., Home Health and Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Dr., Merrimack, NH 03054.