Velma M. Lavoie, 81, of Berlin, passed away on Monday March 7, 2016 at her home. She was born in Colebrook, NH on August 19, 1934 the daughter of Irving and Leah (Perry) Gadwah and was a graduate of Colebrook Academy. After graduation, she moved to Berlin to live with her sister and became employed at the Towel Room at the Cascade Mill. During that time, she met her husband Norman, and they made their home in Berlin, raising two daughters. Velma had been employed at Granite State Rubber Co. for many years as a stitcher. Upon the closing of Granite State, she worked at various other factories until her retirement. Velma was loving, kind and generous, finding her greatest joy in caring for her family and her home.
Family includes her daughters Cheryl Blais and husband Gordon of Meredith, NH and Lynn Dion and husband Tim of Berlin, NH; grandchildren Nathan Blais and wife Jessica, Christopher Blais and Leah Dion; great grandchild Ryan Blais; brother Neal Gadwah and wife Brenda of Colebrook, NH; nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her husband Norman J. Lavoie, siblings Lyman Gadwah, Bernard Gadwah, Harold Perry, Pearl Grace and Aurilla Unfonak and by her nephew Irving Grace; she was also predeceased by her long-time companion and very special friend, Albert Robichaud.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday March 11, 2016 at 10 AM at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish in Berlin. Spring interment will be in the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin on Thursday evening from 7 to 9 PM. Donations in her memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice.