Laconia------Gemma Marie Hamel 94, former long time resident of Gillette Street, Died Friday, October 27, 2017 at Golden View Health Care Center surrounded by her loving family.
Gemma was born March 20, 1923 in St-Martin-De-Beauce, Canada daughter to the late Joseph and Aglaee (Fortin) Busque. They moved to New Hampshire as a family when she was a year old. She worked for Kellerhaus and also the Comet Food Shop for 7 years and later for Jimmy's Bakery for 26 years. Gemma also worked for Irwin Gardens.
Gemma was a long time active member of the church and was part of the Ladies of Sacred Heart for many years. She was also an active member of the community having been a member of the Sunrise Towers Arts & Crafts, Apollo Club of Franklin, Laconia Friendship Club and the Canados where she served as president for 3 years. She was also a member of the ABC Quilt & Afghan Club and have donated over 2000 quilts to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center and Lakes Region General Hospital. Gemma was also a life member of the American Ex POW and a long time member of the Hop Kitchen band of Franklin where she played kitchen instruments. Gemma has also proudly helped with Christmas Village for 33 years and also volunteered for the Laconia Senior Center. She also received the Jim Irwin Citizen award in 2010.
Gemma is survived by her two sons, Robert A. Hamel and his wife, Kaye of Laconia and Ronald Hamel and his wife, Shirley of Florida; three grandchildren, Todd Hamel and his wife Jade, Tina Simmons and Sonya Alford and her husband Steve; six great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents she is predeceased by her loving husband, Armand G. Hamel.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 9:30am to 11:00am at St. Andre Bessette Parish - Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be follow at 11:00am also at the church.
Burial will be at a later date in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Quilting Group , C/O Bea Vezina, St. Andre Bessette Parish at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH 03246 or to Christmas Village c/o Laconia Parks and Recreation, 306 Union Ave. Laconia NH 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.