GILMANTON ---- Olive ‘Darlene’ Page, 83, of Province Road, peacefully passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2023, surrounded by her loving family, at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Laconia.
Darlene was born on July 22, 1940, in Whitely Township (Kirby), Greene County PA, the daughter of Frank and Lela Headley (Metheny).
After graduating high school, she attended medical secretarial school at West Virginia University. Schooling was cut short however due to meeting the love of her life, Henry Page (our dad). They moved to Gilmanton, New Hampshire immediately after getting married and they quickly started a family. She took tremendous pride in being a good ol’ fashioned homemaker, supporting her husband and children, and lovingly did this role to perfection!
After raising her family and settling into life as an “empty nester”, she decided she was ready to enter the work force. She worked for many years at Pepi Herman Crystal in Gilford and The Brick House (now the Brick House Affair) in Gilmanton, but her most important and treasured role was that of being an amazing wife and mother.
She was never one to draw attention to herself. In fact, she did everything she could to avoid it! She would have been a terrible lead actress, but the very best supporting actress you’ve ever seen, with a lifetime of Oscars to her name. Much like a river, people seem to pay attention to the frolicking white caps as they dance about on the surface, but underneath it all is the powerfully strong and confident current, gently helping the river wind its way to the ocean. This was her. Always behind the scenes doing life’s most important work in support of her family.
She enjoyed music (even taught piano many years ago), gardening, quilting, shopping, antiquing, but most importantly, she enjoyed being in the service of others. Even through her last days here on earth, she couldn’t help but put the needs of others before her own. With grace, style, poise, and dignity is how she lived her entire life, and she will be sorely missed by all that knew her.
Darlene is survived by her sons, Roger Page and Rick Page and his fiancé Kristine Sweeney, grandchildren Jonathan and Emily, her brother Fred Headley and his wife Myra, nephews Kirk Headley and his wife Brenda and Brian Headley, niece Lisa Headley, many cousins, extended family and dear friends. In addition to her parents, Darlene is predeceased by her beloved husband Henry Page.
Per her wishes, a private family service is planned.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.