GILFORD ---- Cecily S. (Ballou) Quimby, 84, formerly of Laconia, NH, passed peacefully, after several weeks of visits by family and friends while under the endless loving and compassionate care from her team at St. Francis Nursing Home.
Cecily was born in Laconia, the daughter of Howard Ballou and Helena (Spring) Ballou.
Cecily was an active member of the community who grew up ice skating in Opechee Park and swimming in Lake Winnisquam. She was a graduate of St. John's School and Laconia High School class of '56. She taught her children the love of the outdoors, hiking with Girl and Cub Scouts, swimming at Gilford and Rye Beaches, boating on Lake Winnipesaukee and deep-sea fishing off Cape Cod. She contributed to the Gilford Outing Club, Gunstock Ski Club, Lakeport Women's Club, Belknap County Extension, Yankee Homemakers, Daughters of the American Revolution, Our Lady of the Lakes New to You Shop and Friends of UNH Hockey. She lived her faith and travelled with the Church throughout Eastern Europe and later through Ireland, playing bridge everywhere in between.
Cecily was an example to others in her willingness to serve and give back to her community as Gilford Budget Committee Chair, Gilford Old Home Day Chair, President of the Taylor Community Board of Directors, Our Lady of the Lakes Pastors Advisory Council Chair and member of the LRGH Hospital Auxiliary Board. She earned the AT&T Achievement Award for Operations Design in Orlando, Florida.
Following her retirement, Cecily returned to school and earned her B.S. in Behavioral Science from the University of New Hampshire. Always willing to provide friendship, counsel and be an advocate for her family and those in need, she continued her service at the Odyssey House for Women and as a Belknap County Bail Commissioner. As a loving wife, she visited her husband daily at the New Hampshire Veteran's Home.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Craver and her husband, Jim, of Gilford, NH; son, Howard Quimby and his wife, Karen, of Chesapeake, VA; a sister, Helena LeDuc and her husband, Hal, of Commerce, MI; two brothers, Howard Ballou, of MA, and Richard Ballou of Hampton, NH; four grandchildren, Benjamin Craver and Perry Craver, of Gilford, Nicole Quimby, of Fort Collins, CO, and Krista Quimby, of Chesapeake, VA; nephew, Eric Tamke and his wife, Heidi, of Gainesville, VA, and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank Quimby and by her sister, Carol Tamke.
A Calling Hour will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave, Laconia.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. following the calling hour also at St. Andre Bessette Parish- Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Ave, Laconia.
A private burial will be held at Child Cemetery, Harrington Road, Cornish, NH.
For those who wish, memorial donations in Cecily’s name may be made to the Rev. George J. Soberick Scholarship, c/o Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247.
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.