LACONIA ---- Margaret ‘Ann’ Morin, 94, of Laconia, died Wednesday morning, January 8, 2025, at the Genesis Rehabilitation Center in Laconia after a short illness.
Ann was born August 16, 1930, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and adopted by Dr. Melba Beagle and Dr. Charles Stewart. While she maintained a valued relationship with Dr. Stewart throughout his life, at the age of three Ann joined the family of Dr. John R. Perley of Laconia. She was raised in his family with his sons Alan, John, Richard (Butch), and David. Ann also lived with her grandparents Dr. and Mrs. John Beagle in Sydney, Montana; an experience she remembers with great fondness.
In 1948 Ann married the love of her life, Gerard R. Morin. They settled down in Laconia on Champagne Avenue. Two years later Ann gave birth to their daughter Marcia (Morin) Hayward, establishing their familial roots firmly in Laconia. Ann was a doting mother and strong support for her husband. She enjoyed hosting and visiting with extended family.
In 1961, Ann co-founded the store “Tot-N-Teen” with Lucille Markot and Dorothy “Dot” Perley which was located on Main Street. Ann had a spark to help and engage with people. Later, she worked at the Margate, serving and hosting for 11 years from 1975 to 1986. When watching her young grandchildren, she would bring them to the Margate. While she worked, they learned how to bus tables and would beam with silver dollar tips from her “regulars”. During the 80’s Ann also worked part-time at “Jan and Her Friends”, a children's clothing shop downtown. She loved meeting families and helping them find what they needed.
In 1986, Ann’s step-father Dr. John Perley passed away at Genesis Healthcare Rehabilitation Center, after a brief stay there.
She directly observed the hopes and needs of the residents there. Thus began a 35-year journey of her volunteerism there. Ann gave of her time and energy to not only support and engage all the residents in activities and companionship, but she would notice those missing family connections and provide additional care and comfort for them. Her compassion for others was recognized as volunteer of the year in 2004. The following year Ann was honored with the Vaughn Award by the NH State Committee on Aging in the NH Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services. It is awarded to individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership or meritorious achievement on the behalf of the older citizens of NH. She continued to dedicate her time to support the residents there through 2021, leaving a lasting impact on those with whom she worked.
Ann is predeceased by her husband Gerard, and her brothers Richard and Alan. Ann is survived by her brothers John S. Perley and David Perley, daughter Marcia Hayward and son-in-law Richard Dunnell, her grandchildren Kristen Nazer and Aaron Hayward, her three great-grandchildren Lauren Nazer, Abigail Hayward, and Aidan Hayward, her six nephews and seven nieces.
A Graveside Service at the Union Cemetery, Academy Street entrance, will be held on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 11:00am.
For those who wish, the family suggests memorial donations be made to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, PO Box 6123, Laconia, 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.