Tilton-Elaine Marie Leighton (Morrissette) Kelleher, 64, of 51 Gaslight Road died Tuesday afternoon, April 17th, 2007 at her home surrounded by her husband, children, and siblings after a long valiant battle with a second onslaught of cancer.
Elaine was born in Laconia on July 8th, 1942, the daughter of the late Clifton and Violet (Cormier) Leighton, and had been a lifelong resident of the Lakes Region.
Never a quitter, Elaine worked hard all her life, tackling any job that needed to be done with a can-do attitude. Prior to her early retirement due to illness, Elaine worked as Postmaster Replacement (PMR) at the Gilmanton Iron Works Post Office. Previously she was PMR at the Lochmere Post Office for 10 years, and also worked in Alton and Tilton Post Offices. In the early 1980’s Elaine was a special officer for the Gilford Police Department, and had also worked as an EMT for Stewart Ambulance Service. A hairdresser by profession, she was a graduate of the Empire Beauty School. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church.
Survivors include her husband and best friend of twenty-four years, Kevin D. Kelleher, Sr. Elaine and Kevin enjoyed their home, cooking for family gatherings, gardening, and especially vacations at Wells.
In addition to her husband Kevin, Elaine is survived by four children, Cindy Morrissette LaPointe of Tilton, Danny Morrissette of Belmont, Gary Morrissette and his wife Kathryn of Loudon, and Scott Morrissette of Sanbornton; two step-children, Kevin Kelleher, Jr. of Laconia, and Tina Dunn of Loudon; seven grandchildren, Shane Morrissette and his wife Cassiah of Belmont, Joseph Morrissette of Belmont, Ryan Morrissette, Amanda York and her husband Ronald, and Tammy Wilcox all of Loudon, Travis Morrissette, and Kory Morrissette of Sanbornton; three great-grandchildren, Jasmine, Elaine, Shane Michael, and Maria Violet Morrissette; her siblings, Steven Leighton and his wife Beth of Connecticut, Alan Leighton and his wife Donna of Laconia, and Anne Trefrey of Gilford; her Aunt Joan Cormier and Uncle Don Lockwood of Laconia. Many nieces and nephews also survive Elaine.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday April 21st, 2007 at Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia at 10:00 a.m. Rev Adrien R. Longchamps, pastor of the church celebrated the mass. Burial will take place later this spring in the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia. Visiting hours were held on Friday April 20th, 2007 from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia.
Courageous through life’s adversities, Elaine finally succumbed to the ravages of cancer. The family is grateful for the care and consideration given by all the staff of LRGH Oncology Department and requests expressions of sympathy in her name be made to them at LRGH Oncology Department, 85 Highland Street, Laconia, NH 03246.