Gilford -- Helen Louise Martel, 88, of 30 Ridgewood Avenue, passed away at her home on Saturday morning, November 29, 2014, in the presence of her immediate family. A longtime resident of Gilford, Mrs. Martel was a quiet, selfless individual. Her family was her life. She especially enjoyed holiday gatherings and weekend get-togethers at their summer camp in Moultonborough, New Hampshire.
Mrs. Martel was born November 5, 1926 in Moultonborough, N.H., the daughter of the late Harry and Minnie (Bickford) Blackey. Survivors include her devoted husband of sixty-four years, William J. Martel, of Gilford; three daughters, Deborah Messineo and her husband, Peter, of Concord; Diane Marchek and her husband, Kelly, of Meredith and Donna Somma and her husband, Joe, of Norwalk, Connecticut; eight grandchildren, Patrick Marchek and his wife, Anna, of Boston, Massachusetts; Jeffrey Boynton and his wife, Gabby, of Brockton, Massachusetts; William Marchek of Portland, Oregon; Jonathan Boynton of Tilton, Julianne (Messineo) Ortiz and her husband, Hernan, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; Kayla Marchek of Portland, Oregon; Casey Marchek of Meredith; Josh Somma of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; one great-grandchild, Charlie Boynton; one niece, Thelma Bean of Gilford; and a nephew, Earl Blackey of Moultonborough; and many great-nieces, nephews, and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her two sisters, Edna Verrill and Eunice Blackey, as well as her brother, Herbert Blackey.
There will be no calling hours. A Graveside Service will be held in the spring at the family lot at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Laconia. For those who wish, memorial donations honoring Mrs. Martel may be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Hampshire, 814 Elm Street, Suite #300, Manchester, NH 03101.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.