Gilford----- Carolyn Bidwell Tankard, age 85, died Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at her home in Gilford, NH with her daughter by her side. She was born in Providence, RI on September 25, 1930, the oldest daughter of the late John H. Bidwell and Dorothy Smith Butman Bidwell.
Carrie, as she was known to her family and friends, was raised in Rhode Island, but summered with her family at their Suncook Lake camp in NH. She graduated from Pawtucket West High School in 1938 and attended Bouve' College School of Physical Education in Boston. Carrie later earned a teaching degree from Plymouth State College and was head of the Pre School at St. James Episcopal Church in Laconia. She also worked as a hostess at the Christmas Island Steak House in Laconia, as the functions coordinator at the Margate in Laconia and was very active in the Winnipesaukee Ski Club.
Carrie married her high school sweetheart the late David F. Tankard from Pawtucket, and they lived in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania before moving to NH to raise a family. She and Dave moved to Florida in the 1980's and pursued a career in real estate. She enjoyed the beach, the sun, her work and the friendly community there. In 2014 it was time to move back home! She wanted to again experience what she truly loved about NH; her family, her friends, her children's friends (who called her Mrs. T.), the lake, the beach, the seasons, the leaves, the snow, the architecture, the patriotism and the Americana.
Carrie loved her breakfast, her newspaper, books, the full moon, the stars, the sun, sunflowers, daisies, smiley faces, vegetable gardens, New England, America & our flag and God.
Carrie is survived by her son Douglas David Tankard of Gilford, NH; daughter Mary-Jane, her husband Charlie Farnan and little brown dog Tia of Mt. Crested Butte, CO; two sisters, Jacolyn Duffy and Dorothea Horton of Maggie Valley, NC; two grandchildren, Jordan Leo Tankard of Gilford and Alyson Marie Lewis of Manchester; one great-grandchild Elijah Douglas Lewis and a gang of nephews and nieces.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the First Methodist Church, located at 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, from 12-3 pm in the Wesley Woods Community Room.
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.