Laconia-----Louise(Eastman) Niles Gauthier, 97, died Saturday, February 4, 2016 at Forestview Manor with her loving husband by her side.
Louise was born January 4, 1920 in Washington, DC daughter to Carl Alonzo and Florence (Arnold) Eastman. Her parents met in Washington, DC, both working for the government and later married during WWI.
In 1921 the family moved to Laconia where he sister Miriam was born. This followed by moves to Concord and Springfield, MA where she stared school. Her mother died in 1932 and the two girls came to Laconia where they remained with loving grandparents until the girls went to college. They both attended University of New Hampshire and Louise graduated Cum Laude in 1942. Her first teaching position was an English teacher at Belmont High School. In 1943 she met and married Thomas R. Niles also a UNH graduate. Tom was in pilot training so they moved to several airbases during Tom's training. After WWII they moved to the East Coast where they raised three children, Tom, Tim and Daughter Nancy. They moved through several states as Tom pursued his teaching career, with Louise always teaching as well.
In 1975 Louise accepted a Civil Service position at the Army Ordinance Depot at Fort Dix. She soon moved up to a GS12 level. She retired in 1984 and moved to Daytona Beach, where for several years she enjoyed walking the world famous beach, playing bridge with neighbors and reading. This all changed when in 1988 , she attended her 50th LHS class reunion in Laconia and met a former classmate who was also single. John Gauthier was at the time living in Florida during the winters, across the state in Naples. Two years later they met again in Daytona. After many trips from one coast to another , they married and Louise moved to Naples where, as usual she easily made many new friends. More bridge, golf, reading and trips were enjoyed. She met Johns' sister Louise and soon discovered someone who enjoyed ocean cruises, but john was really not a good candidate for cruises. So the two Louise's had a great time "cruising" for several years together from Africa to Peru to Alaska. She and John retired to Laconia where she continued to make friends wherever they went.
Family was very important to Louise. Louise was a lifelong member of the United Baptist Church of Lakeport and alternated services with John at the Congregational Church of Laconia, where they were married 27 years ago.
Louise is survived by her husband, John Gauthier of Laconia; two sons, Thomas Niles II and his wife, Judy of Williamsburg, VA and Timothy Niles and his wife, Anne of Cary, NC; a daughter, Nancy Hall and her husband, Richard of York, MA and her special nephew, Bradford Cook and his wife, Kathy; three grandchildren; Thomas Niles III, John Niles and Rebekkah Niles; five great-grandchildren, Allison Niles, Jack Niles, Michael Niles, Madeline Niles and John's new baby boy. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her sister, Miriam Cook and her half siblings, Norma and Kenneth Eastman.
There will be no calling hours.
A Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 10:30am at the Beane Conference Center, 35 Blueberry Lane, Laconia, NH 03246.
Burial will be in the family lot at Union Cemetery in the spring.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial please visit www.wilkinsonbeane.com.