Laconia-----Esther Chase Billings, 90, of the Taylor Community, died at her home on Sunday, December 9, 2012. She was the widow of Nathaniel A. Billings, Jr. who died September 29, 1991.
Mrs. Billings was born February 3, 1922 in Springfield, MA, the daughter of the late Herbert M. and Florence (Miller) Chase. She resided in Westwood, MA for several years before moving to Laconia in 1958 when the Billings bought Grand View Cottages, Weirs Beach. They expanded and ran the business for twenty-five years.
Esther was a very active member of St. James Episcopal Church. She was a volunteer at the Lakes Region General Hospital for forty-three years as well as a volunteer for the American Red Cross and the Taylor Community. Esther served as Supervisor of the Checklist for Ward 1 and Secretary of the Weirs Beach Chamber of Commerce. She was also a former Girl Scout leader and a member of the Opechee Garden Club and the Altrusa Club of Laconia.
Survivors include a son, Dana H. Billings, and his wife, Deborah, of Amherst, OH; three daughters, Lois B. Dugan and her husband, William, of Londonderry, NH, Joy B. Blanchette and her husband, Jack, of Bow, NH and Jill B. Buell and her husband, Deems of Westford, MA; nine grandchildren, Kristine Dugan Kearns of Londonderry, NH, Meredith Dugan of Hooksett, NH, Dan Billings of Maryville, Missouri, Natalie Billings Merrill of Kansas City, Missouri, Hillary Blanchette King of Shrewsbury, MA, Haley Blanchette of Seattle, WA, Greg Blanchette, of Bow, NH, Tyler Buell of San Rafael, CA and Emily Buell Horn of Arlington, MA and four great grandchildren, Charles King, Delaney Kearns, Paige Merrill, and Landen Merrill.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 11:00AM at St. James Episcopal Church, 876 North Main Street, Laconia, NH with a reception immediately following the service at the church reception hall. Rev. Tobias Nyatsambo, Rector of the Church, will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to a charity of one’s choice, the Lakes Region General Hospital, 80 Highland St., Laconia, NH 03246, St. James Episcopal Church, 876 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246, or the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.
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.