Laconia—Persis E. Bach was born on January 5, 1938 and died on June 5, 2013. Persis was the daughter of Fred C. Bach and Pauline “Polly” (Ellis) Bach Virgin. She grew up on Hilldale Farm in Belmont and graduated from Belmont High School, Class of 1957. Persis graduated from Pierce Secretarial College in Concord as a medical secretary.
Persis was later trained as an orthopedic surgical nurse by Dr. Ettelson and Dr. Garger. She was employed at OPA for 37 years, retiring in 2000. She was often seen visiting the elderly patients in winter so they did not have to drive in the weather to go to their appointments. In addition to attending to their medical needs, she would also share her culinary skills with them. She is best known as the nurse who wore the red sweater at OPA. Several patients recently referred to her as “Nurse Elevate,” as that was her constant directive to the patients. She was a specialist in placing casts on the patients, always taking into consideration their individual needs.
Persis loved to cook and to share the results with many people. In addition to her cooking skills, Persis loved gardening, her cats, Saturday morning yard sales, needlework, collecting Boyd Bears, and her time spent with family and friends.
She is survived by her sisters Bonnie Bach Burbank McFadyen of Franklin; and Melissa Bach Atherton and husband Robert of Belmont; and her “adopted” family Julie and Richard Moore and their children, Bailey and Bryce of Laconia; her niece Kathleen Burbank Blackey and husband Chris and their children, Sarah and Daniel of South Londonderry, Vermont; nephews: Russel and Kristi Atherton of Barnstead and their children Cole and Jordan; Karl and Ginger Atherton of Morristown, TN, and their children: Joshua, Korra, Cayenne, Mia, Mason, Benjamin, Farrah, and Crew; and Karl's first wife, Kisha Gottlob Atherton Otis of Belmont, who is Joshua and Korra's mother; and Brian Burbank of Chicago.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local food pantry or to the New Hampshire Food Bank, 700 East Industrial Park Drive, Manchester, NH 03109 or to Beacon Hospice, 70 Commercial Street, 4th Floor, Concord, NH 03301.
As per her wishes, there will be a private celebration of life to be announced later at the convenience of her family.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.