Rochester, N.H.---Evelyn Pratt Buontempo, 95, of Rochester, N.H. passed away peacefully on June 28, 2013 at her daughter’s home in Gilford, N.H., with her family at her side.
Born March 24, 1918 in Amesbury, Mass, she was the oldest of four children and daughter of Stanley and Florence Matick.
She attended Amesbury Schools and in her early forties, decided with her sister, Florence, to attend hairdressing school. She graduated from Fazio Beautician School in Lawrence, Mass. and decided to open her own Beauty Salon from her family home. Her son, Donny, in his early twenties, helped design and bring her dreams come true.
Evelyn was predeceased by her first husband of thirty-nine years, Harry Pratt; two beloved daughters, Sylvia Gilmore who died in 2001 and Hazel McDonald who died in 2008, acquiring Huntington’s Disease. She was also pre-deceased by her second husband of thirty years, Edward Buontempo, by her loving sisters, Hazel Guidi and Florence Talas, by her brother, Donald Matick, and by her brother-in-law, Jack Pratt.
Family members include her son, Donald H. Pratt and his wife, Barbara of Epping, N.H. and daughter, Sharon Hickey and her husband, Bob, of Gilford, N.H.; fourteen wonderful grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; one great, great granddaughter, Lila, many loving nieces, nephew and sisters-in-law, Irene Galik of Amesbury, Mass. and Jeannette Ehas of Venice Florida.
Evelyn had many joys in life and loved sewing, ceramics, reading and travelling. She enjoyed many trips to Europe with her family but her favorite joy was dancing. At the young age of five, she took dancing lessons. She was often the last one to dance at family weddings. Now she is dancing in heaven!
Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2013 from 10:00-11:30AM in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paqquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.
Following the calling hours, a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Noon at St. Andre Bessette Parish, St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, N.H.
Burial will be in the family lot at St. Joseph Cemetery, Haverhill Road, Amesbury, Mass. on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:00AM
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Evelyn’s memory to Boston University/Huntington’s Disease Research c/o Larry Mahoney, 32 Agganis Way, Boston, MA 02215
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.