Meredith----Martha A. Compton, 80, of 22 Eaton Avenue, died at her home on Wednesday, December 17, 2014, surrounded by her family.
Martha was born October 16, 1934 in Medford, Mass., the daughter of the late James and Mildred (Welch) Highet.
Martha resided in Somerville, Mass. for many years before moving to Laconia in 1973 and Meredith in 2007. She was a registered nurse for twenty-six years after graduating from Peter Bent Brigham Hospital School of Nursing in 1955. She ended her career in Laconia working at the Laconia State School.
Martha will be remembered for her love of family, reading, poetry, New Orleans jazz, golf, the “Pats”, the Red Sox, Yahtzee, crossword puzzles and Black Russians. Notes from a 2004 ten day trip with her best friends Ruth Towle and Nancy Davidson, says it all: she read a book about Johnny Pesky, went to jazz concerts, antique shops, book shops and had a few “toddies”, along the way, of course!
She loved to bake and her family will always remember her Doll’s French Soup, corn chowder and her special Fire Cracker Casserole. When she wasn’t cooking, she was watching the golf matches and advising the family on things political. She didn’t care who you voted for, just so long as you exercised your right to vote.
Her life’s philosophy is best expressed in the book “Wings of Silver”:
“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell,
And no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop at late or early hour.
Now is the only time you own: live, love, toil with a will,
Place no faith in tomorrow, for the clock may then be still.”
…And this she truly believed. We will all benefit from your sharing, your wisdom, your experiences and your love of life and family. Again, we love you and thank you so much.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Edwin Compton, of Meredith; two sons, Scott Compton and his wife, Laurie, of Meredith and Doug Compton and his wife, Karen, of Virginia; two daughters, Dianne Compton Luneau of Laconia and Denise McKim of Belmont;her brother, Jim Highet, Jr. and his wife, Lenore, of Jacksonville, FL; nine grandchildren, Aaron Luneau of Concord, Cassie Compton and Nick Luneau, both of Laconia, Emily Compton Scott Compton, Jr., and Natalie Compton all of Meredith. Dathon Compton and Angela Barglof, both of Virginia and Justin Lessard of MA.; five great grandchildren, Robert, Tyler, Maxx, Elle and Brooklyn and two more precious ones on the way; two nieces, Cheryl Highet and Cindy Highet Carter and one nephew, Mike Highet, all of Texas.
There will be no calling hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the end of January 2015.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 North Main Street, Laconia, NH 03246.
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.