Gilmanton - Betty May (Deware) McClary, 85, of 393 NH Rt 140, Gilmanton, passed peacefully away on February 16, 2019 at the St Francis Home in Laconia, listening to her favorite tunes with granddaughter Jaime Lee by her side.
Betty was born on May 5, 1933 in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts, to the late Robert and Mary(Brown) Deware. Betty moved to Gilmanton when she was 11 years old, residing in the homestead that belonged to her grandfather, Dr. George Brown.
Betty was married to her beloved husband, Frank L.(Joe) McClary for 55 years. He predeceased her on May 7, 2013.
Betty enjoyed her family above all. Her other love was music and dancing. In their younger years, Joe and Betty, along with a large group of friends often gathered at the many halls in town enjoying music and dance as she loved to do the jitterbug. She really enjoyed get togethers with family. She especially loved the occasional gathering with her sister’s family, the Shippees, as there was always musical instruments , singing and dancing involved. Betty also loved bowling with her lady friends and was on several different leagues over the years. Betty was also a member of the PTA and the Gilmanton Congregation Church Choir, as well as the ladies fire dept. auxiliary (Sirens). Joe and Betty were not people who traveled a lot, but every summer they looked forward to their vacation in Canada with their friends, Glen and Nancy Lines. In the winter, when their kids were young, they could be found at the sled dog races cheering on their children’s and their friend’s dog sled teams. In later years she and Joe loved watching their grandchildren’s many athletic events and school plays.
Betty had varied jobs before she and Joe married. After they married and started their family Betty was a stay at home mom until their children started school. She then worked for the Gilmanton School for 24 years. Her job was that of a teacher’s aide but Betty would often help out collecting lunch money, serve as school nurse, do study halls, bus duty, lunch duty – just fill in anywhere she was needed. She just loved her job. Betty also cherished her friendships with Lois Foss, Betty Smithers, Nancy Stevens, Nancy Lines, Jane Moorehead, Melba LaRoche, Mae MacMillan(and husbands)just to name a few.
Survivors include her sister Dorothy Shippee of Deerfield, Mass and sister-in-law Marion(Jen) Keith of Northfield. Her daughter, Brenda Currier and husband Brett of Gilmanton; a son Frank J. McClary and wife Tina of Gilmanton; Grandchildren; Jaime Lee Hart and husband Eric of Berkley Calif.; Greg McClary and wife Miranda of Belmont and their children Cameron and MacKenna; Andrea Doherty and husband Erik of Alton and their son’s Ayden and Tucker; Matt Currier and his wife Nicole of Gilmanton and their sons Mason and Caden; Tricia Currier of Gilmanton and her partner Jeff Randall. Many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother Robert Deware of Belmont.
Calling Hours will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 from 2:00pm – 4:00pm at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH, using the Carriage House entrance.
Burial will be held in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, anyone wishing to make a donation, the family suggests the Gilmanton School PTA, 1386 NH Route 140, Gilmanton Iron Works, NH 03837.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information or to sign an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.