Laconia-Alliette Clemence (Richard) Canning, 88, of 30 County Drive, formerly of 7 Church Street, died peacefully Thursday morning, February 21, 2008 at Belknap County Nursing Home with her daughter Lorraine by her side.
A long-time resident of Laconia, Alliette was born on December 21, 1919 in St. Claude, Quebec, Canada, the daughter of the late William and Melina (Fortier) Richard. As a child she immigrated with her family to Sanford, Maine where she graduated from Sanford High School. She moved to Laconia in 1956, where she quickly became life-long friends with Rita Sawyer, with whom she was active in scouting activities. For many years until her retirement in June of 1986, Alliette worked at Lewis and Saunders as an inventory control clerk. In 1972, while employed at Lewis and Saunders she resumed her studies, attending Belknap College.
Alliette resided for over 20 years at The Tavern Apartments on Main and Church Streets, where she was well known for the friendship, care, and volunteerism she extended to other residents. She was an active communicant of St. Joseph Church in Laconia, and a member of its Ladies Guild. She was a member of the Laconia Historical Society, a member of the Laconia Elders Friendship Club, a member of Les Dames Canados, and a member of the Sacred Heart Church Arts & Crafts group. She was an active volunteer at The Christmas Village in Laconia, where she was fondly known as “Grandma in the kitchen” with her dear friend Gemma Hamel, and in one particular year was named “Mayor of The Village.” She was an avid gardener, reader, and winter sports enthusiast. Alliette was also an intrepid traveler, and visited her children in locations such as Haiti, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, and India.
Most important, Alliette was a devoted mother and grandmother who found her greatest joys with her family.
Beside her parents, Alliette is predeceased by her four sisters, Hilda Vaillancourt, Connie Bachand, Helene Greenfield, and Jeannine Frost; and her longtime companion John Littlefield with whom she shared a love of gardening and the outdoors.
Alliette is survived by her five children, Jo-Ann Canning of New York City, Susan Canning and her husband Steve Seche of Vienna, Virginia, Bill Canning of Laconia, Michael Canning of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Lorraine Daigle and her husband Jeff of Laconia; ten grandchildren, Scott and Nicole Canning, Corey Canning, Sarah and Allison Canning, Christopher and Lynn Daigle, and Kate, Lucy, and Ariel Seche. Many nieces and nephews also survive Alliette.
Visiting hours were Tuesday, February 26, 2008 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia at 10:00 am. Rev. Gary J. Kosmowski pastor of the church celebrated the mass. Entombment followed in Sacred Heart Cemetery Chapel, Garfield Street to await burial in the family lot in the spring.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Alliette’s name may be made to The Christmas Village, C/O: Gemma Hamel, 29 Gillette Street, Laconia, NH 03246, to help ensure it remains each year for the community.