Estelle M. Gay, 91, of Penacook, formerly of Manchester, died October 6, 2008 at the Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen after a period of declining health.
She was born on August 2, 1917, in Manchester, the daughter of Edward and Harriet (Bernier) Mercier. She was educated in the Manchester school system.
Estelle was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister who devoted her life to caring for her family.
She was a former communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church and most recently a parishioner of St. Anthony of Padua Church.
She is survived by her husband of 70 years, Robert E. Gay Sr. of Penacook; two sons and their wives, Robert E. Gay Jr. and Carol Gay of Ellington, CT, Richard Gay and Debbie Gay of Penacook, NH; two brothers, Alfred Mercier and his wife Cecile of Manchester, Ludger Mercier and his wife Evelyn of San Pedro, CA; eleven grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces.
She was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law, Deloras and Thomas Novak Sr. in 2005. She was also predeceased by her sisters Jeanne, Irene, Cecile, and Julienne, as well as her brothers Eddie, Romeo, Antonio, and Raymond.
The funeral Mass of Christian burial was celebrated on Friday, October 10, 2008 in St. Anthony of Padua Church, Belmont St, Manchester. Burial followed in Holy Cross Cemetery, Londonderry.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of one’s choice.