Franklin-----Lillian “Dee” P. Gelbach, 85, of 7 Baldwin Street died at the Mt. Ridge Center-Genesis on Friday, June 24, 2011.
Mrs. Gelbach was born April 4, 1926 in New Vernon, New York, the daughter of Frederick J. and Lillian P. (Morrison) Beyea.
Lillian attended Pratt Institute and New York’s Phoenix School of Design. She worked for Rey Fuller Advertising Agency in New York. She was art director and then advanced to Vice President. In 1956 she joined the firm of Manor Publications, in White Plains N.Y. as General Manager. In 1965 she formed Custom Graphics, a design and printing house. She later sold the business. After retiring, she pursued her love of jewelry design. She studied Indian jewelry in Arizona and opened a jewelry store (Dee’s Designs) in Buffalo, N.Y. Over the years, she belonged to many trade organizations related to jewelry and printing
Survivors include a niece, Lilyan R.Wood, and four nephews, George Beyea, Winfield Beyea, Robert Beyea and George Happel. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by three brothers, George W. Beyea, Frederick J. Beyea and Robert N. Beyea, by a sister, Ida E. Happel, and by two nephews, Frederick Beyea and John Happel.
She was a devoted and loving Godmother to her niece, Lilyan R. Wood, and her grand nephew, William E. Wood.
There will be no calling hours or funeral service.
Burial will be in New Vernon, NY in October.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N. H. is assisting the family. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.