Jeannette L. Gelinas

Jeannette L. Gelinas, 85, died Thursday July 24, 2008 at the Maple Leaf Health Care Center following a period of declining health. Jeannette was born on December 31, 1922 in Manchester and was the daughter of Leon and Claudia (Gagne) Gagnon. She was raised in this community and was educated in the Manchester School System. She was a life long resident of this city.

In her early adult life she had worked as a waitress at the Mayflower Restaurant, Rainbow-Vets on Elm Street and at Lee's Restaurant. In the early 1940's she also worked as a model for several Manchester Department Stores.

Most of her adult life though was spent as a homemaker raising and caring for her family. Jeannette lived on Public Street for a time, but spent most of her adult life raising her family on Hayward Street, where she was a communicant of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church.

Mrs. Gelinas was truly a traditional woman of her generation. It was important to her that her children were always dressed properly for church and ready for school and that her home was clean and neat always. She was supportive of her children and her husband. She was a quiet reserved type, loved her home, her cats and taking care of the neighborhood "kitties" were they were there waiting in the morning to be fed.

Jeannette was active throughout the years serving as a volunteer on several political committees. Besides serving on her husband?s aldermanic and mayoral campaigns, she served on the Mayor Vallee, Governor King and the Charles Whittemore election committees.

During President Carter's administration, she along with her husband were invited to the White House for a private dinner and tour of the residence with the Carter family, an opportunity she considered a true honor and privilege, an occasion she never forgot.

She was also a member of the Ladies Group of the Knights of Columbus, Our lady of the Cedars Council #5260. Where she helped with the monthly suppers and crafts for the various fairs.

Family members include her husband of 61 years, Fernand "Fern" G. Gelinas of Manchester, her twin sons, David L. Gelinas and his wife Deborah of Manchester and Donald F. Gelinas and his wife Darlene of Somersworth. She leaves a grandson Matthew Gelinas of Spencer, MA and her sister Claire Gagnon of Manchester and many nephews and nieces.

Besides her parents, her sister Claudia Foster predeceased her.

A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, July 28, 2008 in St. Catherine Catholic Church, Webster Street, Manchester with Rev. Adrian Longchamp as main celebrant. Burial followed in the family lot in Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Goffstown Road, Manchester.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to: St Catherine Catholic Church or to Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern New Hampshire, 33 S. Commercial Street, Manchester, NH.

The Bernier-Gelinas Funeral Home 49 South Street, Somersworth, NH has been entrusted with final arrangements.