Elaine Bernadette Reid

Elaine Bernadette Bowler Reid

May 9, 1939 – March 6, 2026

Dr. Elaine B. Reid, a respected and admired clinical psychologist who helped countless adolescents, adults and families in Dover and the surrounding communities over decades in practice, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026 at the age of 86. She will be missed.

Elaine began her professional life as a nurse. In 1960 she married the love of her life, Dr. Peter Reid. Their time together was all too short. He passed away in 1967, leaving her at age 28 with three young children. Elaine went back to school and received her PhD from Boston University. She taught Psychology at both Smith College and UNH. She was the District Psychologist for many years for the Oyster River School District before moving full-time into private practice.

In private practice she added to her skills becoming a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner – that enabled her to be the first prescribing clinical psychologist in NH. While known in the area as an extraordinary therapist, she was also known as Mother, Aunt, Grandmother and friend to so many.

Outside of her professional life, Elaine had many passions. She loved dogs - particularly Golden Retrievers - and bred and trained several American Kennel Club champion and utility dogs, earning numerous awards in obedience, agility, and hunting. She enjoyed competitive swimming, earning four medals at the Masters National Championships.

She most treasured her time spent traveling with her five grandchildren - Sydney Reid Altmeyer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Kalyn Elaine Altmeyer of Brooklyn, New York; Scott Phillip Altmeyer of San Diego, California; Katherine Charity Reid; and Peter Thomas Reid, both currently in college.

Elaine is also survived by her three children: Sharon Reid Altmeyer of Princeton, New Jersey; Christopher Peter Reid of Dover, New Hampshire; and Thomas Francis Reid and his wife, Shannon Gorrell Reid, of Epsom, New Hampshire. Her sister-in-law, Dr. Susan Reid MacLennan and Douglas MacLennan, of Dover, New Hampshire; and by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Elaine will be remembered for her strength, tenacity, and unwavering devotion to her family, as well as for the compassion, wisdom, and guidance she offered to the many people whose lives she touched.

A graveside service will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Dover on May 21, 2026 at 11am. A reception will follow at PattyB's restaurant. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Heart Association.