Myrna "Cookie" Siegel

1936 - 2017

PORTSMOUTH - Myrna "Cookie" (Poster) Siegel passed away peacefully at Portsmouth Regional Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2017.

Born October 3, 1936 in Miami Beach, Fla., Cookie was the eldest daughter of Arthur and Evelyn Poster. She moved North to Massachusetts at an early age and went on to graduate from Malden High School in 1954. Always driven, she entered an accounting program at Brandeis University before getting married to her love, Howard "Howie" Siegel on July 3, 1955. They moved briefly to Fort Dix, N.Y. where she worked at the base. Upon her husband leaving the U.S. Army, they settled in Everett, Mass. where they started a family.

In 1971, Cookie and Howie purchased Ralph's Truck Sales. She planted roots in 1972 when they moved into their forever home in Portsmouth, N.H. where they raised their family and ran Ralph's until its closing in 2006. In 1983, Cookie and Howie opened Exit 3 Truck Services in Greenland, N.H. which they operated with their friends Barbara and Sarge Reilly and Tom Redden until 1988.

Cookie's passion for family, friends, jazz, politics and good gossip made her the ultimate host . . . a role she both enjoyed and excelled at. From New Year's Eve parties, to business outings on the Thomas Leighton, to attendance at multiple campaign galas and Presidential inaugurations, Cookies spunk, quick wit and charm drew people to her.

Her most apparent hobby found her yelling at the TV screen every Sunday in hopes that her beloved New England sports teams could hear her support (or disappointment). She was a devoted wife and took pride and action in the interests of her husband as well, particularly as supporter and volunteer to The Working Dog foundation. She made countless friends during her 81 years who will miss her dearly.

Her grandchildren will never forget her love and skill for all word games, ability to perfectly edit any paper, straight-forward and honest advice, her love for New England sports and college football, her endless supply of wintergreen mints, Disney trips, Florida miniature golf adventures and her "uniquely-Gram" fashion and feistiness.

She was predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Evelyn (Nissenbaum) Poster; her husband of 60 years, Howard "Howie" Siegel; and her sister, Kay Susan (Poster) Burton. She is survived by her children, Jay and wife Kathy; Cindi and husband Michael Dubois, and Jeff Siegel; her grandchildren, Amanda, Jarid and wife Emily, Sarah, Aleks and fiancé Tory; Aaron, Abbey and Emma. Cookie is also survived by her four-legged son, Bandit; brother and sister-in-laws, Robert and wife Carolyn and Barry and wife Claire, along with very dear, close friends.

SERVICES: A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017 at the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster, 84 Broad St., Portsmouth. Family and friends are invited to visit during the week of Shiva that will be observed at the family home located at 240 Hillside Dr., Portsmouth.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to your favorite charity. For online condolences, visit: www.jvwoodfuneralhome.com .

Arrangements are under the direction of the J. Verne Wood Funeral Home – Buckminster Chapel.