Ardeane Ruth Leisy Glidden "Deane" Rines

Ardeane "Deane" Ruth Leisy Glidden Rines, 96, passed into the arms of her Lord on Friday, June 20, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at her home in McIntyre Apartments, Whitefield.

She was born in Wisner, Nebraska, Nov. 27, 1928, the youngest daughter of August and Elma Leisy, with older sisters Kathryn, Charolette and Margaret. August and his four daughters all lived well into their mid-90s.

As a young child, her family moved to Florida, where she graduated school and worked in the Hillsboro Club in Pompano Beach, Fla., later moving to N.H. with Jonas "Sim" Glidden to work at the Waumbec Hotel in Jefferson, N.H. They married and had five children before Sim passed away in 1962 of cancer at the age of 35.

After Sim's passing, Ardeane took over as Postmaster of the Meadows Post Office 03587 and she operated the general store and served the Post Office for more than 26 years.

In 1964, she married Austin Rines of Twin Mountain and became stepmother to Austin's five children. The store later became known as Rines Market. They were married for 18 years until Austin's death from cancer in 1982. She later married Al Saucier of Jefferson and worked alongside Al at the Israel River Campground. In 2002, Deane moved to the McIntyre Apartments in Whitefield where she lived for 23 years.

Deane was a wonderful caring woman, serving the public most of her life and always active in her family's activities. She loved collecting stamps and coins and was an avid reader of many books and newspapers. She became known as the "giraffe lady," collecting hundreds of giraffes. She was a 57-year member of the Granite State Rebekah Lodge, serving as both Noble Grand and District Deputy Grand Master. She was a past member of the Jefferson Methodist Church and later the Twin Mt. Baptist Church, and a longtime member of the Jefferson Historical Society.

She completed the Dale Carnegie course and volunteered for several years with the Caleb Interfaith Caregivers, delivering Meals on Wheels and serving with North Country Hospice. She was twice honored for her work: In 1989, she was awarded the Jefferson Citizen of the Year Award and in 2005, she was awarded the Joseph Vaughan Volunteer Award at the State Capital by then-Gov. John Lynch.

Deane is survived by her children, 18 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren: Jonas Glidden (Elaine); Margaret Silver (Tami, Johnnie, Kathi); James Glidden (Kathy) (Janet and Melanie); Jeffrey Glidden (Linda) (Katrina, Kerri, Karin and Aaron); Elaine LaLumiere; Judith Gooden (Michael) (Jacqueline); Kevin Rines (Cindy) (Kelly and Kyle); Joanne Sanseverino (Pat) (Patrick, Emily and Molly); and Bill Rines (Kaitlyn, Amanda, and Logan). She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and sisters, as well as a granddaughter, Kristina and stepdaughter, Carol.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Jefferson Historical Society, 900 Presidential Highway, Jefferson or Tri-County CAP Meals on Wheels C/O of Bailey Funeral Home.