Hope W. Pearson

Hope W. Pearson, 96, of Candia, NH passed into the care of our Lord on April 21, 2021 after a period of declining health.

She was the second of three children born to Eugene and Hazel (Ayer) Wiley in Manchester, NH on October 1, 1924. She attended the Gorham Pond Road one room schoolhouse in Goffstown, NH before moving to Manchester in 1932. She is a graduate of Hallsville Elementary School in 1938 and Manchester Central High School in 1942. She worked in the War Bonds Dept. for the Merchants National Bank in Manchester until her marriage to Robert L. Pearson of Candia on June 10, 1945. Upon their marriage she moved to Candia and became a homemaker. She embraced the rural farm lifestyle so dear to her husband, selling fresh milk to the neighbors and producing large yearly crops of multiple vegetable varieties.

She was especially gifted at growing many house plant species. Her gardens were a vibrant display of color each summer.

Hope loved the NH lakes and always found time to make sure her children enjoyed trips to Bear Brook State Park, Rye and Hampton beaches and York Beach Maine.

She retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1992 after 25 years serving as the Candia Post Office clerk.

She was a longtime active member of Franklin Street/Brookside Congregational Church in Manchester. She also had long term memberships in the Rockingham Chapter #3 (formally Adah Chapter) Order of Eastern Star, Candia Historical Society, Candia Garden Club, Candia Homemakers (formally the Candia Extension Group), Tuesday Noon Coffee Bowling League, NH Timberland Owners Assoc., and the Society for the Protection of NH Forests.

She was a loving, caring, gentle soul who possessed a strong-willed independence and willingness to explore new activities. She loved all kinds of church sponsored meals which provided her the opportunity to socialize with old friends and make new acquaintances.

She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Robert L. Pearson in 2007 and her siblings, Richard N. Wiley, of East Rochester, NH and Priscilla G. Davis of Raynham, MA.

Family members include her son, Carl L. Pearson of Willington CT, daughter, Sarah L. Merrill and husband Robert of Goffstown, NH, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Villa Crest Nursing & Retirement Center who cared for Hope during her stay.

A visiting time will be Saturday, May 1st from 10:30 to 11:30 am at Brookside Congregational Church UCC, 2013 Elm St, Manchester, NH outside on the Manning House lawn in the gardens area. Please wear a mask and practice social distancing. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 am and those in attendance may bring an optional lawn chair or blanket, or chairs will be provided. Burial will follow in the Holbrook Cemetery, Candia, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Hope's memory to Brookside Congregational Church, 2013 Elm Street, Manchester, NH 03104, Society for the Protection of NH Forests, The Granite State Woodlands Institute, (a division of NHTOA.org), or a preferred charity of your choice.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, is assisting with arrangements. To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.