Alice C. Martel

Alice C. Martel, 99, of Manchester died Tuesday October 24, 2023, after a period of declining health.

Born June 28, 1924, in Winooski, VT, she was the daughter of Alfred and Sarah Marie (Bessette) Sansoucy.  She grew up and worked in Winooski, VT.  On August 6, 1949, she married her husband Rolland Martel, and they enjoyed 32 years of marriage until his death. She lived in Manchester for 70 years.

Above all else in life, she enjoyed spending time with her family.  She routinely hosted the family gatherings, and always enjoyed cooking and baking things such as beans, salmon pie, pork pie, soup, mac and cheese, whoopie pies and her world-famous chocolate chip cookies.  These cookies were in such high demand, they became the requested birthday gift of all the grandchildren. 

Alice’s extensive friend circle always brought her joy.  She relished their time together while traveling, candlepin bowling, and dancing. She also enjoyed activities at the Cashin Senior Center for many years which included dancing and WII bowling.

An avid card player, it was well known that if Alice was your partner at the table, you were almost guaranteed a win.

Daily walks helped keep her young.  Rain or shine, Alice could be found doing laps around the neighborhood.  Through the Walk for your Health Program, she was awarded The Golden Sneakers by Manchester’s Parks and Recreation Department.

She did volunteer work for the Red Cross and “Club 55” and was a member of The St. Anne’s Sodality at St. Anthony’s Church.

A loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she is survived by her children Annette Thurston of Manchester, NH, Rev. Marcel Martel of Henniker, NH, Paul Martel & wife Wendy of Long Island, NY, Bernard (Bernie) Martel & wife Louise of Berlin, NH, Colette Joslyn & companion Jack Barranco of Billings, MT, and Therese (Terry) Cere & husband Roland of Goffstown, NH; grandchildren Brendan & wife Maria, Kevin, Joseph & wife Jacqueline, Daniel & fiancé Elizabeth, Lauren & husband Kevin, William, Renee, Benjamin & wife Melissa, Evan & wife Diana, Matthew & fiancé Dreamer, Fredrick, and Alice; great-grandchildren Elijah, Bradley, Lucas, Claire, Charlie, Genevieve, Laken, Landon, Vienna, and Jacob; and many nieces & nephews.  She was predeceased by her husband, Rolland Martel, in 1981 and a daughter, Carmen Bennett in 2004.  She was also predeceased by her siblings, Sr. Grace Sansoucy, Theresa Sansoucy and Armand Sansoucy.

SERVICES: One hour of visitation will be held on Friday November 3, 2023, at 10 am at St. Anthony’s Church, 172 Belmont St., Manchester, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am.  Committal will follow at St. Augustin Cemetery, S. Beech St., Manchester.

The family would like to thank The Visiting Angels for their care and assistance over the last four years of her life.
In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Easter Seals at 555 Auburn St., Manchester, NH 03103 or St. Anthony’s Church, 172 Belmont St, Manchester, NH 03103.