Althea Lubelczyk

   Althea Lubelczyk, a lifelong resident of Manchester, passed away on June 13 at the age of 92.  Althea, whose given name at birth was Vladasawa Kaminski, was the third child of Walter and Anna (Bienkiewicz) Kaminski, who each had immigrated from Poland earlier in the century.

   Althea was educated in local schools and graduated from Manchester High School Central class of 1948.  She lost her mother at age 13 when she was killed in an industrial accident while working the night shift in the Manchester Millyard. She enjoyed a very close relationship with her father, sister Joan and brother Chester throughout their respective lifetimes.

   Upon graduation, Althea took a job at a local manufacturer (Fellows and Sons) and worked in an administrative capacity.  One of her responsibilities was to hand out weekly paychecks to the employees. She soon met her future husband, Walter Lubelczyk, who had recently returned from serving in the navy in the South Pacific during World War 2.  They married in 1949 and honeymooned in New York City, one of the few times that she had left the city limits of Manchester. When Walter enrolled at NH College under the GI Bill, Althea was the family’s primary source of working income.

   Althea and Walter had three children: Walter (1951), Thomas (1955) and Stephen (1958).  All three were educated and subsequently lived and worked locally.  While Althea was primarily a homemaker, later in life she pursued active interests in golf (20 year member of Manchester Country Club), bowling and bridge.  She had many good friends who she valued greatly.   

   Following Walter’s retirement, they traveled extensively and devoted a lot of time and energy to their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

   In her late 60’s, Althea suffered from spinal stenosis which in short order dramatically curtailed her mobility.  She faced this situation with courage, determination and grace.  Soon after Walter, who had heroically transformed into her primary caregiver, passed in 2010, she relocated to The Courville in Manchester where she received a decade of loving support and assistance for which she and the family will always be grateful. While at Courville, she was an active participant in all activities while maintaining a voracious reading schedule. She made every visitor know that they had made her day, much as she had inevitably made theirs.

   Althea suffered the loss of her first son Wally in 2017.  She is survived by her sons Tom, Steve, his wife Alice, Wally’s wife Lynda (Corriveau), six grandchildren (Kerry Braen and husband Dirk, and Joe Lubelczyk and wife Kim, and Colin, Kevin and Michael Lubelczyk), five great grandchildren (Mason, Peyton and Emerson Braen and Landry and Avery Lubelczyk) and 11 nieces and nephews.

   SERVICES:  There are no calling hours.  A funeral service is on Friday (6/17) at 11 a.m. at Holy Trinity Cathedral, 166 Pearl St., Manchester.  Committal prayers will follow at Pine Grove Cemetery, Calef Road, Manchester.

   Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester is assisting the family with arrangements.  To leave a message of condolence, see the obituary at www.lambertfuneralhome.com