Auxilina Harmes

Auxilina Lucille "Auxi" Harmes, 91, of Manchester, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, May 14, 2017 (Mother's Day.)

She was born on April 10, 1926 in Concord to Adjutor and Viola (Begin) Flamand. She lived with her loving husband, Jack, in Manchester and Moultonborough.

Auxi gave her time, her faith and her love to her family. She attended Concord schools and graduated from Concord High in 1944. She was active in the Girls and Boys Club and 4H in high school. For about ten years she worked as a secretary at the Philbrook Center where she met her husband.

Being a homemaker for many years gave her tremendous joy. In 1983 she was voted Manpower Secretary of the Year. Later she was employed as a medical transcriptionist at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester.

Auxi's hobbies included gardening, taking pictures of her family, angel lights, tole painting, the Tanglewood Music Festival and knitting, as well as cooking for family and friends. Favorites from her kitchen were her homemade soups, Canadian meat pies and oatmeal raisin cookies.

She had a strong Catholic faith and received communion weekly. She supported her daughters and five grandchildren in their growing faith.

Auxi and Jack's love story spanned 60 years. Their companionship was unique in its endearing closeness. One of their greatest joys was holding hands and talking for hours at the kitchen table or on the porch at the lake. They loved watching the moon rise over the Ossipee Mountains from the porch in the evening. Early in their marriage they enjoyed a memorable ski trip to the Swiss and Austrian Alps. One day involved an ascent to the 11,000 foot level and skiing 10 miles down to the base.

Auxi and Jack along with their daughters drove across the United States and enjoyed skiing at Cannon Mountain for many years. Later, at the time of their 25th anniversary, their daughters surprised them with a handcrafted quilt that was a tapestry of their life together.

After the family had grown, Auxi and Jack enjoyed many special trips to different parts of the world including Ireland, the Greek Isles, Morocco, Portugal, Hungary and an Alaskan cruise. Another surprise was when their daughters and spouses surprised them with a 40th anniversary lawn party upon returning from a cruise.

Auxi valued family above all else. One of her greatest gifts was her giving and helping nature. Even her name, Auxilina, means "little helper". She was a loving wife, mom and grandma who cherished what each day in these roles enabled her to share with her family, including the family dogs.

As her five grandchildren were growing up, they were her world. Whether it was sleepovers, blueberry picking, big/little books, badminton and croquet games, the Moultonborough Country Store for "penny" candy, St. Jude's Bike-a-thon, hiking, playing in the sand and skiing with her grandchildren up until she was 77, Auxi treasured these times with them and they loved their fun Grandma. She was the first one to pull out the Sequence game on the porch at the lake and always had an endless supply of puzzles. She wouldn't miss cheering them on at their sporting events and being at their dance recitals, plays, and award ceremonies.

She treasured spending as much time as possible with the family at their cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee. Some years Auxi and Jack didn't close up until mid November. She thoroughly enjoyed being together during ski trips to Cannon Mountain and evenings at the Barnstormers summer theater. She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

Auxi jumped at any opportunity to care for the Dutton's dog, Popcorn. They had a special bond and he sensed when she was walking to the door and greeted her with his toy ice cream in his mouth.

She made a lasting impression on all who met her. A dear friend once wrote, "You have been a real inspiration in my life. Your visits were always a ray of sunshine." It was also said, "Her smile lit up the room when she entered."

Auxi's family includes her dear husband, John "Jack" Harmes; two daughters, Sharon Lawyer and her husband, Lance, and Marcia "Marci" Dutton; five grandchildren, Tara Lawyer, Ryan Lawyer, Benjamin Dutton, Mitchell Dutton, and Amelia Dutton; her brother, Raymond Flamand; her goddaughter and niece, Lucille "Lucy" Geddes and other nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Rachel Gomes and brothers, Ludger Flamand, Joseph Flamand, and Edward Flamand.

The amazing compassion and dedication of Auxi's two Visiting Angels and dear friends, Valerie and Krista, are beyond words. Debra from St. Catherine Church, was a spiritual friend of Auxi who was always there for her. We are so blessed that they were a part of her life for the past five years. We are also immensely grateful for the compassionate nursing staff and other kind staff at the Courville at Manchester.

Surrounded by her loving family, Auxi slipped away peacefully while holding her rosary and listening to a hymn. We will always cherish her sweet warm smile, gentle touch, and kind heart. She was loved by so many and will be forever missed by her loving family and friends.

She is gone from our sight but will live on in our hearts and lives forever.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, May 22, 2017 at St. Catherine Church, 267 Webster St., Manchester. Committal prayers followed at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 474 Goffstown Rd., Manchester.

A celebration of Auxi's life will take place in August at the family cottage.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Auxi's honor be made to either St. Catherine Church in Manchester or to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust.

Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester assisted the family with arrangements.