Dorothy Deschenes

Dorothy (Phillips) Deschenes, 96, of Hooksett, died suddenly August 18, 2021 at Catholic Medical Center as a result of a chronic illness.

Dorothy was born in Canaan, NH on September 23, 1924 to James and Pearl (Earley) Phillips. She grew up near Boston MA and throughout NH before her family settled in Manchester where she graduated Central High School in 1942.

After high school, Dorothy worked throughout southern New England. She was that rare "Jack of all trades, master of everything". She fixed damaged war planes at Bradley Field and built a house with her brother in Auburn, NH. From manufacturing work in a rubber plant to office work at New Hampshire insurance, she seemingly did it all. There truly wasn't anything she couldn't do.

It was at New Hampshire Insurance that she met her future husband and love of her life, David. Their relationship began like all great love stories: with the signing of a 10 cent IOU in a cafeteria line. After a 7-year courtship they were married and moved to Hooksett, where they spent the happiest 56 years of her long and amazing life.

Dorothy was always happiest with a baby in her arms, when she and David started their family, she realized her greatest joy. Having always loved and cared for children, she finally raised two of her own, and then followed that with an encore by raising her two grandchildren. Through aging and illness, she was constantly present at every milestone and moment in their lives. Her life was an incredible example to us all of how to live and to not to miss those important moments with the ones we love.

Never one to be able to sit still, Dorothy was constantly on the move in Hooksett. She spent many years as the secretary of the Central Hooksett Water Precinct. Her hobbies and skills were endless including being a master seamstress whose only charge was friendly conversation while she worked. Dorothy's love of animals was always visible in a constant line of furry companions that she loved and cared for.

Dorothy is survived by her husband of 56 years, David L. Deschenes Sr. of Hooksett; two children, Dawn L. Deschenes of Manchester and David L. Deschenes, Jr. and his wife, Laurel, of Nashua; two grandchildren, Travis D. Deschenes and Ainsley Pearl Deschenes both of Hooksett, born to Dawn Deschenes and Brian Walsh of Manchester; two step grandchildren, Jacob Michaud of Nashua and Mary Michaud of Ft. Worth, TX; a sister, Jackie Lachapelle of North Carolina and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and six siblings.

SERVICES: Calling hours are Thursday (8/26) from 5 to 7 p.m. followed immediately at 7 p.m. by a funeral ceremony, all at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St., Manchester. Private burial will be Martin's Ferry Cemetery in Hooksett.

Memorial donations may be made to Heifer International, 1 World Ave., Little Rock, AR 72202.