Peg Longnecker

   Margaret “Peg” Longnecker, 98, of Manchester, NH, died April 16, 2024 at Riverwoods of Manchester after a brief illness.

   She was born in Waynesboro, PA on July 23, 1925 to Daniel and Mildred (Bonebrake) Harshman.  She grew up in Waynesboro and Hanover, PA and attended the University of Maryland where she earned a degree as a registered nurse.

   Soon after graduation, in August of 1947, Peg and two of her best friends flew to San Francisco, CA and boarded the S.S. Matsonia, which took them across the Pacific Ocean to the Hawaiian Islands where they would begin careers in nursing.   Although this nursing opportunity was expected to last for one year, Peg met her future husband, Kent, raised three children and ended up staying in Hawaii for 20 years.

   Throughout her life, Peg relived many memories of her time in Hawaii filled with friends, the natural beauty of the islands and wonderful life experiences.

   Peg and her family would later live in the state of New York in Larchmont, Rome and several special years in Lake Placid, where she was president of the Lake Placid Garden Club.  Throughout her life she participated in school, church and hospital volunteering opportunities.

   Peg was a wonderful homemaker, always providing delicious meals for her family and friends.  She was an avid reader and loved to travel, swim and take walks.  In addition, she loved flowers and had artistic talent that was revealed in her drawings, pressed flower projects, floral arrangements and home decorating projects.  She also took great care of her mother, Millie, through the many years prior to her death.  

   She was a dog lover and especially loved her rescue dog, Kimo.  Above all else, wherever she lived, she developed many long-lasting friendships and kept in touch with her friends through the years.

   Since 2003, Peg lived at Riverwoods in Manchester (formerly Hillcrest Terrace and Birch Hill Terrace) in independent living, assisted living and skilled nursing settings.  While there, she was blessed with many friends and had a deep appreciation for the staff, especially in skilled nursing, who showered her with kindness and care.

   She was predeceased by her parents and her husband of 57 years, Kent W. Longnecker in 2005. 

   Peg is survived by her daughters, Nancy and Gay Longnecker of Hooksett; her son, Blaine and his wife, Debra, of Chittenango, NY; two grandchildren, Emily Kiszka and her husband, Brent, of Chittenango, NY and Dan Longnecker of East Syracuse, NY; and two great grandchildren, Collin and Kate.

   There are no planned services.  Peg will be interred with her husband at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH at the convenience of the family.  

   Memorial donations may be made to Riverwoods Benevolent Fund and mailed to 200 Alliance Way, Manchester, NH 03102, or to Humane Society for Greater Nashua and mailed to 24 Ferry Rd., Nashua, NH 03064.

   Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, Manchester, NH is assisting the family with arrangements.