Rachel M. Gelinas

            Rachel M. (Caron) Gelinas, 100, passed peacefully on January 23, 2024 surrounded by her family. She was a long-time resident of Villa Crest Retirement Center in Manchester.

            Born in Willimantic, Ct. on May 2, 1923, she was the daughter of Lionel R. and Juliette (Houle) Caron.

            As a stay at home mother, Rachel devoted her life to caring for her family. After her children had grown, she worked as an employee of Pandora Industries for many years.  She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing bingo, going on cruises, and traveling with family and friends. She was a former president of the Alpine Club Women’s Auxiliary and, along with her husband Donald, was an active participant and performer in the “Knights to Remember” minstrel shows, performed annually for many years by the Manchester, NH Knights of Columbus, Local Council 5260.

            She was predeceased by her husband, Donald F. Gelinas in 1987, son-in-law Richard D. Wagner, her son Gerald D. Gelinas and brother Robert Caron.

            Family members include her daughters, Suzanne C. Wagner of Polk City, FL, Darlene F. Guilbert and husband Richard of The Villages, FL; daughter in-law Deloris Gelinas, Beverly Hills, Fl; her son, Robin D. Gelinas and wife Phyllis of Laconia, NH; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great granddaughters; her sister-in-law Laurette Caron; nephews and nieces.

            Calling hours at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm St, corner of North St, will be Monday, January 29^th from 1 to 3 pm followed by a service in the funeral home chapel at 3 pm.  Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or Autismspeaks.org

            To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.