Thelma Ann Manter

Thelma Ann Manter (Haskell) passed away on Sunday June 17th at Hanover Hill Health Care Center in Manchester, NH. Known as Thelma, spouse, Mom, Aunt, Grammie, Great Grammie and GG, she was loved by all. Thelma was predeceased by her husband of 71 years, Donald Irving Manter.
Thelma is survived by all her children, Gail Gomez, Roger Manter and his wife Alice, Deborah Mulcrone, Douglas Manter and his wife Jennifer, and Dawn Beaulieu and her husband Alan. Thelma has 15 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. She was also predeceased by her sister Ginnie but is survived by Ginnie's children, Glenis and Lee.
Thelma was born in Sidney, ME on January 6, 1927, the daughter of Manson Cowan and Thelma Swift. She was blessed to be adopted by her great aunt and uncle, Ivy (Swift) and Herbert Haskell.
She became a war bride when Donald came home in 1944 on leave and said "Thelma, let's get married" and they did one week later. She became close to Donald's large family and is survived by his brother Warren and his sister Ruby.
Thelma worked in the Manchester school cafeteria system for 25 years. After retiring she went on to work for her husband cleaning the office building and gardening, then on a hotel laundry service and breakfast area.
Thelma deeply loved all her family and would smile as each came to visit her, especially the little ones. She had family dinners at her home every Tuesday and Thursday until her residence at Carlyle Place. She always had extra room for more with an open heart.
She enjoyed travels to visit friends and family from the east coast to the west coast and other side trips with Donald.
Thelma and Donald raised their children at Merrimack St. Baptist Church in Manchester and later they became active members of St. Paul's United Methodist Church for over 40 years. During the summer they would worship at Oakland–Sidney United Methodist Church. Thelma carried out her faith with busy hands, singing, cooking, and sharing food and fellowship. Thelma's love for God, life and family leaves her family with many wonderful memories and lots of funny stories to share. When she finally retired, she made over 150 blankets for family and friends and those in need. Thelma did not rest. She sent cards and letters to shut-ins and elders, she made calls, and even when her own health was poor, she volunteered with Hospice. Thelma was often seen wearing red and holding a cup of coffee.
A celebration of her life was held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Lambert Funeral Home, 1799 Elm St, Manchester, NH. A graveside service was held at the Sawtelle Cemetery in Sidney, Maine on July 14, 2018 followed by an ice cream and pie reception at the Manter Camp lakeside on Primrose Lane in Sidney, ME.
Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to: Alzheimer's Association, 166 S. River Road #210, Bedford, NH 03110, www.alz.org/manh To send an online message of condolence, please go to www.lambertfuneralhome.com.