Alice L. Josselyn
March 14, 1945 — May 10, 2020
Alice L. Josselyn
Alice L. (Thomson) Josselyn, 75, passed away May 10, 2020 at Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement Center from complications due to COVID-19. She was born to Raymond and Marguerite (Randall) Thomson late in their lives, from their second marriage. Alice was a descendant of Mayflower passenger George Soule, accused Salem witch Susannah (North) Martin, Revolutionary War soldier Ezra Winslow, and William I, King of Scotland.
Alice spent much of her childhood living on a farm, enjoying the outdoors. Being the youngest child at home, her older brothers were beginning their military service, and her older sister had graduated and was starting a career of her own when Alice was a little girl. She often recounted memories about cows coming up to look in the windows of the house, scaring her mother, and evading the roosters when collecting eggs. She attended Bedford and Keene Schools and proudly obtained her GED later in life.
She was married twice and had 3 three beautiful daughters, Pamela, Carlene and Rebecca. Raising 3 children on her own took strength, courage and a sense of humor. She had many struggles, some heartaches, and sometimes worked two jobs to care for her family. She worked at many places, but her favorite was being an LNA, first at Mt Carmel Nursing Home and then at Catholic Medical Center. She was a strong woman, had grit and was fiercely independent.
She attended the First Assembly of God Church in Keene, NH and Manchester, NH. When her children were grown, she spent some time doing missionary work. No stranger to moving, she traveled to Africa and the Philippines, living for 6 months in Africa ministering to others. She was grounded in the knowledge of Christ as her lord and savior, a firm believer that she would spend eternity with Jesus.
Grandchildren had begun to arrive and were the love of her life. She would look forward to spending weekends and overnights with them, going camping, to the lake and the beach. There were always adventures to be had with Nana! Walking in the garden with Andrew, looking at the morning glories. Singing songs about "little fishies" with Hannah. Evan was her "pack-a-bag" boy, always ready to head off for adventures with Nana. She read the story of Moses to Samuel so many times he had it memorized. Tea parties with tins of 3 flavored popcorn were shared with Meagan while watching Mr. Holland's Opus many times! Her favorite days were spent wandering Old Orchard Beach at sunrise with family, collecting seashells and eating scallops, always fried!
She struggled with depression and anxiety at times throughout her life. Her life was not an easy one, but she always kept going. Her family and faith were solace for her on the rough days.
Alice was diagnosed with ALS in 2018, and while there were many physical changes, her smile became what will be most remembered. Her smile was her blessing… to her family, caregivers and friends. Her legacy.
She was pre-deceased by her half-brother Eugene R Smith of Arizona, and her half-sisters Marguerite Warner of Keene NH, and Beatrice Nairn of Manchester NH.
She is survived by her daughter Pamela Paris, and her son in law Timothy Paris of Weare, NH. Her daughter Carlene Reisman of Manchester NH and her daughter Rebecca Josselyn of Manchester NH. A brother Richard E. Smith of North Carolina. 5 grandchildren, Evan, Meagan, Andrew and his fiancée Ally, Samuel and Hannah. And 2 great-grandchildren, Liam and Caleb. She also had a sister born after her that was placed for adoption around 1947. Sadly, they were not reunited later in life although she always wanted to find her.
The staff at Amedysis hospice, especially Brittany, Dean, Jean and Rachel were wonderfully supportive to Mom and to our family. Caregivers at Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement were among the best we have ever had the privilege to know. Alvin and Melissa, who welcomed us on our first day and who came to know and love our mother. Nancy, Beatrice, Nicole, Maggie, Jessica and so many others that cared for her up until she passed with grace, dignity and a soft spoken, "love you Alice" when they would come to check her. We will never forget their kindness.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be held at a future date and burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Goffstown NH.
Alice spent much of her childhood living on a farm, enjoying the outdoors. Being the youngest child at home, her older brothers were beginning their military service, and her older sister had graduated and was starting a career of her own when Alice was a little girl. She often recounted memories about cows coming up to look in the windows of the house, scaring her mother, and evading the roosters when collecting eggs. She attended Bedford and Keene Schools and proudly obtained her GED later in life.
She was married twice and had 3 three beautiful daughters, Pamela, Carlene and Rebecca. Raising 3 children on her own took strength, courage and a sense of humor. She had many struggles, some heartaches, and sometimes worked two jobs to care for her family. She worked at many places, but her favorite was being an LNA, first at Mt Carmel Nursing Home and then at Catholic Medical Center. She was a strong woman, had grit and was fiercely independent.
She attended the First Assembly of God Church in Keene, NH and Manchester, NH. When her children were grown, she spent some time doing missionary work. No stranger to moving, she traveled to Africa and the Philippines, living for 6 months in Africa ministering to others. She was grounded in the knowledge of Christ as her lord and savior, a firm believer that she would spend eternity with Jesus.
Grandchildren had begun to arrive and were the love of her life. She would look forward to spending weekends and overnights with them, going camping, to the lake and the beach. There were always adventures to be had with Nana! Walking in the garden with Andrew, looking at the morning glories. Singing songs about "little fishies" with Hannah. Evan was her "pack-a-bag" boy, always ready to head off for adventures with Nana. She read the story of Moses to Samuel so many times he had it memorized. Tea parties with tins of 3 flavored popcorn were shared with Meagan while watching Mr. Holland's Opus many times! Her favorite days were spent wandering Old Orchard Beach at sunrise with family, collecting seashells and eating scallops, always fried!
She struggled with depression and anxiety at times throughout her life. Her life was not an easy one, but she always kept going. Her family and faith were solace for her on the rough days.
Alice was diagnosed with ALS in 2018, and while there were many physical changes, her smile became what will be most remembered. Her smile was her blessing… to her family, caregivers and friends. Her legacy.
She was pre-deceased by her half-brother Eugene R Smith of Arizona, and her half-sisters Marguerite Warner of Keene NH, and Beatrice Nairn of Manchester NH.
She is survived by her daughter Pamela Paris, and her son in law Timothy Paris of Weare, NH. Her daughter Carlene Reisman of Manchester NH and her daughter Rebecca Josselyn of Manchester NH. A brother Richard E. Smith of North Carolina. 5 grandchildren, Evan, Meagan, Andrew and his fiancée Ally, Samuel and Hannah. And 2 great-grandchildren, Liam and Caleb. She also had a sister born after her that was placed for adoption around 1947. Sadly, they were not reunited later in life although she always wanted to find her.
The staff at Amedysis hospice, especially Brittany, Dean, Jean and Rachel were wonderfully supportive to Mom and to our family. Caregivers at Villa Crest Nursing and Retirement were among the best we have ever had the privilege to know. Alvin and Melissa, who welcomed us on our first day and who came to know and love our mother. Nancy, Beatrice, Nicole, Maggie, Jessica and so many others that cared for her up until she passed with grace, dignity and a soft spoken, "love you Alice" when they would come to check her. We will never forget their kindness.
ARRANGEMENTS: Graveside services will be held at a future date and burial will be in Westlawn Cemetery in Goffstown NH.
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