Charlotte Goossens

Charlotte A. (Kelley) Goossens of Salem, NH, passed away peacefully on April 5, 2024, at the age of 89.

Born in Concord, NH, on August 22, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Royce and Virginia (Simonds) Kelley. Charlotte had many interests, including cooking and baking, always from scratch. At Christmas time, she would give homemade goodie bags to her children with fifteen to twenty different kinds of baked goods that she had spent the best part of December making. Everyone always said she made the best apple pie they had ever tasted. She always had a book going, consuming them faster than the extra-large Hershey bar with almonds she’d have tucked away close by her book. She was a master seamstress, sewing many clothes, quilts, prom, and wedding dresses. She also loved to knit and crochet, having a booth at the local farmers market, selling all of her beautiful creations under the name of Nana’s Knits. She had been a member of several different knitting groups. She was an avid gardener. Her favorite place to be was on her porch overlooking her flower gardens and bird feeders. When she moved to Acton, Maine, in 1979, she became part of the Southern Maine Spinners & Weavers Guild. She carded, dyed, spun, and wove wool, acquiring three different-sized looms and paraphernalia in our small house on Great East Lake.

During her life, she resided in Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. She moved to New Hampshire in the summer of 1981, where she lived for the rest of her life, although part of her heart always remained in Maine. In Salem, NH, she met her husband, Bob, while attending a dance. After retiring, they spent a lot of time camping in NH and traveling with the camper around the country, visiting different family and friends. They also enjoyed hiking and cross-country skiing. She later joined the senior center and the Salem Senior Singers. Family, singing, dancing, and laughing were among her favorite activities. She always made time for her children and grandchildren, loving all the time she could spend with them, attending school functions when she was able.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Goossens of Milton, NH; her son, Michael Dudley and his wife Robin of Barnstead, NH; daughters, Michelle Hammer and her husband Michael of McLeansville, NC, Lisa Mead of Rockland, ME, and Janet Coyne and her husband Michael of Braintree, MA; her brother, Brian Kelley of Bradford, NH; 17 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and stepchildren.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Cheryl Dudley of Hillsboro, NH; her brothers, David Kelley of Albuquerque, NM and Herbert Kelley of Barnstead, NH.

ARRANGEMENTS: A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00AM at Grace Presbyterian Church, 174 Province Street, Laconia, NH. Assisting the family with arrangements is the Cremation Society of New Hampshire, Manchester.