Maralynn Mary Mohs

This obituary will not be like others you’ve read because Maralynn Mary (DeNicola) Mohs was unique with a vivaciousness for life and lifting up others. Surrounding herself in colorful pinks, her favorite color, and fun patterns to light up even the dullest room.

She was born in Medford, MA September 9, 1945. Raised adjacent to Johnson’s Dairy Farm in Windham, NH with her mother, Dorothy DeNicola (deceased), and father, Thomas DeNicola (deceased), her sister Rosalind (Roz) DeBlois (Windham, NH), and brother Thomas (Tommy) DeNicola (Thonotosassa, FL). Tommy, Roz and Maralynn went to Canobie Lake in their convertible every Friday night to the skate rink and open ballroom. They danced under the stars to the greats: Brenda Lee, the Shirelles, Stevie Wonder, Sunny & Cher and many more. Brother Tommy always keeping everyone in giggles with his funny sense of humor. Saturdays meant a trip to Mac Armstrong’s house where she and her sister would clean and then be treated to a formal tea party complete with fine china and tiny sandwiches.

After graduating from Pinkerton Academy in Derry, NH she went on to Beauty School and starting a family with her high school sweetheart and husband, John Mohs. She enjoyed spending time with family and her nieces: Dorothy Long (Plant City, FL), and Deborah (Debbie) Fodera (Ocala, FL), and Fayleen Rouix (Windham, NH).

She loved art, nature and writing. She passed this love on to her two daughters, Faith Legendre (Glen Cove, NY) and Pettina Harden (Appleton, ME). Bringing them to the library before they could read and write to spark their curiosity and creativity. Obtaining National Geographic magazines that had been discarded in order to share the world, and the people in it, with her children. And later in life, attending writing courses at UNH to write stories with others.

When she took a break, it was to the ocean she went because the surf, and sand between her toes relaxed her. She and her family could also be found in the fresh air of the NH mountain range, majestic waterfalls, and taking in the inspiring expansive views. Always leaving with indigenous handmade shoes, clothing, and art like a dream catcher which symbolizes oneness.

In her community of Epsom, NH with her young child in hand, Maralynn would go to the local nursing home front desk and ask who did not have any family visitors. For hours she would sit and chat to bring comfort to perfect strangers that quickly became friends.

When health took a turn for Maralynn and she found her own self in Cedar Healthcare in Portsmouth, NH she continued to bring light to those in her facility from staff to residents. She filled her room with joy adorning it with lots of smiling Mickeys and Minnies as Disney was one of her favorites. “She didn’t have a mean bone in her body and never complained about anything,” said one of the nurses. “When I found out she liked birds, just like me, I put up feeders by her window. She would tell me about the different birds that visited,” said another staff member. “Your mother was such a strong woman. I am proud to have known her and you should be proud to have had her as a mother,” said the son of her primary doctor who came to visit her with flowers on his day off.

Her gifts always thoughtful to those newly arrived and the staff…from a warm sweater to a stuffed, smiling animal, a book with inspiring quotes or a thoughtful story and always a listening ear. Mom loved an opportunity to interact with all of the residents in a fun way fully participating in the jewelry making, live music, art, and festive parties.

She passed away at 79 years old on December 9, 2024 surrounded by her daughters and sister in Portsmouth, NH.

She always wanted to swim with the dolphins…. May you swim with the dolphins in the sky dear daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunt, niece, and sweet soul.

A celebration of life will be held at Cedar Healthcare, 188 Jones Ave, Portsmouth, NH on Saturday December 14, 2024 at 10:30 AM.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Maralynn Mohs Fun Fund for Cedar Healthcare activities here: https://gofund.me/c17347c1