Eleanor Frances Courtemanche, 90, of Silver Maples and a former long time resident of Main Street, died Friday morning, October 10, 2008 at  Valley Regional Hospital after a short illness.

She was born in Boston, MA on December 12, 1917 the daughter of Elwin and Margaret (Weston) Harlow and had resided in Claremont most of her life.  She was a graduate of Lebanon High School in Lebanon.

She had worked as a clerk at Sears and at Hutchinson’s Donut Shop both in Claremont. In her earlier years, she was employed by Split Ball Bearing in Lebanon.  Her greatest joy in life was spending time with her family.  She was a devoted mother and caretaker.  She spent many hours watching her grandchildren and was even able to watch her great-grandchildren well into her 70’s.  She took great pleasure in playing cards, bingo and other activities with her extended family at Silver Maples in Claremont.

She married Gerald N. Courtemanche on February 23, 1946 in Lebanon, NH.  After 49 years of marriage he predeceased her on March 11, 1995.

The surviving family includes one son, Jerry Courtemanche and his wife Jen of Germantown, MD; two daughters, Nancy Bonneau and her husband Paul of Claremont and Mary Harrington and her husband Pat of Perkinsville, VT and Enfield, CT; eight grandchildren, Christine Williamson, Tommy Courtemanche, Jimmy Courtemanche, Kevin Bonneau, Bob Bonneau, Brad Bonneau, Michelle Dattilio and Matthew Harrington and their spouses; 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Margaret Harlow and Naomi Gibson both of Lebanon, Doris Edson of Enfield and Florida; also nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was pre-deceased by two brothers, Elwin Harlow, Jr. and Robert Harlow and one sister, Lillian Fiske.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning, October 13^th at Eleven O’clock in St Mary’s Church with Rev. Shawn M. Therrien, Pastor, officiating.

Friends may call at the Stringer Funeral Home on Monday morning from 9 to 10:30 prior to the Mass.

Interment will be at a later date in St Mary’s Cemetery.

The family suggests that donations may be made in her memory to the Claremont Soup Kitchen, Inc., PO Box 957, Claremont, NH 03743.