Nedra A. Demers

Generous And Loving

Nedra A. (Canfield) Demers, 91, a longtime resident of Lebanon, N.H., died August 2, at Genesis Eldercare in Lebanon. Born January 2, 1919, in Enfield, N.H., she was the youngest child of Elizabeth “Bessie” and Frederick Acon Canfield.

She is survived by her sons William, assistant editor for Antiques and The Arts Weekly, a Bee Publication, and his spouse, Ann Dunnington, of Ridgefield and Eugene and his wife, Anna, of La Plata, Md.; her daughter Pauline Richardson of Enfield, N.H.; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and several nephews and nieces. She was predeceased by her husband, Alfred “Fred” R. Demers, in March 1968. A sister, Silvia King of Enfield; a brother, William Canfield of Florida; and a half-sister,  Myrtle Johnston of Miami, also predeceased Mrs Demers.

Mrs Demers grew up in Enfield and attended the Enfield Village School until her senior year. She and Fred married on November 28, 1936. The couple first resided in Lebanon, and in 1951 moved to Enfield Center.

Mrs Demers juggled a physically demanding job as a mill weaver with the responsibilities of raising three children and contributing to the life of their new community. She and her husband, also a mill worker and sometimes construction laborer, worked different shifts so that they could share parental duties, a novel domestic arrangement in those days. In later years, she worked in the housekeeping department at Mary Hitchcock Hospital in Hanover, N.H. She attended Lebanon College in the 1970s, earning her high school diploma — a proud achievement at the age of 55 — graduating with the Lebanon High School Class of 1974. She was promoted to an office position in the housekeeping department, where she served as secretary until her retirement from the hospital in 1980.

A talented craftsperson, Mrs Demers first started crocheting when she was 5 years old, but learned advanced techniques from her husband’s mother. The untold number of doilies, afghans, lap robes, slippers, doll outfits and hat, scarf and mitten sets she made for friends and relatives over the years were a traditional feature of the annual Demers family reunions. Her family will miss her spirited creations, and she will be remembered for her generosity, wit, and love for her family.

Services will be conducted Saturday, August 7, at 2 pm, at Ricker Funeral Home, 56 School Street, Lebanon, by the Reverend Richard Laubenheimer. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Enfield.

Friends and family may call at Ricker Funeral Home, Friday, August 6, from 6 to 8 pm. Online condolences can be left for the family by visiting rickerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mrs Demers’ name to the charity of one’s choice.

The Newtown Bee        August 6, 2010