LACONIA — Jeraldine Patricia Dean, 77, passed away at Lakes Region General Hospital on Wednesday, January 16, 2013, due to complications from treatments for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
Jerri was born in New London, N.H., on March 5, 1935 to Helen (Bell) and Gordon Davis. She grew up in North Sutton, N.H., graduating from New London High School as salutatorian of her class. Jerri attended Colby Sawyer College and Plymouth State Teachers College, where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education.
Jerri began raising her family with former husband Arthur A. Dean in 1958, settling in Laconia in 1966. During her 33-year teaching career, she taught at both Mechanic Street School and Woodland Heights Elementary School.
Jerri believed strongly in community service. Her activities included serving on the Laconia Education Association, cooking for the Salvation Army, serving as a board member for the Taylor Home, and doing hospice work. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church.
Jerri enjoyed gardening, walking, swimming, reading, and journaling. But she was happiest when surrounded by her family, especially her grandchildren. She delighted in making her swimming pool a special gathering spot for her family. Jerri also loved her dinner and movie nights with friends. She was a lifelong lover of animals, caring for every stray cat that came her way!
Family members include: her son, Timothy S. Dean, and his wife, Michelle, of Laconia; her daughter, Cheryl A. Angus, of Laconia; her son, James M. Dean, and Nancy DePasquale of Beverly, M.A.; her son, John K. Dean, and his wife, Karen, of Gilmanton, N.H.; grandchildren, Hayley Angus, of Campton, N.H., Evan Dean of Chattam, M.A., Olivia, Aidan and Victoria Dean of Laconia, Lauren and Caroline Dean of Gilmanton; great grandson, Maxx Angus, of Campton; her brother, Fred Davis, and his wife, Terry, of Springfield, N.H.; her sister, Nancy Nichols, and her husband, Richard, of Croydon, N.H and her late brother, John Davis, and his wife, Sandy, of Warner, N.H.
A celebration of Jerri's life will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, N.H., on Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 11:00 A.M.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerri's memory may be made to the N.H. Humane Society, PO Box 572, Laconia, N.H. 03247 or to Central New Hampshire VNA & Hospice, 780 N. Main St., Laconia, N.H. 03246.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H. is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.

LACONIA — Mary Lou (Defosses) Sanad, 83, passed away on Monday, December 24, 2012 at Belknap County Nursing Home. She was a lifelong resident of Laconia.
Born August 7, 1929 to the late Leonard and Phyllis (Colby) MacQuarrie. Prior to her retirement, she worked at various jobs in the Lakes Region including bookkeeper at Norm Marsh's Garage, Quality Foods and Pike Industries.
Mary Lou was a member of both the VFW and American Legion Women's Auxiliary in Laconia. One of her favorite things was Monday night bingo at the VFW. In her younger years she enjoyed motorcycle riding and snowmobiling.
She was married to the late Richard Defosses Sr. of Laconia.
She is survived by two sons; Tony and Nathan Defosses of Laconia, one daughter, Missy Defosses and her husband Ron Judkins of Belmont, seven grandchildren; Crystral Defosses and Bob Scerra of Gilford, Ashley Defosses of Laconia, Skyler Judkins of Belmont, Frank, Stewart, Alana and Samantha Defosses, all of Laconia, one sister, Judy Shanley of Connecticut, sisters in law Beverly, Lee and Sharon MacQuarrie, one daughter in law, Caroline Defosses and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her husband Ahmed Sanad, one son, Richard Defosses Jr. and three brothers; Walter, James and Robert MacQuarrie.
There will be a celebration of life on Thursday, January 24th from 5-7 pm at the VFW Hall on Court Street in Laconia.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary, Court Street, Laconia, NH 03246.

LACONIA — Robert A. Swanke, 86, of Laconia, NH and formerly of Holliston, MA passed away January 16, 2013 at the Lakes Region General Hospital in Laconia, NH after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Julia V. (Harris) and Max A. Swanke. He was the husband of 62 years to Agnes M. (Platt) Swanke of Laconia.
A US Navy Veteran of WWII, Robert attended the US Naval Academy and belonged to the US Naval Academy Alumni Association, the US Naval Institute, American Battleship Assoc., USS Wisconsin Assoc., USS Shangri-La Assoc., Association of Aviation Ordnancemen, as well as the Knights of Colombus and American Legion. In 1992, after forty two years in
the insurance business, he retired as Regional Vice President from Mutual of America Life Insurance Company.
Besides his wife, he is survived by 2 sons, Robert A. Swanke Jr. of Bellingham, and Brian G. Swanke and his wife Tracey of Rochester, NY; 3 daughters, Mary-Clare Swanke of South Orange, NJ, Virginia E. Blanchard and her husband Scott of Holliston, and Donna M. Ambrose of Manasquan, NJ. He also leaves behind 5 grandchildren, Megan Styffe and her husband Philip of Milford, Jillian Blanchard of Ashland, Mark Ambrose of Minnesota, Meridith Ambrose of Queens, NY, Alexia Swanke of Rochester, NY; and 2 great-grandsons, Robbie and Ryan Styffe of Milford.
There will be no visitation. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 9:00a.m. on Monday, January 21, 2013 at St. Mary's Church of Holliston, Washington St. (Rt.16), with burial following in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Holliston. www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
either St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105 or (stjude.org) or Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave. Boston, MA 02215 (dana-farber.org)