LACONIA — Anna Marie Garneau, 92, loving mother of three and a devoted wife to husband George, passed away peacefully of natural causes on Aug. 15, 2025.
Anna was born on Aug. 2, 1933, in Laconia, the daughter of Gus and Elizabeth (Claremont) Cotton.
Anna made certain to instill in her children a love of nature and the outdoors. She was always readying them for a hike in her beloved White Mountains or a boat trip on Lake Winnipesaukee. Her desserts were legendary, filling the kitchen with the aroma of blueberry pie, cinnamon rolls and her annual holiday Frozen Strawberry Ice Cream Pie.
She began work as a stenographer for Malleable Iron Co. in Laconia. She complemented her role as a homemaker with a job as a bookkeeper at Dana S. Beane & Co. CPA in Laconia. She later worked as the administrative assistant for the Gwinnett County Law Department in Georgia, where she would eventually retire in 1997.
She was passionate about her Catholic faith and incorporated Christ’s teachings into her everyday life, exemplified by her years as a hospice volunteer. She loved to sing and lent her beautiful voice to several choirs during her life, including at the Taylor Home in Laconia, where she spent the last 10 years with her husband of 69 years, making lots of friends and remaining active mentally and physically. She and George frequently hosted their five grandchildren and their great-grandchildren at large family gatherings. Anna will always be remembered for her outgoing nature and infectious smile.
Anna is survived by her husband George Garneau; daughter Suzanne Wingate and her husband Lynn; sons George Garneau Jr. and his wife Lindsey, and Robert Garneau; five grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; sister Nancy Crutcher; and sister-in-law Diane Groux. She was predeceased by her parents, Kenneth "Gus" and Elizabeth Cotton.
A calling hour will be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.
A memorial service will be celebrated at 10 a.m., also at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Anna’s name to be made to Unbound, a Catholic Faith organization, 1 Elmwood Ave., Kansas City, KS 66103.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.
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