Arlene M. Graham, 76

GILFORD — Arlene M. Graham, 76, of Intervale Road, passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at the Granite VNA and Hospice House in Concord. 

Arlene was born on March 21, 1947, in Laconia, the daughter of Reginald and Alfreda (St. Arnaud) Morancy. She attended local schools and enjoyed a wonderful childhood as a “tomboy” with her neighborhood friends in the Little Canada section of Lakeport.

A 1965 graduate of Laconia High School, Arlene married Bob Bucciarelli. Together they purchased and renovated a house in Lakeport where they lived with their daughter, Julie.  

Arlene had a great facility for numbers and pursued a career in bookkeeping and business management. Many area marinas and businesses benefited from her precision and accuracy. Several of her lasting friendships developed through her marina employment. While working as the business manager of Hawkins Photography and Framing in Meredith, she developed an appreciation and talent for framing local works of art. Also, during her years of living and working in Meredith, she became a member of an amateur thespian group, the Saucy Poppets, which produced and enacted plays and entertainments for children.

Her sense of adventure led her to trips to France and to the Caribbean, where she bare-boated with her second husband, George Hawkins. She and George were avid downhill and cross-country skiers and sailed on Lake Winnipesaukee.

She drove alone across country several times to San Diego to visit and, later, to care for her cousin, Richard St. Arnaud, enjoying the scenery as she traveled. Her time in California was enriched by new, deeply valued friendships. She also spent almost a year in Vail, Colorado, assisting friends with their restaurant business. 

Soon after relocating to Gilford, Phil Graham entered her life. They eloped and found happiness, spending winter months traveling the Eastern seaboard and enjoying RV life in Florida, returning each spring to work at New Hampshire marinas. Predictably, many new friendships were forged in the Sunshine State.

Above all else, Arlene loved a good book. If not a book, then travel; if not travel, cooking and spending time with dogs. After her husband Phil passed away in 2021, she took over the Gilford Meadows Condo Association treasurer role on its governing board and became the association’s property manager, working beyond her cancer diagnosis in August until she was no longer able. 

Arlene is survived by her daughter, Julie Bucciarelli; stepson, Kenneth Graham and his wife Nicky; two grandchildren, Eli Cilley and Derek Graham; three great-grandchildren; her beloved dog, Jazzy; and her second husband, professional photographer, George Hawkins. She leaves many nieces and nephews and she is mourned by in-laws Annie and Lolly Bucciarelli, Richard Hawkins and his wife Sharon, and “Ernie” Hawkins Shineman. In addition to her parents and husband, Philip Graham, Arlene was predeceased by her first husband, Bob Bucciarelli; brother, Gene Morancy; sister, Joan Davies; cousin, Richard St. Arnaud; and her dogs, Sammy and Minnie. 

There will be no services at this time. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home and Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, visit wilkinsonbeane.com.