Ellen B. Peters, 71

LACONIA — Ellen B. Peters, 71, died June 8, 2025, at home surrounded by family.

She was the daughter of Harry L. Bryant Jr. and Nancy H. (Head) Bryant.

Ellen was a beloved third and fourth grade teacher at Gilford Elementary School for 46 years. She loved making learning fun for her students. She told her students they were learning a secret code, cursive writing. She had her students design and make a quilt to take home, teaching math and graphing on the sly. She read countless chapter books to her class to give them the love of reading. She inspired many to love teaching.

She was a wonderful quilter. During the Bicentennial Ellen discovered quilting. She was a founding member of the Belknap Quilt Guild. Ellen led many quilting trips to Hawaii and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and had quilting friends around the world. She quilted for many people and enjoyed making beautiful designs and color combinations.

Ellen loved animals. She was a supporter of the New Hampshire Humane Society and the Collie Rescue League. She leaves behind her two collies and 11 Maine coon cats.

She leaves behind two sisters, Anne Nute and Susan Nadeau; one niece, Sarah Nute; and two nephews, Brenden Nadeau and Justin Peters. Her husband, Allen R. Peters, predeceased her. They were married for 41 years.

There are no calling hours.

Services for Ellen will be held at the Gilford Community Church, 19 Potter Hill Road, Gilford, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday June 25. Please wear bright colors and share your Ellen stories.

Donations in Ellen’s name may be made to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247, or the Collie Rescue League of New England, P.O. Box 603, Colchester, VT 05446.

“The loveliest flowers in the garden of my life are my friends.”

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