Theresa J. LaRoche, 96

LACONIA — Theresa J. LaRoche, 96, of Laconia, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2025, after a period of declining health.

She was born on Dec. 9, 1928, to Ernest J. and Mary Anna (née Roy) Pelletier and was a lifelong resident of Laconia. Theresa attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from Laconia High School in 1947. She began her long career at Scott & Willliams and later Cormier Hosiery Mill before entering the banking world with City Savings Bank (later NH Savings Bank), where she retired in 1991, after 20 years of customer service.

Over the years, Theresa volunteered her time at the LRGH Gift Shop and Red Cross blood drives, and enjoyed dancing and traveling as well as meeting new friends through the Laconia Friendship Club. She was an accomplished seamstress who could fashion anything from Barbie clothes to wedding gowns as well as prize-winning Halloween costumes. Her family and home were her pride and joy, and she treasured her time at family gatherings, especially when her grandchildren and great-grandchildren came along. She was a communicant of Sacred Heart Church of St. Andre Bessette Parish, and was a fluent speaker of French.

Family members include daughters Kathleen Gilman (Stephen) of Laconia, Diane Thurber (John) of Arlington, Virginia, and son Henry LaRoche (Delia) of Laconia; six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Theresa was predeceased by husbands Edmond LaRoche and Leon Decelles, brothers Raymond Pelletier, Ernest “Chief” Pelletier Jr., George Pelletier, and sisters Irene Pelletier and Marion Clough.

Calling hours will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Monday, July 14, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 15, at Sacred Heart Church of St. Andre Bessette Parish, 291 Union Ave. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Theresa’s name may be made to Granite VNA, 30 Pillsbury St., Concord, NH 03301. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Granite VNA and Hospice for their caring support during Theresa’s final days.

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