Marie "Cecile" Jennings
August 29, 1929 — January 3, 2014
Marie "Cecile" Jennings, 84, of Peterborough and previously of Surry, died peacefully on January 3, 2014 at Summer Hill Assisted Living. She was born in Greenboro Bend, VT on August 29, 1929, the daughter of Leonce Cyr and Rhoda (Rabida) Cyr.
Cecile was a longtime volunteer of Hospice, the F.A.C.T.S. program of Thorne Gallery, and Westwood Healthcare Facility where she was known as "The Flower Lady".
She traveled extensively with her Navy husband of 52 years, John Staff Jennings, who predeceased her in 2002. They had tours of duty at: Little Creek, VA; Port Lyautey, French Morocco; Okinawa; Taiwan; Edzell, Scotland; and Bremerhaven and Stuttgart, Germany.
Cecile graduated from St. Mary Academy, Island Pond, VT and attended Trinity College of Burlington, VT. She had been an instructor of Ikebana, the art of Japanese flower arranging. She was a past board member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Cheshire Medical Center, a past board member of the Grand Monadnock Arts Council, and a past member of the Old Homestead Garden Club.
In 2000, Cecile was recognized as US Caregiver of the Year for the strength and warmth she brought to hospice work for families coping with cancer.
Cecile is survived by her children Dr. Heidi Fowler and her husband James of Middleton, RI, Ethan Jennings and his wife Amy of Center Barnstead, and Sara Spittel and her husband Rob of Wilton; 9 grandchildren; and her sister Rita Gagnon of Glastonbury, CT.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her son Jonathan, who died accidentally in 1994 and her daughter Malin who died of breast cancer in 2013.
Visiting hours will be held Thursday January 9th from 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM at Jellison Funeral Home, 25 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter's Divine Mercy Parish, 18 Vine Street, Peterborough, NH will immediately follow at 11:00 AM. Monsignor Gerald Balanger will officiate. Burial will take place at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Cecile's name to Sisters of Mercy, 100 Mansfield Ave, Burlington, VT 05401 or Monadnock United Way, 23 Center Street, Keene, NH 03431.
Jellison Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online obituary please visit www.jellisonfuneralhome.com.