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AMHERST – Lorraine Alice Hamilton of Amherst, New Hampshire, Beach Haven, New Jersey and Rancho Mirage, California died June 14, 2020 from pancreatic cancer at her home in California. She was 73 years old and a participant in the trial of a new cancer drug at NYU Langone in New York City since April 2019. She hoped that results from the trial would improve care for other patients who develop this cancer. She was with her family when she died and was
Obituaries
Helen Dougherty Melanson
Helen Dougherty Melanson, 78, passed away peacefully on May 18th, after a long period of declining health. Helen lived in Amherst, NH for 40 years before moving into assisted living with her husband, Roger. She is survived by Roger, her husband of 54 years, son Timothy, daughter Katherine Emerson, son-in-law Ryan, and two grandsons, William and Benjamin Emerson. She is also survived by her brother William J. Dougherty of New London, CT.Helen was raised in Trenton, NJ, and graduated from Merrimack College. She taught for several years at Nashua High School followed by 40 years of teaching at Hollis-Brookline High School.
Teaching Humanities was her life’s passion, second only to raising her family. Helen believed that the greatest investment a teacher could make was to help students recognize their own potential. Students remember her as a challenging teacher who cared deeply about them, nurturing both their minds and hearts. She cherished opportunities for reconnecting with former students, never forgetting a face or a story about what made each student unique.
Devoted to her family, she always put their needs ahead of her own. Helen strongly supported her husband’s entrepreneurial career and demonstrated an unconditional commitment to her children’s interests, needs, and happiness. During the summer, she enjoyed spending time with her family on their sailboat as well as swimming and playing tennis at Jasper Valley.Always in search the next lesson, Helen earned her master’s degree at Dartmouth College and traveled to study in China and Scotland. She was a voracious reader of novels, biographies, historical events, and memoires. Her favorite Sunday morning ritual was to read the Sunday papers while sipping her morning coffee.
The birth of her two grandsons allowed Helen to retire from teaching with renewed purpose, providing most of their early childhood care, bringing Helen immeasurable joy. She also enjoyed traveling to the Boston area to work part-time for Kimball Fruit Farm’s farmers’ markets. Helen also volunteered at the Auxiliary Gift Shop at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center.Helen’s curiosity and creativity were hallmarks of her personality for her entire life. She borrowed her personal mantra from Antoine de Saint Exupery’s belief that, “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”
Services will be private, but friends and former students of Helen’s are encouraged to send notes of remembrance of Helen to her daughter, Kate, so that she may share with her children the legacy their grandmother left to them.
Roy J. Clites
Roy J. Clites, 87, longtime resident of Amherst, NH, died on May 19, 2023 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born in Lorraine, OH on April 2, 1936, and graduated from Brookside High School, Class of 1954, where he excelled as a basketball and football player.
During his career as an electrical engineer, Roy advanced in his field, in management and executive roles until his retirement in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Gayle (Holl) Clites and his first wife, Evelyn A. Clites, mother of his children, Scott and Susan.
He is survived by his loving wife, Frances R. Clites of Amherst, NH; daughter Susan and her wife, Penny Brown of Myrtle Beach, SC; son, Scott, and his wife, Lori Clites of Kimberly, ID; his grandchildren, Jessica Smith and Tyler Clites; and four great-grandchildren.
Marrying Fran, Roy added her large, extended family including Karen and Dennis Williams, Tammy and Don Fuccillo, Shawn and XueLan Smith, Pamela Smith and her fiancé Jim Yerakes, Paula and Steven Jacques and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to his family.
Lovingly known as “Papa Roy”, his warm, optimistic, and gregarious personality touched family and friends alike. Roy loved to travel with Fran on adventures they shared locally and internationally, and as snowbirds on Florida’s Gulf Coast. More than anything, Roy cherished being with his family.
A private wake honoring Roy was attended by his family and extended family at Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Roy’s memory to the International Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia Foundation. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.
