Simone T. Hamel

Simone T. Hamel, 85, of Berlin, NH died on January 22, 2014 at Community Hospice House in Merrimack, NH, surrounded by her loving family. Born into an enormous family on February 2, 1928, she was the daughter of Lazare and Marie (Roy Labrecque) Croteau. Simones father Lazare and his first wife, Diana Ste. Croix had 18 children. Marie and her first husband, George Labrecque, had 9 children. Together Lazare and Marie had 3 more and Simone was the youngest. Simone attended Berlin schools and was a lifelong resident of the city. Although she worked several years at Hallmark and JCPenney, she worked primarily with her beloved husband George on the Hamel family poultry farm. Simone was an active communicant of Guardian Angel Parish and now the Good Shepherd Parish. She served as a Eucharistic minister at Guardian Angel and was a member of the Ladies of St. Anne. She was also a Marie Rivier Associate. Blessed with creativity and enormous talent, Simone excelled in several crafts, but quilting was her passion. She lovingly made quilts for each of her children and grandchildren and always donated quilts to be raffled off at church fairs. She knitted hats and booties for babies with aids. She sewed countless dresses for little girls in Haiti. She cleaned and clothed innumerable dolls for the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop. She dabbled in ceramics and made beautiful braided rugs. Simone was also an excellent cook. Her meat pies, molasses cookies, and whoopee pies are legendary. Together with her husband George, Simone traveled to all 50 states, several Canadian provinces, and cruised the Mediterranean Sea. In addition, they spent countless days enjoying family and friends at their camp on Lake Umbagog in Upton, Me. Yet, Simone lived all of her life on Derrah Street, the street where she was born. She is survived by George Hamel, her husband of 64 years. Family members include son Donald Hamel and wife Jan of Candia, NH, Daughter Donna Wentworth and her husband Jon of Manchester, NH, grandchildren Jason Hamel, Kim Solso, Katelyn and Anna Wentworth, and great granddaughters Madelyn and Emerson Solso, nieces, nephews and cousins. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday January 27, 2014 at 10 AM at St. Anne Church of Good Shepherd Parish. Relatives and friends may call at the Bryant Funeral Home, 180 Hillside Ave., Berlin on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM. Donations in Simones name can be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 153 Grafton St., Berlin, NH, 03570 or to Community Hospice House, Development Office, 7 Executive Park Drive., Merrimack, NH, 03054.