Alice McClannan Ellingwood

Alice McClannan Ellingwood, who embodied the strength and determination of her adopted New Hampshire, but never forgot her Virginian charm and hospitality, passed away peacefully at her home in Moultonboro, NH, on Thursday, July 17. She was born in Richmond, VA., on May 24, 1932, to Reas and Iva (Scott) McClannan. In 1940, her family moved to Washington DC, where her father worked as a photo engraver for The Evening Star. After graduating from Anacostia High School in 1950, she worked as a clerk in the fingerprinting and payroll sections of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. While at the F.B.I., she became friendly with another clerk Mary Jane (Ellingwood) Landrigan, from Groveton, NH, who introduced Alice to her brother Dean Chesley Ellingwood, an R.O.T.C. cadet on the G.I. bill at the University of New Hampshire. On April 7, 1956 -- the same day Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married -- Alice and Dean exchanged their vows, and together embarked on a career in the Army that took them to military bases up and down the East Coast, including two tours in Germany. While stationed in Munich and later in Heidelberg, their young family traveled extensively -- often in a Volkswagen camper -- to nearly every country in Europe. She was active in many youth programs, was a Girl Scout leader, and a member of the Officers' Wives Club. She kept the family together while her husband served in Korea and later in Vietnam. In 1975, when Dean retired after 28 years of service, the family moved to their home in Moultonboro, NH. But retirement wasn't what Alice had in mind. She got a job as a teller at Meredith Village Savings Bank and worked her way up to manager of the Center Harbor branch, retiring in 1997, after 20 years of service. A strong believer in community involvement and volunteerism, Alice served for 20 years as the financial secretary of the Moultonboro United Methodist Church, held office as the Town Treasurer for nine years, was an active member of the Women's Club, and was also the town's Supervisor of the Check List and Trustee of the Trust Fund. Later in life, she continued her love of traveling, visiting with her children and grandchildren, and venturing off to places such as Alaska, Bermuda, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Panama, and Russia. Alice was predeceased by her husband. She leaves behind her daughter Cheryl Ellingwood Dancause and her husband, Charles, of New Boston, NH; Rebecca Ellingwood, her partner, Nancy Finley, and their daughter, Abby, of Huntsville, AL; Susan Ellingwood and her husband, Jake Gouverneur, and their children Beatrice and Dean, of New York, NY; a sister, Iva Thompson, of Selbyville, DE; a brother, Quint McClannan, and his wife, Suzanne, of Draper, UT; her sister-in-law, Mary Jane, of Meredith, NH; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Moultonboro United Methodist Church (www.moultonboroumc.org ), Central New Hampshire Hospice (www.centralvna.org ), or the Loon Preservation Committee (www.loon.org ).

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Alice McClannan Ellingwood

May 24, 1932 - July 17, 2014