Ardelle B. Gilman

Ardelle B Gilman passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Golden View in Meredith, NH. Ardelle was born on September 29, 1929, to Scott and Evelyn (Merrill) Benton and was a lifelong resident of Thornton, NH. She attended Thornton Grade School and Plymouth High School. Following graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Russell M Gilman and together, they raised five children. The Gilman family’s garden provided all of their vegetables and at the end of summer, freezers, canning shelves and root cellar were full, but Ardelle’s greatest love of gardening was her flower beds. She taught all of her kids to sew and knit, as well as crocheting and embroidery to those who were interested. Ardelle taught all of her children to cook/bake. She taught herself cake decorating and made wedding cakes for not only her kids, but also numerous nieces and nephews as well as neighborhood kids. Ardelle and her husband had their own business and she handled all of the bookkeeping and other office duties until her retirement in 1988. Ardelle is survived by her son, Donald Gilman and his wife Juanita, daughter, Elledra Presby, sons-in-law, John J Killion, Jr and Walter Joyce, and grandchildren, Sheila Gambino (Michael), John J (Jack) Killion, III, Keith Killion, Jeffrey Killion (Katherine), Aimee Soucy, Adam Gilman (Amanda), Matthew Gilman (Heidi), Tanya O’Brien (Sean), Kelley Joyce (Dana), Levell Joyce (Angela) and Edward Joyce. She is also survived by great grandchildren, Joseph Gambino, Megan Gambino, John J (Jake) Killion, IV, Ryan Killion, Chloe Killion, Bree Killion, Bentley Killion, Benton Killion, Evan Soucy, Elena Soucy, Mason Gilman, Morgan Gilman, Wyatt Gilman, Garrett Gilman, Lily O’Brien, Zealand O’Brien, Emma Joyce, Brady Joyce, Eden Joyce, Mitchell Joyce, and Alexa Joyce, her brother, Scott Benton (Velma) as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Ardelle was predeceased by her husband, Russell, daughters Donna Killion and Terry Joyce, son Lee Gilman, son-in-law William Presby and grandson Brent Gilman, as well as her sisters Phyllis Holbrook and Natalie Hartwell, and brother Alton Benton. Calling hours are 4-6 on Thursday, 11/16/23 at Mayhew’s Funeral Home in Plymouth, NH. A graveside service will be private at Mad River Cemetery in Thornton, NH. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association, 186 Waukewan St, Meredith, NH 03253

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Ardelle B. Gilman

September 29, 1929 - November 12, 2023