Mary B. Whitcher

Mary B. Whitcher, 76, of Ellenton, FL., and Meredith, N.H., passed suddenly on January 21, 2015 at Tampa General Hospital. Daughter of the late Charles A. Burke and Julie (Routhier) Burke, Mary Ann Burke was born on June 19, 1938 in Franklin, N.H. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Gordon Wendell Whitcher; her six children, Cynthia (Cindy) Whitcher of Concord, NH, Janice Lord of Lenoir City, TN, Gordon (G.W.) Whitcher, Jr., of Meredith, NH, Christopher (Chris) Whitcher of Meredith, NH, Susan Zidron of Hollywood, FL, Rebecca (Becky) Whitcher of Meredith, NH ; sister, Margaret E. Knight of Franklin, NH, brother, John W. Burke of Manchester, NH; sister-in-law Roberta Burke of Franklin, NH; grandchildren Amanda and Andrew Lord, Carly, Cody and Everett Whitcher, Jessica and Joseph Zidron; six great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her brother, Charles E. Burke of Franklin, NH. Mary Burke attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Franklin High School in 1956. She studied elementary education at Plymouth State College where she met her husband, Gordon Whitcher. They married June 28, 1958. Mary worked at New England Telephone and Telegraph and Annalee Dolls, and began what would be a long career in banking after the birth of her sixth child. She started at First Bank in Meredith in 1973 and moved on to work at Meredith Village Savings Bank where her work ethic and attention to detail elevated her to numerous positions throughout her tenure including loan officer, branch manager of multiple offices and assistant vice president. She continued her quest of banking perfection by becoming the compliance officer at MVSB and founded the Lakes Region Compliance Association where she was recognized for outstanding leadership. She completed her banking career in compliance at Laconia Savings Bank and retired in 2001. Mary generously served her community. She was one of the first four women to be inducted into the Meredith Rotary Club in 1987 where she was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow and was active in the treasury for the Great Meredith Rotary Fishing Derby. She was a board member of the Meredith Visiting Nurses Association and was a devoted member of the Inter-Lakes Booster Club for many years, supporting many of the school's programs long after her children graduated. She also hosted band exchange students and Rotary International Youth Exchange Students. She made her home welcome to all, and it was always bustling with activity. She thrived to organize chaos, and she had a remarkable ability to balance her active home life with a rising career. She was an outstanding home maker and her interests included many crafts including sewing, knitting and cross stitching. She proudly displayed her works of art and was recognized for her accomplishments on numerous occasions. She began the "Mitten Tree Program" at Meredith Village Savings Bank, a tradition of collecting handmade or purchased mittens and hats for those in need that continues today. In her retirement, she loved knitting hats for premature babies at the local hospitals. She loved the Boston Red Sox, the New England Patriots and was notorious for saving things because "You never know when we might need that". She was clever, crafty and always prepared. Her retirement years were spent in Ellenton, Florida and Meredith, N.H and she enjoyed her time doting on her family. She glowed when her grandchildren came to visit and took special pride in her great grandchildren. Throughout her life, her most favorite pastime was holding babies. She is forever remembered for her gentle nature, her impeccable attention to detail and her selfless and proud love of her family. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the team of professionals in the thoracic cardiac ICU at Tampa General Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion in her final hours. A memorial service will be held this summer in Meredith, NH on a date to be determined by the family. Memorial donations may be made to the Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) 186 Waukewan Street, Meredith, N.H., 03253 or a charity of the donor's choosing.

Tributes

Mary B. Whitcher

June 18, 1938 - January 21, 2015