Viola B. Reitsma

Viola "Dolly" Reitsma, 100, of Thornton, passed away peacefully at the Grafton County Nursing Home on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. Dolly was born in 1914 and would have celebrated her 101st birthday on June 16th. She was born in North Haverhill, New Hampshire to Bertha (Corey) and Walter Applebee.

Dolly married Herman Reitsma on December 19, 1934 and lived on the Blake Mountain Road in Thornton for 76 years. They shared 54 years of marriage before his death in 1988.

Dolly was also predeceased by her brothers John, Ernest, and Robert and her sisters Madeline, Josephine, and Christine, as well as her two sons Albert and Arthur and two grandsons Albert Jr. and John.

Dolly worked for Blake Mountain Cabins for many years. She loved knitting, crocheting, gardening, and redecorating her home. She loved her children, especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

The last few years, while she was at the Grafton County Nursing Home, Dolly made many new friends and enjoyed many fishing trips, trips to the North Haverhill fair, fall foliage tours, and regularly leading the dining room choir.

Dolly is survived by her son Ralph Reitsma and wife Barbara, of Beebe River; daughter, Violet and husband, Clifford, of Ontario, Canada; son, Paul Reitsma and wife Nancy, of Littleton; daughter, Katherine and husband Robert, of Thornton; as well as many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery, in Thornton, on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 at 10:00 am. Rev. Brenda Wentworth will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made in Dolly's name to Grafton County Nursing Home Activities Committee, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill, NH 03774.