Charlena Ruth Thompson

Charlena Ruth Littlefield Thompson passed away peacefully on September 28, at the Rockingham County Nursing Home. She was 95 years old. Charlena was born in Beverly, MA on 29 April 1926 to Byron T. and Frances M (Howard) Littlefield. Beginning at age 10 she was also raised by her stepmother, Hazel M. (Dudley) Littlefield. She was a life-long resident of Raymond until moving to the Rockingham County Nursing Home in 2014. A graduate of Raymond High School Class of 1944, she began her administrative career at the Rockingham County Registry of Deeds before taking a position in the legal department at the Manchester Federal Savings & Loan in Manchester, NH. She retired from the bank after decades of service. Charlena had several nicknames bestowed upon her by her friends and family: Chat, Char, Charley, and Gigi among others. A kind, loving, generous and gracious lady, she loved to laugh (even at herself), was loyal and supportive to her friends, and treated all with respect. “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” was advice freely shared and always lived by. While she enjoyed traveling she was always glad to return home to Raymond where she enjoyed ballroom dancing with her husband, and kept busy knitting, crocheting, gardening, and gathering with others. She loved playing Rummy and other card games that always sparked a competitive spirit that Charlena otherwise contained. She loved her Boston Red Sox, and eating chocolate to the very end. Charlena was a member of the Raymond United Methodist Church and served her community in a number of ways during her lifetime. She collected for the March of Dimes, served as the local treasurer for the Salvation Army, was active with the RHS Alumni Association and did service projects through her church. Family members include her children and their spouses: Ann L. and Richard Harris of Bedford, NH; Edward A. and Maureen Thompson of Nashua, NH; Donald S. and Christine Thompson of Bedford, MA; her grandchildren and spouses: Stephen and Cheryl Pearson of Derry, NH; Jennifer and James (Jay) Doherty of Concord, NH; Michael and Katie Pearson of Holmes, NY; Sarah and David Glaser of Reading, MA; Lynnelle Thompson of Dorchester, MA; Philip Thompson of New York City, NY; Scott Thompson of Bedford, MA; and her four great-grandchildren: James (Jayson) and Charlena Doherty of Concord, NH; Evelyn Glaser of Reading, MA; and Gwendolyn Pearson of Holmes, NY. Charlena is also survived by her sister-in-law Judy Littlefield, her nephew Jeffrey Littlefield, her niece Julie Littlefield Bouchard, Maxine Carver - her best friend of 90 years, plus numerous extended family members. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Edward Thompson in 2003 and her brother Byron D. Littlefield in 2016. Calling hours will be October 5, 2021 from 1:30-2:30pm at the Raymond United Methodist Church, Main St., Raymond, NH, followed immediately by a funeral at 2:30pm and burial at the New Pine Grove Cemetery in Raymond. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Rockingham County Nursing Home for the wonderful and gentle care. Your skill and dedication to all aspects of Charlena’s life gave us peace and confidence that she was being cared for in the best possible setting. She loved living at “The Rock” and the many staff and resident friendships she formed there. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to The Patient Activities Fund, Rockingham County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 117 North Road, Brentwood, NH 03833, or to The RHS Alumni Association, PO Box 174, Raymond, NH 03077, or the Raymond United Methodist Church, Main St., Raymond, NH 03077. Brewitt Funeral Home, Raymond, NH, is handling the arrangements. To share a memory on the tribute wall, please visit www.brewittfuneralhome.com