Geraldine Trainor

GERALDINE CAROLINE (BURGON) TRAINOR, 95, Bethlehem, NH, passed away at her home on Saturday, February 21st, 2015. just five days short of her 96th birthday. Geraldine was born in Methuen, MA on February 26th, 1919. She was the eldest child of Tom and Louise (Hohensee) Burgon. She graduated from Edward F. Searles High School, excelling in music and forming many fond memories from her time as Worthy Adviser for Rainbow Girls.

Her first occupation was as a bakery clerk, where she was destined to meet her husband, Richmond Patrick Trainor of South Lawrence, MA. They were married in St. Patrick's Cathedral on Thursday, June 9th, 1938. They were to be husband and wife for nearly 77 years.

WWII began with the young couple moving to Portsmouth, NH where Richmond worked at the Naval Shipyard and they both began volunteering at the region's hospitals. Geraldine's musical abilities grew into life-long contributions – stage shows for wounded and healing troops, community variety shows for many charities, and eventually Church organist and choir positions in Portsmouth, Pease AFB, and Exeter. She was elected as a School Board Member for the town of Greenland.

Her family had grown to four children: Richard Michael (1944), Carol Diane (1948), Kathleen Mary (1956), and Noreen Elizabeth (1957). She was a “sure-hit-batter” in softball, a lover of country gardening, a respected Seacoast water color artist, maker of pine-cone wreaths and other handicrafts, and the pianist ring-leader for every party song-fest.

She was acclaimed for her choir direction by members of both Protestant and Catholic churches. And she was sought after for arranging the music for both funerals and weddings, with her wedding calendar often booked a year in advance.

In September of 1980, having lived in NH since 1942, Geraldine and Richmond decided to follow the appearance of grandchildren in Canada. They lived in Dacre and Renfrew Ontario – fully enjoying the smiling lifestyle of the Ottawa “Valley Folk” , learning to “curl” at Bonspiels and actively participating in a newly formed Knights of Columbus Choir, with Geraldine again at the piano and organ.

In June of 1997, Geraldine and Richmond decided to return to NH as family ties were growing “stateside.” They built a new home in Bethlehem and enjoyed “North Country” life ever since.

Geraldine came from a family with only one sibling, Mary Louise (Burgon) Burridge; and she suffered the loss of her youngest daughter, Noreen, in 2004. Yet her grandchildren grew in number to 13 and her great grandchildren now live exuberantly in Japan (1), New Jersey (7), Oregon (2), New Hampshire (7), and Ontario, Canada (4).

Although dependent upon wheelchair assistance for the last few years, Geraldine's challenges with increasing debilitation were thankfully limited to the last several months. She wanted to “be at home” more than anything. Her family, especially her devoted husband, and the wonderful work of the North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency made sure she was able to be “at home” for her peaceful passage.

Visiting hours will be Tuesday, February 24, 2015 from 7-9PM at Ross Funeral Home, 282 West Main St. Littleton, NH. The Very Rev. Mark Dollard will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 11AM at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, High St. Littleton, NH

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