Anna Caroline Lord of Wolfeboro, passed peacefully on the morning of December 10, 2017, with the sun outside her window glistening on the new-fallen snow and her daughter, Sue, by her side.

Born April 4, 1932 in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire as one of seven children to Ephraim and Edna Keniston.  Loving wife of Arnold G. Lord of Wolfeboro, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, step-mother, mother-in-law, aunt, cousin, and friend to so very many.

Our mother lived a full and adventurous life.  Mom was a bold, strong spirit who grew up in Wolfeboro and then moved to Homer, Alaska in the 1960’s where she began to raise her family and work as a bush nurse and hospital nurse.  Upon completing this adventure, she returned to New Hampshire in the early 1970’s with eight children and a dog in tow. 

Once back to her beloved childhood home, Mom worked at Huggins Hospital as an LNA before going into law enforcement in the late 1970’s as a Juvenile Officer in Wakefield.  Proudly, Mom was one of the first female officers to graduate from the New Hampshire Police Academy.  While serving as an officer in Wakefield she was a founding member of the Wakefield Area Youth organization.  This organization assisted troubled youth in the area, many of whom she brought home from time to time when additional assistance was needed and the individual could benefit from her loving care.  Her love and passion for the youth and elderly was evident.  During this time, she was also able to serve as the “body guard” for celebrities such as Willie Nelson and Tammy Wynette when they performed at local venues.  This put a HUGE smile on her face.  Mom also served as a police officer in Colebrook, a Sheriff Deputy for the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department and as a Bailiff at the Carroll Country Courthouse until her retirement in her mid 70’s.

Though not blessed with financial wealth, Mom WAS blessed with the ability to assist and serve others.  Throughout her life she accomplished great things with very few resources.  A charity that was so dear to her heart was the United States Marine Corps. Toys for Tots.  In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s Toys for Tots became a true focus.  At times the donations overtook the limited space in her home until Santa could make his deliveries.  Later in life, she was actively involved in the Wolfeboro Chapter of the Rebekkah’s and the American Legion Auxiliary and had a significant involvement in making certain The Moving Wall  found its way to Wolfeboro – and it did.  And she was thrilled and proud.

Later in life, Mom found herself visiting her “second home”, Huggins Hospital, quite frequently.  On many occasions when things were uncertain, she still had the strength to smile at a familiar staff face.  She knew so many there and had great love and respect for each of them and they felt the same in return. 

As failing health slowed Mom down and took her speech, she transitioned into an assisted life at Genesis Wolfeboro where she learned how to “communicate” to her new healthcare family.  Although her time there was short, she became comfortable with the staff and felt their love and care as well.  She continued to give a smile to those she loved until the end.

Our family would like to extend special thoughts to Dr. Eric Lewis and to Brian Lord.  Our mother loved you both dearly and always felt you were part of her family.  She always told us that she considered the two of you her own sons.  Thank you for all you did for her.

In our minds, our mother’s greatest accomplishment was being our mother.  We were, without a doubt, a trying bunch, to say the least.  We will remember Mom for doing whatever it took to make certain we too, were cared for.  Though sometimes things didn’t always turn out the way she had hoped, Mom always found a way to pull the family through. 

We will remember many things about our mother:  The way she truly cared for each of us and for others.  The way her smile would light up a room.  That the sound of the piano being played in the early hours of the morning meant everything is well and Momma is happy and full of soul.  That sometimes work is hard but, you just have to persevere in order to accomplish something you truly care about. That putting others first is the most selfless thing one can do to help society and rather than looking at it as an chore, embrace it and enjoy the good it does for others. That the Red Sox may not always be on top, but you just gotta stick with them and one day they will win again.  That it’s okay to put a training bra on the Christmas tree as an act of humor and to not be embarrassed when it’s YOUR training bra, or that sticking a birthday candle in the business-end of the Thanksgiving Turkey was okay because, well, it’s your birthday and there is no cake.  That it’s fun to dance like there is nobody watching and that music is good for the soul.   That you may have to eat a little less one evening because someone may show up at your home and they need the food more.   That family is family and you do whatever it takes to help and love one another.  But, most of all, we learned that when Mom heard, “Good night, Mom, I love you the mostest!”  no matter whose voice she heard last, she knew that all of us loved her “the mostest!”  And that, my friends, was her greatest accomplishment.   We wish you peace and rest at last, Mom.  Enjoy it, because one day soon, we will all be joining you and the vacation is over!

There will be no calling hours.  A memorial service will be held in the spring.  In lieu of flowers Mom would be thrilled if you made a contribution to the Wolfeboro American Legion, The Carroll County Meals on Wheels Program (two organizations that she loved dearly), or if you just do something unexpectedly nice for another.  Remembrances may be mailed to PO Box 34, Wolfeboro Falls, NH  03896.

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