Elaine J. Fletcher Small, 59, died April 21, 2011 at The Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH.
She was born on March 27, 1952 the daughter of Luther and Barbara (Crouse) Fletcher. She was married to Ernest Small on September 27, 1969. Elaine graduated from Hartford High School in 1970 and immediately left for California to be with Ernie where he was stationed with Marine Corps. After Ernie's discharge, they returned to the Upper Valley. Elaine worked for the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratories and the VA in White River for many years. She also worked at Hartford High School, Dartmouth Medical School, and most recently at Dartmouth College.
Family was the center of Elaine's life. Through her sons sports she came to love football, especially the Colts and Patriots. She was the first woman little league coach for one of Luther's teams. She loved softball and played in the Hartford, Hanover and Lebanon leagues. She was on the same team as Ernie, Luther and Trever for a number of year, when at 55 her arthritis forced her to the bench and scorekeeper. She loved her time spent with Ernie. Elaine spent a lot of time quilting and giving them to family and friends. She loved hiking through the woods with her beloved dog, Cayenne. She loved to skate, snowshoe, cross country skiing with her husband, sons and sliding with her grandchildren. She and Ernie loved reading and passed their love of books on to Trever and Luther. She spent many years volunteering for Hartford's Project Graduation and Holiday Baskets.
Elaine was predeceased by her parents, her sister Rebecca Senna and her brother David Wadleigh.
Elaine is survived by her husband and one true love of 41 years, sons Trever (Stephanie) of Enfield, NH and Luther (Bettianne) of White River Jct., VT. She is also survived by her brothers Jay (Betty) of Lafayette, LA, John (Koni) of White River, Jct., Fred (Lyn) of Mesa, AZ, Jim (Bonnie) of Northfield, NH, Frank (Melanie) of Northfield, NH. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Stephen and Kassady of Enfield, NH and Step Mother Barbara Sprague (and her children Cindy and Dale), and her special sister-in-heart, Tatha Olson.
Friends may call at the Knight Funeral Home in White River Jct., Tuesday from 6-8PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Wednesday at 11AM at St. Anthony's Church in White River Jct., VT