Nellie L. Horne

White River Junction, VT — Nellie L. Horne, 67, died in the early morning hours of Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Jack Byrne Center in Lebanon, NH.

Born in Lebanon, NH, on October 7, 1958, Nellie was the daughter of Leslie and Dorothy (LaFrance) Horne. She grew up in the White River Junction and Lebanon area and remained deeply rooted in the community she loved all her life. Nellie spent her years working as a waitress at various local restaurants. She worked at the former Woolworth lunch counter, Four Aces Diner, and The Fort, where she became a familiar and beloved face, often working alongside her daughter, Teri. Everyone knew Nellie. She greeted friends and strangers alike with a warm smile and an even warmer hug.

Family was always at the center of Nellie’s life. She took great care of those she loved and played an active role in helping to raise her grandchildren. She cherished time spent with her family at their special spot along the Storrs Hill nature trail, always making ordinary days feel like fun celebrations. Her life was a testament to kindness, homemade beauty, and to making sure no one ever felt alone. A very sentimental soul, Nellie surrounded herself with small treasures: knickknacks, crystals, gnomes, trolls, and tiny keepsakes that each held a story. She did not care for fancy things or unnecessary fuss. If it was homemade, heartfelt, and shared with love, that was more than enough.

Nellie volunteered at the LISTEN Community Services food pantry, sharing her time with neighbors in need. She also painted rocks with inspirational sayings and left them around the Upper Valley, small gifts of encouragement for strangers to find. Many in the community may have unknowingly carried a piece of Nellie’s heart home in their pocket.

Nellie’s creativity was boundless. She enjoyed crafting and could make something out of nothing. She was known for her whimsical fairy houses, delicate flower crowns, and carefully woven dream catchers. She found beauty everywhere, especially in her flower gardens, where even weeds were considered flowers in her eyes. In her alone time, she filled journals with reflections and doodles.

Nellie was predeceased by her parents, brothers, Jim and John Horne, and sisters, Nancy Reed and Betty Horne.

She is survived by her daughters, Teri Horne of White River Junction and Jaime Neily of Florida, the granddaughters she helped raise, Morgan Horne and Leslie Timmons, additional grandchildren, McKenzie Keough, Jessie Wilber, Meranda Keough, Sondra Neily, and Steven Neily; seven great grandchildren, Natalie, Noah, Zaviur, Everly, Paisleigh, Colby, and Elianna, as well as close friend and former husband, Earl Grose.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date to be announced. Knight Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed in an online guestbook found at www.knightfuneralhomes.com