She was born in Hyde Park, MA on December 8, 1913, the daughter of James and Elsie (Wallace) Stewart. As a child her family moved to Enfield, NH where she attended schools in Enfield and Canaan.
Elsie moved to Swanzey, NH as a young woman where she worked as a nanny for the Franklin Safford family. It was there she met Merritt Belden. The two married in 1940 and soon after purchased their family home on Kelleher Street in Keene where they raised their four children. Elsie was actively involved in the Wheelock School PTA, was a Girl Scout leader, and a member of the First Baptist Church in Keene. Until her retirement in 1975, she had been employed as a housekeeper for Elliot Community Hospital and Cheshire Medical Center.
Elsie enjoyed crafting whether it be sewing, crocheting, baking, or gardening. Family gatherings and holiday events were moments she loved best. Many family vacations were taken on the coast of Maine where Elsie continuously added to her growing collection of sea glass. In her later years, she had become an integral part of the Troy Seniors.
Elsie will be dearly missed by her children: James N. Belden and his wife Nancie of Keene, Nancy E. Griswold and her husband Wes of Keene, Martha B. Silk and her husband Bob of Keene, and Brenda M. Wirein and her husband Donald of Pittsburg; grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Timothy Griswold, his wife Denise, and their son Ryan of Phoenix, AZ, Dawn G. Staples, her husband Scott, and their sons Jack and Owen of Southaven, MS, Scott Griswold of Keene, Kalijiah Rancort, her significant other Raul Martinez, and daughter Kajlynn of Corpus Christi, TX, Amanda Silk Slate, her husband Ed, and daughters Abigail Shephard and Rachel Shephard of Keene, Debra K. Silk, her husband Taylor Thompson, and their sons Brady and Chase of Pembroke, MA, Donald Wirein and his wife Lezlie of Boscawen, Melissa W. Mercier, her husband Colby, and son Benjamin Delisle of Concord; sister: Mary Munn of West Lebanon; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 52 years in 1992: Merritt Belden; grandchildren: James "Mike" Belden and Michele Whitley; brothers: Wallace Stewart, Reginald Stewart, Rankin Stewart, and Robert Stewart; and sisters: Muriel Stewart and Irene Davis.
Family and friends are invited to call on Monday, April 15 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Fletcher Funeral Home, 33 Marlboro Street, Keene. A funeral service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 105 Maple Ave, Keene on Tuesday, April 16 at 11:00 am. Private burial will take place at Monadnock View Cemetery in Keene.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Belden’s name to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 564, Keene, NH 03431.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.9.5