Marguerite Ruth Starkey Ayers

Marguerite Ruth Ayers, 96, of Swanzey, died early Thursday morning, July 16, 2015, at Cheshire Medical Center – Dartmouth Hitchcock in Keene, following a period of declining health.

Meg was born, on April, 29, 1919, in Athol, MA, the daughter of Olan Isaac and Florence (Russell) Starkey. As a young girl she moved to Keene, relocating to Swanzey in 1954 where she resided for the remainder of her life. She was a 1937 graduate of Keene High School.

After High School, she worked for Met Life Insurance as an Administrative Assistant until she met and married the love of her life, Cassius Adna Ayers. She married Adna on September 27, 1948 and celebrated 60 years of marriage before his death in 2008. After her children were older, she started working for CM Lovett Aviation where she remained for over 30 years, until her retirement.

She had been a long time member of the First Congregational Church of Swanzey, serving as its Treasurer for many years. She was also the Treasurer for the Old Homestead Association of Swanzey for over 25 years.

A talented seamstress, she was also skilled at knitting and crocheting and other sewing activities. She enjoyed reading, but truly found happiness in spending time with her family, her husband, children and grandchild were her life.

Marguerite is survived by her children: Kenneth A. Ayers and his wife Susanna of Rindge, Walter R. Ayers and his wife Donna of Swanzey and Peggy LaFreniere and her husband Scott of Swanzey; a grandson: Benjamin LaFreniere of Swanzey; a brother: Russell O. Starkey and his wife Audrey of Keene and a sister: Lorraine Redding of N. Andover, MA. She was predeceased by her husband, Cassius A. Ayers and a sister: Elizabeth Canada.

A memorial service, celebrating her life, will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at 11:00 AM, at the First Congregational Church of Swanzey. Burial will be private. There are no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made, in Marguerite R. Ayers name, to The Carpenter Home, One Simeneau Lane, Swanzey, NH 03446

Fletcher Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St, Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements.